Arkansas National Guard officials just revealed that the Air National Guard’s 223rd Combat Communications Squadron at Hot Springs “will close its doors in April 2008,” reports KTHV news. According to the news report, states Guard leaders learned of the cuts late last year—with no specific timeframe—and began looking for new spots to put the 23 fulltime employees and 100 airmen who comprise the 223rd CBCS.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.