Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) got a nod on his legislation to enhance safety measures at Warren Grove Gunnery Range, where an Air National Guard F-16 inadvertently kicked off a costly fire last spring, among other incidents. It’s included in the 2008 defense policy bill, which still must pass the Senate before it goes to the President. Meanwhile, Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.) reportedly believes New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is slow-rolling the reopening of the range. The Press of Atlantic City reports that LoBiondo has sent the governor a letter, laying blame on Corzine for a delay in validation flights by the ANG’s 177th Fighter Wing. The governor’s office told the newspaper, the claim is false. And, a state Guard official says there’s a lengthy certification process in play.
A pair of Air Force generals are set to receive third stars and take over new commands. The Pentagon announced a new slate of nominations May 25. President Joe Biden nominated Maj. Gen. Stacey T. Hawkins to become a lieutenant general and the new commander of the Air Force Sustainment…