The two Illinois Senators—Democrats Dick Durbin and Barack Obama—have written to the Air Force complaining about its recent Total Force Integration decision that would not put a new flying mission with the Air National Guard’s 183rd Fighter Wing at Springfield. (At last word, there was still an ongoing legal challenge to stripping the 183rd of its F-16s, even as state officials attempt to secure a new mission.) Durbin and Obama say that the Air Force’s new TFI proposal “impairs” the Illinois Air Guard, eliminating “an important component of the Illinois Homeland Security toolkit.” They note that the action will strip 200 airmen of their jobs. The Air Force does propose to put an air operations center at Springfield, but the duo also want to retain a fighter mission or gain a new flying mission.
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III outlined Dec. 4 the vital importance of U.S. defense investment keeping pace with that of China before issuing a statement warning that such competition would suffer “irreparable” damage if Congress opts for a yearlong continuing resolution, a real possibility being discussed by lawmakers after…