The Air Force extracted more than 1,200 airmen who had been in training at Keesler AFB, Miss., before Katrina struck, transporting them to Sheppard AFB, Tex. Now, the question is: How can they finish their training, some of which is highly specialized? Those going into fields such as finance can train with local finance personnel. Others, such as air traffic controllers, need specialized simulators. Air Education Training Command is reviewing its options.
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.