According to Pentagon health officials, the FDA has issued a “final order” that says the anthrax vaccine will prevent a person from getting anthrax whether the exposure method is inhalation or any other means. The Pentagon statement says DOD will “review program options” but continue voluntary vaccinations for the present. A court order in 2004 had placed a hold on the Pentagon’s mandatory program, pending a final ruling from the FDA. At the time, the FDA disputed that an earlier ruling was insufficient.
Three B-1B Lancers from the 7th Bomb Wing flew over the Indo-Pacific alongside F-16s from the Japanese Air Self Defense Force recently, as part of a joint large force exercise. The mission began and ended in the continental U.S., as the bombers flew 31 hours and landed Jan. 11.