Airmen of the newly formed 537th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at JB Elmendorf, Alaska, have begun working with Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing in order to maintain the C-130s that will be operating out of the Alaskan base. As part of BRAC 2005, the 176th Wing is relocating from Kulis ANG Base to nearby Elmendorf. Both installations are in the Anchorage area. The Guard wing is bringing the C-130s of its 144th Airlift Squadron with it. Active duty airmen of Elmendorf’s 537th Airlift Squadron will help to operate these aircraft, while 537th AMU airmen will help to maintain them. “[O]ur Guard friends here are going to own all the airplanes,” said CMSgt. William Holm, 537th AMU chief. He added, “The idea is that with the 537th AS utilizing the Guard resources, we are going to augment the Guard’s maintenance capability.” (Elmendorf release)
Americans’ trust and confidence in the U.S. military has declined precipitously in recent months, according to the results of a survey. Experts lay the blame on increasing political polarization and the fallout from this summer’s turbulent withdrawal from Afghanistan.