Members of the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 154th Training Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base hope to begin using the Walnut Ridge Airport in the north-central part of the state before the end of the year as a night-vision goggle training base. The airport, a mere 20 minutes flying time from Little Rock, was used during World War II as a training site for the Army Air Forces. “Walnut Ridge is a great place because it gives us a low-traffic, low-light environment for NVG training,” said Maj. Tom Parker, the squadron’s scheduling officer and person in charge of finding a suitable location. Members of the training unit scouted the airport May 3. If it gets approval, the Guard C-130s could be using Walnut Ridge by October. (Little Rock report by MSgt. Bob Oldham)
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…