Protests are mounting over USAF’s planned transfer of C-130s from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units to the active duty formal training unit at Little Rock AFB, Ark. Complaint letters sent to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley—the latest from the House National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus and National Governors Association—share a common concern that USAF made the decision without consulting the states or key Guard and Reserve leaders. Co-chairs of the House caucus, Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) and Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), called it “disturbing” that USAF would try “unilaterally transferring” aircraft with “minimal consultation.” … The governors association said transfer of the ANG C-130s would “significantly reduce” the ability of the targeted states to conduct both homeland defense and overseas missions and … . Continue
The Air Force is moving forward with a new, algorithm-driven system to help U.S. Northern Command better detect airborne threats. NORTHCOM and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which are tasked with protecting the homeland from attack, depend on a slew of radars and other data systems to monitor U.S.…