Although last-minute legal wrangling nearly prevented the BRAC commission from sending its report to the White House, several states lost out in their court bids at the nth hour. The Supreme Court rejected emergency injunction petitions by Illinois (over ANG’s 183rd Fighter Wing) and Missouri (ANG’s 131st FW). On Wednesday, US Dist. Judge Jean Hamilton had ruled against Missouri in its bid to save the Lambert Field F-15s. The state of Massachusetts moved late into the legal fray, only making it to US Dist. Judge George O’Toole, who on Thursday denied the state’s request for a restraining order to block closure of Otis Air National Guard Base. O’Toole took the approach of two other district judges—in Illinois and Missouri—who said the legal action was premature since commission recommendations had to be approved by the President and Congress.
Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost—a trailblazer and one of the first 10 women to reach a four-star rank across the U.S. military—retired and passed control of U.S. Transportation Command to Air Force Gen. Randall Reed on Oct. 4, finishing an eventful tenure at TRANSCOM.