Letters have been sent to the Pentagon and the White House, decrying the proposed cuts to Army and Air Guard forces. A plea to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld from the National Governors Association urged him to take the “holistic approach to our Homeland Security” and to remember the “reduced cost” benefit provided by ground and air Guard forces. In a letter to President Bush, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) lists the Guard issue as his No. 1 in a list of three he wants the President to address in the State of the Union speech. A letter to Rumsfeld from the Tennessee Senators Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander notes the “difficulty” Rumsfeld faces, but emphasizes it “is imperative that the Guard maintain its combat strength.” Tennessee is already upset over the BRAC decision to take the Nashville’s Air National Guard aircraft.
Work Has Begun to Adapt Qatari 747 to Fly as Air Force One
Sept. 15, 2025
The Air Force has started modifying a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for "executive airlift," a spokesperson said Sept. 15. President Donald Trump has said he wants to fly the jet as “Air Force One” since new presidential transports, held up by delays, won't be ready until after his term…
