We have the memo (mentioned in our Friday column) that South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune wrote to the BRAC commission. In it, he says the Air Force misinformed the commission about the potential impact of litigation over the bomber training range used by the B-1Bs at Dyess AFB, Tex. The Pentagon wants to close Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and move its B-1Bs to Dyess. As an aside,Thune says he does not advocate shifting the Dyess bombers to Ellsworth.
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.