A Tucson, Ariz.-based group is eyeing Cannon AFB, N.M.—which is in search of a new mission—as a potential spot to gain relief from some of the military aircraft noise generated by flights out of nearby Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Some Tucson residents, according to the Portales (N.M.) News-Tribune, want to preserve Davis-Monthan but shift some missions 400 miles east to Cannon. One mission they’d like to see go is “Operation Snowbird,” which brings in northern tier Air National Guard and other military air units to “winter” in Arizona. The News-Tribune reports, however, that ANG doesn’t want to move.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.