The 109th Congress in a last gasp effort passed a joint resolution designed to fund 2007 military construction efforts at last year’s level, but Pentagon officials already are citing shortfalls, particularly to handle required BRAC actions. The Air Force has complained that it may not be able to fund the F-22 bed down in the Pacific region, reports McClatchy Newspapers. The new Democratic-led appropriations committees want to remove earmarks from the separately passed MilCon bills, according to the Congressional newspaper The Hill.
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.