Although the BRAC commission acquiesced to the Pentagon recommendation to strip the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 111th Fighter Wing at NAS Willow Grove of its A-10s, it included a caveat in its final report that the Pentagon should consider keeping some of the Warthogs at the facility. The commission does believe DOD should close the base, turning it over for civilian use, but it “encourages” the Pentagon “to consider identifying A-10 aircraft to form an A-10 wing or detachment … at Willow Grove, PA.”
The U.S. military is carrying out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions along the southern border and off the coast of Mexico using U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint and U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft as part of the Pentagon’s effort to secure the southern border at the direction of President…