Buried within the 2007 defense spending bill is a notation that prohibits the Air Force from using any 2007 funds to transfer “any test and evaluation facility or test and evaluation activity” from Eglin AFB, Fla., currently located or conducted at Eglin. The Air Force this summer began drafting a plan to move some Eglin test assets to Edwards AFB, Calif., in what they say would consolidate like activities and save almost half a billion dollars. Despite assurances that Eglin actually is expected to grow in numbers of personnel, civilian employees complained to Florida lawmakers as rumors circulated.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
