The NATO Summit at Riga, Latvia, also heralded the announcement that the NATO Response Force is now at full operational capability. “We are there,” stated Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General, noting that it “wasn’t easy.” The rotational NRF comprises elements volunteered by Alliance members to meet specific requirements. It includes a brigade-sized land component, naval task force, amphibious task group, surface action group, and an air component that can fly 200 sorties a day.
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.