There is more flying to be done by the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing than its frequent training facility at Williams Gateway Airport, in Mesa, Ariz., can accommodate. Or so state Guard officials told Serco, the company that runs the control tower at Williams, reports the Arizona Republic. The 161st ARW calls Phoenix Airport home, but uses nearby Williams for most of its touch and go practice approaches. The Air Guardsmen want Serco to extend its open-for-business time by one hour, until 10 p.m.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.