The declaration by Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania that his plan to preserve Willow Grove as a military airfield does not include commercial or civilian aviation only goes as far as the next election. So says Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) who is looking for a legislative means to make that plan gold even after Rendell leaves office, reports the Bucks County Courier Times. Rendell, who fought a rear guard action by some Pennsylvania residents who feel there is no fail-safe against civilian and commercial air, was able to secure legislative approval for his plan, trumping a procedural objection from the Navy.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.