The Air Force on Sept. 19 activated the 2nd Weather Group at Offutt AFB, Neb., where it became part of the Air Force Weather Agency, joining the 1st WXG, activated last year. G.A. Volb reports that the new group, which completes the agency restructure, provides a direct leadership level for three squadrons—2nd Systems Operations Squadron ad 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt and 14th WXS (formerly the Combat Climatology Center) at Asheville, N.C.—that were grouped under the agency’s A-staff. Col. Richard Twigg, AFWA vice commander and commander of 2nd WXG, said the activation of his new unit is “the conclusion of a plan to clearly distinguish ongoing operations from planning and support functions.”
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.