A missing-man formation of Hawaii Air National Guard F-22s will overfly Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Wednesday, saluting those Americans slain 70 years ago to the day in the Imperial Japanese Navy’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The leadership of Pacific Air Forces and Hickam’s 15th Wing also will join Pearl Harbor veterans in laying a wreath in honor of the dead to mark the anniversary. “Our enemies thought that by this sudden and deliberate raid, they could weaken America. Instead, they only strengthened it,” said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in a message Tuesday to Pearl Harbor survivors. He continued, “I know you take great pride, as I do, that your legacy lives on in today’s men and women in uniform, who have borne the burden of a decade of war, and who are truly this nation’s next greatest generation.” (Pearl Harbor-Hickam report by SrA. Lauren Main) (See also Obama proclamation.)
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.