Firefighters assigned to the 182nd Airlift Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard helped search for survivors after a series of deadly tornados struck towns in the Midwest on Nov. 17, announced the National Guard Bureau. The hardest-hit area was Washington, Ill., just east of Peoria. At least six people died in Illinois and more than 50 were injured in the powerful storms. Ten firefighters cleared 30 homes and assisted at a secondary staging area receiving food and water, states the release. (National Guard Bureau release)
The Space Force is finalizing its first contracts for the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve and plans to award them early in 2025—giving the service access to commercial satellites and other space systems in times of conflict or crisis—officials said Nov. 21.