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)
Air Force senior statesmen explained the reasons they jointly sent a letter to Congress urging restoration of the E-7 Wedgetail and more F-35s to the fiscal 2026 defense budget.