Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, is one of several lawmakers up for re-election on Tuesday who serve the nation not only on Capitol Hill, but also in the Air Force. Polls have shown Graham well ahead in his quest to retain his Senate seat. Over on the House side, Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), a chaplain in the Reserve, and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), an Air National Guard pilot, are seeking to remain in office. Both Collins and Kinzinger are combat veterans. Also looking to return to the House in January for the 114th Congress are Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), a retired lieutenant colonel, and Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas), a retired colonel who spent nearly seven years in captivity during the Vietnam War. Two Democrats who are former airmen are seeking re-election: Rep. Peter DeFazio (Ore.) and Rep. Bill Enyart (Ill.). There are also nine Republicans who are former airmen who are running to keep their seats: Rep. Vern Buchanan (Fla.), Rep. Jeff Denham (Calif.), Rep. Rich Nugent (Fla.), Rep. Steve Pearce (N.M.), Rep. Joe Pitts (Pa.), Rep. Ted Poe (Texas), Rep. Dave Reichert (Wash.), Rep. Mark Sanford (S.C.), and Rep. Chris Stewart (Utah).
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.