US Dist. Judge John R. Padova in Philadelphia said Tuesday that he would provide a ruling quickly in the lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania over the Pentagon’s BRAC proposals regarding the state’s ANG units, including the 111th Fighter Wing at JRB Willow Grove. The state maintains the governor must approve any changes to ANG units. Gov. Ed Rendell said he was “optimistic” after the Tuesday hearing. The Justice Department, however, has sided with the Pentagon on this one. Several similar lawsuits are cooking in other states.
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.