BRAC commissioner Samuel Skinner told a Michigan television station that Gov. Jennifer Granholm has the authority to move the 24 A-10 Warthogs destined for Selfridge Air National Guard Base under commission recommendations. She can, if she wants, leave them at their present home with the ANG unit at Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek. Skinner apparently was the one who ensured that Kellogg would not be closed outright to give Granholm the option of placement. Ultimately, the A-10s were meant to replace the Selfridge’s F-16s, which are slated to be retired. Confusion reigns.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.