The Air Force announced yesterday that it is redeploying some aircraft from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, to McChord AFB, Wash., as a precautionary measure in case Mount Redoubt, an active volcano located about 100 miles southwest of Elmendorf, blows its top. Increased seismic activity associated with the volcano is raising concerns that it may erupt soon. As a result, the Air Force began relocating assets and about 200 airmen to McChord starting on Jan. 31. Three Air Force Reserve Command C-130Js on assignment from Mississippi made the trip on that day, followed yesterday by three of Elmendorf’s own C-17s. Additional aircraft may follow in the next day or two, the Air Force said. Their stay at McChord may last for several weeks, at a minimum, the service said.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.