During a ceremony Thursday at Langley AFB, Va., Air Force officials activated the 633rd Air Base Wing, the host unit that will oversee operations of the forthcoming JB Langley. The new joint base, consolidating the base support functions of Langley and the Army’s nearby Ft. Eustis under one administrative roof, will formally stand up later this month. BRAC 2005 mandated its creation under USAF’s lead. Like all future joint bases, the idea was to eliminate redundant base support services for nearby installations as a cost-saving measure. Col. Donald Kirkland, who took charge of the wing, said the installations’ support functions will incrementally transition to the Air Force so that, by October, “functions from base defense and medical care to food service and supplies” will be USAF’s responsibility. But each installation will maintain its identity and culture, he assured. (Langley report by A1C Jason J. Brown)
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.