The Oklah
oma Congressional delegation announced April 2 in Washington that the Air Force will activate a classic associate Reserve squadron at Altus Air Force Base to work with the 97th Air Mobility Wing in providing C-17 and KC-135 training. In revealing the news during the Annual Quail Breakfast with Altus area elected and civic leaders, Sen. James Inhofe noted that the 97th AMW was “one of the only wings in the 19th Air Force that does not have an associated reserve unit.” Inhofe noted that the Air Force has yet to commit to “actual timing and size” for the new unit, but he said, “While I expect the squadron to grow slowly, the final number could grow larger as the squadron matures and Altus Air Force Base picks up the KC-X tanker centralized training mission.” City of Altus Mayor T.L. Gramling called the announcement “terrific news for the city and base,” adding that both welcomed the “increase of training activity” that would bring a “positive economic impact.” Military Affairs Committee chairman Joe Leverett praised the decision, saying local leaders “have long said [that] Altus has open airspace, open ramp space, and a community that loves the Air Force.” (Delegation press release)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.