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Governors unite against plan to let Space Force take National Guard resources

December 12, 2024
In a show of unity, all 55 governors of U.S. states and territories are urging Congress to stop a plan for increased federal control of state Air National Guard units. The proposal is currently part of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, the annual must-pass defense budget and policy bill.

Legislative Proposal 480 would allow the federal government to reassign certain Air National Guard units, usually controlled by a state’s governor, to the U.S. Space Force without a governor’s approval.

The House Armed Services Committee advanced the bill –– passed Tuesday, Dec. 11 –– with the proposal in it.

Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., released a joint statement on behalf of the National Governors Association.

“The Armed Services Committee’s failure to preserve governors’ lawful authority over their National Guards in the NDAA is deeply concerning and breaks with more than a century of important precedent surrounding state’s rights, as well as a violation of federal law,” they said. “It is crystal clear that National Guard units may not be moved without consultation and approval from governors.”

The National Guard Association of the United States, the leading group representing National Guard service members, also opposes the bill. The organization told its members “with all 55 of the nation’s governors behind us, now is the time to make your voice heard.”

The Space Force is the newest service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, formally established in 2019. If it passes, the proposal could shape the relationship between the new branch and the Air National Guard’s space-related units.

The governors said they support the NDAA but hope Congress changes the Space Force proposal’s current language before final passage.
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Washington Commanders stadium talks may come down to Maryland-DC deal

December 4, 2024
The Washington Commanders are looking to build a new stadium, exploring trade negotiations. Maryland senators offered a deal that would give Washington the RFK Stadium for one of its Air National Guard squadrons.

The team is looking for a new venue to replace its aging stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Washington has been trying to get the football team back into the district for years. It has centered most offers around redeveloping the site of the team’s former home, RFK Stadium.

The venue closed in 2019 and has been gradually deconstructed. Although demolition isn’t complete, the building is in disrepair, and the surrounding area remains largely vacant.

But the district doesn’t own the stadium or land. The government does.

The stadium fight recently intersected with Congress’ annual must-pass bill, the National Defense Authorization Act.

Maryland Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D, and Ben Cardin, D, offered Washington and the Commanders a trade, The Washington Post reported

The report said the senators would allow the district to control the RFK Stadium site. However, they requested Washington hand over two Air National Guard squadrons to Maryland, specifically the one with F-16 fighter jets.

The senators also requested the Commanders release a statement, fulfilling two requirements. The team must announce where they want the new stadium and commit to redeveloping the Maryland stadium site.

Maryland wants a National Guard flying mission because the Air Force plans to convert the state into a ground-based mission next year.

Washington leaders remained wary.

“D.C. rightly deserves to benefit from the land where RFK Stadium sits falling into disrepair and the exchange for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the campus to D.C. should not come at the expense of the DCNG’s aviation resources,” Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., said in a statement.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Commanders owner Josh Harris met with the senators earlier this week, according to the report. Congress is expected to decide in the next few weeks whether to include the stadium’s status in the NDAA bill.

While getting the RFK Stadium land would give Washington a leg up in stadium talks, it’s not a guarantee. The district and the Commanders would still need to negotiate a deal before construction starts on a new stadium.
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US National Guard member Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison

November 12, 2024
In a criminal case prosecutors called “one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history,” a Boston judge sentenced Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira to 15 years in prison. This comes after he pleaded guilty to leaking top secret military documents about Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The 22-year-old Teixeira issued an apology before the sentencing, and claimed responsibility, telling the judge, “I’m at your mercy,” according to Boston journalist Bob Ward on the platform X.

Teixeira pleaded guilty in March to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. He admitted to illegally collecting and sharing classified military files with users on the social media platform Discord.

Teixeira’s attorneys argued he wasn’t trying to harm the U.S. but instead attempting to educate his friends about what he saw as “his generation’s World War II or Iraq.” They also described him as an autistic and isolated person spending most of his time online.

Prosecutors contended Teixeira still knew right from wrong, pointing to evidence Teixeira tried to cover up the crime by smashing his tablet, laptop and Xbox in a dumpster at his house.

The security breach exposed U.S. military secrets on Russia’s war in Ukraine, including troop movements and Ukrainian troops’ weapons supplies.

Teixeira worked as a cyber transport systems support specialist and reportedly remains with the U.S. Air National Guard on an unpaid status, according to a U.S. Air Force official.

In the aftermath of Teixeira’s leak, the Pentagon has tightened controls on top secret information. The Biden administration was also left rushing to repair any damage to U.S diplomatic relationships and the military’s image.
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New radar helping pilots before they hit the skies: Weapon of the week

November 6, 2024

The word “stealth” conjures images of legendary aircraft such as the F-117 Nighthawk, B-2 Spirit, F-22 Raptor, and the F-35 Lightning II. Despite their distinct differences, one thing ties them all together: geometry.

These planes are “stealth platforms” because of their design. Every angle is about reducing their visibility to radar, and the slightest bend, dent or change in structure can eliminate their tactical advantage, making them visible to adversaries.

Enter the RAZR. At first glance, it resembles a robotic snowplow. However, in the hands of a skilled operator, it could mean the difference between mission success and failure.

“What RAZR does is actually measures the radar cross section of a platform,” Micah North, CEO of Resonant Sciences, said. “What we mean when we talk about radar cross section is, what do we actually look like to a threat radar? What do we look like to a threat system? Resonant is one of the first systems out there available to measure the signature of the platform in the hangar without needing a special facility or lab.”

The RAZR system can take specific shots of various sections of the aircraft using a positioning system and lidars.

“The robot moves into place and gets within about a millimeter of where it needs to be, leading to incredible repeatability and traceability,” North said.

This precision allows for consistent measurements over time, helping to track changes in the aircraft’s structure.

RAZR, which stands for Resonant Adaptable Zonal Radar, is essentially a stand-alone robot that examines every piece of the aircraft.

“The radar cross section defines your detectability, so how soon you’re going to be detected by an enemy radar,” North said. “We want to know what that number is so we can plan missions accordingly.”

Despite its size, RAZR can travel to maintenance crews wherever they are stationed.

“The whole idea behind RAZR is to keep aircraft mission capable, ensuring pilots have the best possible position to win in an unfair fight by not being detected,” North said.

At this year’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, RAZR garnered attention from Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. Kendall got the chance to visit the Resonant Sciences team to see the technology firsthand.

“We’ve sold 29 systems so far, and we’re constantly innovating and adding new capabilities,” North said. “We’re really at the tip of the iceberg with RAZR.”
Ex-US Airman wanted for child porn resurfaces in Russian propaganda video

August 21, 2024

Wilmer Puello-Mota, a former U.S. Air Force Veteran who was charged with possession of child pornography, has resurfaced. Puello-Mota fled the U.S., and has now been seen in a Russian propaganda video.

In the video, released by Russia’s Defense Ministry, Puello-Mota, 28, claims to be a reconnaissance drone operator fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

He appears in the video using the call sign “Boston” and insists he is not a traitor, asserting that the U.S. and Russia are not at war.

Puello-Mota fled the U.S. in January. He left just days before he was set to plead guilty to possessing explicit images of a 17-year-old girl. His lawyer, John Cicilline, had confirmed that Puello-Mota mentioned joining the Russian army. That was something Cicilline initially thought was a joke.

Instead of addressing the charges in the video, Puello-Mota highlights his military experience. He speaks about having served in Afghanistan and later with the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Russian media has reported that he now holds Russian citizenship.

The charges Puello-Mota escaped include possession of sexually explicit images of a minor and fabricating military documents to reduce his sentence. Despite efforts by the Holyoke City Council to remove him from office following his arrest, Puello-Mota continued to serve as a council member until his departure from the U.S.

Holyoke City Council President Tessa Murphy-Romboletti confirmed that the man in the video is indeed Puello-Mota.
All 50 governors oppose Biden proposal on authority over the National Guard

May 7, 2024
Fifty governors have signed letters in opposition to a Biden administration proposal that would change who has control over a state’s national guard. A new Pentagon proposal, supported by the White House, would partially change that.

It’s a governor’s job to handle the state’s National Guard, deploying members within their own state or to others in times of crisis.

The Pentagon’s proposal would give the Air Force secretary the sole authority to move Air National Guard members from any state to Space Force units in effort to build the service’s Space Force.

The secretary said the proposal impacts 13 space units — about 1,000 Air National Guard members.

A White House official said the Biden administration stands by the proposal for a one-time transfer of airmen to help expand the Space Force and expand space security.

However, the governors are calling the proposal an overreach.

“If adopted, the proposal would flout more than a century of precedent and undermine federal law protections for state control of their National Guard,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, wrote in an open letter to lawmakers.

“Instead of attempting such a power grab in Congress, the U.S. Department of the Air Force should work with the affected governors to build up the Space Force in a way that is consistent with federal law,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, wrote in an open letter to Biden.

“Legislation that sidesteps, eliminates or otherwise reduces Governors’ authority within their states and territories undermines longstanding partnerships, precedence, military readiness and operational efficacy,” a joint letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed by the other 48 governors reads.

The proposal is being reviewed by the Senate Armed Services Committee. There are no further reports on what committee members plan to do with it.
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Jack Teixeira pleads guilty; Air Force employee charged with sharing info

March 5, 2024

Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty on Monday, March 4, to leaking highly classified military documents on social media, accepting a plea deal that could result in a 16-year prison sentence. The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to all six charges under the Espionage Act, with his final sentencing set for September.

Jack Teixeira pleads guilty to massive leak of Pentagon secretshttps://t.co/aaqEb191qk pic.twitter.com/7lJaSdWVLI
— TIME (@TIME) March 4, 2024

According to court documents, Teixeira has consented to participate in a debrief with members of the intelligence community and the Department of Defense and to hand over all pertinent documents he possesses or knows the whereabouts of.

Following Teixeira’s guilty plea, Josh Levy, the US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, said at a news conference, “Jack Teixeira will never get a sniff of a classified piece of information for the rest of his life.”

In a separate but related case, a U.S. Air Force civilian employee assigned to United States Strategic Command is expected to make a court appearance in Nebraska today after being accused of sharing classified defense information with a woman he met on a foreign dating site. David Slater, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, could face up to 30 years in federal prison if convicted on all charges.

63-year-old US Air Force civilian employee, David Slater, indicted for allegedly sharing classified national security information over a foreign dating app. https://t.co/I1V6g5QovE
— Alana Austin (@alana_austin) March 4, 2024

STRATCOM, headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, is the U.S. military combatant command tasked with nuclear deterrence and nuclear command and control. According to filings, while working at STRATCOM, Slater held a Top Secret Security clearance and was trained in the proper handling of sensitive government information.

Both incidents involved the unauthorized release of classified details concerning the ongoing state of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Air Force members on Jack Teixeira’s unit disciplined, commander relieved

December 11, 2023
More than a dozen military members have been “disciplined” in connection to Jack Teixeira’s classified intelligence leaks. According to the Air Force inspector general’s inquiry, released to the public on Dec. 11, the colonel in charge of Teixeira’s unit was also “relieved from his position” following the investigation.

The Air Force report did not point to other military officers colluding with Teixeira, and no one appears to have been aware that he was posting the sensitive information online. Fifteen individuals, however, were found to have known of “suspicious activity” without ever informing higher-ups.

Teixeira was indicted in June, after being accused of releasing U.S. military secrets on the social media app Discord. The secrets included classified information on U.S. espionage activities against Russia, as well as Ukrainian military plans and strategies.

Teixeira was able to access the information with his top-secret security clearance. The leaks have been called the largest U.S. national security breach in at least a decade.

“Every Airman and Guardian is entrusted with the solemn duty to safeguard our nation’s classified defense information. When there is a breach of that sacred trust, for any reason, we will act in accordance with our laws and policies to hold responsible individuals accountable,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. “Our national security demands leaders at every level protect critical assets, ensuring they do not fall into the hands of those who would do the United States or our allies and partners harm.”

The inspector general’s office determined that at least three of Teixeira’s supervisors each “failed to take proper action in at least four separate security incidents” involving Teixeira. The report also found an overall lack of proper supervision during overnight shifts, which was when Teixeira normally worked.

Teixeira pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently awaiting trial.
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Largest-ever NATO air exercises set to launch

June 7, 2023

In diplomatic matters, President Teddy Roosevelt used to say, “Speak softly, but carry a big stick.” Well, the world is about to see just how big a stick NATO’s combined air forces really are.

https://twitter.com/USAmbGermany/status/1666428894822506496

Germany is preparing to host the largest ever air deployment exercise in NATO and European history. Air Defender 23 runs from June 12-23. The show of force will feature 10,000 participants and 250 aircraft from 25 nations.

The United States alone is sending 2,000 members of the Air National Guard and about 100 aircraft. The exercise is meant to simulate NATO’s response in the event a member country is attacked.

Speaking to reporters at a June 7 press conference in Germany, Amy Gutmann, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, said it’ll be a great time for NATO’s allies and adversaries to pay attention.

US joins other NATO allies in ‘Iron Spear’ tank competition

“I would defy anyone not to be impressed by the unity, by the strength and by how prepared, not only we are today but by showing how prepared today we are, how clear it is that you should never ever underestimate the strength and the spirit of this alliance,” Gutmann said. “I would be pretty surprised if any world leader was not taking note of what this shows in terms of the spirit of this alliance, which means the strength of this alliance. And that includes Mr. Putin.”

Planning for the Air Defender 23 exercises started several years ago, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine galvanized NATO countries into more earnest preparations for a possible attack on a member state. Sweden and Japan are also taking part in the maneuvers. Sweden hopes to join NATO while the U.S. and Japan are working towards a NATO-like alliance in the Pacific.

Lt. General Michael Loh, the director of the U.S. Air National Guard, said in addition to deterrence, Air Defender 23 also gives NATO warfighters additional opportunities to work together and ensure mission readiness.

Air Force Research Lab unleashed THOR on drone swarm

The exercises also demonstrate just how valuable actual human pilots still are in modern warfare. Drones and other unmanned aircraft may be the future of air dominance, but there’s no replacing experienced pilots. It’s why the U.S. Air Force is offering $50,000 a year bonuses to keep more experienced pilots in service.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Former US naval officer spread leaked intel docs on a pro-Russia site

April 17, 2023

As the U.S. continues to investigate how top secret documents were leaked online, new information is revealing how some of the leaked material spread so quickly. The information claims a social media account belonging to a former U.S. naval officer and pro-Russian blogger helped share the intel online. The former officer played a key role in the spread of intelligence documents that were allegedly leaked by Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira.

The avatar belonging to a social media account linked to Donbass Devushka shows a dark-haired woman with blue eyes, wearing a mask and holding a cat. According to the Wall Street Journal, the person who hosted podcasts as Donbass Devushka and would oversee the accounts is a Washington-state-based former U.S. enlisted aviation electronics technician. Her real name is Sarah Bils.

Purported Russian blogger Devushka reposted the leaked files from obscure online chatrooms. Her blog is the face of a network of pro-Russian social media accounts, and it has more than 65,000 followers. Leaked documents were found on that account before government officials were aware of the initial leak.

Bils served at the U.S. naval air station on Whidbey Island up until late 2022. Officials say the former naval officer did have security clearance, but there is no evidence that it was used to steal classified information.

Airman First Class Jack Teixeira was taken into custody on Thursday, April 13. The 21-year-old was formally charged in federal court with being the source of a massive leak of national defense information and other classified documents.

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