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Sen. Ron Johnson’s Homeland Security committee briefed on threats to US

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Senator Jon Johnson’s homeland security committee got a briefing on threats to the US on Tuesday.

Senators heard about an increase in threats from domestic terrorism, including a growing threat from white supremacists. Over 100 suspected domestic terrorists were arrested this year, with over 1000 investigations ongoing at any time.

David Glawe with D H S also briefed senators about an attack on US citizens in Mexico by a drug cartel.

Senator Johnson says Mexican gangs have more control over the southern border than either the US or Mexican authorities.

Madison alders ask Air Force to reconsider F-35 placement at Truax

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After hours of conversation, the Madison Common Council has decided to ask the Air Force to reconsider placing F-35 fighter jets at Truax Field.

Tuesday night’s council meeting hosted public comment, with most residents who spoke calling for the council to oppose the jets, which would replace the 115th Fighter Wing’s current F-16 jets, which are nearing the end of their service life.

Two possible resolutions were brought to the table. One, declaring the common council doesn’t want the jets at Truax Field due to noise. The other, acknowledging the noise concerns, but also pointing out the economic benefits, giving the Air Force the chance to mitigate any concerns. The final resolution combines language from the two.

Ultimately, it’s not up to the Common Council or local government to make a decision on the future of F-35s in Madison. The council’s decision is another public comment the Air Force will weigh before making the final decision in February of 2020.

WIBA

National Guard says Hardwood Range remains closed to hunters, hikers

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The National Guard’s Hardwood Range training area will not be open to hunters and hikers this fall.

Captain Joe Trovato says that change is due to recent policy shifts in the Department of Defense. “What the Air Force considers a hazard has greatly expanded over the past decade or so, just due to the types of munitions that they do use.”

Trovato says that’s because of the possible danger that someone will get hurt on the munitions that they drop during training. “It’s a low percentage probability certainly, however keeping with Air Force regulation, we certainly don’t want to expose anyone to any risk, even if it’s remote.”

Trovato says they’re sorry that they can’t allow that access, but that the safety of the general public and citizens is a top priority of the National Guard.

Study finds F-35 noise will impact homes in Madison

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If the Wisconsin Air National Guard gets a deployment of the military’s new F-35 fighter jets, it could make living near Truax Field in Madison very difficult.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that a new study by the Pentagon shows that over 200 acres of property near the airport could be “incompatible for residential use”. That’s because the noise from jets at the field would raise the average noise level around the facility past a 65 decibel level that’s deemed safe to live. It could get as loud as 115 decibels when plans take off and land, as loud as a rock concert.

More than 1,000 homes could be affected.

Wisconsin Air National Guard holding Northern Lightning Joint Training Exercise

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The Wisconsin Air National Guard is conducting its Northern Lightning Joint Training Exercise for the next 12 days. The skies over almost two dozen Wisconsin counties will be filled with the world’s most advanced military aircraft. Pilots will be testing the F-35 Lightning, the F-22 Raptor, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the E-A-18 Growler and others. The exercise will continue until August 23rd.

Pentagon staff to investigate Wisconsin National Guard sexual assault reporting policies

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Federal investigators will be reviewing the Wisconsin National Guard’s lack of action on years worth of sexual assault reports.

Governor Evers and Senator Tammy Baldwin say the National Guard’s Office of Complex Investigations will be doing an assessment of the state Guard’s policies and reporting procedures.

Numerous soldiers came forward to say sexual assault reports were ignored by command staff and that they were retaliated against for making reports. The A P says that the Guard received 52 complaints of sexual assault dating back to 2013.

Both Baldwin and Evers have called for a complete, independent review.

Evers pulls National Guard from border

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Governor Tony Evers is pulling Wisconsin National Guard troops from the Mexican border. In n executive order filed on Monday, Evers stated that the 112 national guard troops stationed at the Arizona border were being returned to Wisconsin.

Evers said that the work of securing the border belongs to Customs and Border Patrol, not the military and that there’s no evidence to back up President Trump’s claims of a national security crisis on the southern border.

Senator Ron Johnson says ISIS not defeated in Syria

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The Trump administration’s plan to immediately pull U.S. troops out of Syria has members of his own party concerned, including U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.

The Wisconsin Republican was among a group briefed on the withdrawal by Vice President Mike Pence. “I can tell you, there was strong push back, strong concern expressed by Republican senators in terms of this action,” Johnson said Wednesday.

A defense official confirmed the withdrawal Wednesday, as President Trump declared victory over the Islamic State.

Johnson said the president’s claims of defeating ISIS in Syria are not accurate.

“I’ve heard some pretty shocking numbers of fighters that are still in pockets not only in Syria, but also in Afghanistan,” he said. “We have not defeated them yet, and I’m very concerned the President believes we have to the point we can bug out of Syria. I think it could be proven to be a very unwise policy.”

Johnson said he hopes the president will reconsider the decision. The pull out of the entire force of more than 2,000 U.S. service members is expected to occur as quickly as possible.

Wisconsin National Guard to help provide Hurricane Michael assistance

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The Wisconsin National Guard will assist victims of Hurricane Michael. Twelve members of the Army National Guard will conduct relief operations in Florida.

Two Black Hawk medevac helicopters with hoist capabilities from the Army Guard’s West Bend facility reported for active duty on Wednesday, to prepare for deployment to Florida.

Former Packer joins veterans on their Honor Flight

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Central Wisconsin veterans taking their Honor Flight on Monday have a special guest: former Packers tackle Gilbert Brown.

Never Forgotten Honor Flight co-founder and vice president of marketing Jim Campbell say one WWII veteran and 100 Vietnam-era veterans are on board.

Campbell calls Brown’s presence on the flight an added bonus for the Veterans. “They truly enjoy it. These Veterans are over 60 years old so they remember Gilbert and the run-stuffer that he was for the Packers.” Monday’s flight will also become a documentary with Brown interviewing the Veterans as they tour the memorials in Washington, D.C.

Previous May fights have featured John Kuhn and Jerry Kramer. Campbell says in both cases they said the trip had a profound impact on them. “[Kramer] really enjoyed, as John Kuhn did, interviewing the Veterans. And of course, the Veterans are all Green Bay Packer fans too.”

Two more Honor Flights are scheduled for 2018. Campbell says those will take off in September and October, adding that those months (along with April and May) offer the best weather conditions for the Vets.

The current Honor Flight wait list is around 4 years for Vietnam-era Vets.

For WWII and Korean Vets, Campbell says depending on the circumstances they could be on the next flight or go early next year. He adds that a common misconception about Honor Flight is you have to have served in a combat role to participate; however, only about 8% of the 2,935 veterans served by the previous flights saw combat.

“The only qualification is that you served in the years that are listed on the website and application. That’s the only criteria whatsoever.”

More information on the flights and an application for those that want to join the wait list can be found here.

WSAU