Q: It has been reported that Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, N.M., has been given to the United Nations and units from the German and Russian military. Please confirm or give the correct information. — Ardon Smith, Fayetteville
A: The German Air Force Training Center has been based at Holloman Air Force Base since 1992, and German air force pilots and air crews have been training in the U.S. since the late 1950s. German crews train at Holloman for several reasons, according to Holloman's website, including "great flying weather and suitable air space." There are about 500 German military personnel and civilians at Holloman, with plans to add 300, German air force Col. Heinz-Josef Ferkinghoff told the El Paso (Texas) Times in March. The German air force command for the U.S. and Canada is relocating from Fort Bliss, Texas, to Holloman in September. The German air force had a presence at Fort Bliss for more than 50 years.
Q: What has become of Southwest Airlines' takeover of AirTran? I was wondering whether the deal is off. — Jim Lesher, Peachtree Corners
A: The integration of Southwest Airlines and AirTran "remains on track," Ron Ricks, Southwest's chief legal and regulatory officer, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last month. Southwest, which completed its acquisition of AirTran in 2011, plans to have all of AirTran's flights in its operation by 2015. Southwest still has to incorporate all of AirTran's flights out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. AirTran is the second-largest carrier at Hartsfield, behind Delta Air Lines.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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