CNN
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The state of Maryland is set to gain control of the DC Air National Guard fighter squadron as part of a major deal that will see the nation’s capital take over the site of RFK stadium.

The Air Force approved the transfer of the 121st Fighter Squadron from Washington, DC, to the Maryland Air National Guard, according to spokeswoman Ann Stefanek. Maryland currently flies A-10 attack aircraft, but those are scheduled for divestment from the Air Force next year, according to the governor’s office.

The new development means the Maryland Air National Guard will soon fly F-16 fighter jets, a more advanced aircraft that serves as one of the mainstays of the Air Force’s fleet. The DC Air National Guard also defends the National Capital Region, which is some of the most sensitive airspace in the country. The fighter wing has a round-the-clock alert force as part of its mission. By contrast, the Maryland Air National Guard’s aging A-10 aircraft were primarily used in an overseas attack role when deployed.

The Maryland unit was supposed to transition into a cyber role, but the transfer of control of the fighter squadron will maintain the unit’s flying mission.

“The men and women of the Maryland Air National Guard are some of the finest and most experienced pilots in the world. In partnership with our congressional delegation and federal partners, we have advocated vigorously to maintain Maryland’s flying mission, both in the interest of national security and to continue the proud tradition that Maryland plays in defending our country,” Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said in a joint statement with the state’s senators on Monday.

The transfer of the fighter squadron was a critical part of a complex deal that allows Washington, DC, to take over the land around RFK stadium, which could bring the NFL back to the nation’s capital, while also providing Maryland with funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The deal was at risk of collapse last week when a provision to transfer the stadium land to DC was stripped from a government funding package following opposition from President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.

But in a surprise move early Saturday morning, the Senate unanimously passed a bill giving DC control of the land. The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature after it passed the House earlier this year.

The Washington Commanders football team has played at Northwest Stadium, formerly known as FedEx Field, in Landover, Maryland, since 1997. The franchise previously played at RFK Stadium from 1961 until 1996.

Maryland Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Drew Dougherty called the deal an “historic moment” for the unit.

“Over the past few years, we have been resolute on our commitment to securing a future flying mission. This transition is the first step in delivering a path where we can maintain our highly experienced pilots and maintainers, positions that are critically manned across the total force, while still keeping Maryland at the forefront of cyber operation,” Dougherty said in a statement.

Details about the timeline and the transition of the fighters from DC to Maryland “will be announced at a later date,” said Stefanek.

Students at Gertrude Chamberlin School in South Burlington designed ornaments for the 2024 National Christmas Tree display in Washington, D.C.

The 21 ornaments decorate the small tree that represents Vermont outside the White House. First to fifth graders at Gertrude Chamberlin create the ornaments with designs answering the prompt: “What makes your state beautiful?” The drawings include the Green Mountains, including a rainbow version by a first grader; maple trees; the state bird and fish – hermit thrush and brook trout, respectively; as well as a bullfrog and other animals found in Vermont.

“They represent our state well,” said Jenny Goodrich, the art educator at Gertrude Chamberlin School.

Vermont’s tree is among the 57 other trees with student-designed ornaments that surround the large 35-foot red spruce tree outside the White House. The 58 trees represent each of the 50 states, D.C. and the five U.S. territories as well as schools managed by the Department of Defense Education Activity, and Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education.

“I think it incredible that we come together as 50 states plus and that it’s our art that connects us,” said Goodrich. “Having children do this says a lot.”

Goodrich said she was contacted in July by the Vermont Agency of Education to see if she would like to have her students participate. “I said ‘of course’,” she said. “I knew about the National Tree but I had no idea about the smaller ones.”

The students were provided a template for the shape of the ornament, and Goodrich mailed the designs to the organizers who transformed them into three-dimensional designs.

Most of her students used crayons or colored pencils to make theirs, but one student made a collage. Goodrich used a high-quality scanner to make it two-dimensional and said it turned out great.

The designs were due at the end of September, so Goodrich picked students to work on the project. The school was limited to 24 ornaments. Goodrich picked students who had shown enthusiasm for art as well as those who had demonstrated growth in art.

Adding that she picked students who represented a variety of the school’s six grade levels and the student body’s diversity; Gertrude Chamberlin students speak 37 languages and come from many different countries.

What happens to all of the ornaments

Goodrich and two of her students and their families were able to travel to D.C. for the 102nd National Tree Lighting ceremony on Dec. 5 hosted by President Joe Biden and Jill Biden, the first lady.

“It was incredible to see so many people there,” said Goodrich. “GE Lights sponsors the event. … It was so dark and then they flipped the switch. They are so bright. It was really amazing.”

The ornaments will not be returning to Vermont as they are now property of the White House and will be included in the National Archives when the season is over.

“It’s pretty amazing they will be part of our nation’s history forever,” Goodrich said.

How to visit the National Christmas Tree and the state trees

The trees are on the Ellipse, which is south of White House, and are open to the public through Jan. 1. The trees are light each night at sunset but can be viewed as early as 10 a.m. daily. The display is open until 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is free and open to the public.

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