The Air Force has assured Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) that it will not eliminate the two-star general positions at the head of the service’s three air logistics centers—one each in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Utah. Apparently word got out that the service was considering such a move, prompting Hatch to let service leaders know of his “great trepidation” over the plan. Gen. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff, has said that the service wants to reduce by around 30 the number of general officers it has as it trims some 40,000 personnel over the next five years. Starting with the ALCs—watched over by the powerful depot caucus—may not have been the best idea.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.