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.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.