The head of Air Combat Command, Gen. Ronald Keys, tells the Newport News Daily Press that ACC is “cash-flowing” its operations because the war in Iraq is costing the command $200 million a month and it has to wait for Congressional approvals of supplementals to pay the bills. And, that’s not all. Keys says he is eyeing a “train wreck” with the coming reductions in personnel. He expects ACC’s share of the overall 40,000 to be around 12,000.
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.

