The Air Force put on a special ceremony at Andrews AFB, Md., to welcome its new Secretary—Michael Wynne—back into the “blue.” Wynne is a West Point graduate, but he transferred to the Air Force, serving seven years on active duty. He didn’t stray far from the Air Force, though, because he worked in industry on the F-16 fighter and Atlas and Centaur space launch boosters. Hundreds in the Capital Region turned out for the Jan. 12 event, which featured the Air Force band and honor guard.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.