Gen. Lance W. Lord, who is commander of Air Force Space Command and currently the longest serving Air Force four-star on active duty, plans to retire on April 1, after 37 years of service. AFSPC officials say details for the change of command ceremony are forthcoming, as is the name of his successor. Officials also say that the Space Command NCO force will bestow its order of the sword upon Lord on Feb. 11.
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.