The boss of US Strategic Command, Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright acknowledges that the high-flying U-2 reconnaissance aircraft has one major drawback: its pilot. The pilot “limits the duration on station.” Having said that, Cartwright told lawmakers that its obvious replacement—the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle—has “to demonstrate its capability, both in the upgrades and the numbers, before we want to let go of the U-2.” Congress last year prevented the Air Force from accelerating U-2 retirement because it perceived an intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance gap. Cartwright admitted that USAF has to perform “a balancing act,” however he maintained, “I cannot afford a gap in capability.”
Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen concocted a story to cover up that he fired his M18 9mm pistol into Airman Braden Lovan’s chest killing him on July 20, two Airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, WY testified during separate courts martial proceedings on Oct. 30-31.
