After years of planning and discussions behind the scenes, the Pentagon announced it will form a US Marine Corps special operations element, called the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters that the new organization has the backing of both US Special Operations Command and USMC. It will comprise three subelements with a total of about 2,600 marines under the command of Brig. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik. Rumsfeld did not say when the new command would formally activate.
The Air Force plans to field at least 500 semi-autonomous fighter drones known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2032, and another 500 cheap reconnaissance and strike drones known as Massed Modular Aircraft that same year, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said Sept. 14.
