The Air National Guard’s 1st Air Force also now is Air Force North, or AFNORTH, in keeping with the Air Force plan to re-vamp numbered Air Forces into warfighting headquarters. The counterpart AFSOUTH, the alternate moniker for 12th Air Force, took its new name earlier this month. Both units are considered provisional until they reach full operational capability.
The Air Force expects to start modifying its first B-52H Stratofortress bomber with new engines and other upgrades later this year, following the successful review of the Commercial Engine Replacement Program’s design.