Before leaving for the August break, Senators confirmed several flag officers for varied posts, including Adm. Michael Mullen to be Joint Chiefs Chairman and Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright to be his vice. The Senate also confirmed several Air Force changes: Gen. Duncan McNabb for vice chief of staff of the Air Force; Gen. John Corley to take over Air Combat Command; Lt. Gen. Arthur Lichte to gain a fourth star and replace McNabb at Air Mobility Command; Lt. Gen. Robert Kehler for a fourth star and to lead Air Force Space Command; Maj. Gen. Donald Wurster to add a star and head Air Force Special Operations Command; and Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz to become assistant Air Force vice chief of staff. (Gen. Kevin Chilton has to wait till September for his nomination to take charge at US Strategic Command.)
Air Force F-16 pilots are testing out new sensors that could help maximize their performance and avoid deadly accidents while flying fast fighter jets under heavy G-forces and stressful conditions.