The new boss of Air Mobility Command, Gen. Arthur Lichte, took the reins of command on Sept. 7, vowing to “keep raising the bar; we’ll keep going farther and farther in this command.” He does intend to continue with the Air Force’s No. 1 priority, securing a new aerial refueling aircraft to replace the KC-135. Lichte, who was confirmed by the Senate just prior to its summer recess, replaces Gen. Duncan McNabb, who becomes the Air Force vice chief of staff.
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
