Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton has taken command of US Strategic Command. The official date was Oct. 3, but there was no ceremony. A STRATCOM release says, “A ceremony recognizing the assumption of command is expected to follow in the coming weeks. Chilton took over from acting commander Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Kehler, who now goes to head Air Force Space Command and receives a fourth star.
Contracts for F-35 airframes in Lot 18 and 19 should be signed in the spring, but an engine deal is still not in hand and could take months longer. The delays don't seem to be driven by anticipation of how the new Trump administration will influence the program.