The 12th Secretary of the Air Force, John C. Stetson died Aug. 2 at his home in Lake Forest, Ill. Stetson served as Secretary from June 1978 to May 1979. He graduated from MIT with a degree in aeronautical engineering and during World War II worked at Douglas Aircraft before taking a commission in the Navy as a communications officer. After the war he had several engineering and consulting jobs, becoming a partner at Booz Hamilton Allen, where he oversaw several programs for military and commercial aircraft. Before becoming Secretary, Stetson served in several executive positions in publishing, business machine, and other companies.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
