Eighth Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Robert Elder says the Air Force’s ability to use precision weapons and deal with multiple targets is tied to how the service works in cyberspace. SSgt. Matthew Rosine reports from Barksdale AFB, La., cyber-central for the Air Force, that Elder expects to stand up the new Cyber Command this fall provisionally at Barksdale. Elder believes that the Air Force, which he describes as a “global service,” conducts its operations effectively and efficiently with centralized control but decentralized execution “because our control of cyberspace is so good.”
Boeing’s receipt of the 10th lot contract award for the KC-46 Pegasus this week leaves just three lots left to complete the Air Force’s buy of the tanker, although a further buy of 75 additional aircraft as a “bridge” to the Next-Generation Aerial-refueling System (NGAS) seems increasingly likely.