Air Force Lt. Gen. Victor Renuart believes that “the best qualified officers” should “compete” for the top two leadership positions at US Northern Command rather than having Congress legislate that one or the other go to a National Guard officer, as has been put forth in recent Guard empowerment legislation. In answers to advance questions for his March 8 confirmation hearing to become commander of NORTHCOM and NORAD, Renuart noted that there already is one mandated Reserve Component slot, that of NORTHCOM Chief of Staff, while two other “open” positions—the commanders of Air Force North and Army North—currently filled by Guard officers. However, he does believe there is room for improvement in the reserve officer development process to ensure they “receive appropriate joint and operational exposure earlier in their career” so they will be better able to compete for senior command positions.
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.