The Air Force has opened a Smart Operations 21 office at the Pentagon, as part of an effort to optimize service processes that Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne implemented in February. The new office will provide top-level guidance as Air Force units undertakes AFSO21 initiatives. The director of the office is Brig. Gen. S. Taco Gilbert.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.