The Pentagon’s new Inspector General, Claude Kicklighter, took office April 30, replacing Thomas Gimble, who has served as acting IG since September 2005. Kicklighter, who received his Senate confirmation on April 12, is a retired Army lieutenant general and previously served as chief of staff for Veterans Affairs. Earlier his served on State Department and DOD joint teams dealing with stabilization efforts in Southwest Asia.
A semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone shot down an air-to-air target in a Dec. 8 test supported by the U.S. Air Force, a notable milestone in the development of the loyal wingman-type drones that will join the fleets of the USAF, other American services, and allies and adversaries.
