The Air Force Gunsmith Shop has a new name and new parent unit, after 48 years under the umbrella of the Air Education and Training Command and its predecessor organizations. It will still reside in its secure bunker facilities at Lackland AFB, Tex., but it is now part of Air Force Materiel Command. AETC officials call it a good match since the small unit of 11 personnel—now comprising the Air Force Gunsmith Integrated Product Team—has had AFMC as its approval authority for 30 years. Organizationally, the team now falls under the 542nd Armament Sustainment Group at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins AFB, Ga.
The House Armed Services Committee on June 4 approved an amendment to a key defense policy bill that would bar the Air Force from retiring E-3 Sentry aircraft through fiscal 2027.