Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice formally assumed command of the 18th Air Force, Air Mobility Command’s sole warfighting numbered air force, Aug. 19 during a ceremony at Scott AFB, Ill. “I believe that, in this command, we set the conditions for success for our country,” said Allardice, who comes to 18th AF after having served as director of strategy, plans, and policy for US Central Command from April 2008 to July 2009. He continued, “Whether it’s a combat mission, a humanitarian mission, or some kind of natural response mission, this command sets the conditions for success of our nation.” Allardice replaces Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, who led 18th AF since June 2008 and is formally retiring from the Air Force in October. (Scott report by Capt. Shilo Weir)
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall caught a ride in the front seat of a modified, artificial intelligence-piloted F-16 on May 2, a high-profile show of confidence in the service’s autonomous technologies—and another key step in maturing that technology for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.