Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton on May 20 visited Air Force Global Strike Command headquarters at Barksdale AFB, La., to get a first-hand view of the organization and its airmen. Conaton, sworn in as the Air Force’s No. 2 civilian official on March 15, said the nuclear mission “one of the most critical things that the Air Force does” and getting a sense of how Global Strike Command was progressing was an important priority for her during her first few months in office. She said the command’s airmen are “extraordinary, high-quality professionals” who “are doing an excellent job.” Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, AFGSC commander, who hosted Conaton said her visit underscores the Air Force leadership’s commitment to the nuclear mission and the airmen who execute it as well as their families. (Barksdale report by Megan A. Orton)
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.