Gen. Edward Rice took the reins of Air Education and Training Command from Gen. Stephen Lorenz Wednesday at Randolph AFB, Tex. Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presided over the change-of-command ceremony. “What we do here matters a great deal,” said Rice in addressing AETC personnel upon assuming his new position. He added, “I am honored to join your team today as we continue to meet the vital mission of recruiting and developing the airmen who will keep our Air Force and nation strong today and tomorrow.” Rice, a distinguished Air Force Academy graduate, joins AETC after having commanded US Forces Japan and 5th Air Force since Feb. 2008. Lorenz had led AETC since July 2008. He is retiring, effective Jan. 1, 2011, after more than 37 years of commissioned service. He made his fini flight at Randolph on Nov. 14. (Randolph release)
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.