Brig. Gen. James Witham has been nominated for promotion to the rank of major general for his new assignment as the Air National Guard’s deputy director, announced National Guard Bureau officials. “JC is an outstanding leader and we’re glad to have him on our team. His wealth of command and staff positions will help shape and guide the Air Guard as we forge ahead to the future,” said Air Guard Director Lt. Gen. Bud Wyatt in an Oct. 11 release. Witham is a 1980 Air Force Academy graduate; he’s been serving since November as chief of staff of the California National Guard and commander of the state’s Air Guard. “I am thrilled and humbled for the opportunity to lead the best Air National Guard in our nation’s history,” said Witham, a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, primarily in F-15s and F-16s. He served in the Active Duty component for 10 years before joining the Air Guard. Maj. Gen. William Etter was the Air Guard’s deputy director until June. (NGB report by Col. Nahaku A. McFadden)
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III rebuffed criticism that the F-35 program has proved too costly and unreliable to serve as the viable backbone of America’s and allies' future fighter fleet on April 30. “I would not categorize the F-35 as a paperweight,” Austin said in response to questioning…