The Air Force activated the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence at JBSA-Randolph on March 2. The center, which falls under Air Education and Training Command, focuses on military professionalism and is part of an initiative set forth by former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel last year, according to a March 12 base release. “The overriding purpose of PACE is to make our 695,000 airmen better in execution of war fighting,” said AETC boss Gen. Robin Rand during a March 11 ceremony recognizing the new center. “What we start today will become legendary for the Air Force.” The center is focused on four professionalism goals: “inspire a strong commitment to the profession of arms, promote the right mindset to enhance effectiveness and trust, foster relationships that strengthen an environment of trust, and enhance a culture of shared identity, dignity, and respect,” states the release. Col. Jeffrey Smith is the first PACE director. “We need to lead our airmen well,” said Smith. “We need to bring our people to a better state tomorrow than where we are today.”
Exasperated with the delays to the F-35’s Tech Refresh 3 update—which has held up deliveries of completed fighters since last fall—the House Armed Services Committee wants to slash the military services’ fiscal 2025 F-35 purchase by at least 10 aircraft and as much as 20.