Besides expanding to NATO and smaller bases in the East and South of Europe, US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa chief Gen. Frank Gorenc thinks NATO should be looking North, as well. The “high North” will become an issue, he said, “partly because of climate change and the ability of ships to pass in that area,” and this is a concern to “allies and partners” in the region. It’s one of the “strategic directions” NATO should be concerned with, and Gorenc said he’ll be exploring ways to exploit more northern airfields as the region becomes more highly contested and trafficked by shipping and naval forces.
It is critical that the Air Force move forward on the replacement for its E-4B “Doomsday” aircraft to keep the capability “viable” into the next decade and beyond, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. told lawmakers May 8.