Maj. Jill Metzger, an Air Force officer based at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan, went missing Sept. 5 in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishek, US Central Command Air Forces confirmed today. According to a report from the Associated Press news service, Metzger separated from a group of other service members while shopping at a department store in Bishkek. She has not been seen since. US and Kyrgyz officials are currently searching for her. (Read more here.)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.