The Eye of the Beholder: Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England took exception with Air Force leaders who would rather retire C-5As and buy additional C-17s with the savings. England told the Senate Armed Services Committee Wednesday, “In my judgment, this will come out that we will upgrade the C-5s.” The Air Force plans to ask lawmakers to remove a Congressional restriction on retiring the C-5As. England admits that “people are still, frankly, looking at this issue,” but he maintains that it’s a question of “timing”—the C-5s are needed.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.