Adm. William Fallon on March 12 relinquished command of US Pacific Command, leaving it in the hands of Air Force Gen. Daniel Leaf, PACOM deputy commander. Fallon’s presumed successor, Adm. Timothy Keating, current head of NORAD and US Northern Command, faced the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 8 but has yet to be confirmed by the Senate. Fallon is on his way to lead US Central Command.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.