Within days of the B-52 bomber missile transfer misadventure that already has cost a Minot AFB, N.D., officer his command and derailed—if only temporarily—several munitions technicians from their primary duty, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne penned a letter to all airmen reminding them that America counts on their “discipline and attention to detail.” He wrote: “The American public expects the same discipline in a Predator squadron, a space control squadron, or in our long-range bomber community.” He exhorted supervisors to remember that “making sure that airmen know and understand what is needed day-to-day is a major part of [USAF] success and requires self-discipline. He applauded the innovations airmen have introduced but emphasized that “driving innovation does not mean abandoning discipline.”
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.