Gen. William Looney yesterday stepped down as commander of Air Education and Training Command during a change of command ceremony at Randolph AFB, Tex., and retired from the Air Force after 36 years of service. Looney led AETC since June 2005. On July 1, he conducted his final flight from Randolph in the cockpit of an F-15. Succeeding Looney at AETC is Gen. Stephen Lorenz, formerly head of Air University, who received his fourth star yesterday during a separate ceremony. (Includes Randolph report by TSgt. Mike Hammond)
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.