Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski on
Thursday took command of Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale AFB, La., succeeding Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, who is retiring. Kowalski accepted the command’s guidon from Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during the change-of-command ceremony, becoming responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the Air Force’s Minuteman III ICBM and nuclear-capable bomber forces. Prior to the change of command, Kowalski received his third star. AFGSC is the Air Force’s newest major command, standing up in August 2009 and reaching full operational status in September of the following year. Klotz led AFGSC since its inception; his retirement takes effect on March 1, ending his more than 37 years of uniformed service. (Barksdale report by Maja Stevanovich) (See also Barksdale report by Carla Pampe featuring Klotz reflecting on his USAF career)
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.

