Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that President Obama will nominate Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander for promotion to four stars and to take command of the new US Cyber Command under US Strategic Command in addition to continuing as director of the National Security Agency and chief of Central Security Service. All three posts would be headquartered at Ft. Meade, Md. In June, Gates directed STRATCOM boss, Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, to establish the new Cyber Command and, at the time, indicated that he wanted Alexander to be the first commander. Alexander will need Senate confirmation.
Boeing’s receipt of the 10th lot contract award for the KC-46 Pegasus this week leaves just three lots left to complete the Air Force’s buy of the tanker, although a further buy of 75 additional aircraft as a “bridge” to the Next-Generation Aerial-refueling System (NGAS) seems increasingly likely.