The Air Force has not ruled out sending B-52s to US Central Command to backfill the capability of B-1Bs leaving theater to undergo an avionics upgrade, a service spokesman said Thursday. “All options are on the table with regard to what mix of aircraft will replace the B-1 in the US Central Command area of operations,” the spokesman said. Lt. Gen. John Raymond, USAF’s deputy chief of staff for operations, had suggested that B-52s were out of the mix at a Wednesday AFA-sponsored, Air Force breakfast.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.