Although the Pentagon’s new Aviation Investment Plan doesn’t anticipate buying any new strategic airlifters for at least a dozen years, it’s likely that the C-17 fleet may be enhanced or life-extended during that period, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said in an interview. “I’m sure we will do things to the C-17 … [to] maintain its viability,” he said. The fleet will need to be “tidied up, particularly those that were bought in the mid-90s, no question.” However, Schwartz doesn’t see any need to “stretch” any C-17s, “particularly given the performance of the RERP program for the C-5,” which is installing new engines and a variety of other life-extension modifications. (RERP stands for reliability enhancement and re-engining program.) (Also see Aviation Plan, Not a Contract)
Space Force Component in Pacific Gets New Commander
July 29, 2025
The Space Force’s main arm in the Pacific got a new leader July 25, as Brig. Gen. Brian Denaro succeeded Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir as head of Space Forces Indo-Pacific.