The Air Force is hoping to host the head of China’s air force for a visit in July, said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. Discussions are under way about the possible military-to-military visit, said Schwartz on May 1 during his speech at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. He said he is “eager to engage” with his counterpart in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. Schwartz also noted while responding to audience questions that the decision was made at the highest US government levels to modernize Taiwan’s F-16 fleet—by retrofitting Taiwan’s F-16A/Bs. If policymakers also decide to sell Taiwan new aircraft of a comparable nature, “we’ll support it,” he said. (For more coverage of the Chief’s Stimson speech, read Shortcut to the Hollow Force and Export Barriers.)
KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
July 8, 2025
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker suffered damage to its boom while refueling F-22 Raptors off the coast of Virginia on July 8, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed, with reported radio communication from the crew indicating the boom “detached.”