The Air Force issued a new standardized guideline spelling out the Chief of Staff’s expectations of every unit commander, entitled Commander’s Responsibilities. “For the first time, the Air Force now has an instruction which sets the minimum standard for successful command,” said Air Force Inspector General Lt. Gen. Stephen Mueller, in a May 21 release. “A great byproduct of this instruction is a standardized template for evaluating and inspecting all Air Force commander’s along four common major graded areas,” explained Mueller. “It’s important for all of us to be on the same page, especially when it comes to standards and conduct,” added Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh. The six-page Air Force Instruction specifies that commanders are responsible for leadership, mission execution, resource management, and unit improvement. They also are expected to “display exemplary conduct … be above reproach, both morally and ethically, and exemplify Air Force core values,” according to the release.
Pentagon officials overseeing homeland counter-drone strategy told lawmakers that even with preliminary moves to bolster U.S. base defenses, the military still lacks the capability to comprehensively identify, track, and engage hostile drones like those that breached the airspace of Langley Air Force Base in Virginia for 17 days in December…