Maj. Gen. Anthony Cotton accepted command of 20th Air Force from outgoing commander Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein in a Nov. 16 ceremony at F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo., officials announced. The numbered air force is tasked with overseeing Air Force Global Strike Command’s ICBM force in support of US Strategic Command. Weinstein led 20th AF since October 2013, and is receiving his third-star to become the assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration on the Air Staff. Cotton previously served as deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, and previously commanded the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and the 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla. As commander, he will lead USSTRATCOM’s Task Force 214 in addition to overseeing 20th AF’s 10,200 personnel and its nuclear operations support wing at Kirtland AFB, N.M.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
