: A Pentagon spokesman said the Defense Department is ready for the Sept. 20 repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law. “This is something that has been known for a long time,” said Pentagon press secretary George Little, and added, “We’ve gone through a process to certify repeal.” He told reporters at the Pentagon Monday that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen will talk with reporters Tuesday about the implementation, specifically those changes that had to await the law’s implementation. Air Force officials earlier this summer said the service was completing training for its airmen. (Pentagon report by Jim Garamone)
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.