Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center boss Lt. Gen. John Thompson appeared optimistic about the future of acquisition under the Space Force, despite industry's concerns about changes foreshadowed in the draft fiscal 2020 defense policy bill. Bipartisan, bicameral language would create a space acquisition council for the Space Force that leaves out SMC. It also establishes the position of an acquisition executive for space, breaking those duties off from the Air Force's procurement chief. While Thompson declined to address the legislation, he painted the congressionally directed changes as an opportunity.

Matthew Donovan will assume a new role as acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness following the resignation of Jimmy Stewart on Dec. 13, Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced. Donovan has served as under secretary of the Air Force since August 2017, though he was named acting Secretary of the Air Force after Heather Wilson stepped down to become president of the University of Texas-El Paso. Stewart also is an Air Force veteran who retired as a major general in 2014. “It's people like Jimmy, the selfless individuals who put service before self, who are the backbone of this country,” Esper said.

CMSgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez on Dec. 13 took over as the newest senior enlisted adviser to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Colon-Lopez, who previously served as the top enlisted leader in US Africa Command, is the first airman in the job. The position of SEAC was created in 2005, and Colon-Lopez is the fourth to hold the title.

US and coalition aircraft continued to strike Islamic State group targets in Iraq and Syria in November as US forces drew down in size, according to new statistics from Air Forces Central Command. Last month, aircraft as part of Operation Inherent Resolve conducted 153 airstrikes, down from the previous month’s total of 166, for a total of 4,570 so far in 2019.

Two Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft escaped the chopping block in the joint, draft fiscal 2020 defense policy bill, but the aircraft are still under congressional scrutiny. At issue are the RC-135, a small fleet with multiple varieties of planes used to gather information on things like electromagnetic signals and ballistic missile launches, and the RC-26, a niche Air National Guard aircraft that helps track suspects in civilian and military missions such as counter-drug cases. Its cameras and communications equipment also assist with disaster response, maritime patrol and more.

The world’s longest-running airdrop training mission, bringing aid to 20,000 people across 1.8 million square nautical miles, is in full swing in the Pacific. The USAF-led, 68th annual Operation Christmas Drop began on Dec. 7 and runs through mid-December. About 175 bundles full of food, medicine, and other aid are being dropped from C-130s to about 55 remote islands.