The former two-star commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory was convicted of abusive sexual contact following a historic court-martial of an Air Force general officer. His sentence is expected to be handed down April 25. Maj. Gen. William T. Cooley was found guilty of forcibly kissing his sister-in-law in a car in Albuquerque, N.M. His trial, which began April 18, is the first full court-martial and conviction of an Air Force general officer in the service's 75-year history.

In a guest commentary piece, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass describes the need for the service to develop “the innovative problem solvers of 2030” and touts "The Blueprint" released as a guide for Airmen throughout their careers. "When we look at projections of what a strategic competition with a near-peer adversary could involve, it becomes clear that the Airmen of 2030 will need to have an innate ability to critically think through myriad situations, develop innovative ideas and solutions to address complex challenges, and maximize a teaming concept to ensure success across the entire enterprise," writes Bass. "These skills will weigh heavily on future operations, as we build an Air Force that requires a deeper understanding of the digital environment from its Airmen."

Basic information on the Air Force’s history and structure, details on core values and skills, links to information on professional development and other resources, all gathered into one place—that’s the idea behind “The Blueprint,” released by the Air Force on April 21 to help guide its enlisted force development. “When I grew up, we had more of a pyramid, if you will. And if you do all of these things in your career, ultimately, here's how you become a senior noncommissioned officer or whatever,” Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass told Air Force Magazine. “And I just don't see things in that light anymore. We see them as a blueprint, and there's many paths, many ways within an Airman’s career.”

“Stakeholders” from up to 40 nations will meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on April 26, to discuss how to deliver extended and more lethal aid to Ukraine, the Pentagon said. The meeting is “not a NATO ministerial” but instead a gathering of those interested in providing aid to Ukraine in its resistance to Russia’s invasion, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby told reporters April 22. More than 20 nations have accepted the invitation, he said.

Although the overall military construction request decreased slightly from fiscal 2022 to 2023, spending on infrastructure for the Air Force's new intercontinental ballistic missile more than quadrupled, according to newly released budget documents. In 2022, the department requested $2.38 billion for projects across its Active-duty, Guard, and Reserve components. This year, it’s asking for $2.26 billion in total, a decline of nearly five percent. Of that, $444 million, nearly 20 percent of the entire 2023 MILCON budget, is devoted to projects related to the LGM-35A Sentinel, or as it was called until recently, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.