The 2022 midterm elections produced several major surprises as races began to be called late Nov. 8 and early Nov. 9, and the biggest effects were yet to be decided, as neither Republicans nor Democrats had secured control of the House or Senate. But for national security and defense watchers, some of the most important races on Election Day produced definitive results. Here’s what it means for the Pentagon and Air Force.

The Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to outfit two more E-11A Bombardier business jets with the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) system. The service already operates three such aircraft, which are used to improve tactical communications for joint and coalition forces. The work will be performed under a $3.6 billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract awarded by the Air Force to Northrop Grumman in January 2021. The company will provide the BACN payload as well as integrate it with the aircraft. Bombardier Defense is providing aircraft under a separate $464.8 million contract awarded in June 2021.

Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich leads Air Forces Central, a post he assumed in July 2022 following a two-year stint as director of operations at U.S. Central Command. While global attention has shifted away from U.S. wars in the Middle East, Grynkewich’s forces support the ongoing fight against ISIS as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. He spoke to Air & Space Forces Magazine during a visit to the Washington, D.C., area to participate in the International Air Chiefs Conference and AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference.

As part of Air & Space Forces Magazine’s commemoration of the Air Force’s 75th anniversary, we interviewed all of the living former Chiefs of Staff. In this part of the series, we feature CSAF No. 19 Gen. Norton Schwartz.