Q&A With EUCOM Nominee Gen. Tod Wolters

Gen. Tod Wolters, commander of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, sat down for an interview with Air Force Magazine Pentagon Editor Brian Everstine and Editor in Chief Tobias Naegele at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla. Two weeks later, President Trump nominated Wolters to be the next commander of US European Command. Wolters discussed his priorities for the region, how US forces need to exercise, and where the US needs to improve its posture. Read the Q&A.

DOD Looks at Air Force Successes as it Revamps Software Acquisition

Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord said work is already underway to meet one of 10 key recommendations the Defense Innovation Board issued in its congressionally mandated report on improving software acquisition, to be delivered to lawmakers next week. The Defense Department is offering a government or third-party cloud environment to software developers to cut the amount of time it takes to get code into the field, and the DIB said the rest of the services should consider creating a program executive officer for digital like the Air Force did last year. Read the full story by Rachel S. Cohen.

Dunford: Doesn’t Make Sense to Sell F-35s to Turkey if Ankara Buys Russian S-400s

The US government will have a “hard time reconciling” giving Turkey the most advanced fighter aircraft if that country also fields advanced Russian-made surface to air missiles, Gen. Joseph Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday. Dunford’s comments come as reports emerged stating that the US is considering freezing sales to Turkey. Turkey is not only slated to buy 100 of the fifth generation aircraft, it’s also home to several companies that have produced F-35 components. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.

Dunford Talks Russian, Chinese Threats During Atlantic Council DIscussion

The US has increased its presence in Europe as a “physical representation” of its commitment to NATO, making Russia uncomfortable even as it continues its information and cyber warfare operations on the continent, the top US uniformed official said Thursday. Speaking at the Atlantic Council, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford also talked about China’s efforts to modernize its military, and he chastised US companies that may be helping that country’s military innovate. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.

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RADAR SWEEP

Space Force’s Projected Size Drifts Upward, Drawing Concern on Capitol Hill

Despite “lean” pledges, aides are skeptical about the size of the proposed branch and the number of generals who will lead it. Defense One

Offutt Stands-up Emergency Family Assistance Center

The Offutt Air Force Base Airman and Family Readiness Center is scheduled to host an Emergency Family Assistance Center March 21 and 22 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Air Force News

RAF Lakenheath Demolition Work Clears the Way for US F-35 Campus

Kier-VolkerFitzpatrick has begun demolition work at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in Suffolk in the UK, to prepare the base for the arrival of two squadrons of US Air Force F-35 joint strike fighter aircraft. Airforce Technology

Should Veterans Have to Pay for VA’s Benefits Errors?

A group of Senate lawmakers is again arguing that if veterans are overpaid on benefits because of accounting errors, they shouldn’t be punished for the federal government’s mistakes. Military Times

Marine Corps Commandant Says Deploying Troops to the Border Poses ‘Unacceptable Risk’

The commandant of the Marines has warned the Pentagon that deployments to the southwest border and funding transfers under the president’s emergency declaration, among other unexpected demands, have posed “unacceptable risk to Marine Corps combat readiness and solvency.” Los Angeles Times

One More Thing …

Newly Remastered Archival Video Shows the Power of the First Nuclear Weapons Test

The YouTunnel channel atomcentral has been bringing important archival footage about nuclear weapons to the world’s attention for a dozen years now. Its latest video is a look at the very first nuclear weapons test ever conducted. Popular Mechanics