The Air Force announced Wednesday that Lackland AFB, Tex., will be the permanent headquarters location for 24th Air Force, the new numbered air force being established under Air Force Space Command to lead the service’s cyber operations. USAF identified Lackland as its preferred headquarters location in May, but by US law, could not make a final determination until it had concluded an analysis of the environmental impact. That analysis, said Kathleen Ferguson, the Air Force’s installation czar, “determined a finding of no significant impact.” Maj. Gen. Richard Webber will assume command of 24th AF later this month. “The standup of this NAF will provide clear lines of authority and responsibility dedicated to cyber operations,” he said.
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.