The retirement of Gen. Mark Welsh, whose Active Duty career officially ends July 1, means the presumptive 21st Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein is now USAF’s most senior uniformed officer. The Air Force will not appoint an “acting” Chief of Staff. Since Goldfein currently serves as the service’s vice chief of staff, under Title 10 of the US Code he will perform the duties of Chief of Staff until a successor is appointed, officials told Air Force Magazine. However, Goldfein is expected to be appointed shortly, after receiving support during his June 15 nomination hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
NATO Scrambles Fighter in Newest Response to Russian Drones
Sept. 16, 2025
NATO scrambled its first fighter Sept. 13 under its new plan to bolster its defenses against Russian air incursions that was put into place after an array of Russian drones flew into Polish airspace last week, the officials from the alliance’s military command said.
