Gen. David Goldfein, the Air Force’s 21st Chief of Staff, was officially sworn in during a July 1 ceremony at the Pentagon. Goldfein, who was confirmed on June 29, replaced the now retired Gen. Mark Welsh as Chief. “My commitment to you as your Chief, as the 21st Chief, in the 21st Century, is that I will work every day to be a leader of character,” Goldfein said in a message to airmen posted on Youtube. “I’ll leave nothing on the table. I’ll look for the opportunity in every challenge. I’ll treat team building as a contact sport, and I’ll remain laser focused on warfighting excellence.” (USAF release.)
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.