The Air Force on Monday re-designated the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency as 25th Air Force during a ceremony at JBSA-Lackland, Texas. The new numbered air force, which aligns under Air Combat Command, will oversee ISR matters—analysis and production, platforms and sensors, and targeting analytics—for the combat air forces, according to a release. “Placing 25th Air Force under ACC is all about operations effectiveness,” said Gen. Mike Hostage, ACC commander, who officiated the ceremony. “It’ll be the one-stop shop for operational ISR within the Air Force, which will streamline program accuracy and presentation by the Air Force,” he said. Maj. Gen. Jack Shanahan, who led AFISRA since June 2013, became 25th AF commander during the ceremony. As part of the changes, the Air Force also on Monday realigned the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, Calif., and the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, Neb., under 25th AF. The Air Force in July announced its plans to create 25th AF. Later this week, Air Education and Training Command will activate 19th Air Force, a NAF that it stood down in 2012.
Air Force F-16 pilots are testing out new sensors that could help maximize their performance and avoid deadly accidents while flying fast fighter jets under heavy G-forces and stressful conditions.