The Senate on May 7 confirmed Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz to retain three stars and take leadership of the new, nuclear-centric Air Force Global Strike Command. In a May 8 release, Klotz said, “I really look forward to serving alongside the great airmen in bomber and missile organizations that will fall under the new command.” The White House nominated Klotz, who currently serves as assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force, in April to lead the new command. The service plans to stand up AFGSC this fall and has selected Barksdale AFB, La., as the preferred location for its headquarters, much to the consternation of elected officials and community leaders in Nebraska, who expected to see the new command at Offutt Air Force Base, the former headquarters for Strategic Air Command.
Dozens of fighter jets gathered at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida last week to kick off one of the service’s biggest air combat exercises despite the government shutdown. More than 50 aircraft and 500 personnel are participating in Checkered Flag 26-1.
