Defense Secretary Robert Gates yesterday nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz to be commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, the new nuclear-centric major command that the Air Force is standing up to oversee its nuclear-capable bombers and ICBMs. Klotz has been assistant vice chief of staff since August 2007. He has extensive experience with Minuteman ICBMs and nuclear matters, having served, for example, in posts such as director of nuclear policy and arms control on the National Security Council staff, commander of 20th Air Force (which has responsibility for the nation’s ICBMs), and vice commander of Air Force Space Command. AFGSC is expected to stand up in September. The Air Force announced last month that Barksdale AFB, La., is the preferred location for its permanent headquarters, pending completion of the environmental impact analysis. A provisional HQ has been operating out of Bolling AFB, D.C., since January under the command of Brig. Gen. James Kowalski.
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.