President Barack Obama has nominated Maj. Gen. James McLaughlin for the appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as deputy commander of US Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Md. If approved by the Senate, McLaughlin, who currently serves as commander of 24th Air Force at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, would replace Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, who stepped down in June after two years. (DOD 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.