The Senate approved Maj. Gen. James Jackson for a third star for his new assignment as Air Force Reserve chief. The Senate’s website announced that Jackson received the approval on April 26. A 1978 graduate of the Air Force Academy, Jackson will replace Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, who has led the command since June 2008. Jackson has been Stenner’s deputy since May 2010.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.