Pacific Air Forces’ enlisted corps has nominated its commander, Gen. Gary North, for induction in the command’s Order of the Sword. It is the highest honor that the enlisted corps may bestow. CMSgt. Brooke McLean, PACAF’s command chief, notified North of his nomination on April 4 at PACAF headquarters at JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, according to the command’s website. North’s induction ceremony is scheduled for August 26th at the installation. North has been PACAF’s boss since August 2009 and an airman since 1976.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
