Although “there is no alternative” to the F-35, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said he doesn’t believe it must be acquired “at any cost.” In a press conference, Schwartz said “I don’t believe in anything ‘at any cost,’” but he quickly added that “Lockheed’s got to perform,” and the Air Force has to manage the F-35A responsibly. “We’re concerned about cost of operation,” Schwartz said, and said he’s satisfied that Lockheed Martin is taking it seriously, too. Schwartz noted that the C-17 was once “a very troubled program” and went on to be the “premiere airlift program on the planet.” Schwartz said, “I think the F-35 has the potential of following in that path.”
The Space Force put Guardians on notice to purchase the service’s new physical training gear uniform by the end of January, but it isn’t ready to set a mandatory wear date for its new service dress uniform.
