Pacific Air Forces chief Gen. Lori Robinson has set up an “F-35 Integration Office” for her command, even though deployment of the fighter in the Pacific is still potentially years away. Robinson, speaking with defense writers in Washington, D.C., said the office will build on the experience of flying the stealthy F-22 in the Pacific theater, and begin laying the groundwork for a joint employment doctrine, since the Marine Corps, Australia, Japan, Korea, and potentially other Pacific region partners will also operate the jet. The Marine Corps has already signed on to participate with the office, as it will be first in theater to deploy the F-35, she said.
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.
