Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott III, commander of 18th Air Force, on June 12 relieved Col. John McDonald of command of the 43rd Airlift Wing at Pope AFB, N.C. According to a June 13 report in the Fayetteville Observer, a statement from 18th AF indicated McDonald was removed “for cause.” The statement went on to say that Scott had decided McDonald’s “actions rendered him ineffective” as the wing commander. Col. James Johnson, formerly vice commander of the 19th AW at Little Rock AFB, Ark., was to arrive at Pope over the past weekend to replace McDonald, who has been assigned as a special assistant to Scott at 18th AF. Note that Johnson’s biography replaced McDonald’s Friday afternoon on the Pope Web site.
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.