The Senate on June 23 confirmed Lt. Gen. John Hesterman to be assistant vice chief of staff and director of the Air Staff. Hesterman has served as Air Forces Central Command boss since July 2013. A 1983 Air Force Academy graduate, Hesterman has served as an instructor pilot in the F-16C, F-117A, F-15A, and the T-38C. (For more coverage of Hesterman, see US Official: Air Strikes in Iraq, Syria are Effective, and No Micromanagement of Iraq Campaign, Air Boss Says.)
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.