Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh announced the following general officers assignments on Nov. 21. Maj. Gen. Timothy Ray, director of the Air Force’s operational planning, policy, and strategy at the Pentagon, will become the director of global power programs at the Pentagon. Brig. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., will replace Brig. Gen. Timothy Fay as deputy director for command, control, and nuclear operations on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. Fay will stay at the Pentagon where he will serve as deputy chief of staff for operations, plans, and requirements. Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, Tex., will replace Bussiere at Whiteman.
The Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.