The commander of the 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron—the unit that maintains F-22s for the 1st Fighter Wing at JB Langley-Eustis, Va.—has been relieved of command, several media outlets reported. Lt. Col. Ivan Pennington, who has led the squadron for the last two years, was removed March 25 by 1st FW Commander Col. Pete Fesler, reported The Virginian-Pilot. “We hold commanders to the highest standards, and when they fall short of these expectations, they must be held accountable,” Fesler said in a statement, though he did not provide any details about how Pennington may have failed to meet expectations. Maj. Jason Moehle has been named interim commander.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.