Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, commander of USAF’s newest major command, the Air Force Global Strike Command, headquartered at Barksdale AFB, La., last week traveled to Andersen AFB, Guam, to get a first-hand look at rotational bomber operations in the Pacific region. Previously B-2 and B-52 bomber forces rotated in and out of Andersen under the auspices of Air Combat Command, but the nuclear-capable bomber fleet and the airmen who operate and maintain them transferred to AFGSC in February. Klotz said that the AFGSC airmen deployed to Andersen told him they are “very pleased with the living conditions and facilities … as well as the very warm, gracious welcome they’ve received from the citizens of Guam.” (Andersen report by TSgt. Mike Andriacco)
The Pentagon is considering ditching the Air Force’s plan to buy the E-7 Wedgetail as it looks to outsource the airborne target-tracking mission to space, defense officials indicated this week.