Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh released his final reading list as the Air Force’s top uniformed officer on Friday. The 2016 list covers everything from books to TED Talks and journals, including Air Force Magazine and www.airforcemag.com. “This year’s list is curated to increase our understanding of past heroes as well as our current challenges while keeping an eye towards a future you make brighter by your service,” said Welsh, who will retire on July 1, in a message to airmen. “Use the reading suggestions to improve yourselves, your unit, and our Air Force.” This year’s list includes 12 books, one movie, two 60 Minutes episodes, several photo galleries, airpower journals, and for the first time military-focused blogs. Topics range from Air Force heritage and resiliency to the reliance on space capabilities. (Read the full list.) (See the 2015 reading list.)
The U.S., South Korea, and Japan flew an unusual trilateral flight with two U.S. B-52H Stratofortress bombers escorted by two Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2s, and two ROK Air Force KF-16 fighters—both countries’ respective variants of the F-16—July 11. That same weekend, the top military officers of the three nations…