The Air Force’s new cyber operations arm, 24th Air Force, has reached the milestone known as full operational capability, Air Force Space Command announced Friday. This means that the new numbered air force, headquartered at Lackland AFB, Tex., has matured into an organization able to meet its full breadth of responsibilities. “Declaration of FOC means 24th Air Force is now a full operational partner on the joint cyber team,” said Gen. Robert Kehler, AFSPC boss, who made the FOC declaration. He added, “Cyberspace is critical to today’s joint military operations and 24th Air Force is proud to be the Air Force’s component to US Cyber Command.” USAF activated 24th AF in August 2009. It combines the service’s information operations, network warfare, and combat communications functions under one roof. “We’re proud of this significant milestone,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Webber, 24th AF commander. (Peterson release)
It'll take up to 18 months for Lockheed Martin to deliver the 100 or so F-35s that went directly from production line to storage, awaiting the completion of Tech Refresh 3 testing. Customers haven't complained about the order in which the backlog is being delivered.