Orlando, February 18, 2010—Gen. Gene Renuart, who leads NORAD and US Northern Command, noted that that upcoming changes in the Arctic region—more sea lanes opening from melting ice with accompanying territorial and resource disputes—will create “stress and competition.” However, in addressing AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium, he also said the situation could lead to expanded partnership activities with Canada, Russia, Denmark, Norway, and other nations. Renuart said DOD and the State Department are working together to develop “a national strategy that is more clear.” For starters, though, he advocates applying some lessons from USAF support to Antarctic operations, including generating better communications, situational awareness, and command and control capabilities.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth vowed to undertake far-reaching reforms on the way the U.S. military buys weapons, promising a sweeping overhaul of the way the Defense Department determines requirements, handles the acquisition process, and tests its kit. The fundamental goal, which Hegseth underscored in a 1-hour and 10-minute speech…
