The Air Force plans to include billions of dollars in the upcoming five-year defense plan for a new long range strike platform, which DOD wants to see fielded by 2018, an unnamed defense official told Reuters news service. John Young, defense research and engineering director, voiced his concern earlier this month that the Air Force might miss the program objective memorandum deadline, thereby making it impossible to meet DOD’s aggressive timetable. The nameless official told Reuters that the Air Force would earmark “substantial resources” in the 2008 POM to make the 2018 deadline.
Air Force Academy Leaders Ousted in Shake Up
Feb. 6, 2026
The U.S. Air Force Academy is getting a leadership refresh after a tumultuous year, with Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks both set to retire this year and Col. James Valpiani set to come on as the new Dean of the Faculty.

