The new boss of Air Mobility Command, Gen. Arthur Lichte, took the reins of command on Sept. 7, vowing to “keep raising the bar; we’ll keep going farther and farther in this command.” He does intend to continue with the Air Force’s No. 1 priority, securing a new aerial refueling aircraft to replace the KC-135. Lichte, who was confirmed by the Senate just prior to its summer recess, replaces Gen. Duncan McNabb, who becomes the Air Force vice chief of staff.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.