Cartwright calls ballistic missile defense the “boutique” area of STRATCOM’s responsibilities. Nonetheless, the STRATCOM boss recognizes he has the lead when it comes to coordinating and developing US missile defense operations. Cartwright says he is keeping tabs on the work being done by the Missile Defense Agency, which he says has faced “challenges,” particularly with the ground-based intercept element. However, he believes that missile defense efforts—overall—have been going well recently.
The Air Force has finished resurrecting a B-1B Lancer, completing a yearslong process to transform a bomber that had been stored for parts in the Arizona desert into the new flagship of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.