Vandenberg AFB, Calif., is now the site for the Joint Functional Component Command for Space, headed by 14th Air Force commander Maj. Gen. William Shelton. The head of US Strategic Command, Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright, presided over an activation ceremony for the new JFCC Space, which he said should “spearhead the transformation in space.” At the same time, STRATCOM is dissolving the JFCC Space and Global Strike in favor of two separate entities: JFCC Space and JFCC Global Strike and Integration. Cartwright acted upon a suggestion from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley in separating the two functions, which is slated to become effective in July 2007.
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.