In a conference call with reporters today, Gen. Lance Lord, soon-to-be-retired head of Air Force Space Command, said the decision to cut the nuclear missile force by 10 percent was made by US Strategic Command. He said that AFSPC, which has Title X responsibility to organize and equip the force, was not directly involved in the decision. The command did provide input to STRATCOM, he said, adding that whatever the STRATCOM commander “needs to do his job, we’ll deliver for him.” It remains to be seen whether the QDR-proposed cut of 50 Minuteman III ICBMs will stand. Senators late last year attempted to pre-empt the reduction when word leaked out early. Will there be another “save the ICBM” foray
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.