That’s how Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, described the work done by current and past airmen at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan since coalition operations began there in 2001. During an airman’s call on Oct. 21 on his first visit to the region since becoming the service’s top uniformed official, Schwartz said that the “economy of force operation” that evolved in that country is “about to change [to become] the main focus of activity in Central Command’s area of responsibility.” He called Bagram the “engine” of Air Force and other service activities in the region. (Bagram report by SSgt. Rachel Martinez)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
