The Air Force is sending Maj. Gen. Charles Davis, currently Joint Strike Fighter program director, to take command of the Air Armament Center at Eglin AFB, Fla., and serve as program executive officer for weapons; he replaces Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune, who is going to head air, space, and information operations at Air Force Materiel Command. • Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington now sports a new main gate sign that notes it as the home for the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wings, signaling the new arrangement between the active duty 92nd ARW and Air National Guard 141st ARW. • The Montana ANG’s 120th Fighter Wing has put its tail flash on the first of its F-15s to fly with the Air Guard unit that is converting from F-16s to F-15s under BRAC 2005, reports KRTV.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.