Air
Force Secretary Michael Donley has agreed to stay on the job as SECAF under the Obama administration. Gen. Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, made the announcement, with Donley sitting next to him, Feb. 26 during a press briefing at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando. In a White House press release Thursday, President Obama said of Donley and other former Bush appointees who will stay on: “I am confident that these distinguished individuals have the commitment and expertise to help guide the Department of Defense at this critical time for our nation. Under the leadership of Secretary Gates, this group will help us maintain a strong and effective military to accomplish the fundamental goals of keeping America safe, advancing our interests abroad, and restoring American leadership in the world.”
The Space Force is finalizing its first contracts for the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve and plans to award them early in 2025—giving the service access to commercial satellites and other space systems in times of conflict or crisis—officials said Nov. 21.