In his first letter to airmen since taking charge of Air Combat Command last month, Gen. Mike Hostage said he will focus on “developing and caring for” airmen and their families, winning today’s fight, improving effectiveness, and “balancing recapitalization and modernization.” In the letter, dated Oct. 13, Hostage acknowledged that the future budgetary environment will require “tough decisions,” but said he was committed to maintaining “dominant combat airpower for the joint force.” He said today’s challenges will require everyone to work together, but “I am confident you will continue providing unparalleled combat airpower when and where our nation needs.” He added, “You can expect from me a relentless drive for excellence and professionalism, the hallmarks of our great Air Force.”
Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii is trialing novel energy technology to provide electrical power and hydrogen fuel in the kind of isolated and austere outposts the Air Force will need in the Pacific theater for its new Agile Combat Employment way of warfare.