Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger—
the Air Force’s first-ever female four-star general—assumed command of Air Force Materiel Command during a June 5 ceremony at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Wolfenbarger replaced Gen. Donald Hoffman, who has led AFMC since November 2008. She received her fourth star prior to the change-of-command ceremony. Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who presided over the ceremony, called Wolfenbarger “an extraordinary public servant and a model Air Force officer.” Schwartz said Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and he “are entirely confident that she is up to the task of commanding this great organization.” Wolfenbarger credited the Air Force’s diversity efforts with her getting this opportunity. “This culture has been cultivated over many years, driven by leadership at every level who acknowledge and appreciate the value of contributions from every airman,” she said at the ceremony. Hoffman is retiring from the Air Force after 42 years of service, effective July 1. “Thanks to all of our airmen, it has been my good fortune to be part of the best Air Force in the world,” he said. (Wright-Patt report by Kim Dawley) (See also Wright-Patt report by Brian Brackens on Hoffman’s career.)
Operational testing of the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter could be delayed if all the necessary fixes to the system aren’t made in time, the Pentagon’s Director of Operational Testing said. Dust ingestion, gun issues, software, and the intercom are among the problems to be ironed out.