Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh is retiring July 1, ending a nearly 40-year Air Force career, spokesman Ed Gulick told Air Force Magazine. The service did not immediately announce his successor. Welsh took over from retired Gen. Norton Schwartz in August 2012, and during his career commanded US Air Forces in Europe; served as vice commander of Air Education and Training Command; as associate director of the central intelligence for military affairs, and as Commandant of Cadets at the Air Force Academy. Welsh, who flew A-10s and F-16s operationally, was a commander at the group and wing level, held numerous staff jobs, and attended the Army Command and General Staff College.
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.