Gen. Paul Hester, head of Pacific Air Forces, said PACAF was “surprised by the speed” at which China brought its new J-10 fighter from development to squadron service. “It was a little faster than we predicted,” he admitted during AFA’s Orlando symposium, but he said the new fighters don’t pose a particularly thorny problem for PACAF, even though the J-10 can refuel in the air and carry an F-16-like weapon payload. Hester diplomatically said, “It will be a fine aircraft for them.”
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.