Air Force 
officials announced plans to stand-up four new active duty associate fighter squadrons as a money saving measure. The new units, which will share aircraft and equipment with existing Air Force Reserve Command fighter squadrons, will be established at Barksdale AFB, La.; Homestead ARB, Fla.; NAS JRB Fort Worth, Tex.; and Whiteman AFB, Mo. “We partner active duty and Reserve airmen together and create a powerful synergy that is cost-effective and results in a force that performs both daily operations as well as strategic surges,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, Air Force Reserve chief. AFRC squadrons at Barksdale and Whiteman will continue A-10 operations, with the addition of 128 active duty airmen, and F-16 units at Homestead and Fort Worth will gain 168 active posts. While some AFRC personnel will be cut, units will be granted “time to adjust,” said Stenner. (Pentagon release)
China thinks it will be able to invade Taiwan by 2027 and has developed a technology edge in many key areas—but it is artificial intelligence that may be the decisive factor should conflict erupt, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.