The new commander of the storied Air Force Research Laboratory will realign—not reorganize—the lab so it can ably support both the new U.S. Space Force and its traditional Air Force customers. "We’ll be one AFRL serving two services: The Air Force and the Space Force,” said Brig. Gen. Heather L. Pringle, commander of AFRL, in an interview with Air Force Magazine. A new deputy technical executive officer will be “responsible for integrating our space [science and technology] portfolio,” Pringle said, and will report directly to her. The new executive will be “the single focal point for the U.S. Space Force,” she added. Pringle, who took command in June, said the realignment is her No. 2 priority behind implementing the Air Force’s 2030 Science and Technology Strategy.

Annual budget reviews instituted by former Air Force Secretary Heather A. Wilson should make it easier to settle the hard financial decisions that loom ahead, a top Air Force aide said Aug. 3. Anthony P. Reardon, administrative assistant to Air Force Secretary Barbara M. Barrett, indicated those reviews will continue under current service leadership. The discussions are similar to the Army's “night court” reviews that look at ways to reinvest money in higher service priorities.

The U.S. and Polish militaries have agreed on a long-negotiated plan to increase the American presence in Poland, including adding a cargo hub and drones flown by the U.S. Air Force. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which the parties have not yet signed, follows last year’s pact between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda to add 1,000 American personnel in Poland. About 4,500 people, mostly Army personnel, are already assigned there.

Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson received his fourth star and formally took charge of the National Guard Bureau during an Aug. 3 change of responsibility ceremony led by Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. Hokanson, who was confirmed by the Senate on July 20, most recently served as Army National Guard director. In his new role, he succeeds Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, who is retiring after nearly four decades of service. Esper expressed trust in Lengyel’s successor, telling Hokanson he has his “full faith and confidence,” and that his “vision and acumen” will help him in his new role. “Today, Gen. Dan Hokanson takes charge during unprecedented and challenging times for our great nation, yet I know that he possesses the character, competence, and wealth of experience needed to excel in this role,” he said.

Eight more companies are getting the chance to join the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System, bringing the total number of participating firms to more than 50. The Air Force added ARES Security, AT&T, Centauri, Cogniac, NanoVMs, Pacific Defense, SRC, and Systematic to an open-ended contract under which companies could each receive up to $950 million. Each is pitching hardware and software that can crunch data and connect the Air Force’s computer systems, aircraft, and weapons faster and with fewer bureaucratic hurdles.

U.S. Air Force jets and Navy ships on Aug. 2 held a joint training exercise in the Black Sea near Russia’s borders together for the second time in two weeks, aiming to fine-tune their collaboration in a potential conflict. Four F-16s from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, refueled by KC-135s from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, England, flew with an MQ-9 Reaper from the 52nd Expeditionary Operations Group's Detachment 2 hosted at Miroslawiec Air Base, Poland. The aircraft linked up with the Navy's USS Porter guided-missile destroyer and a P-8 Poseidon from Patrol Squadron VP-47. Video of the exercise showed F-16s flying low over the USS Porter.

On March 23, the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a virtual Nuclear Deterrence Series event featuring Scowcroft Group Principal Frank Miller. At a time when nuclear modernization programs are accelerating around the world, proposals to recapitalize the U.S. nuclear arsenal are at the forefront of debates over defense spending. Miller will share his insights into the prospects for U.S. nuclear modernization programs and the value of nuclear deterrence in today's competitive security environment. The think tank will post event video on its website and YouTube page after the live event.