For the first time in its 54-year history, the Air Force Recruiting School at Lackland AFB, Tex., has graduated an international student. On June 13, Royal Saudi Air Force 1st Lt. Hamad Al-Shammari received a diploma for having successfully completed the school’s seven-week recruiting course. He was also presented with the distinguished graduate award for having the highest academic scores of his 11-member class. In the past, international students have participated in the course, but only as observers. Al-Shammari will recruit both military and civilians for the RSAF back in Saudi Arabia. (Lackland report by James Coburn)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.