Chief 
of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz last week made his final flight as an active duty officer, piloting an MC-130E Combat Talon I on a local training sortie from Hurlburt Field, Fla. Schwartz, CSAF since August 2008, is retiring from the Air Force after a 39-year career, effective Oct. 1. His retirement ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 10 at JB Andrews, Md. For his July 12 fini flight, Schwartz piloted Combat Talon No. 64-0568, which is assigned to Air Force Reserve Command’s 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field, Fla., according to Hurlburt’s July 14 release. Upon completing the sortie, Schwartz received the ceremonial hose down from his wife Suzie Schwartz, and friends and colleagues greeted him. “To have the opportunity to join this outstanding crew on their training sortie, for one last flight while in the Air Force, was truly special,” said Schwartz. “They are true professionals dedicated to their country, and like all our airmen, I will always be proud to have served alongside them.” President Obama has nominated current US Air Forces in Europe Commander Gen. Mark Welsh to be the next CSAF. (Hurlburt report by TSgt. Samuel King Jr.)
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.