Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, told lawmakers this week that the newest USAF major command is being “established in a methodical, step-by-step fashion.” After standing up provisionally in January 2009 and being activated in August, the command took control of the ICBM force in December and the nuclear-capable bomber force—B-2s and B-52s—just last month. In the process, Klotz informed the Senate Armed Forces strategic forces subcommittee March 17, 8th Air Force shed its cyberspace mission (now under Air Force Space Command) to become “leaner” and “focused exclusively on the long-range, nuclear capable bomber force.” A fourth B-52 squadron setting up operations at Minot AFB, N.D., will have all 10 of its B-52s and more than 800 airmen in place this spring, said Klotz. All those moves, he continued, will lead to full operational capability for AFGSC in late summer. (Written testimony)
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.