Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh on Wednesday wished airmen a Happy New Year and expressed optimism about the coming year. “Despite the budgetary uncertainty, the fiscal cliff, or whatever else time and circumstances throw at us, I believe 2013 will be a great year for our Air Force!” he wrote in his Jan. 2 letter to airmen. Welsh reminded airmen that the service’s demographics have changed, and “images, songs, stories, or ‘traditions’ that are obscene, vulgar, or that denigrate some percentage of airmen are not the things we value” and don’t jibe with the service’s proud heritage. He said last month’s service-wide health and welfare inspection was meant “to get serious about eliminating environments conducive to sexual harassment or unprofessional relationships” and to drive home the point that “the Air Force succeeds because of the professionalism and discipline” of its airmen. Welsh said he’d be issuing a CSAF Vector for 2013 in a couple of weeks to share insights on topics like “what the Air Force values for promotion,” performance reports, and any required adjustments.
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.