Gordon England, the acting Deputy Defense Secretary, has ordered yet another review of US fighter programs. His Aug. 4 memo to top officials directed an independent review to “identify and develop, as appropriate, new operating concepts to optimize the employment of joint tactical aviation.” In other words, stand by for cuts to USAF’s F/A-22, the Navy’s F/A-18E/F, or the joint service F-35—or all three. As Navy Secretary in 2002, England also “reviewed” the daylights out of Navy and Marine Corps aviation, imposing major cuts on both.
Former Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley is back at the Pentagon, taking over a job he previously held before leading the service. Donley on May 5 began serving as the director of administration and management, the job known as the “mayor of the Pentagon,” Pentagon spokesman John F. Kirby…