Air Force Gen. Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong, commander of US Air Forces in Europe, says he’s retiring. A USAFE press release confirms that, but does not give a date. (Update: An Air Force memo for staff does project his retirement, effective Feb. 1, 2006.) Nor does it specify the date for change of command. The commander-in-waiting, Gen. William T. Hobbins, already has been confirmed by the Senate. Watch this space for more information. (Check here for Foglesong’s post-USAF plans.)
Every year, Congress and the military debate which combat assets should head to the boneyard and which have more life left in them. Lawmakers often opt to keep Air Force systems that bring jobs to their districts, which complicates matters as the service looks to modernize and ditch certain platforms.…