The new Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Rodney McKinley, has pursued a varied career before ascending to the top enlisted post in the Air Force. McKinley talked with Stars and Stripes, describing his break in service and career field changes, something that makes him ideally suited to working with many of today’s airmen. (McKinley became the 15th CMSAF on June 30.)
U.S. Air Force F-35s and F-22s regularly deploy deep into the Pacific region from Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii. In the future, though, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would like to see the Air Force permanently station fifth-generation aircraft west of the international date line—closer to China.