The DOD Inspector General has decided that retired Adm. Dennis Blair did not corrupt the Institute for Defense Analyses review of the F-22A program, despite having a stake in a minor subcontractor. The IG does believe that IDA-head Blair “violated IDA’s conflict of interest standards” for not disqualifying himself, states the IG report. It goes on to state that his failure to do so had “no impact” on IDA’s F-22 work. Following the Congressional uproar over the issue this summer, Blair stepped down from his position on the EDO board.
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.…