The plan to reduce the B-52 fleet to just 56 bombers is part of the Air Force’s “three-phase” long-range strike portfolio, Gen. Michael Moseley told the Senate Armed Service Committee. The Chief of Staff was responding to Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), who like counterparts in the House, questioned the decision at a Capitol Hill hearing last week. Moseley explained that cutting the B-52s would free money to pursue phase 1—getting “as high of a mission capability rate as we can” for the remainder of the bomber force. To accomplish phase 1, the service needs about $3 billion. Phase 2 is the search for a new LRS platform. Phase 3 is pursuit of hypersonics.
Key Air Force, Space Force Leaders Set to Retire
May 23, 2022
The Department of the Air Force announced the retirements of several key leaders within the Air Force and Space Force on May 23, while also unveiling more than a dozen new assignments for current or future one-star generals.