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.
Air Combat Command will soon be setting up an electromagnetic spectrum warfare wing that will most likely fall under 16th Air Force, Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. "Seve" Wilson said in an AFA "Airmen in the Fight" streaming program Oct. 30. The announcement closely follows the Pentagon's release…