Air Force Lt. Gen. Victor Renuart believes that “the best qualified officers” should “compete” for the top two leadership positions at US Northern Command rather than having Congress legislate that one or the other go to a National Guard officer, as has been put forth in recent Guard empowerment legislation. In answers to advance questions for his March 8 confirmation hearing to become commander of NORTHCOM and NORAD, Renuart noted that there already is one mandated Reserve Component slot, that of NORTHCOM Chief of Staff, while two other “open” positions—the commanders of Air Force North and Army North—currently filled by Guard officers. However, he does believe there is room for improvement in the reserve officer development process to ensure they “receive appropriate joint and operational exposure earlier in their career” so they will be better able to compete for senior command positions.
USAF Scoping Out Upgrades to Counter-UAS Weapons
Oct. 19, 2020
The Air Force is in the market for upgrades to its counter-drone technologies, according to an Oct. 16 request for information posted on a federal contracting website. The service is in the early stages of deploying lasers, microwaves, and other weapons more advanced than a shotgun to deal with potentially…