The United States is committed to maintaining “peace and stability on the Korean peninsula” following the death of North Korea’s leader in mid-December, said Pentagon spokesman George Little. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and South Korean Minister of Defense Kim Kwan-jin “agreed to maintain close cooperation and coordination in the weeks and months ahead” during a 20-minute phone call on Dec. 29, said Little. Kim Jong Il’s third son, Kim Jong Un, is the communist nation’s new leader following his father’s death on Dec. 17. Despite concerns that the succession would increase tension between the two Koreas, Pentagon officials said North Korea had not made any provocations since the elder leader’s death. The US alert level for troops stationed in South Korea also remained unchanged, they said. (AFPS report by Karen Parrish)
The Air Force’s plans for its portion of joint all-domain command and control have taken a major step forward. The service awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, multiple-award contract worth up to $950 million to 27 companies. The IDIQ deal will give 27 contractors the opportunity to compete for work…