The Air Force is going to extend the now-routine deployment of B-52s and B-2s to the Pacific region from four-month tours to six months, according to testimony by Maj. Gen. David Scott, the Air Staff’s director of operational capability requirements. Scott told the Senate Armed Services strategic forces panel March 17 that the deployments for the service’s continuous bomber presence (CBP) mission supporting US Pacific Command, which has been on-going since 2003, would be “growing from 120-day to a 179-day period.” Currently, USAF B-2 and B-52 units share the rotation, with two B-52 turns for every one B-2. (Written testimony)
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…