The 
Air Force announced Friday afternoon that CMSgt. James Roy will be the new top enlisted airman, replacing CMSAF Rodney McKinley, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Schwartz called Roy, who currently serves as the command chief master sergeant for US Pacific Command, a “worthy successor” to McKinley, who Schwartz said has been a “tremendous leader and advocate” for enlisted airmen. Roy entered the Air Force in 1982 and served initially as a heavy equipment operator and subsequently in various supervisory positions in civil engineering units. He has served as command chief at wing, numbered air force, and joint levels. He will become the 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force during a June 30 ceremony.
The Air Force is upgrading some 70 MQ-9 Reapers to a new configuration that will keep the type capable and relevant to the near-peer fight for another 15 years. It awarded General Atomics a $272.3 million contract to enhance the Reaper's weapons, electric power, connectivity, and resistance to jamming, among…