Lt. Gen. Brad Webb took over as the head of Air Education and Training Command on July 26. Webb, the former commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, took the guidon from Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast during a ceremony at JB San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Kwast leaves AETC after less than two years in the top job, though the Air Force has not announced his next role. Webb is a command pilot with more than 3,700 hours in several aircraft, including the CV-22, MH-52, and MC-130. This is his first posting in AETC, after spending most of his career in special operations. He takes over AETC as it reshapes basic military training, revamps pilot training to include virtual reality and other changes under the “Pilot Training Next” initiative, and addresses hypoxia episodes pilots experience in training aircraft. —Brian Everstine

US Army Gen. Stephen Townsend on July 26 took the reins of US Africa Command, a 10-year-old command of growing importance to the US and its allies. Townsend, who formerly led the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, took over for retiring Marine Corps Gen. Thomas Waldhauser during a ceremony in Germany. Townsend comes to AFRICOM as regional combat operations grow, particularly focused on strikes and raids against al-Shabab in Somalia. AFRICOM is also expanding its presence in West Africa, as MQ-9 operations at Niger Air Base 201 in Agadez are expected to begin within months. During his confirmation hearing in April, Townsend said that while the fight against violent extremism is the top concern, AFRICOM will have to remain a steady presence on the continent to counter Russia and China’s growing influence. “To our partners and allies both in Africa and Europe, AFRICOM is known for its diverse organization and partnerships,” Townsend said during the July 26 ceremony. “I promise you, you can continue to count on AFRICOM to continue to work side by side with you to advance our shared interests for security, stability, and prosperity across Africa.” —Brian Everstine

The Air Force wants input from female airmen on how to improve its maternity uniforms and will survey all women in the service on new designs via email next month, according to an Air Force release. “Our goal is to make uniforms more comfortable and provide a uniform that will sustain airmen through their entire pregnancy,” said Tracy Roan, head of the Air Force Uniform Office. The survey of Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard personnel will run until Sept. 23. The Air Force is in the process of finding uniforms that are a better fit for all types of airmen, an effort Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein outlined during a speech at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in March. —Brian Everstine

Goodfellow AFB, Texas, is training airmen to be the service’s first “target analysts,” expanding on the existing targeteer field. Targeteers traditionally scrutinize aerial images to determine where to drop munitions. The new career path “will specialize in everything that deals with air-to-ground munitions and some surface-to-surface capabilities,” according to a 17th Training Wing release. “Students will be expected to utilize concepts learned throughout the course in order to explain their reasoning for a decision.” A new curriculum is 40 days longer than targeteer training and includes more hands-on technical training over 138 days. The curriculum also streamlines training by giving airmen all the initial certifications they need before their first duty assignment. ––Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

Several USAF units on July 25 wrapped up Operation Rapid Forge, a large-scale exercise across Eastern Europe that included several firsts for the F-35. The US and NATO exercise included F-35As deployed from Hill AFB, Utah, along with F-15Es from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., an MC-130J from RAF Mildenhall, England; C-130Js from Ramstein AB, Germany, and Dyess AFB, Texas; and KC-135s from Mildenhall, according to a US Air Forces in Europe release. Throughout the exercise, aircraft practiced missions such as refueling fighters from the MC-130J, rapid refueling and rearming, and tasks outside of airmen’s regular jobs—security forces helping with refueling, weapons loaders driving trucks, maintainers providing security, and more. Rapid Forge marked the first time F-35s landed in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, according to USAFE. —Brian Everstine

Air Force Maj. Gen. Glen VanHerck has been nominated for his third star and to be the next director of the Joint Staff. VanHerck is currently the vice director of the Joint Staff, and his previous positions include commander of the Air Force Warfare Center and operations director at Air Force Global Strike Command. He’s a command pilot with more than 3,200 hours in aircraft such as the B-2, B-1, F-35, and F-15. If confirmed by the Senate, VanHerck would take over for Vice Adm. Michael Gilday, who is awaiting Senate consideration to be the next chief of naval operations. —Brian Everstine