header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
February 8
1990 - Rock 'n' Roller Del Shannon, whose hit "Runaway" topped the charts in April 1961, found dead at home in Sand Canyon [story]
Del Shannon


Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon (right) with Democrat Adam Smith at a joint press conference in 2011 (Photo SCVTV)

Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (right) with Democrat Adam Smith at a joint press conference in 2011 (Photo SCVTV)

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (CA-25) and Ranking Member Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09)  announced their selections Wednesday for the congressionally mandated National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force.

Chairman McKeon selected General Raymond Johns, USAF (Ret.) and Ranking Member Adam Smith selected Erin Conaton to the commission.

“I have the utmost confidence in General Johns,” McKeon said. “His distinguished career in uniform brings both important operational expertise and management experience to the panel. As the Air Force and U.S. military faces more rounds of hefty budget cuts, getting our force structure right is more important than ever.”

“I am pleased to appoint Erin Conaton to serve on this important panel,” said Ranking Member Smith. “As the former Under Secretary of the Air Force and former staff director for the House Armed Services Committee, Erin is uniquely qualified to serve on this panel which will undertake a comprehensive study of the structure of the Air Force to what, if any, changes should be made moving forward.”

The panel, which is required by the FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act, will undertake a comprehensive study of the structure of the Air Force to determine whether, and how, the structure be modified to best fulfill current and anticipated mission requirements for the Air force in a manner consistent with available resources.

Like the other military services, the Air Force is facing tough choices in its application of the declining budgetary resources provided to it. The Air Force is currently implementing a force structure plan that cuts thousands of personnel from the active and reserve component forces and dozens of air craft from the Air Force inventory. Because of the turmoil this plan crated when proposed, the Congress believed it was necessary to create a commission to more deliberately scrutinize the appropriate force structure mixes of the future Air Force. The authorizing legislation requires the commission to focus on maximizing and appropriately balancing affordability, efficiency, effectiveness, capability, and readiness.

 

General Raymond Johns, USAF (Ret.)

Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. served as Commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1977.

His aviation career includes C-141, KC-10, N/K/C-135, T-38 instructor pilot, as well as the chief test pilot and test program manager for the VC-25 Air Force One Replacement Program. He was chosen as a White House Fellow in 1991 where he was a senior staff member in the Office of National Service. The general has served at Headquarters U.S. European Command in security assistance and congressional affairs, and at Headquarters U.S. Pacific Command as Deputy Director of Strategic Plans and Policy. Within Headquarters U.S. Air Force, he served as Deputy Director and, later, Director of Air Force Programs. The general commanded a test squadron, operations group and airlift wing, and he was the Director of Mobility Forces for operations in Bosnia.

Prior to assuming his current position, General Johns served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., where he developed, integrated, evaluated and analyzed the U.S. Air Force Future Years Defense Program that exceeded $822 billion, and the Air Force Long-Range Plan to support national security objectives and military strategy. The general was responsible to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff. General Johns is a command pilot and experimental test pilot with over 5,000 flying hours in over 80 different aircraft.

 

The Honorable Erin C. Conaton

Ms. Erin C. Conaton recently left government service after serving three years as a senior Senate-confirmed appointee, first as Under Secretary of the Air Force and most recently as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

As Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, she served as the senior policy advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense on all matters concerning recruitment, career development, military health care, and pay and benefits for 1.4 million active duty military personnel, 1.3 million Guard and Reserve personnel, and over 782,000 DoD civilians. She was also responsible for overseeing the overall state of military readiness and for managing the Department of Defense’s relationship with the Department of Veterans Affairs

Ms. Conaton served as Under Secretary of the Air Force from March 2010 until early June 2012. As Under Secretary of the Air Force, Ms. Conaton was responsible for the daily affairs of the Department of the Air Force including the organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its 680,000 members and their families. She also served as the Air Force Chief Management Officer, oversaw the Air Force’s annual budget of more than $119 billion, and served as acting Secretary of the Air Force in the Secretary’s absence.

Prior to becoming Under Secretary of the Air Force, Ms. Conaton served as Staff Director of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services, where she served as primary adviser on defense matters to the Chairman and 61 other Members; directed overall operations, and strategic planning; and led the substantive agenda of the committee, to include drafting and overseeing the National Defense Authorization Act. Ms. Conaton also previously served as Minority Staff Director and Professional Staff Member on the committee.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Conaton has served as the Research Staff Director for the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century also known as the Hart-Rudman Commission. The commission was charged by the Secretary of Defense to design a national security strategy for a changing global environment through 2025 and to recommend plans for implementing this strategy. She has held several fellowships to include those at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she worked within the Office of Asia-Pacific and Latin American Analysis; and at the National Security Council, with the Directorate of Nonproliferation and Export Control. She has also served as a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ms. Conaton earned a Master of Arts degree in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service, from Georgetown University, Washington D.C.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

No Comments

    Leave a Comment


    SCV NewsBreak
    LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
    Friday, Feb 7, 2025
    Holiday Light Tour Recap, Golden Ticket Giveaway Winner
    The city of Santa Clarita has announced a recap of the stats for another successful Holiday Light Tour, which brought joy and holiday cheer to residents and visitors alike.
    Friday, Feb 7, 2025
    March 20: SENSES Returns to Old Town Newhall
    The city of Santa Clarita has announced the return of SENSES Block Party to Main Street in the Old Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District for another year of high-energy fun. SENSES is held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month starting March 20.
    Friday, Feb 7, 2025
    Ross Fundraiser Benefits SCV Boys & Girls Club
    Beginning Saturday, Feb. 8 through Sunday, March 2, customers in Santa Clarita Valley can donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clarita Valley during checkout at their local Ross Dress for Less store.
    Keep Up With Our Facebook

    Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
    1990 - Rock 'n' Roller Del Shannon, whose hit "Runaway" topped the charts in April 1961, found dead at home in Sand Canyon [story]
    Del Shannon
    The Saugus Union School District Asset Management Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
    Feb. 12: Saugus School District Asset Management Committee Meeting
    The Castaic Union School District Governing Board will hold its regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5 p.m.
    Feb. 13: Castaic School Board to Receive Chiquita Canyon Landfill Update
    The Santa Clarita Master Chorale, led by Artistic Director Allan Robert Petker, is currently in its 25th anniversary season celebrating its mission to bring fine choral music to the Santa Clarita Valley community.
    March 9: Santa Clarita Master Chorale Presents ‘Silver Serenade’
    The Santa Clarita City Council will hold a special meeting in closed session to negotiate the purchase of parcels of land at 5:30 p.m. in the Carl Boyer Room at City Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
    Feb. 11: City Council to Negotiate Land Purchases
    The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a business meeting Wednesday, Feb. 12, beginning at 5 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 4 p.m.
    Jan. 12: COC Board Considers 2025 Goals, Affordable Student Housing
    The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center in Valencia will offer a special Valentine’s Day Sweet Hearts Skate on Friday, Feb. 14.
    Feb. 14: Sweet Hearts Skate Event at The Cube
    Broken Leg Theatre has announced its upcoming production of the critically-acclaimed play, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," written by Christopher Durang. Durang is a master of comedy and winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play.
    Feb. 14-16: ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’ at The MAIN
    Join the Valley Industry Association for a special Cocktails & Conversation event hosting Director of Economic Development of city of Santa Clarita, Tom Cole, Thursday, Feb. 27, from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
    Feb. 27: VIA Cocktails & Conversation With Tom Cole
    The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation has announced that Natalie Vowell will assume the new Vice President of Business Development position for the Santa Clarita Valley.
    SCVEDC Names Natalie Vowell New VP of Business
    The Child & Family Center’s Pathways to Recovery Program, in partnership with the city of Santa Clarita, will host a special SCORE Scholarship Program sign-up event on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 3-6 p.m. in the Child & Family lobby.
    Feb. 11: SCORE Scholarship Sign-Up Event
    The city of Santa Clarita has announced a recap of the stats for another successful Holiday Light Tour, which brought joy and holiday cheer to residents and visitors alike.
    Holiday Light Tour Recap, Golden Ticket Giveaway Winner
    The city of Santa Clarita has announced the return of SENSES Block Party to Main Street in the Old Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District for another year of high-energy fun. SENSES is held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month starting March 20.
    March 20: SENSES Returns to Old Town Newhall
    The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced that the La Mesa Junior High School Counseling Department has been designated a Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program.
    La Mesa Junior High Earns Recognition for Counseling Program
    Dr. Thea Sweo Alvarado, former dean of instruction at Pasadena City College, has been named interim assistant superintendent/vice president of instruction at College of the Canyons.
    Sweo Alvarado Named COC Interim Assistant Superintendent/VP of Instruction
    Beginning Saturday, Feb. 8 through Sunday, March 2, customers in Santa Clarita Valley can donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clarita Valley during checkout at their local Ross Dress for Less store.
    Ross Fundraiser Benefits SCV Boys & Girls Club
    Single Mothers Outreach has announced the gala celebration, "Cheers to 30 Years" will be an anniversary party held 7 p.m. Friday, May 9 at Sand Canyon Country Club.
    May 9: Single Mothers Outreach Celebrates ‘Cheers to 30 Years’
    Braden Van Groningen had 19 kills to lead The Master's University men's volleyball team in a four-set win over the Vanguard Lions Thursday, Feb. 6 in Costa Mesa.
    Mustangs Beat Old Rival
    The newest members of The Master's University Hall of Honor represent a clear theme: unforgettable excellence in cross country and track and field and an undeniable commitment to Christ and Scripture.
    TMU Announces 2025 Hall of Honor Inductees
    College of the Canyons men's basketball claimed a third straight conference victory on Wednesday, Feb. 5, this time storming past host Glendale College 77-70 behind a game-high 15 points from Gilad Ziegel.
    Canyons Claims Third Straight Conference Win, 77-70 at Glendale
    1919 - First publication of weekly Newhall Signal newspaper, $2 a year [story]
    Signal Century
    Autonomous vehicles under testing permits have collectively covered over 4 million miles on California’s public roads from Dec. 1, 2023, to Nov. 30, 2024, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has announced.
    Over Four Million Test Miles Logged in State by Autonomous Vehicles
    Federal, state and local agencies will come together to host an informative webinar, "Understanding Air Quality After the L.A. Fires" on air quality impacts in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires.
    Feb. 10: Understanding Air Quality After the L.A. Fires
    The Santa Clarita College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center will host singer and musician, John Waite, 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
    Feb. 21: Santa Clarita PAC Presents Singer John Waite
    SCVNews.com