WASHINGTON — The US Air Force has appointed Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian as the director of its expanded F-35 integration office, the service announced Friday.
The office, which oversees how the F-35 joint strike fighter will be integrated into service, will also expand from a four-person shop to a 12-person team.
Harrigian, currently the deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, will begin his new duties Feb. 1. He replaces Col. Carl Schaefer, who is moving to command the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
"This organizational change will help ensure a unified voice for operational integration of the F-35 across the Air Force as we collectively work towards bringing this remarkable new aircraft into our combat inventory," Harrigian said in a service press release. "We will actively work to synchronize major command interests and work with the Joint Program Office to ensure this program remains on track."
The F-35A conventional take off and landing model is expected to form the backbone of the Air Force for the next several decades. The service says it is remains committed to procuring 1,763 of the jets over the life of the program, although many observers are skeptical that number will ever be reached.
The stealth fighter is expected to go operational for the Air Force sometime between August and December of 2016.
Email: amehta@defensenews.com
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Aaron Mehta was deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, covering policy, strategy and acquisition at the highest levels of the Defense Department and its international partners.
