Air Force still in search of acquisition executive nominee

The Air Force's military deputy for acquisition said this week that while he and his civilian counterpart have the authorities necessary to run the service's acquisition shop, the workload requires the leadership of a politically appointed acquisition executive.

The service has been without a top leader since William LaPlante left the post for MITRE in November 2015. Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch told reporters March 16 the office is running smoothly, but "it would help us a great deal if we could have someone else."

The acquisition executive vacancy is one of many Pentagon positions lacking a political appointee under the new administration.