Daily Report

April 15, 2013

Air Force Close to Filling Top Acquisition Post

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said he believes the Air Force finally has a candidate “lined up” to serve as the service’s assistant secretary for acquisition—a post that has been empty since 2009. “Regarding the absence of a confirmed acquisition...

Prioritizing Flying Hours

Last week, eight Air Force fighter and bomber units ceased flying and entered a dormant status. Four additional units are expected to stand down when they return from deployment in the next few weeks. And another bomber unit that is...

Divestiture of Excess Property a Must

The Air Force continues to spend money maintaining excess infrastructure that service officials could better spend on weapons systems, training for readiness, and airmen’s quality of life, said Kathleen Ferguson, the service’s acting assistant secretary for installations, environment, and logistics....

Initial KC-46 Beddown in Fiscal 2014 MILCON Request

The Air Force’s Fiscal 2014 budget request for military construction includes $265 million toward the beddown of the KC-46A tanker at three initial sites, Kathleen Ferguson, the service’s acting assistant secretary for installations, environment, and logistics, told lawmakers last week....

Keep Engaging Russia

The United States and NATO should continue reaching out to Russia to find areas where they can work together on security matters, Gen. Philip Breedlove, US Air Forces in Europe commander, told lawmakers last week. “We have to find ways...

Threat Amplification

The indiscriminate cuts to US intelligence activities as a result of budget sequestration “amplify the threats” that the nation faces, National Intelligence Director James Clapper told the House Select Intelligence Committee last week. “Let me be blunt for you and...

Nellis Begins F-35 Operational Flights

Two pilots assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev., earlier this month conducted the first F-35A operational flights from the desert base, announced unit officials. “It’s been a long time coming, and the level of...

Air Force Restarts Tuition Assistance

The Air Force last week officially restarted military tuition assistance as a result of the consolidated spending act that President Obama signed into law in late March, announced service officials. The legislation, which funds the Defense Department for the remainder...

Boost in Veterans Affairs Funding

President Obama requested $152.7 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department in Fiscal 2014, a 10.2 percent increase compared to Fiscal 2013, according to a VA release. The request supports VA’s goals to expand access to health care and other benefits...