Daily Report

Dec. 17, 2013

The Budget Fine Print

The Air Force—and Defense Department overall—will still need a fresh appropriations bill if the two-year budget deal negotiated by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) becomes law. The Senate is expected to take up the budget plan...

The Combat Rescue Helicopter and the Sequester

Prior to sequestered budgets, the Air Force struggled to recapitalize its fleet of HH-60G rescue helicopters. Now, with the sequester, the service may have to defer yet again the contract award planned for early next year to field new rescue...

Raymond Tapped to Lead 14th Air Force

President Obama nominated Maj. Gen. John Raymond for a third star and for assignment overseeing Air Force space forces as commander of 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., announced the Defense Department. Raymond has been serving...

WGS Operational Constellation Grows

Boeing announced the on-orbit delivery of WGS-6, the sixth Wideband Global Satellite Communications spacecraft, to the Air Force. The company said this delivery boosts the communications capabilities of the US military and its allies. “The first six WGS satellites are...

Fiel Nominated for Order of the Sword

Air Force Special Operations Command’s enlisted force nominated Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, AFSOC commander, for its highest honor: induction into the command’s Order of the Sword. Enlisted air commandos on Dec. 13 surprised Fiel with the nomination as they gathered...

Wheels in the Wire

A C-17 transport stalled on landing at Dover AFB, Del., back in May, causing approximately $7 million in damage, reported Delaware’s The News Journal. The aircraft, assigned to JB Charleston, S.C., was returning from Afghanistan, when the pilot undershot his...

New Director for Sexual Assault Prevention Office

Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow will become the next director of the Pentagon’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, announced the Defense Department on Monday. He’ll take over in January, replacing the current director, Army Maj. Gen. Gary Patton, who’s...

New Fitness Center for Expeditionary Wing

The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing is getting a new fitness center at its operating location in Southwest Asia, according to a wing release. Members of the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE, one of the Air Force’s deployable heavy repair and heavy...

Lightning Fast SATCOM in a Small Package

Northrop Grumman’s Firebird demonstrator aircraft bounced live video off a satellite at speeds previously unattainable for small aircraft thanks to a lightweight satellite communications system adapted from spacecraft, announced the company. “It’s a game changer for those that need high-quality,...

New F100 Overhaul Facility

Pratt & Whitney opened a new facility at its engine center in Columbus, Ga., for overhaul of F100 engines that power Air Force and allied F-15 and F-16 fighters, announced the company. The 105,000-square-foot facility enhances the company’s capacity to...