Daily Report

July 31, 2014

Lead Change or React to It Faster

The Air Force rolled out its new long-term vision document Wednesday. Dubbed “Strategic Agility,” the plan calls for a more nimble force that is quicker at spotting geopolitical and technological change and staying ahead of it, the service’s top leaders...

F-35 Fire Not a Show Stopper, New MOU In Works

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh offered a full defense of the F-35 during a Wednesday press conference with Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, saying changes to accident investigation protocol are in the works in the wake...

Last Crew Member of the B-29 Enola Gay Has Died

The last surviving crew member of the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, to accelerate the end of World War II, has died. Theodore Van Kirk died July 28 at a nursing home...

USAF Considers Langley-Eustis for New Installation and Support Center

JB Langley-Eustis, Va., will be “considered” for the location of the Air Force’s new Installation and Support Center, according to a July 30 release from the Virginia congressional delegation. The announcement followed a meeting between Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Sen....

815th Airlift Squadron Inactivation Delayed

Air Force Reserve Command announced it is delaying the inactivation of the 815th Airlift Squadron at Keesler AFB, Miss., until the details of the Fiscal 2015 defense authorization bill are clear. The Fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act required the...

Air Force to Allow Sabbatical from Service

Air Force officials announced plans July 30 to allow up to 40 Active Duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard personnel to take from one-to-three years of partially paid time out of uniform to focus on other personal or professional purposes...

USAF Leadership Exploring RD-180 Options

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said Wednesday she expects the service to announce changes to its space launch procurement program later this year. “We are heavily reliant on the [Russian-made] RD-180” engine, James said, “and our desire is to...

PACOM Supports Reconsideration of European Force Cuts

US Pacific Command boss Adm. Samuel Locklear said increasing tensions with Russia warrant reconsideration of plans to reduce America’s military presence in Europe, though he said he doesn’t believe the move would impact the planned Pacific pivot. In a Pentagon...

Character, Development Center to Open at JBSA-Lackland

Two museums on JBSA-Lackland, Texas, are being consolidated into the Enlisted Heritage and Character Development Center, which looks to instill in both Air Force recruits and the public qualities that build character and resiliency in airmen. The center, which will...