Daily Report

Dec. 18, 2014

PJ Awarded Air Force Cross

MSgt. Ivan Ruiz, a pararescueman from the 56th Rescue Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, was awarded the Air Force Cross—the military’s second highest decoration, second only to the Medal of Honor—on Wednesday for his actions in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, last...

AIA Poll: Americans Want More Defense

A solid majority of Americans think the US should spend more on defense and feel they’re under greater threat, according to a Harris Poll commissioned by the Aerospace Industries Association, released Wednesday. AIA President Marion Blakey, speaking at the association’s...

Obama Signs Cromnibus

President Obama signed the $1.1 trillion spending bill late Tuesday funding most of the government through 2015. The legislation has been dubbed the “Cromnibus” because it provides long-term funding including in 11 of the 12 regular appropriations bills, including the...

Langley T-38 Loses Canopy on Takeoff

A T-38 based at JB Langley-Eustis, Va., made a forced landing at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport on Tuesday, after the jet lost its canopy during takeoff, according to a wire report from the Newport News Daily Press. The canopy landed...

More F-35 Heavy Designations

Australia and Japan will both do heavy airframe maintenance on Pacific-based F-35s, as well as heavy engine maintenance, the System Program Office announced Wednesday. The two countries were designated with regional maintenance, repair, overhaul, and upgrade status because they have...

Air Force Seeks to Reduce Contracts

The Air Force has launched a new initiative dubbed “contracts court,” aimed at reducing the overall number of contracts issued by the Air Force each year, Secretary Deborah Lee James said during a Dec. 16 open door session with airmen...

GAO Calls for Risk Assessment of DOD Ranges

The Government Accountability Office has recommended the Pentagon develop guidelines for the services to assess the risk of foreign commercial encroachment near its test and training ranges, according to a new report, released Dec. 16. GAO reviewed encroachment issues related...

US Announces Global Hawk Sale to South Korea

After extensive talks between the US and South Korea, the Department of Defense confirmed the signing Tuesday evening of a hybrid foreign military sales contract for Seoul’s acquisition of four RQ-4B Block 30 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft. Deliveries of...