Daily Report

Jan. 29, 2015

Work’s Budget Preview

Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work on Wednesday offered a peek at what will be in the Fiscal 2016 Pentagon budget going to Congress next Monday. Speaking at a Center for New American Security event in Washington, D.C., which was co-sponsored...

Joint Chiefs: Sequester Will Hit Needed Capabilities

A return to sequestration would decimate military capabilities needed for combat today warned the Joint Chiefs during their first appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee since the 114th Congress began. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said...

Welsh Highlights Readiness, Retention Concerns

The return of Budget Control Act funding levels could affect readiness and efforts to retain experienced airmen in key missions, such as aircrews, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh told Senate legislators Wednesday. The Air Force used a good portion...

Ayotte Presses Welsh on Post A-10 Comments

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) pressed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh during Wednesday’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to publically support airmen’s rights to communicate with members of Congress. The exchange comes after Air Combat Command’s Vice Commander...

It’s the Dash-8 for Air Force One

The Air Force will base the next presidential transport, call sign Air Force One, on the Boeing 747-8, the service announced Wednesday. The Dash-8 “is the only aircraft manufactured in the United States,” which when “fully missionized” can meet the...

Keeping Costs Grounded

Despite there being only a “single known supplier”—USAF’s new buzz phrase for “sole source”—for the new Air Force One, the service is looking to compete as much of the program as possible, Secretary Deborah Lee James said Wednesday. In a...

Obama Hosts Farewell Tribute for Hagel

President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Army Gen. Martin Dempsey presided over the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute for outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Wednesday at JB Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. Obama praised Hagel for helping...

What’s Different This Time

The Pentagon is pursuing its “third offset” attempt to stay ahead of near-peers in technology in a security environment fundamentally different than what existed when the first two offsets were employed, Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work said Wednesday. Speaking at...

Kendall Says US Falling Behind Technologically

The US is “at risk” when it comes to technological advancement, “and the situation’s getting worse,” said Frank Kendall, the Pentagon’s acquisition, technology, and logistics chief. Speaking at a Wednesday House Armed Services Committee hearing on improving the Defense Department’s...

The F-35’s First Flyover

Four F-35As from the 61st Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz., flew over the University of Phoenix stadium on Jan. 25 to kick off the NFL’s Pro Bowl, marking the first public flyover for the strike fighter, according to Air...