Daily Report

May 26, 2015

Build Lightning, Then Change

The 12 aircraft that will comprise the first operational squadron of Air Force F-35As are still under construction, service F-35 integration director Maj. Gen. Jeff Harrigian said during an AFA Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event. F-35A number “77 is...

USAF F-35s, by the Numbers

The Air Force has mapped out its operational F-35 base deployment plans through 2021, said Air Force F-35 integration director Maj. Gen. Jeff Harrigian, during a May 21 AFA Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event in Arlington, Va. First up...

F-35 Acquisition Leaders Gather in Norway

The F-35 steering committee—the acquisition leaders for the 11 partner countries—will meet in Norway this week to wrestle with maintenance and sustainment issues, government and industry officials said. On the agenda in Oslo are the Autonomic Information Logistics System (ALIS),...

New 19th AF Boss, Chief Scientist

Maj. Gen. James Hecker, director of plans, programs, and requirements at Air Combat Command headquarters, has been named the next 19th Air Force commander. Hecker will replace Maj. Gen. Michael Keltz, who resigned from the position on April 30 after...

BALTOPS Bombers

Two B-52s will simulate a naval strike mission off the coast of Eastern Sweden as part of the NATO-led multinational exercise BALTOPS next month, reported Radio Sweden. “The main objective is to increase the different operative capabilities, but also to...

Kentucky Guard Paired with Djibouti

The National Guard Bureau selected Kentucky to officially partner with the Republic of Djibouti under the guard’s State Partnership Program, officials announced. The state’s Army and Air National Guard units already engage in capacity building and military-to-military engagements with the...

Osan Hosts ROKAF Visitors for Buddy Wing 15-3

As part of efforts to build joint readiness between US Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force units, the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan AB, South Korea, recently hosted Buddy Wing 15-3 to hone the air-to-air combat skills of...

Remains of World War II Airman Identified

The Defense Department’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced May 22 it had identified the remains of Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Alvin Beethe, a P-38 pilot assigned to the 393rd Fighter Squadron during World War II. Beethe, whose went out on...

France Mulls More Hercs

The French air force is seeking to purchase four C-130J Super Hercules under a foreign military sales deal to fill a gap left by Airbus A400M delivery delays, reported Air & Cosmos. The French defense ministry requested funds this week...