Air Force Office of Scientific Research-sponsored university biofuel research holds the promise of utilizing hydrogen gas produced by algae and types of bacteria to power future military systems. Princeton University leads a group of eight academic institutions investigating under the BioSolarH2 initiative how to genetically engineer these microbes so that they will use light energy to split water and produce hydrogen in the presence of oxygen. Currently the microbes can only perform the process in the absence of oxygen. This initiative is one of USAF’s many activities aimed at exploiting renewable, affordable, and environmentally friendly sources of energy to lessen US dependence on foreign oil. (AFOSR report by Molly Lachance)
The withdrawal of about 700 U.S. forces from Somalia required a massive nocturnal airlift, movement of fighters and tankers from the Middle East, and other overwatch from drones and other special operations aircraft, all planned and executed within weeks. The mission, called Operation Octave Quartz, came after former President Donald…