USAF Almanac 2010 Introduction

Congress Wants AETP Engines to be Installed in All F-35As Starting in 2027

Dec. 8, 2021

Congress wants new engines in the F-35 fleet, with installs starting in 2027, according to language in the conference version of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. The Air Force is to use at least one of the engines developed under the Advanced Engine Transition Program, but the Navy and…

US Needs ‘Resilient, Robust’ Space Highway, Space Force General Says

Dec. 8, 2021

Within the next five to 10 years, Space Force Brig. Gen. John M. Olson envisions far more than just one mission from NASA to return humanity to the moon—he anticipates a “vibrant commercial focus” led by rapidly expanding space companies. And a key component of that will be a “resilient,…

Biden Says Troops ‘Not On The Table’ to Shore up NATO Eastern Flank, Deter Russia from Invading Ukraine

Dec. 8, 2021

President Joe Biden said unequivocally Dec. 8 that no U.S. troops would be used to deter Russia from invading Ukraine. Meanwhile, administration and DOD officials said there are no plans for additional defense assistance after a final small arms delivery this week. In the aftermath of a tense videoconference between…

Vice Chair Nominee Pushes Nuclear Modernization to Deal with China, Russia in Confirmation Hearing

Dec. 8, 2021

Adm. Christopher W. Grady, nominee to be vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Senators during his Dec. 8 confirmation hearing that the Pentagon needs to be prepared to deal with “two nuclear peer competitors," calling China’s rapid growth of its nuclear capabilities “spectacular” and Russia’s recent actions…

Air Force Demos Reaper Operations in Pacific Flights with Non-Expert Troops, Limited Gear

Dec. 7, 2021

The Air Force demonstrated that it can operate the remotely-piloted MQ-9 Reaper in long-range flights in the Pacific using limited ground support gear and non-specialist ground personnel. The demonstration provided a boost for its agile combat employment concept, the service said Dec. 7. The deployment required only seven people and…

Nearly 70 Percent of Receivers Now Cleared to Get Fuel From KC-46

Dec. 7, 2021

The KC-46A can now pass fuel to almost 70 percent of aircraft that request aerial refueling, Air Mobility Command announced. The newest aircraft on the list include C-130 Special Operations variants, the C-5M Super Galaxy, and the E-3G Sentry AWACS.

House, Senate Panels Unveil Compromise 2022 NDAA

Dec. 7, 2021

Leaders from the Senate and House Armed Services committees unveiled a new 2022 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 7 in a bid to overcome gridlock and hasten the passage of the annual policy bill. The new bill, passed by the House that night, combines elements of a version passed…

Afghanistan, Politics Lead to Decline in Public Trust of Military

Dec. 7, 2021

Americans’ trust and confidence in the U.S. military has declined precipitously in recent months, according to the results of a survey. Experts lay the blame on increasing political polarization and the fallout from this summer’s turbulent withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Austin Warns of Yearlong CR as China Invests Heavily in Military Technology

Dec. 6, 2021

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III outlined Dec. 4 the vital importance of U.S. defense investment keeping pace with that of China before issuing a statement warning that such competition would suffer “irreparable” damage if Congress opts for a yearlong continuing resolution, a real possibility being discussed by lawmakers after…

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