Gates Reaffirms US Tacair Edge

Speaking to airmen at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, on June 1, Defense Secretary Robert Gates defended his proposed cuts in the Air Force’s fighter fleet in Fiscal 2010 as part of overall changes to the US tactical air arm. He said...

USAF Cyber Czar Nominated

Maj. Gen. Richard Webber has been tapped to lead 24th Air Force, the new numbered air force being established under Air Force Space Command to oversee the Air Force’s cyber security activities. Webber is currently assistant deputy chief of staff...

NPR and the Bomber

By Marc V. Schanz
With the Pentagon now undertaking a new Nuclear Posture Review, some in Congress are wondering how this will affect the Air Force’s plans for a next-generation bomber. Appearing with a group of Defense Department and Energy Department officials before the...

Often Overlooked and Little Understood

With discussions having commenced with Russia on further reducing the size of the US and Russian nuclear weapons arsenals, the new commander of the Air Force’s nuclear-capable B-2A and B-52H bomber force reminded lawmakers Wednesday of the continued importance of...

Leaving Manta

The US military is preparing to cease operations at Eloy Alfaro AB in Manta, Ecuador, by mid-July and conduct an orderly turnover of the facilities there to the Ecuadorian government by the end of September, according to Lt. Gen. Douglas...

Carpenter Takes over The Mighty Eighth

Maj. Gen. Floyd Carpenter assumed command of 8th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) at Barksdale AFB, La., June 1 during a change-of-command ceremony. Carpenter, who had been serving since November 2007 as vice commander of the numbered air force, took...

F-35 Contract Announced

The Defense Department has awarded Lockheed Martin a $2.1 billion contract for the production of the third low-rate phase of F-35 production-version aircraft, the company announced Wednesday. This production lot of 17 aircraft includes, for the first time, non-US orders,...

The Russians Are Coming

A 10-member, Russian-led team of inspectors visited Dyess AFB, Tex., on May 29 to check up on the 7th Bomb Wing’s compliance with the terms of the current Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. The team spent about eight hours scrutinizing the...

Air Sorties from SWA

Air Sorties in War on Terrorism, Southwest AsiaJune 2, 2009 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 29 19 48 6,189 CAS/Armed Recon 29 73 102 14,932 Airlift 125 125 20,916 Air refueling 57 57 6,855 Total 332 48,892...