The Jury in Recess

By John A. Tirpak
After a five-hour session Thursday, the Air Force Council reconvenes on Friday for a planned two-hour meeting to discuss potentially “deep vertical cuts” in USAF force structure and poorly-performing programs, senior service officials tell the Daily Report. On the block:...

The Debate over Long Range Strike

By John A. Tirpak
There’s a “lively debate” at the Pentagon in defining the Air Force’s next long-range strike platform, Lt. Gen. Philip Breedlove, deputy chief of staff for operations, plans, and requirements, said Thursday. Enemies have studied US tactics and are burying their...

C-130 AMP Cleared for Low-rate Production

Boeing officials announced Thursday during a media teleconference that the Pentagon has approved the C-130 avionics modernization program for low-rate initial production. Under C-130 AMP, Boeing has developed a new digital cockpit, new communications and navigation gear, and night-vision-goggle capability...

ISAF Says Afghan Mission Stays the Same

The sudden departure of Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal on Wednesday as commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan has not changed the focus of the 46-nation coalition there, officials with the International Security Assistance Force said Thursday. “We remain...

Don’t Say ‘Bomber’

The term “next generation bomber” is “dead” in the halls of the Defense Department and Air Force, Lt. Gen. Philip Breedlove, top official on the Air Staff for operations, plans, and requirements, said Thursday. Speaking at an Air Force Association-sponsored...

A Slimmer MOP

The Air Force’s massive ordnance penetrator, or MOP, is a good first step at being able to destroy deeply buried targets beyond the reach of other bunker busters, says Lt. Gen. Phillip Breedlove, deputy chief of staff for operations, plans,...

New Avionics for Extender Fleet

Boeing announced Wednesday that it has received a five-year, $216 million contract from the Air Force to upgrade the avionics on the service’s KC-10 tanker fleet. Under the terms of the deal, the company will install new communication, navigation, surveillance,...

First Pakistani F-16s Set for Delivery

The Air Force expects to deliver the first three of the Pakistani air force’s new F-16 fighters to Pakistan on Saturday. “This is the most visible part of a strong and growing relationship between the two air forces,” Maj. Todd...

Pope Excels in Logistics Inspection

The 43rd Airlift Wing at Pope AFB, N.C., received an overall “excellent” rating in a logistics compliance assessment held at the base June 14-19. The wing is home to C-130 transports, but its airmen also have to deal at times...

Ensuring a Smooth Flow of Information

Nearly 100 airmen gathered at Robins AFB, Ga., from communications units across the Air Force are set to conclude on Friday Air Force Special Operations Command’s annual Joint Lightning training exercise. Robin’s 5th Combat Communications Group hosted the two-week event,...

Air Sorties from SWA 062010

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, June 20, 2010 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 25 54 79 11,227 CAS/Armed Recon 18 81 99 16,133 Airlift 180 180 29,312 Air refueling 54 54 7,559 Rescue 26 26 3,217 Total...