Airman Killed in Afghanistan

SrA. Mark Forester, a combat controller assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command’s 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, N.C., has died in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, the Defense Department has announced. The native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was killed Sept...

USAF has a Full-up Cyber Round

The Air Force’s new cyber operations arm, 24th Air Force, has reached the milestone known as full operational capability, Air Force Space Command announced Friday. This means that the new numbered air force, headquartered at Lackland AFB, Tex., has matured...

USAF’s Acquisition Priorities

By John A. Tirpak
The Air Force’s top four acquisition priorities, according to USAF legislative liaison Maj. Gen. Robin Rand, are as follows: the KC-X tanker, F-35 strike fighter, intelligence- surveillance-reconnaissance, and military satellite communications/spaceborne missile warning. Rand spoke Sept. 28 at an Air...

Global Strike Command Reaches Full Operations

Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale AFB, La., is now fully operational, less than 14 months after its initial activation to oversee the nation’s nuclear-capable bomber force and ICBMs. Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, AFGSC commander, on Thursday declared the...

Senate Confirms Breedlove as Vice Chief

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Lt. Gen. Philip Breedlove for promotion to the rank of four-star general to serve as USAF’s next vice chief of staff, Air Force officials announced Thursday. He is replacing Gen. Howie Chandler, who...

Shelton Gets Senate Nod to Lead Space Command

Lt. Gen. William Shelton‘s nomination to receive a fourth star and take the helm of Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo., has received the Senate’s approval, USAF officials announced Thursday. He’ll replace Gen. Robert Kehler, who’s been tapped...

Klotz Retiring

Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, the general who led Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale AFB, La., from its infancy to full maturity over the past year, is retiring, Air Force officials announced Thursday. Klotz has been in charge of...

Ironmen Inactivated at Langley

Officials with the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va., on Thursday inactivated the 71st Fighter Squadron during a ceremony, completing the phaseout of the F-15 mission at the base. The unit, known as the Ironmen, traces its heritage back...

Integration is the Key

Operating a mixed fleet of legacy aircraft and stealth platforms places a premium on finding the optimal integration of those assets in order to succeed in operations in a highly contested battlespace, said Col. Michael Fantini, division chief for combat...

Lockheed Delivers Another C-5M

Lockheed Martin on Thursday turned over to Air Force officials the first C-5M Super Galaxy transport to roll off of the company’s production line in Marietta, Ga. “We are thrilled to add another superstar to the strategic airlift fleet for...

Already Reaping the Savings

Incorporating more efficient management practices into the F-35 strike fighter and Navy’s F/A-18E/F and EA-18G fighter programs is already resulting in projected savings of more than $1 billion over the next five years—money that can be plowed back into the...

Afghan Election Operations Accentuate Room for Growth

The Afghan air force has had its first taste of full-scale operations, providing airlift in support of last month’s parliamentary elections, according to Brig. Gen. David Allvin, commander of NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan. That effort highlighted both the nascent air...

Afghan Airpower—Role Determined, Aircraft Unknown

Close air support, counterinsurgency, and airlift are the envisioned roles for the resurrected and growing Afghan air force, says Brig. Gen. David Allvin, who heads NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan. “The idea of having to maintain air sovereignty over their airspace...

Air Sorties from SWA 092510

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, Sept. 25, 2010 Sortie Type OND OEF OND/OEF Total YTD ISR 22 71 93 19,771 CAS/Armed Recon 12 91 103 25,957 Airlift 180 180 46,479 Air refueling 51 51 12,912 Rescue 19 19 5,901 Total...