Test pilots and engineers at the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center in Tucson, Ariz., are evaluating the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6C two-seat turboprop as one possible candidate for the light attack aircraft that the Air Force is...

The Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th Fighter Squadron has taken top prize in “Hawgsmoke 2010,” the Air Force’s biennial A-10 competition, repeating its winning performance from 2008. The Idaho Statesman reports that the Idaho unit bested 17 other USAF A-10...

The North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing last week hosted a C-27J transport so that its airmen could familiarize themselves with the new aircraft that they will start operating in early 2013. These Air Guardsmen got the chance to...

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have signed a memorandum of agreement to align the capabilities resident in their respective organizations in order to protect better the nation's critical civilian and military computer networks. "[E]ffective immediately, we are building a new framework between our departments to enhance operational coordination and joint program planning," they wrote in a joint release last week. They added, "This structure is designed to put the full weight of our combined capabilities and expertise behind every action taken to protect our vital cyber networks, without altering the authorities or oversight of our separate, but complementary missions." They said these efforts are in full adherence to US laws and regulation and reflect a "strong commitment" to protecting civil liberties and privacy. (Memorandum text)

Officials with the 47th Flying Training Wing at Laughlin AFB, Tex., last week formally opened the base’s new aircraft maintenance operations complex. It is the new home of the wing’s maintenance directorate. Col. Michael Frankel, 47th FTW commander, Michael Johnson,...

The Air Force is planning another mega solar energy plant at Nellis, AFB, Nev., already home to the service’s largest farm of solar photovoltaic arrays. Under the new project, the service would construct a 17-megawatt solar farm in 2012 at...

The Illinois Air National Guard’s 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base, the Air Guard’s first-ever tanker unit, is now 60 years old. Earlier this month, more than 350 airmen, family members, and VIPs gathered at Scott to...

Construction of the new 681,000-square-foot Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center will begin before year’s end at Lackland AFB, Tex., according to officials with the base’s 59th Medical Wing. “This is the biggest thing to happen to the Wilford Hall medical...

Maj. Darren Brumfield, currently assigned to Dyess AFB, Tex., and MSgt. William Rapoza of Lackland AFB, Tex., have each received a Bronze Star medal for their meritorious service during deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. Brumfield, who commands Dyess’ 7th...

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, Oct. 9, 2010 Sortie Type OND OEF OND/OEF Total YTD ISR 22 75 97 21,008 CAS/Armed Recon 18 88 106 27,418 Airlift 173 173 48,914 Air refueling 47 47 13,650 Rescue 29 29 6,241 Total...