After years of absence, F-15C Eagles are flying in Southwest Asia once again, operating from the undisclosed air base in the region that is home to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. Air Forces Central spokesman Maj. James Bressendorff told the...

After 3,200 combat flying hours, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Neely flew his final sortie as an active duty airman. Neely, who, according to the Air Force, is the service’s most experienced combat pilot, landed his PC-12 at Hurlburt Field, Fla., on...

US Alaska Command released the draft environmental impact report on proposed upgrades to the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex that adjoins Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. “JPARC requires a more contemporary and versatile design and improved infrastructure to meet the present and...

Military pay and benefits, including health care, have risen more than 87 percent since 2001, Pentagon Comptroller Robert Hale told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel panel. That's 30 percent higher than inflation, although the Defense Department's overall active duty end strength grew only by three percent during that same time period, said Hale in testimony last week. He said Pentagon officials "strongly believe" that changes—such as slowing the rate of growth in military pay raises and revising the cost-sharing formula for health care—are necessary to curb those costs. Should Congress not support DOD's suggested changes, the Pentagon "will face a major problem that would jeopardize our defense strategy," warned Hale. Already DOD has proposed end strength reductions of some 124,000 across the active duty and reserve components by Fiscal 2017 to help absorb the spending cuts mandated by the Budget Control Act. Absent the congressional support, the Pentagon would have to make additional cuts in much-needed investments or shed another 60,000 troops by Fiscal 2017 to compensate, asserted Hale. (Hale's prepared testimony)

This week’s planned launch of the SpaceLoft-6 sounding rocket from Spaceport America in Upham, N.M., is meant to demonstrate a number of key technologies for future Defense Department operationally responsive space missions. The SpaceLoft XL rocket will carry seven payloads...

Northrop Grumman delivered the first F-35 center fuselage produced on its new integrated assembly line to F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin, announced Northrop Grumman on Monday. Detroit-based KUKA Robotics Aerospace Division helped design the IAL, which is located at Northrop...

Raytheon’s Small Tactical Munition struck its designated target on its initial test drop recently at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., announced the company. Released from a Cobra remotely piloted aircraft, the 13.5-pound bomb successfully guided itself to the target using its...