DOD: No Decision Yet on Post-2014 US Presence in Afghanistan

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has yet to forward a recommendation to the White House on how many US military personnel should remain in Afghanistan after 2014, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters on Nov. 26. “It’s entirely premature to...

Still a Force in Southwest Asia even with the Pacific Shift

There will still be a requirement for a presence of US forces in Southwest Asia post 2014 after the withdrawal of American combat troops from Afghanistan and the US military’s shift in focus to the Asia-Pacific region, Air Combat Command...

Plan Proposed to Retain Reserve Aircrew Officers

An aviator retention pay program pending approval would offer certain Air Force Reserve pilots and combat systems operators a $30,000 bonus over a three-year span to remain in uniform, announced Air Force Reserve Command officials on Nov. 26. If approved...

Czech Delegation Visits Barksdale

The Czech Republic’s defense minister and air force chief led a Czech delegation that met with Air Force Global Strike Command officials last week at Barksdale AFB, La., to discuss bilateral cooperation. “Joint efforts are built upon a level of...

Cyber Flag Tests Airmen’s Network Mettle

Members of 24th Air Force, the Air Force’s cyber operations arm, participated with cyber professionals from across the Defense Department in the second annual Cyber Flag 13-1 training exercise at Nellis AFB, Nev. “Our increasing dependency on reliable and efficient...

Rebranded Base Exchange Opens at Osan

Officials at Osan AB, South Korea, opened the doors to the base’s newly renovated and upgraded exchange. The grand opening took place on Nov. 16, several weeks ahead of schedule, according to Osan’s release. “We hope everyone enjoys the upgrades,”...

British Pilots Begin F-35 Training at Eglin

Britain’s first two operational F-35 pilots have begun flight training at the strike fighter’s schoolhouse at Eglin AFB, Fla., reports Florida’s Crestview News Bulletin. “It’s an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” stated Royal Air Force squadron leader Franki Buchler in the newspaper’s...

China’s First Carrier Landings

A pair of Chinese J-15 fighters successfully conducted the first landings aboard China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning, according to the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua. “We have done all these test flights from the very beginning, and finally we mastered the...