The Air Force has certified the Small Diameter Bomb is ready to start operational test and evaluation, after a year of development testing by the Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, Fla. “Team Eglin,” according to Thomas Robillard, director of AAC’s air-to-ground munitions systems wing, rose to a challenge by the Air Force Chief of Staff, enabling the program “to exceed schedule and performance expectations.” Small bomb OT&E will continue until spring 2006. USAF plans to equip F-15E fighters at RAF Lakenheath, Britain, with the first operational SDBs.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent direction that the military services return to a more old-school approach to basic training—with instructors "tossing bunks" and "putting their hands on recruits”—will likely require the Air Force to rewrite policies for military training instructors it has modified over time to cut down on such…
