Following his speech (see above) at the 23rd National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo., Thursday, Gen. Kevin Chilton, head of Air Force Space Command, told reporters via telephone conference call that the nation mustn’t be overly focused on satellite capability as the sole or primary consideration in preserving the ability to utilize the space domain. Elements such as ground infrastructure, satellite dishes, and links between the dishes and satellites as well as between the satellites and warfighters are important, too. He said that we cannot focus on any one element of space systems at the expense of the others. “We have to be thinking about … an entire spectrum of capability when we think about defending our capabilities of the future,” cautioned Chilton.
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles have roared out of Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., for the last time. The 104th Fighter Wing’s last three F-15Cs departed the base Oct. 23 for the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., ending the aircraft's era on the frontlines of homeland defense.
