Despite the extended stand-down of its key air defense fighter, the F-15 Eagle, Air Forces Northern conducted 150 fighter sorties over North America in December. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command fighters flew the majority of sorties, and Air Guard and Reserve tankers covered all 50 air refueling sorties for the month. Since 9/11, Operation Noble Eagle aircraft have flown more than 181,000 flying hours. (See Data Points.)
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth vowed to undertake far-reaching reforms on the way the U.S. military buys weapons, promising a sweeping overhaul of the way the Defense Department determines requirements, handles the acquisition process, and tests its kit. The fundamental goal, which Hegseth underscored in a 1-hour and 10-minute speech…
