Talking Smart Ops 21: Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne has issued a new “Letter to Airmen,” discussing the Air Force’s role in providing “an array of capabilities” to combatant commanders. Wynne writes, “We must seek to constantly give value to our ‘customers.’” To that end, he notes, the Air Force has expanded its depot streamlining initiative into what it terms “Air Force Smart Operations 21 (AFSO 21).” Wynne continues, writing that this “continuous process improvements” approach “will be the new culture of our Air Force.”
KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
July 8, 2025
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker suffered damage to its boom while refueling F-22 Raptors off the coast of Virginia on July 8, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed, with reported radio communication from the crew indicating the boom “detached.”