Airman Joins Elite Company:

Sept. 25, 2006

TSgt. Stephen Achey, a combat controller with the 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C., received a Keeper of the Flame Award last week, along with members of the other military services and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Achey already has received a Silver Star for his actions in Afghanistan in 2002, when he risked his life to retrieve a GPS locator and call in air support during a firefight. Among past recipients of the Keeper Award are former President Ronald Reagan, former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, and Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Air Force, Space Force to Triple Enlistment Bonus Funding in 2026

July 3, 2025

The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.

Pentagon Keeping Bolstered Presence in Middle East in Wake of Iran Strike

July 2, 2025

The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Air Force Wants Extra $71 Million for Officer Aircrew Bonus

July 2, 2025

The Air Force is requesting a $71.2 million increase in hazardous duty incentive pay for commissioned Airmen, as the service expects more officer aviators to take the bonus in fiscal year 2026.

If America Wants Airpower, It Needs to Invest in Its Air Force

July 2, 2025

The Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 defense budget, submitted to Congress last week, accelerates the downsizing of the U.S. Air Force. It proposes divesting 340 aircraft, while only acquiring 76. These cuts risk the Air Force’s ability to prevail.

‘What ACE Is All About’: Dispersion Protects Airmen, Planes During Iran Attack

July 2, 2025

As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…

Grynkewich Takes Over EUCOM and Warns: ‘Our Adversaries Are Aligning’

July 1, 2025

Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.

First Missile Warning Satellite Launch to MEO Slips, But More to Come

July 1, 2025

The Space Force's first planned satellite launch to begin a new missile warning constellation in medium-Earth orbit has slipped from late 2026 to spring 2027 as a key component remains unproven. But the service is making progress and moving forward with plans for new batches of satellites, the Guardian in charge…

Senate Passes Reconciliation Bill with Billions for Air Force and Space Force

July 1, 2025

The Senate passed Republicans’ sweeping tax-and-spending package July 1 in a 51-50 vote, the culmination of a 27-hour marathon legislative session. The package—often called the reconciliation bill—includes a $150 billion package of defense funds that accounts for a significant portion of the money the Air Force and Space Force want…

Space Force Boosting an Ecosystem of GPS Alternatives in Low-Earth Orbit

July 1, 2025

The Space Force is playing midwife to a new ecosystem of commercial satellite constellations providing alternatives to the service’s own Global Positioning Service from much closer to the Earth, making their signals more accurate and harder to jam.

Airman Joins Elite Company:

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