Capt. Neil Barnas is one of the first working professionals from across the nation to complete a new online degree program offered by Pennsylvania State University. He has just earned a master of engineering degree in systems engineering. “Managing the complexity of weapons systems is perhaps the greatest challenge we face. This degree has provided me the tools and experience I need to meet that challenge,” said Barnas, who is now joining the F-35 program office in Arlington, Va., after a stint as a flight commander with the 36th Electronic Warfare Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla. The systems engineering course is offered via Penn State’s World Campus online service. University officials hope to attract more airmen. “It’s working professionals like Neil Barnas that Penn State is trying to reach with online education programs,” said Wayne Smutz, World Campus executive director. (Penn State release)
The Senate Armed Services Committee this week released the full text of its version of the 2026 defense policy bill—often referred to as the National Defense Authorization Act—that would allow the Air Force and Space Force to spend billions of dollars more than the services had sought for next year.