Daily Report: Summer of Pacific Exercises Begins
PLUS KC-46 Refueling Mishap and Future Tanker Plans
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KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
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.”
Air Force Budget Hints at Shift in Tanker Plans—and More KC-46s
The Air Force appears to be leaning buying toward more KC-46 refuelers rather than developing a stealthy future tanker, based on budget documents released this week. USAF’s plans prioritize connectivity upgrades and self-protection measures for its aerial refueling fleet. No...
Air Force, Space Force Kick Off Major Pacific Exercises
The Air Force and Space Force kicked off a busy summer of major exercises across the Pacific on July 8, with thousands of Airmen and Guardians and hundreds of aircraft and satellites set to participate in a so-called Department-Level Exercise series.
Daily Report: Retired 4-Stars: Fund E-7, More F-35s
PLUS New Strategic SATCOM and Fighters Control Semi-Autonomous Drones
AFMC Boss Richardson Retires After 42-Year Career: ‘I Love This Stuff’
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.
16 Retired 4-Stars Urge Congress to Fund E-7 and More F-35s
Six former Air Force Chiefs of Staff and seven other retired 4-star generals joined Air & Space Forces Association leadership in calling on Congress to triple the number of F-35A fighters the Air Force buys in fiscal 2026 and to reinstate funding for the E-7 ...
Air Force Fighters Control Semi-Autonomous Drones in ‘Crucial’ Test
The U.S. Air Force recently took a significant step in its push to integrate crewed fighters with semi-autonomous drones, the service says. Pilots of an Air Force F-16C and an F-15E each controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones in an “air combat training scenario,” the Air Force ...
Space Force Cancels Major Tactical SATCOM Competition
The Space Force is canceling a competition to build new satellites for jam-resistant tactical communications, instead choosing to focus on operationalizing two prototypes it plans to launch next year.
Space Force Awards $2.4B Contract for New Nuclear Command and Control Satellites
The Space Force has tapped Boeing to build up to four new satellites for the critical nuclear command, control, and communications mission. The contract award, announced by Space Systems Command July 3, is valued at $2.8 billion for the first two satellites, with an option ...
Daily Report: B-21 Production Bumping Up, but How Much?
PLUS Reconciliation Passes and More Money for Enlistment Bonuses
B-21 Production Is Speeding Up, But How Much and For How Long Is Still Unclear
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
Trump Signs Reconciliation Bill, Securing Billions for Air Force and Space Force Programs
President Donald Trump on July 4 signed into law $150 billion in defense funds as part of the tax-and-spending package known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” after congressional Republicans approved the legislation in narrow, drawn-out votes earlier this week.
Air Force, Space Force to Triple Enlistment Bonus Funding in 2026
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.
Daily Report: How ACE Helped Against Iran’s Attack
PLUS Added Airpower Staying in Middle East and Extra Money for Officer Aircrew
Pentagon Keeping Bolstered Presence in Middle East in Wake of Iran Strike
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
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
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
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 ...
Daily Report: Reconciliation Moves Forward, with Billions for Air Force on the Line
PLUS Airman Takes Over EUCOM and Delayed Launch for Missile Warning Satellites