Daily Report

May 15, 2008

B-1B Bomber Lost in April 4 Incident

The B-1B bomber involved in the ground accident April 4 after landing at an air base in Southwest Asia was damaged so severely that the airframe is considered a loss, the Daily Report has learned. USAF has not released information...

Under One Roof

One day after Canada and the US celebrated NORAD’s 50th anniversary, dignitaries from both nations participated in the opening ceremony of the new NORAD-US Northern Command integrated command center May 13 at Peterson AFB, Colo. “This is really the culmination...

Space Excellence Recognized

Air Force Space Command crowned the 341st Space Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., USAF’s best ICBM unit May 9 at the awards ceremony for the command’s annual Guardian Challenge competition. The best space launch wing is the 45th SW at...

Hello From Above

In Afghanistan May 13, an F-15E dropped a 2,000-pound joint direct attack munition and a 500-pound JDAM onto enemy positions in Zormat, successfully destroying the targets, Air Forces Central said in a May 14 release. And an F-15E dropped a...

Not the Right Answer

In a speech this week in Colorado, Defense Secretary Robert Gates latches onto a new catch-phrase “Next-War-itis” to pooh-pooh defense leaders who are “in favor of what might be needed in a future conflict” over the “capabilities we need today.”...

Reaper Mishap

An MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle sustained damage in a ground accident May 12 at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, after returning from a combat mission. The incident occurred about 10 a.m. local time. A board of inquiry will investigate the mishap....

Joint STARs Re-engining Work Progresses

Northrop Grumman has received two contracts from the Air Force, worth $300 million collectively, to complete non-recurring developmental activities and then begin production of the new engines for the service’s E-8C Joint STARS fleet, the company announced May 13. Work...

Cold Debut

The Air Force Research Lab tested the Arcturus T-16 unmanned aerial vehicle May 7 during the Northern Edge 2008 exercise at the Pacific Alaska Range Complex to gauge its ability to autonomously track ground targets and provide real-time imagery that...

Introspective Bid

Lockheed Martin submitted its proposal May 1 for the Air Force’s self-awareness space situational awareness program, the company announced May 13. “We have offered a solid technological solution and are well-equipped to help the Air Force achieve successfully achieve their...

Air Sorties From SWA

Air Sorties in War on Terrorism, Southwest AsiaMay 12, 2008 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 25 12 37 3,834 CAS/Armed Recon 74 53 127 11,543 Airlift 158 158 16,826 Air refueling 53 53 5,341 Total 375 37,544...