Daily Report

Dec. 20, 2010

Carefully, Methodically, Purposefully

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Pentagon would move out “immediately” with planning for the implementation of new policy ending the “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule once President Obama signs the DADT repeal into law. Gates said the Defense Department...

House Passes Modified Defense Policy Bill

The House on Friday passed HR 6523, its final version of the Fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill, with a vote of 341 to 48. The bill provides $725 billion for the Pentagon—$17 billion above the Obama Administration’s request—including $115 billion...

Update on AEHF Satellites

The $1.3 billion contract that the Air Force awarded last week to Lockheed Martin for production of the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency communications satellite calls for this spacecraft to be available for launch in 2017, according to Air Force...

Rust Never Sleeps

The Air Force expects to pay $228 million to address corrosion issues with the F-22 fighter by 2016, according to a Government Accountability Office report issued last week. While the Defense Department is doing a good job of ensuring that...

New HASC Assignments

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) will be the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee when the 112th Congress convenes in January, Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), outgoing committee chairman, announced last week. Smith has overseen the HASC air and land...

Recruiting Strong So Far in Fiscal 2011

The Defense Department has achieved excellent results during the first two months of the new fiscal year in attracting new recruits, with only the Air National Guard tracking somewhat short of its goal. Data through November announced last week show...

Hanscom Scientist Recognized For Laser Research

Candace Lynch, a senior Air Force Research Lab scientist at Hanscom AFB, Mass., has received the 2010 Harold Brown Award for her “breakthrough research” in improving aircraft self-protection. “Lynch’s technology breakthrough is not only a national asset, but a testament...

Last Hop for Britain’s Iconic Jump Jet

A diamond-formation flyby of 16 Harrier GR.7/GR.9 aircraft last week over RAF Cottesmore in eastern England, ceremoniously ended 41 years of Harrier service in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Air Vice-Marshal Greg Bagwell, commander of the RAF’s No...

Lockheed Delivers India’s First C-130J

Lockheed Martin last week delivered the first of six modified C-130J transports to India during a ceremony at the company’s facility in Marietta, Ga. “Today begins a new glorious, enduring partnership with India as the fourth largest air force in...

Air Sorties from SWA 121110

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, Dec. 11, 2010 Sortie Type OND OEF OND/OEF Total YTD ISR 22 19 41 26,784 CAS/Armed Recon 12 86 98 33,980 Airlift 162 162 59,822 Air refueling 41 41 16,725 Rescue 17 17 7,874 Total...