Daily Report

Jan. 11, 2010

Strapping Hogs

Technicians at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., are adding steel straps and stronger fittings to the wings of some A-10s to keep them flying while USAF pursues a wing replacement program for 242 thin-skinned Warthogs. David Roe, a structural engineer with the...

Budget Maneuvers

Pentagon chief Bob Gates reportedly has told the Air Force it cannot defer the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program or new engines for the E-8 Joint STARS fleet as part of its budget cutting moves in 2011, according to a report...

JASSM Talks Underway

The Air Force and Lockheed Martin are negotiating the terms of the contract for the next production cycle, Lot 8, of the stealthy JASSM cruise missile. In a written response to a query, Air Force officials told the Daily Report...

India Likely Opts for C-17s

Boeing has received a letter of request from India for the “potential acquisition” of 10 C-17s airlifters, according to a company release. Boeing last week said it had signed a contract with United Arab Emirates for six C-17s. The Indian...

Not Going Anywhere Soon

Pentagon boss Bob Gates plans to remain at his post at least through 2010. He entered the job under the Bush Administration, replacing Donald Rumsfeld in December 2006, and has remained there at the request of President Obama. Pentagon spokesman...

F-35 Enters STOVL Flight Test

Lockheed Martin officials announced that the Marine Corps short takeoff/vertical landing variant of the F-35 had engaged its STOVL propulsion system for the first time Jan. 7 during flight tests at NAS Patuxent River, Md. The flight lasted 14 minutes,...

500 and Counting

The Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB, Mass., announced delivery to USAF of the 500th Combat Track II unit, intended primarily as an airborne intelligence system for mobility air forces, but also in use on some bombers, to improve situational...

Congress Leary of CYBERCOM

According to a report last week in the Washington Post, the delay in stand up of the new US Cyber Command, planned for last fall, stems from Congressional worries over its mission and privacy issues. The Senate Armed Services Committee...

Arizona Wins Singapore Training

According to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the Government of Singapore has decided to train its F-16 pilots with the Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Fighter Wing. He said in a Jan. 7 statement, “The decision will bring an additional $60...

Air Sorties from SWA 011110

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, Jan. 4, 2010 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 29 34 63 234 CAS/Armed Recon 20 79 99 368 Airlift 150 150 616 Air refueling 43 43 165 Total 355 1,383 OIF=Operation Iraqi...