Daily Report

March 3, 2010

Talking Tanker

After the release of the KC-X tanker request for proposals on Feb. 24, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Deputy Defense Secretary Bill Lynn, and Pentagon acquisition czar Ash Carter met with senior Boeing officials and then with Northrop Grumman leadership...

Precious Commodities

The Air Force has no plans to grow or reduce, for that matter, the size of its active duty end strength, Air Force Secretary Michal Donley said Tuesday. “Our plan is to hold at about 332,000 going forward,” Donley said...

Sayonara F-22

Japan has apparently officially abandoned its pursuit of the F-22 in favor of the F-35 as it considers a platform to recapitalize it aging fighter fleet. Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Washington, D.C., Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said the...

WGS-3 Handover

Boeing announced Tuesday that the Air Force has taken control of the third Wideband Global Satcom military communications satellite from the company after the spacecraft completed several weeks of on-orbit functional tests. Air Force operators at Schriever AFB, Colo., are...

Joint STARS engine contract

Northrop Grumman announced Tuesday that it has received a $223.6 million contract from the Air Force for sets of new engines for two E-8C Joint STARS ground-surveillance aircraft. Each set contains four Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engines, plus the associated...

Looking the Part

An airman, marine, and naval officer—three of the first pilots slated to train in the F-35 strike fighter—got fitted for their new flight suits Feb. 25 at Eglin AFB, Fla., home of the Defense Department’s initial F-35 joint training schoolhouse....

Another C-130J Buyer

Tunisia will purchase two C-130J transports, becoming the first African nation to acquire the J-model aircraft, Lockheed Martin announced Tuesday. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2013 and 2014, the company said. Contract signing took place in February in...

Air Sorties from SWA 022610

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, Feb. 26, 2010 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 23 41 64 3,267 CAS/Armed Recon 14 62 76 5,017 Airlift 154 154 9,063 Air refueling 40 40 2,352 Rescue 12 12 40 Total...