Daily Report

March 25, 2010

Not Going Anywhere Yet

The Air Force’s E-8C aircraft still have a lot of life left in them and, with marginal investments in items like new engines and radar improvements, could remain the nation’s premier wide-area ground-surveillance platforms “for the next 30 to 40...

Rescue Helicopter Modernization

Plans for the Air Force to field a fleet of combat search and rescue helicopters to replace its aging HH-60G Pave Hawk fleet are beginning to solidify in the wake of last year’s cancellation of the CSAR-X program. In addition...

Laser Demo Eyed for B-1B

The Air Force, together with DARPA, is working to demonstrate a high-energy laser weapon system for aircraft self-protection, Steven Walker, USAF’s deputy assistant secretary for science, technology, and engineering told House lawmakers Tuesday. Under the electric laser on a large...

Big Apple and Cocoa

Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on Wednesday announced that New York City and Cocoa Beach, Fla., will host the two “Air Force Weeks” this year. This is the fifth year that the service is sponsoring these festivities, which are...

Warthogs from Heaven

Maj. Steve Nester, an A-10 pilot with Air Force Reserve Command’s 303rd Fighter Squadron at Whiteman AFB, Mo., was heading from Whiteman to Springfield, Mo., on a routine training mission on March 11 when he got word that an inexperienced...

EOD Airman Receives Bronze Star

The Air Force has awarded SSgt. Blake Lundstrom, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron at Langley AFB, Va., a Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service while deployed to Afghanistan. He led an EOD team...

House Panel Completes Latest Acquisition Report

The House Armed Services Committee’s Panel on Defense Acquisition Reform approved its final report March 23 after a year-long review that included 14 hearings and two briefings, according to a committee release. The committee formed the panel, with Rep. Rob...

Famed Test Pilot White Dies

Retired Maj. Gen. Robert M. White, record-setting X-15 pilot and veteran of three wars, died March 17 at age 85. White is perhaps most famous for his record-setting flights in the X-15, including, on Nov. 9, 1961, becoming the first...

Air Sorties from SWA 032110

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, March 21, 2010 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 31 38 69 4,736 CAS/Armed Recon 24 69 93 7,185 Airlift 184 184 13,101 Air refueling 43 43 3,306 Rescue 42 42 483 Total...