Daily Report

Jan. 3, 2011

Joined at the Hip

The Air Force and Air National Guard will almost certainly see investment dollars directed into bolstering their legacy F-16 fighters in the upcoming Fiscal 2012 budget. However, the extent of those improvements to extend the service life of F-16 Block...

China Joins the Stealth Club

China is conducting high-speed taxi tests with what appears to be a stealth aircraft dubbed the J-20. Photos taken from the fence line at the Chengdu aircraft plant in Sichuan province were allowed to circulate last week by China’s internet...

Maybe Not a Fighter

The newly revealed Chinese J-20 might not be China’s answer to the F-22 or F-35. With an apparent length of more than 70 feet, the Chinese have apparently designed the aircraft for stealth, speed, and range, with a healthy internal...

China Didn’t Get the Memo

The appearance of what is being called the J-20—China’s new stealthy looking aircraft—seemingly beats predictions by Defense Secretary Robert Gates as to when China would join the stealth club. Justifying his decision to halt F-22 Raptor production at 187 airframes—less...

AMC Redefines Itself

Air Mobility Command, headquartered at Scott AFB, Ill., last week updated its vision, mission, and focus areas. AMC's revised vision is: "Unrivaled global reach for America . . . always." The command's mission is: "Provide global air mobility . . . right effects, right place, right time." The command's focus areas are: Win today's fight as part of the joint/coalition forces; Develop and care for our airmen and families; Continue to strengthen nuclear mission support; Enhance mobility partnerships; and Sustain mobility forces today and prepare for tomorrow. "From relief operations in Haiti and Pakistan to combat support in Afghanistan, air mobility forces are making a positive difference globally in the lives of others by delivering hope, fueling the fight and saving lives," states the command's release. (See AMC brochure for additional details) (See also Daily Report archive entry on AMC's previous mission statement)

Highly Enriched Uranium Removed From Ukraine

The National Nuclear Security Administration announced last week that it helped to remove 50 kilograms (111 pounds) of highly enriched uranium from Ukraine in the latter half of December. The material in now in secure storage in Russia. “[This] is...

Deployment Transition Center Turnover

The first cadre of 20 airmen who have been helping other airmen transition from the stresses and trauma of combat to their normal lives back home is set to conclude its stint within the next month at the Deployment Transition...

March Airmen Learn Battlefield Forensics

Twenty-two Air Force Reservists with the 4th Combat Camera Squadron at March ARB, Calif., successfully completed the Air Force’s first battlefield forensics course. In the past, this instruction was only offered to soldiers and marines, but Air Force officials subsequently...

HASC Subcommittee Chairs Announced

Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), incoming House Armed Services Committee chairman, has announced the Republican members who will preside over the HASC subcommittees during the new Congress that convenes on Wednesday. They are: air and land forces, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (Md.);...

Bronze Star for Peterson Airman

Maj. Doug Welter of Air Force Space Command’s directorate of logistics, installations, and mission support at Peterson AFB, Colo., has received a Bronze Star medal for his meritorious service in Iraq. Welter served as operations officer with the 532nd Expeditionary...

Air Sorties from SWA 121710

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, Dec. 17, 2010 Sortie Type OND OEF OND/OEF Total YTD ISR 23 70 93 27,352 CAS/Armed Recon 16 72 88 34,521 Airlift 175 175 60,899 Air refueling 42 42 16,994 Rescue 36 36 8,015 Total...