Daily Report

Oct. 1, 2012

Capstone Concept Released for 2020 Joint Operations

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey last week issued a Capstone Concept for Joint Operations that describes the notion of globally integrated operations to address future security challenges. The concept is meant "to guide force development toward Joint Force 2020," the force called for in the Obama Administration's new defense strategic guidance, writes Dempsey in the document's foreword. "Future joint forces will face an increasingly complex, uncertain, competitive, rapidly changing, and transparent operating environment characterized by security challenges that cross borders," states the capstone document, dated Sept. 10. Its public release was on Sept. 28. Joint force elements postured globally "can combine quickly with each other and mission partners to harmonize capabilities fluidly across domains, echelons, geographic boundaries, and organizational affiliations" under the concept "with significantly greater fluidity and flexibility than do current joint forces," states the document. By routinely leveraging "unique service capabilities into a coherent operational whole," future joint forces will "achieve efficiencies and synergies not previously feasible," states the document. "The assertion is that through globally integrated operations, joint forces will remain able to protect US national interests despite constrained resources," it adds. (CCJO 2020 full document; caution, large-sized file.)

Former SAC Commander Dies

Retired Gen. Bennie Davis, who led Strategic Air Command from August 1981 through July 1985, died on Sept. 23 in Georgetown, Tex., at age 84, according to an Air Force release. He was scheduled for interment at Fort Sam Houston...

European Missile Defense Center Opens

The US European Command leadership was on hand for last week’s opening of the European Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center in Einsiedlerhof, Germany, according to US Air Forces in Europe officials. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Sept. 26...

Farewell Jungle Air Force, Japan

Officials at Yokota AB, Japan, last week inactivated 13th Air Force’s Detachment 1 in an on-base ceremony, just days prior to the numbered air force’s own inactivation that’s scheduled for Oct. 1. The unit, which stood down on Sept. 26,...

Fifth Former BMT Instructor Sentenced in Sex Scandal

A military jury at JBSA-Lackland, Tex., last week convicted the fifth former Air Force basic military training instructor of sexual misconduct in a special court-martial. SSgt. Jason Manko on Sept. 27 received a sentence of 45 days confinement, reduction in...

Dyess Bids Adieu to its Last C-130Hs

The last two C-130H transports assigned to Dyess AFB, Tex., departed the base last week for their new home at Little Rock AFB, Ark., as part of Dyess’ ongoing transition to the C-130J. “It’s a bittersweet day,” remarked Col. Walter...

Quiet Guardians

During separate responses, two F-22 fighters last week intercepted two general aviation aircraft that violated a temporary flight restricted area over the United Nations building in New York City, announced NORAD. The intercepts occurred on Sept. 25 during the time...

World War II Airman Identified

Defense Department forensic scientists identified the remains of 2nd Lt. Samuel E. Lunday of Marianna, Fla., an airman lost in action during World War II, announced the Pentagon. They returned his remains to his family for burial with full military...