Daily Report

The Air Force and United Launch Alliance have delayed the scheduled space launch of an Atlas V rocket carrying an X-37B reusable spaceplane from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., until Nov. 13, according to a posting at the company’s website. This...

The Air Force awarded SSgt. Brandon Hill, an HH-60G flight engineer assigned to the 512th Rescue Squadron at Kirtland AFB, N.M., the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic actions in Afghanistan in late 2010. The presentation ceremony took place on...

Spatial disorientation among the aircrew caused the fatal crash of an Air Force Special Operations Command U-28A ISR aircraft in Djibouti, Africa, earlier this year, announced command officials on Oct. 24. All four crewmembers were killed when the aircraft went down just outside of the Ambouli International Airport on Feb. 18 as it was returning from a combat mission. AFSOC's accident investigation board found that "the crew had fallen victim to spatial disorientation," states AFSOC's release. "The evidence demonstrates that the [mission crew] did not recognize the position of the aircraft and, as a result, failed to take appropriate corrective actions," states the AIB report (caution, large-sized file). "The crew never lost control of the aircraft" and "there were no indications of mechanical malfunction," states the release. The mishap crew was deployed to the 34th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The aircraft, tail number 07-0736, was assigned to Hurlburt Field, Fla. Valued at $14.5 million, it was destroyed in the mishap, according to AFSOC.

Turkey has “more than 140,000 refugees on its border” with Syria, and that situation creates pressure for other countries to become involved in Syria’s troubles, said Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, US Army Europe’s commanding general. Speaking with defense reporters...

Northrop Grumman recently delivered another specially configured Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft to the Air Force, announced the company. This EQ-4B air vehicle arrived at Grand Forks AFB, N.D., on Sept. 7, some four months ahead of its delivery schedule,...

Air Force officials opened a new medical clinic at RAF Alconbury, England, less than two weeks after the Defense Department announced the pending return of the service’s clinic at nearby RAF Upwood to the British government. “This brand-new facility required...

The Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin $889.5 million to supply 11 C-130J-based aircraft, announced the Pentagon. The order includes four HC-130J rescue aircraft for Air Combat Command, seven MC-130J special mission aircraft for Air Force Special Operations Command, and a...

Three of the four major Defense Department aerostat and airship systems currently in development have suffered from “significant technical challenges,” like overweight components, that have led to cost overruns and schedule delays, according to Government Accountability Office auditors. Those three...