Daily Report

June 19, 2013

Furloughs Buy Back Readiness

The furloughs of civilian employees starting in July will allow the Air Force to reconstitute a fraction of the readiness it has lost due to sequestration, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said on June 17. He told attendees at...

The High Cost of Saving Money

The sequester that has grounded 33 Air Force fighter squadrons will cost a lot of money to undo, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said on June 17. Speaking at an Air Force Association-sponsored Air Force breakfast in Arlington, Va.,...

Afghanistan Now Leads Security Mission

Afghanistan’s national security forces took the lead in all security missions on June 18 as US and coalition forces continue the transition from a combat to a support role. The announcement kickstarts the final phase of the transition process, states...

Pentagon Unveils Women in Combat Implementation Plan

The Air Force intends to open the remaining seven career fields currently closed to women—roughly 4,700 positions—by 2016, pending a thorough review of the doctrine, training, education, facilities, and policy requirements involved, said Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, director of force...

Time of Transition

Le Bourget, France Pratt & Whitney’s military engines sector is undergoing a time of transition, as the company winds down production of several engines that have been staples of its portfolio for decades while ramping up the manufacture of powerplants...

HEO-3 Shipped for Integration with Launch Vehicle

The Air Force and its industry partners shipped HEO-3, the third Space Based Infrared Systems sensor payload, for integration with its space launch vehicle and preparation for launch, announced service space officials on June 17. HEO-3 shipped on June 12,...

NASA Selects 2013 Astronaut Candidate Class

Air Force Lt. Col. Tyler Hague is among an elite group of eight astronaut candidates selected by NASA to train for future space missions. The new class—the first since 2009—could find themselves walking on an asteroid and eventually even Mars,...

Tilting in the President’s Favor

Le Bourget, France The Marine Corps has introduced the first MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft that will support the mission of Presidential airlift, said USMC Col. Gregory Masiello, joint V-22 program manager. Already, the first two of 12 MV-22s destined for this...

The Sea Herc Niche

Le Bourget, France Lockheed Martin is now offering three variants of its SC-130J Sea Herc maritime patrol model, including one that would offer full-up anti-submarine capability for nations wanting to move beyond their legacy P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, but not...