Daily Report

March 20, 2013

Second SBIRS Satellite Launched

The Air Force and its industry partners on Tuesday launched, GEO-2, the second Space Based Infrared System satellite, into orbit atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster fired from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. “The entire team worked hand-in-hand to...

Hagel Directs Strategy Review

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel tasked senior Pentagon leaders to examine the Defense Department’s strategic assumptions, given changes in the fiscal environment due to budget sequestration, announced Pentagon Press Secretary George Little. Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Chiefs Chairman...

Remembering Operation Iraqi Freedom

On March 20, 2003, coalition ground forces pushed into Iraq, one day after coalition aircraft and cruise missiles began surgical strikes on leadership compounds in Baghdad. On March 21, 2003, coalition air forces launched large-scale air strikes against the regime...

Sequestration’s Effect on the ARTs

Sequestration’s Effect on the ARTs: Due to the fact that the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve rely on the support of air reserve technicians—who are federal civil servants even though they are in uniform—the reserve components will feel...

Keeping Options Open

In the face of repeated questioning from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Army Gen. Charles Jacoby, head of US Northern Command, maintained that the United States can defend itself from a North Korean or Iranian long-range...

Not Just a Cold War Relic

US European Command boss Adm. James Stavridis assured members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that America’s European bases are much more than Cold War relics as some critics have suggested. “If I had one overriding message for...

Sequester May Cost Southern Command its JSTARS Capability

US Southern Command has come to rely on the E-8C JSTARS ground-surveillance platform to accomplish its counter-narcotics mission, but thanks to budget sequestration, it’s “probably going to lose” that capability, Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly, SOUTHCOM’s commander, told members of...

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Leadership Change

Lockheed Martin’s board of directors made Orlando Carvalho executive vice president of the company’s Aeronautics business area and Lorraine Martin vice president and general manager of the F-35 strike fighter program, effective immediately, announced the company. The changes come as...

Post-9/11 GI Bill Phase-In Period Extended

Airmen now have until July 31 to apply to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members, announced Air Force Personnel Center officials. “Air Force leaders wanted to make sure all eligible airmen have the opportunity to share this...