Daily Report

Nov. 13, 2014

Arizona Predator’s Maiden Flight

The Arizona Air National Guard launched its first stateside MQ-1 Predator sortie last week from Fort Huachuca, Ariz. The sortie was enabled by the stand up of the unit’s new Launch and Recovery Element, according to a unit release. “The...

Fewer Troops Needed to Fight Ebola

Less than 3,000 total US military personnel will deploy to West Africa as part of the international effort to eradicate the Ebola epidemic, some 1,000 fewer than mentioned in the original request for forces. “There’s a lot of capacity here...

Air Control Squadron Inactivates at Al Udeid

The 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron inactivated on Nov. 1 following a ceremony at Al Udeid AB, Qatar, where the unit has run command and control operations via remote radar, radio, and data link hubs since 2006, working to guide...

New E-3 Intelligence Course Graduates First Class

The first class of signals intelligence analysts recently graduated from USAF’s new E-3 Intelligence Initial Qualification Course at Tinker AFB, Okla., according to a base release. “This is the first time we’re going to have an E-3-specific qualification training course,”...

First Dutch Lightning Unit

The Royal Netherlands Air Force inaugurated its first F-35 Lighting II squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla., in a flag ceremony there last week. Number 323 Squadron furled its colors as an F-16 unit at Leeuwarden AB, Netherlands, on Nov. 4...

Afghan Pilot Training in UAE Set to Expand

The Raytheon Company has announced a new $13.5 million task order modification on its Warfighter Field Operations Customer Support (FOCUS) contract, which will add more Afghan Air Force pilots to the “New Dawn” training program, based in the United Arab...

$1.4 Billion Patriot Sale to South Korea

The US has approved a South Korean request for some $1.4 billion worth of PAC-3 Patriot missiles and associated equipment, as the US ally moves to build its own integrated BMD system by the 2020s. The US Defense Security Cooperation...

Lockheed Martin Awarded $40.3 Million Paveway II Contract

Lockheed Martin received a $40.3 million order for Paveway II laser guidance and control kits for the 500- and 2,000-pound bomb under an ongoing production contract, the company announced. The GBU-10 and GBU-12 seeker units incorporate an upgraded, more accurate...

Work Outlines New Technology Initiative

Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work announced a new Defense Department-wide innovation initiative intended to help military planners allocate limited resources where it will be most effective during a Center for Strategic and International Studies Global Security Forum in Washington, D.C.,...