Three
Air Force Academy graduates are leading the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-133, its final scheduled mission. Discovery lifted off from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., on Feb. 24 on an 11-day mission to support the International Space Station. Its pilot is Col. Eric Boe, a 1987 academy graduate and who also piloted STS-126, a previous shuttle flight. The mission commander is retired Col. Steven Lindsey, who graduated from the academy in 1982 and is the veteran of four shuttle flights. Col. Alvin Drew, a 1984 academy graduate, is the mission specialist. Along with the three other crewmembers, these academy alumni will deliver spare components and install equipment on ISS. Drew is also slated to conduct 13 hours of extravehicular work on the space station. (Colorado Springs report by John Van Winkle) (See also Patrick release)
Meink: Air Force Has Five More E-7s Under Contract
April 30, 2026
The Air Force has contracts in place for five additional E-7A Wedgetail airborne battle management aircraft, Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers April 30. Meink also said the Department of the Air Force wants to work with Congress to find ways to continue to fund the E-7 next year and beyond,…