2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Leaders

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Air Force Leaders through the years.

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Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Air

National Security

Personnel

Rotor Wash Knocked Down and Killed a Spectator at Kadena Event: Report

Jan. 28, 2026

Poor event planning and staffing contributed to a fatal mishap last April at Kadena Air Base, Japan, when rotor wash from an HH-60W helicopter knocked over a Japanese teacher from a Department of Defense Education Activity school attending a public aerial demonstration, according to an Air Force investigation.

Air Force B-1 Bombers, F-15 Fighters Tapped for Super Bowl Flyover

Jan. 28, 2026

U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer bombers and F-15C Strike Eagle fighters will join Navy combat aircraft in a flyover of Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 to help commemorate America’s 250 birthday celebration.

New Defense Strategy Prioritizes Western Hemisphere. Where Does that Leave the Pacific?

Jan. 27, 2026

The Pentagon released its new National Defense Strategy late Jan. 23, emphasizing a new commitment to the Western Hemisphere. But while that focus garnered most of the headlines, the strategy’s subtle shifts on China raise questions about how the Trump administration aims to leverage U.S. military power in the Indo-Pacific.

Boeing Takes First KC-46 Charge Since 2024

Jan. 27, 2026

Boeing announced a new $565 million charge on its contract for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker, its first loss on the program since 2024. In a Jan. 27 earnings call, company leaders said the charge is due to cost growth on the 767 airliner, which is the basis for the tanker,…

AEW 2.0: Air Force Revises Deployment Model Again

Jan. 26, 2026

The Air Force is revising once again its deployment model, scrapping its plans for "deployable combat wings" and revamping the Air Expeditionary Wing with a new AEW 2.0 model.

Air Force Bringing Back William Tell Weapons Meet in March

Jan. 23, 2026

Air Combat Command will hold its distinguished William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons competition in March after it was postponed last year.

Coming Soon to Air Force Basic Training: Mock Airfields Complete with F-16, C-130s

Jan. 22, 2026

Second Air Force officials plan to inject more realism in Basic Military Training this year by building two mock airfields where Airmen will get hands-on training with real combat aircraft.

New ‘Bridge’ Air Force One from Qatar to Fly This Summer

Jan. 22, 2026

The Air Force has a name and expected delivery date for the Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar to the United States for presidential airlift: the “VC-25 bridge aircraft” now has an anticipated delivery no later than summer 2026.

Air Force One Diverts Over Atlantic, Forcing Switch to Backup Jet

Jan. 21, 2026

The Air Force One jet carrying President Donald Trump to a high-stakes summit in Switzerland diverted over the Atlantic late Jan. 20 and returned to Joint Base Andrews due to an issue with the Boeing VC-25 aircraft, temporarily delaying his trip to Europe and forcing the president to use a…

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