The DEAD Man’s Hand

The Air Force is renaming its traditional aviation bonus program in 2024 and continuing a new, experimental second program, ordered by Congress, aimed at getting aviators to extend their commitment sooner and for longer. While the programs can’t be doubled-up, aviators may be able to move from one to the…

Over 200 bundles containing food, toys, and supplies are set to drop from C-130Js flying across the western Pacific Ocean this weekend. The U.S. Air Force and its allies have gathered over 84,000 pounds of these supplies for ‘Operation Christmas Drop,’ scheduled to start Dec. 3 and continue through Dec.…

Whether it be civilians pointing commercial laser pointers in the sky or adversaries using military-grade lasers, USAF aviators face eye damage or potentially fatal distraction. Looking to counter these threats, members of the Aircrew Laser Eye Protection Program are working to roll out “Block 3” of the Air Force’s protective eyewear. 

The Department of the Air Force is still working on a first-of-its-kind suicide analysis that is meant to help the service refine its prevention and response efforts. Originally due in the spring, the Standardized Suicide Fatality Analysis report is taking longer than expected because this is the branch’s first time…

Boeing’s receipt of the 10th lot contract award for the KC-46 Pegasus this week leaves just three lots left to complete the Air Force’s buy of the tanker, although a further buy of 75 additional aircraft as a “bridge” to the Next-Generation Aerial-refueling System (NGAS) seems increasingly likely.

The average age for America’s fleet of F-15C Eagles is about 38 years old, and many of the aircraft’s spare parts are no longer produced or can take days to order from a manufacturer. Luckily, the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing has a metals technology shop at the Portland…

The U.S. military is leading the effort to find personnel that were aboard a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey that crashed off the coast of southern Japan, the Pentagon said. Eight Airmen were aboard the aircraft when went down in the ocean on Nov. 29, and the Pentagon says it…

The head of a new office created to oversee the modernization of the Air Force’s intercontinental ballistic missile fleet said he expects to receive a schedule update on the Sentinel program “at the end of the year” from contractor Northrop Grumman. Brig. Gen. Colin J. Connor, head of Air Force Global…

South Korea is set to launch its inaugural homemade reconnaissance satellite on Dec. 2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. While South Korea looks to build up its space surveillance capabilities, North Korea claimed the successful positioning of its first spy satellite from its launch last week, following two failed…