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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"><head><title>NATO Bulks Up Air Defenses</title><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=9; IE=8; IE=7; IE=EDGE" /><style type="text/css">body { margin: 0 !important; } #overall-container table { max-width: 680px !important; } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px) { body { width:100% !important; min-width:100% !important; } table, td { max-width: 100% !important; } table#email-container { width: 100% !important; } img { max-width: 100% !important; height: auto !important; } .bodytext, h2.article-title { margin: 0.8em !important; } .article-hr { margin: 1.0em 0.5em !important; } .footer-small p, .footer-small a { font-size: 0.4em !important; } .wp-post-image { margin: 0.3em 0 !important; } .editors-note { padding: 0.5em 0.8em !important; } }</style></head><body><div style="display: none; font-size: 1px; color: #333333; line-height: 1px; max-height: 0px; max-width: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden;">PLUS Reworked Special Ops Wing and What Went Wrong with Global Household Goods Contract</div><table id="overall-container" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><table id="email-container" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 680px;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.aarcorp.com/en/services/government-solutions/?utm_source=Geofencing&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=AFA+2025+Enewsletters&utm_id=AFA+2025+Enewsletters&utm_term=AFA+2025+Enewsletters&utm_content=AFA+2025+Enewsletters" target="_blank"><img width="680" height="90" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/08/AAR_Air-_-Space-Forces-Banner_AFA_680x90_ALT.jpg"></a></td></tr><tr class="logo"><td align="center"><img style="margin: 0;" alt="airforcemag daily report logo" height="92" width="450" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/Image/AFM_Daily_Report.jpg"></td></tr><tr class="date"><td align="center"><p class="bodytext" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #1E4A85; font-weight: bold; margin: 0 0 .8em !important;">Sept. 15, 2025</p></td></tr><tr class="date"><td align="center"><p class="article-author" style="font-size: 0.8em; text-align: center; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #666666; font-weight: normal; margin: 0 0 0.8em;">Edited by Greg Hadley with Chris Gordon, David Roza and John A. Tirpak</p></td></tr><tr class="view-in-browser"><td align="center"><a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/daily-report/20250915/?src=dr" style="background: #3F6EB2; border-radius: 9px; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 0.8em 2em; display: inline-block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: .7em; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em;" target="_blank">View In Browser</a></td></tr><tr class="featured-image"><td align="center"><img width="680" height="386" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/09/250912a-005.jpg" class="attachment-680x9999 size-680x9999 wp-post-image" alt="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0.8em 0 0.1em;" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/09/250912a-005.jpg 2200w, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/09/250912a-005-450x256.jpg 450w, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/09/250912a-005-792x450.jpg 792w, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/09/250912a-005-768x436.jpg 768w, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/09/250912a-005-675x384.jpg 675w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /><em style='display: block; font-size: 0.8em; margin-bottom: 0.6em'>NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich announce the launch of “Eastern Sentry” at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 12, 2025. NATO Photo</em></td></tr><tr class="article"><td><h2 class="article-title" style="font-size: 1.1em; text-align: center; margin: 0; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0.8em 0; line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/nato-air-defenses-eastern-sentry-russian-drones/?src=dr" style="text-decoration: none; color: #222222;">NATO Bulks Up Air Defenses with ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Shootdown of Russian Drones</a></h2><p class="article-author" style="font-size: 0.8em; text-align: center; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #666666; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.8em 0;">By Chris Gordon</p><p class="bodytext" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7;">NATO is bolstering defenses on its eastern border with Russia following the intrusion of Russian drones into the alliance's airspace in Poland last week. The alliance launched a new operation called Eastern Sentry on Sept. 12 in response with an immediate focus on air defense, especially drones.</p></td></tr><tr><td><hr class="article-hr" style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #aaaaaa; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr class="article"><td><h2 class="article-title" style="font-size: 1.1em; text-align: center; margin: 0; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0.8em 0; line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/afsoc-wing-davis-monthan-cv-22/?src=dr" style="text-decoration: none; color: #222222;">Air Force Reworks Plan for Special Ops Wing at Davis-Monthan</a></h2><p class="article-author" style="font-size: 0.8em; text-align: center; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #666666; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.8em 0;">By Greg Hadley</p><p class="bodytext" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7;">The Air Force’s plans for a new special operations wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., to replace retiring A-10s are moving forward—and changing. </p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="https://strat.box.com/s/s7efrtgd60dj5suxb6jybe6db747n9rr"><img width="680" height="265" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/08/GTP_10758_AFA_Sept_2025_DailyReport_680x265_v03-OL.jpg" style="margin: 1.1em 0;"></a></td></tr><tr class="article"><td><h2 class="article-title" style="font-size: 1.1em; text-align: center; margin: 0; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0.8em 0; line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/military-pcs-oversight-watchdog/?src=dr" style="text-decoration: none; color: #222222;">Watchdog Blames PCS Contractor Debacle in Part on Lack of Military Oversight</a></h2><p class="article-author" style="font-size: 0.8em; text-align: center; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #666666; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.8em 0;">By David Roza</p><p class="bodytext" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7;">A massive contract to manage thousands of PCS moves failed because U.S. Transportation Command did not adequately oversee the results, according to the Government Accountability Office.</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="https://www.marvintest.com/landing/smartcan3"><img width="680" height="265" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/08/MarvinTest_Sept25_680x265-OEM.jpg" style="margin: 1.1em 0;"></a></td></tr><tr class="article"><td><h2 class="article-title" style="font-size: 1.1em; text-align: center; margin: 0; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0.8em 0; line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/photos-air-force-shows-off-second-b-21-in-new-images/?src=dr" style="text-decoration: none; color: #222222;">PHOTOS: Air Force Shows Off Second B-21 in New Images</a></h2><p class="article-author" style="font-size: 0.8em; text-align: center; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #666666; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.8em 0;">By Greg Hadley and John A. Tirpak</p><p class="bodytext" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7;">On Sept. 12, the Air Force released half a dozen new photos of the second B-21 bomber to fly, giving observers and aviation enthusiasts another glimpse of the secretive Raider.</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="https://www.rtx.com/?utm_medium=ad&utm_source=airandspaceforces&utm_campaign=rtx-brand&utm_content=connectprotect-f35"><img width="680" height="265" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/09/RTX_PAS_digital-ads_680x265_0000_F35.jpg" style="margin: 1.1em 0;"></a></td></tr><tr class="row-spacer" height="25"><td> </td></tr><tr><td align="center" class="radar-sweep" style="background-color: #F4F5F9;"><table id="radar-sweep" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" valign="top" width="90%"></tbody><tr class="row-spacer" height="24"><td> </td></tr><tr class="title""><td align="center"><h3 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.3em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold;">Radar Sweep</h3></td></tr><tr class="row-spacer" height=12><td> </td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">These Charts Show How Putin Is Defying Trump by Escalating Airstrikes on Ukraine </h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.wsj.com/world/these-charts-show-how-putin-is-defying-trump-by-escalating-airstrikes-on-ukraine-f7eee47b?st=2PKKxZ&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Wall Street Journal</a> <em style="font-size: 0.8em;">(Gift Link)</em></p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">Russia has significantly escalated strikes on Ukraine since President Trump took office, data show, defying his call for peace by increasing the range of buildings hit, including civilian ones. The rise in strikes reflects Russia’s growing munitions production and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s avowed determination to achieve his goal of dominating Ukraine by military means. </p></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">PODCAST: CCA and Pilots: How Do We Communicate? </h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/podcast/cca-and-pilots/" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">AI is one of the hottest topics in defense, especially when it ties to Collaborative Combat Aircraft. How will warfighters interact with the CCA agents, and how does the Air Force continue to train the autonomy after landing? Joining host Heather “Lucky” Penney to dig into this are two AI experts: Mike “Pako” Benitez of Shield AI and Ray “Krypto” O’Mara of the Mitchell Institute. </p></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">Doubts, Confusion Surround Air Force Next-Gen Tanker Plans </h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/9/15/doubts-confusion-surround-air-force-next-gen-tanker-plans" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">National Defense Magazine</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">When the Air Force’s fiscal year 2026 budget request finally appeared in June, significant funding for the Next Generation Air-refueling System—known as NGAS—wasn’t included. That led many to conclude that the service had put on hold the concept, which included a potentially stealthy new tanker aircraft. But in late July, an Air Force spokesperson told National Defense, “No, the NGAS concept was conceived and is being analyzed as a family of systems with many options and variations, including current tankers with survivability mission systems.” </p></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">F-35 Lot 18 ‘Price Increase’ Due to Inflation, Rising Raw Material Cost Pentagon </h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/f-35-lot-18-price-increase-coming-due-to-inflation-rising-raw-material-cost-pentagon/" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Breaking Defense</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">The Pentagon says that inflation, an ever-rising cost of raw materials, and supply chain woes are to blame for a “significant price increase” of Lot 18 F-35 fighter jets, including those currently under negotiation with the Swiss military. </p></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">After Budget Limbo, Northrop Grumman Is Rapidly Fielding F-16 EW Suite to Middle East </h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/after-budget-limbo-northrop-grumman-is-rapidly-fielding-f-16-ew-suite-to-middle-east/" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Breaking Defense</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">The Air Force’s F-16-based electronic warfare suite is being rushed to the field to support an urgent requirement in the Middle East, according to industry officials. Northrop Grumman officials explained to reporters there is an urgent operational need for its AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite that was validated over the summer from Air Forces Central for 72 systems to be fielded as soon as possible. </p></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="https://veteranshelpgroup.com/0725-veterans-help-group-air-force-ad/" target="_blank"><img width="300" height="250" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/08/VHG-USAF-Ad-300x250-copy.jpg"></a></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">Golden Dome’s Cost Anywhere from Billions to Trillions Depending on Design </h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://spacenews.com/golden-domes-cost-anywhere-from-billions-to-trillions-depending-on-design/" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">SpaceNews</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">A new report estimates the Golden Dome missile defense program could cost anywhere from $252 billion to $3.6 trillion over 20 years—depending on which threats it counters and where it provides coverage. The vast range underscores how many questions remain unanswered eight months after Trump announced the initiative, according to a study published Sept. 12 by the American Enterprise Institute. </p></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">Utah Air Guard Base to Wind Down Tactical Air Control Party Squadron </h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/09/12/utah-air-guard-base-to-wind-down-tactical-air-control-party-squadron/" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Defense News</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">A Utah Air National Guard base will receive two new squadrons for cyber operations airmen, while losing a tactical air control party squadron, as the service continues to shift away from its Global War on Terror posture. The Air Force said Sept. 11 it has selected Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base to be the preferred location for the Air National Guard’s new cyber operations squadrons. The 109th Air Control Squadron at the base will also be inactivated, the Air Force said. </p></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">F-35s Arrive in Puerto Rico for Counter-Drug Operation </h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.twz.com/air/f-35b-joint-strike-fighters-arrive-in-puerto-rico-for-counter-drug-operation" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">The War Zone</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">A flight of six F-35B stealth fighters landed in Puerto Rico Sept. 13 to take part in the Trump administration’s enhanced operation against narcotraffickers, also aimed at Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. They will join one of the largest US military deployments to the Caribbean in years </p></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">Marine Corps Releases New Guidance on Maven Smart System Rollout </h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://defensescoop.com/2025/09/12/marine-corps-maradmin-maven-smart-system-mss-palantir-rollout/" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">DefenseScoop</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">The Marine Corps put out new guidance Sept. 11 about the availability and integration of AI-powered Maven Smart System capabilities across the force. The release came a day after the Corps announced a new contract with Palantir for an enterprise license for the company’s MSS tool. </p></td></tr><tr><td><hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #dddddd; margin: 1.6em 0;"></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><h2 style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1em; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; margin: 0;">Striking Defense Workers Reject Boeing Contract Offer</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/boeing-contract-defense-workers-strike.html" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">CNBC</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">Striking Boeing defense workers in Missouri voted Sept. 12 against the company’s latest offer of a modified contract deal, according to the union representing the workers. More than 3,000 workers in the St. Louis area will remain on strike, the first walkout in almost three decades. </p></td></tr><tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="dark-block" style="margin: 1em 0; background: #F4F5F9;" valign="top" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="row-spacer" height="25"><td style="background: #1f2a39; border-color: #1f2a39; border-top-right-radius: 9px; border-top-left-radius: 9px;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="background: #1f2a39;" align="center"><table width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td align="left"><h3 style="font-size: 1em; color: #dddddd; margin: 0; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.8em; font-weight: normal">One More Thing</h3><h2 style="font-size: 1em; color: #eeeeee; margin: 0; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.01em;">Airman Joins Recruiter Hall of Fame for Getting 100 People to Enlist </h2><p class="bodytext-radar"><a style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; color: #dddddd; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.03em; text-decoration: underline #bbbbbb solid;" href="https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-recruiter-century-club/" target="_blank">Task & Purpose</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0; color: #eeeeee; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.01em;">An Air Force recruiter has joined the service’s hall of fame for helping a staggering number of civilians decide they wanted to wake up early every day, wear the same clothes all the time, and do other genuinely important things, like selflessly serve their country. Tech. Sgt. Abdoulie Bah, a recruiter with the Air Force’s 350th Recruiting Squadron, got more than 100 new Airmen to join the service in fiscal year 2025, officials said in a release. </p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr class="row-spacer" height="25"><td style="background: #1f2a39; border-color: #1f2a39; border-bottom-left-radius: 9px; border-bottom-right-radius: 9px;"> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="https://www.uav.com/" target="_blank"><img width="680" height="265" style="margin: 0.8em 0;" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2025/08/GA_2508_CCA_Get_Real_YFQ-42A_HTML_680x265px_L18919.png"></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center" style="padding: 1.1em 0 1em; text-align: center; background: #2d3d44;"><table width="100%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 border=0><tbody><tr class="footer-logo"><td align="center"><img width="171" style="margin-bottom: 0.8em;" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/Image/ASF_mag_logo_white.png"></td></tr><tr class="footer-nav"><td align="center" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: 0.9em;"><a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/daily-report/?src=dr" style="font-size: 0.9em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Daily Report</a> | <a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/contact-us/?src=dr" style="font-size: 0.9em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Contact Us</a> | <a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/advertise/?src=dr" style="font-size: 0.9em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Advertise</a> | <a href="https://www.afa.org/join/?src=dr" style="font-size: 0.9em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Join AFA</a> | <a href="https://www.afa.org/?src=dr" style="font-size: 0.9em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Air & Space Forces Association</a> | <a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/reprint-permission/?src=dr" style="font-size: 0.9em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Reprints</a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><p style="margin: 0.8em 0 0;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ASForcesMag" target="_blank"><img src="https://cdn2.iconfinder.com/data/icons/social-icons-33/128/Facebook-512.png" width="33"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ASForcesMag" target="_blank"><img src="https://cdn0.iconfinder.com/data/icons/social-network-7/50/4-512.png" width="35"></a></p></td></tr><tr class="footer-small"><td align="center"><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #555555; font-size: 0.6em; margin: 0.8em 0">Published by the Air & Space Forces Association.<br/><a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/?src=dr" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #214a86; font-size: 1em;" target="_blank">airandspaceforces.com</a> material is under copyright by the Air & Space Forces Association. 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Air & Space Forces Magazine Daily Report for Sept. 15, 2025 View in your Web Browser: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/daily-report/20250915/?src=dr Edited by Greg Hadley with Chris Gordon, David Roza and John A. Tirpak -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.aarcorp.com/en/services/government-solutions/?utm_source=Geofencing&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=AFA+2025+Enewsletters&utm_id=AFA+2025+Enewsletters&utm_term=AFA+2025+Enewsletters&utm_content=AFA+2025+Enewsletters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NATO Bulks Up Air Defenses with ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Shootdown of Russian Drones By Chris Gordon NATO is bolstering defenses on its eastern border with Russia following the intrusion of Russian drones into the alliance's airspace in Poland last week. The alliance launched a new operation called Eastern Sentry on Sept. 12 in response with an immediate focus on air defense, especially drones. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/nato-air-defenses-eastern-sentry-russian-drones/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air Force Reworks Plan for Special Ops Wing at Davis-Monthan By Greg Hadley The Air Force’s plans for a new special operations wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., to replace retiring A-10s are moving forward—and changing. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/afsoc-wing-davis-monthan-cv-22/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://strat.box.com/s/s7efrtgd60dj5suxb6jybe6db747n9rr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watchdog Blames PCS Contractor Debacle in Part on Lack of Military Oversight By David Roza A massive contract to manage thousands of PCS moves failed because U.S. Transportation Command did not adequately oversee the results, according to the Government Accountability Office. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/military-pcs-oversight-watchdog/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.marvintest.com/landing/smartcan3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PHOTOS: Air Force Shows Off Second B-21 in New Images By Greg Hadley and John A. Tirpak On Sept. 12, the Air Force released half a dozen new photos of the second B-21 bomber to fly, giving observers and aviation enthusiasts another glimpse of the secretive Raider. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/photos-air-force-shows-off-second-b-21-in-new-images/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.rtx.com/?utm_medium=ad&utm_source=airandspaceforces&utm_campaign=rtx-brand&utm_content=connectprotect-f35 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Radar Sweep -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Charts Show How Putin Is Defying Trump by Escalating Airstrikes on Ukraine Russia has significantly escalated strikes on Ukraine since President Trump took office, data show, defying his call for peace by increasing the range of buildings hit, including civilian ones. The rise in strikes reflects Russia’s growing munitions production and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s avowed determination to achieve his goal of dominating Ukraine by military means. https://www.wsj.com/world/these-charts-show-how-putin-is-defying-trump-by-escalating-airstrikes-on-ukraine-f7eee47b?st=2PKKxZ&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink (Gift Link) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PODCAST: CCA and Pilots: How Do We Communicate? AI is one of the hottest topics in defense, especially when it ties to Collaborative Combat Aircraft. How will warfighters interact with the CCA agents, and how does the Air Force continue to train the autonomy after landing? Joining host Heather “Lucky” Penney to dig into this are two AI experts: Mike “Pako” Benitez of Shield AI and Ray “Krypto” O’Mara of the Mitchell Institute. https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/podcast/cca-and-pilots/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doubts, Confusion Surround Air Force Next-Gen Tanker Plans When the Air Force’s fiscal year 2026 budget request finally appeared in June, significant funding for the Next Generation Air-refueling System—known as NGAS—wasn’t included. That led many to conclude that the service had put on hold the concept, which included a potentially stealthy new tanker aircraft. But in late July, an Air Force spokesperson told National Defense, “No, the NGAS concept was conceived and is being analyzed as a family of systems with many options and variations, including current tankers with survivability mission systems.” https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/9/15/doubts-confusion-surround-air-force-next-gen-tanker-plans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F-35 Lot 18 ‘Price Increase’ Due to Inflation, Rising Raw Material Cost Pentagon The Pentagon says that inflation, an ever-rising cost of raw materials, and supply chain woes are to blame for a “significant price increase” of Lot 18 F-35 fighter jets, including those currently under negotiation with the Swiss military. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/f-35-lot-18-price-increase-coming-due-to-inflation-rising-raw-material-cost-pentagon/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After Budget Limbo, Northrop Grumman Is Rapidly Fielding F-16 EW Suite to Middle East The Air Force’s F-16-based electronic warfare suite is being rushed to the field to support an urgent requirement in the Middle East, according to industry officials. Northrop Grumman officials explained to reporters there is an urgent operational need for its AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite that was validated over the summer from Air Forces Central for 72 systems to be fielded as soon as possible. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/after-budget-limbo-northrop-grumman-is-rapidly-fielding-f-16-ew-suite-to-middle-east/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://veteranshelpgroup.com/0725-veterans-help-group-air-force-ad/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Golden Dome’s Cost Anywhere from Billions to Trillions Depending on Design A new report estimates the Golden Dome missile defense program could cost anywhere from $252 billion to $3.6 trillion over 20 years—depending on which threats it counters and where it provides coverage. The vast range underscores how many questions remain unanswered eight months after Trump announced the initiative, according to a study published Sept. 12 by the American Enterprise Institute. https://spacenews.com/golden-domes-cost-anywhere-from-billions-to-trillions-depending-on-design/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Utah Air Guard Base to Wind Down Tactical Air Control Party Squadron A Utah Air National Guard base will receive two new squadrons for cyber operations airmen, while losing a tactical air control party squadron, as the service continues to shift away from its Global War on Terror posture. The Air Force said Sept. 11 it has selected Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base to be the preferred location for the Air National Guard’s new cyber operations squadrons. The 109th Air Control Squadron at the base will also be inactivated, the Air Force said. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/09/12/utah-air-guard-base-to-wind-down-tactical-air-control-party-squadron/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F-35s Arrive in Puerto Rico for Counter-Drug Operation A flight of six F-35B stealth fighters landed in Puerto Rico Sept. 13 to take part in the Trump administration’s enhanced operation against narcotraffickers, also aimed at Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. They will join one of the largest US military deployments to the Caribbean in years https://www.twz.com/air/f-35b-joint-strike-fighters-arrive-in-puerto-rico-for-counter-drug-operation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marine Corps Releases New Guidance on Maven Smart System Rollout The Marine Corps put out new guidance Sept. 11 about the availability and integration of AI-powered Maven Smart System capabilities across the force. The release came a day after the Corps announced a new contract with Palantir for an enterprise license for the company’s MSS tool. https://defensescoop.com/2025/09/12/marine-corps-maradmin-maven-smart-system-mss-palantir-rollout/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Striking Defense Workers Reject Boeing Contract Offer Striking Boeing defense workers in Missouri voted Sept. 12 against the company’s latest offer of a modified contract deal, according to the union representing the workers. More than 3,000 workers in the St. Louis area will remain on strike, the first walkout in almost three decades. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/boeing-contract-defense-workers-strike.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One More Thing... Airman Joins Recruiter Hall of Fame for Getting 100 People to Enlist An Air Force recruiter has joined the service’s hall of fame for helping a staggering number of civilians decide they wanted to wake up early every day, wear the same clothes all the time, and do other genuinely important things, like selflessly serve their country. Tech. Sgt. Abdoulie Bah, a recruiter with the Air Force’s 350th Recruiting Squadron, got more than 100 new Airmen to join the service in fiscal year 2025, officials said in a release. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-recruiter-century-club/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.uav.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Daily Report: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/daily-report/ - Contact Us: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/contact-us/ - Advertise With Us: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/advertise/ - Purchase/Reprint: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/reprint-permission/ - Air & Space Forces Assoc.: https://www.afa.org - Join AFA: https://www.afa.org/join/ - A&SF Mag on Facebook: https://facebook.com/ASForcesMag - A&SF Mag on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ASForcesMag -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published by the Air & Space Forces Association All airandspaceforces.com material is under copyright of the Air & Space Forces Association. 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