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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>US Strikes Iran to Retaliate for Downed Apache</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: KC-135s Damaged in Epic Fury Will Fly Again and Protected SATCOM Contracts</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.fodcheck.com/fod-prevention?utm_source=afa-june-2026&utm_medium=email-banner" target="_blank"><img width="680" height="90" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/05/FODS_June26_DR_680x90.png"></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;">June 10, 2026</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 Courtney Albon, Chris Gordon, Stephen Losey and Todd South</p></td></tr><tr class="view-in-browser"><td align="center"><a href="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/daily-report/20260610/?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="453" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/06/9697502-scaled.jpg" class="attachment-680x9999 size-680x9999 wp-post-image" alt="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0.8em 0 0.1em;" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/06/9697502-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/06/9697502-450x300.jpg 450w, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/06/9697502-675x450.jpg 675w, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/06/9697502-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/06/9697502-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /><em style='display: block; font-size: 0.8em; margin-bottom: 0.6em'>An AH-64E Apache assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division prepares to land in a forward arming and refueling point in order to receive refuel before conducting operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 2, 2026. U.S. Marine Corps 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/downed-apache-iran-retaliation-strikes/?src=dr" style="text-decoration: none; color: #222222;">US Launches Strikes on Iran in Retaliation for Downed Apache Helicopter</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;">The U.S. military launched “self-defense” airstrikes against Iran on June 9 in response to the downing of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, which President Donald Trump said was shot down by Iran.</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/wilsbach-kc-135s-damaged-epic-fury-return-to-service/?src=dr" style="text-decoration: none; color: #222222;">Wilsbach: KC-135s Damaged in Epic Fury Will Return to Service, Some Will Take ‘Year or Two’</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 Stephen Losey</p><p class="bodytext" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7;">Air Force leaders expect all six KC-135 Stratotankers that were damaged but not destroyed as part of Operation Epic Fury will eventually be repaired and returned to service. Some of those damaged KC-135s are already flying again, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, said, but the most heavily damaged could take a year or two to be fully repaired.</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="https://www.rtx.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=a-sf-daily-report&utm_campaign=rtx-brand&utm_content=connectprotect-c130"><img width="680" height="265" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/06/RTX_CP_680x265_0002_C130-1.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/space-force-picks-intelsat-viasat-protected-satcom-program/?src=dr" style="text-decoration: none; color: #222222;">Space Force Picks Intelsat, Viasat for Protected SATCOM Program</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 Courtney Albon</p><p class="bodytext" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7;">The Space Force announced contract awards to Intelsat General and Viasat to begin building a constellation of satellites in geosynchronous orbit for protected, secure communications.</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/military-focused-ai-tools-administrative-work/?src=dr" style="text-decoration: none; color: #222222;">Military-Specific AI Tools Aim to Ease Admin Workload</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 Todd South</p><p class="bodytext" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin: 0; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7;">GenAI.mil, the Pentagon’s main generative artificial intelligence platform, has more than 1 million users and access to some of the world’s biggest AI models like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. But a handful of startups, including one founded by an Air Force veteran, say there’s room for more military-focused AI tools too.</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="https://www.rise8.us/prodacity/about?utm_campaign=8913550-Prodacity%202026&utm_source=AFA&utm_medium=june_dailyreport&utm_content=AI"><img width="680" height="265" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Rise8_June26_Prodacity26_680x265.png" 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/oa-1k-new-capabilities-backing-lawmakers/?src=dr" style="text-decoration: none; color: #222222;">AFSOC’s Skyraider Demos New Sensors, Gains Favor in Congress</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;">As L3Harris proves its OA-1K Skyraider II special operations aircraft can carry a signals intelligence sensor and electronic attack weapon, a key congressional committee is poised to boost production of the converted Air Tractor prop plane. </p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="https://armynavy.usaaevents.com"><img width="680" height="265" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/05/USAA_June26_DR_680x265.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;">In Memo to CENTCOM Leaders, Cooper Warns of Duty to Protect Civilians</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06/in-memo-to-centcom-commanders-cooper-warns-of-duty-to-protect-civilians/" 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;">As the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran continues to teeter, the man in charge of leading America’s military operations has sent a direct message to the forces under his command: “protecting civilian life” is paramount and a key part of their job.</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;">What If the A-10 Had AI & Electronic Warfare Gear?</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/06/warthog-ai-electronic-warfare/414045/?oref=d1-featured-river-secondary" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Defense One</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">Lawmakers want to see if the Air Force’s venerable A-10 Thunderbolt IIs can be souped up with artificial intelligence, electronic warfare gear, or better comms to keep it in the fight.</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;">Pentagon Approves Long-Range, Autonomous Counter-UAS System for Use Across the Military After Border Testing</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://defensescoop.com/2026/06/09/pentagon-approves-autonomous-counter-drone-system-after-border-testing/" 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 Pentagon’s counter-drone task force tested a defensive system near the southern border last month that officials said is capable of long-range targeting and 24/7 automated sensing against unmanned aerial threats, approving it for use across the 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 FCAS Demise, Germany’s Options Include Ordering More F-35 Warplanes</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/06/09/after-fcas-demise-germanys-options-include-ordering-more-f-35-warplanes/" 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;">German defense leaders will go back to the drawing board in their quest for a next-generation fighter jet following the end of the once-ambitious French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System.</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;">Collins, McConnell: ‘Safe to Conclude’ Third Reconciliation Bill Not Happening</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5916477-third-reconciliation-bill-collins-mcconnell-defense-funding/" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Hill</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">Two senior Republican senators on June 9 agreed Congress is unlikely to pass a third reconciliation bill, cautioning against relying on the possibility for defense funding.</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://www.afa.org/doolittle-leadership-center/podcast/" target="_blank"><img width="300" height="250" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/05/DLC-Podcast_300x250.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;">Inside Ukraine’s AI-Enabled Drone Campaign Targeting Russian Logistics Deep Behind the Lines</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.twz.com/news-features/inside-ukraines-ai-enabled-drone-campaign-targeting-russian-logistics-deep-behind-the-lines" 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;">Over the past several weeks, news began emerging about Ukraine’s use of modified, AI-enhanced kamikaze drones to target Russian cargo trucks, fuel tankers, railroad cars and even vessels as far as 150 miles behind the front lines. Dubbed the mid-range strike campaign by Kyiv, this effort is having a devastating effect on Russian logistics, cutting off key highways to Crimea, helping to halt Moscow’s gains, and pave the way for Ukrainian advances.</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;">Airbus Unveils Ravenstorm CCA Concept in Berlin</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/airbus-unveils-ravenstorm-cca-concept-berlin" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Aviation Week</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">Airbus is giving a peek at its collaborative combat aircraft plans beyond its partnership with Kratos, saying it plans to have an in-house developed system called the U760 Ravenstorm ready for delivery by 2032.</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;">Families at a Texas Air Force Base Say Neighborhoods Overrun by Weeds</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://taskandpurpose.com/news/lackland-air-base-overgrown/" style="color: #214a86; font-size: 1em; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Task & Purpose</a> </p><p class="bodytext-radar" style="font-size: 1em; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: #555555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0;">Neighbors at a Texas Air Force Base say that they have seen poisonous snakes and scorpions hiding in waist-high weeds and grass in base neighborhoods where landscaping crews have not worked in over a month. Families at Lackland Air Force Base, which is home to Air Force basic training, shared photos with Task & Purpose of waist-high grass that residents say has been allowed to grow by base housing officials since the first week of May.</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;">Why Does It Take Years to Get a Patriot Missile From Factory to Front Line?</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.wsj.com/world/why-does-it-take-years-to-get-a-patriot-missile-from-factory-to-front-line-3e5874c5?st=UttULT&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;">The newest Patriot surface-to-air missiles can be fired in seconds, but take more than two years to build and cost around $4 million each. Despite that math, the U.S. and its allies can’t get enough of them.</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;">Putin Offers Su-57 to India as New Delhi Faces Stealth Fighter Gap</h2><p><a class="radar-link" href="https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/06/09/putin-offers-su-57-to-india-as-new-delhi-faces-stealth-fighter-gap/" 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;">Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered India joint production of the country’s most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Su-57, and said Moscow was willing to cooperate without “limitations.”</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;">VIDEO: Pope Leo Travels in Plane Cockpit on His Flight to Barcelona</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://www.nbcnews.com/video/pope-leo-travels-in-plane-cockpit-on-his-spain-visit-second-leg-flight-to-barcelona-264838725687" target="_blank">NBC News</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;">Starting the second leg of his trip to Spain, Pope Leo sat up front with the pilots and spoke on the radio to a Spanish Air Force fighter jet that was escorting them.</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://givebutter.com/afa-80yearsDailyReport" target="_blank"><img width="680" height="265" style="margin: 0.8em 0;" src="https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2026/06/AFA_STEM-Program_DR_680x265_revised.jpg"></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; 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Air & Space Forces Magazine Daily Report for June 10, 2026 View in your Web Browser: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/daily-report/20260610/?src=dr Edited by Greg Hadley with Courtney Albon, Chris Gordon, Stephen Losey and Todd South -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.fodcheck.com/fod-prevention?utm_source=afa-june-2026&utm_medium=email-banner -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- US Launches Strikes on Iran in Retaliation for Downed Apache Helicopter By Chris Gordon The U.S. military launched “self-defense” airstrikes against Iran on June 9 in response to the downing of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, which President Donald Trump said was shot down by Iran. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/downed-apache-iran-retaliation-strikes/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wilsbach: KC-135s Damaged in Epic Fury Will Return to Service, Some Will Take ‘Year or Two’ By Stephen Losey Air Force leaders expect all six KC-135 Stratotankers that were damaged but not destroyed as part of Operation Epic Fury will eventually be repaired and returned to service. Some of those damaged KC-135s are already flying again, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, said, but the most heavily damaged could take a year or two to be fully repaired. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/wilsbach-kc-135s-damaged-epic-fury-return-to-service/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.rtx.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=a-sf-daily-report&utm_campaign=rtx-brand&utm_content=connectprotect-c130 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Space Force Picks Intelsat, Viasat for Protected SATCOM Program By Courtney Albon The Space Force announced contract awards to Intelsat General and Viasat to begin building a constellation of satellites in geosynchronous orbit for protected, secure communications. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-picks-intelsat-viasat-protected-satcom-program/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Military-Specific AI Tools Aim to Ease Admin Workload By Todd South GenAI.mil, the Pentagon’s main generative artificial intelligence platform, has more than 1 million users and access to some of the world’s biggest AI models like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. But a handful of startups, including one founded by an Air Force veteran, say there’s room for more military-focused AI tools too. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/military-focused-ai-tools-administrative-work/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.rise8.us/prodacity/about?utm_campaign=8913550-Prodacity%202026&utm_source=AFA&utm_medium=june_dailyreport&utm_content=AI -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFSOC’s Skyraider Demos New Sensors, Gains Favor in Congress By Greg Hadley As L3Harris proves its OA-1K Skyraider II special operations aircraft can carry a signals intelligence sensor and electronic attack weapon, a key congressional committee is poised to boost production of the converted Air Tractor prop plane. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/oa-1k-new-capabilities-backing-lawmakers/?src=dr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://armynavy.usaaevents.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Radar Sweep -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Memo to CENTCOM Leaders, Cooper Warns of Duty to Protect Civilians As the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran continues to teeter, the man in charge of leading America’s military operations has sent a direct message to the forces under his command: “protecting civilian life” is paramount and a key part of their job. https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06/in-memo-to-centcom-commanders-cooper-warns-of-duty-to-protect-civilians/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What If the A-10 Had AI & Electronic Warfare Gear? Lawmakers want to see if the Air Force’s venerable A-10 Thunderbolt IIs can be souped up with artificial intelligence, electronic warfare gear, or better comms to keep it in the fight. https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/06/warthog-ai-electronic-warfare/414045/?oref=d1-featured-river-secondary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pentagon Approves Long-Range, Autonomous Counter-UAS System for Use Across the Military After Border Testing The Pentagon’s counter-drone task force tested a defensive system near the southern border last month that officials said is capable of long-range targeting and 24/7 automated sensing against unmanned aerial threats, approving it for use across the military. https://defensescoop.com/2026/06/09/pentagon-approves-autonomous-counter-drone-system-after-border-testing/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After FCAS Demise, Germany’s Options Include Ordering More F-35 Warplanes German defense leaders will go back to the drawing board in their quest for a next-generation fighter jet following the end of the once-ambitious French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/06/09/after-fcas-demise-germanys-options-include-ordering-more-f-35-warplanes/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Collins, McConnell: ‘Safe to Conclude’ Third Reconciliation Bill Not Happening Two senior Republican senators on June 9 agreed Congress is unlikely to pass a third reconciliation bill, cautioning against relying on the possibility for defense funding. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5916477-third-reconciliation-bill-collins-mcconnell-defense-funding/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://www.afa.org/doolittle-leadership-center/podcast/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inside Ukraine’s AI-Enabled Drone Campaign Targeting Russian Logistics Deep Behind the Lines Over the past several weeks, news began emerging about Ukraine’s use of modified, AI-enhanced kamikaze drones to target Russian cargo trucks, fuel tankers, railroad cars and even vessels as far as 150 miles behind the front lines. Dubbed the mid-range strike campaign by Kyiv, this effort is having a devastating effect on Russian logistics, cutting off key highways to Crimea, helping to halt Moscow’s gains, and pave the way for Ukrainian advances. https://www.twz.com/news-features/inside-ukraines-ai-enabled-drone-campaign-targeting-russian-logistics-deep-behind-the-lines -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Airbus Unveils Ravenstorm CCA Concept in Berlin Airbus is giving a peek at its collaborative combat aircraft plans beyond its partnership with Kratos, saying it plans to have an in-house developed system called the U760 Ravenstorm ready for delivery by 2032. https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/airbus-unveils-ravenstorm-cca-concept-berlin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Families at a Texas Air Force Base Say Neighborhoods Overrun by Weeds Neighbors at a Texas Air Force Base say that they have seen poisonous snakes and scorpions hiding in waist-high weeds and grass in base neighborhoods where landscaping crews have not worked in over a month. Families at Lackland Air Force Base, which is home to Air Force basic training, shared photos with Task & Purpose of waist-high grass that residents say has been allowed to grow by base housing officials since the first week of May. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/lackland-air-base-overgrown/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why Does It Take Years to Get a Patriot Missile From Factory to Front Line? The newest Patriot surface-to-air missiles can be fired in seconds, but take more than two years to build and cost around $4 million each. Despite that math, the U.S. and its allies can’t get enough of them. https://www.wsj.com/world/why-does-it-take-years-to-get-a-patriot-missile-from-factory-to-front-line-3e5874c5?st=UttULT&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink (Gift Link) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Putin Offers Su-57 to India as New Delhi Faces Stealth Fighter Gap Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered India joint production of the country’s most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Su-57, and said Moscow was willing to cooperate without “limitations.” https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/06/09/putin-offers-su-57-to-india-as-new-delhi-faces-stealth-fighter-gap/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One More Thing... VIDEO: Pope Leo Travels in Plane Cockpit on His Flight to Barcelona Starting the second leg of his trip to Spain, Pope Leo sat up front with the pilots and spoke on the radio to a Spanish Air Force fighter jet that was escorting them. https://www.nbcnews.com/video/pope-leo-travels-in-plane-cockpit-on-his-spain-visit-second-leg-flight-to-barcelona-264838725687 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Advertisement ] https://givebutter.com/afa-80yearsDailyReport -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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. All rights reserved. The Air & Space Forces Association 1201 S. Joyce Street, C6, Arlington, VA 22202 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe or change your preferences, please visit the link below: {{EmailPreferenceCenter}} --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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