Three Air Force MAJCOMs Get New Leaders
With less pomp and public attention because of the government shutdown, three Air Force major commands have gained new leaders in the past week—continuing a major revamp of the service’s senior leadership.
Space Force Rebrands Operations Command as Combat Forces Command
The Space Force officially renamed Space Operations Command to Combat Forces Command on Nov. 3, a change it says better reflects the service’s warfighting focus.
Former ACC Command Chief Wolfe Tapped as New CMSAF
Chief Master Sgt. David R. Wolfe will be the 21st Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the service announced Nov. 6.
Dick Cheney’s Legacy with the Air Force
Dick Cheney, who died Nov. 3 at 84, is best remembered by most Americans as among the most powerful Vice Presidents in history, a consummate Washington insider who had previously served in the Nixon administration, was Chief of Staff for President Gerald Ford, a Congressman for a decade, and Secretary of Defense for President George H.W. Bush. It was as Defense Secretary from 1989-1993 that Cheney left a lasting thumbprint on the U.S. Air Force.
Radar Sweep
US Sends Attack Aircraft to El Salvador Amid Regional Troop Buildup
The New York Times
At least three U.S. military aircraft, including a heavily armed attack plane, have begun flying missions out of El Salvador’s main international airport in an expansion of the extraordinary U.S. troop buildup in the Caribbean, according to an analysis of satellite images, air traffic control communications, and flight tracking data.
Senate Rejects Bipartisan Resolution That Would Block Trump Military Action Against Venezuela
NBC News
The Senate on Nov. 6 voted down a measure requiring congressional approval for any military action by President Donald Trump against Venezuela.
VIDEO: A Broader Look at Dynamic Space Operations
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
The U.S. military space architecture is at an inflection point. The old way of operating systems with static missions and predictable orbits must transform to one defined by dynamic space operations (DSO)–the ability to frequently and rapidly change parameters. Through alternative methods of satellite delivery, operations, and sustainment, the Space Force can increase the resilience and effectiveness of America’s space architecture. This will also accelerate the adoption of time-proven principles of warfare that will maintain the initiative for U.S. forces and create compounding problems for potential adversaries–ultimately contributing to the deterrent posture of the United States.
USAF Inspects KC-135s After Discovering Falsified Certifications
Aviation Week
The U.S. Air Force has inspected and cleared its KC-135 fleet after the service discovered falsified certifications at a main technical repair shop. An October memorandum from Air Mobility Command, verified by Aviation Week, identified the risk with the aircraft’s stabilizer trim actuator assemblies.
GCAP Fighter Jet Designers Push to Keep Weapons, Drone Options Open
Defense News
The new sixth-generation GCAP fighter should be able to carry a wide variety of armaments and work with any number of different “Loyal Wingman” drones, a leading official on the UK-Japanese-Italy program has said.
L3Harris Exec Says Greece Close to Decision for Electronic Warfare Package on F-16 Upgrade
Breaking Defense
A senior L3Harris executive has said that Greece will soon decide on a new electronic warfare (EW) suite to equip a fleet of upgraded F-16 fourth-generation fighter jets.
Exercise Underscored Need for AI, Autonomy, C2, and Networks
Defense One
Pacific Air Forces’ massive REFORPAC exercise in the Pacific this summer “identified the capabilities that we need to win in this theater,” the command’s deputy leader said last week: namely, artificial intelligence, autonomy, machine learning; improved command and control capabilities; and resilient cyber networks “that can communicate securely in expeditionary environments and survive relentless attacks.”
Nominee for Pentagon CAPE Director Says Office’s Workforce Is Strained, Needs New Tech
DefenseScoop
The Trump administration’s nominee for director of the Pentagon’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office told lawmakers that the organization’s workforce is “strained” and needs to be equipped with new technologies. Michael Payne, a former Air Force officer, has recently been serving as the acting director of CAPE and previously worked there in other top positions as a member of the Senior Executive Service.
VIDEO: What to Expect from Military AI in 2030
Breaking Defense
In a new Breaking Defense video on the future of military AI, Breaking Defense Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and our in-house AI expert Sydney Freedberg are joined by Kateryna Bondar of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Joshua Wallin of the Center for a New American Security to explore what the next five years may hold and where challenges still loom ahead.
Golden Dome Missile Shield Key to Ensuring Nuclear Second-Strike Capability: US Admiral
The War Zone
Akey aspect of the Trump administration’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative is ensuring America’s ability to launch retaliatory nuclear strikes, the nominee to become the next head of U.S. Strategic Command has stressed.
The Unregulated Industry That Coaches Veterans to Pile on Benefits
The Washington Post
Meet Combat Craig, a grizzled and plainspoken online influencer who has helped drive a booming, unregulated industry of for-profit firms that coach former service members to take advantage of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ $193 billion disability compensation system—and take a cut for themselves.
