Editor’s Note
Air & Space Forces Magazine will not publish Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. We’ll be back in your inboxes Tuesday, May 26.
KC-135 Pulled Out of Boneyard Weeks After Another Crashed in Iraq
The Air Force pulled a KC-135 out of storage at the “Boneyard” in early April, three weeks after another one of the service’s Stratotankers crashed in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury.
New Report: Time Is Now to Start Work on Guardians in Space to Counter China
To counter Chinese ambitions, the U.S. Space Force must start work now to put Guardians in orbit and on the moon in the decades to come, according to a new paper from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
Kadena to Get First F-15EXs in 2027 After Delay, Meink Says
The first F-15EX Eagle IIs will arrive at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, in 2027—a year later than originally planned—and the last of 36 planned fighters will likely get there in 2028, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said May 21.
Space Force Sees Path to Operationalize On-Orbit Logistics Demos
As the Space Force makes plans for two on-orbit refueling and maneuver demonstrations in 2027—and closely watches similar government and commercial endeavors—the service official overseeing the effort say he want to take these capabilities from demo to operations in short order.
YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft Returns to Flight with Software Fix After Crash
The YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft has resumed flight testing after a six-week pause initiated when one of the drones crashed in early April.
Radar Sweep
US Intel Community Analyzing How Cuba Might Respond to Military Action
CBS News
The U.S. intelligence community has been exploring how Cuba might respond to an American military action, CBS News has learned. Earlier this month, as the U.S. intelligence community tracked the Universal, a sanctioned Russian-flagged oil tanker bound for Cuba, analysts at the Pentagon and Defense Intelligence Agency, the U.S. military's intelligence arm, started to analyze what the Cuban response would be to an American attack on the Caribbean country.
SpaceX Scrubs May 21 Launch of Starship V3 from Texas
Reuters
SpaceX on May 21 scrubbed the launch of its 12th Starship rocket from Texas and said it will attempt it again on May 22. Starship V3, uncrewed and featuring dozens of upgrades tailored for rapid Starlink satellite launches and NASA moon missions, was to be a key test for the vehicle following months of testing delays.
To Train for Contested Environments, SOCOM and SOUTHCOM Want More Ranges, Authority
Breaking Defense
The heads of U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Southern Command this week hit on a common need that each said they need to be ready for modern combat threats: more leeway to use test ranges that simulate contested environments.
US Bears Brunt of Israel’s Missile Defense, Pentagon Assessments Show
The Washington Post
The U.S. military has depleted much of its inventory of advanced missile-defense interceptors after expending far more high-end munitions defending Israel amid hostilities with Iran than Israeli forces used themselves, according to Defense Department assessments described to The Washington Post.
Hurst Nominated as Full Pentagon Comptroller
Breaking Defense
The White House on May 20 officially nominated Jules “Jay” Hurst to officially take on the role of Pentagon comptroller, according to a Congressional notification. If the Senate approves his nomination, Hurst will be the first Senate-appointed comptroller since President Donald Trump was sworn into office for his second term in January 2025.
Army Plans to Launch Marketplace to Streamline US Weapons Exports to Allies
DefenseScoop
In the coming weeks, the Army will introduce an online marketplace where the United States’ allies and partners can quickly purchase American-made defense systems.
Italy Settles on Airbus Tanker Purchase in Swing Toward European Equipment
Defense News
Italy is to buy six Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport aircraft in a €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) deal after 15 years of flying Boeing tankers.
Air Boss Orders Flight Demo Team Safety Stand Down Following Growler Crash
USNI News
U.S. Naval Air Forces issued a safety stand down for four tactical aviation teams following a crash between two EA-18G Growlers at an air show over the weekend.
Two Injured in ‘Incident’ at Eglin AFB High Explosives Facility
Pensacola News Journal
Two people were injured in an incident at an explosives research and development facility aboard Eglin Air Force Base, according to a news release from the base.
Air Force Could Save Millions by Reducing PCS Moves, but Culture Could Complicate Reform
Federal News Network
The Air Force could save hundreds of millions of dollars each year by moving service members less frequently and extending assignment lengths, according to a new RAND study that also warns such changes would require a major cultural shift across the force.
Michael Bay to Direct True Story on Largest Rescue Mission in American History to Save Two Downed Pilots in Iran
Deadline
Universal Pictures and director Michael Bay are teaming up to tell the heroic true story behind the recent rescue mission to save two downed pilots behind enemy lines in Iran. Sources tell Deadline that Bay is developing a feature film chronicling the extraordinary heroism of the two U.S. airmen rescued after their F-15E Strike Eagle was downed during Operation Epic Fury. The film will be based on the upcoming book by Mitchell Zuckoff, which HarperCollins will publish in 2027.