Hog Smokes Enemy Compound

A US Air Force A-10 Warthog fired several GBU-12 bombs near Musah Qala’eh in Afghanistan on Monday, destroying an enemy compound from which coalition forces had come under fire. US Central Air Forces officials say the air strike killed some...

SDB Goes Operational

SDB Goes Operational: Munitions maintenance airmen of the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England, have been getting schooled on the Air Force’s newest munition—the Small Diameter Bomb, or GBU-39. The wing will be deploying F-15E fighters equipped with the SDB...

It’s Not Over Till It’s Over

It’s Not Over Till It’s Over: Is the Air Force planning to relocate the 46th Test Wing from Eglin AFB, Fla., to Edwards AFB, Calif.? That question is the topic of the hour for Eglin’s civilian workforce and surrounding communities,...

The Bomber Switch

The Bomber Switch: Two B-2 bomber units from Whiteman AFB, Mo., have switched places—the 13th Bomb Squadron has replaced the 393rd Bomb Squadron for the next rotational bomber duty at Andersen AFB, Guam. The bomber unit joins other deployed USAF...

Air Guard Has Another Good Month

Air Guard Has Another Good Month: According to the latest recruiting and retention data, the Air National Guard, which has been struggling to reach its goal this year, achieved 19 percent above its June goal. All the active services made...

The End Is Near for Wisconsin Reserve Wing

The End Is Near for Wisconsin Reserve Wing: According to several news reports, the Air Force has told Air Force Reserve Command that the 440th Airlift Wing at General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee will move to North Carolina by September...

The “Best Innovator”

The “Best Innovator”: Innovation is the key to becoming “extremely effective and extremely efficient,” Lt. Gen. Gary North, head of US Central Command Air Forces, told airmen during a visit to Balad AB, Iraq. In his view, “the best innovator...

Workload Goes Up, Workforce Down

Workload Goes Up, Workforce Down: Does that have a familiar ring? A new Government Accountability Office report skimming the surface of DOD’s vulnerability to contract fraud, waste, and abuse cites just that scenario as one of the key factors in...

We’re No. 1, For Now

We’re No. 1, For Now: There’s no argument from Americans or Russians as to which nation currently is the most dominant in the world—the US. However, according to a new survey by World Public Opinion.org and the Levada Center, there...

On the 0 to 10 Influence Scale

When asked to rank various countries on a scale with 10 being the most influential, both Russians and Americans rated the US above 8—Americans (8.77) and Russians (8.74). Respondents to the World Public Opinion.org and Levada Center poll did not...

Making a Good Thing More Versatile

Making a Good Thing More Versatile: Boeing officials say that the company has successfully tested its laser version of the Joint Direct Attack Munition. The Laser JDAM launched by a USAF F-16 flying at 20,000 feet “scored a direct hit...

A Battle Is Brewing

A Battle Is Brewing: According to the Congressional newspaper, The Hill, the Aerospace Industries Association is out to stop Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) from making fixed-price contracting the norm for acquisition of major weapons systems. McCain believes the move would...

Air Sorties in the Global War on Terrorism

July 10, 2006 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total ISR 11 7 18 CAS/Armed Recon 34 29 63 Airlift 140 140 Air refueling 40 40 Total 45 36 180 261 OIF=Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF=Operation Enduring Freedom ISR=Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance