First PACAF Raptor on Tap

Lockheed Martin rolled out the first F-22A stealth fighter destined for Pacific Air Forces on Monday. Raptor #4087 will go to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, which expects to field its first squadron of 18 by January 2008. Attending a small rollout...

Working Enlisted Force Shaping

Air Force leaders plan to employ two new force-shaping tools to help reduce the enlisted force as it struggles to pare 40,000 personnel from its books over the next three years. The service will rollback dates of separation for airmen...

Hypersonics at Sea Level?

The Air Force Research Lab is studying how objects fly at hypersonic speeds at sea level, a capability that could eventually lead to new warhead technologies. “We already have things in place with people who are doing the warhead work,...

Anthrax, Round Two

DOD’s mandatory anthrax immunization program has started up again after being shut down in 2004 by a US District Court judge. The program resumed Oct. 16 for military and DOD civilian personnel deployed to US Central Command areas of responsibility...

Is There a Better Corrosion Fix in the Works?

The Air Force Research Lab, in conjunction with Boeing’s Phantom Works and Aeronautical Systems Center’s Aging Aircraft Systems Squadron, has developed a new environment-friendly, corrosion resistant aircraft coating. AFRL scientists have been searching for a new coating because the existing...

ACC Has Banner Safety Year

Air Combat Command officials say the command had only four Class A flight mishaps over the past fiscal year, compared to 12 in 2005. Col. Kelly Fletcher, ACC chief of flight safety, says that is the lowest flight mishap rate...

NATO Creates Center to Fuse Intel

Seventeen NATO countries now will share intelligence information in one place at the alliance’s new Intelligence Fusion Center. Some 100 international dignitaries, military leaders, and local British officials gathered at an opening ceremony on Oct. 16 in Cambridgeshire, England, reports...

TacSat-3 to Meet Responsive Space Needs:

Congress may get its wish for more operationally responsive space capabilities with the tactical satellite 3 (TacSat-3) spacecraft. TacSat-3 will meet responsive space needs by quickly fielding a new capability and will serve as a laboratory for responsive space and...

Better Imagery for UAVs:

Northrop Grumman has introduced a new “low-cost” video information system for unmanned aerial vehicles that will provide data on enemy positions to US military commanders, states a company release. Called HURT, or heterogeneous urban RSTA (reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition)...

Jumper Gets a Portrait:

Retired Gen. John Jumper, former Air Force Chief of Staff, got to see his official portrait unveiled at the Pentagon Monday. His words: “I appreciate everyone coming out for my hanging.” Jumper was the 17th Chief of Staff, taking the...

Lockheed to Upgrade International Hercs:

Lockheed Martin has received a $110 million contract to upgrade C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft for Australia, Denmark, Italy, and the United Kingdom. A company release says the Block 6.1 upgrade will allow the countries to share the cost of...

Keesler Medics Aid Post-Katrina Victims:

Keesler Medics Aid Katrina Victims: More than a year after Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast, medical teams from Keesler AFB, Miss., continue to make daily house calls to residents still living in area shelters. Two teams of doctors,...

Air Sorties in the Global War on Terrorism

Oct. 16, 2006 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total ISR 17 9 26 CAS/Armed Recon 45 34 79 Airlift 110 110 Air refueling 34 34 Total 62 43 144 249 OIF=Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF=Operation Enduring Freedom ISR=Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance