From within and without the Pentagon, officials and analysts point to the need to increase airpower—strike and lift—in Iraq along with an increase in ground forces. Julian Barnes of the Los Angeles Times quotes “a senior Pentagon official” and others...

The Air Force has employed the Small Diameter Bomb for the first time in Afghanistan. An F-15E Strike Eagle deployed to Bagram Air Base from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, dropped the GPS-aided GBU-39B on a...

Brig. Gen. Allison Hickey, director of Total Force Integration, told reporters at the Pentagon Wednesday that the Total Force Integration initiative list—some 140 items, will be released within the “next couple of weeks.” She said the list includes all of...

Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF’s intelligence leader, told reporters at the Pentagon that there were several factors driving the planned reorganization of the Air Force’s intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance apparatus, including a need to eliminate a costly “disjointed approach to ISR.” He wants...

The Air Force’s intelligence structure makeover (see above) also includes shifting the Air Force Intelligence Agency and its subordinate units from Air Combat Command to the newly expanded A2. It will work directly for Lt. Gen. David Deptula, whose title...

In testimony before the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves Wednesday regarding the National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act, Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, head of the National Guard Bureau, said in his experience, the Joint Chiefs...

Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, NGB Chief, told a Congressional task force Wednesday (see above) that he believes the National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 would address problems with the official structure of the Guard’s relationship...

Northrop Grumman officials say they need more time to review the final tanker replacement program request for proposals issued by the Air Force yesterday before they can determine whether the Northrop-EADS KC-30 is in or out. However, Associated Press reports...

The B-1B bomber maintainers deployed to Southwest Asia from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., have managed to launch more than 350 combat sorties, achieving an overall 98.1 percent mission effectiveness rate. And, that’s not all. One of the 37th Bomb Squadron B-1s...

The Air Force has awarded Bronze Stars to two explosive ordnance disposal airmen for their actions during tours in Iraq. TSgt. Michelle Barefield from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., came under attack three times, took part in a gun battle, and...

Lockheed Martin has turned over the newest Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 5D-3 satellite to NOAA during a ceremony at the Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt AFB, Neb. AFWA is the primary user of DMSP data. This latest satellite...

Jan. 29, 2007 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total ISR 12 6 18 CAS/Armed Recon 38 29 67 Airlift 135 135 Air refueling 31 31 Total 50 35 166 251 OIF=Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF=Operation Enduring Freedom ISR=Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance