Snowbird Pilot Dies at Malmstrom:

A Canadian Forces Snowbird pilot, Capt. Shawn McCaughey, died Friday afternoon when his CT-114 Tutor jet struck the ground during a practice for an air show at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. Base officials, in consultation with the Snowbird team, said the...

The “Do Not Resuscitate” Force:

The Air Force aircraft fleet is getting old, a position repeated time and again by top USAF leaders. Yesterday at a Capitol Hill seminar, the service’s top acquisition official, Sue Payton, repeated the refrain, adding a slightly new twist. She...

Possible JASSM Termination?:

A string of recent test failures with the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile has caused Air Force officials some heartburn. Speaking at a Capitol Hill seminar Thursday, USAF acquisition leader, Sue Payton, said that the service would be analyzing test data...

Another Unhappy Camper:

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) has urged the Air Force to stick with DOD policy when it re-evaluates operations and support costs for the combat search and rescue helicopter program. Specifically, DeLauro wants estimates of fuel costs for each of the...

Maybe McCain Is Right:

Republican Sen. John McCain, second-time Presidential candidate and frequent Air Force critic, earlier this year decided to look into USAF’s award of the CSAR-X contract to Boeing, saying that the decision seemed to flout warfighter requirements. A new essay from...

First Formal F-22 Demo:

The F-22 makes its air show flying program premier today at Andrews AFB, Md., about a year ahead of schedule. Last fall, plans called for an F-22 to merely make flybys at east coast air shows. However, Air Combat Command...

Shared Concerns:

Defense and service officials testifying May 16 before the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves said that they shared concerns expressed by the commission on the state of readiness of the reserve components and that the pace of operational...

Trying Out the “New” Vipers:

Test engineers from the 416th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, Calif., got to participate in the recent Red Flag-Alaska, where they saw F-16s employ the new M4.1 software they tested. Maj. Chris Spinelli, 416th assistant director of operations, called...

Three EOD Airmen Earn Bronzes:

The Air Force has presented Bronze Stars to three explosive ordnance disposal specialists from the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla., for their efforts in Southwest Asia. For two of the EOD airmen, TSgt. Shane Lagrone and TSgt....

Being Constructive in Vietnam:

Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel Leaf, deputy commander of US Pacific Command, recently visited Vietnam, talking with civilian and military officials about expanding military cooperative efforts. Leaf said later, “I am impressed by the professionalism and dedication of my Vietnamese...

Cat Out of Bag:

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) says the Air Force has recommended Brig. Gen. Kathleen Close to replace outgoing Maj. Gen. Kenneth Sullivan, who has been nominated for a third star and to become the Air Staff logistics chief, as boss of...

Air Sorties in the Global War on Terrorism

May 15, 2007 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total ISR 17 8 25 CAS/Armed Recon 53 59 112 Airlift 160 160 Air refueling 51 51 Total 70 67 211 348 OIF=Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF=Operation Enduring Freedom ISR=Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance Airlift includes Horn...