Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided that trying to re-nominate Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace to continue as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff would not fly because the confirmation process would undoubtedly focus on the past six years rather than the future. Gates told reporters at the Pentagon Friday that he does not “shrink” from “contentious confirmations,” however, he continued, “At this moment in our history, the nation, our men and women in uniform, and General Pace himself would not be well-served by a divisive ordeal.” Gates plans to recommend the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Michael Mullen, to replace Pace, saying that the past six months has led him to believe Mullen has “the strategic insight, experience, and integrity to lead America’s armed forces.” Gates also plans to recommend Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright for the JCS vice chief position. Cartwright, who is head of US Strategic Command, would replace Adm. Edmund Giambastiani Jr., who announced his retirement last week.

The Air Force has lent two of its newest fighter aircraft—F-22A Raptors—to help provide overwatch support for launch of the Shuttle Atlantis, planned for 7:38 p.m. (EDT) tonight from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A NORAD release says the...

The Boeing folks are “extremely pleased” that the Air Force has recertified the need for the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program after its Nunn-McCurdy breach. Air Force acquisition chief, Sue Payton, told reporters Wednesday that the program would continue but at...

The 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa AB, Japan, redeployed its 14th Fighter Squadron airmen from Balad AB, Iraq, deploying in their stead airmen of the wing’s 13th FS for the current Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotation. First Lt. Shannon...

The Air Force has shelled out about $400,000 for claims submitted by New Jersey residents affected by the fire started by a New Jersey Air National Guard F-16 on a May 15 training mission over the Warren Grove Gunnery Range....

Last fall Air Combat Command provisionally stood up the 561st Joint Tactics Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev., and has now officially reactivated the former Wild Weasel unit. Its task is to compile and disseminate new tactics, techniques, and procedures. From...

The Boeing-Lockheed Martin team vying for the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II program successfully completed its first flight test of its SDB II last month, according to a June 6 Boeing release. An F-15E Strike Eagle flying out of Eglin...

USAF has awarded Boeing a $4.2 million contract to work Phase 2 of the Dual Role Air Dominance Missile technology effort, one of several expected to lead to a Joint Dual Role Air Dominance Missile for the Air Force and...

Air Force aeromedical evacuation crews are adept now at transforming whatever aircraft they are given into a flying hospital, and for severely injured troops, they make them over into intensive care units, reports SSgt. Craig Seals. These medevac teams often...

The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., has tapped Lockheed Martin to continue its Mark IVB weather system, awarding the company a contract potentially worth $42 million over nine years, according to a Lockheed release. A...

The FAA has named Capt. Todd Lobato its Safety Team Representative of the Year. Lobato is the chief air traffic control trainer for the Utah Air National Guard’s 299th Range Control Squadron and serves as the aviation safety counselor for...

Veterans Affairs plans to create a multi-campus nursing academy to help address the growing national shortage of nurses. VA employs about 61,000 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, vocational nurses, and nursing assistants at its 153 medical centers and nearly 900...

June 5, 2007 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total ISR 18 5 23 CAS/Armed Recon 62 39 101 Airlift 145 145 Air refueling 47 47 Total 80 44 192 316 OIF=Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF=Operation Enduring Freedom ISR=Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance Airlift includes Horn...