Threat Not Likely to Go Away:

The latest National Intelligence Estimate predicts that America will “face a persistent and evolving terrorist threat over the next three years.” It went on to say that while international counterterrorism efforts have “constrained” the ability of al Qaeda to attack...

Ditch Selective Degradation:

A newly formed advisory group concerned with the viability of the Global Positioning System believes the US must maintain its leadership role in space-based radionavigation and timing information, but that there are monetary and technical issues that could preclude just...

Paying for a “Public Utility”:

The Air Force or DOD should not bear the cost for what is now considered “equivalent to a public utility”—the Global Positioning System. That is the view of members of the National Space-based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board, which...

Top Defender, Again:

The 12th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, has again won the Hughes Trophy, the award now presented annually by Raytheon to the top air superiority or air defense squadron in the Air Force. (Officially the trophy now is called...

Are New Handguns Necessary?:

Two Heritage Foundation analysts have issued a treatise declaring that the Air Force is wasting hard-fought dollars to buy a new .45 caliber handgun when its current crop of 9mm Berettas should suffice. It’s true the service does want a...

Now We Find Out:

The Air Force recruiting folks in Arlington, Tex., are now crowing about a July 4 mass swear-in ceremony before a “sellout” crowd at a Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game. A July 16 release notes that 55,000 fans...

Clear Thinking:

During a three-day visit to the US, Polish President Lech Kaczynski said Tuesday at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., “Twenty years ago, I could hardly imagine that not only myself but this huge delegation would be admitted to a military installation of...

Cyber Command Will Connect USAF:

Eighth Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Robert Elder says the Air Force’s ability to use precision weapons and deal with multiple targets is tied to how the service works in cyberspace. SSgt. Matthew Rosine reports from Barksdale AFB, La., cyber-central...

USAF, as Afghan Air Model:

A delegation from the Combined Air Power Transition Force in Afghanistan, led by Afghanistan National Army Air commander Maj. Gen. Mohammed Dawran, has been touring Air Education and Training Command bases to see first-hand just how USAF trains its enlisted...

Nicholson Quits:

VA Secretary Jim Nicholson just announced he is resigning from his post as head of Veterans Affairs because he wants to return to the private sector. His 70th birthday is in February, and he wants to work in business again...

Heading to the Rodeo:

Vietnam will send observers to the 2007 Air Mobility Command Rodeo, according to an AMC statement. Twenty-five nations, including Vietnam, plan to send observers to the rodeo, which runs from July 22 through July 28 at McChord AFB, Wash. Ten...

Air Sorties in the Global War on Terrorism

July 16, 2007 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total ISR 22 12 34 CAS/Armed Recon 66 37 103 Airlift 167 167 Air refueling 52 52 Total 88 49 219 356 OIF=Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF=Operation Enduring Freedom ISR=Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance Airlift includes Horn...