The Air Force says it has “no plans” to shift its MQ-1 Predator fleet to another service when USAF’S larger MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles enter operations in greater numbers, as has been claimed in some recent press reports. In...

Young Displeased with CSAR-X Progress: Pentagon acquisition czar John Young said last week he is dissatisfied with the Air Force’s handling of the combat search and rescue vehicle replacement program, or CSAR-X. “I’m actually, to be honest with you, somewhat...

A fire broke out in an area of a Minuteman IIII ICBM launch facility May 23 at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., causing about $1 million in damage, Air Force Space Command said last week. But the flames did not enter the launch tube or reach the missile, and at no time was there the risk of an unauthorized release of nuclear material, a command spokeswoman told the Daily Report. That said, this incident was not publicly disclosed until the release of the accident investigation board findings on Oct. 30. The fire occurred just two weeks before the Air Force’s previous leadership was fired over shortcomings in nuclear stewardship after two highly publicized missteps. AFSPC said in its release on the missile fire that accident investigators found that a buildup of flammable hydrogen gas caused by a malfunctioning battery charger resulted in the fire in the unmanned facility, which is designated LF Alpha 06. The hydrogen buildup was caused by an electrical capacitor overcharging the facility’s backup batteries, which are there to power the silo in case the primary power system goes down, which did happen on May 23, AFSPC spokeswoman Maj. Laurie Arellano told the Daily Report Oct. 30. She said a spark then ignited the hydrogen, which, in turn, caused foam in a nearby shotgun case to catch fire. This then caused shotgun shells in the case to explode. Arellano said the fire, which likely lasted an hour or two at the most, eventually extinguished itself from lack of oxygen. Air Force overseers of the facility did not realize that there had been a fire until May 28 when they were looking into a wiring problem, she said. (For more, read part one of the AIB report and the Colorado Springs Gazette report.)

Maj. Gen. Donald Alston has been selected for assignment to lead the new nuclear-centric office on the Air Staff, the A10. The Pentagon announced Alston’s selection Oct. 31. In his new role, he will be assistant chief of staff for...

The Air Force’s ambitious efforts to conserve energy and leverage renewable and environmentally friendly power sources have the support of new Secretary Michael Donley. But, looking forward, Donley wants the focus to become more “cooperative and joint” with the other...

Although the process has been somewhat delayed, the Air Force says it still intends to acquire two prototype unmanned aerial vehicles from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in the Army’s Sky Warrior configuration for evaluation. These YMQ-1C prototypes are in the...

Army Gen. David Petraeus assumed the leadership of US Central Command on Oct.31, replacing Army Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey who has been acting commander since March. “He is the preeminent soldier-scholar-statesman of his generation, and precisely the man we need...

Operation Southern Partner, Air Forces Southern’s ongoing two-week-long series of exchange programs with South American air forces is in high gear. On Oct. 29, for example, airmen specializing in force protection demonstrated the Air Force’s Raven B small-sized unmanned aerial...

When an Air Force C-17 was grounded in Antarctica Oct. 26 due to an engine problem, the Royal New Zealand Air Force sprang into action to assist by flying a new engine part and three USAF mechanics down to the...

Air Force Reservists pursuing a master’s degree will now have a little more cash to work with thanks to an increase in their tuition assistance rate that went into effect Oct. 10. In a release Oct. 30, Air Force Reserve...

Air Sorties in War on Terrorism, Southwest AsiaOct. 30, 2008 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 24 14 38 11,076 CAS/Armed Recon 44 67 111 31,223 Airlift 150 150 39,442 Air refueling 49 49 15,372 Total 348 97,113...