Air Force leaders believe that despite the weak economy, Fiscal 2010 could present retention challenges. Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, the service’s top personnel officer, told both Senate and House panels that there are several reasons for this expectation: the need...

Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio), and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) all questioned whether the Obama Administration’s plan to terminate the Transformation Satellite Communication program would leave the future warfighter with too little unprotected communications capability. Responding to...

Describing the tri-agency acquisition arrangement among DOD, NASA, and NOAA for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System as “largely dysfunctional” and citing known schedule and cost problems, Rep. Ellen Taucher (D-Calif.), chair of the House Armed Services strategic forces...

Rep. Martin Henreich (D-N.M.), in whose state resides the Missile Defense Agency’s Airborne Laser (ABL) Program Office, questioned the MDA director, Army Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly, during a May 21 House Armed Services strategic forces panel hearing over plans for...

In case you missed it, last week President Obama announced plans to create a new office at the White House headed by a Cybersecurity Coordinator because the cyber threat "is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation." He also indicated the new office would be part of the new single White House National Security Staff that also encompasses homeland security and counterterrorism functions. The US military has been at the forefront of the effort to combat the cyber threat, with plans now emerging about creating a new sub-command under US Strategic Command. And, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz has just issued a directive that elevates computer maintenance, network tasking orders, and cyber control orders issued by the Air Force Network Operations commander "to the same authority as aircraft maintenance technical orders and lawful general orders," according to a May 28 Air Force release. (White House Cyberspace Policy Review)

Airmen of all ranks, present and retired, family, and friends gathered May 28 to honor the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Paul Airey, as his remains were laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, along with those...

Airmen of two units participated in final exercises as the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., and the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz., prepare to close down. The 33rd FW sent an F-15 force to Savannah, Ga.,...

Air Mobility Command’s only overseas wing, the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, headquartered at Hickam AB, Hawaii, recently celebrated its first year in operation, during which it has provided maintenance, aerial port, and command and control support for AMC aircraft...

Air Sorties in War on Terrorism, Southwest AsiaMay 27-28, 2009 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 55 37 92 5,989 CAS/Armed Recon 56 151 207 14,423 Airlift 265 265 20,236 Air refueling 105 105 6,589 Total 669 47,237...