The Big UAV Lie, Demolished

The Air Force, and nothing but the Air Force…. That was pretty much the case with respect to UAV development and deployment, according to a detailed history of UAVs from the mid-1950s onward. Air Force UAVs: The Secret History (caution;...

More Helicopter Musical Chairs

Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin announced Thursday that they have joined forces to compete to build the Air Force’s next combat search and rescue helicopter. They intend to offer an advanced version of Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter to replace the...

Elder Says Make Bomber Replacement Priority

The US needs to move quickly to field a new bomber because projections that the current inventory will last out to 2040 may be too optimistic, says retired Lt. Gen. Bob Elder, who led the nation’s nuclear-capable bomber force for...

First F-16s in Place for Conversion to Aerial Targets

Boeing announced Thursday that the first retired F-16s that the company will convert to QF-16 full-scale aerial targets for the Air Force have arrived at its facility in Jacksonville, Fla., for the modification work. “This is an important program for...

Brady to Receive Order of the Sword

Gen. Roger Brady, US Air Forces in Europe commander, has been tapped by the command’s enlisted personnel to receive the Order of the Sword, the highest honor that enlisted airmen may bestow on an individual. Brady, who has led USAFE...

Air University Honors Indonesian Air Chief

Air University’s international officer school at Maxwell AFB, Ala., has inducted Air Chief Marshal Imam Sufaat, Indonesian air force chief of staff, into its international honor roll. “It brings honor and pride [to me] and the entire Indonesian air force,”...

Afghan Mi-17 Fleet Grows

The Afghan National Army Air Force continued its expansion with the recent addition of two new Mi-17 multirole transport helicopters. Their delivery now gives the nascent Afghan air arm 25 Mi-17s and moves it closer to the goal of having...

Facebook-friend CSAF’s Spouse

Suzie Schwartz, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, recently started her own Facebook page to offer an open forum for military families. It also includes links to a variety of sites ranging from the Air Force...

Air Guard Makes Splash in the Big Apple

Two 15-second advertisements on the Air National Guard will play on the CBS “Super Billboard” in New York City’s Times Square through November. The commercials, which will air every hour, 18 hours a day, will direct people to a Web...

Fido Fest

Military working dogs and their handlers from security forces units across Air Combat Command recently gathered at Langley AFB, Va., for the first-ever MWD training seminar. The 633rd Security Forces Squadron hosted the five-day event. Activities include learning about dog...

Air Sorties from SWA 070810

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, July 8, 2010 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 24 56 80 12,673 CAS/Armed Recon 20 90 110 17,924 Airlift 208 208 32,547 Air refueling 56 56 8,483 Rescue 31 31 3,796 Total...