UPDATE: Pilot Identified in Nevada Crash

Capt. Eric Ziegler, 30, an operational test and evaluation instructor pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev., is the airman who died on June 28 when his F-16C crashed in the desert near Caliente, Nev.,...

Panetta Sworn in as Defense Secretary

Leon Panetta became the 23rd Defense Secretary Friday during a swearing-in ceremony at the Pentagon. “As Secretary of Defense, I will do whatever is necessary to protect America and to meet the needs of the men and women who serve...

F-16 Pilot Died in Nevada Crash

Officials at Nellis AFB, Nev., announced Thursday that search and rescue teams have found conclusive evidence that a pilot whose F-16 crashed Tuesday in the Nevada desert did not survive the mishap. “Based on evidence recovered from the crash site,...

ORS-1 Launch Successful

Wednesday night’s launch of the Defense Department’s first Operationally Responsive Space satellite was successful, according to Air Force space officials. They said the prototype imagery satellite deployed 12 minutes after its liftoff aboard a Minotaur I launch vehicle from NASA’s...

Amphibious Roots and AirSea Battle

The Marine Corps and Navy plan to conduct exercise Bold Alligator 2012 early next year off the US East Coast to revitalize the fundamentals of amphibious operations, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Dennis Hejlik, commander of Marine Corps Forces Command, told...

Senate Confirms Petraeus as CIA Director

The Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly in favor of confirming Army Gen. David Petraeus as the next CIA Director. Senators approved his nomination by a vote of 94 to 0, reported AFP. Petraeus has been the top US general in...

C-130s Continue to Battle Wildfires

Four specially configured C-130s continue to operate out of Kirtland AFB, N.M., in support of efforts to contain wildfires in New Mexico, including those threatening the Los Alamos National Lab in the northern part of the state. Through Wednesday, these...

Lackland, Randolph Merge Schools, Centers

Officials at JB San Antonio, Tex., recently consolidated two First Term Airmen Centers and have begun merging two Airmen Leadership Schools on the sprawling joint complex, which comprises Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, and Fort Sam Houston....

Good for the Air Force, Good for the Environment

The Air Force has issued new program guidance to streamline the process by which it conducts the environmental impact studies required by law before moving forward with major changes to installations, such as bedding down new aircraft. The goal is...

C-130 Upgrade Program Prepares for Operational Testing

Boeing announced that the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program is preparing for five aircraft to enter initial operational test and evaluation early next year. “Once evaluation is complete in late 2012, we will have a fully tested and proven weapon system,”...

Reservist Reaches Flight Milestone

Lt. Col. Eric Perlman, assistant director of operations with Air Force Reserve Command’s 69th Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz., last month reached 4,000 flight hours in the F-16, a feat that only 30 other Viper pilots have accomplished. “The...

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Trims Belt

Lockheed Martin announced Thursday that its Aeronautics business area—manufacturer of aircraft like the C-130, F-16, and F-35—will eliminate about 1,500 positions across its enterprise to help improve the affordability of its products and increase operational efficiency. That represents a reduction...