The Air Force’s new bomber program got a hefty funding increase in Fiscal 2012 from congressional defense appropriators. They added $100 million to the service’s $197 million request, awarding a full $297 million for the bomber’s development this fiscal year,...

Saudi Arabia will purchase 84 new, advanced Boeing-built F-15SA aircraft from the United States under a now-finalized $29.4 billion foreign military sale, announced the White House Thursday. The two nations signed the letter of offer and acceptance on Dec. 24....

Despite a reduction in the Pentagon’s budget request for the development of prompt global strike technology in this fiscal year, Congress committed some $179 million for these activities in the final version of the Fiscal 2012 defense appropriations legislation. In...

Coalition forces in Afghanistan are implementing corrective measures following the conclusion of the official investigation into the deadly incident (see entry below) between US and Pakistani military forces on the Afghan-Pakistani border in late November. Among them, NATO's International Security Assistance Force will "establish an environment of improved, mutual trust among stakeholders" in the border areas; "clarify authorities, responsibilities, and standard operating procedures" for near-border operations; "develop formal individual training, collective training exercises, and drills" to gain confidence with cross-border coordination; and fully disclose "all border area facilities and installations—including installations on both sides of the border," stated US Central Command in a release. Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, CENTCOM commander, directed ISAF Commander Gen. John Allen, also a marine, to make these changes. "The strongest take-away from this incident is the fundamental fact that we must improve border coordination and this requires a foundational level of trust on both sides of the border," said Mattis. (CENTCOM border incident report; caution, large-sized file.) (See also AFPS report by Cheryl Pellerin)

US forces “acted in self defense and with appropriate force after being fired upon,” during an engagement between US and Pakistani troops on Nov. 25-26 on the Afghan-Pakistani border, announced the Defense Department. However, “inadequate coordination” between the two governments,...

Russia concluded flight testing of its new Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, reported Voice of America. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday the new three-staged system is now ready to enter service in the country’s strategic nuclear forces after the successful...

The 50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB, Colo., has introduced a new twist to the age-old New Year’s resolution of losing weight and getting in better shape. The wing’s “Bod Pod” competition will pit squadrons against each other in a...