Welsh Speaks on Syria
The Air Force has been preparing for potential military action in Syria, but it won’t be as prepared as it would like to be, if the President gives the order to act, due to the budget sequester’s impact, said Chief...
The Air Force-Japanese Air Force Renaissance
Airpower’s effectiveness in the Asia-Pacific region will turn on America’s alliances with its most stalwart allies, according to Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh and Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Herbert Carlisle. The Air Force’s relations with the Japan Air...
New Plan Outlines Air Force’s Nuclear Future
The Air Force released a flight plan detailing how the service intends to advance and monitor the overall health of its nuclear enterprise, supporting infrastructure, and processes. Signed by Acting Air Force Secretary Eric Fanning, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark...
China’s Stealthy Intentions
While China’s J-20 and J-31 stealth fighter programs represent a leap forward for the Chinese, observers differ as to whether these programs pose a serious threat to the United States. “Both programs and their successors . . . represent an...
Agreement on F-35 Engine Contract
The Defense Department and Pratt & Whitney have reached an agreement in principle on the contract for the sixth lot of low-rate initial production of the F135 engine that powers the F-35 strike fighter, announced the F-35 joint program office...
Adieu, 745th SOS
Air Force Special Operations Command inactivated the 745th Special Operations Squadron during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Fla. More than 200 airmen and guests attended the Aug. 23 ceremony, according to a base release. “Initially, the 745th SOS was developed...
Boeing Assembles 2nd KC-46A Tanker
Boeing has begun assembling the second KC-46A tanker with the loading of the airplane’s wing spar, the wing’s main structural component, at its plant in Everett, Wash., announced the company. This comes less than two months after the company began...
Little Rock Eyed First under AMC’s New Inspection System
In September, the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock AFB, Ark., will become the first unit that Air Mobility Command headquarters inspects since the Air Force instituted a new inspection system, according to a command release. “We have laid out...
KC-135 Mates with F-35C for First Time
A KC-135 tanker refueled a Navy F-35C strike fighter for the first time, announced F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The hook-up took place on Aug. 20 near NAS Patuxent River, Md., with Lt. Col. Patrick Moran piloting the F-35C airframe, CF-1,...