The Air Force’s three top acquisition priorities—fielding the F-35 strike fighter, KC-46A tanker, and Long Range Strike Bomber—”seem like the correct programs to me at this point,” Air Force Secretary nominee Deborah James told lawmakers last week. “Based on what...

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) last week asked Air Force Secretary nominee Deborah James during her confirmation hearing if it’s OK for an airman to have a Bible on his desk or an Air Force chaplain to end a prayer “in...

The Air Force will replace, rather than upgrade, the E-8C JSTARS fleet, said Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh and other senior Air Force leaders at AFA’s Air and Space Conference last week. “We think the first thing we need...

In addition to the F-35 strike fighter, KC-46A tanker, and Long Range Strike Bomber, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh added two programs to round out the Air Force’s top five acquisition priorities. In a press briefing on Sept. 18...

Through activities ranging from foreign military sales to exchanges and training, the Air Force’s international affairs division is working hard to build a “partnering culture” with allies and friends, said Heidi Grant, the Air Force’s deputy undersecretary for international affairs....

There is a need for the US military to increase capability in the Asia-Pacific region, said Gen. Hawk Carlisle, Pacific Air Forces commander. While budget sequestration has complicated this task, there are core areas, such as long-range reach, that demand...

Americans have sacrificed much for the war in Afghanistan, but also must not forget the sacrifice Afghans have made, said Brig. Gen. John Michel, commanding general for NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan. The vast majority of Afghans want “this more than...

The Air Force is still struggling with officer development, said James Roche, who served as Air Force Secretary from 2001 to 2005. “Officer development is terrible,” he said on Sept. 17 during the panel discussion of former SECAFs at AFA’s...

The Air Force and Boeing are 40 percent done with the KC-46A development program and, so far, are meeting many requirements early, said Maj. Gen. John Thompson, program executive officer for tankers. “Our way forward is to continue with good...

Air Mobility Command chief Gen. Paul Selva said he would likely declare initial operational capability for the C-5M Super Galaxy transport next spring. Briefing reporters at AFA’s Air and Space Conference in National Harbor, Md., on Sept. 17, Selva said...