OCO Boost Better Than Nothing, Still Not Good Enough

The $3.2 trillion government-spending bill, which the House approved March 25 with a vote of 228-199, does not do much to improve the Defense Department’s worsening readiness crisis, even with the extra $20 billion in war funds, said several members...

Looming RPA Operator Crisis

Roughly 70 percent of remotely piloted aircraft operators trained from the ground up to fly RPAs don’t plan to remain in the Air Force once their current terms are up, Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer told the Senate...

AMP Deal Weeks Away

Negotiations continue between Congress and the Air Force on how to proceed—or not—with the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program, or AMP, but a deal is expected next month, said Lt. Gen. James Holmes, deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and...

Almost Ready to Go

If the Air Force is compelled to carry out the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program, the research and development work is largely done, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Program Lt. Gen. James Holmes said Thursday. In an interview...

Powder River Expansion Approved

The Federal Aviation Administration approved the Air Force’s plan to expand the Powder River Training Complex to create the continental US’ largest training airspace by year’s end. “After nearly nine years working with the Air Force on this important expansion...

Following the Compass Call

The Air Force is considering transplanting some of the EC-130H Compass Call’s electronic attack suite to its JSTARS’ replacement aircraft to offset fleet cuts, Air Staff plans and programs chief Lt. Gen. James Holmes told lawmakers Thursday. Depending on how...

Ninth GPS IIF Satellite Launched

The ninth Global Positioning System IIF satellite successfully launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., on March 25, the service announced. “Each new generation of GPS satellites provides enhanced capability over the prior...

Embracing the “Multi-Domain” Approach

The Air Force’s recent headquarters reorganization reflects a shift in thinking about how USAF will develop and field future capabilities, said Air Staff strategic plans boss Lt. Gen. James Holmes during an AFA-sponsored, Air Force breakfast event in Arlington, Va.,...

Tikrit Airstrikes Support Iraqi Troops

After a request for assistance from the Iraqi government, US and coalition aircraft conducted airstrikes in Tikrit, supporting Iraqi forces attempting to dislodge ISIS fighters from the city. Fighters, bombers, and remotely piloted aircraft carried out 17 strikes on ISIS...