Nickel and Diming the Military

After years of pulling modernization and recapitalization dollars to fund force structure and readiness, the defense system is “now unbalanced,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter told members of the Senate Appropriations defense panel on Wednesday. Carter and out-going Chairman of the...

Carter, Dempsey Support New Nuclear-Armed Cruise Missile

Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Chiefs Chairman Army Gen. Martin Dempsey supported development of a new nuclear-capable cruise missile and the updated warhead for it, both of which were challenged during a Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense panel Wednesday. Sen....

Pentagon Opposes “Safe Zone” in Syria

The nation’s top two defense leaders Wednesday resisted congressional pressure for creating a “safe zone” to protect Syrian civilians from the fighting between the Syrian regime’s military and opposing forces, including ISIS. During a Senate Defense Appropriations subcommittee hearing, ranking...

USAF Offers $2 Million Prize for Small, Fuel-Efficient Engine

The Air Force will award a $2 million prize to the first entrant to successfully develop a 100-horsepower turboshaft, fuel-efficient engine. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James first announced the “Air Force Prize” in January at the Cost Curve summit....

C-17 Fleet Hits 3 Million Flight Hours

The C-17 fleet reached 3 million flight hours on May 5, according to an Air Force release. “It has become the airlifter of choice for our Air Force,” said Col. Amanda Meyers, C-17 system program director. “The incredible partnership between...

Building Partners in the Pacific

US and Indonesian airmen worked side-by-side for five days in late April during a Pacific Agility subject matter exchange hosted by the Indonesian Air Force. US airmen in various F-16 career fields traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia, to share information on...