Senator: Bomber Numbers Matter

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced a bill that would add congressional oversight to any decision to reduce the size of the Air Force’s bomber fleet. S. 1265, the Long Range Bomber Sustainment Act of 2015, prevents the retirement of B-1B,...

US: China’s Counterspace Work Disconcerting

China’s continued development of destructive space technology in 2014 represented “a threat to all peaceful space-faring nations,” warned the Pentagon in its 2015 report on Chinese military developments. Such pursuits were “inconsistent with China’s public statements about the use of...

Malmstrom Launch Control Center Gets a Deep Clean

An Air Force Global Strike Command contracted cleaning crew recently completed a deep clean of one of the missile alert facilities at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. Although the LCC was temporarily shut down while the work was being done, missileers still...

Nepal Relief Continues

The US military’s earthquake-relief efforts continued in Nepal on Tuesday as another powerful temblor struck the country and the Defense Department declared missing one of the Marine Corps UH-1 helicopters supporting the operation. The UH-1 was flying near Charikot, Nepal,...

Next-Gen SBIRS Ground Station Moves to Testing

The next generation unified mission control center for the Space Based Infrared System has moved from development to testing following the successful integration of software and hardware to the station in March, according to a May 11 release by manufacturer...

TSP Arrives in Bulgaria

The US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa first theater security package arrived in Bulgaria recently where it will fly with NATO allies and support Operation Atlantic Resolve. The 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which is led by the Florida Air...

It’s (Almost) Hurricane Hunting Season

Airmen with the Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler AFB, Miss., completed their first storm mission of the 2015 season. Although storm season typically runs June 1-Nov. 30, the Hurricane Hunters began tracking what would become Tropical...

Afghan Air Force Academy Graduates First Class

The first class of officers graduated on May 7 from the Afghan Air Force academy since the fall of the Taliban, according to a May 12 USAF release. The year-long curriculum, which included English language classes, aviation-related courses, and religious...