Radar Sweep
AFA PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE: Questions and Answers on the Space Force
In his latest column, Air Force Association President, retired Lt. Gen. Bruce “Orville” Wright, catches up with retired Maj. Gen. Tom “Tav” Taverney, a former vice commander of Air Force Space Command who currently serves as chairman of the board of AFA’s Los Angeles-based Schriever Chapter, to get his take on the U.S. military’s sixth service and its significance to the nation and the U.S. Air Force.
F-35’s Gun That Can’t Shoot Straight Adds to Its Roster of Flaws
Add a gun that can’t shoot straight to the problems that dog Lockheed Martin Corp.’s $428 billion F-35 program, including more than 800 software flaws. The 25mm gun on Air Force models of the Joint Strike Fighter has “unacceptable” accuracy in hitting ground targets and is mounted in housing that’s cracking, the Defense Department’s test office said in its latest assessment of the costliest U.S. weapons system.
Esper Sends Pentagon Brass Themes for Fiscal 2021 Budget Testimony
The guidance—which directs Defense Secretary Mark Esper's top brass on themes they should include in their testimony to lawmakers—focuses on modernization, strengthening partnerships with allies, reforms, and supporting personnel.
‘Unbelievably Ridiculous’: Four-Star General Seeks to Clean Up Pentagon’s Classification Process
Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Jan. 29 at an AFA breakfast event that he hopes to see “significant improvement” this year on loosening classification standards in the infamously overclassified Pentagon.
Acting Navy Secretary Hints at Fewer Aircraft Carriers in Next Ship-Count Plan
The U.S. Navy could start lobbying Congress to rethink a law requiring it to have 12 massive aircraft carriers in its arsenal, the service's acting Secretary said. Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said Jan. 29 that "everything is on the table" when it comes to the next force structure assessment, which will lay out a plan for the types and numbers of vessels the service needs.
OPINION: The U.S. Navy Needs More Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchells
“The development of deep tactical expertise is costly and rests with increasingly fewer individuals,” writes U.S. Navy Cmdr. Kevin Chlan, a federal executive fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments who formerly commanded Strike Fighter Squadron 31. “Answering the challenges presented by the NDS through the authorities provided in the 2019 recent NDAA, the Navy and other services should hasten the reform of its workforce, finding new ways to retain and use highly trained experts—such as Maverick.”
Hundreds Attend Illinois Funeral for Air Force Veteran with No Known Relatives
Hundreds of people attended a funeral service in suburban Chicago on Jan. 29 for a former U.S. Air Force mechanic who became an “unclaimed veteran” when he died last month. The service for John James Murphy, 71, was held at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home in Elgin, Ill.
The Oldest F-4EJ Phantom in Japan Is Now Flying with a Dust Collection Pod Used to Detect Radioactive Particles
This Phantom has been in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force since it was imported from the United States in 1971. Now, it is flying a pretty unusual mission.
Battle of Britain Ace Fighter Pilot Paul Farnes Dies Aged 101
Wing Cmdr. Paul Farnes was among the 3,000 airmen—The Few—who defended Britain's skies in 1940. He died at his home in Hampshire on the morning of Jan. 28, the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust said. His battle victories made Wing Cdr Farnes an ace, a term taken to mean any fighter pilot credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft.