Radar Sweep
In a Future War, the Air Force's Big Air Bases Could Be a Big Liability
USAF plans to disperse its airplanes to prevent huge losses in a future war, so air units will need to become lighter and more agile.
Graham Tells Defense Secretary Esper He Could 'Make Your Life Hell' in Spat Over Africa, Say Sources
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, uniting against a Trump administration idea to withdraw U.S. troops from part of Africa, pushed back during a fiery exchange with Defense Secretary Mark Esper in Munich over the weekend, according to four people present at or familiar with the meeting.
U.S. Military Did Not Properly Store or Account for Nearly $715 Million in Weapons for Syrian Partners Fighting the Islamic State Group
A recent Defense Department Inspector General report said officials with Special Operations Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve and 1st Theater Sustainment Command did not maintain a central list of gear and equipment for Syrian partner forces complicating efforts to track or inventory the weapons. The report also detailed that nearly 4,100 weapons that include grenade launchers and machine guns were improperly stored outside in metal shipping containers exposing the gear to harsh environments and potentially rust.
China Testing Hypersonic Weapon with Intercontinental Range, Says USNORTHCOM Commander
China is testing an intercontinental-range hypersonic glide vehicle, according to written testimony submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Feb. 13 by Air Force Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, commander of U.S. Northern Command and of North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Esper to Allies: Picking Huawei Risks Intel and Security Ties with the U.S.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Feb. 15 called out China as America’s main adversary and warned allies that letting the Chinese firm Huawei build its next-generation, or 5G, network risks their security-cooperation and information-sharing arrangements with the U.S.
Colorado Springs Chamber Launches National Campaign to Keep Space Command
The business group plans to spend $350,000 on a public relations campaign managed by a Washington PR firm, a New York economic development consultant, and a Washington political advisory firm. The goal: to convince President Donald Trump and his advisers that Colorado is the ideal location for the permanent home of the newly relaunched command.
Noise Concerns Top List of More Than 6,400 Comments on F-35 Study; Air Force to Release Final Version This Month
U.S. military officials have received more than 6,400 public comments, most of them focused on noise, in response to its draft study of the environmental impacts of basing a squadron of F-35 fighter jets at Madison, Wis.,’s Truax Field. The National Guard Bureau says it is incorporating “as appropriate” all relevant comments into a final Environmental Impact Study that will guide the Air Force’s decision on whether to select the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing for the F-35 program.
Economic Impact of Hill Air Force Base Valued at $3.7 Billion
The Beehive State’s biggest military installation and largest single-site employer is responsible for generating $3.7 billion in annual economic impact, according to the 2019 Economic Impact Statement. The report found the main base operates using 27,650 total personnel, including 5,705 military, 5,292 military dependents and 16,653 civilians, with an annual federal payroll of $1.43 billion and yearly expenditures of $811 million.
AFBA Names Larry O. Spencer as Its President
The Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) board of directors has named retired Air Force Gen. Larry Spencer as its new president (effective March 9) and member of the board (effective Feb. 26). Also, AFBA’s affiliate 5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life) board of directors has appointed Spencer as a member of its board (effective Feb. 26).
WATCH: NASCAR Driver Bubba Wallace Skydived into the Daytona 500 with the Air Force
The U.S. Air Force has had a partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports for several years now. As part of their partnership, they decided that they were going to make a mark this past weekend in Daytona, Fla. One way was a little skydiving. The other was one of the best paintjobs a racecar has ever had.