The Space Force is wrapping up its report on how to build a successful new military space acquisition enterprise, posing 10 recommendations to Capitol Hill while starting to move out on pieces of the plan. Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett was expected to sign the document by April 3. It then heads to senior Pentagon officials for coordination before the Defense Department submits it to lawmakers. It was due to the Hill on March 31. Six of the 10 recommendations would require legislative changes, according to Shawn Barnes, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration. The report stops short of suggesting bill text, which could land in the fiscal 2021 defense policy bill, but highlights policies and approaches that need to change to streamline how the Pentagon develops, buys, and upgrades space systems.

Over the next three days, U.S. Northern Command will send 1,000 medical providers—pulled from both the Air Force and Navy—“to the New York City area” to back up the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic there, according to an April 5 release.

An open letter to Air Force Academy alumni and parents from the Cadet Wing Commander, Cadet First Class Haeley Deeney, takes critics to task for "negative or otherwise harmful posts and comments" in the wake of two suspected suicides at the Colorado Springs campus and the decision last week to move up graduation to April 18, more than a month early. "In the next two weeks leading up to graduation, we would like to ask for your trust in our leadership team and trust that all decisions are made with the safety and well-being of the cadets as a driving factor," Deeney said. "Now, more than ever, we need support and thoughtful comments from all parties."

Air Mobility Command will soon stop some missions and cut back others to focus on what it has deemed essential, as the new coronavirus outbreak changes how the military operates globally. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein ordered all major commands to provide a report detailing what is and is not essential, so USAF can determine which missions can temporarily be cut to free up resources and protect Airmen during the pandemic. For mobility, these essential missions include keeping the refueling tanker fleet ready to support nuclear bombers and fighters on homeland protection alert, along with continuing necessary global airlift missions and aeromedical evacuation to help with COVID-19 response, AMC Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Jon Thomas said during an April 3 briefing.

What started as an idea during a lunch at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., before the COVID-19 outbreak forced many Airmen to work remotely, has become a group of more than 11,000 people coming together online to learn and further their professional development. The Facebook group “AF Quarantine University” gathers subject matter experts from inside the Air Force, retirees, and others who provide video lectures on any topic they propose, to help Airmen learn and develop away from in-person interactions on base. “It’s an example of something we’re encouraging all of our Airmen to do," said Senior Master Sgt. Harry Kibbe, spokesman for Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright. "We want them to find ways to stay connected, take care of each other, and use this time as an opportunity to keep growing as Airmen.”

The Defense Department's COVID-19-related travel restrictions have prompted the Air Force to postpone a series of promotion boards, the Air Force Personnel Center announced April 3. “These prudent adjustments will help protect the health and safety of our force while maintaining career development opportunities for our Airmen,” AFPC Commander Maj. Gen. Andrew Toth said in the release.

The ground-based training system supporting Boeing's T-7A Red Hawk trainer has passed the Critical Design Review milestone, Boeing announced April 3. The successful CDR follows the same milestone for the aircraft itself, which was completed last September. The successful review means Boeing can now begin fabrication of simulators and other hardware for ground training. The company also said it sees a potential $40 billion market for the T-7 aircraft, training system, and support.

On March 23, the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a virtual Nuclear Deterrence Series event featuring Scowcroft Group Principal Frank Miller. At a time when nuclear modernization programs are accelerating around the world, proposals to recapitalize the U.S. nuclear arsenal are at the forefront of debates over defense spending. Miller will share his insights into the prospects for U.S. nuclear modernization programs and the value of nuclear deterrence in today's competitive security environment. The think tank will post event video on its website and YouTube page after the live event.