An A-10 pilot was uninjured when a Warthog made an emergency belly landing April 7 at Moody AFB, Ga. The A-10 from the 75th Fighter Squadron was flying a routine training mission when the pilot declared an in-flight emergency. The pilot returned to base and the aircraft’s landing gear retracted, but did not extend, forcing it to land and skid to a stop on Moody’s primary runway.

When the Air Force needs combat aircraft to rapidly deploy, the F-15s and Airmen of the Liberty Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, are often the first to respond. So when the new coronavirus outbreak hit the base, it required a quick and evolving response to keep the Eagles and Strike Eagles flying and ready. “The COVID-19 response has been a significant event for everybody involved,” Col. William Marshall, commander of the 48th Fighter Wing at Lakenheath, said in an interview. “Here at the Liberty Wing, our key task has been to balance the protection of our force, along with ensuring that we can continue to provide the combat airpower.” The base built up new medical infrastructure and processes to address coronavirus, and with social distancing rules and other mitigation steps has seen a drop in cases.

More than 1,600 Defense Department identification offices push out about 18,000 to 20,000 cards each day that allow everything from base access to health care services. To cut down on the number of people visiting those offices during the coronavirus pandemic, DOD is revising its rules on ID cards until Sept. 30. “Remote USID card renewals and reissuance shall be expanded,” the document states. “Remote family member enrollment/eligibility updates are authorized. Remote USID card initial issuance for first-time card issuance or replacement of a lost/stolen ID is authorized. All remotely issued USID cards shall be issued with an expiration date not to exceed one year from the date of issuance.”

The Guard has begun to see COVID-19 cases among civilians, contractors, and dependents, National Guard Bureau Chief Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel confirmed on April 8. In addition to 349 cases recorded among Guard personnel as of the afternoon briefing, Lengyel said at least four civilians, three contractors, and 13 dependents have tested positive for the new coronavirus. He added that the actual number of infected individuals from those populations might be higher than the Guard statistics reflect.

The Air Force Research Laboratory announced April 6 it has kicked off its overseas demonstration of directed-energy weapons dispatched to take down threatening unmanned aircraft. While the demo has long been in the works, AFRL revealed that its Tactical High-Power Operational Responder (THOR) system will join four Raytheon-built laser and microwave weapons in the assessment. Microwaves interfere with a small drone’s electronics to stop or redirect them, while lasers burn a hole in the fuselage. “THOR is a directed energy game-changer,” Kelly Hammett, AFRL’s directed-energy director, said in a release. The service is not disclosing where the tests will take place, though the systems could become a permanent fixture there if they succeed.

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.