The Pentagon is wrapping up multiple reviews of how the military supported local law enforcement and deployed aircraft during widespread protests across the country, particularly in Washington, D.C., the Pentagon’s top leaders told House lawmakers July 9. Officials are also looking for lessons that help avoid confusion during similar events in the future. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper, in testimony to the House Armed Services Committee on July 9, said an Army investigation into the use of the UH-72 Lakotas, including one marked with a red cross denoting its medical mission, to suppress civilian crowds is in its final stages of review. He added that he directed Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett to investigate the “exact facts and circumstances” of Guard RC-26s flying over protests.

The Air Force is addressing some 900 action items under its Reconstitute Defender Initiative to ensure the 38,000 Airmen standing guard across 120 military bases around the world have the training, equipment, and esprit de corps they needed to get the job done. Lt. Gen. Warren D. Berry, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering, and force protection, said more must still be done to institutionalize changes like mandatory time off and to adapt to evolving base defense needs, but progress has been made.

A U.S. Air Force pilot flying an Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano safely ejected before the aircraft crashed during a July 9 training flight in Afghanistan. U.S. Forces-Afghanistan said the pilot was recovered after the crash. While the cause of the mishap is under investigation, preliminary indications show mechanical issues are to blame. USFOR-A did not disclose where the crash occurred. This is the first A-29 crash since June 2018.

The heads of eight top defense contractors are urging the White House and Pentagon not to cut modernization and research and development funding to come up with the money to pay for expenses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The companies said they're worried modernization will be derailed if the Pentagon isn't given extra funds to comply with CARES Act mandates. The message was sent in letters dated July 7.

A group of Democratic House members wants the military to nix its ban on service members who are openly transgender in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County ruling. The June 15 opinion, written by conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch and issued June 15, made it illegal to fire lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people over their sexual orientations or gender identities by extending the protections afforded by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. More than 110 legislators wrote to Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr July 8 asking the Pentagon to immediately change its policies.

Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach received his fourth star and took over command of Pacific Air Forces during a July 8 ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Wilsbach took the guidon from Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., who will take over as the next Air Force Chief of Staff on Aug. 6. Wilsbach comes to PACAF after commanding 7th Air Force in South Korea, and also has led 11th Air Force in Alaska. All told, Wilsbach has had nine assignments in the Pacific, where the Pentagon is now focusing more attention and resources to counter Chinese influence in the region.

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.