Patriots in Poland

US Patriot Air Defense Systems in Poland Protect Aircraft Delivering Supplies for Ukraine

By Abraham Mahshie
RZESZOW, Poland—Just 62 miles from the Ukrainian border in southeastern Poland, a small regional airport has been converted to an international logistics hub where aircraft deliver defense and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. It is protected by American air defense systems. After Moscow promised to target defense assistance to Ukraine, the United States established an array of anti-aircraft, anti-missile systems, including Patriots, in Poland to protect this vital airfield and cargo transfer center. “It’s balanced risk,” Polish Chief of the Air Force Directorate Brig. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak told Air Force Magazine from Warsaw.
Eagles Arrive in Poland

NATO Scrambling More Often in Response to Russian Jets Near Poland

By Abraham Mahshie
WARSAW, Poland—Russia has increased its harassment of NATO aircraft near Polish air space in recent weeks, reinforcing the need for both Polish and NATO air policing that has included various U.S. Air Force assets, a senior Polish Air Force official told Air Force Magazine. “The current situation brings more tension—more risk—and it's definitely more serious for the whole NATO community,” said Polish Chief of the Air Force Directorate Brig. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak. He said Russian Su-35s, Su-27s, and MiG-29s from Belarus have approached Polish air space multiple times since the invasion of Ukraine.
airmen

What, Exactly, Is ‘Airmen’s Time’? The New Initiative, Explained

By Greg Hadley
A new initiative announced by Air Force leaders this week is aimed at leadership development and unit cohesion—and thus far, it has drawn mixed reactions on social media. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass took to Facebook on April 12 to release a memo detailing “Airmen’s Time.” “The intent of Airmen’s Time is to create a safe space, be present, and ensure that our Air Force culture invites healthy conversation for every Airman,” states the memo, which is signed by Bass and Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.
Space Force basic training

USSF Starts All-Guardian Basic Training in May

By Amanda Miller
The Space Force’s first all-Guardian, Guardian-led flight of new recruits starts basic training in May to undertake a space-oriented curriculum that teaches space power and tries to instill a common culture. Core values, the history of space power, and "the identity that we hope that our Guardians will become—and is part of the reason many of us came over to the Space Force in the first place—those kinds of things will be taught," said Chief Master Sgt. James P. Seballes, the senior enlisted leader for the USSF’s Space Training and Readiness Command.

Radar Sweep

Beyond Killing Drones, Israeli Laser Knocks Mortars Out of the Sky

Breaking Defense

Israel recently tested a laser weapon system that knocked drones, mortars, and rockets out of the sky in what a senior Israeli officer called a “game-changer” for ground-based airborne defense. “The laser is a game-changer thanks to its easily operated system and significant economic advantages,” said Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem, head of the Israeli military’s research and development department.

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Russian Warship Sinks; Ukraine Says Its Missile Is Responsible

Reuters

Russia said its lead warship in the Black Sea sank on April 14 after an explosion and fire that Ukraine claimed was caused by a missile strike, dealing a blow to Moscow as it readied for new attacks that were likely to determine the conflict's outcome. The Moskva, Russia's flagship in its Black Sea fleet, sank as it was being towed to port in stormy weather, Russian news agencies quoted the defense ministry as saying.

Air Force’s Nuclear Modernization Bill Is Cramping Fighter Jet Procurement

Breaking Defense

With two major nuclear programs ramping up, the Air Force had to make hard choices on fighter procurement in fiscal 2023, the Air Force’s top officer said. After three budgets in which Air Force fighter buying soared to heights of more than 60 aircraft per year, the service requested 33 Lockheed Martin F-35As and 24 Boeing F-15EXs in fiscal 2023, for a total of 57 jets. Asked about the decision during an April 12 roundtable with reporters, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. said the service had to prioritize keeping the B-21 Raider bomber and newly christened LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile on track.

Document Reveals $14 Billion Backlog of US Defense Transfers to Taiwan

Defense News

Pandemic-related acquisition issues have sparked a backlog in the U.S. delivering $14.2 billion worth of military equipment to Taiwan that the island has purchased since 2019. With much of Washington’s attention focused on how to rapidly deploy a steady stream of military aid to Ukraine, some lawmakers are concerned the delay is undermining Taiwan’s ability to deter a potential Chinese invasion.

Space Domain Awareness: A Secret Weapon Against Shadowy Threats in Orbit

SpaceNews

When China fired a missile into one of its own weather satellites in a 2007 show of force, experts called the demo the beginning of a new anti-satellite arms race. Fast forward to 2022, and a Chinese space tug is spotted towing a dead navigation satellite into a graveyard orbit above the geostationary belt. “This is the type of space event that makes the hair on the back of people’s necks stand up,” said Brian Young, a former space control officer at the U.S. Air Force Space Command and now vice president of KBR’s military space business.

Pentagon, Industry Leaders Meet to Talk Replenishing Military Weapons Stockpiles

Defense One

Pentagon officials are talking to the leaders of America’s largest defense firms about ways to replenish the U.S. military’s weapon stockpiles, which are being raided to assist Ukrainian forces. As the U.S moves to send Ukraine more sophisticated and more lethal weaponry, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks met with defense CEOs at the Pentagon to figure out how quickly companies could resupply these arms.

Biden Rejects Unanimous NSC ‘More Often Than You Might Think’

Defense One

President Joe Biden regularly deviates from the recommendations made by his national security team, one of his top advisors revealed. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Biden overruling decisions from top national security officials, including when there’s agreement between Sullivan, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is not uncommon and is “one of the humbling things” about his job. Sullivan argued that the president’s questioning of his aides improves the overall decision-making process.

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DOD Identifies Remains of WWII Pilot and Medal of Honor Recipient Addison Baker

Stars and Stripes

Lt. Col. Addison Baker’s B-24 was in flames as he led a bomber formation over oil refineries in Romania on Aug. 1, 1943, during World War II. His plane was riddled with anti-aircraft flak and steadily losing altitude. “Ignoring the fact he was flying over terrain suitable for safe landing, he refused to jeopardize the mission by breaking up the lead formation and continued unswervingly to lead his group to the target upon which he dropped his bombs with devastating effect,” states the citation for the Medal of Honor Baker was awarded for his actions that day. On April 13, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that Baker’s remains, unaccounted for all these decades, had been identified on April 8.