NBC News
The Senate advanced bipartisan legislation on March 29 to repeal the authorizations Congress passed in 1991 and 2002 for the U.S. wars in Iraq. The bill, passed in a 66-30 vote, would repeal the authorization for the use of military force, or AUMF, for the Gulf War in 1991 under President George H.W. Bush and for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 under President George W. Bush.
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Bloomberg
The Air Force won’t pursue a hypersonic weapons program under development by Lockheed Martin Corp. as officials signal more support for a different initiative by rival Raytheon Corp. The Air Force doesn’t “currently intend to pursue follow-on procurement” of the weapon known as ARRW, though it will conduct two additional flight tests to accumulate important data, Air Force Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Andrew Hunter told a House Armed Services subcommittee.
Air Force Times
Call it the “Island of Misfit Toys.” Tucked away in a beige, concrete workshop at the 372nd Training Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, the remnants of trashed F-35 Lightning II fighter jets are getting a second wind. Airmen are turning unflyable aircraft into training assets for F-35 maintainers who would otherwise have to learn those lessons on an operational jet or a computer. The master sergeant in charge argues it’s saving the Air Force millions of dollars—and it’s fun, too.
Military.com
Deep cuts to the cost-of-living allowances for service members and their families stationed in Hawaii and Guam that are set to take effect next month may be delayed once again, according to a Pentagon official, as the Defense Department continues to grapple with the impact of inflation. Cuts ranging anywhere from 50 percent to 66 percent were anticipated to wallop those living on the Pacific Islands as soon as April 1. However, officials are already working behind the scenes to prevent that from happening, a defense official with knowledge of the discussions told Military.com.
Air & Space Forces Magazine
The way modern Airmen and Guardians prepare for the future fight is changing, with live, virtual, and constructive training offering new ways to practice essential skills. Learn more about how virtual and augmented reality, simulated environments, and other technologies are helping train warfighters everywhere from the cockpit to the maintenance depot.
DefenseScoop
The digitally focused U.S. Space Force wants reprogrammable systems across all segments of its satellite communications infrastructure and more software coders that can program “on the fly,” according to Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt. Software—and the cybersecurity tools needed to protect it—is viewed as an increasingly important component of U.S. military modernization and operations.
Breaking Defense
A small Australian company has beaten out 62 competitors that include major US defense primes for a Defense Innovation Unit program meant to serve as a fast flying and reusable hypersonics test bed. Hypersonix Launch Systems will develop a testing vehicle that can fly and maneuver between Mach 5 and Mach 7, the DIU contract requires. The first flight is expected next year, the company said in a press release.
Defense One
The U.S. Space Force is building a virtual environment to teach its Guardians how to fight enemy attempts to thwart its missions in space. Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said adversaries are now trying to take away capabilities that the Space Force provides to the U.S. military, such as satellite communications, missile warning, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in space.
Defense News
Israel for the first time sent F-35I Adir fighter jets to the American-led Red Flag exercise in Nevada, which ran March 12-24. The training comes amid tension between Israel and Iran as well as the former’s procurement of KC-46A tanker aircraft. The U.S. and Israel have engaged in several recent high profile joint drills, including Juniper Oak, which began in late January. Israel called that event the largest-ever U.S.-Israel drill.
One More Thing
USA Today
March 29 marked the 50th anniversary of combat troops departing South Vietnam, the beginning of the end of the United States' direct military involvement in the unpopular war. Two months prior, representatives of the U.S. and South Vietnam, and the Vietcong signed a peace agreement, which included key provisions such as the withdrawal of U.S. troops, a cease-fire throughout Vietnam, the release of prisoners of war, and the peaceful reunification of North and South Vietnam, once new elections were held.
