US Services on “Cusp” of Integration, Wilson Says
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson Monday said the US armed services were on the verge of integration in terms of operations. She made the comments during a joint appearance at the Center for Strategic and International Studies with with Army Secretary Mark Esper and Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, both of whom struck similar notes. Read the full story by Steve Hirsch.
Mattis: Putin’s Nuclear Announcement Doesn’t Change US Deterrence
The recent announcement from Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country has developed “invincible” nuclear weapons is “disappointing, but unsurprising” campaign rhetoric, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said. These weapons are years away, and there is no change to Russia’s capability, he added. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.
USAF Testing Replacement Displays for C-17s
The Air Force is testing a new heads-up display for its C-17 fleet, replacing units that are almost 30 years old. The 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, Calif., is finishing up testing on the Replacement Head-Up Display system this, working with pilots from Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron Det. 3 and the C-17 Integrated Test Team. The C-17’s current system needs to be replaced because of obsolescence, and the new system is larger and has more clarity of symbology, according to an Edwards release. The new system is designed to be installed and removed easier. The data from the Edwards tests will help determine the timeline and plans for replacements in the entire fleet, the release states.
Pentagon Plans for Washington Military Parade to Include Heavy Air Component
The Pentagon will plan a parade, as requested by President Trump, and it will include a “heavy air component,” according to a Defense Department memo released on Friday. US Northern Command will lead the execution of the parade, with is tentatively scheduled for Veteran’s Day, with the Joint Staff taking primary responsibility for planning, according to the memo that was addressed to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford. The parade will integrate with the Washington, D.C., Veterans Day parade and will run from the White House to the Capitol. The parade will represent veterans from previous wars by formations wearing period uniforms, the memo states. It will include only wheeled vehicles, no tanks, to minimize damage to the streets. The air component will “include older aircraft as available,” will come at the end of the parade, states the memo. —Brian Everstine
RADAR SWEEP
—The US military has drawn back its presence at Incirlik AB, Turkey, as tensions have risen between the two countries. The drawdown includes deploying A-10s to Afghanistan that were planned to go to Incirlik, along with reducing the number of families living on the base: Wall Street Journal.
—More than 32,000 people filed paperwork in opposition to Air Force plans to expand the Nevada Test and Training Range into the Desert National Wildlife Refuge: Las Vegas Review-Journal.
—The Air Force on Friday awarded URS Federal Technical Services a $961 million contract for maintenance and support of the MQ-1, MQ-9, and RQ-4 remotely piloted aircraft, plus a $15.8 million contract for Unmanned Aircraft System Operations Center support: DOD release.
—The Air Force’s 2018 Aerial Events Policy has lifted limits for flyovers at professional sports games and other events: Stars and Stripes.
—Air Mobility Command announced Friday that CMSgt. Larry Williams is the interim command chief, replacing CMSgt. Shelina Frey who retired last month: AMC release.