The Shutdown is Over, For Now

The House and Senate on Monday approved a three-week temporary spending deal, paving the way for the federal government to reopen Tuesday. President Trump signed the bill, which keeps the government funded through Feb. 8, Monday evening. Read the full story analyzing the impact of the three-day shutdown by Steve Hirsch, Brian Everstine, Gideon Grudo, and John Tirpak.

Investigation into Root Cause of A-10 Physiological Incident Ongoing

The Air Force has convened a team to investigate unexplained physiological events, including those that grounded part of the service’s A-10 fleet in November. The ultimate goal of the team, which will be led by Brig. Gen. Bobbi Jo Doorenbos, is to prevent physiological events and improve aircrew training to recognize these events, according to an Air Force release. The Air Force did not initially publicly disclose that one-third of its A-10 fleet at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., was grounded for about a week in November although it did update some lawmakers behind closed doors on the investigation into physiological events experienced by Warthog pilots at the base. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.

Dyess C-130s, Airmen Deploy for Embassy Evacuation Response Mission

C-130s and about 100 airmen from Dyess AFB, Texas, deployed earlier this month to Ramstein AB, Germany, and Djibouti, Africa, as part of ongoing operations in Africa. The C-130 crews are on standby to evacuate embassy personnel across Africa in the event of an emergency, according to the Air Force. The deployment in support of Operation New Normal also will include tactical airdrops, humanitarian efforts, and aeromedical evacuations for US personnel in Africa and throughout Europe, according to a Dyess release. The wing deploys on a rotational basis for the operation, which was established shortly after the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks on a US consulate in Libya. In July 2016, a Dyess C-130 crew flew into South Sudan to evacuate embassy personnel and was awarded the Gen. James H. Doolittle Trophy from Air Mobility Command for the mission, which was the first-ever President directed New Normal flight. —Brian Everstine

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RADAR SWEEP

—The dean of AFA’s Mitchell Institute, retired Lt. Gen. Dave Deptula, called the recently released National Military Strategy a “refreshingly honest appraisal of military ends, ways, and means,” but also offered “a couple of thoughts that hopefully will refine it during execution:” Washington Examiner.

—The fourth Space Based Infrared System missile warning satellite successfully launched from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., on Friday aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket: ULA release.

—The Air Force Academy has cancelled all sporting events due to the government shutdown. Officials say they will work to reschedule the games if Congress reaches an agreement: Sports Illustrated.

—McConnell AFB, Kan., is recruiting airmen to work on a new innovation team dubbed XPX: AMC release.

—An Active Duty airman in Bellevue, Neb., wants to build a War on Terror memorial that is similar to the Vietnam Wall: Omaha World-Herald.

—The first Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A will deploy to Misawa AB, Ja?pan, on Friday, the Defense Ministry announced: Japan Times.