After about one week of delay, the Air Force and its industry partners successfully launched the first Global Positioning System Block IIF satellite into space late Thursday aboard a Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. The launch went off after several attempts since May 20 had to be scrubbed just prior to launch due to various anomalies. The Boeing-built spacecraft features a more robust and higher power military signal—first included on GPS Block IIR-M satellites—and a new L5 civil signal for aviation safety of flight. This satellite is expected to be operational on orbit within about 90 days, joining about 30 other GPS satellites in the constellation. It is the first of 12 Block IIF satellites that Boeing is under contract to build. The mission marked the first time that a Delta IV carried a GPS satellite into space. (Patrick release) (See also Fox News report and United Launch Alliance release.)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
