The Pentagon won’t continue the CSAR-X combat search and rescue helicopter program and has cut $144 million that had been planned for the aircraft in Fiscal 2010. In announcing the CSAR-X termination April 6, Defense Secretary Robert Gates questioned the need for a single-service, single-purpose program. The $89 million left in the fiscal 2010 budget request will be used for “a requirements review,” presumably after the need for the CSAR mission is settled in the just-commenced Quadrennial Defense Review. Because the Air Force hasn’t been replacing any of its combat-loss or retired MH-60G Pave Hawks—it has been waiting for the new aircraft—the service will start upgrading the existing fleet and will buy two new UH-60 Black Hawks through the Army to supplement what’s left.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.