Dik A. Daso
Recent stories by Dik A. Daso
Massive Buildup Against Iran Continues: F-22s to Israel, More F-35s and F-15Es to Europe
The Air Force has surged F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter jets and aerial refueling tankers to Israel for possible combat operations against Iran as the Trump administration continues to weigh embarking on an air campaign against the Iranian regime, and more fighters appear to be ...
F-47 Still ‘Doing Exceptionally Well,’ on Track for 2028 Flight
The advanced F-47 sixth-generation fighter remains on track to fly in the next two years, the senior Air Force acquisition officer overseeing the program said Feb. 25, as the service continues on its ambitious schedule to debut the air superiority-focused fighter by 2028—only three years ...
SPACECOM Offering Bonuses to Staffers Who Make the Move to Alabama
U.S. Space Command will offer “significant relocation bonuses” to its civilians who choose to move to the command’s new home in Huntsville, Ala., after President Donald Trump ordered the headquarters to relocate last September. “We are trying to do everything we can to incentivize our ...
CCAs Start Carrying Inert Missiles, Live Fire Shots Expected Later This Year
The Air Force has put inert weapons on its new uncrewed fighters for the first time and plans to conduct live weapons tests later this year. Those steps come as the service is moving to bring its new drone wingmen into service more rapidly than ...
Life or Death Over Yemen: How 2 F-16 Pilots Survived a Houthi SAMbush
About 15 seconds separated F-16 “Wild Weasel” pilots Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks and Maj. Michael “Danger” Blea from life or death in the night skies over Yemen.
New Paint Scheme for Air Force One, VIP Transport Fleet Revealed
The next “Air Force One” presidential aircraft and other planes in the Air Force’s VIP transport fleet will soon have a new paint scheme—one preferred by President Trump and similar to the one painted on the president’s personal 757 aircraft.
US Amasses More Airpower in Middle East with Dozens of Fighters
The U.S. continued to move a significant amount of airpower toward the Middle East in recent days as talks to forge a nuclear deal with Iran hung in the balance. Flight tracking data indicate there was unusually heavy movement of dozens of fighter jets and ...
Pentagon to Restock Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bombs Dropped by B-2s on Iran
The U.S. military is moving to restock its supply of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-busting bombs it used against Iran's underground nuclear facilities last June, according to Air Force documents.
Space Force, Aiming to Double in Size, Blows Past Recruiting Goal
To meet growing demand for national security space capabilities, the Space Force's top enlisted leader says it needs to double in size. The Space Force has already surpassed its recruiting goals for fiscal 2026.
F-35s Flying Toward Middle East as Trump Presses Iran for Nuclear Deal
U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets were observed flying toward the Middle East on Feb. 11, the latest step in the U.S. military buildup in the region as the Trump administration weighs possible strikes on Iran.
F-35s Deploy Closer to Middle East After US Talks with Iran
More stealthy U.S. fighter jets moved closer to the Middle East on Feb. 9, with a half dozen F–35A Lightning II fifth-generation planes landing at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., after crossing the Atlantic, flight tracking data and air traffic control communications show.
US Launches Renewed Strikes Against ISIS in Syria
U.S. aircraft, drones, and attack helicopters have launched significant airstrikes in recent days against Islamic State militants in Syria as part of the renewed air campaign against remnants of the group, U.S. officials said.
US F-35 Shoots Down Iranian Drone near Aircraft Carrier; F-16s Escort Threatened Tanker
A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone operating near the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier Feb. 3 in a dramatic incident that American military officials cautioned could lead to conflict amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S.
Military Operations: Airpower and Absolute Resolve
How the Air Force Cleared the Way for Delta Force. The daring raid on Caracas, Venezuela, to snatch and grab Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro may have been characterized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a law enforcement operation, but...
Next Up in Pentagon’s Push for Defense Industry Reforms: Space
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth exhorted the U.S. space industry to step up its efforts in a forceful Feb. 2 speech in which he called for a new era of American “space dominance."