Franklin Hibel
Recent stories by Franklin Hibel
Trump Renames DOD the ‘Department of War,’ But Will it Stick?
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 5 to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, a move that has heightened the ongoing debate over the White House’s legal authorities and the role of the military in the world and ...
Experts Urge Caution as NORAD Intercepts Russian Spy Planes 4 Times in Week
For the fourth time in a week, a Russian spy plane has been intercepted by U.S. Air Force F-16s near Alaska, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command. The most recent flight, which occurred Aug. 26, marks a dramatic uptick in Moscow’s approach operations near ...
NORAD F-16s Intercept Russian Spy Plane Near Alaska 2 Days in a Row
U.S. Air Force F-16s intercepted a Russian spy plane operating off the coast of Alaska on consecutive days, North American Aerospace Defense Command officials said.
Spain Takes Over ‘Heart and Soul of Our Air Force’ at Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command, which oversees most of the Air Force’s combat aircraft fleet, has a new boss in Gen. Adrian L. Spain, who succeeded Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach in a ceremony Aug. 11.
USAFE, AMC, AFMC Could Lose 4-Star Commanders
At least three high-profile four-star Air Force commands could be downgraded to three-star roles, as the Pentagon presses to shrink the number of generals throughout the Department of Defense, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
Lawmakers Seek Extra Scrutiny of Air Force Missile Community Cancer Concerns
The Air Force has spent more than two years studying cancer risks to Airmen who work with the service's intercontinental ballistic missiles. Now lawmakers in Congress are placing fresh scrutiny on the issue and have prepared legislation that would direct the service to clean silos ...
NORAD Intercepts Russian Bombers and Fighters near Alaska
Russian warplanes conducted a flight off the coast of Alaska on July 22, prompting an intercept from aircraft assigned to North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Space Force Will Begin Assuming National Guard Missions in October
The Space Force will begin assuming space missions currently conducted by the Air National Guard starting at the beginning of October, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
USAF Pilots Fly Australian F-35 in Pacific First
The U.S. Air Force put two of its pilots in the cockpit of Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs during the large-scale Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia last week. The move, intended to strengthen interoperability among allies, provides U.S. Air Force pilots with a unique ...
Bussiere, Bratton Tapped For Air Force and Space Force Vice Chief Roles
The Air Force and Space Force are both set to have new No. 2 officers. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere has been nominated for Air Force Vice Chief of Staff and Lt. Gen. Shawn N. Bratton has been nominated to receive a fourth star as the ...
B-52s Escorted by Korean and Japanese Fighters as Defense Chiefs Meet
The U.S., South Korea, and Japan flew an unusual trilateral flight with two U.S. B-52H Stratofortress bombers escorted by two Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2s, and two ROK Air Force KF-16 fighters—both countries’ respective variants of the F-16—July 11. That same weekend, the top military ...
F-15EX Fighters Deploy to Japan for Training as Kadena Prepares for New Jets
Two F-15EX Eagle II fighters arrived for training at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 12 as the base gears up to receive a permanent fleet of the jets.
B-52 Bomber Task Force Kicks Off in Guam as Pacific Exercises Rev Up
The Air Force kicked off a bomber task force deployment to Guam coinciding with a large-scale USAF exercise in the region that is intended to reinforce deterrence against China.
Iranian Ballistic Missile Hit US Air Base in Qatar in June, Pentagon Reveals
An Iranian ballistic missile struck Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar during Iran’s attack on the base June 23, the Pentagon told Air & Space Forces Magazine July 11. Defense officials have touted the success of U.S. and Qatari Patriot anti-missile systems in blunting the missile ...
SOCOM Halves OA-1K Armed Overwatch Buy for 2026
U.S. Special Operations Command is once again slowing its purchases of the new OA-1K Skyraider II multipurpose counterinsurgency plane, as the Pentagon pivots its budget to prepare for a high-end conflict following two decades of wars in the Middle East.
