Todd South
Todd South served in the U.S. Marine Corps, deploying to Iraq during the Iraq War in 2003. He then attended the University of Georgia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism. He later worked at the Red & Black, the Anniston Star, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, The Record and Military Times. Todd earned his MFA in nonfiction writing from Goucher College and was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2014 for local reporting.
Recent stories by Todd South
New Space Force EW Unit Pairs Multiple Weapon Systems in a First
The Space Force's recently activated 1st Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron is its first unit to combine the Bounty Hunter system with the new Meadowlands, part of a larger push to field and operate powerful EW capabilities across the force.
Report Pushes New Training Approach for Air Force on AI and Tech
A new report on modernizing Air Force training and education suggests borrowing a method from the civilian technology industry to help Airmen and Guardians build skills in key new areas like artificial intelligence: stackable certificates.
New 7th Air Force Chief Faces Tough China, North Korea Air Mission
The incoming head of the 7th Air Force will face an intense mission while relying on fourth-generation fighters to stave off looming threats from North Korea and China.
New SOUTHCOM Permanent Cartel Task Force Will Expand Air Force Role
As U.S. Southern Command shifts its counter-narcotics mission to a permanent task force, the Air Force piece of the larger war on cartels in Latin America and the Caribbean is likely to grow.
Long-Range JDAM Deal Gives Air Force New Standoff Strike Option
The Air Force has awarded Boeing a $75 million first production contract to begin acquiring its long-range JDAM as the service seeks to expand and extend its munition strike options in an increasingly distance-driven targeting world.
Air Force Names New Enlisted Recruiting Commander to Expand the Ranks
The Air Force named a dedicated enlisted recruiting commander as a “commitment” to its effort to build a modern, seamless pipeline, continuing the service’s efforts to rapidly scale up ranks for Airmen and Guardians.
F-22s Visit Kadena as 18th Wing Still Awaits Arrival of F-15EX
Kadena Air Base’s 18th Wing is conducting a readiness exercise with two rotational fifth-generation fighter squadrons, as the base awaits its delayed stationed F-15EX fighters.
Air Force Cracks Down on Non-Compliant Computers and Software
The Department of the Air Force’s lead unit for cyberspace operations recently began the first phase of a network hardening effort and is slated to start the second phase using artificial intelligence-automated software, even as some of the updates are causing computer quarantines across the ...
Space Force Announces Enlisted Promotions as It Prepares to Switch to ‘Fully Qualified’ System
The most recent Space Force enlisted promotion selection was the last to use the old board format for sergeants, as the service transitions to a “fully qualified” method of selecting its junior NCOs.
Space Force Chief Nominee: China Going ‘Breathtakingly Fast’ with Space Weapons
China’s rapidly advancing capabilities in space are a major concern for the presumed next chief of U.S. Space Force, who will likely oversee rapid growth in manpower and equipment to counter the growing threat.
Pentagon Announces Multiyear Deals to Buy Thousands of Affordable Cruise Missiles
The Pentagon announced framework agreements for new multiyear deals with three companies to mass-produce more affordable, less exquisite air-to-ground missiles for the Air Force, part of a larger strategy to bring cheaper firepower to a future fight.
Northrop Says Upgrades to F-16 EW, Targeting Are Moving Forward
Northrop Grumman is deep into testing two upgrades for the F-16 as the Air Force looks to keep the fourth-generation fighter ready for the future fight, company officials told reporters this week.
Software Sold Separately: What the Air Force’s New Approach for CCAs Means
The Air Force’s “software sold separately” plan to buy critical autonomy software decoupled from the physical air vehicle for its nascent Collaborative Combat Aircraft fleet could help the drones evolve quickly, foster competition, and avoid vendor lock-in, experts and service officials told Air & Space ...
Does the Space Force Need Its Own Lawyers? Senate Seeks Answers
The Senate Armed Services Committee wants the Pentagon to study whether the unique legal issues arising from operations in space demand that the Space Force have its own lawyers.
LRASM Clears Integration Milestone for Use on the B-1B
The Air Force recently tested the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile on the B-1B Lancer, clearing a key milestone for integrating the weapon on its bombers.