Neptune Takes Flight

April 21, 1950

Piloted by Lt. Cmdr. R.C. Starkey, a Lockheed P2V-3C Neptune weighing 74,668 pounds becomes the heaviest aircraft ever launched from an aircraft carrier. The Neptune is flown off USS Coral Sea (CV-43).

The Value of Integrated Air and Space Operations: Multidomain Solutions

Sept. 16, 2025

America faces the most severe security environment seen since World War II, and U.S. military leaders are working aggressively to develop new strategies, operational concepts, and technologies in response. As these efforts advance, it is imperative that new ideas and...

NATO Scrambles Fighter in Newest Response to Russian Drones

Sept. 16, 2025

NATO scrambled its first fighter Sept. 13 under its new plan to bolster its defenses against Russian air incursions that was put into place after an array of Russian drones flew into Polish airspace last week, the officials from the alliance’s military command said.

Raytheon Boosts AMRAAM’s Range ‘Significantly,’ Mostly with Software Changes

Sept. 16, 2025

RTX’s Raytheon unit was able to “significantly” extend the range of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile using mostly software changes in experimental tests last year, expanding the reach and lethality of the standard U.S. dogfighting weapon, company officials said Sept. 15.

Shave or Separate: New Pentagon Policy Limits Medical Waivers to 12 Months

Sept. 15, 2025

Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

US Military Blows Up Second Alleged Drug Boat in Caribbean

Sept. 15, 2025

The U.S. military conducted its second deadly strike on an alleged drug-carrying vessel off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced Sept. 15, as his administration continues an aggressive military campaign in the Caribbean.

Work Has Begun to Adapt Qatari 747 to Fly as Air Force One

Sept. 15, 2025

The Air Force has started modifying a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for "executive airlift," a spokesperson said Sept. 15. President Donald Trump has said he wants to fly the jet as “Air Force One” since new presidential transports, held up by delays, won't be ready until after his term…

Watchdog Blames PCS Contractor Debacle in Part on Lack of Military Oversight

Sept. 14, 2025

A massive contract to manage thousands of PCS moves failed because U.S. Transportation Command did not adequately oversee the results, according to the Government Accountability Office.

NATO Bulks Up Air Defenses with ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Shootdown of Russian Drones

Sept. 14, 2025

NATO is bolstering defenses on its eastern border with Russia following the intrusion of Russian drones into the alliance's airspace in Poland last week. The alliance launched a new operation called Eastern Sentry on Sept. 12 in response with an immediate focus on air defense, especially drones.

PHOTOS: Air Force Shows Off Second B-21 in New Images

Sept. 12, 2025

On Sept. 12, the Air Force released half a dozen new photos of the second B-21 bomber to fly, giving observers and aviation enthusiasts another glimpse of the secretive Raider.

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