PACAF Established, Headquartered in Hawaii

July 1, 1957

Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is established, succeeding the Far East Air Forces, composed of the 5th Air Force, 13th Air Force, and 20th Air Force. Headquarters are moved to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

What a $1.5T Defense Budget Could Mean for the Air Force and Space Force

Jan. 10, 2026

For the Air Force and Space Force, an influx of additional resources could be an opportunity to accelerate a massive modernization portfolio and ramp up aircraft and satellite production, defense analysts and former officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

New Legislation Aims to Protect Guard, Reserve Benefits by Simplifying Duty Statuses

Jan. 10, 2026

Lawmakers in Congress have introduced new legislation aimed at fixing a complex system that has many times prevented Airmen serving on Air National Guard and Reserve duty status from getting the same benefits as their Active-duty counterparts.

New Target Vehicle for Missile Defense Tests Makes First Flight

Jan. 9, 2026

The Pentagon is making progress developing a new target round for test the effectiveness of U.S. missile defenses. Contractor Northrop Grumman announced the first flight of a redesigned vehicle Jan. 8.

USAF Restores Duty Identifier Patches: ‘They’re Back, Baby’

Jan. 9, 2026

With a rip of Velcro and the slap of a familiar patch, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Wolfe announced the return of duty identifier patches in an 11-second Facebook video Jan. 9.

B-2 Units That Flew Midnight Hammer Win Awards from Air Force Historical Foundation

Jan. 8, 2026

The Air Force Historical Foundation has recognized two Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber wings among the winners of its 2025-2026 prestigious annual awards, selecting both for their part in Operation Midnight Hammer, the daring raid on Iran’s fortified nuclear weapons sites.

F-35 Deliveries Soared to New Record in 2025

Jan. 8, 2026

Lockheed Martin says it delivered 191 F-35 fighters in 2025—just ahead of the goal it set for itself at the beginning of the year as it works to clear a backlog of jets in storage.

Air Force, Space Force Introduce First Acquisition Portfolios in Reform Push

Jan. 8, 2026

The Department of the Air Force announced seven new mission area-focused portfolio acquisition executives for the Air Force and Space Force, some of the department's first steps to implement Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's sweeping acquisition reforms.

ULA Eyes Vulcan’s Second Space Force Launch amid Major Leadership Change

Jan. 7, 2026

United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan Centaur rocket is slated to fly its second national security mission in February—nearly six months after its first operational launch and almost a year after it was certified to fly military payloads for the Space Force.

Air Force Drops Mandatory 2-Mile Run on New PT Test, Moves Start Date Up to July

Jan. 7, 2026

Airman will start being officially scored on the new physical fitness assessment in July rather than September and will have an alternative to a two-mile run to prove their cardio fitness, the Air Force announced Jan. 6.

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