July 06, 1943

July 6, 1943

Mladshy Leitenant (Captain) Ivan Kozhedub, flying a Lavochkin La-5 fighter, records his first aerial victory. Kozhedub would eventually reach 62 “kills,” making him the Soviet Union’s all-time leading ace.

Air Force Inspector General Tapped to Lead Global Strike Command

July 18, 2025

Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Davis, the Department of the Air Force’s top internal watchdog, has been nominated to lead Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees the service’s bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Space Force’s Guetlein Confirmed as Golden Dome Czar

July 18, 2025

The Senate voted to confirm Space Force Gen. Michael A. Guetlein to his new job as “direct reporting program manager” for President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative on July 17.

USAF F-35s Fly from Philippines for First Time During Cope Thunder Exercise

July 18, 2025

U.S. Air Force F-35s recently operated from the Philippines for the first time ever as part of the latest edition of the Cope Thunder exercise.

What to Watch for the Air Force as House, Senate Advance Differing Defense Bills

July 17, 2025

The Senate Armed Services Committee this week released the full text of its version of the 2026 defense policy bill—often referred to as the National Defense Authorization Act—that would allow the Air Force and Space Force to spend billions of dollars more than the services had sought for next year.

L3Harris Unveils ‘Wolf Pack’ Concept for Cheap, Kinetic/Nonkinetic Missile Swarms

July 17, 2025

Swarms of kinetic and electronic attack “Wolf Pack” munitions, operating collaboratively, could overwhelm enemy defenses, L3Harris said of its new low-cost combat aerial vehicles.

Space Force Promotes New NCOs at Breakneck Pace and Sky-High Rate

July 17, 2025

The Space Force is promoting new noncomissioned officers at a breakneck pace, as the service announced another year of sky-high rates for junior NCOs.

Air Force Shakes Up Helicopter Plans, Wants to Convert Some HH-60Ws

July 17, 2025

The Air Force’s helicopter fleet gets a major shakeup in the 2026 budget, highlighted by a decision to modify HH-60W helicopters to ferry VIPs around Washington, D.C., according to budget documents and a spokesperson.

HASC’s Draft Authorization Would Save E-7, Block A-10 Retirements

July 16, 2025

The House Armed Services Committee on July 15 passed its draft of the 2026 defense policy bill, 55-2, in a late-night vote following nearly 14 hours of debate over hot-button issues ranging from President Donald Trump’s desire to use a Qatari jet as Air Force One to cutting military aid…

Defense Policy Nominee Has Advocated Merging NRO and Space System Command

July 16, 2025

Combining the National Reconnaissance Office with the Space Force's Space Systems Command could help turbocharge national security space acquisition, argues Mark Berkowitz, the Trump administration's nominee to be assistant secretary of defense for space policy, in a newly published essay he coauthored.

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