First Operational Test Launch of Minuteman I

Oct. 17, 1963

The first LGM-30A Minuteman I operational test launch is carried out at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., by a crew from Malmstrom AFB, Mont. The shot is a partial success. The re-entry vehicle overshoots the target.

Air Force: Medical Shaving Profiles Issued Before March Will Soon Be Invalid

Dec. 17, 2025

The Department of the Air Force is limiting medical shaving profiles to a maximum of six months, down from the previous limit of five years, and will soon require Airmen and Guardians with profiles issued in the last 10 months to be reevaluated as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s…

Billy Mitchell: Lessons a Hundred Years Hence

Dec. 16, 2025

Exactly 100 years ago, on Dec. 17, 1925, Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell was convicted by court-martial for violating an order that required approval before he could engage with the media. Mitchell’s provocative thoughts and unorthodox methods sought attention for a cause that he saw as uniquely American.

US, France Conduct Joint Space Domain Awareness Operation

Dec. 16, 2025

U.S. Space Command has conducted a second bilateral space domain awareness operation with France, according to SPACECOM Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting.

Lamontagne Nominated for Vice Chief, Guardsman for Top JAG, New ANG Director Picked

Dec. 16, 2025

Gen. John D. Lamontagne has been nominated by President Donald Trump to become Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, a job that has been vacant since February. Brig. Gen. Christopher A. Eason, currently commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, has also been nominated to be Judge Advocate…

Air Force IT Leaders Adopt Commercial-First Strategy

Dec. 16, 2025

The Department of the Air Force is embracing the new commercial-first approach to IT ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, outsourcing networks and other infrastructure and reducing the amount of customization required from vendors, say the chief information officers for several DAF organizations.

Space Force Wants Lower-Cost, Commercial Capabilities for Silent Barker Replacement

Dec. 16, 2025

The Space Force wants to emphasize small, low-cost systems and commercial capabilities in the next generation of Silent Barker surveillance satellites, drawing lessons from its work to replace the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness program.

Major Acquisition Programs Have Lost ‘Substantial’ Talent, Leaders Say

Dec. 15, 2025

The program executive officers for some of the Air Force’s largest acquisition management organizations are struggling to deal with an exodus of senior talent and experienced civilian staff, three of them told an industry conference.

Numbers Game Squeezes USAF Fighter Force

Dec. 15, 2025

Congress set the legal floor for how many primary mission aircraft the Air Force had to have in its fighter force in 2018, requiring at least 1,145 fighters through Oct. 1, 2026. In each of the past past two legislative cycles, lawmakers agreed to reduce the number. But when the House passed…

‘Victus Haze’ Responsive Space Mission Pushed to 2026 by Rocket Anomaly

Dec. 15, 2025

The Space Force has delayed its next Tactically Responsive Space mission, Victus Haze, until 2026, as one of its launch providers continues to recover from a rocket anomaly that occurred earlier this year.

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