October 26, 1925

October 26, 1925

Oct. 26, 1925

Army Lt. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, flying the Curtiss R3C-2 floatplane racer, wins the Schneider Cup race in Baltimore with an average speed of 232.57 mph. This marks back-to-back wins for the United States and the only time the Army had competed in a seaplane race. (Note: The US won the Schneider Cup race in 1923, and the race was not held in 1924.) The next day, Doolittle sets a world seaplane speed record of 245.713 mph over a three-kilometer course.

US Dispatches Aircraft Carrier, B-1 Bombers Near Venezuela as Trump Ponders Expanded Strikes

Oct. 24, 2025

The Pentagon is significantly bolstering airpower near Venezuela, dispatching the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to Latin America, it said in an Oct. 24 statement. The announcement came just hours after U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers and other U.S. assets flew near the Venezuelan coast on Oct. 23.

Here’s How the Pentagon Could Keep Paying Troops During the Shutdown

Oct. 24, 2025

With a fresh directive from the president, the department could opt to repeat its unconventional—and potentially unlawful—move to pay troops using unused non-personnel appropriations.

OA-1K Skyraider Crashes in Oklahoma, Crew Uninjured

Oct. 24, 2025

An Air Force OA-1K Skyraider II crashed near Oklahoma City on Oct. 23, with a civilian contractor and Active-duty Airman escaping uninjured. The OA-1K was on a training mission when the crash occurred, less than 10 miles from the base.

A New Kind of CCA? Meet the Supersonic, Vertical Takeoff and Landing X-BAT

Oct. 23, 2025

Shield AI has entered the increasingly crowded field of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, this week announcing its “X-BAT” vehicle that stands out from others by having both vertical takeoff and landing capability and supersonic speed.

How New Religious Accommodation Rules for Beards Could Impact Airmen’s Careers

Oct. 23, 2025

Airmen, Guardians, and other service members that wear beards for religious reasons will be deemed nondeployable as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s sweeping crackdown on shaving waivers—a move that would essentially end their careers and one that several former Air Force officials say may go too far in trying…

Space Force Plans $905 Million for Maneuverable GEO Program

Oct. 23, 2025

The Space Force expects to award $905 million in contracts over the next five years through a new Maneuverable GEO program, which aims to form a commercial fleet of mobile communication satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

New Report: Air Force Can’t Afford ‘Runaway’ R&D, Needs More Aircraft

Oct. 23, 2025

For more than a decade, the Pentagon have steadily invested more and more of its budget in research and development compared to procurement—resulting in a “smaller, older, and less capable force than it needs,” according to a new analysis from the Center for a New American Security think tank.

Northrop Checks Off Sentinel Milestones While Still Working on Program Restructure

Oct. 22, 2025

While the Sentinel ICBM program writ large is undergoing a major restructure due to cost and schedule overages, prime contractor Northrop Grumman is touting progress on milestones with the missile itself.

Air Force to Inspect All Dorms for ‘Clean, Comfortable, Safe’ Living Conditions

Oct. 22, 2025

The Air Force has ordered officials across the service to inspect every Airman’s dorm room as part of the Pentagon’s new effort to improve barracks conditions for all service members.

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