Enlisted Airman Becomes First to Receive Air Force Cross

Sept. 9, 1967

Sgt. Duane D. Hackney is presented with the Air Force Cross for bravery in rescuing an Air Force pilot in Vietnam. He is the first living enlisted man to receive the award.

Air Force Seeks More Companies to Build the Stand-in Attack Weapon

March 6, 2026

The Air Force wants more companies able to produce its new, multi-use, anti-radar missile that one expert says will prove vital in any future peer conflict and would be in high demand for the war in Iran if stocks were available now.

USSF Eyes ‘Dual-Use’ Ways to Boost Space Superiority, Prep for Guardians in Orbit

March 6, 2026

As the Space Force spends more time thinking about what it will need to look like in 2040, some of the service's generals say they can lay the groundwork for Guardians launching and operating in orbit while still meeting the demand for space superiority now.

Air Force-Backed Hypersonic Aircraft Startup Flies Demonstrator

March 6, 2026

Hermeus, a venture capital-backed company looking to develop a reusable hypersonic aircraft, announced March 3 it flew its Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 demonstration vehicle—its second successful flight in the last year. The firm has also garnered interest from the Air Force and the rest of the Pentagon as the military looks…

Still More Fighters, Bombers Set to Join Iran Air War

March 5, 2026

The U.S. is moving to surge firepower over Iran, including its capital of Tehran, defense officials leading the campaign said March 5 at U.S. Central Command headquarters. Bomber strikes are being stepped up and additional fighter squadrons are being deployed.

US Won’t Update Nuclear Posture Review: Pentagon Policy Chief

March 5, 2026

The 2026 National Defense Strategy, released in January, took a markedly different approach from the 2018 version produced by the President Donald Trump’s first administration. But don’t expect a similar overhaul in a new Nuclear Posture Review—the Pentagon has no plans to produce one.

Space Development Agency Faces Challenges Scaling its Growing Constellation

March 5, 2026

The Space Development Agency launched its first two batches of operational satellites last fall in what was supposed to be the start of a 10-month campaign to populate its proliferated data transport and missile tracking constellation. Six months later, the agency and its vendors have yet to move those first…

NATO Scrambles a Dozen Aircraft as Russian Warplanes Approach Alaska

March 5, 2026

NORAD scrambled a half-dozen American and Canadian fighters, along with six support aircraft, to intercept two Russian military aircraft that entered the Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of Alaska and Canada on March 4.

Air Force Vice Chief: No Contract for Extra KC-46s Until Deficiencies Are Fixed

March 4, 2026

The Air Force won’t finalize a new deal with Boeing for another 75 KC-46 tankers until some of the “deficiencies” with the refueler are resolved, new Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D. Lamontagne told lawmakers March 4.

Airstrikes Shift Deeper Inside Iran as US Gains Air Superiority

March 4, 2026

Control of the skies in Operation Epic Fury is enabling the Pentagon to rely more on satellite- and laser-guided bombs, throttle back on expensive long-range standoff munitions, and move to a new phase of air war, defense officials said on March 4. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen.…

Enlisted Airman Becomes First to Receive Air Force Cross

Related