First Air Force recently unveiled three aircraft—an F-16, F-15, and Cessna 172—displayed outside its headquarters at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Each of the aircraft have played a key role in the War on Terror. For example, 1st AF alert fighters have stood alert defending the Eastern US as part of Operation Noble Eagle. In addition to flying some of the first aerial surveillance of the World Trade Center following the attacks, Civil Air Patrol Cessnas have flown more than 2,000 hours a year providing the fighters with intercept training, according to the release. “Civil Air Patrol is delighted to have this place of honor among our 1st Air Force brethren” supporting homeland security missions, said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Charles Carr. Once repainted, the fighters will bear the markings of jets scrambled to intercept airliners hijacked on Sept. 11, 2001, according to a base Jan. 10 release.
The Pentagon needs a Digital Command and a Digital Warfare Corps, along with other changes, to take advantage of critical new technologies, according to a think tank founded by former Google CEO and Chairman Eric Schmidt.
