Air Force Space Command concluded its Guardian Challenge combat competition May 19, with award ceremonies on the two days following. The 2010 iteration of the biennial, command-wide event marked the first time that the cyber forces of 24th Air Force, AFSPC’s newest unit, were incorporated into the activities alongside the space forces. At the same time, the Air Force’s ICBM units, which no longer fall under AFPSC, did not participate. Events included contests in areas including space operations, space launch, space acquisition, security forces, space communications, and combat communications. “Guardian Challenge is about innovation, esprit de corps, and teamwork,” all designed to hone skills, said AFSPC boss Gen. Robert Kehler. He added, “The competitors and support personnel have all done a great job this year. I’m very pleased.” (Peterson report by 1st Lt. Jonathan Simmons, including list of winners)
The Air Force’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile is behind schedule and may significantly overrun its expected cost, which could partially explain why the service is reviving the hypersonic AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid-Response Weapon.