B-52 mission

B-52s Land at RAF Fairford for Bomber Task Force Mission

Multiple B-52 bombers from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., arrived at RAF Fairford, England, on Aug. 18 as part of a bomber task force mission in Europe, U.S. Air Forces in Europe announced. Flying into Fairford, the B-52s from the 5th Bomb Wing got a quick start on training with allies, integrating with fighters from Norway and Sweden.
air force tattoo policy

Report: Air Force, Other Services Need to Clarify Tattoo Policies, Waiver Process

All of the armed services, including the Air Force and Space Force, should update their policies to give recruits and service members more clarity on the waiver process for tattoos, according to a new government report. The Government Accountability Office conducted the study, which Congress requested as part of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, and looked at the tattoo policies of the Air Force, Space Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Radar Sweep

Marine Corps Will Not Stand Down MV-22 Fleet Despite Air Force Move

Breaking Defense

In the wake of the Air Force grounding its CV-22 Osprey fleet over a safety concern, the Marine Corps’ top aviator said the Corps will not be following suit for its MV-22s, saying the service has been well aware of the issue for more than a decade. He is instead issuing guidance on how to reduce the likelihood of the problem occurring.

Air Force Awards Runway Extension Contract for JBER, Alaskan Geostrategic Hub

Air Force release

The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is leading the largest Pacific Air Forces construction project awarded to date—$309 million to extend a runway at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, awarded the contract to extend one of the base’s two runways.

Potentially Strong Solar Storm Could Disrupt GPS, Radio Communications: NOAA

Breaking Defense

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is warning that solar activity could cause geomagnetic storms strong enough to trigger disruptions to GPS, communications satellites, and some military radios. “Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on the surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio, and satellite operations,” NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center explained in its warning.

Hicks Grapples With Deficiencies in Pentagon’s R&D Infrastructure

FedScoop

National and military laboratories’ aging infrastructure has deteriorated—and that concern is top of mind for the Pentagon’s No. 2 official. After visiting the Air Force Research Laboratory during a multi-state trip to observe military-related technology pursuits, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks confirmed that she’s keen to help drive the modernization of the research and development facilities that the DOD relies on for next-generation capabilities.

Italian Election Could Reshape Rome’s Defense-Spending Momentum

Defense News

A right-wing coalition tipped to take power in Italy has committed to raising defense spending but may only manage a slight increase next year if it focuses on flagship tax cuts or pension increases, a leading analyst has said. The three-way coalition teaming Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, Matteo Salvini’s League party, and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia is expected to win elections following the collapse of a national unity government headed by Mario Draghi.

Commercial Geospatial Technologies That Detect GPS Disruptions to Be Tested in Military Exercises

SpaceNews

U.S. military and allied forces in upcoming exercises will put to the test commercial technologies that could help detect GPS jamming or other activities that disrupt satellite-based navigation. The project is led by the Defense Innovation Unit, a Pentagon organization focused on commercial technology. DIU is working with vendors to develop prototype systems that use data from satellites and other sources, artificial intelligence, and machine learning tools to locate intentional interference.

One More Thing

Air Force Academy to Honor Space Force With Air Power Legacy Series in 2022

Air Force Academy release

The Air Force football team is honoring the U.S. Space Force with the 2022 edition of the Air Power Legacy Series uniform. The Falcons will debut the uniform for the Navy game in Falcon Stadium on Oct. 1. The helmet features lightning bolts representing dominance, quick strike, and precision. The jersey features Space Force base patches on the left shoulder and a tonal United States flag on the right sleeve. The unit patches feature Space Base Delta 1 headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., and Space Base Delta 2 headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo.