The Air Force awarded Boeing the contract to produce the service’s new combat search and rescue aircraft because the HH-47 offers the best value and fast delivery, said Sue Payton, the Air Force’s new acquisition chief. Payton told reporters at...

In searching for the right aircraft to replace its fleet of HH-60 Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopters, the Air Force discounted platforms offering the most advanced technology in favor of one that “doesn’t hold us hostage” to technology...

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley writes in a new CSAF’s Vector that “range and payload remain the soul of an air force, and the HH-47 exceeds our requirements in both areas.” Moseley was explaining the service’s selection of the Boeing HH-47 as the CSAR-X platform. He went on to explain that the Chinook-based airframe would “be capable of flying faster over longer ranges and higher altitudes, day or night, during adverse weather conditions, while carrying more personnel and specialized equipment than our legacy platform.” Moseley also highlighted the Air Force’s history in combat search and rescue, noting, “While other services do personnel recover, the Air Force is the only service with forces dedicated entirely to CSAR.”

Potentially the replacement combat search and rescue aircraft program, if it runs through the full 141 aircraft buy, is valued at up to $15 billion. First, though, CSAR-X competition winner Boeing must work through Block 0—system development and demonstration—and delivery...

Five of the 16 remaining members of the famed World War II Doolittle Raiders paid homage to the seamen and the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, from which the Army Air Forces airmen launched the B-25 raid on Japan just four...

In a new enlisted perspective letter to airmen, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley questions the practice of calling young airmen—enlisted and officer—“kids,” which he says does not reflect the “highly trained and motivated airmen” that USAF sends into battle. He goes on to relate a few significant statistics: The Air Force today has more than 30,000 airmen deployed around the world and many more deployed in place; 4,000 protect America’s skies in Operation Noble Eagle; USAF flies more than 250 missions each day, including 45 strike missions against enemy forces; one Air Force mobility aircraft takes off every 90 seconds, hauling troops and equipment of all services; airmen complete more than 450 satellite supports every day; more than 4,500 airmen are filling in for US soldiers.

The Air Force and its two reserve components ushered in the new fiscal year by reaching 100 percent or better toward their recruiting goals. The Air National Guard fared best, recruiting 117 percent of its goal for the month of...

Air Force and Navy elements on Guam joined forces for a week’s worth of sea mine planting earlier this month. Aircrews flying B-52 bombers deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, dropped 92 Mk 62 and four Mk 56 mines over the...

Kansas State University has named its military science building after retired Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Myers, who graduated from KSU in 1965 and earned his commission through Air Force ROTC, now serves at...

US defense and Australian officials paid tribute Nov. 8 at the Australian Embassy in Washington to 40 US servicemen that were killed in a B-17 crash in Australia on June 14, 1943. Now featured on the grounds of the embassy...

The Defense Department has identified remains of four airmen that died when their B-25 bomber crashed after it was attacked by Japanese fighters on Oct. 24, 1943, on a bombing run out of New Guinea. A Nov. 8 Pentagon news...

According to a Nov. 9 Pentagon press release, DOD has identified the remains of Col. Charles J. Scharf, of San Diego, who piloted a F-4C that was hit by enemy fire and went down in flames on Oct. 1, 1965,...

Nov. 9, 2006 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total ISR 16 9 25 CAS/Armed Recon 34 46 80 Airlift 140 140 Air refueling 38 38 Total 50 55 178 283 OIF=Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF=Operation Enduring Freedom ISR=Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance