Daily Report

So far, it’s been no contest. Airmen and Air Force civilians have far surpassed their counterparts across the Defense Department in responding to Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ call for creative ideas on improving efficiency. Of the 10,464 total submittals as...

One of the main themes emanating from USAF's review of its headquarters-level space functions is that the Air Force Secretary currently lacks the authority to effectively manage military space issues across the Department of Defense. This is problematic because the Secretary is still DOD's executive agent for space. The responsibilities currently assigned "are no longer supported with empowering and matching authorities," reads the review. In fact, the EA "lacks the authority necessary to address and resolve space issues within DOD," states the document. It's ultimately up to the Office of the Secretary of Defense to decide what authorities the EA for space should have. Discussions between Air Force and OSD officials are ongoing "to clarify the specific roles," according to the review. Air Force officials, including Secretary Michael Donley, have said they would like to see milestone decision authority returned to USAF's purview. (Space management review) Continue

US Joint Forces Command is likely to fall victim to the Pentagon’s belt tightening, but that won’t affect the US relationship with NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, which is also based in Norfolk, Va. That according to NATO Secretary General Anders...

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Tuesday he hopes that the alliance members will decide to build a NATO-based missile defense system and also invite Russia to participate. “It makes sense from a military point of view because through...

The Air Force is considering establishing a low-altitude tactical navigation (LATN) area in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. The LATN, which is pending an environmental impact assessment, would provide airspace for C-130s and CV-22s to conduct air combat maneuvers...

Beginning Oct. 1, airmen deployed to Southwest Asia will no longer be able to scrape by without taking their annual physical training test. Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, Air Forces Central commander, recently approved a policy requiring both permanent-party airmen and...

A Laughlin AFB, Tex., logistics unit reached a milestone 19 years in the making last month when it completed its one-millionth aircraft refueling. Robert Rodriguez topped off a T-38 Talon Aug. 25, reaching the historic mark for the 47th Logistics...

The Armenian military tested out its expeditionary medical skills for the first time with the help of airmen from US Air Forces in Europe’s 3rd Air Force and the Kansas Air National Guard. The Armenians deployed their only rapid-response medical...

The F-35’s distributed aperture system, or DAS, recently detected and tracked a two-stage rocket launch from more than 800 miles away. This was accomplished during a routine flight test aboard a surrogate aircraft, DAS maker Northrop Grumman announced Tuesday. DAS...

Boeing on Tuesday announced changes to its military aircraft business that will take effect Oct. 1. The organization will consolidate from six divisions to four, “to continue to position the company for growth in the current business environment,” states the...

Air Sorties in Southwest Asia, Aug. 28, 2010 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 23 64 87 17,135 CAS/Armed Recon 16 97 113 23,030 Airlift 191 191 41,711 Air refueling 55 55 11,301 Rescue 44 44 5,245 Total...