Daily Report

Nearly two years after its launch into orbit, the Air Force's Space Based Space Surveillance Block 10 satellite is ready to commence initial operations, announced service space officials on Aug. 20. Air Force Space Command boss Gen. William Shelton declared on Aug. 17 that the satellite had reached the initial-operational-capability milestone, they said in a release. The spacecraft is now available to support US Strategic Command, states the release. "The SBSS satellite will provide needed capability to the national deep-space space situational awareness in terms of timely revisit of high-interest objects and increased capacity to meet current and future warfighter SSA needs," said Robert Davidson, AFSPC's space superiority division chief. Boeing and Ball Aerospace supplied the satellite, which the Air Force placed into space in September 2010. The taskable, dedicated sensor is the only space-based asset in the nation's space-surveillance network, according to the release. It's capable of monitoring man-made objects from its perch in geostationary orbit without the disruption of weather, time of day, or atmosphere that can limit ground-based systems. "It's an agile sensor, so it can be tasked to look at high-interest objects on a more frequent basis," said Davidson.

Speaking to a room full of non-commissioned officers, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said leadership is a gift that is rarely easy, but almost always rewarding. “People are going to criticize you if you’re the one stepping up, making...

The Air Force Sustainment Center, one of the new set pieces of Air Force Materiel Command’s recent restructuring, will provide readiness for the Air Force at less cost, said Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, the center’s commander. “We are going to...

Army Gen. Carter Ham, US Africa Command boss, praised the “very strong and professional relationship” between the US military and Botswana Defense Force at the ceremony marking the conclusion of three weeks of aeromedical evacuation training at Thebephatswa AB, Botswana,...

Airmen at Tyndall AFB, Fla., celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated base exchange. Under a $6.7 million overhaul project that began last October, the exchange received lighting upgrades, “fast lane” checkouts, and food court additions, said base officials....

President Obama signed legislation into law that allows the White House to make some political appointments, including certain Pentagon positions, without requiring the Senate's approval. The Presidential Appointment and Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011—signed on Aug. 10—will reduce the number of positions requiring Senate confirmation by one-third, or roughly 170 executive positions and 3,000 officer corps positions, according to a release from Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.). The law is meant to help eliminate the backlog of Presidential nominations awaiting confirmation. Defense Department positions that fall under the new law include: assistant defense secretary for networks and information integration; assistant defense secretary for public affairs, director of selective service system; six members of the National Security Education Board, and two members of the Council of Economic Advisers, according to Lieberman's release. Lieberman sponsored the Senate's version of the bill, S. 679, along with Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). (Legislation full text; caution, large-sized file.)

The Air Force awarded TSgt. Jesse Swiderek, an aircraft metals technology craftsman with the 31st Maintenance Squadron at Aviano AB, Italy, $10,000 for creating a new, more efficient process for repairing aircraft fuel tanks. His proposal, rewarded under the service’s...

Lockheed Martin issued an artist’s rendering of its new C-130XJ transport concept. The company is marketing the new variant as a lower cost option to nations that might not be able to afford a full-up C-130J like those in the...