Editor’s Note
The Daily Report will not publish from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1 as our staff takes time to be with family and friends. From all of us here at Air & Space Forces Magazine, Happy Holidays and see you in 2025!
How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.
That’s Not Santa: NORAD Tracks Russian Jets in Alaskan ADIZ
Four Russian warplanes entered the Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of Alaska on Dec. 18, North American Aerospace Defense Command announced—the first such incident in three months.
Experts: US Not Organized or Equipped for the Coming Electromagnetic Wars in Space
Space-based capabilities like GPS and satellite communications are vital to modern warfighting—and they are also most easily attackable via the electromagnetic spectrum via jamming or spoofing the radio transmissions that provide their command and control. But the Department of Defense’s electromagnetic warfare efforts in space are hamstrung by poor coordination and a lack of communication between stakeholders, experts said.
Why Do We Need a Space Force? Here’s This Guardian’s Answer
“The Space Force is now five years old, yet most Americans don’t even know it exists, not to mention what it does or why we need it. That’s an uncomfortable fact and a problem for the entire nation that every Guardian needs to understand and take seriously,” writes retired USSF Col. Charles Galbreath.
Radar Sweep
Trump Announces Picks for Deputy Secretary of Defense, Other Top DOD Posts
DefenseScoop
President-elect Donald Trump announced a slew of selections Dec. 22 for key Pentagon positions, including deputy secretary of defense and undersecretaries for the acquisition and sustainment, research and engineering, and policy directorates.
US Ship Shoots Down Jet in Friendly Fire over Red Sea, Military Says
The Washington Post
A Navy fighter pilot and a weapons system officer ejected over the Red Sea after friendly fire from a warship early Dec. 22, according to the U.S. military. Both survived after ejecting from their F/A-18 Hornet, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Each sustained minor injuries, according to a military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Taiwan Is Getting Its U.S. Weaponry—but Years Behind Schedule
The Wall Street Journal
Taiwan hailed the arrival of its first state-of-the-art American tanks this week, celebrating what it described as “the world’s greatest war machine.” Less prominently mentioned was the long wait that preceded the arrival of the 38 Abrams tanks: Taiwan placed the order five years ago, in June 2019, during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term.
Houthi Missile Strike Injures More Than a Dozen in Tel Aviv
BBC
A Houthi missile strike has injured more than a dozen people in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israeli military said attempts to shoot down a projectile launched from Yemen had been unsuccessful and it landed in a public park early on Dec. 21.
Russia’s Abrupt Setback in Syria Creates Headaches for Putin
The New York Times
For decades, Russia has been trying to rebuild its influence in the Middle East. But after the rapid collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, the Kremlin is scrambling to salvage whatever it can. President Vladimir V. Putin sought to spin events in Syria as a success for Russia, which provided crucial military support for President Bashar al-Assad during the country’s long and brutal civil war, and received two important military bases in return.
PODCAST: Global Spacepower: Allied Perspective
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
In this episode of the Aerospace Advantage, Heather “Lucky” Penney and members of the Mitchell Institute team discuss allied spacepower with French Space Command Commander Maj. Gen. Philippe Adam. Join us as we learn more about French spacepower and what it means for U.S. operations on orbit.
Congress Authorizes Free Wi-Fi for Troops in Barracks
Task & Purpose
Troops living in barracks will be getting free Internet in the near future, after Congress approved the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. The sweeping $895.2 billion defense bill includes authorization from Congress for the military to roll out high-speed wireless Internet access for troops living in unaccompanied barracks.
Pentagon, Lockheed Ink Pricier F-35 Deal for Next Lot
Inside Defense
Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon have reached an agreement on F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lot 18 to manufacture the stealth jet's frame and technical functions, the Pentagon announced. An informal, handshake deal regarding production of the fifth-generation jet's next two Lots—18 and 19—was settled in November, according to a joint statement issued at the time from Lockheed and the F-35 Joint Program Office. Today’s contract marks the formal arrangement for Lot 18.
New Air Force Review Supports Manned 6th-Gen NGAD Fighter Concept
Breaking Defense
A recent internal Air Force analysis supports the development of a manned, next-generation fighter jet, three sources told Breaking Defense—a finding that comes amid a high-profile debate over the future of the multibillion-dollar Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
Troop Pay Safe After Congress Approves Extension of Government Funding
Military.com
Troop pay is no longer in jeopardy after Congress approved legislation early Dec. 21 to keep the government funded through mid-March and prevent a holiday season government shutdown. Passage of the bill in the Senate came right up to the precipice of a shutdown heightening anxiety that service members could miss paychecks due to them at the end of the month at a time when financial stressors could be adding up because of the holidays.
Air Force Reopens F-16 Ejection Seat Deal, Setting Up Contest Between Collins, Martin-Baker
Breaking Defense
The Air Force is formally recompeting a deal with Collins Aerospace to provide modernized ejection seats for the service’s F-16 fleet, and could do the same for the F-22 and B-1 based on the results, the service announced Dec. 20.
Navy, Air Force Cleared to Fly Ospreys After Inspecting Gears
Air Force Times
The Navy and Air Force are now cleared to resume flying their grounded V-22 Ospreys after conducting inspections on a crucial gearbox in the tiltrotor aircraft, and some are already back in the air. The military temporarily stopped flying some Ospreys on Dec. 9 after a near crash in New Mexico in November.
Turion Space Secures $32.6 Million Military Contract for In-Orbit Space Surveillance
SpaceNews
Startup Turion Space has been awarded a $32.6 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to launch three small satellites designed to monitor and track objects such as space debris. The contract is part of a Strategic Financing Initiative (STRATFI) agreement from SpaceWERX—the Space Force’s technology innovation arm—that matches government funds with private investment to accelerate the development and deployment of commercial space systems.
Stratolaunch Succeeds with Second Talon Launch
Aviation Week
Hypersonic testing company Stratolaunch has launched its Talon TA-2 high speed test vehicle on the third attempt and is believed to have successfully landed the autonomous vehicle at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., on Dec. 20.
Santa and Mrs. Claus Use Military Transports to Bring Christmas to an Alaska Native Village
The Associated Press
Forget the open-air sleigh overloaded with gifts and powered by flying reindeer. Santa and Mrs. Claus this week took supersized rides to southeast Alaska in a C-17 military cargo plane and a camouflaged Humvee, as they delivered toys to the Tlingit village of Yakutat, northwest of Juneau.