AFA Almanac

Air Force Shuts Down DEI Programs, Following President’s Orders

Jan. 23, 2025

The Air Force has started the process of shutting down its diversity and inclusion offices and boards to comply with a sweeping Executive Order from President Donald Trump, though the process is still ongoing, an official told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

New Report: Fixes to Pilot ‘Crisis’ Tied to Fleet Size, Flying Hours, Reserves

Jan. 23, 2025

Fixing the Air Force’s chronic combat pilot shortage will require more aircraft in the fleet, more flying hours to squadron operations, and retaining more pilots within Reserve components, according to a new paper from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

‘Even Better’: How Guardians Stopped Iran’s Second Missile Barrage

Jan. 23, 2025

In the second of a two-part series, Guardians describe how they refined their training, processes, and equipment for missile warning after Iran attacked Israel—then used the improvements during a second Iranian attack.

Air Force to Conduct Deportation Flights for Thousands of People

Jan. 22, 2025

The Pentagon plans to use U.S. Air Force C-17s and C-130s to deport 5,400 people currently detained by Customs and Border Protection, officials announced Jan. 22, the first act in President Donald Trump’s sweeping promise to crack down on undocumented immigrants and increase border security.

Money-Saving Microvanes Inch Closer to Fleetwide C-17 Use

Jan. 22, 2025

New devices meant to save money spent on gas by reducing aerodynamic drag are inching closer to fleetwide adoption for the Air Force’s 222 C-17 transport jets.

First Warning: How Guardians Sparked Fight to Defeat Iran’s Missiles

Jan. 22, 2025

In the first in a two-part series on the role of the Space Force in responding to Iran’s attacks on Israel in 2024, Guardians on the ops floor in April describe an intense night of missile warning.

Learn to Accelerate Software Delivery at Prodacity 2025

Jan. 22, 2025

In a modern, connected military, software is crucial to every step of every operation, from planning to coordination and logistics to target engagement. But as threats and requirements change, software needs to change too. If requirements change faster than developers can...

New Report: To Fix Deterrence, Rethink Goldwater-Nichols and Boost the Budget

Jan. 21, 2025

The credibility of America’s deterrent is waning, and the way to get it back is by restructuring defense leadership and raising the defense budget almost 100 percent, according to a new paper from the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Acquisition Official Tapped as Acting Air Force Secretary

Jan. 21, 2025

Gary A. Ashworth, a career Department of Defense civil servant and former Air Force officer, has been tapped by President Donald Trump to be Acting Secretary of the Air Force, the White House announced on Jan. 20.

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