Russian Airpower

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.

U.S. B-1 bombers landed in Guam on Jan. 15 for a Bomber Task Force deployment, the first of the new year. Two of the bombers also conducted a trilateral flight alongside Japanese and South Korean fighters on their way to Andersen Air Force Base.

The Air Force became the latest service to roll out a new operating concept for the future when Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin unveiled the service's Force Design last fall. But the Air Force is hardly the only service with a Force Design, and a pressing question for the…

Blue Origin launched its New Glenn rocket and SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on Jan. 16, as Space Force leaders watched with interest at two vehicles that may redefine how the service accesses orbit in the future.

Incoming President Donald Trump announced Jan. 17 he will nominate former Space Force Lt. Col. Matt Lohmeier to be the next undersecretary of the Air Force. Lohmeier came to public prominence in 2021, when he self-published a book alleging that Marxist ideology had become widespread in the military. Then-Lt. Gen. Stephen…

Contracts for F-35 airframes in Lot 18 and 19 should be signed in the spring, but an engine deal is still not in hand and could take months longer. The delays don't seem to be driven by anticipation of how the new Trump administration will influence the program.

Experts and advocates say a new Pentagon report on pay and compensation will guide much-needed changes on housing allowances and military spouse employment.

Lockheed Martin has approved F-35s flying with a 50-50 blend of standard jet fuel and Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuel, made from waste oils, coal, gas, and other carbon products. Norway flew two F-35s using a 40/60 mixture of standard and SAT fuels earlier this week.

Derek M. Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency, has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of an investigation, the Department of the Air Force announced late Jan. 16.