Daily Report

The Pentagon will acquire eight F-35A jets previously bound for Turkey, plus six more F-35As under an $861.7 million contract. The contract modifies a previous fixed-price award and “exercises options to procure eight Lot 14 F-35A Lightning II repositioned aircraft as a result of the Republic of Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program.” The other six Air Force F-35As covered by the contract are from the same lot. The deal funds “recurring engineering” to modify the Turkish-ordered jets to meet USAF specifications. Work is to be completed by May 2026.

A leak in a cracked oil line caused an RQ-4’s engine to fail during a ferry flight to the Middle East in June 2018, and because the operations aircrews did not properly plan divert airfields en route, the Global Hawk crashed into the sea near Spain, according to an Air Force investigation. The RQ-4B, tail number 09-2041, operated by the 348th Reconnaissance Squadron at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., was deploying to U.S. Central Command when its engine failed more than 11 hours into the flight. After gliding for about an hour, the pilot determined the aircraft could not make it to a divert airfield and crashed it into the sea, destroying the RQ-4 at a loss of $98 million.

The Air Force released a list of resources to help foster conversations on race and inclusion within the service. Since protests started after the killing of George Floyd on May 25, Air Force leadership has encouraged frank discussions on race throughout the service. The goal of this list is to equip airmen with the knowledge to constructively solve issues of prejudice and bigotry. “We must arm our forces with the insights and perspectives of how they can first and foremost be empathetic leaders,” Lt. Col. Angel Lugo, education and training chief of the Air Force Diversity and Inclusion Division, said in a July 17 press release. The list includes books, videos from senior leaders, and TED Talks.

Two B-1s deployed to the Pacific on July 17, flying intercept training with Japanese F-15Js before landing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for the first time since May. The two Lancers from the 37th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., flew directly to the Sea of Japan for the integration training with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15Js as part of the bomber task force deployment. Since ending the Continuous Bomber Presence mission in April, Air Force Global Strike Command has sent smaller task force deployments of bombers on direct flights to the Pacific as part of what it calls “dynamic force employment.”

The Air Force has selected 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year from a pool of 36 nominees representing major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies, and Headquarters Air Force. The Airmen were selected based on their “superior leadership, job performance, and personal achievements,” according to a USAF release. The Outstanding Airman of the Year program debuted at AFA’s 10th annual National Convention in 1956, and the association has continued to shine a spotlight on the outstanding airmen from each major command every year since.

Heidi Grant, once the Air Force's top weapon exports official, will now lead the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, marking a shift from uniformed to civilian leadership at that agency. DSCA's current leader, Army Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper, is retiring. Grant will oversee arms sales that are increasing annually, to more than $55 billion last year.

On March 23, the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a virtual Nuclear Deterrence Series event featuring Scowcroft Group Principal Frank Miller. At a time when nuclear modernization programs are accelerating around the world, proposals to recapitalize the U.S. nuclear arsenal are at the forefront of debates over defense spending. Miller will share his insights into the prospects for U.S. nuclear modernization programs and the value of nuclear deterrence in today's competitive security environment. The think tank will post event video on its website and YouTube page after the live event.