The head of Air Combat Command, Gen. John Corley, has declared that all USAF F-15s can fly again, following an inspection "focused on the areas just aft of the cockpit and slightly forward of the inlets." In a message last week to all F-15 pilots, weapons systems officers, and maintainers, Corley described actions ACC has taken since the Nov. 2 crash of an Air National Guard F-15C and subsequent grounding of the entire F-15 fleet. He explained that the "structurally different" E models had been cleared to fly first because the "problems identified during years of A-D model usage were designed 'out' of the E model." Corley noted that the accident investigation continues, but "in-depth technical reviews" by structural engineers led the command, in consultation with the F-15 depot, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Georgia, to determine the focus for aircraft inspections. Corley acknowledged that "mission accomplishment entails risk," however he urged individual airmen to "ensure all operations and maintenance parameters are in order before flight."

Recent increases in the price of fuel have cost the Air Force $1.3 billion, said Sue Payton, the service’s top acquisition official. That money is unbudgeted and comes straight off the service topline. Speaking with defense reporters Nov. 20, Payton...

A C-17 from the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord AFB, Wash., had the distinction to fly Air Mobility Command’s millionth sortie for the war on terror. The milestone flight came as a crew from the 62nd AW’s 10th Airlift Squadron...

The North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing in Fargo has a doctor shortage that the unit’s shift from fighter aircraft to unmanned aerial vehicles and transports has only acerbated. TV station WCCO reports that Air Guard officials worry they...

Two Republican legislators from New Mexico who both also happen to be Air Force veterans would very much like to secure the Senate seat to be vacated by fellow Republican Sen. Pete Domenici. Rep. Heather Wilson is a 1982 Air...

An Air Force accident investigation board looking into the July crash of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle in Iraq has concluded that the UAV received faulty data from its manifold air pressure sensor. That led to a decrease in...

The 754th Electronic Systems Group at Maxwell AFB, Ala., has activated a software center of excellence and awarded a contract for $10 million worth of security protection—all part of the Air Force effort to gain master over cyber operations. Monica...

It’s official now. The Pentagon has formally installed John Young as its undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, following confirmation by the Senate. Young has served as acting acquisition chief since July.

Airmen at RAF Fairford, Britain, have been dusting off their plans for the space shuttle as one of several abort landing sites. TSgt. Kristina Barrett reports that Fairford would be the transatlantic abort landing site should Atlantis need to abort...

Defense Secretary Robert Gates last week visited Whiteman AFB, Mo., where he served, in 1967, as a second lieutenant, coming back at the request of the base community council. While there he presented a Bronze Star medal, a Purple Heart,...

An article this week in the Rapid City Journal recounts the first flight of Allegiant Air from Rapid City, S.D., to the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, the new name for Williams Gateway Airport. Reporter Dan Daly notes that the airport is...

The former Air Force lieutenant, whose case many say helped end the communist hunt in America led by Sen. Joe McCarthy in the 1950s, died last week in California at age 81. As the Los Angeles Times reports, famed TV...

Nov. 19,20,22, 2007 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total ISR 77 24 101 CAS/Armed Recon 143 113 256 Airlift 467 467 Air refueling 115 115 Total 220 137 582 939 OIF=Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF=Operation Enduring Freedom ISR=Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance Airlift includes Horn...