Hagel Reaffirms Need for New Bomber

The Air Force’s Long-Range Strike Bomber is a critical element of the nation’s future strategic deterrent and the nation would fail future airmen “terribly” if it does not invest in the platform now, said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday....

Airmen Gather to Discuss Sexual Assault Prevention

Air Force leaders are hosting a sexual assault prevention and response conference at JB Andrews, Md., this week. Each day is governed by a different theme, said service officials. Monday’s sessions focused on prevention. Tuesday’s dealt with culture and climate,...

White House Announces Cybersecurity Initiatives

The Obama Administration on Tuesday announced a legislative proposal to strengthen cybersecurity information sharing between the private sector and government and modernize law enforcement authorities to combat cyber crime. Among its points, the proposal encourages the private sector to share...

MQ-9 Airframe Reaches 20,000 Flight Hours

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft last month reached 20,000 flight hours, the highest flight time of any of the 230 airframes of this type that have flown since 2001, announced manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. The MQ-9 is also...

Al Udeid Refueling Squadron Hits Milestone

While flying their KC-135 tankers over Iraq and Syria, airmen of the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron out of al Udeid AB, Qatar, reached a milestone with the data link system called Roll-on Beyond Line of Sight Enhancement, or ROBE....

Philippine Officials Visit US, Accept C-130s

A delegation of Philippine military officials earlier this month inspected a pair of surplus C-130T airlifters at JRB NAS Fort Worth, Texas, and then signed a letter of acceptance for their delivery in early 2016, according to a statement from...

F-22 Development and Sustainment Contracts Issued

The Air Force recently awarded Lockheed Martin a $67.8 million to complete a year’s worth of F-22 programed depot maintenance, according to a release. The company will carry out this work at its site in Palmdale, Calif., and at the...

Hangar Goes Whole Herc

Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing cut the ribbon on a $4 million renovated and expanded heavy maintenance hangar for HC-130P/N aircraft at Patrick AFB, Fla., according to a release. The wing expanded the original 17,000 square-foot isochronal inspection...

Correction

The Air Force’s $43.3 million contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems on Jan. 6 covers retrofit kits to bring MQ-9 Reaper Block 1 remotely piloted aircraft to the latest configuration, but not the extended-range standard as we reported in Tuesday’s...