The 54th Fighter Group at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., is pressing pause on some of its flying operations so it can “assess and reset” following a July 13 F-16 crash at the installation, base spokesperson Denise Ottaviano told Air Force Magazine on July 14. An F-16 assigned to the 49th Wing crashed while landing at Holloman around 6 p.m. local time on July 13, according to a Facebook post published by the wing. “The sole pilot on board successfully ejected and is currently being treated for minor injuries,” the post states. It was the Air Force's second F-16 crash in two weeks.

The Air Force's F-15EX contract awarded to Boeing July 13 could cover as many as 200 of the advanced Eagles, 56 more than the service has previously said it would buy. The “up to” figure in the contract is an increase from 144, which the service has stuck with since the updated F-15s were added to its budget two years ago. At 200, the Air Force would nearly buy enough of the two-seat fighters to replace its extant F-15C/D fleet of 234 jets.

The Air Force wants its follow-on to the venerable MQ-9 Reaper to move beyond the surveillance and strike roles, and be able to conduct air-to-air and base defense missions with increased autonomy to lessen the number of people in the loop, the service’s top acquisition official said. The Air Force issued a request for information on June 3 for the Reaper’s replacement, with responses due July 20. The goal is to replace the MQ-9 with an operational remotely pilot aircraft by 2031— a timeline that is an “eternity” in a modern, digitally engineered world, Air Force Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Will Roper said. With most future programs, new aircraft and systems need to move beyond traditional, individual roles to serve a greater purpose in a high-end fight. “The litmus test for the MQ-Next is going to be what other letter can we assign to its name, because it’s doing a mission other than ISR and strike,” he said.

The House Appropriations Committee passed its version of the 2021 defense spending bill by a 30-22 vote July 14, though dissenting Republicans warned of “poison pills” in the measure that would invite a veto. The bill includes $694.6 billion for the Pentagon, including $626.2 billion in base funding and $68.4 billion in overseas contingency operations spending. This total is $1.3 billion above the Pentagon’s 2020 budget, but $3.7 billion below the administration’s request. Committee Republicans cautioned that some provisions in the measure invite a veto, including blocking Pentagon funds from going toward building a border wall, funding to rename Army bases named for Confederate leaders, and limiting the Defense Department’s reprogramming authority.

The Russian Defense Ministry claims it intercepted a USAF RC-135 reconnaissance plane and an MQ-9 Reaper, as well as a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, over the Black Sea on July 14. If verified, the Black Sea meeting marks at least the 10th interaction between U.S. and Russian aircraft in less than two months.

The Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer is making progress despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with 80 percent of developmental testing complete and the first engineering and manufacturing development aircraft under construction, Boeing officials reported July 14. The T-7 has shown “fighter-like” performance and will be a competitor for light attack and light fighter competitions worldwide, officials asserted.

After 1st Lt. David Schmitz died during a routine training exercise in June, his former best man and fellow F-16 pilot vowed to keep his legacy alive by setting up a scholarship foundation in his memory. “He had an impact on so many people. I didn't want that to ever end,” said Maj. Patrick Bruton, who started the foundation. Schmitz, who was assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., was killed June 30 when his F-16CM Fighting Falcon crashed at the base. He was 33. Bruton, who also flies F-16s at Shaw, started a GoFundMe page on July 5, and has already raised $18,952 toward his goal of $25,077—the “77” represents Schmitz's fighter squadron. Bruton said he will use the money to start the Lt. David Schmitz Foundation, a program to give scholarships to those interested in pursuing a career in aviation.

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.