Air Force Stands Up New School For Future Warrant Officers

Air Force Stands Up New School For Future Warrant Officers

July 1, 2024 | By David Roza

The Air Force took a step closer to bringing new warrant officers into its ranks for the first time since 1958 by opening a school where Airmen will train for the role. 

The Air Force Warrant Officer Training School was activated in a ceremony at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., on June 28. The school curriculum will focus on five warrant officer foundational principles: communicate, advise, influence, innovate, and integrate, according to a press release.

The Air Force and Space Force are the only military services currently without warrant officers, who fill technical rather than leadership functions in the other military branches. But today the Air Force sees the reintroduction of warrant officers as a way to maintain an edge in two fast-moving technical fields: information technology and cybersecurity. 

“We are in the business of producing Airmen,” Maj. Nathaniel Roesler, the new WOTS commandant, said in the release. “These specialists come to us with technical expertise, and our mission is to develop them to be better warfighters, advisors, and integrators, ready to fly, fight, and win during Great Power Competition.”

In the enlisted and commissioned officer ranks, Airmen often have to take career breaks for leadership and development roles as they rise through the ranks. The warrant officer track offers a different path.

“With perishable skills, like cyber, like IT, where the technology is moving so rapidly, folks who are experts in that can’t afford to be sent off to a leadership course for eight or nine months,” Alex Wagner, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs, said April 9. 

Time spent in mandatory leadership roles can also hurt retention; Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in February that about 100 Airmen joined other branches in recent years so that they could become warrant officers in IT and cyber.

The first eight-week WOTS class of about 30 candidates is scheduled to start this October and graduate in December, with a second class of about the same size scheduled to start in early 2025.

Competition for a warrant officer slot is proving to be fierce: when the Air Force opened applications for the program from April 25 to May 31, more than 350 Active-duty Airmen sent in packages, of whom about 50 were turned away due to incomplete applications, Air Force officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Active-Duty Air Force Warrant Officer Applicants by Age

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Active-Duty Air Force Warrant Officer Applicants by Gender

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Active-Duty Air Force Warrant Officer Applicants by Rank

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The 301 Active-duty applicants that met the board to become warrant officers came from a range of career fields including cyber defense and cyber warfare, intelligence analysis, cryptologic language analysis, aerospace ground equipment specialists, health services management, mental health services, special investigations, and military training instructors. Members of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve could also apply, though data on those applicants was not immediately available.

Applicants had to be at the rank of staff sergeant and above, at the age of 42 or younger, and with a minimum five years’ time in service by July 24. Though applicants could come from any career field, they had to meet a range of qualifications in cybersecurity and information technology.

The selection board met from June 24-28, and selectees will be notified in late July. Upon graduating, the new warrant officers will be assigned to units supporting both the Air Force and joint force operational requirements, according to the press release. Future classes will be announced each year.

It is unclear at this point how many warrant officers the Air Force hopes to train, but planning documents obtained by Air & Space Forces Magazine in February show that the pipeline could scale up to 200 junior warrant officers and 50 senior warrant officers per year. Kendall said in March that he expects the program will eventually expand to other career fields, pending how successful it is in cyber and IT.

“The reintroduction of warrant officers to the Air Force is another example of the force adapting personnel policies to best compete in emerging security landscapes.” Brig. Gen. Houston R. Cantwell, commander of the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development, said in the press release. 

“The warrant officer will serve on the virtual frontlines, allowing us to stay ahead of rapidly advancing threats while safeguarding national security interests in both the information technology and cyber career fields.”

US-Based Danish F-35s Going Home Because of Delivery Delays

US-Based Danish F-35s Going Home Because of Delivery Delays

July 1, 2024 | By John A. Tirpak

Due to the prolonged delay in deliveries of the Tech Refresh 3 version of the F-35 fighter, Denmark is pulling six of its TR-2-configured F-35 jets stationed in the U.S. back to home base in order to consolidate aircraft and get better training for its pilots and maintainers, the Danish defense ministry announced.

Danish defense minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the move “makes it possible to increase the training level” of F-35 ground and flight crews. The aircraft will join four already in Denmark, at Skydstrup air base, for a total of 10. Poulsen also said Denmark has NATO obligations which must be met.   

The Royal Danish Air Force aircraft have been based at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., which is the centralized training location for all international users of the F-35A. The ministry said it is making the change because it needs to keep on track with training for its F-35 fleet, especially since it has promised some of its retiring F-16s to Ukraine.

Poulsen said the jets will be replaced at Luke by new TR-3 models as soon as they become available.

“We have now found a solution so that the delays from the manufacturer affect us as little as possible,” Poulsen said. He did not specify a timeline for the move.

He added that it is “absolutely crucial that we follow the phase-in” of the F-35 closely because the system is “a major investment for Denmark which will affect our defense and security for many years to come.”

The action comes as the Joint Program Office gets ready to approve deliveries of F-35s—on hold since last summer—with a “truncated” version of the TR-3 hardware and software package. The JPO is expected to inform Congress in the coming weeks that the truncated package is deemed safe for training. Program Executive Officer Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt has been waiting for the test enterprise to certify that the package is stable and doesn’t require an excessive number of in-flight reboots.

Certifying the package will allow Lockheed Martin to resume deliveries of some 85 aircraft that have been parked in storage since last summer.

Once deliveries are underway, it could take as much as a year to get through the handover process for the jets, which amount to more than six months’ production. Lockheed has said it expects to deliver at least one per day once transfers resume, but the Government Accountability Office recently said it has never previously hit that pace.

Denmark has agreed to sell 24 of its 43 F-16A/B aircraft to Argentina, with the remainder going to Ukraine. The first aircraft have already been delivered to Argentina, and NATO officials have said Ukraine will get its first F-16s in the next few months, pending the completion of pilot and maintainer training, some of which is taking place in the U.S.  

Denmark plans a force of 27 F-35s. The remaining 17 aircraft are to be delivered by 2027.

The hold on deliveries has affected all users of the F-35, and its duration—now in its 10th month—has disrupted the change-out of old equipment for new and the assignment of personnel in most user countries.

The TR-3 upgrade is the processor and software foundation for the Block 4 upgrade, a series of more than 80 improvements to electronic warfare, processor power, displays and weapons, to name just a few. Schmidt told Congress during budget hearings in the spring that the Block 4 will have to be “reimagined,” with some updates now not coming until the early 2030s.

The F-35 training enterprise at Luke generates aircraft from an international pool. Student pilots are given the next jet available, so F-35s are routinely flown by pilots whose countries don’t own the jets they’re flying. It isn’t yet clear how the absence of six Danish jets from the pool will affect the training enterprise.

Lockheed received a $1.56 billion F-35 contract from the Pentagon on June 27, but program officials said this had to do exclusively with sustainment efforts of fielded aircraft and did not include any progress payments having to do with development or aircraft deliveries.

The contract covered ground maintenance activities, depot support, the automatic logistic information system (ALIS) operations, reliability and maintainability activities, supply chain management and pilot training, among other items. Some $405 million of the award covers Air Force operations and $124 million covers Foreign Military Sales support to non-U.S. user nations.

Air Force General Sentenced In Historic Court-Martial

Air Force General Sentenced In Historic Court-Martial

June 30, 2024 | By David Roza

A military judged sentenced an Air Force general on June 29 to a reprimand, restriction to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, for two months, and $10,000 forfeiture of pay per month for 6 months, Air Education and Training Command said in a statement. 

Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, the first general in Air Force history to face a court-martial by jury, was found guilty earlier in the day on one count of Article 133 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, conduct unbecoming an officer for inviting a subordinate to spend the night with him; and a count of Article 92, dereliction of duty, for controlling an aircraft within 12 hours after consuming alcohol.

The eight-general panel—the military term for a jury—found Stewart not guilty of two counts of Article 120, which forbids sexual assault. Six of the eight members of the panel had to vote that Stewart was guilty of a crime in order for him to be convicted.

Earlier this week, on June 24, Stewart pleaded guilty to one count of dereliction of duty under Article 92 for pursuing an unprofessional relationship, and to one count of violating UCMJ Article 134, for having an extramarital affair.

The maximum punishment for willful dereliction of duty not resulting in death or grievous bodily harm is a bad-conduct discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 6 months, according to the 2024 Manual for Courts-Martial. The maximum punishment for extramarital conduct is dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year. 

Had he been convicted of all charges, Stewart would have faced a maximum punishment of dismissal, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 63 years, Air Education and Training Command explained. For the charges that he was found guilty, he faced the possibility of two and a half years confinement. Stewart has the right to appeal, if an automatic appeal is not triggered, AETC said.

One legal expert called the actual punishment very light, but expected Stewart will “almost certainly” be demoted to brigadier general when he retires. 

The sentence was a “missed opportunity to send a message that general officers are held to a higher standard,” said retired Col. Don Christensen, a former chief prosecutor of the Air Force.

In a statement, Stewart’s senior defense counsel, Sherilyn A. Bunn, said the verdict of not guilty for sexual assault “serves as a testament to the value of the panel system.

“From the beginning, Maj Gen Stewart maintained his innocence, confident that the truth would emerge,” Bunn added. “This case has highlighted the need for a careful and respectful approach to allegations of sexual assault.”

The trial began June 17 with administrative proceedings followed by nearly a week of jury selection where more than 13 general officers—all of whom had to outrank Stewart or have pinned on a second star before him—traveled to the courtroom at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. 

Presentation of evidence and witness testimony started June 24, including testimony from the woman who accused Stewart of sexual assault. Stewart declined to testify, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Overall, 12 witnesses testified, including Airmen, family members, friends, and digital forensics experts, according to Air Education and Training Command.

The only other Air Force general to have been court-martialed, Maj. Gen. William Cooley, was convicted of abusive sexual contact in 2022 by military judge alone. Stewart was relieved as the head of the 19th Air Force, which oversees Air Force pilot training, by Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, the head of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), on May 9, 2023.

Air Force General Cleared of Sexual Assault, Guilty of Other Charges

Air Force General Cleared of Sexual Assault, Guilty of Other Charges

June 29, 2024 | By David Roza

Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, the first general in Air Force history to face a court-martial by jury, was found not guilty of sexual assault but convicted of other charges on June 29.

The eight-general panel—the military term for a jury—found Stewart not guilty of two counts of Article 120, which forbids sexual assault. The panel did convict him on one count of Article 133, conduct unbecoming an officer for allegedly inviting a subordinate to spend the night with him; and a count of Article 92, for allegedly controlling an aircraft within 12 hours after consuming alcohol.

Earlier this week, on June 24, Stewart pleaded guilty to one count of dereliction of duty under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for pursuing an unprofessional relationship, and to one count of violating UCMJ Article 134, for having an extramarital affair.

The court-martial now moves into the sentencing phase, which is expected to start June 29 and will be overseen by the judge, a spokesperson for Air Education and Training Command said in a statement. 

“Presentation of evidence, and matters in aggravation and mitigation will be offered by counsel,” explained Capt. Scarlett Trujillo. “Frequently victim impact statements are made as well.”

A spokesperson for Stewart’s defense team said the team would have a statement after sentencing.

The maximum punishment for willful dereliction of duty not resulting in death or grievous bodily harm is a bad-conduct discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 6 months, according to the 2024 Manual for Courts-Martial. The maximum punishment for extramarital conduct is dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year.

Back in December, the presiding officer at Stewart’s preliminary hearing recommended the case not proceed to court-martial. Retired Col. Don Christensen, a former chief prosecutor of the Air Force, described the officer, Col. Brian Thompson, as a highly-experienced former prosecutor, so he was unsurprised that Stewart was found not guilty of sexual assault. Still, he said the finding does not diminish the gravity of the other charges.

“The remaining crimes he was found guilty of committing are serious and his sentence should reflect that,” Christensen said. “As general officer, he let down the troops he led as well as the Air Force.”

The trial began June 17 with administrative proceedings followed by nearly a week of jury selection where more than 13 general officers—all of whom had to outrank Stewart or have pinned on a second star before him—traveled to the courtroom at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Selection ended with eight members on June 22, followed by presentation of evidence and witness testimony starting June 24, including testimony from the alleged sexual assault victim. Stewart declined to testify, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

The only other Air Force general to have been court-martialed, Maj. Gen. William Cooley, was convicted of abusive sexual contact in 2022 by military judge alone. Stewart was relieved as the head of the 19th Air Force, by Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, the head of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), on May 9, 2023.

PHOTOS: On ‘I-Day’ at Air Force Academy, Class of 2028 Becomes Basic Cadets

PHOTOS: On ‘I-Day’ at Air Force Academy, Class of 2028 Becomes Basic Cadets

June 28, 2024 | By Unshin Lee Harpley

The Class of 2028 at the U.S. Air Force Academy arrived at the school for in-processing day, known as ‘I-Day’ on June 26. The appointees checked in to commence administrative records processing, receive uniforms and equipment, and take the oath of office.

Selected from more than of 10,099 applicants, the Class of 2028 includes 1,132 attendees, with approximately 29.7 percent being women. The class included some 215 appointees arriving with a private pilot’s license, including 50 women, Academy spokesperson Dean Milller told Air & Space Forces Magazine. Another 4.3 percent of the class are prior enlisted Airmen.

Also among the new cadets on I-Day were 437 appointees of color, 38 percent of the class. The list included 16 international students, each hailing from a different country: Angola, Egypt, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Moldova, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Senegal, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Tunisia.

“It’s a key to how we build partnerships with our allies overseas,” Miller said about the Academy’s international student program. “You can imagine the impact of going into a theater and having our officers work with someone they went to school with.”

By law, the Academy can have a maximum of 60 international students at any given time, allowing for about 15 new admissions per year. Prospective international students must secure a nomination through their government, typically facilitated by their defense ministry. Miller added that the Academy works with the embassies and the host nations throughout the application process.  

All attendees on I-Day were issued “Contrails,” a little blue handbook that contains all the information a new cadet needs to know, according to Miller. The new cadets will have some pop quizzes throughout their Basic Cadet Training period based on the material in the booklet.

I-Day also includes the Oath of Office, marking the appointees’ transition to the title of Basic Cadet. They commence training with an introduction to Air Force customs, courtesies, dress, and appearance standards, including haircuts for men and hairstyle instruction and haircuts for women. This is also when the new cadets receive uniforms and necessary equipment before progressing to Basic Cadet Training.

This intensive six-week regimen serves as the Academy’s inaugural trial, initiating transformation from civilian to future officer. Basic Cadet Training concludes in early August as the Class of 2028 is formally welcomed into the Cadet Wing during the Acceptance Day Parade.

Last month, at the Academy’s Class of 2024 graduation ceremony, 974 cadets joined the Air Force’s ranks, with 93 entering the Space Force as second lieutenants. The event also saw 15 international cadets graduate alongside their U.S. classmates. The graduating class was 69 percent men and 31 percent women.

Since the first class commissioned in 1959, 54,883 Academy graduates have commissioned into the Air Force, and 485 have commissioned into the Space Force.

Generals Start Deliberating as Arguments End in Stewart Court-Martial

Generals Start Deliberating as Arguments End in Stewart Court-Martial

June 28, 2024 | By David Roza

The first panel in history to sit for the court-martial of an Air Force general entered deliberations June 28. Eight general officers will now consider the fate of the defendant, Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart. The former head of the 19th Air Force, which is responsible for pilot training, faces charges of sexual assault, conduct unbecoming an officer, and controlling an aircraft within 12 hours of consuming alcohol. 

A spokesperson for Air Education and Training Command said the jury began deliberations at about 1:05 p.m. Central Time at the courtroom at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, following closing arguments from government prosecutors and the defense counsel. Six of the eight members of the jury, called a panel in a military court-martial, must vote that Stewart is guilty in order for him to be convicted.

The maximum punishment for sexual assault, a charge for which Stewart faces two specifications, is forfeiture of all pay and allowances and confinement for 30 years, with a mandatory minimum of dismissal or dishonorable discharge.

“We won’t speculate on how much time deliberations will take,” Marilyn Holliday, chief of operations for AETC public affairs, said in a statement. “The next step following the announcement of the verdicts is the determination of punishment, if any guilty verdicts are determined.”

Earlier this week, on June 24, Stewart pleaded guilty to one count of dereliction of duty under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for pursuing an unprofessional relationship. He also pleaded guilty to one count of violating UCMJ Article 134, for having an extramarital affair.

Stewart has pleaded not guilty to three other charges: two counts of violating Article 120, which forbids sexual assault; one count of Article 133, conduct unbecoming an officer for allegedly inviting a subordinate to spend the night with him; and a second count of Article 92, for allegedly controlling an aircraft within 12 hours after consuming alcohol.

The trial began June 17 with administrative proceedings followed by nearly a week of jury selection where more than 13 general officers—all of whom had to outrank Stewart or have pinned on a second star before him—traveled to the courtroom at San Antonio. Selection ended with eight members on June 22, followed by presentation of evidence and witness testimony starting June 24, including testimony from the alleged sexual assault victim. Stewart declined to testify, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

The only other Air Force general to have been court-martialed, Maj. Gen. William Cooley, was convicted of abusive sexual contact in 2022 by military judge alone. Stewart was relieved as the head of the 19th Air Force, by Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, the head of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), on May 9, 2023.

Stewart’s charges include six specifications:

  • Two specifications of violating Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, failing to obey a lawful order or regulation, first for allegedly failing “to refrain from pursuing an unprofessional relationship” and second for allegedly controlling an aircraft within 12 hours after consuming alcohol. The first specification allegedly dates to March 6 and May 9, while the second allegedly dates to on or about April 14 at or near Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
  • Two specifications of violating Article 120 of the UCMJ, which covers rape and sexual assault, for alleged nonconsensual sexual contact, dated on or about April 13 and 14 at Altus.
  • One specification of violating Article 133 of the UCMJ, conduct unbecoming an officer, at or near Denver, Colo., on or about March 6 and March 8, where it alleges that Stewart, “while on official travel, wrongfully invite [redacted] to spend the night alone with him in his private hotel room[.]”
  • And one specification of violating UCMJ Article 134, which refers to “all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces,” for allegedly engaging “in extramarital conduct” on or about April 13 and 14 at or near Altus.
Air Force Vet Indicted for Leaking Secrets on Weapons ‘Vulnerabilities’

Air Force Vet Indicted for Leaking Secrets on Weapons ‘Vulnerabilities’

June 28, 2024 | By Greg Hadley

An Air Force veteran and former civilian employee was indicted this week for leaking classified information on USAF aircraft and weapons. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida announced the grand jury indictment of Paul J. Freeman on June 27, after Freeman had been arrested and made his initial appearance in federal court. 

Federal officials allege Freeman “transmitted classified national defense information about United States Air Force aircraft and weapons to people not authorized to access the information” repeatedly in 2020 and 2021. A nine-count indictment states Freeman shared information “related to the vulnerabilities” of U.S. Air Force aircraft and weapons. 

Freeman is scheduled for a detention hearing on July 1 at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Fla. 

An Air Force spokesperson identified Freeman as a retired lieutenant colonel and developmental engineer who entered service in 1975 as an enlisted Airman, was commissioned an officer in 1984, and retired in 2003. His last active duty station and title was operations officer with the 46th Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., which is nearby his listed residence Niceville, Fla. 

Freeman appears to have rejoined the service as a civilian after retiring. Records from a separate court case in 2019 indicate an individual identified as Paul J. Freeman of Niceville, Fla., was hired as a civilian in 2003 as an engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory. The Air Force could not confirm if the two cases involve the same individual. The Department of Justice declined to release any further information beyond its release and indictment. 

According to court records of the 2019 case, Freeman sought court relief after the Air Force fired him from his job in AFRL’s munitions directorate. The records show Freeman was involved with a Special Access Program, meaning it fell into a class of highly classified programs with extra safeguards and controls. Working on that program from 2007 to 2012, the records say, Freeman “sent two emails with classified information from his personal computer … to unauthorized recipients, including several news outlets, government agencies, public officials, and military commanders who were not cleared to receive such information.” The records say Freeman refused to report to his worksite following a 10-day suspension. 

Special Access Programs require individuals to sign nondisclosure agreements and follow other protocols. 

Freeman did not contest that he sent the emails, according to court records, but argued in his appeal that his disclosures were covered by the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, and said he refrained from returning to work because he feared for his safety. A panel of judges from the federal circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals denied his appeal, ruling that Freeman neither qualified for whistleblower protections nor faced any danger in returning to work. 

The unauthorized disclosure of classified information remains a major concern among military and national security leaders. Just this week, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command, Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, raised alarms about China’s continued efforts to exfiltrate technological secrets from U.S. defense contractors, for example. And the ongoing case of Airman 1st Class Jack Teixeira, an Air National Guardsman alleged to have shared hundreds of top secret and classified documents to online chatrooms via his Discord screen name and persona, prompted the Pentagon to undertake several reviews of its security programs and how it tracks insider threats. 

At the same time, officials have warned that China is seeking to recruit U.S. military pilots and operators to train their own aviators and to gain insights into American tactics, techniques, and procedures. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a bulletin earlier this month warning of such moves, and in February the Air Force warned that the Chinese are recruiting U.S. “pilots, maintainers, air operations center personnel, and a variety of other technical experts” to build up their expertise. 

‘A Chunk Taken Out of His Spine’: F-16, KC-46 in Refueling Incident over Europe

‘A Chunk Taken Out of His Spine’: F-16, KC-46 in Refueling Incident over Europe

June 28, 2024 | By Chris Gordon

A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter and a KC-46 Pegasus tanker were involved in an aerial refueling incident off the coast of the Netherlands on June 27, service officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

The incident was first noticed by a user on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, who posted audio from the aircraft radio and air traffic control. Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed the recording is authentic.

A KC-46, callsign “Kanza 91” was refueling an F-16 with a “Warhawk” callsign when problems erupted. Someone on the radio frequency says an F-16, “Warhawk 3,” has aerial refueling “door damage” and “a chunk taken out of his spine due to a too close breakaway incident” between the fighter and the tanker. The person later indicates the damage to the spine of the aircraft is aft of the aerial refueling door. An Airman aboard Kanza 91 then says their aircraft was “damaged and unable to refuel” and asked another aircraft to see if there were cables flying from the back of the aircraft. The response was not recorded.

The aircraft involved were an F-16 was assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and a KC-46A from the 931st Air Refueling Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit based at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., that is forward deployed to Europe, a spokesperson for the 52nd Fighter Wing told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

“The incident is currently under investigation. Pilots and aircrew returned safely,” the spokesperson said.

The Air Force did not address questions regarding possible damage to either the KC-46 or the F-16.

The 480th Fighter Squadron, nicknamed the Warhawks, is the only fighter unit stationed at Spangdahlem. Open-source flight tracking data reviewed by Air & Space Forces Magazine shows that the KC-46 also took off and landed at Spangdahlem, which often acts as spillover base for airlift and tanker aircraft.

Flight tracking data shows the KC-46 circled near Spangdahlem at roughly 8,000 feet for just short of an hour before landing around four hours after it took off. The aircraft were flying over the Netherlands to participate in an exercise with the Dutch Air Force.

“The aircraft incident did not affect Exercise Turbo Weasel, an incredible training opportunity between the United States and Dutch Air Forces, which occurred during the week of 24-28 June,” the 52nd Fighter Wing spokesperson said.

The KC-46, made by Boeing, has been plagued by problems with its refueling system. The Air Force and Boeing are currently working to resolve multiple Category I deficiencies, including a “stiff” boom and the Remote Vision System (RVS), a setup of cameras and monitors the boom operator uses to connect the tanker to the refueling aircraft. The system washes out or blacks out in certain conditions, such as in direct sunlight. The RVS system can also cause issues with boom operator’s depth perception, which creates the risk of the boom operator accidentally hitting the aircraft the KC-46 is refueling.

However, the cause of the incident on June 27 is unclear.

China ‘Actively’ Working to Disrupt U.S. Defense Industry

China ‘Actively’ Working to Disrupt U.S. Defense Industry

June 27, 2024 | By Greg Hadley

China and other adversaries are actively seeking to disrupt the U.S. defense industrial base, the head of U.S. Cyber Command warned June 25. 

Air Force Gen. Timothy D. Haugh said the People’s Republic of China is “engaging thousands of intelligence, military, and commercial personnel” to steal U.S. intellectual property and disrupt defense firms business processes. Speaking at the 2024 AFCEA TechNet Cyber conference, Haugh cited Volt Typhoon, a Chinese hacking enterprise, for moves to infiltrate critical industries. 

The Department of Defense released its first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy in January, and followed up with a Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Strategy in March. That strategy noted that China is “conducting a focused campaign to undermine the nation’s operational effectiveness and obtain information on sensitive DIB acquisition programs in technology.” 

China has long sought to harvest U.S. defense companies’ expertise. In 2019, then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper accused China of “perpetrating the greatest intellectual property theft in human histor,” while other experts have long suggested that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s premier J-20 fighter jet incorporates numerous stolen design secrets.  

Today, however, “adversaries are operating with greater scope, scale and sophistication,” Haugh said, and the threat is not limited to intellectual property theft, but now encompasses efforts to disrupt supply chains and critical infrastructure.  

“The PRC is engaged in deliberate and sustained campaign to challenge the United States and our allies technologically, while holding our critical systems and national infrastructure at risk, posing a threat to our defense industrial base,” he said. 

Asked to describe what kinds of increased cyber activity aimed at the U.S. he has seen, Haugh cited Volt Typhoon as “the most concerning area.” 

“Our concern has been that these targeted operations have gone at critical infrastructure and have been viewed as holding that critical infrastructure at risk,” Haugh said. “So that’s a serious concern, not just to the United States, but also to our allies.” 

U.S. Air Force Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, U.S. Cyber Command commander and director of the National Security Agency/chief, Central Security Service said China seeks to exploit vulnerabilities in the U.S. defense industrical base, June 25, 2024. Photo by David Marin/Defense Information Systems Agency

For the most part, concern around Volt Typhoon has centered on how the group has penetrated civilian infrastructure networks like energy, water, and communications. Other officials have said hackers penetrate military networks and regularly target areas around U.S. military bases and nearby industrial base facilities. 

“Cybersecurity is not the top priority for many of the companies within the defense industrial base,” Haugh lamented. “It’s just not their primary focus. These companies and entities focus on manufacturing, innovating and developing the tools that win this country’s wars.”  

Closer partnerships between the industrial base and CYBERCOM and NSA could ease the risk, he suggested.

“U.S. Cyber Command has been delegated the authority to enter into arrangements with private sector entities to share threat information,” Haugh noted. “One such industry collaboration occurs through an effort called ‘Under Advisement.’ With Under Advisement. U.S. Cyber Command maintains ongoing relationships with cybersecurity firms, researchers, and individuals across the cyber ecosystem and the defense industrial base by exchanging information and working collaboratively.” 

NSA, meanwhile, has started providing cybersecurity support to industry through its Cyber Collaboration Center, which Haugh called “a pretty radical change” from past practice. Still, cyberattacks and intrusions will continue. It will take a dynamic, responsive defense—built on the industry- and growing defense standard known as “zero trust,” an approach that demands networks continually verify users and devices to ensure appropriate access and to protect vital data. The defense industrial base will have to follow those same best practices, he said, in order to ensure a robust and resilient defense.