Project Mercury Astronauts Named

April 2, 1959

Chosen from a field of 110 candidates, seven test pilots—Air Force Capts. L. Gordon Cooper Jr., Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, and Donald K. “Deke” Slayton; Navy Lt. Cmdrs. Walter M. Schirra Jr. and Alan B. Shepard Jr., and Lt. M. Scott Carpenter; and Marine Lt. Col. John H. Glenn Jr.—are announced as the Project Mercury astronauts.

Fresh F-15E Fighters Arrive in Middle East to Replace Departing Jets

Nov. 12, 2024

F-15Es from the 492nd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., have deployed to the Middle East, replacing Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., that recently wrapped up a rotation in the region.

Skunk Works Uncrewed NGAS Concept Gets New Attention

Nov. 9, 2024

An artist’s rendering of a Lockheed Martin Skunk Works concept for a potential stealthy and autonomous Next-Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) aircraft is getting new attention after a repeat display at the recent Airlift/Tanker Association meeting.

The F-16 Has No Built-In Ladder, But That Could Change Soon Thanks to One Pilot

Nov. 8, 2024

An Air Force F-16 pilot designed a collapsible ladder that weighs just six pounds and folds into the unused cockpit map case.

PHOTOS: Nearly 15 Percent of Air Force B-52 Bombers Deployed

Nov. 8, 2024

Ten B-52 Stratofortresses are currently deployed across Europe and the Middle East, representing nearly 15 percent of the entire U.S. Air Force fleet and an even larger chunk of combat-ready B-52s available.

Reserve Wing Becomes First in the Air Force to Get Its Own F-35

Nov. 8, 2024

The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.

What Military Personnel Policies Could Change Under President Trump

Nov. 8, 2024

When President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, he could reverse policies regarding abortion and transgender service members, though recent pushes in Congress to improve military pay and quality of life will likely continue, according to a leading national security expert.

Pentagon Plans $6 Billion in Ukraine Aid Ahead of Presidential Change

Nov. 7, 2024

President Joe Biden’s administration plans to commit some $6 billion in aid for Ukraine in the next two months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed Nov. 7.

To Boost Tech Innovation, NATO Follows Path Blazed by Air Force

Nov. 7, 2024

NATO has taken a page from the Air Force’s innovation playbook, setting up a technology accelerator and a venture fund to nurture and financially support small companies working on cutting edge technology development in critical fields.

What Could the Air Force Look Like Under a New Trump Administration?

Nov. 7, 2024

What direction the Department of the Air Force will take in the second administration of President Donald Trump remains unclear, but observers expect a shift away from long-term, leap-ahead programs to “here and now” resourcing for readiness and platforms now in production like the F-35 and B-21. They also said…

Project Mercury Astronauts Named

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