Air Force Space Command concluded its Guardian Challenge combat competition May 19, with award ceremonies on the two days following. The 2010 iteration of the biennial, command-wide event marked the first time that the cyber forces of 24th Air Force, AFSPC’s newest unit, were incorporated into the activities alongside the space forces. At the same time, the Air Force’s ICBM units, which no longer fall under AFPSC, did not participate. Events included contests in areas including space operations, space launch, space acquisition, security forces, space communications, and combat communications. “Guardian Challenge is about innovation, esprit de corps, and teamwork,” all designed to hone skills, said AFSPC boss Gen. Robert Kehler. He added, “The competitors and support personnel have all done a great job this year. I’m very pleased.” (Peterson report by 1st Lt. Jonathan Simmons, including list of winners)
KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
July 8, 2025
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker suffered damage to its boom while refueling F-22 Raptors off the coast of Virginia on July 8, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed, with reported radio communication from the crew indicating the boom “detached.”