Air Force Magazine
Daily Report for March 20, 2020

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Edited by Amy McCullough with Brian W. Everstine and Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

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Coronavirus Stops Training in Iraq, Deployments to Afghanistan
By Brian W. Everstine

The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq has suspended its training mission as the new
coronavirus outbreak spreads. The training mission in Afghanistan is continuing
with changes to mitigate risks. However, the military has stopped deployments to
Afghanistan, a move that will keep some service members in that country longer.


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Air Force PT Tests Delayed Because of Outbreak
By Brian W. Everstine

The Air Force has postponed upcoming fitness tests until at least June 2020 as
the new coronavirus outbreak spreads, pushing back the testing dates of those
who have already been scheduled until the fall.
"While testing is postponed,
remember to maintain a healthy, fit lifestyle," the Air Force said in a release.
"Commitment to fitness is a commitment to the mission."

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Empowering Disaster Response and Recovery From Space
When a natural disaster or emergency occur, an immediate and seamless response is necessary to
save lives. Operational and situational awareness becomes increasingly important to responders.
If critical infrastructure is down in the disaster zone, then the systems and networks required for
powering the relief efforts are compromised. Ground operations must look to space to solve their
communication needs. Read the full story.
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Lengyel: Leave Guard in State Status to Fight Coronavirus
By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Joseph Lengyel said a federal activation of the
National Guard to fight the COVID-19 pandemic would be an illogical and
inefficient move. “I think you can get everything you need from the National
Guard more efficiently and more effectively if you leave them in a state
status,” he said March 19. Federalizing the Guard would “cost billions and
billions and billions of dollars,” and since the pandemic doesn’t yet demand
all hands on deck, “a lot of people won’t have things to do” under a Title
10 activation, Lengyel said, adding that a federal activation also would inhibit
troops’ ability to backup state and local law enforcement during the crisis.

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Coming Soon: ‘Multi-Capable Airmen’ for Combat Deployments
By Amy McCullough

The 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan, recently completed an Agile
Combat Employment exercise to test whether small teams of Airmen can quickly
deploy and operate in austere locations. In order to work, Airmen can no longer
focus on a single Air Force Specialty Code, but must also have a general idea of
how to do other jobs when deployed. “Our world is changing,” said Master
Sgt. Alexander Wieczorek, 35th Fighter Wing Inspector General. “The Air
Expeditionary Force concept, where large force modules deployed forward at
established air bases—that time is coming to an end, and we have to be
predictive of the future.”

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New Jobs for USAF, USSF General Officers

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein announced the assignment of seven
general officers, while U.S. Space Force boss Gen. Jay Raymond announced one new
assignment.

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Radar Sweep

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Snapshot: DOD and COVID-19

Here's a look at how the Defense Department is being impacted by and responding
to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Air Force Wants to Acquire Losing T-X Jet Trainers to Help Revolutionize Pilot Training

The Air Force wants advanced jet trainers to start experimenting with radical
new pilot training concepts now before its first T-7A Red Hawks arrive.

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The Pentagon Has Sent a New Legislative Proposal on the Space Force to Congress

The Pentagon has sent proposed legislation to Capitol Hill that would help
clarify the role of the Space Force and fill in some details on how the new
service will be organized. But while the proposal was initially anticipated to
answer some major questions—like whether the service will have a vice chief or
how to incorporate the Guard and Reserve forces—the version sent to Capitol
Hill earlier this month kicks most of those issues down the road. Instead of
submitting a single proposal, the Pentagon has split the more controversial
policy issues into a separate document currently under consideration by the
Office of the Secretary of Defense.

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Space Force to Deliver Report to Congress on Proposed Changes to Acquisitions

A report due to Congress on March 31 will recommend changes to how Space Force
procurement programs are funded and managed. The report is in final draft and on
track to be delivered on time, Shawn Barnes, head of the office of the assistant
secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, told SpaceNews
March 18.

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Five Airstrikes Target al-Shabab in Somalia

U.S. Africa Command conducted five airstrikes against al-Shabab terrorists near
Janaale, Somalia, March 16-17. Somali security forces continue to lead
operations alongside African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces to
increase security and seize ground from al-Shabaab.

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Veteran Cemeteries to Limit Funeral Size During Pandemic

Veterans cemeteries are open to the public during the novel coronavirus
outbreak, but are adhering to official guidance on how to avoid spreading
COVID-19. In the latest development, the Department of Veterans Affairs'
National Cemetery Administration (NCA) has limited funeral parties to no more
than 10 people.

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Government’s Maximum Telework Policy Overlooks Contractors

This week the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo asking federal
agencies and departments to offer “maximum telework flexibilities” to
eligible employees. A top representative for the federal services industry says
it won’t do much good for contractors—or public health—if contracting
officers aren’t specifically told to modify the relevant legal agreements.

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DoDEA Schools on Air Force Bases in Japan to Temporarily Close, Employ Virtual Learning

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools in Japan at Misawa Air
Base, Yokota Air Base, and Kadena Air Base are temporarily closing amid the
COVID-19 outbreak. On March 19, DoDEA Pacific announced that schools would close
starting March 23 and virtual learning for students at schools would kick off on
March 25. Schools will be deep cleaned and are slated to re-open on April 13.

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Statement from AFA Chairman on the Death of Retired Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Gwaltney

“Chief Master Sergeant Thomas Gwaltney, USAF (Ret.), passed away Saturday,
March 15,” the statement from Air Force Association chairman Gerald Murray,
the 14th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, reads. “Tom was a long-time
member and field leader in the Air Force Association, including the Montgomery
Chapter President, Alabama State President, and South East Region President. All
of us at AFA offer our sincere condolences to Tom’s wife Helen and their son
and two daughters."

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Faster Acquisition

The Air Force is leveraging emerging technologies and new legislation to
accelerate acquisition decisions and streamline sustainment. Read more here.

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One More Thing...
A Brick Too Far: How General Mattis Used Legos to Plan Out the Invasion of Iraq

Marines are often teased for being nothing but a bunch of dumb crayon-eaters,
but in reality, they also like to play with Legos while deciding how best to
destroy America’s enemies. At least, that’s how Gen. Jim Mattis and his
staff came up with a way to keep the 5,000 vehicles and 20,000 Marines of the
1st Marine Division chugging into southern Iraq—a region where even the Iraqis
thought their roads were of questionable quality—without a massive traffic
jam.

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