Air Force Magazine
Daily Report for March 30, 2020

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Edited by Amy McCullough with Rachel S. Cohen, Brian W. Everstine, Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory and John A. Tirpak

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Coronavirus Cramps Some Space Force Plans as Ops Continue
By Rachel S. Cohen

Work is still underway to build up the Space Force even as the new coronavirus
raises some unexpected hurdles, the service's top uniformed officer said March
27. Three people assigned to the Space Force in Colorado have tested positive
for the virus, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond told reporters. Los
Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., home to the Space and Missile Systems Center, on
March 25 reported its first positive coronavirus patient in the base’s Fort
MacArthur housing area. U.S. Space Command, which Raymond also runs, has not
seen any positive cases so far. Public announcements on what to call space
professionals, what uniforms may look like, and more are coming soon, Raymond
said. He indicated the coronavirus has not halted the Department of the Air
Force’s planning to formally transfer about 16,000 personnel into the Space
Force starting later this year.

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ABMS In-Field Capability Could Make Working Remotely More Secure
By Brian W. Everstine

Advancements in cloud computing have made it easier to telework as the new
coronavirus outbreak spreads, but the service is still looking for a creative
solution that will enable those with security clearances to work remotely. The
Air Force's Advanced Battle Management Systems experiment, which incorporates
new devices known as tabletONE and phoneONE, might be the solution. Originally
designed to enable Soldiers and Marines in the field to view secret-level data
collected by airborne and space sensors, USAF acquisition chief Will Roper said
the service is now looking to quickly procure these devices so acquisition
professionals can work outside of a Sensitive Compartmentalized Information
Facility.

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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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USAF Acquisition Largely on Schedule Despite COVID-19 Disruptions
By Brian W. Everstine

Air Force acquisition programs remain largely on course, despite some major
disruptions from the new coronavirus outbreak, such as Boeing halting production
at its Puget Sound-area facilities in Washington state, the service’s
acquisition boss said. The outbreak has posed unprecedented challenges to the
service and the way it is procuring weapons, but so far there have only been
"minor issues,” and all programs are largely sticking to schedules, said Will
Roper, the Air Force’s assistant secretary for acquisition, technology, and
logistics.

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DOD Issues Pay and Leave Guidance for COVID-19 Crisis
By Amy McCullough

The Defense Department has issued new guidance for commanders who are trying to
maintain mission readiness while helping their personnel navigate through the
uncertainties of the new coronavirus pandemic. “Commanders have broad
authority to exercise sound judgment in all cases, and this guidance describes
available authority and flexibility that can be applied to promote, rather than
to restrict, possible solutions,” states the March 26 memo. The guidance also
notes that in most cases, pay and benefits will not be affected, and it looks to
clarify exceptions.

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These Airmen Train to Rescue Astronauts. But Do They Belong in the Space Force?
By Rachel S. Cohen

The 45th Space Operations Group's Detachment 3 is training to rescue a new
generation of astronauts as the U.S. returns to manned space launch. But the
niche organization is small and can feel misunderstood in the vast Pentagon
bureaucracy, even as it takes on new importance in the modern space age.

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Raytheon, UTC Merger Approved, Creating Second Largest Defense Company
By John A. Tirpak

The proposed merger of Raytheon with United Technologies has been approved by
the Securities and Exchange Commission, provided the two companies sell off some
units that would otherwise give the new Raytheon Technologies a monopoly on some
business areas. The new company will become the second-largest defense
contractor, after Lockheed Martin.

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Lockheed Martin Announces COVID-19 Financial Assistance
By John A. Tirpak

Lockheed Martin is offering cash, the use of its corporate jets, vehicles, and
facilities for help with the COVID-19 crisis, CEO Marillyn Hewson said in a
March 27 statement. The grants to small businesses, veterans, workers, and
retirees add up to over $66 million.

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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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Trump Signs $2.2T Stimulus After Swift Congressional Votes

President Donald Trump signed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion economic rescue
package into law after swift and near-unanimous action by Congress to support
businesses, rush resources to overburdened health care providers, and help
struggling families during the deepening coronavirus epidemic.

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Military Leaders Ask to Delay Budget Planning to Focus on Coronavirus, Let Staff Stay Home

But the Defense Department's No. 2 told Army, Navy, and Air Force budget
planners to figure out a different solution.

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COVID-19 Drives Command Teams Charged with Homeland Defense into Cheyenne Mountain Bunker

U.S. Northern Command has dispersed essential command and control teams to
multiple hardened locations, including the famous Cheyenne Mountain bunker
complex in Colorado, as well as another unspecified site, and is keeping them in
isolation. The command took these steps to help ensure these personnel can
continue to watch around the clock for potential threats to the U.S. homeland as
the COVID-19 pandemic continues to expand across the country and around the
world, including within the U.S. military.

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After Trump’s Order, DOD Reviewing How Many Guard, Reserve Troops to Bring Back for COVID-19 Fight

President Donald Trump on March 27 ordered Defense Secretary Mark Esper to call
up a yet-to-be-determined number of ready reserve components to help in the
country’s response to the fast-spreading pandemic. The Pentagon is reviewing
how many National Guard, Reserve, and Individual Ready Reserve troops it will
call up in response to the order.

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U.S. Military Assessing 100 Possible Sites for Makeshift Hospitals

The military has a list of more than 100 possible sites nationwide to convert
into makeshift hospitals to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic, including
convention centers, sports arenas, hotels, dorms, and other existing buildings,
the commander of the Army Corps of Engineers said March 27.

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Pentagon Taps Four Contractors to Build 8,000 Ventilators

The Pentagon’s logistics agency has modified an existing contract and will
spend $84.4 million to buy 8,000 ventilators from four vendors, with delivery of
an initial 1,400 by early May.

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Flying Resumes after COVID-19 Induced Pause at Davis-Monthan, Home of the A-10C Demo Team

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, home of the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration
Team, has resumed flying operations after a temporary COVID-19-induced pause,
officials say.

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The VA Won't Administer COVID-19 Tests to Non-Veteran Employees, Including Doctors and Nurses

The Veterans Affairs Department will not test non-veteran employees for
COVID-19, including health care workers who are showing symptoms, an agency
spokeswoman confirmed to Task & Purpose on March 27. “Per federal law, VA
cannot provide medical care to non-veterans,” Christina Mandreucci, the VA
press secretary, told Task & Purpose. “So if a non-veteran employee’s
screening indicates that they may have symptoms of COVID-19, they would be
referred to their health care provider for testing.

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Senators Introduce Legislation to Remove U.S. Armed Forces from Saudi Arabia

Senate Armed Services Committee members Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Dan
Sullivan (R-Alaska) introduced legislation to remove United States Armed Forces
from Saudi Arabia. The bill, S.3572, would remove all forces and equipment from
Saudi Arabia and relocate them to another location in the Middle East.

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Air Force Seeks Partnerships to Produce Space Innovations and Base of the Future

The challenges span two initiatives that the accelerator explored pursuing over
the past several months. The Base of the Future effort encompasses five
challenge areas that will support the Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, which
was directly hit by the Category 5 Hurricane Michael in 2018. The startup’s
Space initiative presents potential partners with four challenge activities that
aim to boost the next era of space technology.

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U.S., Australia Make Progress on Robotic Jets

The U.S. Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force are making progress with
efforts to develop unmanned jets that can serve as “loyal wingmen” for
manned counterparts. Under the concept, robotic systems can accompany fighters
as decoys, weapons carriers or sensor platforms.

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Nukes Drive Germany's Plan to Replace Tornados with Typhoons, Super Hornets, and Growlers

The plan gives the German Air Force planes it can configure to carry American
nuclear bombs and the most capable electronic warfare jet on the planet.

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North Macedonia Joins the NATO Alliance

On March 27, the United States, as a treaty depositary, received the Republic of
North Macedonia’s instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty, making
North Macedonia the 30th NATO ally.

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One More Thing...
The Winning Photos of the Military Visual Awards for 2019

The Military Visual Awards has announced its winning photographs for 2019,
honoring the best military photos captured worldwide over the past year. The top
prize of 2019 MVA Photographer of the Year was awarded to photographer Chris
Hibben, who is part of the Air Force’s 4th Combat Camera Squadron. Check out a
selection of photos from his winning portfolio.

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