Space Force Planning Progresses | Airmen Battle COVID-19

April 6, 2020

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

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Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond testifies before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington on March 4, 2020. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark.

Space Force Preps New Acquisition Ideas

By Rachel S. Cohen

The Space Force is wrapping up its report on how to build a successful new military space acquisition enterprise, posing 10 recommendations to Capitol Hill while starting to move out on pieces of the plan. Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett was expected to sign the document by April 3. It then heads to senior Pentagon officials for coordination before the Defense Department submits it to lawmakers. It was due to the Hill on March 31. Six of the 10 recommendations would require legislative changes, according to Shawn Barnes, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration. The report stops short of suggesting bill text, which could land in the fiscal 2021 defense policy bill, but highlights policies and approaches that need to change to streamline how the Pentagon develops, buys, and upgrades space systems.

1,000 Medical Airmen, Sailors Will Fight COVID-19 in New York

By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

Over the next three days, U.S. Northern Command will send 1,000 medical providers—pulled from both the Air Force and Navy—“to the New York City area” to back up the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic there, according to an April 5 release.

USAFA Cadet Wing Commander to Alumni: ‘Stand Behind Us’

By Tobias Naegele

An open letter to Air Force Academy alumni and parents from the Cadet Wing Commander, Cadet First Class Haeley Deeney, takes critics to task for "negative or otherwise harmful posts and comments" in the wake of two suspected suicides at the Colorado Springs campus and the decision last week to move up graduation to April 18, more than a month early. "In the next two weeks leading up to graduation, we would like to ask for your trust in our leadership team and trust that all decisions are made with the safety and well-being of the cadets as a driving factor," Deeney said. "Now, more than ever, we need support and thoughtful comments from all parties."

AMC Prioritizing Bomber, Fighter Alert Support During Coronavirus Outbreak

By Brian W. Everstine

Air Mobility Command will soon stop some missions and cut back others to focus on what it has deemed essential, as the new coronavirus outbreak changes how the military operates globally. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein ordered all major commands to provide a report detailing what is and is not essential, so USAF can determine which missions can temporarily be cut to free up resources and protect Airmen during the pandemic. For mobility, these essential missions include keeping the refueling tanker fleet ready to support nuclear bombers and fighters on homeland protection alert, along with continuing necessary global airlift missions and aeromedical evacuation to help with COVID-19 response, AMC Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Jon Thomas said during an April 3 briefing.

Airmen Use Coronavirus Quarantine to Shift Development Online

By Brian W. Everstine

What started as an idea during a lunch at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., before the COVID-19 outbreak forced many Airmen to work remotely, has become a group of more than 11,000 people coming together online to learn and further their professional development. The Facebook group “AF Quarantine University” gathers subject matter experts from inside the Air Force, retirees, and others who provide video lectures on any topic they propose, to help Airmen learn and develop away from in-person interactions on base. “It’s an example of something we’re encouraging all of our Airmen to do," said Senior Master Sgt. Harry Kibbe, spokesman for Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright. "We want them to find ways to stay connected, take care of each other, and use this time as an opportunity to keep growing as Airmen.”

COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Delay USAF Promotion Boards

By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

The Defense Department's COVID-19-related travel restrictions have prompted the Air Force to postpone a series of promotion boards, the Air Force Personnel Center announced April 3. “These prudent adjustments will help protect the health and safety of our force while maintaining career development opportunities for our Airmen,” AFPC Commander Maj. Gen. Andrew Toth said in the release.

T-7A Ground Training System Passes Critical Design Review

By John A. Tirpak

The ground-based training system supporting Boeing's T-7A Red Hawk trainer has passed the Critical Design Review milestone, Boeing announced April 3. The successful CDR follows the same milestone for the aircraft itself, which was completed last September. The successful review means Boeing can now begin fabrication of simulators and other hardware for ground training. The company also said it sees a potential $40 billion market for the T-7 aircraft, training system, and support.

Virtual Events This Week

By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

Social distancing is in full effect, but it hasn't slowed down thought leadership in defense. On April 6, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright will co-host a Facebook town hall about the COVID-19 pandemic. And on April 7, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond will join the Mitchell Institute's new Aersopace Nation interview series with host retired USAF Lt. Gen. David Deptula. Click the headline above for more information on these and other events that you can attend from the comfort of your couch.

Radar Sweep

Snapshot: DOD and COVID-19

Air Force Magazine

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

Top Enlisted Leader Towberman Officially Joins the U.S. Space Force

Space News

He will advise the Space Force’s enlisted corps and will serve as an adviser to Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond and Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett.

C.I.A. Hunts for Authentic Virus Totals in China, Dismissing Government Tallies

The New York Times

Intelligence officials have told the White House for weeks that China has vastly understated the spread of the coronavirus and the damage the pandemic has done.

Nothing Prepared Air Force Academy's Top General for Coronavirus Fight

The Gazette

He’s flown bombing missions through Iraqi anti-aircraft fire and planned America’s air war against the Islamic State group. But nothing prepared Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria for coronavirus, suicides, and a struggle to bring online learning and social distancing to what could be the nation’s most close-knit college campus.

Pentagon Releases FAQ on New Progress Payments Guidance

Inside Defense

Defense Department acquisition officials have released answers to frequently asked questions about implementing new guidance to increase progress payments to contractors during the COVID-19 crisis.

DOD Expands Care to COVID-19 Patients in Three Locations

Military Times

Military medical support in New York City, New Orleans, and Dallas will expand to include COVID-19 patients, and the Navy hospital ship in New York Harbor will begin pier-side screening to reduce the backlog at hospitals, the Pentagon announced the morning of April 3. The shift comes after commanders of the USNS hospital ships Mercy and Comfort said they’ve remained mostly vacant since they arrived in Los Angeles and New York City, respectively.

Lockheed Adds 1,000 Employees Amid Coronavirus Crisis, Wants to Hire 5,000 More

Defense One

The defense giant also said it would give bonuses to employees who can’t work from home.

More Than 110 VA Sites Now Dealing with Coronavirus Patients, 78 Patient Deaths across System

Military Times

Here is the latest map of where Veterans Affairs medical center coronavirus cases and deaths are located across America.

NGA to Tap Commercial Data on Military Targets

Breaking Defense

"Basically, if that's where the bulk of the data is, then we will work where the data exists," David Gauthier, head of NGA's Commercial and Business Operations Group, said about using commercial imagery analysis.

Dozens More Military Bases Have Suspected 'Forever Chemical' Contamination

Military.com

The number of military installations with known contamination or suspected discharges of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, continues to rise, according to an environmental advocacy group keeping tally based on information obtained from the Defense Department.

One More Thing

Can You Pass the COVID-19 Smell Test? You Might Have to Next Time You Head on Base in South Korea

Army Times

Recent studies suggest that a loss of smell may be a symptom of COVID-19.