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Sept. 2, 2020
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Edited by Amy McCullough with Brian W. Everstine, Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory and John A. Tirpak
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 A GJ-11 stealth attack drone makes its parade debut during the National Day parade held in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019. Photo by Fan Lingzhi/China Ministry of Defense. |
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By John A. Tirpak
In its 20th assessment of Chinese military power, the Pentagon said China is leading the U.S. and the world in shipbuilding, ballistic missiles, and air defenses. Its combined air and naval air forces are the third-largest in the world and the largest in the Indo-Pacific region, and China is seeking to develop a system of worldwide bases and power projection capabilities. While its newest bomber is still a retread of the old Soviet “Badger” series, it is working on a new stealth bomber, as well as upgrading its stealth fighter, the J-20, now operational. Along with longer-ranged and precise cruise missiles, China has an effective nuclear “triad,” according to the report.
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By Brian W. Everstine
The approximately 2,400 Active-duty Airmen in the space systems operations and space operations career fields selected to join the Space Force will formally swear in to the new service this month in public and private ceremonies, highlighted by a large virtual swearing-in by the Chief of Space Operations. The Airmen, officers and enlisted members in the 13S and 1C6 career fields, were initially selected to join the new service in July. CSO Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond will address the new members and lead a virtual swearing in during the Air Force Association’s virtual Air, Space & Cyber Conference on Sept. 15.
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By Brian W. Everstine
Three USAF B-52s flew through the Baltic Sea region on Aug. 31, training with aircraft from six nations and flying over Latvia just days after a Russian aircraft reportedly violated NATO airspace to intercept another B-52. During the Aug. 31 flight, the B-52s, which are deployed as part of the bomber task force at RAF Fairford, England, trained with aircraft from Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and Portugal, then flew over Riga, Latvia, according to a U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa release. A USAF KC-135 from RAF Mildenhall, England, supported the bomber flight.
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By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory
Chief Master Sgt. Erik C. Thompson, Air Education and Training Command’s newest command chief, doesn’t want to reinvent the way the command does business. Instead, he wants to back up its already innovative educators—whom he said are driving training change on a daily basis—in their efforts to reach AETC’s Airmen. Further, he said, the entire service can learn from how 19th Air Force—where he last served as command chief master sergeant—tackled sexism and related climate issues within its 47th Flying Training Wing to foster a healthier culture overall.
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By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory
Today, the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a Nuclear Deterrence Forum featuring Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy Rob Soofer. Event video will tentatively be posted to Mitchell's website and YouTube page afterward.
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Radar Sweep
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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.
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This Air Force Paint Additive Could Help Reduce COVID-19 Spread Indoors
Military.com
The U.S. Air Force is stepping up its efforts to fight the spread of diseases inside buildings. It has authorized Theriax LLC, a research and development laboratory, to use a patented coating formula that greatly enhances protection against airborne microbes, including COVID-19, inside buildings and homes, the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center announced Aug. 4.
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Pentagon's Latest Salvo against China's Growing Might: Cold War Bombers
Reuters
Since late January, American B-1B and B-52 bombers, usually operating in pairs, have flown about 20 missions over key waterways, including the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the Sea of Japan, according to accounts of these flights from U.S. Air Force statements and official social media posts. These missions, military analysts say, are designed to send a crystal-clear signal: The United States can threaten China’s fleet and Chinese land targets at any time, from distant bases, without having to move America’s aircraft carriers and other expensive surface warships within range of Beijing’s massive arsenal of missiles.
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Pentagon and State Department Could Be Compelled to Testify on Afghanistan War, House Democrats Say
Stars and Stripes
The U.S. military and the State Department must agree to update Congress on the war in Afghanistan and the peace process or they will face subpoenas, House Democratic lawmakers say. A letter sent on Aug. 31 to Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded the two departments provide witnesses to testify at a Sept. 9 hearing in Congress.
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Are Overseas Bases Worth the Cost?
Federal News Network’s “Federal Drive with Tom Temin” podcast
The U.S. has tens of thousands of troops permanently stationed overseas—mostly on bases that were established during the Cold War. But in a recent interview, Stimson Center co-founder Barry Blechman said if the goal of the forces is deterring adversaries, the defense budget would go a lot further if it were geared toward quickly sending forces to trouble spots, rather than keeping them in places like Korea and Germany. Those conclusions, by the Stimson Center, are based on a study of more than 100 foreign policy crises.
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VIDEO: Aerial Refueling for E-2Ds Will Expand Reach of Carrier Strike Groups
USNI News
The Navy is bringing an aerial refueling capability to its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye command and control fleet, with the first operational squadron certifying its pilots to refuel with Air Force tankers.
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Air Force Exploring Technology to Detect Electronic Intelligence Signals
Inside Defense
The Air Force Research Laboratory is looking for white papers on existing and emerging technologies that can help ground and aerial surveillance platforms detect electronic intelligence signals, according to a broad agency announcement the service released Aug. 31.
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The JADC2 Revolution
Air Force Magazine
U.S. forces are redefining joint operations to be more tightly integrated. Joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) accelerates the speed and complexity of warfare by tying forces together across the air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. For the latest on what this means to operators and the industry, check out our JADC2 landing page.
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One Year Later, U.S. Space Command Is Protecting, Defending the Space Domain
U.S. Space Command release
In only one year since the activation and stand-up of the nation’s 11th combatant command, U.S. Space Command is celebrating the anniversary milestone by focusing on the myriad of mission accomplishments.
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Air Force Buys Raytheon Datalink Radios for Standoff PGMs
Inside Defense
The Air Force has awarded Raytheon a $92.5 million contract to deliver its situational awareness datalink radios for U.S. Special Operations Command to use on its standoff precision-guided munitions, the Pentagon announced Aug. 31.
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Russian Navy Conducts Major Maneuvers near Alaska
The Associated Press
The Russian navy conducted major war games near Alaska involving dozens of ships and aircraft, the military said Aug. 28, the biggest such drills in the area since Soviet times. Russia’s navy chief, Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov, said that more than 50 warships and about 40 aircraft were taking part in the exercise in the Bering Sea, which involved multiple practice missile launches.
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Free Priority Mail Express Military Service for Casted Mail Ballots
USAF release
Effective Sept. 1 through Dec. 8, customers can mail their general elections "Casted Ballots" back to the United States free using priority mail express military service. “The Department of Defense, in collaboration with the United States Postal Service, is again offering this expedited, free service to ensure ballots from American citizens stationed or living overseas arrive in time for the upcoming general federal elections,” said Lionel Rivera, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Air Postal Squadron command postal training manager.
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Pentagon Seeks TurboTax-Like Tool for Artificial Intelligence Purchases
Nextgov
It’s part of a new acquisition model that would explore the potential of pursuing contracts outside the Federal Acquisition Regulation, mixed with traditional contracts.
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Industry Says ‘Meh’ to DOD Cislunar Space Push
Breaking Defense
The possibility of future military activity around the Moon is en vogue in the national security space community, with a plethora of seminars featuring senior Space Force, Air Force, and Defense Department officials musing on the likely need for the US to counter China in deep space.
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One More Thing
NASA Takes Delivery of GE Jet Engine for X-59
NASA release
Mark the big one-of-a-kind engine, designed and built just for NASA, as delivered.
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