Assistant Secretary of the Air
Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Will Roper takes
part in a “fireside chat” at the Center for a New American Security in
Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2019. He commended CNAS for having a
digital fireplace. Staff photo by Tobias Naegele.
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| Editor’s Note: The Daily Report will take a break on Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 in observance of Thanksgiving; we will return to your inbox on Monday, Dec. 2.
Roper’s Six Keys to Century Series Success Air Force acquisition czar Will Roper’s new “Century Series” concept for building future fighter aircraft will succeed or fail based on how well the Air Force manages six issues: protecting the fighter ecosystem; rewarding design; sharing components; prioritizing numbers of aircraft designs over numbers of individual aircraft; building aircraft for planned obsolescence; and changing the broader industry.
Read the full story by Tobias Naegele.
Showcasing the B-52’s Range, Ability Air Force B-52s from three bases completed two complex, long-range training missions in less than a week, showcasing the bombers' range and ability to integrate with each other and forces on the ground. On Nov. 21, two B-52s from Minot AFB, N.D., flew to a range in Kansas, while another two B-52s from Barksdale AFB, La., flew to South Dakota to strike target areas simultaneously. Days earlier, two B-52s that were deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, conducted bombing training missions on the big island of Hawaii.
Read the full story by Brian Everstine.
 A-10 Pilots Receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for Air Support Missions in Afghanistan Two A-10 pilots with the 303rd Fighter Squadron earlier this month received Distinguished Flying Crosses for their actions in 2008 and 2010 battles in Afghanistan, in which the pilots were credited with saving US forces and eliminating dozens of Taliban fighters. The pilots, Maj. John “Sapper” Tice and Lt. Col. Anthony “Crack” Roe, received the awards after a long nomination process that required additional information being submitted for consideration. “This is an incredibly unique and rare event,” said Lt. Col. Rick Mitchell, commander of the 303rd FS at
Whiteman AFB, Mo., according to a release. “Very rarely is the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded. Even more rarely is the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded twice in the same day to two members of the exact same fighter squadron.”
Read the full story by Brian Everstine.
Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile Ends Service The Air Force on Nov. 20 officially retired the Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile, a mainstay of long-range conventional strike since it entered service. Airmen at Barksdale AFB, La., downloaded and disassembled the last AGM-86D CALCM package from a B-52 during a small ceremony that included retired airmen who worked with the missile, according to Air Force Global Strike Command. The command is retiring the missile as more advanced, long-range, stand-off weapons enter service, such as the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range. The Air Force is also developing the Long-Range Standoff weapon to replace the nuclear AGM-86B, which was the basis for the CALCM, with a possible conventional version to follow.
Read the full story by Brian Everstine.
 Thirteen French Troops Killed in Mali Helicopter Collision Thirteen French soldiers were killed late Nov. 25 when two helicopters collided during counter terrorism operations in Mali, the country’s leadership announced. The helicopters, a Eurocopter AS532 Cougar and a Eurocopter Tigre attack chopper, collided while flying low to the ground in total darkness as French commandos pursued a group of extremists, according to the French defense ministry.
Read the full story by Brian Everstine.
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RADAR SWEEP
Flight Operations Resuming at Vance AFB after Fatal Crash
Col. Corey Simmons, commander of the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance AFB, Okla., halted flight operations through the weekend, as the Air Force commenced its investigation of the Nov. 21 accident, which involved two T-38 Talons in the landing phase of a formation training flight. Vance public affairs announced Nov. 25 limited flight operations would resume for aircraft returning from other fields, with normal training expected to resume Nov. 26, weather permitting.
Enid News & Eagle (subscription required)
Libyan Officials Say US Drone Shot Down by Mistake
Libyan forces trying to seize Tripoli shot down a US military drone over the capital by mistake last week, officials said Nov. 25.
Associated Press via US News and World Report
US Resumes More Robust Counter-Islamic State Group Ops in Syria
Following a brief hiatus, the US-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State group said it started once again launching large-scale operations to combat IS militants in Syria amid increased danger from Daesh attacks.
Military Times
USSPACECOM Operationally Accepts WGS-10 Satellite
On Nov. 19, US Space Command accepted Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)-10 into the operational constellation and will be transitioning users to utilize the bandwidth provided by this new satellite. Boeing completed verification of the satellite’s performance and handed control authority to the Air Force on July 10.
USAF release
President Trump's New Navy Secretary Pick Is a Combat Vet Who Tracked Russian Subs
A US Naval Academy graduate who deployed to Iraq during the initial 2003 invasion is the President's next pick to lead the Navy and Marine Corps, following another unexpected leadership shakeup. President Donald Trump tweeted just hours after Richard Spencer was fired as Navy Secretary that he planned to nominate retired Rear Adm. Kenneth Braithwaite to the position. The retired flag officer currently serves as the US ambassador to Norway.
Military.com
USAF’s Goldfein on Interoperability, Air Power, Multi-Domain Operations
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein discusses the benefits of collaboration and collective defense, Iran, multi-domain operations, and staying ahead of adversary threats during an interview at the 2019 Dubai International Air Chiefs conference.
Defense & Aerospace Report
Karbler to Lead Army Space and Missile Defense Command
The Senate has confirmed Maj. Gen. Daniel Karbler to be the new commanding general of Army Space and Missile Defense Command and to receive his third star, the service announced Nov. 25.
Inside Defense
Air, Space & Cyber Recognized as Top 25 Fastest-Growing Show
The Trade Show News Network (TSNN), the world's leading online resource for the trade show, exhibition and event industry, recognized the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference as one of 2019’s top 25 fastest-growing shows based on net square footage. The award was presented during TSNN’s tenth-anniversary celebration in Dallas Nov. 15-17.
AFA release
One More Thing …
Official Trailer: “The Last Full Measure”
Check out Roadside Attractions’ new trailer for “The Last Full Measure,” a film based on the true story behind the quest to get Vietnam War hero A1C William Pitsenbarger recognized with a posthumous Medal of Honor. The film is now slated for a January 2020 release.
Roadside Attractions on YouTube |
