Category Archives: U.S. Air Force

Lockheed's SR-72 Could Fill Crucial Pentagon Need

Lockheed’s SR-72 Could Fill Crucial Pentagon Need

Artist's conception of the SR-72 so-called Son of Blackbird concept from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. Lockheed Martin Photo

Artist’s conception of the SR-72 so-called Son of Blackbird concept from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. Lockheed Martin Photo

Could Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ SR-72 hypersonic concept design fill the Pentagon’s need for a penetrating intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft? The answer could be yes. Read More

The Future of Air Sea Battle

The Future of Air Sea Battle

U.S. Navy and Royal Malaysian air force aircraft conduct a fly-by over the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Oct. 25. US Navy Photo

US Navy and Royal Malaysian air force aircraft conduct a fly-by over the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Oct. 25. US Navy Photo

The Pentagon is taking its next steps in developing the often misunderstood and occasionally controversial Air-Sea Battle concept, according to several USNI News interviews with Navy and defense officials. Read More

Update: Shutdown's Impact on the Pentagon.

Update: Shutdown’s Impact on the Pentagon.

THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCLUDE A TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE. The following is a Oct. 17, 2013 Pentagon press briefing on the impact of the government shutdown on the military with Secretary of of Defense Chuck Hagel and Pentagon comptroller Robert Hale. Read More

Pentagon Faces its own Debt Ceiling Crisis

Pentagon Faces its own Debt Ceiling Crisis

Pentagon comptroller Robert Hale

Pentagon comptroller Robert Hale

If the debt ceiling is not raised there would be delays in paying salaries even to the military and recalled Pentagon employees, as well as meeting obligations to contractors—from shipyards to health care providers, the Pentagon comptroller warned Thursday.

Although the hearing of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee had been called primarily to learn why the Department of Defense (DoD) did not recall all its workers, Robert Hale said the debt ceiling problem “is a very different kind of situation” from the one faced during the shutdown. Read More

Pentagon's Ashton Carter to Step Down in December

Pentagon’s Ashton Carter to Step Down in December

Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter briefs the press at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 25, 2013. DoD Photo

Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter briefs the press at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 25, 2013. DoD Photo

Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter will step down from his position in December, according to a Thursday afternoon release from the Pentagon.

“Earlier today, I met with Ash Carter and reluctantly accepted his decision to step down as Deputy Secretary of Defense on Dec. 4, after more than four and a half years of continuous service to the Department of Defense,” said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in a statement sent to Pentagon reporters. Read More

Shutdown: Navy-Air Force Football Game Back On

Shutdown: Navy-Air Force Football Game Back On

U.S. Naval Academy quarterback Trey Miller (1) hands off the football during the 113th Army-Navy Football game at Lincoln Financial Field in 2012. US Navy Photo

U.S. Naval Academy quarterback Trey Miller (1) hands off the football during the 113th Army-Navy Football game at Lincoln Financial Field in 2012. US Navy Photo

The football game between the Naval and Air Force academies is back on, according to a Naval Academy release obtained by USNI News. Read More

Shutdown: Pentagon Restrictions Could Cancel Navy-Air Force Football Game

Shutdown: Pentagon Restrictions Could Cancel Navy-Air Force Football Game

Naval Academy mascot Bill the Goat stands with midshipmen during the 2012 Army-Navy Game. US Navy Photo

Naval Academy mascot Bill the Goat stands with midshipmen during the 2012 Army-Navy Game. US Navy Photo

The record crowd that is expected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy – U.S. Air Force Academy football game in Annapolis, Md., Saturday may be in for a huge disappointment.

The Department of Defense announced today that all intercollegiate athletic competitions at the service academies have been suspended due to the federal government shutdown. Read More

Government Shutdown: The Basics

Government Shutdown: The Basics

A Senate panel has rejected a Pentagon request to open a new round of base closures.

A Senate panel has rejected a Pentagon request to open a new round of base closures.

With the House voting again to delay for a year the start of the Affordable Care Act and repealing a tax on medical devices that helps pay for the measure, a partial shutdown of the federal government this week appears nearer. The Senate is expected to take up and reject the bill when it convenes today, likely in the middle of the afternoon. Read More