Pax River Has a Banner Building Year
Pax River completed a $10 million, two-story addition to the Atlantic Test Range headquarters and a $46 million second aircraft prototyping facility. The base was also awarded $41 million to add more housing this year and $67 million to design a new medical and dental clinic.
F-35 Operating Costs Targeted by US & Europe
The US military and Europe officials partner to minimize F-35 operating costs to assure sustainment and future purchase goals can be reached.
Trump Cancels Federal Workers’ Pay Raise
President Donald Trump wants to freeze federal workers’ pay in 2019.
More Remains Could Be Returned from No. Korea
DefSec Jim Mattis said that relations between the US and North Korea may be warming to the point that US forces could be allowed to return there to find more war remains of US servicemembers.
Defense Spending Bills Taking Shape
Both the House and Senate are proposing $675B in defense spending. The House passed its version of the defense appropriations bill last week. Lawmakers will return after the holiday to reconcile their differences in the legislation.
The F-35 Goes to War
The Israeli F-35 became the first to enter combat, according to the head of Israel’s Air Force. The F-35s were used in two recent strikes in Syria, he said.
US Revising Rules on Military Drone Exports
President Trump signed a memorandum late last week that revises rules for export of military drones, including big target and long-range reconnaissance drones such as the Predator and Reaper aircraft.
Boeing Loses Canada Hornet Deal to Australia
Canada dashes Boeing’s hopes for a buy of 18 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet jets, instead seeking an interim buy of used F/A-18 Hornets from Australia.
Hospital Ship Comfort Heading to Puerto Rico
The hospital ship Comfort will deploy along with increased federal and military aid for Puerto Rico,
VADM Sawyer to Lead 7th Fleet
VADM Phillip G. Sawyer, the new leader of the Navy’s troubled 7th Fleet, has arrived in Japan, replacing Joseph Aucoin, who was relieved last week after a second fatal collision involving one of his ships claimed the lives of 10 sailors.
