GAO: F-35 Plagued With Problems
A Government Accountability Office report says DoD’s new fleet of F-35 Lightning IIs is experiencing spare parts shortages and other sustainment problems that are hurting the readiness of the fighter jets.
Reaper Drones Help Combat Wildfires
Remotely piloted Air Force drones were put to work to help combat the recent California wildfires. MQ-9 Reapers from the Air National Guard’s 163rd Attack Wing were put into service in Northern California.
Message to Troops: Be Ready If Diplomacy Fails
SecDef James Mattis tells troops their job is to “be ready” during North Korea diplomatic push. He urged members of the military to be ready if diplomacy breaks down.
Congress Wants Details of Afghan Strategy
Appearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee this week, DefSec James Mattis described the US’ Afghanistan strategy as “R4+S” — “regionalize, realign, reinforce, reconcile, and sustain.”
Troops More Vulnerable to Data Breach Fallout?
Active-duty service members are among the 143 million Americans affected by the Equifax data breach and might be more vulnerable to its potential fallout.
Problems Remain for F-35 JSF Helmet
Problems still remain for the F-35 JSF’s helmet night-vision camera. Lockheed Martin officials said Friday they are aware of the issue and working to test potential solutions. Improvements to the software are underway and will be ready for testing in the fall.
Navy ID’s Sailors Killed in Destroyer Collision
The Navy has identified the seven sailors who died when the destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided Saturday with a Filipino cargo ship off the coast of Japan. One of the sailors was from Maryland.
F-35 on the International Stage
The US Air Force F-35 JSF is on its way to the Paris Air Show and the international stage. The show will be the jet’s first opportunity for international audiences to witness its aerodynamic capabilities.
Mattis: North Korea No. 1 US Threat
Persistent nuclear missile tests, despite international sanctions, moved North Korea above Russia to become the top threat to the United States.
Thunderbolt, F-15E Lead Fight Against ISIS
Older US Air Force jets — the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the F-15E Strike Eagle — are leading the air war against the Islamic State. Military fighter-attack jets, bombers, and drones have dropped more than 67,000 bombs since the 2014 start of Operation Inherent Resolve.
