Gen Kehler earns Air Force Space Trophy

June 10, 2010

Gen. C. Robert Kehler, Commander, Air Force Space Command, has been awarded the 2010 Gen. Thomas D. White U.S. Air Force Space Trophy.

The honor will be presented in September ceremonies at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference in Washington, D.C.

Gen. Kehler entered the Air Force in 1975. Headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, he is responsible for organizing, equipping, training and maintaining mission-ready space and cyberspace forces and capabilities for North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Strategic Command and other combatant commands around the world. General Kehler oversees Air Force network operations; manages a global network of satellite command and control, communications, missile warning and space launch facilities; and is responsible for space system development and acquisition. He leads more than 46,000 professionals, assigned to 88 locations worldwide and deployed to an additional 35 global locations.

Air Force Marketing Goes High Tech

June 9, 2010

Technology is front and center in the new outreach efforts of the Air Force and Army. From "sci fi" TV ads to game systems at kiosks and displays, the services are using eye-catching techniques, according to this UPI report.

Col. Michael Tillema, Air Force Recruiting Service's strategic marketing and communications division chief, said, "Technology changes the way we fly, fight and win, and by using cutting-edge technology like augmented reality, the Command Center Alpha tour is able to illustrate the high-tech nature of the Air Force."

Last Space Shuttle launch image from F-15

June 9, 2010

An image of the final mission of the Space Shuttle Atlantis was taken by an F-15E Strike Eagle, with another F-15 in the photo, released by the US Air Force and published with a story in the London Telegraph.

PAK-FA, Latam, Def spending, ROTC

Back in January I told you about the first reported flight of the Russian Federation's fifth-generation fighter, the PAK-FA. The 74 page briefing, dated 2 Mar 10, by David Markov and Andrew Hull is full of interesting pictorials, facts and figures. It's a large file (over 5 MB). And … all should know that it is gleaned from unclassified sources. I again repeat what I said last January. Do you think the Russians will stop at building 187? How many do you think they will sell to their customers?

Secondly, GEN (R) Barry McCaffrey has done a fascinating report on Latin America and the United States to be presented on 11 June at Ft. Benning. [You may recall that GEN McCaffrey was CINC SOUTH … as well as the "drug czar."] To interest you in the piece, the United States is more interdependent with the Americas than many Americans realize. We obtain more crude oil imports (52% of U.S. imports) from this region than from the Persian Gulf, which only provides 13%.

Retired Air Force Lt Col Arthur MacFadden, an AFA member, has written an op-ed that appeared in the Chattanooga Times Free Press regarding the competition between domestic and defense spending.

Finally, I have recommended an insightful, new website to you before and will do so again now. It's called Second Line of Defense.

I check the website for updates frequently as the Senior Editorial Advisor, Robbin F Liard, has deep experience in analyzing defense issues – with time at Center for Naval Analysis and Institute for Defense Analysis. A few of the pieces which caught my attention:

An interview with Mike Rinn, VP and Director, Airborne Laser Testbed.

An op-ed by Jack Wheeler calling for an end to the ban on ROTC at some of America's most elite universities.

A slide show depicting the C-17s carrying M-ATVs into Afghanistan.

An interview with LtCol Dehner, USMC, about the new helmet designed for F-35 pilots.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

The Air & Space Power Journal

June 8, 2010

AFA members, several years ago, I recommended that everyone interested in understanding Airpower ought to read the Air & Space Power Journal. Today, I want to repeat that point … and draw your attention to an example that I receive by email for every issue. You can sign up following the instructions online.


For your consideration,

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Special Flag Day Ceremony at Air Force Memorial

June 8, 2010
The Air Force Memorial Foundation will host a noon Flag Day ceremony Monday, June 14, 2010, at the national Air Force Memorial.

This ceremony, which is open to the public, provides an opportunity for all Americans to pause and pay respect to our Nation’s great symbol, Old Glory!

For more information about this event, call the Air Force Memorial Office at 703.979.0674.

Get online directions here to the Air Force Memorial.

Read up on the history of Flag Day and learn more facts about the American flag.

AFA Announces New Symposium in Nation's Capital

June 8, 2010
Today, the Air Force Association announced the 2011 CyberFutures Symposium and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. The new symposium will be March 31 – April 2, 2011, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac River, in National Harbor, across from Old Town Alexandria and minutes from downtown Washington, DC.

The Symposium and Exposition will also coincide with the championship round of CyberPatriot III, presented by Northrop Grumman, AFA’s unique National High School Cyber Defense Competition.

Watch the AFA website for more details about our newest Symposium, including schedule and speakers. Registration and Hotel Reservation will open at the beginning of December. For more information about the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745, call the Gaylord at 301-965-2000.