July 30, 2010
AFA members, Congressional staff members, civic leaders, and DOCA members, I have two large documents to bring to your attention today.
First the report of the Independent panel to review the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) was released yesterday. It was chaired by Stephen Hadley and William Perry. The report is long (158 pages) and far reaching. If you just want to review a Compilation of Findings, that section starts on page vii. I have cherry picked a few of the panel's recommendations and put them at the end of this note. I found it interesting that the findings/recommendations were unanimous. I also thought one phrase in it was very interesting: "Instead of unconstrained, long term analysis by planners who were encouraged to challenge preexisting thinking, the QDRs [of the past] became explanations and justifications, often with marginal changes, of established decisions and plans. Congress constituted our Independent Panel to review the QDR, assess the long term threats facing America, and produce recommendations regarding the capabilities which will be necessary to meet those threats."
You can find the report here.
Secondly, General Craig McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, has released a paper on the contributions to our security made by the Guard. It is 16 pages long and has a one page executive summary. I shouldn't have been, but I was surprised at a number of facts presented in the paper. Such as having 75,000 National Guard soldiers and Airmen deploy in support of overseas missions. You can find the paper on our web site here.
For your consideration.
Mike
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Catch 22 in Afghanistan
July 27, 2010
Here's an interesting commentary from CBS News on the practice of buying Russian helicopters for the fledgling Afghan Air Corps (because there are some available pilots who were trained on them years ago), but requiring them to speak English before they are allowed to pilot them.
Dropped casually into the last paragraph of the lengthy article is the presumption that America is on the decline as a military power.
Here's an interesting commentary from CBS News on the practice of buying Russian helicopters for the fledgling Afghan Air Corps (because there are some available pilots who were trained on them years ago), but requiring them to speak English before they are allowed to pilot them.
Dropped casually into the last paragraph of the lengthy article is the presumption that America is on the decline as a military power.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Battle of Britain remembered; Nat'l Aerospace Week
July 21, 2010
The 70th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain just passed by on 10 July without a lot of fanfare. It was a watershed moment in the first century of Airpower's history, and left us with many enduring lessons.
Both the British and Germans made hardware decisions years before, directly impacted that crucial fight, and with it, the course of the entire war.
In the late 1930s, the British proceeded – over substantial civilian objection – with production of not only the Hurricane, but also the Spitfire. The usual clamor was heard. The Spitfire was "not required," too expensive, too complicated and too hard to build. A few short years later, with Britain's national survival at stake, the Spitfire gave the Royal Air Force the necessary depth of capability and capacity to win.
Similarly, the British decided in the late '30s to invest in radar and centralize air defense fighter direction. Through this awareness and command/control, the RAF met and defeated the Luftwaffe day after day of sustained fighting.
In contrast, the Germans canceled a 4-engine, long-range bomber program and focused on their current fight, which meant Army cooperation. The result was an inability to disrupt British bases that refitted the fighters and kept them in the fight.
There are countless lessons for a serious airpower student of this battle. Among the keys to take away is that program decisions made long before the start of the war were decisive.
Here is an article on the Battle of Britain.
Secondly, the Air Force Association is partnering with the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) to promote National Aerospace Week 12-18 September. This week coincides with the 63rd anniversary of the US Air Force (17 Sep) as well as AFA's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition (13-15 Sep). I am constantly amazed at how much the Aerospace Industry contributes to the US economy, national security and technological superiority. Aerospace sales reached a record $214 billion last year. The sector directly and indirectly contributes more than $1.2 trillion – or 5.6 percent of gross domestic product – to the US economy. It supplies nearly 11 million jobs in all 50 states.
National Aerospace Week is an opportunity for our collective voice to reach out to co-workers, colleagues, employees, communities, and elected officials to reinforce the messages highlighting the importance of this industry to our national security. National Aerospace Week also presents an excellent opportunity to thank our armed forces for their contributions to our security and to encourage young people to consider a career in the industry. We have put more information on the week … along with suggestions of activities … on our website.
For your consideration.
Mike
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association
The 70th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain just passed by on 10 July without a lot of fanfare. It was a watershed moment in the first century of Airpower's history, and left us with many enduring lessons.
Both the British and Germans made hardware decisions years before, directly impacted that crucial fight, and with it, the course of the entire war.
In the late 1930s, the British proceeded – over substantial civilian objection – with production of not only the Hurricane, but also the Spitfire. The usual clamor was heard. The Spitfire was "not required," too expensive, too complicated and too hard to build. A few short years later, with Britain's national survival at stake, the Spitfire gave the Royal Air Force the necessary depth of capability and capacity to win.
Similarly, the British decided in the late '30s to invest in radar and centralize air defense fighter direction. Through this awareness and command/control, the RAF met and defeated the Luftwaffe day after day of sustained fighting.
In contrast, the Germans canceled a 4-engine, long-range bomber program and focused on their current fight, which meant Army cooperation. The result was an inability to disrupt British bases that refitted the fighters and kept them in the fight.
There are countless lessons for a serious airpower student of this battle. Among the keys to take away is that program decisions made long before the start of the war were decisive.
Here is an article on the Battle of Britain.
Secondly, the Air Force Association is partnering with the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) to promote National Aerospace Week 12-18 September. This week coincides with the 63rd anniversary of the US Air Force (17 Sep) as well as AFA's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition (13-15 Sep). I am constantly amazed at how much the Aerospace Industry contributes to the US economy, national security and technological superiority. Aerospace sales reached a record $214 billion last year. The sector directly and indirectly contributes more than $1.2 trillion – or 5.6 percent of gross domestic product – to the US economy. It supplies nearly 11 million jobs in all 50 states.
National Aerospace Week is an opportunity for our collective voice to reach out to co-workers, colleagues, employees, communities, and elected officials to reinforce the messages highlighting the importance of this industry to our national security. National Aerospace Week also presents an excellent opportunity to thank our armed forces for their contributions to our security and to encourage young people to consider a career in the industry. We have put more information on the week … along with suggestions of activities … on our website.
For your consideration.
Mike
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
End of an Era: F-15s Leave Langley
July 20, 2010
The LA Times marks the end of an era by reporting that F-15s are leaving Langley Air Force Base after 34 years. At the same time, the 71st Fighter Squadron is being deactivated. The historic squadron has existed since 1941 and first flew P-38s in World War II.
The article notes the tremendous combat record (104 victories-0 defeats) compiled over the past three decades by the F-15. The design process for the F-15 began back in 1969. The oldest F-15s in service are among the 250 fighters being retired by the Air Force.
Despite its age, the Air Force remains heavily dependent on the F-15 and will be forced to rely on the aircraft for some years. It's intended replacement as the fleet's air dominance fighter, the F-22, was discontinued after just 186 Raptors were built. Instead, the Air Force will turn to the multi-role, single engine F-35, not yet in service.
PICTURED: Lt. Col. Clint Warner catches his daughter Sarah upon his return at Langley Air Force Base, Va., May 27, 2010, from a temporary duty assignment to Tyndall AFB, Fla. Colonel Warner is a pilot with the 71st Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Barry Loo)
The LA Times marks the end of an era by reporting that F-15s are leaving Langley Air Force Base after 34 years. At the same time, the 71st Fighter Squadron is being deactivated. The historic squadron has existed since 1941 and first flew P-38s in World War II.
The article notes the tremendous combat record (104 victories-0 defeats) compiled over the past three decades by the F-15. The design process for the F-15 began back in 1969. The oldest F-15s in service are among the 250 fighters being retired by the Air Force.
Despite its age, the Air Force remains heavily dependent on the F-15 and will be forced to rely on the aircraft for some years. It's intended replacement as the fleet's air dominance fighter, the F-22, was discontinued after just 186 Raptors were built. Instead, the Air Force will turn to the multi-role, single engine F-35, not yet in service.
PICTURED: Lt. Col. Clint Warner catches his daughter Sarah upon his return at Langley Air Force Base, Va., May 27, 2010, from a temporary duty assignment to Tyndall AFB, Fla. Colonel Warner is a pilot with the 71st Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Barry Loo)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
75-year anniversary year of the B-17 Flying Fortress
July 16, 2010
The B-17 Flying Fortress has a special place in military history. Known for staying aloft after taking enemy fire, the sturdy bomber's impact on World War II is impossible to ignore. Boeing, the manufacturer, flew the first one 75 years ago.
An ongoing restoration of a B-17 is available to tourists at the National Museum of the Air Force. The Museum's Air Power Gallery displays a B-17, the "Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby," and the restoration hangars have two more: the famed "Memphis Belle" and "The Swoose."
See this SeattlePI post for a photo and collection of B-17 lore, and thanks to Air Force AIM Points for alerting us to this important part of our heritage.
Above: "The Swoose" finds a new home at the National Museum of the Air Force. (Air Force photo)
The B-17 Flying Fortress has a special place in military history. Known for staying aloft after taking enemy fire, the sturdy bomber's impact on World War II is impossible to ignore. Boeing, the manufacturer, flew the first one 75 years ago.
An ongoing restoration of a B-17 is available to tourists at the National Museum of the Air Force. The Museum's Air Power Gallery displays a B-17, the "Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby," and the restoration hangars have two more: the famed "Memphis Belle" and "The Swoose."
See this SeattlePI post for a photo and collection of B-17 lore, and thanks to Air Force AIM Points for alerting us to this important part of our heritage.
Above: "The Swoose" finds a new home at the National Museum of the Air Force. (Air Force photo)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Wounded Warrior bikes Sea to Shining Sea
July 13, 2010
An Airman is riding coast to coast in the 4,000-mile Sea to Shining Sea bicycle ride. The trek begins at the Golden Gate Bridge and ends at Virginia Beach.
A year ago, Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito was severely wounded by an IED while serving as a Combat Controller in Afghanistan. The journey is part of his rehab, but also an inspiration to other wounded warriors.
An Airman is riding coast to coast in the 4,000-mile Sea to Shining Sea bicycle ride. The trek begins at the Golden Gate Bridge and ends at Virginia Beach.
A year ago, Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito was severely wounded by an IED while serving as a Combat Controller in Afghanistan. The journey is part of his rehab, but also an inspiration to other wounded warriors.
Raptors take wing in Hawaii
July 13, 2010
Newly assigned F-22 Raptors, the only twin-engine fifth generation fighter in service, were dedicated at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu 9 July.
They are the first F-22s assigned to the 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, and replace the F-15s that have protected Hawaiian skies since 1987.
Production of the F-22, America's top air dominance aircraft, has been capped at 186 fighters. Meanwhile, the U.S. is retiring some 250 legacy fighters, aging F-15s and F-16s, and banking on adequate production of the multi-role F-35, a single-engine fifth generation aircraft.
Photo: The stealthy silhouette of an F-22 Raptor against the clouds over Hawaiian waters, 9 July. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Cohen A. Young)
Newly assigned F-22 Raptors, the only twin-engine fifth generation fighter in service, were dedicated at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu 9 July.
They are the first F-22s assigned to the 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, and replace the F-15s that have protected Hawaiian skies since 1987.
Production of the F-22, America's top air dominance aircraft, has been capped at 186 fighters. Meanwhile, the U.S. is retiring some 250 legacy fighters, aging F-15s and F-16s, and banking on adequate production of the multi-role F-35, a single-engine fifth generation aircraft.
Photo: The stealthy silhouette of an F-22 Raptor against the clouds over Hawaiian waters, 9 July. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Cohen A. Young)
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