DefenceTalkNominations for active-duty line officers interested in the financial management leadership program, or FMLP, are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by Feb. 15, 2014, AFPC officials said Dec. 18. The FMLP is a four-year program that provides non-finance officers the opportunity to gain leadership experience as comptroller squadron commanders, said Capt. Thomas Cook, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/financial-management-leadership-program-open-to-eligible-officers-49964/

DefenceTalkBefore the sun rises, the sound of an F-16 Fighting Falcon can be heard taking off, breaking the dull silence of the morning as they participate in a two week close-air support training exercise with various squadrons and units. Known as CAS, the training uses military aircraft in an attack against enemy ground forces that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/close-air-support-key-to-strategic-success-49959/

DefenceTalkLong disliked by the US Air Force, the A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack jet may finally be heading for the chopping block due to budget constraints. The “Warthog,” first designed as a tank buster to target Soviet armored vehicles in the middle of the Cold War in the early 1970s, is shunned by many aviators. Although […]https://www.defencetalk.com/end-looms-for-us-air-forces-a-10-ground-attack-jet-49929/

DefenceTalkChina has established its first air defense identification zone in accordance with Chinese law and international practices to safeguard its sovereignty, the Ministry of National Defense announced on Saturday. The move allows early-warning time and helps China protect its sovereignty and territories, and guarantee regional air security, officials and analysts said. An air defense identification […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-maps-out-its-first-air-defense-id-zone-49730/

DefenceTalkAfter a dozen years of continuous combat in Southwest Asia, the term “warfighter” is in danger of being devalued by our political culture. In our eagerness to honor all those who serve, we make it sound like everybody who dons a military uniform is subject to the same risks, and burdened by the same sacrifices. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/combat-rescue-helicopter-air-force-backing-away-from-its-bravest-warfighters-49707/

DefenceTalkBoeing will continue to increase the B-52 bomber’s effectiveness and versatility under a new U.S. Air Force contract that calls for the aircraft’s smart weapons capacity to expand by 50 percent. Under the $24.6 million agreement, Boeing will develop a modification to existing weapon launchers so the aircraft can carry smart weapons in the bomb […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-boeing-b-52-upgrade-to-increase-smart-weapons-capacity-by-half-49600/

DefenceTalkBoeing and Lockheed Martin said Friday they have teamed up to bid for a new $55 billion US Air Force bomber program aimed at replacing the aging bomber fleet. Boeing is acting as the prime contractor, and Lockheed is the main teammate in the bid to supply the Air Force’s Long-Range Strike Bomber program, the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-lockheed-team-up-for-new-us-air-force-bomber-49490/

DefenceTalkFollowing changes in the scale of the Air Force’s missions and responsibilities, the position of Chief of the Air Group will be divided by two brigadier generals and a new officer will be appointed to oversee coordination with the Ground Forces. These represent the most significant structural changes that the Air Force has undergone in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-air-force-makes-series-of-historic-organizational-changes-49426/

DefenceTalkThe 95th Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit will once again call Tyndall home as officials announced the new F-22 Raptor squadron activated Oct. 11. “We are honored to have the 95th call Tyndall home again,” said Col. David E. Graff, 325th Fighter Wing Commander. “It symbolizes so much to both our local community and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-stands-up-new-f-22-squadron-49399/

DefenceTalkYUKON TRAINING AREA, Alaska (The 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, recently conducted a large-scale, joint training event at the Yukon Training Area, Alaska. More than 450 Troopers and support Soldiers deployed to the Yukon Training Area, and transitioned immediately into multiple combat training scenarios. The exercise provided […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-army-work-together-during-exercise-49338/