May 1 marked the end of Air Force Space Command’s Tactical Satellite 3 after it de-orbited into and burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere. TacSat-3, which had exceeded its expected lifespan by 20 months, was originally designed and launched as a one-year experimental satellite May 19, 2009. Although not designed as an operational asset, due…

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley spoke about the Air Force’s role in the U.S. defense strategy to rebalance to the Asia-Pacific during the Air Force Association’s Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles, Calif., Nov. 16. Donley closed the symposium, which gathered more than 320 airmen, industry officials and Air Force Association members together…

The Air Force has split the space and missile career field in an effort to ensure more focused development for officers performing these critical missions in increasingly complex operational environments, Air Force officials announced Feb. 15. Under the old construct, more than 50 percent of space-coded company grade officers’ development time was spent as a…

Bringing new Air Force civilian employees on board is more efficient and timely now following full-implementation of the USA Staffing Onboarding Manager tool, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. In April, AFPC initiated a phased implementation strategy to replace the civilian virtual inprocessing tool with the OM tool, starting with new hires at the Air…

The U.S. Air Force’s Defense Satellite Communications System B12 satellite, built by Lockheed Marti, has reached 20 years on-orbit, double its operational design life. The B12 satellite will continue to serve in a reserve capacity providing secure and reliable communications capabilities for the warfighter. Launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., July 2, 1992,…

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin two fixed-price contracts totaling $120 million to procure long lead parts for the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth next generation Global Positioning System satellites, known as GPS III. The GPS III program will affordably replace aging GPS satellites while improving capability to meet the evolving demands of…

Air Force active duty, Reserve, Guard, appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund civilians have an opportunity to voice their concerns to leadership during the 2012 Air Force Climate Survey, which kicks off May 14 and runs through June 22. The chief of staff of the Air Force-directed survey enables Air Force personnel to provide feedback to…

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Raytheon announced April 10 its Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar has been competitively selected by the Republic of Korea to upgrade the country’s KF-16C/D Block 52 Fighting Falcon fleet. “This win ensures the Republic of Korea’s KF-16 combat aircraft remain relevant in a constantly evolving threat environment and builds on our legacy…