Air Force leaders issue Independence Day message
Local military discounts
Headlines May 24, 2013
In the news….. Hurdles to closing Guantanamo just as high under new Obama plan President Obama announced measures May 23 to revitalize his failed first-term commitment to close the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, but the renewed effort faces the same steep political climb: To make it work, Congress would have to accept a...
News Briefs May 24, 2013
Air Force general vows to protect quality of weapons work The commander of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., says budget cuts are hitting the Albuquerque installation’s staff and operations but that the safety, security and reliability of the weapons themselves won’t be affected. Maj. Gen. Sandra Finan says...
Navy Triton unmanned aircraft system completes first flight
Northrop Grumman photograph The U.S. Navy’s MQ-4C Triton unmanned air vehicle takes the skies for its initial flight from Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, Calif., May. 22. PALMDALE, Calif. – The Navy’s n...
Navy, Marine Corps Small Tactical UAS enters production phase
Navy photograph RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System in flight after launching from USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) in February 2013. The Department of the Navy recently announced that the unmanned air system received Milesto...
F-35 ITF works towards night, weather certification
Lockheed Martin photograph by Tom Reynolds The F-35 Integrated Test Force is completing a series of night flights, testing the ability to fly the jet safely in instrument meteorological conditions where the pilot has no externa...
UAV pilots maintain situational awareness above battlefield
Unmanned aerial vehicle pilots maintain an “eye-in-the-sky” view providing real-time surveillance high above the battlefield in order to keep Soldiers safe from unexpected “enemy” attacks, at the U.S. Ar...
“This Fourth of July marks the 236th year since the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence–the document that separated the American colonies from British rule and led to the creation of a new federal republic.
“Thanks to the vision of our Founding Fathers and the commitment of the courageous men and women who fought to win American independence, we inherit a legacy of freedom based on the idea that all people possess certain unalienable rights–to life, to liberty, and to the pursuit of happiness.
“Our Nation’s early patriots deserve our enduring gratitude for their sacrifices on behalf of their fellow citizens. But we also owe a debt to the millions of Americans across the generations who since have protected our democracy for more than two centuries.
“This includes most especially those Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice, have been captured, or otherwise remain missing in fighting for and helping to preserve our liberty. The families of our service members–past and present, and particularly of our wounded warriors–also have earned our thanks for their sacrifices.
“This Fourth of July, let us recommit ourselves to doing all that we can to ensure that our children, our grandchildren, and the generations that follow will enjoy the freedoms that are our birthright as Americans. We salute you and your service, our flag, and the United States of America; and we wish to you a safe and happy Independence Day.”