Defense Operations Blog

Crafting the Base of the Future

August 3, 2020

By Kimberly Underwood

Gen. Patrice A. Melançon (USAF), executive director, Tyndall Air Force Base Reconstruction Program Management Office, U.S. Air Force, speaking at the AFWERX Fusion2020 event last week, highlights the steps the service is taking to rebuild the base. Credit: AFWERX

AFWERX and the Air Force leverage innovation for future installations, as well as for rebuilding Tyndall.

DISA’s Fourth Estate Network Optimization is on Track

July 29, 2020

By Kimberly Underwood

The Defense Information Systems Agency, located at Fort Meade, is spearheading a multiyear, comprehensive information technology advancement effort, which runs through fiscal year 2025 and will bring improved network capabilities, connectivity, cybersecurity and user assistance. Credit: DOD photo by Thomas L. Burton

Despite the interference of a global pandemic, a DOD information technology modernization project led by the agency advances.

China’s Hong Kong Crackdown Spurs Indo-Pacific Distress

July 22, 2020

By Robert K. Ackerman

U.S., Australian and Japanese forces participate in a trilateral exercise dedicated to a free and open Pacific. These and other nations are worried about China's aggression in the wake of the Middle Kingdom reneging on its 50-year promise of economic and political autonomy to Hong Kong. Credit: U.S. Navy photo

China's crackdown on Hong Kong has sent shock waves throughout the nations of the Indo-Pacific region, says the U.S. commander tasked with ensuring peace and security in that area.

U.S. Army Officials Aim to Win the War for Talent

July 15, 2020

By George I. Seffers

A U.S. Army specialist tracks and monitors flight hours for an RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle. Multiple Army initiatives aim to better attract and retain a talented workforce, including those with technical skills. Credit: U.S. Army

U.S. Army initiatives aim to better attract and retain talented personnel, including those in the technology arena.

Army Suggests Adding Five Eyes Nation Allies in JADC2

July 14, 2020

By George I. Seffers

A Polish army officer talks with village elders in the Ghazni province of Afghanistan. U.S. Army officials are discussing the need to include international partners and allies in the Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept, which is expected to dramatically improve interoperability. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micah E. Clare

"We’re going to add ‘C’ in front of JADC2.”—James McPherson, undersecretary of the Army

LTG Crawford: COVID-19 Likely Affects Army's Future

July 14, 2020

By George I. Seffers

Soldiers stationed at Camp Casey conduct pre-screening processes on individuals awaiting entry to the base in South Korea, Feb. 26, 2020. The Army likely will see permanent changes to tactics, techniques and procedures due to the pandemic, says Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford, USA, the service’s retiring CIO/G-6. Credit: Sgt. Amber Smith

The COVID-19 pandemic likely will result in an array of permanent changes for the Army, affecting a number of areas, including training, teleworking and medicine.

Army Futures Command Builds Software Factory

July 14, 2020

By Kimberly Underwood

A U.S. Army M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System sits during a demonstration at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany in February. The Army Futures Command is creating a software factory to train warfighters to code on the spot. Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Denice Lopez

The command's new center aims to churn out adroit coders that can thrive in multidomain warfare.

Advice for the Pacific Region

July 8, 2020

By Kimberly Underwood

Air Force Lt. Gen. Ken Wilsbach performs preflight procedures in his F-22 Raptor before his final flight as commander of the Alaskan Command, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Region and Eleventh Air Force, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in August 2018. Gen. Wilsbach takes the helm as commander of the Pacific Air Forces, succeeding Gen. Charles Brown, who is moving to be the next chief of the Air Force. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peña

Outgoing Pacific Air Forces commander warns of growing Chinese operations.

Access to Data is Key for Indo-Pacific Operations

July 2, 2020

By Kimberly Underwood

Speaking to the AFCEA Hawaii Chapter on June 30 during a virtual luncheon, Gen. Charles Brown, USAF, who is the outgoing commander, Pacific Air Forces; air component commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command; and executive director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, advises the industry to help quickly field capabilities to the warfighter, rather than delivering a solution "late to need."

Lt. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, USAF, commander of 7th Air Force, speaks with U.S. Army Soldiers during a base visit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea in May. Gen. Wilsbach, who is awaiting U.S. Senate confirmation and his fourth star, will be taking over as the commander of Pacific Air Forces. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Anthony Hetlage

Air chiefs from countries across the Indo-Pacific region join Commander of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Gen. Charles Brown, USAF, (c, in white shirt) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, in December for the 2019 Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium hosted by PACAF Headquarters. During his role as PACAF commander, the general made building relationships with allies and international partners across the region a priority, as a deterrence against adversaries. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hailey Haux

Pacific Air Forces leaders call for improved communications and information in a challenging region.

Space Force Sends Additional GPS Capability into Space

July 1, 2020

By Kimberly Underwood

The successful launch of the GPS III Space Vehicle 03 and the recovery of the Falcon 9 rocket booster represents another step in innovation. Credit: SpaceX

The GPS III SV03 is the third launch by the 6-month old U.S. Space Force, and the second National Security Space mission launched by Space X's Falcon 9 rocket, according to the Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, which is leading the effort in conjunction with industry partners and the 45th Space Wing, Florida. Credit: Space X

The payload faring, which contains the military's GPS III SV 03 satellite system, is connected to Space X's Falcon 9 rocket in preparation for a June 30 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force station. Credit: Space X

The third launch of the GPS III system adds performance and protection.

Hypersonic Cruise Missiles Pose Greatest Area Defense Threat

June 25, 2020

By Robert K. Ackerman

A Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched from the Reagan Test Site in Kwajalein Atoll. THAAD is one component of a layered missile defense system being configured to stop incoming missile attacks. (Credit: Missile Defense Agency)

Combining hypersonic technologies with cruise missile capabilities offers a serious threat to U.S. forces as well as the homeland.

Moving Forward with Agile Combat

June 18, 2020

By Kimberly Underwood

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing perform a preflight inspection of an F-16 Fighting Falcon before takeoff during exercise Agile Buzzard at Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, in January. The Air Force is expanding its concept of Agile Combat Employment to apply to Europe. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi Goodsell

The Air Force is taking its force generation concept to provide a more lean, agile and lethal force in Europe.

Air Force Performs Key Exercise in North Sea Air Space

June 5, 2020

Posted by Kimberly Underwood

A F-15E Strike Eagle from the 492nd Fighter Squadron takes off from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England on May 27 during a large force exercise. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa and airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing conducted the dissimilar air combat training to advance combat readiness and increase tactical proficiency to help strengthen the NATO alliance. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Air Force Senior Airman Christopher Sparks

The 48th Fighter Wing and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa conducted the exercise to maintain readiness and ensure a strong NATO defense.

Brig. Gen. Collins Takes the Reins of the Army’s Tactical Communications Effort

June 1, 2020

By Kimberly Underwood

Program Executive Office Command Control Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), through its Program Manager Tactical Network, equips a brigade combat team in the 82nd Airborne Division with the an inflatable satellite communications system known as T2C2. Brig. Gen. Robert Collins, USA, takes over as the new PEO C3T on June 1 and says he will continue the key efforts to modernize the service's tactical communications. Credit: U.S. Army photo by Amy Walker, PEO C3T

Leader will continue PEO C3T’s robust modernization of the Integrated Tactical Network.

Army Scientists Tap Partners for Next Stage of Robotics Technologies

May 29, 2020

By Robert K. Ackerman

For the U.S. Army to develop truly autonomous driverless vehicles, it must realize advances being pursued by the Army Research Laboratory. (U.S. Army photo)

The Army Research Laboratory has distributed research among eight partners to advance vehicle autonomy to the next stage.

Creating a Sustained Environment for Multidomain Experimentation

May 20, 2020

By Kimberly Underwood

The Army tests an integrated mounted reconnaissance capability on a manned Stryker and an unmanned ground system called the Squad Maneuver Equipment Transport during the Joint Warfighter Assessment (JWA) 2019 in December. The Army is preparing Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or JADC2, capabilities to test at the next JWA in 2021. Credit: U.S. Army photo by Jack Bunja.

The Army is establishing a persistent atmosphere for development of Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or JADC2, capabilities.

DOD's Top Tech Priorities Shift to Microelectronics and 5G

May 19, 2020

By Julianne Simpson

The director of defense research and engineering for modernization provided an update on the department's modernization efforts during the Critical Issues in C4I Symposium.