News from the Air Force

[BubbleGumTiger]

SBIRS Satellite's Checkout Progressing Well: GEO-1, the first Space Based Infrared Systems geosynchronous satellite continues to make excellent progress on orbit, said Air Force space officials last week. "The Air Force is a step closer to making this new persistent infrared surveillance capability available to the nation, our warfighters, and allies," said Col. Mike Noble, deputy director for infrared space systems at Los Angeles AFB, Calif. Launched into space on May 7 from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., GEO-1 successfully completed all orbit-raising maneuvers to reach its intended geosynchronous orbit, said the officials. Controllers successfully deployed the satellite's solar arrays, high-gain communications antennas, and light shade for its infrared sensors. They continue to perform additional spacecraft checkout and infrared payload tests to validate and characterize the system's performance. Once checkout is complete, the Air Force will evaluate GEO-1's performance in the operational environment.

[Malcontent]

I've been hearing a lot of good things about this project. Thanks for the info!

[BubbleGumTiger]

geosynchronous orbit can be defined as.............

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay ... /DI146.htm

[Malcontent]

I always thought the Parameter Value Height above equator was 24,732 miles not 22,236. I guess you learn something new everyday.

[Malcontent]

Not much interest in geosynchronous orbit. I bet if this was Obamasynchronous Orbit it woudl have created a lot of attention. LOL

[Malcontent]

geosynchronous orbit can be defined as.............

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay ... /DI146.htm

I get that geo orbit thing going when I spend too much time at the watering hole... :12224

Could TigerTownTurkey be hooked on that spring water?

[BubbleGumTiger]

Story of the F35 Lightning II

[Malcontent]

The F-35 Lightning II Program (also known
as the Joint Strike Fighter Program) is the Department of Defense's focal point for defining affordable next generation strike aircraft weapon systems for the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and our allies. The F-35 will bring cutting-edge technologies to the battlespace of the future. The JSFs advanced airframe, autonomic logistics, avionics, propulsion systems, stealth, and firepower will ensure that the F-35 is the most affordable, lethal, supportable and survivable aircraft ever to be used by so many warfighters across the globe.

[BubbleGumTiger]

2 Airman receive the Distinguished Flying Cross:

Two Lakenheath Airmen Awarded DFC: Capt. John Frederick and TSgt. Patrick Ledbetter, both assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their heroic actions in Afghanistan. On May 4, 2010, Frederick, an HH-60 Pave Hawk pilot, successfully evacuated wounded soldiers from an ambush site in the Tagab Valley even though enemy fire prevented ground troops from marking the landing site and thunderstorms severely reduced visibility. After extracting the first wounded soldier, Frederick used his helicopter to protect his trail aircraft as it evacuated another wounded soldier. On Dec. 28, 2009, Ledbetter, a Pave Hawk flight engineer, was on a night mission to extract a casualty near Nad e Ali; however, incoming fire forced the crew to abort the first attempt. On the second attempt, Ledbetter recognized that the landing zone was mismarked and called for an immediate go around, but his aircraft lost sight of its wingman during reapproach. Ledbetter re-acquired the second aircraft, preventing a mid-air collision. The third attempt was successful. The award ceremony took place on June 23. (Lakenheath report by SrA. David Dobrydney)

[Malcontent]

Congratulation are in ortder for two very brave men.

[BubbleGumTiger]

AF Thunderbirds first performance in Finland:

Thunderbirds' First Finlanding: The Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team performed for the first time in Finland, headlining the Turku Air Show together with the Finnish air force Midnight Hawks demo group. "Finland is a great friend to the US, and I hope this is just the first of many Thunderbirds performances here," said Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, Thunderbirds commander, during the air show in mid June. To mark their visit, the Thunderbirds added the Finnish flag to the flag panel behind the cockpits of their F-16s. Over the team's 58-year history, its members have added a tiny flag for every country they have performed in. The panel now has 63 national flags. (Turku report by SSgt. Jake Richmond)

[BubbleGumTiger]

Lackland and Randolph bases combine.........

Lackland, Randolph Merge Schools, Centers: Officials at JB San Antonio, Tex., recently consolidated two First Term Airmen Centers and have begun merging two Airmen Leadership Schools on the sprawling joint complex, which comprises Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, and Fort Sam Houston. These moves are meant to save money and enable more efficient operations. Lackland's and Randolph's FTACs combined resources in May, with Lackland chosen to host the center for airmen from both installations. "The main challenge was transportation, getting the Randolph students over here, but we worked that out," said SSgt. Joshua Biggs, Lackland FTAC noncommissioned officer in charge. Lackland also will host the combined ALS, the phased merger of which began in early June. "Eventually, the school at Randolph will close down and all the students will move to Lackland," said CMSgt. Juan Lewis, command chief for San Antonio's 502nd Air Base Wing.

[Malcontent]

How old is Lackland AFB...

[Leo Byrd]

How old is Lackland AFB...

Old as in old.............http://www.usafmtia.org/Lackland/BMT_History.html

[Malcontent]

Leo you are full of knowledge!

[BubbleGumTiger]

Leon Panetta takes over as Secretary of Defense.........

Panetta Takes Over at Pentagon: Leon Panetta last week became the 23rd Defense Secretary during a swearing-in ceremony at the Pentagon. "As Secretary of Defense, I will do whatever is necessary to protect America and to meet the needs of the men and women who serve in harm's way, and the families who support them," said Panetta, most recently CIA director, in his message to DOD upon assuming office on July 1. "Even as the United States addresses fiscal challenges at home, there will be no hollow force on my watch." He said while the nation will need to make tough budget choices, "I do not believe in the false choice between fiscal discipline and a strong national defense. We will all work together to achieve both." Panetta also thanked DOD personnel for their sacrifices. He replaced Bob Gates, who retired after leading the Pentagon since December 2006.

Panetta's Biography

[BubbleGumTiger]

Major reaches record flight hours

Airman Reaches 10,000 Flight Hours in AWACS: Maj. Jon Williams, an E-3 AWACS mission crew commander operating with the 963rd Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron in Southwest Asia, became the first officer—and one of only a handful of airmen overall—to accumulate 10,000 flying hours in the AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System). He accomplished the feat on July 4 during a mission from an undisclosed air base in the region. It took Williams nearly 30 years and more than 1,200 sorties to reach this milestone. He credits staying healthy and qualified in the E-3 as contributing factors in his success. His next goal is to break the current record of 10,193 flight hours in the AWACS set by an enlisted airman before he returns to his home station of Tinker AFB, Okla. "I should be able to break that in less than two months," said Williams

[BubbleGumTiger]

30 years and only a Major..........must have stumbled a time or two.....

Probably spent too much time at the Staff Meetings.........

[BubbleGumTiger]

B-58 designer passes away:

B-58 Designer Robert Widmer Dies: Robert H. Widmer, the aeronautical engineer who designed the Air Force's first operational supersonic bomber, the Convair B-58 Hustler, died in Fort Worth, Tex., at age 95. Widmer died June 20, according to his New York Times obituary. Born on May 17, 1916, in Hawthorne, N.J., Widmer received an aeronautical engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., and then earned a master's degree at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, before joining Convair at its headquarters in San Diego. He later transferred to the company's main aircraft factory in Fort Worth, where he established the design and engineering department there. He worked at Fort Worth well into his 80s, as the company became General Dynamics, then Lockheed, and then Lockheed Martin. Among his accomplishments, Widmer also played instrumental roles in developing the F-111, F-16, and Tomahawk cruise missile, states the obituary.

[BubbleGumTiger]

Infra-red sensor activated:


SBIRS Satellite Opens Its Eyes: The Air Force and its industry partners have activated the infrared sensor payload on GEO-1, the first Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous satellite, moving the spacecraft one step closer to standing on-orbit watch for missile launches back on Earth. USAF space officials said tests are now underway to calibrate and characterize the GEO-1 payload for certification and operations. The payload has both a scanning sensor and a separate, independently steerable staring sensor. "We are tremendously proud of Team SBIRS for their superb efforts to initialize the Air Force's newest, most capable infrared payload," said Col. Mike Noble, deputy director of the Infrared Space Systems Directorate, at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., in a release. An Atlas V launch vehicle carried GEO-1 into space on May 7 from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. The spacecraft has been fully deployed and is functioning normally in its geosynchronous perch. Spacecraft bus and payload tests will continue in parallel to characterize and tune the integrated GEO system in preparation for operational acceptance and system certification next year, said the officials. Lockheed Martin is the SBIRS prime contractor; Northrop Grumman supplied GEO-1's payload.

Los Angeles Air Force Base.......Media Release