Air Force

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WebMemo posted January 23, 2012 by Baker Spring, Michaela Bendikova Air Force Needs to Maintain Its Focus on the Nuclear Mission
Since the end of the Cold War, the Air Force has struggled to maintain standards of excellence when fulfilling one of its most important missions: being prepared to respond to an adversarial nuclear attack. Recently, the Air Force has decided to move away from having one squadron of bombers dedicated… Read more
WebMemo posted November 7, 2011 by Baker Spring, Michaela Bendikova Nuclear Certification for a New Bomber
The Obama Administration’s 2010 Nuclear Posture Review says that bombers are central to extended deterrence. But at the same time, the Obama Administration is willing to let the capability of the bomber force decline for the next several decades. This makes no sense. … Read more
Backgrounder posted August 15, 2011 by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Baker Spring, Richard Weitz, Ph.D. Before the Lights Go Out: A Survey of EMP Preparedness Reveals Significant Shortfalls
Abstract: An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) over the United States could end modern life in America overnight. Whether caused by an enemy attack (a nuclear device detonated above the atmosphere) or by a natural phenomenon (a geomagnetic storm), an EMP can cause entire regions of… Read more
WebMemo posted July 21, 2011 by Mackenzie Eaglen Slashing Defense Makes America Less Safe While Allowing Politicians to Kick the Can down the Road on Entitlement Reform
Today, America is asking its military to do more than ever before. In the past 24 months alone, U.S. military forces have conducted their 10th year of combat operations in Afghanistan, wound down operations in Iraq, started a new no-fly zone in Libya, dramatically escalated counterterrorism operations in Yemen, maintained… Read more
Report on June 7, 2011 Defending Defense: Ten Questions on the Future of U.S. Defense Spending Priorities for Secretary of Defense Nominee Leon Panetta
A joint project of American Enterprise Institute, Foreign Policy Initiative, and The Heritage Foundation Background The Obama administration has requested that Congress provide $553 billion for the Defense Department’s base budget in FY 2012—$13 billion less than… Read more
Testimony posted June 1, 2011 by Mackenzie Eaglen Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Department Of Defense’s 30-Year Shipbuilding And Aviation Plans
Testimony beforeSubcommittee on Oversight & InvestigationsHouse Armed Services CommitteeUnited States House of Represenatives June 1, 2011 My name is Mackenzie Eaglen.… Read more
Testimony posted March 3, 2011 by Mackenzie Eaglen Assessing the Strategic Readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces
Testimony before The Readiness Subcommittee of The House Committee on Armed Services March 3, 2011 My name is Mackenzie Eaglen. I am… Read more
Backgrounder posted December 1, 2010 by Mackenzie Eaglen, Lajos F. Szaszdi, Ph.D. What Russia’s Stealth Fighter Developments Mean for America
Abstract: Russia’s development of the PAK FA fifth-generation stealth fighter could challenge American air supremacy, especially if Russia sells the PAK FA to its usual buyers of military equipment. In the U.S., closure of the F-22 production line… Read more
White Paper posted January 27, 2010 by Mackenzie Eaglen The State of the U.S. Military
Overview The U.S. government’s primary job is to provide for the common defense. The most important element to protecting vital national interests is the U.S. military, which reinforces America’s diplomatic initiatives, acts to deter threats, and, when necessary, fights and… Read more
Play Movie Video Recorded on June 11, 2009 Enduring Air Force Contributions to National Defense
On August 12, 2008, General Norton A. Schwartz became the 19th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. Before assuming his current post he served as the Commander of United States Transportation Command. … Read more

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Backgrounder posted August 15, 2011 by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Baker Spring, Richard Weitz, Ph.D. Before the Lights Go Out: A Survey of EMP Preparedness Reveals Significant Shortfalls
Abstract: An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) over the United States could end modern life in America overnight. Whether caused by an enemy attack (a nuclear device detonated above the atmosphere) or by a natural phenomenon (a geomagnetic storm), an EMP can cause entire regions of… Read more
Backgrounder posted December 1, 2010 by Mackenzie Eaglen, Lajos F. Szaszdi, Ph.D. What Russia’s Stealth Fighter Developments Mean for America
Abstract: Russia’s development of the PAK FA fifth-generation stealth fighter could challenge American air supremacy, especially if Russia sells the PAK FA to its usual buyers of military equipment. In the U.S., closure of the F-22 production line… Read more
WebMemo posted January 23, 2012 by Baker Spring, Michaela Bendikova Air Force Needs to Maintain Its Focus on the Nuclear Mission
Since the end of the Cold War, the Air Force has struggled to maintain standards of excellence when fulfilling one of its most important missions: being prepared to respond to an adversarial nuclear attack. Recently, the Air Force has decided to move away from having one squadron of bombers dedicated… Read more
WebMemo posted November 7, 2011 by Baker Spring, Michaela Bendikova Nuclear Certification for a New Bomber
The Obama Administration’s 2010 Nuclear Posture Review says that bombers are central to extended deterrence. But at the same time, the Obama Administration is willing to let the capability of the bomber force decline for the next several decades. This makes no sense. … Read more
White Paper posted January 27, 2010 by Mackenzie Eaglen The State of the U.S. Military
Overview The U.S. government’s primary job is to provide for the common defense. The most important element to protecting vital national interests is the U.S. military, which reinforces America’s diplomatic initiatives, acts to deter threats, and, when necessary, fights and… Read more
WebMemo posted July 21, 2011 by Mackenzie Eaglen Slashing Defense Makes America Less Safe While Allowing Politicians to Kick the Can down the Road on Entitlement Reform
Today, America is asking its military to do more than ever before. In the past 24 months alone, U.S. military forces have conducted their 10th year of combat operations in Afghanistan, wound down operations in Iraq, started a new no-fly zone in Libya, dramatically escalated counterterrorism operations in Yemen, maintained… Read more
Testimony posted June 1, 2011 by Mackenzie Eaglen Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Department Of Defense’s 30-Year Shipbuilding And Aviation Plans
Testimony beforeSubcommittee on Oversight & InvestigationsHouse Armed Services CommitteeUnited States House of Represenatives June 1, 2011 My name is Mackenzie Eaglen.… Read more
Testimony posted March 3, 2011 by Mackenzie Eaglen Assessing the Strategic Readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces
Testimony before The Readiness Subcommittee of The House Committee on Armed Services March 3, 2011 My name is Mackenzie Eaglen. I am… Read more
Report on June 7, 2011 Defending Defense: Ten Questions on the Future of U.S. Defense Spending Priorities for Secretary of Defense Nominee Leon Panetta
A joint project of American Enterprise Institute, Foreign Policy Initiative, and The Heritage Foundation Background The Obama administration has requested that Congress provide $553 billion for the Defense Department’s base budget in FY 2012—$13 billion less than… Read more

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WebMemo posted January 23, 2012 by Baker Spring, Michaela Bendikova Air Force Needs to Maintain Its Focus on the Nuclear Mission
Since the end of the Cold War, the Air Force has struggled to maintain standards of excellence when fulfilling one of its most important missions: being prepared to respond to an adversarial nuclear attack. Recently, the Air Force has decided to move away from having one squadron of bombers dedicated… Read more
WebMemo posted November 7, 2011 by Baker Spring, Michaela Bendikova Nuclear Certification for a New Bomber
The Obama Administration’s 2010 Nuclear Posture Review says that bombers are central to extended deterrence. But at the same time, the Obama Administration is willing to let the capability of the bomber force decline for the next several decades. This makes no sense. … Read more
Backgrounder posted August 15, 2011 by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Baker Spring, Richard Weitz, Ph.D. Before the Lights Go Out: A Survey of EMP Preparedness Reveals Significant Shortfalls
Abstract: An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) over the United States could end modern life in America overnight. Whether caused by an enemy attack (a nuclear device detonated above the atmosphere) or by a natural phenomenon (a geomagnetic storm), an EMP can cause entire regions of… Read more
WebMemo posted July 21, 2011 by Mackenzie Eaglen Slashing Defense Makes America Less Safe While Allowing Politicians to Kick the Can down the Road on Entitlement Reform
Today, America is asking its military to do more than ever before. In the past 24 months alone, U.S. military forces have conducted their 10th year of combat operations in Afghanistan, wound down operations in Iraq, started a new no-fly zone in Libya, dramatically escalated counterterrorism operations in Yemen, maintained… Read more
Report on June 7, 2011 Defending Defense: Ten Questions on the Future of U.S. Defense Spending Priorities for Secretary of Defense Nominee Leon Panetta
A joint project of American Enterprise Institute, Foreign Policy Initiative, and The Heritage Foundation Background The Obama administration has requested that Congress provide $553 billion for the Defense Department’s base budget in FY 2012—$13 billion less than… Read more
Backgrounder posted December 1, 2010 by Mackenzie Eaglen, Lajos F. Szaszdi, Ph.D. What Russia’s Stealth Fighter Developments Mean for America
Abstract: Russia’s development of the PAK FA fifth-generation stealth fighter could challenge American air supremacy, especially if Russia sells the PAK FA to its usual buyers of military equipment. In the U.S., closure of the F-22 production line… Read more
White Paper posted January 27, 2010 by Mackenzie Eaglen The State of the U.S. Military
Overview The U.S. government’s primary job is to provide for the common defense. The most important element to protecting vital national interests is the U.S. military, which reinforces America’s diplomatic initiatives, acts to deter threats, and, when necessary, fights and… Read more

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Blog Post on 1/27/2012 4:35:28 AM Morning Bell: A Slashed and Burned Military
The future is not bright for the U.S. military. Yesterday, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta gave America a glimpse of the...… Read more
Blog Post on 1/8/2012 5:12:21 AM Chart of the Week: Defense Spending Throughout U.S. History
President Obama visited the Pentagon on Thursday to outline his plan for gutting our nation's military. Obama's vision...… Read more
Blog Post on 12/18/2011 4:24:53 AM Obama's $4 Million Hawaii Vacation
President Obama had hoped to be in Hawaii today for the start of his 17-day Christmas vacation. Instead, he's stuck in...… Read more
Blog Post on 10/27/2011 9:00:14 AM What Kirchner’s Win in Argentina Means for the U.S.
It came as no surprise when Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner swept the election on Sunday, earning...… Read more
Blog Post on 9/18/2011 6:49:31 AM Happy Birthday, Air Force
The Heritage Foundation is proud to wish the United States Air Force a happy 64th birthday. Sixty-four may not sound old...… Read more
Blog Post on 9/7/2011 11:45:08 AM Uncertainty Does Not Pay Off When It Comes to the U.S. Strategic Arsenal
The U.S. Minuteman III intercontinental-range ballistic missile (ICBM) force faces an uncertain future, writes Mark...… Read more
Blog Post on 8/18/2011 1:01:28 PM Russia Debuts Stealth Fighter—with Implications for the U.S.
The chief of Russia’s air force announced this week that the PAK FA, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, will...… Read more
Blog Post on 8/12/2011 8:00:51 AM Long-Range Strike: The American Javelin
While American defense budgets are in a rapidly escalating free-fall, Chinese defense budgets have seen annual...… Read more
Blog Post on 7/8/2011 7:30:46 AM Air Obama Won’t Fly
It took a Twitter town hall to learn how the President really thinks about defense. Not only does Obama want to gut...… Read more
Blog Post on 1/19/2011 2:31:31 AM Dragon Week: U.S. Air Capabilities at Risk
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates just returned from a visit to China after the recent restoration of military ties...… Read more

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