PREDATOR SPY PLANES: Aircraft in high demand
Posted on: Sat Mar 4th, 2006 | reviewjournal.com

Armed Predator spy planes, in high demand by U.S. battlefield commanders for finding and killing terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be operated remotely later this year by a new squadron at Creech Air Force Base, a base spokesman said.

Lawmakers Slam B-52 Retirement Plan
Posted on: Sat Mar 4th, 2006 | military.com

The chairman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee this week expressed dismay over the Air Force's proposed plan to retire nearly half of its venerable B-52 bomber fleet, saying such action could leave the service hamstrung to carry out long-range strike missions.

Australia to Buy 4 Boeing C-17 Airlifters
Posted on: Sat Mar 4th, 2006 | defense-aerospace.com

I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will acquire up to four new Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and associated equipment to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with a heavy airlift capability.

Deadly AC-130 Gunships Returning to Iraq
Posted on: Sat Mar 4th, 2006 | heraldnet.com

The U.S. Air Force has begun moving heavily armed AC-130 airplanes - the lethal "flying gunships" of the Vietnam War - to a base in Iraq as commanders search for new tools to counter the Iraqi resistance, The Associated Press has learned.

Warner opposes abandoning GE-Rolls engine for fighter
Posted on: Sat Mar 4th, 2006 | aimpoints.hq.af.mil

U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner said he opposes a Pentagon plan to cancel a Rolls-Royce Group Plc-General Electric Co. program to produce a back-up engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Global Hawk Conducts Test Flight over Japan
Posted on: Sat Mar 4th, 2006 | tmcnet.com

TOKYO, March 4-(Kyodo) - The U.S. Air Force flew its Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle in Japanese airspace last month, government sources said Saturday.