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DefenseNews.com • Stephen Losey

USAF eyes inspections, spare‑parts funding as leaders make readiness 'commanders' business'

The Air Force secretary and chief of staff have made improving readiness a top priority, directing increased inspections and targeted spare‑parts funding to raise mission availability. The effort is being framed as "commanders' business," Lt. Gen. Pleus said, placing operational leaders at the center of execution.

2026-02-02T13:02:50.892463-08:00

Vertical Mag

FAA accepts NTSB finding that systemic FAA failures led to Jan. 29, 2025 D.C. mid‑air collision killing 67

2026-02-01T18:13:11.076934-08:00

Politico

NTSB to Release Findings on Reagan National Midair Collision; Report Could Spur Policy Reforms

2026-01-31T14:54:09.811080-08:00

Breaking Defense

U.S. approves multi‑billion arms packages: 30 AH‑64E Apaches, JLTVs and Namer APCs for Israel; $9B Patriot sale to Saudi Arabia

2026-01-30T16:33:40.108321-08:00

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DefenseNews.com

USAF eyes inspections, spare‑parts funding as leaders make readiness 'commanders' business' The Air Force secretary and chief of staff have made improving readiness a top priority, directing increased inspections and targeted spare‑parts funding to raise mission availability. The effort is being framed as "commanders' business," Lt. Gen. Pleus said, placing operational leaders at the center of execution.

2026-02-02T13:02:50.892463-08:00

USAF eyes inspections, spare‑parts funding as leaders make readiness 'commanders' business'

Vertical Mag

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FAA accepts NTSB finding that systemic FAA failures led to Jan. 29, 2025 D.C. mid‑air collision killing 67 FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has accepted the NTSB's finding that systemic FAA regulatory and oversight failures led to the Jan. 29, 2025 mid‑air collision over Washington, D.C., between a regional jet and a U.S. Army UH‑60L Black Hawk that killed 67, the deadliest U.S. air crash since 2001.

2026-02-01T18:13:11.076934-08:00

FAA accepts NTSB finding that systemic FAA failures led to Jan. 29, 2025 D.C. mid‑air collision killing 67

Politico

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NTSB to Release Findings on Reagan National Midair Collision; Report Could Spur Policy Reforms The NTSB will publish findings this week into last year’s deadly crash near Reagan National Airport, identifying probable causes and safety gaps. The board’s determinations could trigger a wave of regulatory and procedural changes affecting military and civilian operations in the Washington, D.C., metro airspace.

2026-01-31T14:54:09.811080-08:00

NTSB to Release Findings on Reagan National Midair Collision; Report Could Spur Policy Reforms

Reuters

China conducts combat‑readiness naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Dao) China's People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said it carried out combat‑readiness naval and air patrols in the territorial waters and airspace around Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal) on Jan. 31. The command said it has stepped up patrols and vigilance in the area since early January.

2026-01-30T19:58:36.139346-08:00

China conducts combat‑readiness naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Dao)

Breaking Defense

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U.S. approves multi‑billion arms packages: 30 AH‑64E Apaches, JLTVs and Namer APCs for Israel; $9B Patriot sale to Saudi Arabia The U.S. State Department approved multiple Foreign Military Sales to Israel including 30 AH‑64E Apache attack helicopters, thousands of JLTV tactical vehicles, Namer APC systems and related support — reported package values range from roughly $3.8B to $8.7B. Separately, a $9B Patriot missile sale to Saudi Arabia (730 missiles) was approved.

2026-01-30T16:33:40.108321-08:00

U.S. approves multi‑billion arms packages: 30 AH‑64E Apaches, JLTVs and Namer APCs for Israel; $9B Patriot sale to Saudi Arabia

DefenseNews.com

USAF pushes to upgrade bomber communications after 'Midnight Hammer' lapses Lt. Gen. Jason Armagost told the Mitchell Institute the Air Force will accelerate upgrades to secure, survivable communications for bomber operations after communications lapses during Operation 'Midnight Hammer'. The effort focuses on improving tactical airborne links and command-and-control in contested environments.

2026-01-30T13:03:57.219930-08:00

USAF pushes to upgrade bomber communications after 'Midnight Hammer' lapses

SpaceNews.com

Space Force Gen. Shawn Bratton on strategy, budgets and industry partnerships Space Force Gen. Shawn Bratton outlined the service’s strategic priorities, budget pressures and approach to industry partnerships in a fireside chat, describing how leadership plans to align resources and contractor relationships to meet near‑term operational needs while enabling long‑term modernization.

2026-01-30T12:00:02.706423-08:00

Space Force Gen. Shawn Bratton on strategy, budgets and industry partnerships

Reuters

Niger junta accuses France, Benin and Ivory Coast of sponsoring Niamey airport attack; three aircraft damaged Niger's junta accused the presidents of France, Benin and Ivory Coast of sponsoring a pre-dawn assault on an air force base at Niamey international airport that wounded four soldiers and damaged three aircraft operated by ASKY and Air Côte d'Ivoire. The junta said Russian forces helped repel the attackers.

2026-01-30T05:38:32.334550-08:00

Niger junta accuses France, Benin and Ivory Coast of sponsoring Niamey airport attack; three aircraft damaged

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Defense Policy News

USAF eyes inspections, spare‑parts funding as leaders make readiness 'commanders' business'

FAA accepts NTSB finding that systemic FAA failures led to Jan. 29, 2025 D.C. mid‑air collision killing 67

NTSB to Release Findings on Reagan National Midair Collision; Report Could Spur Policy Reforms

U.S. approves multi‑billion arms packages: 30 AH‑64E Apaches, JLTVs and Namer APCs for Israel; $9B Patriot sale to Saudi Arabia

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