July 16, 2026 Inside the white box: Milestone by milestone, the cadet chapel comes back The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center has taken a major step toward bringing the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel back to life, completing the first fully effective waterproofing system in the landmark’s history and accelerating progress toward a 2028 reopening.
July 16, 2026 'It Was My Calling': Lt. Gen. Donna Shipton bids farewell to Air Force, AFLCMC AFLCMC Commander Lt Gen Donna Shipton renders final salute.
July 16, 2026 VENOM program progresses to piloted flights, autonomy tests A solo F-16 Fighting Falcon test pilot taxis through the Florida humidity toward a mission take off for the 96th Test Wing.
July 16, 2026 Early OT flying brings T-7A closer to operational use The 412th Test Wing and the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center’s Detachment 5 flew the first joint sortie in a T-7A Red Hawk at Edwards Air Force Base. This flight positions the Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force to begin combined developmental and operational test flights,
July 15, 2026 Air Force conducts live-fire test for Collaborative Combat Aircraft program The Department of the Air Force successfully conducted a live-fire test of a YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, firing an AIM-120 weapon at a digital target. The test demonstrates program maturity and operational validation while emphasizing the retention of human oversight for weapon release.
July 14, 2026 Air Force Research Laboratory initiatives strengthen warfighting connections AFRL’s new “Operationalize the Lab” initiative immerses early-career science and technology (S&T) leaders in operational environments to strengthen their understanding of the warfighting mission and the impact of their work.
July 10, 2026 AFWERX innovation transitions from fighter cockpits to NASA spaceflight A quality-of-life system originally developed to support military aviators has expanded beyond the cockpit and into orbit, demonstrating how AFWERX accelerated an operational need into a solution that now supports both Airmen and NASA astronauts.
July 9, 2026 AEDC marks 75th anniversary with celebration and ceremony For the past 75 years, the test facilities across Arnold Engineering Development Complex and the men and women responsible for their operations have left an indelible mark on American aerospace. Since the Complex was dedicated by then-President Harry Truman on June 25, 1951, many renowned aircraft,
July 9, 2026 Air Force shapes requirements for a new era of uncrewed airpower The Air Force is partnering with the Defense Innovation Unit to leverage DIU's expertise in rapidly prototyping and fielding commercial technologies. This partnership is crucial for developing next-generation capabilities that will inform the future of the MQ-9 Reaper fleet.
July 9, 2026 When the Uniform Is Hung, the Legacy Remains AFLCMC Commander Lt Gen Donna Shipton retires July 10, 2026 and leaves a strong legacy.