The US military is quietly reviving airfields first carved out of jungle and coral during World War 2 to counter potential threats from China. The effort, driven by the Agile Combat Employment doctrine, aims to create a network of smaller, far-flung locations where US aircraft can operate from, reducing vulnerability in a war defined by long-range precision weapons.
The US Air Force has awarded a $835.6 million contract to US Aviation Academy for early-stage pilot training under the Initial Pilot Training program. The agreement runs through December 2035 and will cover foundational flight instruction to US and international military pilot candidates.
A US Air Force RQ-170 Sentinel was reportedly deployed as part of Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, months of intelligence preparation led to the successful mission.
Breaking Defense reports that China will likely dominate defense headlines in 2026, with tensions simmering in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. Japan may see an increased PLAN presence, while Russia joins Chinese forces.
The US Air Force has announced the acquisition of two additional Boeing 747-8 aircraft for approximately $400 million. The purchase supports training and sustainment for the future presidential airlift fleet as delays continue to push back delivery of the next-generation Air Force One aircraft.
A second near midair collision involving a US Air Force aerial refueling tanker was reported near Venezuelan airspace on December 13, 2025. The incident occurred when a Falcon 900EX business jet flying from Aruba to Miami encountered the tanker without an active transponder.
The US Air Force is procuring two additional Boeing-made 747 jets from Lufthansa to support the VC-25B presidential airlift program. The aircraft will be used for training and spares, with delivery expected early next year.
Gen. John Lamontagne has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the next Air Force vice chief of staff, following a series of personnel changes within the military.
The US Air Force has admitted that President Trump's Air Force One delivery will be delayed by another year, with the first aircraft now expected to arrive in mid-2028. Despite previous delays, Boeing aims to deliver the new aircraft in 2027.
The US Air Force is reviving the Looking Glass mission, which was previously assigned to the Navy's E-6B Mercury. According to an industry notice, the new program aims to recapitalize missions currently executed on the E-6B.