The general who oversees the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq offered a mixed report on the two conflicts Tuesday, saying that making headway in Afghanistan “will be incremental and difficult” but that “steady progress” is being made in Iraq.

“The changes in approach launched in 2009 and 2010 … can help turn the tide over time, but we must manage expectations as we continue the buildup in our forces,” Army Gen. David Petraeus said of the Afghanistan war, saying that instability there and in neighboring Pakistan “poses the most urgent problem” for his U.S. Central Command.

“We will endeavor … to wrest the initiative from the Taliban,” Petraeus said.

Despite sporadic bomb attacks in Iraq last year and during the recent elections, and renewed insurgent activity sparked by the ongoing Kurdish-Arab dispute in the north, however, Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the plan to reduce U.S. troop strength in Iraq to 50,000 by Sept. 1 remains on track.

Theater-wide, Petraeus said he has “critical shortages” that “continue to degrade mission effectiveness.” These include specialists in intelligence, document exploitation and detainee operations; counterintelligence and human intelligence collectors; interrogators; engineers; and military police.

The tension in the north of Iraq could produce a shift in the makeup of the force in place by late summer, Petraeus said.

“We may reconfigure the force a little bit over what we originally were thinking three or four months ago or so — there’s a possibility that we may want to keep an additional brigade headquarters, as an example,” he said. “Headquarters really matter. They’re the key element of engagement. And indeed, if we think there’s a particularly fragile situation, say, in a certain area in the north, then we might do that.”

Petraeus acknowledged the need to develop more capable Afghani Security Forces and in particular, the gap between raw numbers and actual ability to perform. The total forces in the national army and police forces have grown from 156,000 in January 2009 to more than 206,000 assigned today.

But, he added, “Significant work remains in improving the quality of the Afghan force through enhanced partnering, training and recruiting.”

To that end, more trainers are needed — and more may come out of U.S. forces. NATO countries, Petraeus said, have supplied only about half of the total U.S. officials recently pressed for.

“We have to figure out how to get the rest of those, and we are looking at various options for doing that on the U.S. side while still urging NATO to generate the remainder,” he said.

Reported sexual assaults involving service members —as victims and perpetrators — rose 11 percent in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

Pentagon officials said they generally welcome the increase because sex crimes reports lag actual incidents and the higher number means that more sexual assaults are being reported.

“Research in the civilian community shows that sexual assault is widely underreported, and we believe that is the same in the military,” Kaye Whitley, director of the Defense Department’s sexual abuse prevention and response office, told the American Forces Press Service. “As a result, increasing reporting has been one of our key goals. We want people who are victims of sexual assault to come forward so they can get the help that they need.”

The Pentagon said the overall rate for all the services was two reports of sexual assault per 1,000 service members. The rates by service: Army, 2.6 per 1,000; Navy, 1.6 per 1,000; Air Force, 1.4 per 1,000; Marine Corps, 1.3 per 1,000.

A Maryland man who vanished in January 2009 with thousands of dollars that he raised for a presidential inaugural ball for veterans that never happened — leaving sponsors, entertainers and ticketholders in the lurch — is back.

Using a slightly different variation of his name, D. Dante Anthony Hayes is trying to raise money for a “Maryland Armed Forces” event, seeking to sign up military organizations to sponsor a combination benefit concert and fashion show that he claims will be held May 22 in a Baltimore park.

Hayes, who uses multiple addresses in Maryland and the District of Columbia, is the director of a nonprofit group that he formed called the Congressional Education Foundation for Public Policy. His pitch this time is about the same as last time, asking military organizations to lend their names to his event in return for a promised 10 percent of the proceeds.

He called himself simply Dante Hayes in late 2008 and early 2009 when he lined up several military and veterans groups, 34 beauty queens and some entertainers for an armed forces inaugural ball that never took place. He appears to do most of his business out of a residential home in Baltimore.

This time, he is promising a star-studded benefit concert featuring performers Patti LaBelle, R Kelly, Morris Day and the Time and Cameo, although the list appears to vary depending on who is being pitched. The list he provided to veterans groups that he has tried to sign up is different than the list posted on the Web site through which he is selling tickets.

Booking agents and tour schedules for the listed organizations do not show that any of the promised performers have agreed to appear. For example, Elyse Murray of Elyse Group 7, who represents the 70’s R&B group Cameo, said the group has no May 22 performance scheduled and she does not recall ever speaking to Hayes or anyone from his foundation.

“We are not scheduled to play May 22 at all,” she said.

The day-long event touted by Hayes also is supposed to feature a panel discussion about veterans issues, involving politicians, academics and veterans groups, and a fashion show with 50 models displaying casual and business clothing, “hats, purses and women’s shoes” for women of all sizes, according to ticketing information. Additionally, he promises a mechanical bull, water slide, climbing walls, obstacle course and outdoor children’s movie.

The event, to begin at 9 a.m. and end at 9 p.m., would be free to service members, students and seniors but cost $10 to $55 for individuals and from $135 to $10,000 for corporate sponsors.

In addition to receiving part of the proceeds, the groups signing on to the event supposedly would get the opportunity during the benefit concert to place their flags on the stage, said Grant Goods, treasurer of the Chesapeake Chapter of The Retired Officers Association, who met with Hayes.

“He was very clear that he wanted a letter from us saying we were part of the benefit,” Goods said.

The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Maryland’s state department of veterans’ affairs and unspecified funds for helping homeless veterans and the purchase of calling cards for deployed service members are also causes that Hayes said would get 10 percent of the proceeds.

Hayes promised during the meeting and in a letter to veterans groups that 75,000 to 100,000 people would attend the event at Carroll Park in Baltimore, raising $1.5 million to $2 million for veterans causes.

Hayes did not return multiple telephone calls and e-mails seeking more information about his event. The company he said would provide the fashion models could not be located. Booking agents for several of the entertainers listed on promotion material said they had never heard of Hayes. Some stars, like Patti LaBelle, specifically decline to appear at fundraising events, according to her agency.

Carroll Park is a city-owned property that features a skateboard park, and is not suited to an event for 100,000 people, said Michele Speaks-March, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore Recreation and Parks Department. “We don’t have any request for a permit from that man or from anyone for that day,” she said.

Hayes lists Carroll Park as the site of another event on May 29, for a gospel choir-related all-day event. Speaks-March said no permit has been requested for that event, either.

The Congressional Education Foundation for Public Policy does exist, according to the Internal Revenue Service. But the IRS lists the nonprofit as a private foundation for which full tax deductions are not permitted for making charitable contributions. Instead, deductions are limited to 30 percent, a sign that most of the money raised may not go to charities.

The foundation Web site lists two other veterans-related fundraisers that Hayes is working on. He has tickets available for a June 4 gala for Maryland service members that he says will be held in the historic Fifth Regiment Armory and is also collecting donations to send veterans on a four-day Carribean cruise for New Years. For the cruise, he is seeking donations, in $35 increments, to sponsor veterans.

Goods said Hayes “identified himself as a doctor, although a doctor of what wasn’t clear,” and that he was very interested in setting up accounts so that contributions from sponsors could be deposited in New York or Baltimore accounts. TREA did not sign up to sponsor the event, Goods said.

“We are getting the word out to other veterans groups to be wary,” he said.

Hayes came to the attention of the U.S. Secret Service after he raised money for a Veterans Inaugural Ball that was to be held in January 2009 but then disappeared, leaving a trail of disappointed charities, sponsors and performers. Beth Jannery, a Virginia-based public relations consultant and author who worked with Hayes on that event, was among those who said they were shocked when he vanished.

“As far as I know, nothing has been resolved,” Jannery said. “Unfortunately, justice has not been served and no money has been returned, no apology has been made.”

WILMINGTON, N.C. — A soldier acquitted of killing a mother and two of her young daughters in North Carolina about 25 years ago is now going on trial in military court after prosecutors say new DNA tests link him to the crimes.

Master Sgt. Timothy Hennis, 51, is charged with premeditated murder in the May 1985 stabbing deaths of Kathryn Eastburn and two of her daughters — 5-year-old Kara Sue and 3-year-old Erin Nicole. Opening statements in the court-martial are set for Wednesday and the death penalty trial could last up to two months, featuring 100 or more witnesses.

Hennis couldn’t be tried again in civilian court so he was charged by the military, which can pursue the case because its court system is a different jurisdiction. Hennis retired from the Army in 2004 but was recalled to active duty to face charges.

Hennis, who had adopted the Eastburns’ dog several days before the killings, was arrested four days after the bodies were found when a witness who reported seeing someone in the Eastburns’ driveway late at night picked him out of a photo lineup.

Eastburn’s husband, Air Force Capt. Gary Eastburn, was in Alabama at squadron officers training school at the time of the stabbings. The Eastburns’ 22-month-old daughter, Jana, was at the home but was left unharmed in her crib.

Hennis, then an Army sergeant, was convicted in 1986 of the killings in civilian court and sentenced to death, but the state Supreme Court gave him a new trial, in part because the justices said the evidence was weak. Jurors acquitted Hennis in 1989, saying then that it was a quick decision for many because prosecutors couldn’t prove Hennis was inside the house at the time of the slayings.

The case spawned a 1993 book entitled “Innocent Victims,” which was followed by a cable television miniseries.

Hennis retired from the military in 2004 and was living in Lakewood, Wash., when a detective reviewing the case said he uncovered DNA evidence that couldn’t be tested in the mid-1980s. The new evidence was given to Army investigators, who recalled Hennis to active duty in 2006 and brought him back to Fort Bragg.

The DNA evidence was collected from a rape kit. Hennis was also acquitted of rape, but doesn’t face that charge because too much time has passed since that alleged crime occurred.

Military prosecutors and Hennis’ attorney Frank Spinner have refused to talk to the media about the case, but Spinner claimed in preliminary hearings that the DNA evidence is unreliable because it was collected 25 years ago and has not been properly handled.

Spinner has also challenged the military’s jurisdiction in federal court, but a federal judge has asked for more information in the case and has yet to issue a ruling.

———

Associated Press writer Mike Baker in Raleigh contributed to this report.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — A funeral for former Air Force Academy superintendent and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. A.P. Clark is scheduled Wednesday at the academy’s Cadet Chapel.

Clark’s efforts helping 76 prisoners of war escape during World War II inspired the movie “The Great Escape.”

Clark died March 8 at age 96. He had been living in Colorado Springs.

Clark graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1936. During World War II, he was shot down over Abbeville, France, in July 1942 and spent 33 months as a POW. He is credited with managing the production and hiding of escape supplies in support of the escape of 76 POWs from Stalag Luft III in 1944.

He was superintendent of the Air Force Academy from Aug. 1, 1970, to July 31, 1974.

The Pentagon official responsible for family programs has resigned.

Tommy Thomas, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy, had been in his position for 10 months before resigning March 11.

Thomas resigned “for personal reasons,” according to a statement released by Defense officials. “Mr. Thomas came into the position to make a difference in the lives of our military members and their families and was very passionate about it. We wish him and his family much success; the Department will miss him.”

Thomas resigned the same day the embattled family policy office reinstated the military spouse tuition program My Career Advancement Accounts after abruptly halting it Feb. 16. The program was shut down with no warning, setting off a firestorm of protests from military spouses. Defense officials said 12,592 spouses had called the department about the shutdown since Feb. 16.

MyCAA was reinstated March 11, but only for spouses who have already enrolled in the program. It is not accepting new applicants at this time.

Thomas, who was responsible for MyCAA and other family programs, acknowledged that officials made a mistake in failing to notify spouses quickly when they realized a temporary halt was necessary. “As a result of our failure, we know we will have to work hard to restore their faith in us,” Thomas said in a statement on the program reinstatement March 11.

The program provides spouses up to $6,000 in tuition assistance for a variety of educational programs. Officials initially provided no information to spouses about why tuition payments were halted, but said a week later that a surge in the number of spouses enrolling in the program overwhelmed the system and threatened to drain the program’s budget. About 95,000 spouses enrolled in the first six weeks of the year for a program that, until then, rarely received more than 10,000 applications a month.

The commanding officer of a Pearl Harbor-based attack submarine was fired Monday after he was found guilty of “drunkenness” and “conduct unbecoming an officer,” in nonjudicial punishment, a spokesman said Tuesday.

It was the seventh CO firing of 2010.

Cmdr. Jeff Cima, skipper of the attack submarine Chicago, was relieved by Capt. Daryl Caudle, commander of Submarine Squadron 3, after allegations regarding Cima’s behavior during a March 10 visit with a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit, said Lt. Cmdr. Dave Benham, a spokesman for Submarine Force Pacific.

Benham said he could not give more details about the visit or Cima’s alleged misbehavior. He said Cima has been temporarily assigned to the staff of SubRon 3.

The squadron’s deputy commander, Capt. James Horten, has temporarily taken command of Chicago until a permanent replacement is named, Benham said. Horten is a former commander of the attack sub Olympia.

Cima’s career has included tours aboard the attack submarines Drum and Pasadena, as well as with the ballistic-missile submarine Pennsylvania, culminating with a stint as executive officer of Pennsylvania’s Blue Crew.

He graduated from Boston College in 1991 and received his commission through Officer Candidate School.

Other skipper firings this year:

• Capt. John Titus Jr. was fired Jan. 8 as CO of Naval Supply Corps School in Georgia. An investigation found that he did not adequately punish a subordinate accused of fraternization.

• Capt. Holly Graf was fired Jan. 13 as CO of the Yokosuka, Japan-based cruiser Cowpens for “cruelty,” a spokesman said.

• Capt. Glen Little was fired as CO of Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C., after he was arrested Jan. 26 on a charge of solicitation of prostitution.

• Cmdr. Scott Merritt was relieved as head of Naval Support Activity North Potomac on Feb. 12 following nonjudicial punishment. Sources told Navy Times the NJP involved fraternization with junior Navy personnel.

• Cmdr. Timothy Weber, the CO of the Norfolk, Va.-based destroyer Truxtun, was relieved Feb. 17 for having an inappropriate relationship with a female officer in his command, according to a Navy statement

• Capt. William Reavey Jr., CO of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., was fired Feb. 26 for “inappropriate conduct,” officials said.

A Maryland man who vanished in January 2009 with thousands of dollars that he raised for a presidential inaugural ball for veterans that never happened — leaving sponsors, entertainers and ticketholders in the lurch — is back.

Using a slightly different variation of his name, D. Dante Anthony Hayes is trying to raise money for a “Maryland Armed Forces” event, seeking to sign up military organizations to sponsor a combination benefit concert and fashion show that he claims will be held May 22 in a Baltimore park.

Hayes, who uses multiple addresses in Maryland and the District of Columbia, is the director of a nonprofit group that he formed called the Congressional Education Foundation for Public Policy. His pitch this time is about the same as last time, asking military organizations to lend their names to his event in return for a promised 10 percent of the proceeds.

He called himself simply Dante Hayes in late 2008 and early 2009 when he lined up several military and veterans groups, 34 beauty queens and some entertainers for an armed forces inaugural ball that never took place. He appears to do most of his business out of a residential home in Baltimore.

This time, he is promising a star-studded benefit concert featuring performers Patti LaBelle, R Kelly, Morris Day and the Time and Cameo, although the list appears to vary depending on who is being pitched. The list he provided to veterans groups that he has tried to sign up is different than the list posted on the Web site through which he is selling tickets.

Booking agents and tour schedules for the listed organizations do not show that any of the promised performers have agreed to appear. For example, Elyse Murray of Elyse Group 7, who represents the 70’s R&B group Cameo, said the group has no May 22 performance scheduled and she does not recall ever speaking to Hayes or anyone from his foundation.

“We are not scheduled to play May 22 at all,” she said.

The day-long event touted by Hayes also is supposed to feature a panel discussion about veterans issues, involving politicians, academics and veterans groups, and a fashion show with 50 models displaying casual and business clothing, “hats, purses and women’s shoes” for women of all sizes, according to ticketing information. Additionally, he promises a mechanical bull, water slide, climbing walls, obstacle course and outdoor children’s movie.

The event, to begin at 9 a.m. and end at 9 p.m., would be free to service members, students and seniors but cost $10 to $55 for individuals and from $135 to $10,000 for corporate sponsors.

In addition to receiving part of the proceeds, the groups signing on to the event supposedly would get the opportunity during the benefit concert to place their flags on the stage, said Grant Goods, treasurer of the Chesapeake Chapter of The Retired Officers Association, who met with Hayes.

“He was very clear that he wanted a letter from us saying we were part of the benefit,” Goods said.

The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Maryland’s state department of veterans’ affairs and unspecified funds for helping homeless veterans and the purchase of calling cards for deployed service members are also causes that Hayes said would get 10 percent of the proceeds.

Hayes promised during the meeting and in a letter to veterans groups that 75,000 to 100,000 people would attend the event at Carroll Park in Baltimore, raising $1.5 million to $2 million for veterans causes.

Hayes did not return multiple telephone calls and e-mails seeking more information about his event. The company he said would provide the fashion models could not be located. Booking agents for several of the entertainers listed on promotion material said they had never heard of Hayes. Some stars, like Patti LaBelle, specifically decline to appear at fundraising events, according to her agency.

Carroll Park is a city-owned property that features a skateboard park, and is not suited to an event for 100,000 people, said Michele Speaks-March, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore Recreation and Parks Department. “We don’t have any request for a permit from that man or from anyone for that day,” she said.

Hayes lists Carroll Park as the site of another event on May 29, for a gospel choir-related all-day event. Speaks-March said no permit has been requested for that event, either.

The Congressional Education Foundation for Public Policy does exist, according to the Internal Revenue Service. But the IRS lists the nonprofit as a private foundation for which full tax deductions are not permitted for making charitable contributions. Instead, deductions are limited to 30 percent, a sign that most of the money raised may not go to charities.

The foundation Web site lists two other veterans-related fundraisers that Hayes is working on. He has tickets available for a June 4 gala for Maryland service members that he says will be held in the historic Fifth Regiment Armory and is also collecting donations to send veterans on a four-day Carribean cruise for New Years. For the cruise, he is seeking donations, in $35 increments, to sponsor veterans.

Goods said Hayes “identified himself as a doctor, although a doctor of what wasn’t clear,” and that he was very interested in setting up accounts so that contributions from sponsors could be deposited in New York or Baltimore accounts. TREA did not sign up to sponsor the event, Goods said.

“We are getting the word out to other veterans groups to be wary,” he said.

Hayes came to the attention of the U.S. Secret Service after he raised money for a Veterans Inaugural Ball that was to be held in January 2009 but then disappeared, leaving a trail of disappointed charities, sponsors and performers. Beth Jannery, a Virginia-based public relations consultant and author who worked with Hayes on that event, was among those who said they were shocked when he vanished.

“As far as I know, nothing has been resolved,” Jannery said. “Unfortunately, justice has not been served and no money has been returned, no apology has been made.”

Two F/A-18E Super Hornets collided in mid-air Monday night, sending one crashing to the Nevada desert, Navy officials said.

One pilot ejected safely before his aircraft crashed near Naval Air Station Fallon and a second pilot landed the single-seat jet safely at Fallon, according to a press release from Naval Air Forces in San Diego.

The collision occurred about 10 p.m. while the planes were conducting a nighttime training exercise from NAS Fallon, the Navy’s primary fighter training facility.

A helicopter search-and-rescue team found the downed pilot about 11:20 p.m. about three-quarters of a mile from the crash site, Upham said.

Both planes were attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 137, which is based at NAS Lemoore, Calif. The squadron was completing a three-week training program at NAS Fallon, said Zip Upham, a Navy spokesman at NAS Fallon.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, officials said.

The plane that landed safely sustained some damage, but Navy officials did not describe the damage.

The pilot who ejected suffered minor injuries and mild hypothermia, Upham said. The pilot was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released on Tuesday, the Navy statement said.

Strong retention is taking a bite out of retention bonuses for senior surface warfare officers, but bonus levels are expected to remain for junior and midgrade SWOs.

Captains are hardest hit, with their annual bonus level dropping from $20,000 to $10,000. Bonuses for commanders are dipping from $15,000 to $12,000.

However, bonus levels for younger SWOs are staying where they are because year-groups are smaller. Personnel officials believe they have retained enough SWOs to fill department head billets, but officials say when the pool is small, it’s important to keep retention high.

“We are still very committed to [the critical skills retention bonus program] and the junior SWO bonus,” said Rear Adm. Daniel Holloway, director of manpower, personnel, training and education. “Beyond near-term, this will be a CSRB that will be used effectively, though we may dial it up and down over time to address small year-groups or changing continuation rates.”

———

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We’ll compile your responses and ask the big bosses what they think.

Send your ideas to reporter Lance M. Bacon at lbacon@navytimes.com. Your comments could be used in an upcoming story.

The Pentagon official responsible for family programs has resigned.

Tommy Thomas, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy, had been in his position for 10 months before resigning March 11.

Thomas resigned “for personal reasons,” according to a statement released by Defense officials. “Mr. Thomas came into the position to make a difference in the lives of our military members and their families and was very passionate about it. We wish him and his family much success; the Department will miss him.”

Thomas resigned the same day the embattled family policy office reinstated the military spouse tuition program My Career Advancement Accounts after abruptly halting it Feb. 16. The program was shut down with no warning, setting off a firestorm of protests from military spouses. Defense officials said 12,592 spouses had called the department about the shutdown since Feb. 16.

MyCAA was reinstated March 11, but only for spouses who have already enrolled in the program. It is not accepting new applicants at this time.

Thomas, who was responsible for MyCAA and other family programs, acknowledged that officials made a mistake in failing to notify spouses quickly when they realized a temporary halt was necessary. “As a result of our failure, we know we will have to work hard to restore their faith in us,” Thomas said in a statement on the program reinstatement March 11.

The program provides spouses up to $6,000 in tuition assistance for a variety of educational programs. Officials initially provided no information to spouses about why tuition payments were halted, but said a week later that a surge in the number of spouses enrolling in the program overwhelmed the system and threatened to drain the program’s budget. About 95,000 spouses enrolled in the first six weeks of the year for a program that, until then, rarely received more than 10,000 applications a month.

March 9, 2010 (by 2nd Lt. Ryan DeCamp) - Luke Air Force Base's Capt. Kristin Hubbard's almost eight-year Air Force career includes stops in Canada, Korea, Alaska, Guam and Jordan among other places. Her next stop could have her visiting all those spots in one-eighth of that time period.

USAF Air Demonstration Squadron 'Thunderbirds', no. 8 jet taxis down the flight line on January 5th, 2010.

The Thunderbirds, the Air Force's F-16 aerial demonstration team, recently selected Captain Hubbard, 62nd Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, as their newest member.

She will be Thunderbird 8, meaning she will narrate the Thunderbirds' performances. She will also serve as the advance pilot.

"It's awesome," she said. "I'm overwhelmed with excitement, honor and responsibility that come with being the No. eight. As the advance pilot, I'm the first person to show up at a location, the first to meet the media and the first person to meet kids and talk to them about what I do."

Captain Hubbard says she is excited to interact with all the friends and family of the people she is going to meet.

"I'm looking forward to hearing people's stories, listening to the mothers and fathers talk about their deployed Airmen," she said. "Essentially what we do is represent those deployed Airmen."

After getting letters of recommendation, watching the team at a performance and two initial rounds of interviews, the Thunderbirds picked her over four other pilots after a final interview.

"The question that always came up was why I wanted to be a Thunderbird," she said. "I want to showcase the Air Force. I want to be part of an awesome team that represents our Air Force, seven days a week, in or out of uniform."

Becoming an Air Force Thunderbird is not bad for someone who never flew in an aircraft until they were 17-years-old.

"I sat in the window of the plane and couldn't take my eyes off of looking outside," she said. "My family was laughing because I was 17 years old acting like I was five. After that I knew I wanted to be in aviation."

She had family members who worked for a major airline producer in Seattle, Wash., but did not have any family who spent their career in the military. Her grandfather took her to aircraft museums, which she says pointed her toward making aviation a career.

"I did aeronautical engineering at the University of Washington and loved the design, aerodynamics and propulsion," she said. "I absolutely loved the science and math part of it. The more I did it though, the more I realized I wanted to do a spin off of that, which was a little more hands on."

A friend waiting to head to pilot training suggested she show up at the university's Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment. Her response was, "What's a detachment?"

"I went and joined without signing my name anywhere and fell in love," she said. "I loved the teamwork, family atmosphere and focus on the team succeeding."

Captain Hubbard says she has always liked to be challenged, which is why she enjoyed being an instructor pilot so much. Her next challenge will have her with the team for two years.

According to the Thunderbirds Web site, they have more than 35 performances lined up through the end of 2010. The team's most recent show at Luke AFB included performing in front of more than 215,000 people.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for me to go out and share what the Air Force does with the rest of the world," she added.

Related articles:

• Thunderbirds announce 2010 officer selections (2009-06-10)
• Thunderbirds select 2nd female pilot for the 2007 season (2006-06-06)
• Thunderbirds' first female pilot announced with new 2006 pilots (2005-06-17)
• Other
• News archive for March 2010

• Start a discussion about this article in the F-16.net forum.

The Thunderbirds brand-new block 52 no. 8 on display in Puerto Rico on April 18th, 2009.

March 8, 2010 (by Asif Shamim) - According to the Standard-Examiner. The 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base will deactivate this coming summer. Plans are in progress to reduce Hills fleet of F-16s from 72 to 48 aircraft.

USAF F-16C block 40 #89-2149 from the 34th FS is departing from Nellis AFB to fight some agressors in the Desert MOA on April 30th, 2009.

On Monday, Hill officials said the changes are official and likely would happen soon.

"The planes are definitely going by the summer," said base spokesman Rich Essary. "But to say exactly when it will happen, or to give an exact date, we don't know that yet."

The USAF's force realignment plan for fiscal year 2010 will see Hill Air Force Base lossing a third of its force of F-16s. The jets that are being lost are coming from the 388th Fighter Wing's, 34th Fighter squadron which will close up shop and deactivate.

According to Col. David Hathaway, vice commander of the 388th Fighter Wing, said plans are being developed.

"It's still too early to discuss the full implementation of the plan, because specific locations in the plan are still being coordinated," he said. "However, we would expect the jets leaving Hill to be relocated across the Air Force during this fiscal year."

Hill Air Force Base is hoping to become one of the main bases for the F-35. Last October the USAF said the base was one of the six finalists who will at least house one, with possibility of three active duty squadron of F-35s. Each squadron is expected to consist of 24 aircraft.

Air Force officials say the restructuring plan will net the Department of Defense a cost savings of $355 million in fiscal year 2010 and $3.5 billion over the next five fiscal years. The restructuring plan will see the accelerated retirement of nearly 250 of the USAF's oldest aircraft including 112 F-15s, 134 F-16s and three A-10s nationwide.

Related articles:

• Hill AFB may lose some F-16s (2009-05-20)
• USAF proposal aims to eliminate 250 fighter jets (2009-05-20)
• Other
• News archive for March 2010

• HillAFB to lose 24 F-16s (3 replies)

USAF F-16C block 40 #88-0429 from the 34th FS is departing Nellis AFB during Red Flag 08-3 on July 30th, 2008.

March 8, 2010 (by Capt. Anthony L.Bucci) - The 174th Fighter Wing concluded its F-16 operations on Saturday March 6, 2010 with a formal ceremony that was attended by the new Adjutant General for New York State.

Commander Colonel Kevin W. Bradley taxis past assembled family, friends and distinguished visitors for the last time with F-16C block 30 #85-1570 (marked 174 FW) at Hancock Field ANGB n March 6, 2010. The 174th FW has converted to the MQ-9 Reaper and began flying 24/7 operations in support of OEF on 1 December 2009.

Brig Gen. Patrick A. Murphy, NY-TAG joined 174FW Wing Commander Col Kevin W. Bradley on stage to speak to assembled group about the final F-16 flyoff from Hancock Field.

Murphy said, "Today should not be a moment of sadness as I have spoken to Air Force and Air National Guard Leaders about the dwindling piloted aircraft. Thanks to your leadership this unit is one of the most if not the most current unit in the Air National Guard with these Unmanned Aerial Vehicles".

The 2,000 or so folks gathered in the main hangar witnessed the Hancock Field Air National Guard Base Honor Guard present colors followed by some words from Murphy, Bradley, Congressman Dan Maffei and Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney. Immediately following the speeches Bradley stepped form the stage and made his last walk out to his jet.

Bradley said, "The F-16 has been an outstanding aircraft for the unit, but it is just a machine. It has been the airmen of the 174th Fighter Wing that has made up this mission since 1988 and will continue to do so into the future".

While Bradley made his way to the flightline to join his wingman for the final F-16 flight in unit history, Lt. Col. Dan Tester, the assembled group witnessed the cutting of the F-16 farewell cake. This was immediately followed by a rousing F-16 send-off video that was produced by the 174FW Visual Information Office.

At approximately 3:15 the distinctive roar of the F-16 was heard as Tester was the first to take-off, followed moments later by Bradley. They made three passes over the facility, including a pass over the assembled group who has spilled onto the ramp area outside the hangar.

As the final two F-16s roared off the airfield assembled unit members, alumni, dignitaries, family and friends gather outside of the hangar to witness this moment in history that ended the era of piloted aircraft for the 174th Fighter Wing.

After Bradley and Tester completed their final pass overhead they headed north to the 174FW Forward Operating Location on Wheeler-Sack Army Air Field located at Ft. Drum. The airspace over WSAAF has served as the training space for the 174FW for many years as well as other aircraft from all over the Northeast. It will continue to be utilized by other units for their training requirements as well as the unit's new MQ-9 mission in the future.

When Bradley and Tester landed they were greeted by family, friends and unit members who congratulated them on their final flight, as well as their part in the end of an era.

The 174FW has been flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon since 1988 and jet aircraft for more than 60 years, so this was definitely a bitter-sweet moment for the unit.

Story at a Glance

• Safety Award from Lockheed Martin commemorating the 70,000 plus flying hours accomplished by the 174th Fighter Wing
• Since the unit received the F-16's, the total Sorties are 49,335 for 79,867 Flight Hours
• The Total Combat Sorties for the 174FW are 3,339 for 12,050.2 Flight Hours
• The unit had 4 F-16 conversions; block 10's in 1988, block 30's in 1993, block 25's in 1998, and then block 30's in 2002.
• Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom

Related articles:

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• 174 FW conducts final F-16 Fly-By (2010-02-19)
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Commander Colonel Kevin W. Bradley taxis past assembled family, friends and distinguished visitors for the last time with F-16C block 30 #85-1570 (marked 174 FW) at Hancock Field ANGB. The 174th FW has converted to the MQ-9 Reaper and began flying 24/7 operations in support of OEF on 1 December 2009.

Colonel Kevin W. Bradley, Commander of the 174th FW departs with the unit's last F-16 at Hancock Field in Syracuse, New York on 6 March 2010. The 174th FW has converted from the F-16 Falcon (F-16C block 30 #85-1570 ) to the MQ-9 Reaper flying 24/7 operations in support of OEF on 1 December 2009.

March 6, 2010 (by A1C Allison M. Boehm) - The 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron became the first squadron to use a new satellite communication capability for F-16s in Operation Iraqi Freedom Feb. 19, 2010.

Capt. Adam Thornton, 77th EFS instructor pilot and flight commander, uses a new satellite communication capability to communicate with an F-16 pilot during a flight. F-16 pilots can now communicate beyond the line of sight to command and control agencies in Iraq.

This capability allows F-16 pilots to communicate using four geosynchronous satellites 22,300 miles above the equator.

F-16 pilots can now converse beyond the line of sight to command and control agencies in Iraq.
Previously, pilots were relied on line of sight radio capability to communicate. With that, a straight line between the transmitting and receiving end was needed for successful communication, and it was limited by range, mountains and other obstructions.

Now with the satellite communication system high above the earth, the line of sight is no longer an issue.

"The new capability allows us to communicate with joint-terminal air controllers in the field from long distances over a very secure and reliable means," said Maj. Donald Freud, 77th EFS assistant director of operations. "It also allows us to communicate with command and control agencies hundreds of miles away when other communication means are unreliable. It is a force multiplier allowing for more centralized control, decentralized execution lending better battlespace awareness by the Combined Air Operations Center."

In its short use, the new frequency has proved beneficial to the aircrew. Members of the 77th were able to pass along word that an incoming sand storm was about to hit the area a pilot was flying in. The pilot was able to land early and safely due to the timely transmission of information.

"The capability is important because it allows us to talk to all control agencies and our operations from anywhere in Iraq at any altitude," said Capt. Weston Killian, 77th EFS assistant chief of scheduling. "In any part of the country, we can change a simple channel and talk to them whereas before that was not possible."

Pilots are also now able to radio in their mission status to the control and reporting center, report estimated landing times to their squadron and brief what condition their jets are in without having to go through multiple agencies.

"It is a benefit to me to be able to get in touch with the people I need to get in touch with more quickly and not being limited by range whatsoever," said Captain Taylor Blevins, 77th EFS chief of safety. "It's really like a one-stop-shop for passing and receiving any information. Things can happen quickly--this system saves time and simplifies the problem for allowing you talk to multiple people on the frequency safely and quickly. We can get answers to questions, data and intel or approval to put bombs on target very quickly. When and if it does get bad, this will be an added bonus."

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March 4, 2010 (by TSgt Russ Martin) - Members of the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, traded in their blue and gold F/A-18 Hornets to strap into an USAF red, white and blue Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon on Thursday 4th.

Major Rick Goodman, Thunderbird No.5, Lead Solo, USAF Air Demonstration Squadron 'Thunderbirds' concludes his brief with U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Frank Weisser, Blue Angel No. 5, Lead Solo, USN Demonstration Squadron 'Blue Angels' on March 2nd, 2010 prior to take off at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

Cmdr. Greg McWherter, Commander/Leader and Blue Angel No. 1; Marine Corps Officer, Maj. Chris Collins, Slot Pilot and Blue Angel No. 4; and Lt. Cmdr. Frank Weisser, Lead Solo and Blue Angel No. 5, participated in the program providing both storied teams the opportunity to share ideas and learn from each other as part of the two demonstration squadrons' traditional exchange program.

"It's just a great opportunity for both of our teams," said Lt. Cmdr. Weisser. "Though we are charged with the same responsibilities of representing our services and recruiting new members, we go about it in slightly different ways. This program gives us an opportunity to talk about how we accomplish our mission in the sky and on the ground. It's an awesome give and take of ideas and training."

Both Blue Angels took to the air with their Thunderbird counterparts as Lt. Cmdr. Weisser climbing into Thunderbird 5 with Maj. Rick Goodman, the team's Lead Solo; and Maj. Collins joined Thunderbird 4, Maj. Sean Gustafson, the team's Slot Pilot, to experience how the Air Force's Air Demonstration Squadron executes their mission.

"You know it was great free-flow of ideas," said Maj. Gustafson. "In the air and on the ground Maj. Collins was pointing out similarities and differences in how we accomplish the mission -not only in the air, but also our processes in the offices, scheduling and launching aircraft. It's just great to see how our two teams go about business and represent not only our services, but our country as well."

The Thunderbirds have been dazzling and inspiring crowds worldwide for 57 years, and the Blue Angels are heading into their 64th year performing air demonstrations.

"It's funny, people often ask who's better," said Maj. Collins. "I think the 'rivalry' that people speak of is born of pride in their uniformed service which is great. But both the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds take pride in not only representing their services but America's capability as a whole. We're a team. We may be of different services, but our goal is to show off the pride, precision and professionalism of America's soldiers, sailors, Airmen and Marines who serve the country every day at home and abroad. And that goal unifies us, and reinforces that strong bond of camaraderie between our two great teams."

Maj. John Baum, Thunderbird 2 and the team's left wing; and Lt. Col. Derek Routt, Thunderbird 7 and the team's operations officer will head to the Blue Angels' training base at Naval Air Force El Centro, Calif., to shadow their counterparts for a day, later in the week.

Both teams are gearing up for their 2010 show seasons that will take the Thunderbirds to 38 locations and 73 shows across the United States and Canada and the Blue Angels to more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the country.

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March 4, 2010 (by Asif Shamim) - An F-16 from the 177th Fighter Wing made an emergency landing at Atlantic City International Airport causing it to shutdown for 2 hours.

Tail detail of USAF F-16C block 25 #83-1148 with markings of the 177th FW.

The F-16 came to halt at the intersection of two runways after declaring an emergency due to an electrical problem.

The incident was reported after 11.00h local time according to South Jersey Transportation Authority spokeswoman Sharon Gordon and was confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Some local flights for Spirit Airlines had to be diverted to other airports in the region.

Officials analysed the F-16 and what caused the electrical problem, before moving the plane to undisclosed location. The runways reopened around 13.00h.

The 177th Fighter Wing is based out of Atlantic City International Airport. The pilot of the F-16 was not reported to be injured during the emergency landing.

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