Data Points Archive

Data Points Archive for 2008

	Noble Eagle Remains Vital Operation *March 20, 2008—*There is no end in sight for the Air National Guard-led Operation Noble Eagle.
	Noble Eagle Sorties Continue *January 4, 2008—*The pace of Noble Eagle operations was slower in December.
	More Sorties, More Munitions *January 8, 2008—*Airpower surged right along with ground force activity in Iraq, while data also showed a marked increase in munitions dropped in Afghanistan.
	Air Forces Northern Work Is Constant *February 13, 2008—*January Noble Eagle sorties center on western and eastern sectors.
	The 40-Year Plan *February 21, 2008—*The Air Force tanker replacement program extends over 40 years.
	Four Percent or Bust *March 28, 2008—*As a share of GDP, defense spending shows steady decline.
	One Million and Counting April 29, 2008—The Air Force surpassed one million operational sorties in the GWOT April 19.
	Climbing Toward 50,000 April 9, 2008—The Air Guard-led Operation Noble Eagle flew 175 sorties in March.
	Never-ending Vigil May 19, 2008—AFNORTH conducts a relentless vigil, protecting the nation's skies.
	Flying Noble Eagle *June 12, 2008—*AFNORTH has amassed nearly 185,000 flying hours under Noble Eagle.

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Verbatim

Fifth-Generation Apples and Oranges
“I think the notion of the F-22 as being common and similar to the F-35, we need to get rid of that. The F-35 is a very different airplane. It has similar characteristics but it’s a different airplane. ... It complements the F-22, but the F-22 is clearly an air superiority and air dominance weapon. The F-35 is a multinational, multirole, ground-to-air versatile airplane.”
—Michael Wynne, speaking to reporters on his final day in office as Air Force Secretary, June 20, 2008.

Verbatim

Call for Accountability
“The GAO’s decision in the tanker protest reveals serious errors in the Air Force’s handling of this critically important competition. We now need not only a new full, fair, and open competition in compliance with the GAO recommendations, but also a thorough review of—and accountability for—the process that produced such a flawed result.”
—Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on GAO’s decision to uphold a protest by Boeing in the Air Force KC-X tanker competition, June 18, 2008.