Inside the Air Force highlights

Some must-reads from this week's issue of Inside the Air Force:

1. The White House Office of Management and Budget told Congress in a recent report that significant changes to space organization within the Defense Department, including the option to create a separate 'Space Force,' are "not only prudent, but also necessary" -- an apparent departure from DOD's stance on space organizational reform.

Full story: OMB report highlights 'Space Force' merits, differs from DOD, Air Force stance

2. The commander overseeing the Air Force's fledgling "Shadow Operations Center" at Nellis Air Force Base, NV, recently told Inside the Air Force he wants to choose the group's first project within the month but that the effort could be hamstrung by funding and personnel shortages.

Full story: 'Shadow OC' scoping out first project but faces resource constraints

3. The Air Force is working with the Pentagon's top weapons tester to "reconcile" concerns raised this week that KC-46 electromagnetic pulse testing completed last summer may not have met the conditions of the program's test and evaluation master plan.

Full story: Air Force questions DOT&E assessment of KC-46 EMP tests

4. The Pentagon's new chief weapons tester said in his 2017 report he expects initial operational test of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will likely begin late this year -- a shift from his predecessor's prediction that operational testing could be delayed until 2020.

Full story: DOT&E eyes 2018 F-35 IOT&E start; Gilmore predicted further delays