From First Flight to the Doolittle Raid

August 19, 2026August 20, 2026 / Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today marks the anniversary of the first flight of one of the most famous aircraft of World War II, the North American B-25 Mitchell.

The B-25 first took to the air on August 19, 1940.

Less than two years later, on April 18, 1942, sixteen B-25Bs sat on the deck of the USS Hornet in the Pacific. Led by Lt. Col. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, their crews launched from the carrier on a mission to strike targets in Japan, including Tokyo.

The Doolittle Raid came just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Although the physical damage from the raid was relatively limited, its impact was far greater. It provided an important boost to American morale and demonstrated that the Japanese home islands could be reached by American forces.

Think about that timeline.

On August 19, 1940, the B-25 was making its first flight. Just 20 months later, sixteen of them were launching from an aircraft carrier on one of the most daring and historically significant missions of World War II.

The photograph shows the Doolittle Raiders’ B-25s lined up on the deck of USS Hornet as they were carried toward Japan.

From first flight to history in less than two years.

A remarkable chapter in the heritage of American air power.

National Aviation Day From 1939 to Air and Space

August 19, 2026 / Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Today is National Aviation Day, first proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 to recognize the development of aviation in the United States.

Aviation in 1939 meant something very different than it does today.

Today, aviation reaches far beyond airplanes and airports. It encompasses commercial and military aviation, advanced aircraft development, unmanned systems, aerospace engineering, satellites, cybersecurity, advanced communications, space exploration and technologies that are changing how we operate in the air and beyond it.

It is also the foundation for an enormous range of jobs and career opportunities. Pilots and aircrews are only part of that picture. Aviation and aerospace depend on engineers, aircraft mechanics and technicians, air traffic controllers, manufacturers, software developers, cybersecurity specialists, researchers, educators and countless other skilled professionals. For young people especially, aviation and aerospace offer career paths that may not have even existed a generation ago.

And today, our definition of aviation extends beyond the atmosphere.

Space exploration and the rapidly expanding space industry have created entirely new areas of technology and opportunity. The creation of the United States Space Force in 2019 established a new branch of our Armed Forces dedicated to protecting American interests in, from and to space. Space is now an essential part of our national defense, communications, navigation and everyday life.

For the Air & Space Forces Association, National Aviation Day has particular meaning. Our mission connects the heritage of American aviation with the future of air and space power. It also challenges us to introduce the next generation to the opportunities ahead, support education in aviation, aerospace, cyber and STEM, and help build the workforce and leaders who will take us into the future.

When President Roosevelt proclaimed the first National Aviation Day 87 years ago, even the most imaginative aviation pioneers of the time could hardly have envisioned where their work would lead.

From the first generations of powered flight to aircraft flying faster than sound, remotely piloted systems, satellites orbiting the Earth and Guardians serving in the United States Space Force, aviation has become something far greater than simply flying airplanes.

And we are still only beginning to see where it will take us next.

Happy National Aviation Day from AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134

Air Commandos Tomorrow Lunch July 15th

July 14, 2026July 13, 2026 / Ian L. Sitren / 1 Comment

Just a reminder that our Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

The lunches are informal, friendly, no agenda, and a great opportunity to meet fellow members and guests over good food. There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage. Whether you’re a long-time member, a veteran, currently serving, or simply interested in aviation, military history, and the Air and Space Forces, we would enjoy having you join us.

If this will be your first time attending, you’re especially welcome.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

If you’d like to learn how these lunches began and why they have become such a popular tradition for us, read The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch. Thanks!

Air Commandos Lunch Tomorrow July 1st

June 30, 2026 / Ian L. Sitren / 1 Comment

Just a reminder that our Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1, at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

If this will be your first time attending, you’re especially welcome.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

If you’d like to learn how these lunches began and why they have become such a popular tradition for us, read The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch. Thanks!

The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch

B‑21 Raider Moves Forward: Key Progress

September 15, 2025 / / Leave a comment

A second B-21 Raider, the nation’s sixth-generation stealth bomber, joins flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 11. The program is a cornerstone of the Department of the Air Force’s nuclear modernization strategy, designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads. (Courtesy photo)

Northrop Grumman has delivered a second B‑21 Raider flight test aircraft to Edwards Air Force Base. The addition of this second aircraft significantly boosts the flight test campaign.

The testing is now moving beyond basic flight performance — the focus is shifting to mission systems and weapons integration, which are critical for future operational capability.

Ground test efforts continue in parallel. Engineers are subjecting the Raider to extreme mission condition simulations and durability testing (e.g. simulated lifetimes), and so far it’s been performing better than earlier digital models predicted.

Support, Sustainment, & Upgrades

Northrop Grumman is developing an enhanced software package aimed at enabling the B‑21 fleet to receive seamless updates—ensuring that the aircraft’s mission capabilities and weapons systems can evolve to meet future threats.

For training and maintenance, the company is putting in place full‑scale support systems: simulators, immersive labs, virtual environments, and a Fleet Management Tool for maintenance and sustainment. This infrastructure is designed so that when B‑21s are deployed, squadron crews, maintainers, and support personnel are ready.

Bigger Picture & Strategic Implications

The expansion of testing with more aircraft accelerates the path toward operational readiness. Having more test assets allows for faster validation of systems, weapons, and mission performance.

The B‑21 is being positioned as a cornerstone of the U.S. long‑range strike capability, incorporating both nuclear and conventional roles.

From Newsroom at Northrup Grumman https://news.northropgrumman.com/b-21-raider/Northrop-Grumman-Advances-B-21-Raider-Across-Test-and-Production

Satellite Network Boosts Next-Gen Airpower

September 10, 2025 / / Leave a comment

Today’s SDA Payload Launch Marks a Pivotal Boost to Space Force Support for Next-Gen Fighter Operations. Many of you perhaps saw it if you were in the area.

At 7:12 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying 21 Transport Layer satellites—the first operational satellites of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA)—launching a new era in resilient military communications.

Reconstituted under the U.S. Space Force in October 2022, SDA’s mission is to build and operate a hardened, low-earth orbit mesh network of satellites that delivers rapid command-and-control connectivity—even in contested environments. This launch, executed under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract with Space Systems Command, marks the first tranche of operational transport satellites vital to realizing that vision.

Built by York Space Systems, these 21 satellites form a flexible, distributed network using optical inter-satellite links (OISLs). This mesh architecture ensures low-latency, beyond-line-of-sight data relay, allowing real-time connectivity from space to units on the ground or in the air.

Modern and future fighters like NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) and upgraded F-35 variants will rely heavily on instant data access—whether for coordinated targeting, sensor fusion, or threat detection. The SDA Transport Layer will serve as an invisible force-multiplier, enabling seamless exchanges of video feeds, radar tracks, and targeting data directly to cockpit systems—even across vast distances. SDA’s mesh network acts as a “space relay,” overcoming the geographic limits of traditional Link 16 radio, and enabling secure, persistent connectivity—from Hawaii to Guam and beyond.

This launch is more than hardware in orbit—it represents a shift toward integrated multi-domain operations, anchoring air-to-space synergy and ensuring fighter wings remain connected, informed, and lethal. The resilience embedded in a distributed architecture yields depth, survivability, and coverage that legacy satellite systems can’t match.

For those who missed the live stream, SpaceX’s official webcast of the SDA T1TL-B launch—including launch, booster recovery, and commentary—is still available via their site: Watch the SDA T1TL-B Launch Here: https://www.spacex.com/launches/sda-t1tl-b

With this successful deployment, the SDA’s PWSA takes its first operational step toward delivering real-time space-enabled connectivity to the warfighter. AFA members should stay engaged with SDA and Space Force developments—as these satellites transform the battlefield, reinforcing that space is no longer the final frontier—it’s the next tactical domain.

Pivotal eVTOL Lands Vertically: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Aviation

February 5, 2025 / / Leave a comment

The future of flight is unfolding before our eyes. In this demonstration last Sunday in Palm Desert California, the Pivotal eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft executes a seamless vertical landing, showcasing its potential as a next-generation personal aerial vehicle.

Pivotal’s design represents a significant step forward in urban air mobility, offering a sustainable, efficient, and quiet alternative to traditional transportation. Its all-electric propulsion system reduces emissions while allowing for versatile flight capabilities, making it a promising solution for both commercial and public service applications.

Beyond private sector development, Pivotal is actively collaborating with Agility Prime, a U.S. Air Force program under AFWERX, which is dedicated to accelerating the adoption of eVTOL technology for defense and government operations. This partnership highlights the growing interest in electric aviation not only for civilian transportation but also for tactical, logistical, and emergency response missions.

As the aviation industry shifts toward sustainable and autonomous flight, advancements like Pivotal’s eVTOL are paving the way for a new era of air mobility. With support from programs like Agility Prime, the integration of electric aircraft into mainstream use is becoming an increasingly viable reality.