Chris Gordon
Chris Gordon is the Pentagon Editor at Air & Space Forces Magazine. He has broad journalism and communications experience, and developed a keen interest in defense policy and aerospace during a year on Capitol Hill where he worked with the Senate Armed Services Committee. As a reporter, he has covered everything from national security to hockey for a variety of publications, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Chris serves on the Board of Directors of Military Reporters & Editors, a non-profit organization for journalists covering the military, national security, and homeland defense. Chris can be contacted at cgordon@afa.org.
Recent stories by Chris Gordon
NGA Boss: Intel Community Having ‘Eureka Moment’ Cooperating with the Space Force
The intelligence community is increasing and improving its collaboration with the Space Force, U.S. officials said this week—indicating progress after months of discussions on how to sort out roles in the rapidly changing domain.
Ukrainian F-16 Crashes in Combat, Killing Pilot
A Ukrainian Air Force pilot was killed when his F-16 fighter crashed Aug. 26, Ukraine’s military announced Aug. 29. The incident occurred during a massive Russian missile and drone attack that day that saw Ukraine’s F-16s make their combat debut. But the mission came at ...
Space Force No. 2 Says There Is Risk of China or Russia Launching Large-Scale Attack in Orbit
China and Russia have been monitoring U.S. efforts to protect its space assets and are trying to devise ways to counter them, to include a potential large-scale attack, the Space Force’s No. 2 officer said Aug. 28.
ACE Calls for More Air Bases. Can Air Force and Army Find a Way to Defend Them All?
The U.S. Air Force’s plan to operate from an expanded network of bases around the Pacific is facing a familiar but fundamental challenge: how to protect those locations from a Chinese missile attack. The Air Force and Army say they are working on a solution.
How USAF Helped Ukraine Upgrade the Electronic Warfare Systems on Its New F-16s
The U.S. Air Force worked with Denmark and Norway to reprogram the EW systems on the F-16s those countries and the Netherlands are providing to Ukraine. The move is expected to help counter the threat from Russia.
Allvin: ‘Built to Adapt’ Is the New Model for Air Force Programs
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin is pushing for platforms that are “built to adapt” rapidly to new advacements in technology. “Why? The pace of change,” he told Air & Space Forces Magazine recently.
Allvin: Vision for New Requirements Command May Be the Toughest of Air Force Reforms
The Air Force's sweeping re-optimization effort is well underway, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said this week. But there’s one change in particular he is concerned may face some headwinds: the new Integrated Capabilities Command.
How the Air Force’s Moves in the Middle East Fit with Changing Deployments
The U.S. Air Force rushed a squadron of advanced F-22 Raptor fighters to the Middle East to deter Iran from attacking Israel earlier this month. The deployment was a demonstration of the service’s ability to rapidly send military might to a global hotspot. But Air ...
From Fighters to Tankers, US Military Flexes Airpower in Middle East as Iran Threatens Israel
The U.S. military is flexing its airpower in response to Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah’s threats to attack Israel. The U.S. has been rushing fighters and sending addtional refueling tankers to the Middle East to help bolster U.S. forces in the region.
Air Force, Boeing Ink $2.5 Billion Deal for First E-7s
The Air Force has ordered its first E-7A Wedgetail battle management and command and control aircraft, announcing Aug. 9 it has agreed to a deal with Boeing worth $2.56 billion for two platforms. The service says the deal is for “operationally representative prototype E-7A weapons ...
F-22s Land in Middle East, Countering Iran and its Proxies
F-22 Raptors have arrived in the Middle East “to address threats posed by Iran and Iranian-backed groups,” U.S. Central Command announced Aug. 8. The F-22s are part of an infusion of fresh forces in the region after the Jan. 30 killing of Hamas leader Ismail ...
US Troops Injured in Attack on Air Base in Iraq as White House Warns of Possible Response
A rocket attack on an air base in Iraq injured several U.S. personnel on Aug. 5, U.S. officials said. The episode at Al Asad Air Base occurred amid an uptick in strikes against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria in recent weeks and as the U.S. ...
US Closes Last Drone Base in Niger, with Uncertain Future for Counterterrorism Fight
The last remaining U.S. base in Niger, Air Base 201 has closed, Pentagon said on Aug. 5. The base had conducted intelligence operations with drones such as MQ-9s, as part of Washington's counterterrorism mission in the region. Less than two dozen of American troops still ...
‘A New Reality’: Ukraine Unveils Its First F-16 Fighters
Ukraine’s first F-16s were unveiled by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Aug. 4, ending a lengthy wait for the Western fighters Kyiv says it needs to defend its airspace from Russia.
Air Force Relieves Group Commander for Loss of Confidence After B-1 Crash
The Air Force has relived the commander of the unit involved in the crash of a B-1B Lancer at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., in January. Col. Mark Kimball, the 28th Operations Group commander, was relieved of command by Col. Derek C. Oakley, the commander ...