End in sight for Lebombo delays? | Immersive travel trends grow in SA

Africa music industry tackles licensing gaps

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Command Senior Enlisted Leader Assignment

View Online IMMEDIATE RELEASE Command Senior Enlisted Leader Assignment April 9, 2026 The Office of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (OSEAC) announced today the following assignment:    U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Daryl Plude has been selected to replace Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Mikael Sundin as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Defense Security Cooperation Agency.  Sgt. Maj. Plude currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the National Guard Bureau's J5 Directorate of Strategy, Policy, Plans, and International Affairs. Sgt. Maj. Plude brings a wealth of joint and State Partnership Program experience to DSCA.    On behalf of the Joint Force, we are grateful for Chief Master Sgt. Sundin's leadership by example, his lengthy career dedicated to serving our Nation and our military, and the unwavering commitment and sacrifice by him and his family.

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Contracts for April 7, 2026

View Online FOR RELEASE AT 5 PM ET Contracts For April 7, 2026 ARMY Arcadis U.S. Inc, Highlands Ranch, Colorado (W912DW-26-D-A003); Ayuda Auxilio Solutions JV LLC,* Denver, Colorado (W912DW-26-D-A004); Bluestone Geo JV LLC,* Malvern, Pennsylvania (W912DW-26-D-A005); Brice Integrated LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (W912DW-26-D-A006); and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Arlington, Virginia (W912DW-26-D-A007), will compete for each order of the $90,000,000 firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for hazardous, toxic, and radiologic waste-related services required for military, interagency and international services, civil works, and operating project sites primarily within the Seattle area of responsibility. This total cumulative face value is $90,000,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with 19 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 5, 2033. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 6, 2025). NOVA Group Inc., Napa, California, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for construction of petroleum, oil, and lubricant infrastructure necessary to support the fifth generation F-22 fighter aircraft at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The amount of this action is $57,956,500, with a total cumulative face value of $62,005,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Anchorage, Alaska, with an estimated completion date of July 25, 2029. Fiscal 2025 military construction, defense-wide funds in the amount of $57,956,500 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, is the contracting activity (W911KB-26-C-A012). The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $51,914,082 modification (PZ0013) to contract W58RGZ-24-C-0002 for postproduction support services for the AH-6 in support of the Saudi Arabia Ministry of National Guard. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $76,867,117. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2028. Fiscal 2025 Foreign Military Sales funds (Saudi Arabia) in the amount of $51,914,082 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 6, 2025). BreakPoint Labs LLC,* Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to provide cybersecurity subject matter expertise services for advanced computing and software technologies within the Department of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization Program, titled Software Factory for Modernization, Accelerated Innovation, Resilience, and Technological Advantage. The amount of this action is $50,000,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with 158 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 5, 2031. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, is the contracting activity (W912HZ-26-D-A003). Applied Aquatic Management Inc.,* Bartow, Florida, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for invasive species management services. The amount of this action is $45,000,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with 10 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 7, 2031. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, is the contracting activity (W912EP-26-D-A001). BL Harbert International LLC, Birmingham, Alabama, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for construction of an approximately 25,000-square-foot, three-bay aircraft maintenance hangar to support the bed down of the F-35 aircraft in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The amount of this action is $40,857,635, with a total cumulative face value of $41,780,759. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Fort Smith, Arkansas, with an estimated completion date of March 23, 2028. Fiscal 2026 military construction, defense-wide funds in the amount of $40,857,635 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, is the contracting activity (W9127S-26-C-A006). (Awarded April 3, 2025). Federal Contracting Inc., doing business as Bryan Construction, Colorado Springs, Colorado, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for renovation of existing Building 7274 and construction of an addition to support the transition from a B-1 Squadron Operations and Aircraft Maintenance Unit facility to a B-21 Squadron Operations and Aircraft Maintenance Unit facility at Ellsworth Air Force Base. The amount of this action is $39,264,803, with a total cumulative face value of $46,701,904. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, with an estimated completion date of June 26, 2028. Fiscal 2025 military construction, Army funds in the amount of $39,264,803 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is the contracting activity (W9128F-26-C-A024). (Awarded April 3, 2025). Anduril Industries Inc., Costa Mesa, California, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of hardware and related components in support of Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems for Ghost-X Systems with Trillium HD45LP in accordance with Department of War directives. The amount of this action is $16,788,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 1, 2026. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-26-G-0057, W58RGZ-26-F-0247). (Awarded April 1, 2025). Sherwood Avionics and Accessories Inc.,* Opa-Locka, Florida, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance and overhaul of the Stage One Nozzle, National Stock Number 2840-01-584-9634, Part Number 6071T04G32, in support of the T-700 series of engines. The amount of this action is $16,162,859. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 7, 2031. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-26-D-0023). Performance Drone Works LLC, Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to procure 40 C100X MRD Mission Bundles, 80 Next Vision Raptor EO/IR systems, and 17 UXV SROC Ground Control Stations for the Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Product Office. The amount of this action is $15,259,840. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 20, 2027. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-26-G-0060, W58RGZ-26-F-0244). (Awarded March 27, 2025). SAF Inc.,* Akron, Ohio, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for demolition and removal of the existing hydraulic system and related components, and installation of a new hydraulic system with supporting controls and buildings for the Braddock hydraulic system upgrade. The amount of this action is $10,592,141. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Braddock, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of April 8, 2028. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance, Corps of Engineers, civil funds in the amount of $10,592,141 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District, is the contracting activity (W911WN-26-C-A004). (Awarded April 6, 2025). NAVY CDM Federal Programs Corp., Fairfax, Virginia, is awarded a $90,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to assist in management of the Navy’s electric, civil, and mechanical utility systems. Work will be performed within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) area of responsibility worldwide, and is expected to be completed by April 2031. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance, (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated at time of award for the minimum guarantee, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management (SAM) Contract Opportunities website with three offers received. NAVFAC Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (N62470-26-D-0007). General Atomics, San Diego, California, is awarded a not-to-exceed $53,286,025 cost reimbursable order (N0001926F0134) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0014). This order provides non-recurring engineering, to include detailed system design and development efforts, production of prototype test articles, testing and development of all supporting technical and logistical documentation, for an Advanced Arresting Gear Engine Room Isolation solution in support of the Ford Class Carriers for the Navy. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (82%); Tupelo, Mississippi (14%); and Boston, Massachusetts (2%), and is expected to be completed in October 2028. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,493,868 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, Maryland is the contracting activity. Detroit Defense Inc., Troy, Michigan, is awarded $17,515,766 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the delivery of technical support to the Standard Portable Electronic Maintenance Aids Cyber Solution (SPECS) information technology (IT) solution to include monthly cybersecurity packages, quarterly maintenance service packages, and modification support to SPECS IT system, and updates relevant to configuration management as required. Work will be performed in Troy, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by April 2031. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N6833526D1011). Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $11,437,794 modification (P00032) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N0001921C0040). This modification adds scope to provide three additional software data loads productionized plus builds, off of the existing enterprise software baselines, in support of the Israel System Development and Design Phase II efforts to include software development and systems engineering for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (80%); and undisclosed locations outside the continental U.S. (20%), and is expected to be completed in March 2030. Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $11,437,794 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE EWR Radar Systems, St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a ceiling $17,354,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for contractor logistics support and maintenance. This contract provides for contractor logistics support and maintenance of portable doppler radar systems. Work will be performed at St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by April 1, 2032. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,299,495 will be obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Electronic Systems Directorate, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA233026DB003). (Awarded April 4, 2026). Textron Aviation Defense LLC, Wichita, Kansas, has been awarded a $14,092,156 firm-fixed-price and cost contract for the T-6C Vietnam Ground Based Training System: Operational Flight Trainer Program. This contract provides a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) effort for the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force for the procurement of twelve station computer-based training lab, initial spare parts, three operational and maintenance trainings, contract logistics support and field service representative support. Work will be performed at Tampa, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2030. This contract involves FMS to the country of Vietnam. This contract was a sole source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $14,092,156 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Training Directorate, Simulators Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8621-26-C-B002). (Awarded March 31, 2026). *Small business

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Epic Fury Quelled for Now, Objectives Accomplished, U.S. Forces Remain Ready

View Online Epic Fury Quelled for Now, Objectives Accomplished, U.S. Forces Remain Ready April 8, 2026 |  By C. Todd Lopez In fewer than 40 days, unrelenting military action by America's joint force has helped accomplish all the goals President Donald J. Trump set for Operation Epic Fury.  Last night, Iranian leaders agreed to a ceasefire and to working with the president on a way ahead that includes, among other things, opening the Strait of Hormuz and abandoning Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. In a statement by the Iranian minister of foreign affairs, Iran agreed to negotiations with the U.S., a ceasefire and allowing two weeks of safe passage for ships through the strait. On social media, the president said it was a "big day for world peace" and predicted a positive outcome for Iran and its neighbors. "Just like we are experiencing in the U.S., this could be the golden age of the Middle East." The United States kicked off combat operations against Iran on Feb. 28, as part of Operation Epic Fury, with the goal of destroying Iran's offensive missiles, missile production, the Iranian navy and other security infrastructure — ensuring Iran never has nuclear weapons. Those goals have been accomplished. "Together with our Israeli partners, America's military achieved every single objective on plan, on schedule, exactly as laid out from day one," Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said during a press briefing this morning at the Pentagon. "Iran's navy is at the bottom of the sea. ... Iran's air force has been wiped out. Iran no longer has ... any sort of a comprehensive air defense system; we own their skies. Their missile program is functionally destroyed: launchers, production facilities and existing stockpiles depleted and decimated." Last night, Hegseth said, in more than 800 strikes in Iran, the U.S. completed the destruction of Iran's defense industrial base, meaning it will take decades for the Iranians to rebuild what was taken from them by America's joint force. "We finished completely destroying Iran's defense industrial base, a core pillar of our mission objective," Hegseth said. "They can no longer build missiles, build rockets, build launchers or build [unmanned aircraft systems]. Their factories have been razed to the ground, set back in historic fashion." Over the course of 38 days of combat operations, said Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the American joint force struck more than 13,000 targets, including 4,000 dynamic targets that materialize once aircraft are already in the air. "[U.S. Central Command] forces destroyed approximately 80% of Iran's air defense systems, striking more than 1,500 air defense targets, more than 450 ballistic missile storage facilities, 800 one-way attack drones storage facilities — all of these systems are gone," Caine said. "We've devastated Iran's command and control and logistical networks, destroying more than 2,000 command and control nodes and degrading their ability to target U.S. and friendly forces." Assessments indicate the joint force has sunk more than 90% of the regular Iranian fleet — 150 ships are at the bottom of the ocean, he said, as well as half of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy's small attack boats. As a warrior himself, Caine sympathized with the Iranian commanders. "It is, and we know this, incredibly frustrating right now to be a lower-level Iranian commander trying to fight your fight," he said. Most important, Caine said, is that Iran's defense industrial base has been destroyed. "We attacked, along with our partners, approximately 90% of their weapons factories," he said. "Every factory that produced Shahed one-way attack drones was struck; every factory that produces the guidance systems to go into those drones was struck. Their missile defense industrial base is shattered, with more than 80% of their missile facilities gone, as well as their solid rocket motor production capability." With the destruction of more than 20 naval production facilities, Caine said, it will take Iran years to rebuild its surface fleet. And with 80% of its nuclear industrial base also hit, its ability to attain a nuclear weapon is also significantly degraded. While Iran has agreed to a ceasefire, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and to sit down for negotiations with the United States, the U.S military remains in theater and on watch, he said. "A ceasefire is a pause, and the joint force remains ready, if ordered or called upon, to resume combat operations with the same speed and precision as we've demonstrated over the last 38 days — and we hope that is not the case," Caine said. The secretary said the conditions have been set by the joint force, and that now is the time for a deal to be reached. "Now we have a chance at real peace and a real deal," he said. "The War Department, for now ... has done its part. We stand ready in the background to ensure Iran upholds every reasonable term. And as everyone knows, nobody makes a better deal than President Trump. To the warriors of Epic Fury, I say, 'Well done.' You're the backbone of our country. Your skill, your bravery and sheer guts and grit showed the world what America is all about. I'm proud of you; we're proud of you; the president is proud of you. Job well done."

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