News

A photo of service members walking towards a building.

Jan. 16, 2024

Integrating space into Information Warfare

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - LACKLAND, Texas — As the U.S. Air Force’s competition force, 16th Air Force (Air Forces CYBER) cultivates air and space superiority by integrating space into all warfighting functions to enhance integrated deterrence. This integration unifies 16th Air Force’s mission support with Space Operations Command to grow readiness.

Defenders from the 5th Security Forces Squadron sweep of the flight line during a purge in support of Exercise Prairie Vigilance/Bayou Vigilance 24-2 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Jan. 5, 2024. A “purge” consists of a team of defenders sweeping the flightline for any hazardous material and securing the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Nottingham)

Jan. 9, 2024

5th Bomb Wing and 2nd Bomb Wing work together for Exercise Prairie/Bayou Vigilance 24-2

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana participated in Exercise Prairie Vigilance/Bayou Vigilance 24-2 here, Jan. 4-7, 2024. The Vigilance exercise series showcases Air Force Global Strike airpower and capabilities, ensuring Airmen are prepared and ready to execute their mission by providing a realistic training environment to exercise flexible, strategic airpower. Exercise PV/BV is designed to test both wings’ ability to conduct strategic bomber readiness operations by enabling the 5th and 2nd Bomb Wings to work together.

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, center, looks on as Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, left, relieves Vice Adm. William Houston, right, during the Commander, Submarine Forces change of command ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Dec. 28.

Dec. 28, 2023

Submarine Force Conducts Change of Command

NORFOLK, Va. — Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher relieved Vice Adm. William Houston as Commander, Submarine Forces/Submarine Force Atlantic during a change of command ceremony held onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Dec. 28, 2023.

A U.S. Air Force UH-1N Iroquois, assigned to the 54th Helicopter Squadron, conducts flight operations at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 16, 2023. The UH-1N is a light-lift utility helicopter used to support a wide variety of missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kyle Wilson)

Dec. 27, 2023

Eye in the Sky: 54th Helicopter Squadron secures Team Minot’s missile fields from above

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — “The primary mission of the 54th HS is nuclear deterrence and nuclear surety,” said Capt. Matthew Weaver, 54th HS aircraft commander. “We’re heavily involved with the 91st MW and supporting their mission.”

Retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Keith Meadows marshals the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Dec. 15, 2023. As a Staff Sgt. at the time, Keith was the first crew chief to marshal in the B-2 30 years ago when it first arrived at Whiteman AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew S. Domingos)

Dec. 22, 2023

Whiteman celebrates 30 years of B-2 Spirit airpower

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. — Team Whiteman celebrated 30 years of B-2 Spirit stealth bomber airpower at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Dec. 15, 2023. This marked 30 years since the first arrival of the B-2 to Whiteman AFB.

A B-2 Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., flies over the 108th Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2022. America’s Air Force participated in America’s New Year Celebration including the Tournament of Roses Parade to kickoff 2022 and the yearlong celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Department of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Dylan Nuckolls)

Dec. 20, 2023

B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Set to Fly Over Tournament of Roses

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. — The B-2 Spirit will fly over the Tournament of Roses, January 1, 2024, showcasing the long-distance, precision capabilities of the bomber and its highly-trained pilots.

For the second time this year, fighter aircraft from the U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea conducted a trilateral escort flight of U.S. bombers operating in the Indo-Pacific, Dec. 20, 2023. U.S. F-16s from the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing and 14th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Wing flew alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-2s from the 8th Air Wing, and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-15Ks from the 11th Wing, escorting two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers. The continued high-end interoperability of our collective forces demonstrates the strength of the trilateral relationship with our Japan and Republic of Korea allies. Our international cooperation is reflective of our shared values and resolve against those who challenge regional stability. We remain committed to peace and prosperity in the region to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Dec. 20, 2023

U.S., Japan, Republic of Korea Conduct Second Trilateral Aerial Exercise

For the second time this year, fighter aircraft from the U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea conducted a trilateral escort flight of U.S. bombers operating in the Indo-Pacific, Dec. 20, 2023.U.S. F-16s from the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing flew alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-2s from the 8th Air Wing, and Republic of

Airmen assigned to the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron walk on the flight line at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Dec. 13, 2023. The 5th Bomb Wing was able to successfully showcase its airpower and high-speed deterrence mission set by being able to launch multiple aircraft in a short amount of time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alyssa Bankston)

Dec. 18, 2023

Minot AFB executes SURGE Week

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — The 5th Bomb Wing conducted SURGE Week here from Dec. 12 - 14. SURGE Week tests warfighting capabilities, focusing on training efforts for scenarios where a large number of sorties need to be produced swiftly and efficiently.

(From left to right) Capt. John Martin, Capt. Randy Kaufman, Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Capt. Joseph Reidy and Capt. Jeffrey Taliaferro gather after winning the Lemay Award for their work during Operation Desert Fox at the Air Force Association banquet in Washington, D.C., September 1999.

Dec. 15, 2023

Bones and Bombs, 25 years since the B-1’s combat debut

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — The B-1B Lancer made its historic combat debut 25 years ago, on Dec. 18, 1998, in support of Operation Desert Fox on Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. The four-day operation was conducted in response to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s failure to comply with United Nations resolutions and their interference with UNSCOM inspectors.

Dec. 14, 2023

908th partners with 23rd FTS preparing aircrew for future training mission

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — The 908th Airlift Wing has looked to the U.S. Air Force’s subject matter experts when it comes to training helicopter crew members in preparation for the wing’s new mission, the formal training unit for the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter. Starting in September 2021, when the 908th sent Lt. Col. Jeffrey E. Randall, 908th Operations Support Squadron commander, to attend the TH-1H Rotary-Wing Fundamentals course, to now, when the 908th currently has Lt. Col. Justin McCullough and Maj. David Castillo temporarily assigned to the 23rd Flying Training Squadron as instructor pilots, the relationship between the two units has grown and become invaluable to each other.