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A second B-21 Raider test aircraft takes off, Sept. 11, from Palmdale, Calif., to join the Air Force’s flight test campaign at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The addition of the second test aircraft expands mission systems and weapons integration testing, advancing the program toward operational readiness. (Courtesy photo)

Sept. 11, 2025

US Air Force announces arrival of second B-21 test aircraft at Edwards AFB

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — Department of the Air Force announced the arrival of the second B-21 Raider flight test aircraft Sept. 11, 2025, marking a significant step toward operational readiness of the nation’s sixth-generation stealth bomber.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron takes off during Red Flag 25-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 13, 2025. Red Flag is an advanced aerial training exercise held several times a year which aims to prepare aircrews for real world combat situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson)

March 24, 2025

Bomber Barons conclude exercise Red Flag 25-2

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The “Bomber Barons” of the 23rd Bomb Squadron concluded exercise Red Flag 25-2 here, March 21.This iteration of the advanced aerial combat training exercise, which takes place annually at Nellis AFB, featured five B-52H Stratofortress bombers from the 23BS. The bombers deployed from Minot AFB, North Dakota, to participate in the exercise, which began on March 10.

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 69th Bomb Squadron takes flight during Global Thunder 25 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Oct. 24, 2024. U.S. Strategic Command forces are on watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week, conducting operations to deter and detect strategic attacks against the United States and our allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trust Tate)

Oct. 25, 2024

Team Minot remains ready during Global Thunder 25

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — Global Thunder 25, the most recent iteration of U.S. Strategic Command’s annual field training and command and control exercise, commenced here Oct. 15.

The Spirit of Pennsylvania B-2 Spirit assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, flies over Air Force Operating Location Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, July 17. (Air Force photo by Christian Turner)

Oct. 21, 2024

B-2 bomber undergoes key maintenance overhaul in record time

PALMDALE, Calif. — In a big win for U.S. Air Force readiness, the “Spirit of Nebraska” a B-2 bomber, returned to operations 91 days ahead of schedule, after completing programmed depot maintenance (PDM) at USAF Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., on Oct. 15, 2024.

Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa G. Dalton, Gen. Anthony Cotton, United States Strategic Command commander; Gen. Thomas Bussiere, Air Force Global Strike Command commander; and Lt. Gen. Andrew Gebara, the Department of the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and integration, participate in the Nuclear Imperative panel at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., Sept 17, 2024. The technology exposition brings together Air Force leadership, industry experts, academia as well as aerospace and cyberspace specialists from around the world to discuss the issues and challenges facing America today. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo)

Sept. 20, 2024

DoD leaders discuss future of Air Force nuclear deterrent systems

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) — Senior leaders discuss strategic deterrence during a time of Great Power Competition.

Fighter aircraft from the U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea conducted a trilateral escort flight of a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress Bomber operating in the Indo-Pacific, 22 Oct, 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 Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-15Ks from the 11th Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Karrla Parra)

Oct. 23, 2023

U.S., Japan, Republic of Korea conduct trilateral aerial exercise

Fighter aircraft from the U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea conducted a trilateral escort flight of a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress Bomber operating in the Indo-Pacific, 22 Oct, 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 Korea Air

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, arrives in support of a Bomber Task Force training exercise at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, Australia, July 10, 2022.

July 10, 2022

B-2 Spirit stealth bombers deploy to RAAF Base Amberley, Australia

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers arrived from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, to support a Pacific Air Forces Bomber Task Force deployment, here July 10.

Shown is an illustration of the LGM-35A Sentinel launch silo, the Air Force’s newest weapon system known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. The Air Force determined the LGM-35A Sentinel would provide continuity in strategic deterrence and cost less than extending the life of the current intercontinental ballistic missile fleet, comprised of the aging Minuteman III. Replacing the 1970s-era missile modernizes the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad and brings the Minuteman’s more than 50 years of service to a close. (U.S. Air Force illustration)

April 5, 2022

Air Force’s new intercontinental ballistic missile system has a name: Sentinel

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall approved the designation for the system that modernizes the ICBM leg of the Nation’s nuclear triad.

A Norwegian air force F-35A Lighting II aircraft receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, during exercise Castle Forge over Norway, Nov. 4, 2021. Training with joint and combined allies and partners increases lethality and enhances interoperability, allowing U.S. forces to counter military aggression and coercion by sharing responsibilities for common defense. In addition to F-15 Eagle aircraft operations in the Black Sea Region, Castle Forge encompasses the USAFE-wide Agile Combat Employment capstone event. Castle Forge’s components will better enable forces to quickly disperse and continue to deliver air power from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen are always ready to respond to potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)

Nov. 9, 2021

100th ARW hones ACE concepts during exercise Castle Forge

ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England — U.S. Airmen assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing conducted a readiness exercise at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, RAF Fairford and Souda Bay, Greece, Nov. 1-4. During exercise Castle Forge, Airmen provided air refueling support for U.S. and allied aircraft, including U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, MC-130J Commando II and Norwegian air force F-35A Lightning II aircraft. Castle Forge encompasses the USAFE-wide Agile Combat Employment capstone event, which will better enable forces to quickly disperse and continue to deliver air power from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen are always ready to respond to potential threats.

A UH-1N helicopter with the 40th Helicopter Squadron prepare to land during an integrated recapture and recovery exercise June 11, 2019, at an intercontinental ballistic missile launch facility near Simms, Mont.

June 13, 2019

Interagency exercise paves way for progressive training

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. — Members of the 841st Missile Security Forces Squadron, 40th Helicopter Squadron, 341st Security Support Squadron tactical response force, 341st Medical Group and 341st Missile Wing safety, with support from the 12th Missile Squadron, participated in an integrated exercise, displaying the weapons and tactics used during a recapture and recovery of an intercontinental ballistic missile launch facility.