News

Jan. 26, 2023

AFNWC breaks ground on innovative software center for next-gen ICBM

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 19, 2023, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to mark the start of construction for a new software facility.

230124-N-NO146-1003

Jan. 26, 2023

Combined Task Force 152 Conducts Exercise in Arabian Gulf with Unmanned Vessel

MANAMA, Bahrain — A Bahrain-led multinational task force from Combined Maritime Forces practiced vessel boarding procedures during exercise Falcon Warrior, Jan. 24-25, while operating with an unmanned system in the Arabian Gulf.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Lauren Olme, 77th Weapons Squadron assistant director of operations, and her husband, Maj. Mark Olme, 7th Operations Support Squadron bomb wing weapons officer, pose for a photo next to a B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 24, 2023. Lauren, who is currently pregnant, can continue flying after recently getting approved under the Air Force’s new guidance which allows female aircrew members to voluntarily request to fly during pregnancy. No waiver is required to fly in the second trimester with an uncomplicated pregnancy in a non-ejection seat aircraft if all flight safety criteria are met. All pregnant aircrew members are also authorized to apply for a waiver regardless of trimester, aircraft or flight profile. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

Jan. 25, 2023

B-1 baby on board

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — As Maj. Lauren Olme, 77th Weapons Squadron assistant director of operations, fires up the engines of a B-1 Lancer on Dyess Air Force Base, she is living out her lifelong dream of being a pilot. In addition to that dream, she achieved a new feat that will impact future generations of servicewomen: Flying while pregnant.Lauren garnered her passion

The Gambian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Farra Jobe, a liaison officer, poses for a photo in the Naval Dockyard in Lagos, Nigeria, Jan. 23, 2023. Obangame Express 2023, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation, and increase maritime safety and security among participating nations in the Gulf of Guinea and Southern Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st class Cameron C. Edy)

Jan. 23, 2023

Exercise Obangame Express 2023 kicks off in Lagos, Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria — Obangame Express (OE23), the largest multinational maritime exercise in Western and Central Africa, kicked off its 12th year with 33 participating nations, Jan. 23, 2023.

missileers pose for photo

Jan. 18, 2023

Father – Daughter duo makes history

PINE BLUFFS, Wyo. — On Jan. 6, 2023, Lt. Col. Raymundo Vann Jr., and his daughter Capt. Gabriella Graham, stepped into the launch control capsule at Echo-01 missile alert facility and assumed the alert together.

Load competitions are designed to increase teamwork and provide Airmen an opportunity to display their skills

Jan. 17, 2023

Kicking off 2023 with Barksdale’s big bomb-loading battle

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE L.A, -- — Load crews compete by loading munitions onto their respective aircraft while being judged on speed, safety and accuracy.

Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 Italian Navy fly over the ships from Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2, the Italian Navy Cavour-class aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), the Andrea Doria-class air defense destroyer ITS Andrea Doria (D 553), and the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) transit the Adriatic Sea in support of Neptune Strike 22, Feb. 2, 2022. Neptune Strike 22 highlights the natural evolution of NATO’s ability to integrate the high-end maritime warfare capabilities of a carrier strike group to support the defense of the Alliance.

Jan. 1, 2023

Cohesion at sea: Maritime deterrence and defense throughout 2022

Naples, Italy — In the Baltic Sea, Estonian troops and U.S. Marines rehearse amphibious assault drills, storming the beach and quickly seizing objectives in concert as the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) patrols the horizon.

The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay following routine operations. USS West Virginia is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named after the state.

Dec. 26, 2022

President signs National Defense Authorization Act into law

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has signed the Fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act into law, allotting $816.7 billion to the Defense Department. 

U.S. Strategic Command conducts change of command

Dec. 9, 2022

New commander- same mission as U.S. Strategic Command conducts change of command

Offutt AFB — U.S. Air Force Gen. Anthony J. Cotton relieved U.S. Navy Adm. Charles "Chas" A. Richard as commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) during a ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base.

Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere

Dec. 8, 2022

Bussiere assumes command of Air Force Global Strike Command

Barksdale Air Force Base — Gen. Thomas Bussiere assumed command of Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony Dec. 7, becoming the newest leader of the organization responsible for the nation's only intercontinental ballistic missile and strategic bomber forces.