Aug. 30, 2023

B-2 Spirit Conducts Historic Hot Pit Refueling in Norway

Orland, Norway — A B-2 Spirit bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., conducted a historic hot pit refueling at Orland Air Base, Norway on Aug. 29, 2023. The occasion marked the first time that the B-2 has landed in Norway, signaling the shared commitment between the U.S. and Norway to deter threats and strengthen the NATO Alliance. Three B-2 Spirit bombers are currently forward deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, in support of Bomber Task Force Europe 23-4. Hot pit refueling within NATO countries allows for the B-2 to expand its fuel range and minimize its time on the ground. By exercising the ability to conduct hot pit refueling in strategic locations, the U.S. and our Allies are able to increase combat airpower throughout the European theater. “Hot-pit refueling emerges as a transformative tactic in bomber operations, promising heightened versatility,” said Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Africa and NATO Allied Air Command. “This clever technique extends our reach, establishing temporary operational hubs at strategically chosen and even unpredictable locations. These adaptive capabilities are the core of modern airpower projection.” The ability of U.S. forces and equipment to operate in conjunction with our Allies and Partners is critical to bolstering an extended network of alliances and partnerships capable of decisively meeting the challenges of today and tomorrow. "The long-range, penetrating strike the B-2 provides is a truly unique capability in the world; but long range requires a lot of gas. Honing our ability to interoperate with our allies and utilize partner-nation equipment and infrastructure to refuel can significantly reduce what we often call our ‘tanker bill;’ in some cases it could be the difference between mission success and failure," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Kousgaard, 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander. As B-2 operations in Europe continue, this historic refueling highlights U.S. and Norwegian cooperation and the ability of U.S. Forces to collaborate with Allied and Partner nations to confront a broad range of global challenges. Information and imagery related to the latest BTF 23-4 can be found on USAFE official website: https://www.usafe.af.mil and on DVIDS at: https://dvidshub.net/feature/bombertaskforceeurope.

Aug. 29, 2023

Inaugural ARROW hosted by 90 CGTS

CAMP GUERNSEY, Wyo. — Convoy Response Teams from across three 20 AF missile wings participated in the inaugural ARROW course.

Aug. 22, 2023

JCO hosts USSTRATCOM Commander

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — U.S. Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, United States Strategic Command commander, met with U.S. Army Elizabeth Helland, Joint Task Force-Space Defense deputy commander, U.S. Space Force Capt. Carl Poole, JTF-SD Commercial Operations Cell (JCO) site lead, and U.S. Air Force Capt. Rishi Patel, Air Force Research Lab’s DRAGON Army program manager, at the JCO personnel at the facility in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 27, 2023. The JCO is an extension of the National Space Defense Center operations floor, and it leverages best-of-breed commercial providers to deliver diverse, timely Space Domain Awareness (SDA) in direct support of the NSDC’s core protect and defend mission. (U.S Space Force photo by Dennis Rogers)

Aug. 14, 2023

U.S. B-2 Spirit Bombers deploy to Keflavik Air Base for Bomber Task Force 23-4

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Over 150 Airmen and 3 B-2 Spirit aircraft from Whiteman Air Force Base arrived Keflavik Air Base, Iceland August 13, 2023. Their purpose is to engage in Bomber Task Force missions, a vital component of U.S. European Command’s (USEUCOM) collaborative training efforts with Allies, partners, and U.S. joint forces.

Aug. 8, 2023

5AMXS competes in 2023 Global Strike Challenge

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — The 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron competed in the Global Strike Challenge here, Aug. 2-4. The Global Strike Challenge is an annual competition between units in Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command, and the Air National Guard consisting of several events assessing innovative thinking, teamwork, and competencies central to the AFGSC mission.

Aug. 3, 2023

B-52 Operational Test and Weapons School form “Super Squadron”

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — In an effort to expand operational test and accelerate capability to the warfighter, the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron and 340th Weapons Squadron have come together to form an integrated team focused on testing and developing tactics for un-fielded B-52 Stratofortress systems.

July 26, 2023

Air Force engineers trek Montana mountain to service radio communications generator

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. — Airmen from the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron made the mountainous trek up the peak of Highwood Baldy, Montana, on July 18, 2023, to perform monthly generator maintenance at a key radio repeater site for enterprise land mobile radio communications in preparation for the upcoming winter months.

July 16, 2023

U.S. integration at the Royal International Air Tattoo 23

RAF FAIRFORD, United Kingdom — The U.S. Air Force brought over 12 aircraft and 100 Airmen to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, United Kingdom, July 14-16.

July 12, 2023

B-52 Stratofortresses return to Indo-Pacific for BTF missions

Bomber Task Force missions demonstrates the credibility of U.S. forces to address global security environments that are more diverse and uncertain than ever before.

May 31, 2023

USSPACECOM Assumes Missile Defense Mission

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE — The President of the United States approved and directed the implementation of the 2022 Unified Command Plan Apr. 25, 2023.