News

A B-52H Stratofortress on the flightline on Nov. 20, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jesse Jenny)

Nov. 21, 2020

Bomber Task Force mission demonstrates regional commitment in CENTCOM AOR

U.S. Air Force B-52H “Stratofortress” aircrews assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., conducted a short-notice, long-range mission into the Middle East on Nov. 21 to deter aggression and reassure U.S. partners and allies.

A SM-3 Block IIA is launched from the USS John Finn, an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System-equipped destroyer, Nov. 16, 2020, as part of Flight Test Aegis Weapons System-44 (FTM-44). FTM-44 is a developmental test satisfying a Congressional mandate to evaluate the feasibility of the SM-3 Block IIA missile's capability to defeat an ICBM threat. The SM-3 Block IIA was originally designed and built for the Intermediate-range Ballistic Missile threat set.

Nov. 17, 2020

U.S. successfully conducts SM-3 Block IIA Intercept Test against an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Target

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and U.S. Navy sailors aboard the USS John Finn (DDG-113), an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System-equipped destroyer, intercepted and destroyed a threat-representative Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) target with a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missile during a flight test demonstration in the broad ocean area northeast of Hawaii, Nov. 16.

Aircrew with the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron raise the landing gear of a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer during take-off in a joint interoperability exercise at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 13, 2020. Participating in the exercise allowed B-1 aircrews to obtain training that could be imperative in the future missions as they continue to stay committed to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Owsianka)

Nov. 13, 2020

Dyess Airmen participate in Indo-Pacific joint exercise

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam — Airmen with the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron (EBS) participated in a joint interoperability exercise to test long-range force packaging and demonstrate global reach capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, Nov. 12.

Oct. 1, 2020

Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Army Test Interoperability of THAAD and Patriot Missile Defense Systems

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — The Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, and U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command successfully conducted a test of the Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon systems from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

The “Spirit of Pennsylvania” B-2 bomber during a previous programmed depot maintenance stay at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, Jan. 26, 2010. The aircraft is currently finishing up its current PDM at the Northrop Grumman facility at the plant before flying to its new home with the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California. (Photo courtesy of Alan Radecki/Northrop Grumman)

Sept. 29, 2020

Plant 42 gears up “Spirit of Pennsylvania” for next mission

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California — The “Spirit of Pennsylvania” B-2 stealth bomber will soon call Edwards Air Force Base, California, its new home, as it becomes the 412th Test Wing’s test platform for B-2 flight testing.

SILVERDALE, Wash. (Sept. 1, 2020) – Adm. Charles Richard, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, speaks to a limited number of Sailors at Deterrent Park, during a visit with strategic-deterrent units onboard Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Sept. 1. U.S. Strategic Command is a global warfighting combatant command whose mission is to deter strategic attack and employ forces, as directed, to guarantee the security of the U.S. and its allies. (U.S. Navy photo my Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andrea Perez/Released)

Sept. 2, 2020

USSTRATCOM Tours Pacific Northwest Strategic Deterrent Force

SILVERDALE, Wash. — Adm. Charles Richard, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, visited Commander, Submarine Group 9 and other strategic-deterrent units in the Pacific Northwest, Sept. 1.

An Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at 12:21 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time 4 August 2020, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. ICBM test launches demonstrate the U.S. nuclear enterprise is safe, secure, effective and ready to defend the United States and its allies. ICBMs provide the U.S. and its allies the necessary deterrent capability to maintain freedom to operate and navigate globally in accordance with international laws and norms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hanah Abercrombie)

Aug. 4, 2020

Unarmed Minuteman III test launched: Missile launched from Airborne Navy aircraft

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and Navy sailors launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with three test reentry vehicles from aboard the Airborne Launch Control System at 12:21 a.m. Pacific Time Aug. 4 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.The test demonstrates that the United

625th STOS receives new virtual Air Launch Control System trainer

July 23, 2020

625th STOS installs new virtual trainer

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — The 625th STOS, an 8th Air Force unit located at Offutt AFB, received a new virtual trainer in June 2020. The trainer will allow Air Launch Control System (ALCS) operators to continue training and remain proficient in-house, following the loss of their legacy trainer during the flood at Offutt in March 2019.

The Ogden Air Logistics Center (ALC) managed the Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) system until its deactivation in 1987.

June 18, 2020

1980s: Hill AFB’s role as the Logistics System Program Manager for all Air Force ICBMs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — As Hill AFB entered its fifth decade in 1980, the Ogden Air Logistics Center remained the Logistics System Program Manager for the Air Force’s entire Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) deterrent force. The ICBM weapon systems then managed by the Ogden ALC included the LGM-25 Titan II, LGM-30 Minuteman II and III, LGM-118A Peacekeeper, and XMGX-134A Small ICBM.

A B-52H Stratofortress deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., prepares for take off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, for a Bomber Task Force mission June 16, 2020. This Bomber Task Force brought B-52H Stratofortress bombers and 2nd Bomb Wing Airmen to the Indo-Pacific theater to test their ability to integrate and operate from a forward location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lillian Miller)

June 17, 2020

B-52s demonstrate bilateral, joint force integration in Indo-Pacific

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers integrated with the Koku-Jieitai, or Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighters and U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growlers over the Sea of Japan, June, 17.