Jan. 19, 2024

US B-1B Lancers conduct air-to-air refueling training with Republic of Singapore Air Force

PAYA LEBAR AIR BASE, Singapore — Two B-1B Lancers assigned to the 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrived at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Jan. 18, as part of the United States Air Force’s regular training and engagements with key partners in the region.

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.

Nov. 14, 2023

Austin Commends U.N. Coalition's Commitment to Peace on Korean Peninsula

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III praised the international alliance committed to securing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula as United Nations Command member states gathered for the coalition's inaugural defense ministers' meeting in Seoul, South Korea. 

Nov. 8, 2023

B-1 Lancer Reinforces Security Commitment in CENTCOM

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION — A U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker from the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Alabama, prepares to refuel a B-1B Lancer from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, in an undisclosed location on Nov. 5, 2023.

Nov. 3, 2023

Directors from National Laboratories immerse in Global Strike mission

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — Minot AFB and Whiteman AFB hosted senior officials representing national laboratories and academic institutions, providing them the opportunity to immerse with the mission and weapons systems of the nuclear enterprise, Oct. 17-19, 2023.

Oct. 31, 2023

Turkish Air Force integrates with U.S. Bombers in long-planned mission

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Türkiye — U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron arrived Tuesday, at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, for a historic hot-pit refuel as part of a long-planned bomber task force mission.

Sept. 28, 2023

USS Louisiana Proves Readiness of Unmatched Strategic Weapons System

SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs conducted a scheduled, missile test flight of an unarmed life-extended Trident II (D5LE) missile from USS Louisiana (SSBN-743), an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, on the Western Test Range off the coast of San Diego, California, at approximately 2:10 p.m. yesterday. This test marks 191 successful missile launches of the Trident II (D5 & D5LE) strategic weapon system (SWS) missile since it began operations in 1989. Trident II missile remains unmatched in its reliability.

Sept. 12, 2023

DMOC hosts "Virtual Flag" exercise

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — The Distributed Mission Operations Center located at Kirtland Air Force Base, hosted its joint Virtual Flag exercise Aug. 25-29, 2023.

Sept. 7, 2023

USAF Bands together: Strikers and Pathfinders combine efforts to deliver airpower

KEFLAVIK, Iceland — In the realm of modern military operations, where agility and adaptability are paramount to the success of operations, Agile Combat Employment is the way forward. As Bomber Task Force 23-4 continues, members of the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and the 501st Combat Support Wing are collaborating efforts to ensure swift and effective responses to support NATO Allies and partners in the Arctic region.

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.