News

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.

A B-52H Stratofortress aircraft takes off as part of Exercise Global Thunder 21, on Oct. 23, 2020 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. U.S. Strategic Command conducts global operations in coordination with other combatant commands, services and appropriate U.S. government agencies to deter, detect and, if necessary, defeat strategic attacks against the United States and its allies.

Oct. 28, 2020

U.S. Strategic Command concludes key command, control exercise

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — U.S. Strategic Command, once again successfully concluded GLOBAL THUNDER 21, today, after rigorously and realistically testing its forces and validating the safety, security, effectiveness and readiness of the strategic deterrent enterprise.

U.S. Strategic Command Official Command Seal

Oct. 19, 2020

U.S. Strategic Command Kicks Off Exercise GLOBAL THUNDER

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — Every year U.S. Strategic Command executes its annual nuclear command and control exercise Global Thunder, and this year, even with COVID 19, is no different.Global Thunder 21 will focus on realistic training activities against simulated targets to ensure and improve nuclear readiness and strategic deterrent capabilities.This exercise provides

A B-52H Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, prepares to land, Aug. 26, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. As the only other B-52 base, Minot has considerable infrastructure and support to ensure the Air Force Global Strike Command mission is not impacted.

Oct. 15, 2020

U.S. B-52s Cross Atlantic for BTF Mission Supporting NATO

UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND, Stuttgart, Germany — Two U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers departed the United States Wednesday to participate in a NATO hosted exercise over the North Sea. The flight was a demonstration of U.S. support to NATO Allies and partners and continued validation of a shared commitment to global security and stability.

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.

A photo of a B-1B Lancer assigned to the 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flying over the Arctice Circle, Sept. 25, 2020

Sept. 30, 2020

B-1B Lancers cross Arctic Circle to train with Nordic allies

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) — The 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, a total force integration unit comprised of Reserve Airmen from the 307th Bomb Wing and the 7th Bomb Wing, flew B-1B Lancers conducted training with the Norwegian air force, crossing the North Pole to accomplish the mission.

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.

The Omaha Trophy, which dates back to the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Air Command, was originally created by the Strategic Air Command Consultation Committee in 1971. At the time, a single trophy was presented annually as a token of appreciation to the command’s best wing. The SCC – an advisory group comprised of business leaders in the Omaha area – became the Strategic Command Consultation Committee (SCC) after the activation of USSTRATCOM in 1992.

Sept. 24, 2020

USSTRATCOM Commander Announces 2019 Omaha Trophy Winners

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — In recognition of outstanding support to U.S. Strategic Command’s (USSTRATCOM) strategic deterrence mission, U.S. Navy Adm. Charles Richard, commander of USSTRATCOM, announced the winners of the 2019 Omaha Trophies September 21, 2020.

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., taxis at Andersen AFB, Guam, after arriving for a Bomber Task Force deployment, Sept. 10, 2020. Approximately 200 Airmen and four B-1s assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, deployed to the Pacific in support of the Bomber Task Force employment model. The BTF is deployed to Andersen AFB to support Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with allies, partners and joint forces; and strategic deterrence missions to reinforce the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sept. 21, 2020

Air Force Bombers Conduct Global BTF Mission

Stuttgart, Germany — Multiple U.S. Air Force bombers from Europe and the United States conducted an extensive Bomber Task Force mission Sept. 21, while integrating with NATO Allies and partners’ fighter jets. The mission flew over multiple geographic regions near the eastern-most portion of Europe and the western-most portion of the Pacific Ocean.