News

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.

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.

U.S. Navy Adm. Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, presents Staff Sgt. Donald Thomas the U.S. Air Force’s Airman’s Medal during a ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 21. The Airman’s Medal is awarded to service members who distinguish themselves by a heroic act, usually at the voluntary risk of their own life while not involving combat. While on leave in 2018, Thomas saved the lives of four people who were in a motor vehicle accident.

Aug. 21, 2020

USSTRATCOM Airman saves four people, awarded Airman's Medal for heroic actions

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — Staff Sgt. Donald Thomas, was presented the Air Force’s Airman’s Medal by U.S. Navy Adm. Charles Richard, U.S. Strategic Command commander, during a ceremony here Aug. 21. The Airman’s Medal instituted on July 6, 1960, is awarded to service members who distinguish themselves by a heroic act, usually at the voluntary risk of their own life while not involving combat.

A B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber arrives at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, Aug. 12, 2020. Three B-2s deployed to the Indo-Pacific region in support of the National Defense Strategy to ensure a fee and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Michael Hardy)

Aug. 12, 2020

B2 Spirit Stealth Bombers deploy to Diego Garcia in support of Bomber Task Force

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — Three B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers deployed from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia to support Pacific Air Forces’ Bomber Task Force missions, Aug. 11.

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.