News

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit aircraft flew from RAF Fairford, England, to Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, on Sept. 9, 2019, to conduct hot pit refueling in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

Sept. 10, 2019

B-2 Spirit aircraft conduct hot pit refueling at Lajes Field

LAJES FIELD, Azores — U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit aircraft flew from RAF Fairford, England, to Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, on Sept. 9, 2019, to conduct hot pit refueling in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

An unarmed Trident II D5 missile launches from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) off the coast of San Diego, California, Sept. 4, 2019. The test launch was one of four conducted Sept. 4 and Sept. 6 as part of a U.S. Navy Commander Evaluation Test, validating performance expectations of the life-extended Trident II D5 strategic weapon system. These four launches mark 176 successful missile launches of the Trident II D5 strategic weapon system.

Sept. 6, 2019

USS Nebraska Tests Four Trident II D5 Missiles

SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Navy conducted four scheduled missile test flights of unarmed Trident II (D5) missiles from USS Nebraska (SSBN-739), an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, off the coast of Southern California this week.

Major General James Dawkins Jr., Eighth Air Force commander, poses for a photo with a pilot call sign Heat, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England, on August 28, 2019. Dawkins flew in a B-2 Spirit during his visit to engage with members of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, who had deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford as a Bomber Task Force to conduct theater integration and flying training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kayla White)

Sept. 5, 2019

Eighth AF commander visits BTF Airmen in European theater

ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England — Maj. Gen. James Dawkins Jr., the Eighth Air Force commander, flew across the Atlantic to visit his Airmen at Royal Air Base Fairford, England, from August 27-28, 2019. He also flew a B-2 training sortie during his visit.

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit, currently deployed to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, flies above the English countryside near Dover with two RAF F-35 jets, August 30, 2019. This is the first time UK F-35 Lightening jets have conducted training with the U.S. B-2 stealth bomber. (Courtesy Photo)

Sept. 5, 2019

RAF F-35s train with US Air Force B-2 bombers for the first time

DOVER, United Kingdom —

The Enlisted Corps Spotlight for September is Staff Sgt. Samantha MacKinnon.

Sept. 1, 2019

September Enlisted Corps Spotlight

Offutt Air Force Base — Staff Sgt. Samantha MacKinnon, noncommissioned officer in charge of indications and warnings for U.S. Strategic Command’s intelligence directorate, hails from Saranac, Mich., and has 6 years of military service.Q: How does your job support USSTRATCOM and our missions?A: I manage a program that monitors threats and provides leadership with the

509th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuel distribution operators from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri conduct a hot-pit refueling on a B-2 Spirit Bomber at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, August 28, 2019. Hot-pit refueling is a method of refueling an aircraft without shutting down the engines. This is the B-2s first time landing in Iceland. Forward locations like Iceland enhance the collective defense capabilities of both the U.S. and NATO allies partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley)

Aug. 29, 2019

B-2 Spirit lands in Iceland

ICELAND — A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber conducted a flight from RAF Fairford, England, to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, as part of a Bomber Task Force training mission Aug. 28.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffrey Schreiner, center, holds the Omaha Trophy with the U.S. Strategic Command official party after the awards presentation on Aug. 27, 2019, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The Omaha Trophy is awarded by the Strategic Command Consultation Committee to units for excellence in strategic deterrence and support of global strike operations. The active-duty 509th Bomb Wing and Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Bomb Wing jointly earned the Omaha Trophy for executing the best Strategic Bomber Operations of 2018. From left, the Honorable Rita Sanders, representing the SCC; U.S. Air National Guard Col. Kenneth Eaves, 131st Bomb Wing commander; U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Dave Kriete, STRATCOM deputy commander; Col. Jeffrey Schreiner; U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Terrence Meekins, STRATCOM Headquarters commandant; U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ziegelbein, acting command chief 509th Bomb Wing and Chief Master Sgt. Jessica Settle, 131st command chief. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Johns)

Aug. 28, 2019

STRATCOM deputy commander presents Omaha Trophy to Whiteman AFB total-force partners

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. — U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Dave Kriete, the U.S. Strategic Command deputy commander, presented the Airmen of the 509th and 131th Bomb Wings with the prestigious Omaha Trophy during a ceremony here Aug. 27.

Airman 1st Class Austin Sawchuk, a crew chief assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, marshals in a B-2 Spirit on the flightline at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, Aug. 27, 2019. A Bomber Task Force deployment of the B-2, Airmen and support equipment from Whiteman AFB arrived in the U.S. European Command area of operations for a deployment to conduct theater integration and flying training. The deployment of strategic bombers to the United Kingdom helps exercise RAF Fairford as a forward operating base for the unit, ensuring they are engaged, postured and ready with credible force to assure, deter and defend the U.S. and its allies in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kayla White)

Aug. 26, 2019

US Air Force B-2s deploy to Europe

RAF Fairford, England — A Bomber Task Force deployment of B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft, Airmen and support equipment from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, have arrived in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility for a deployment to conduct theater integration and flying training.The aircraft will operate out of RAF Fairford, England.

U.S. Navy Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Vice Adm. Dave Kriete prepares to present the Omaha Trophy to the crew of the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733) in Silverdale, Wash., Aug. 21, 2019. The Omaha Trophy is awarded annually to USSTRATCOM units who demonstrate the highest standards of performance in the command's mission areas, their role in global operations and the command's continued emphasis on strategic deterrence.

Aug. 23, 2019

USS Nevada Awarded Omaha Trophy

SILVERDALE, Wash. — The U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Omaha Trophy was presented to the Blue and Gold crews of USS Nevada (SSBN 733) during a ceremony held at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Aug 21.

U.S. Air Force Gen. John Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, presents a certificate of service to Pat McVay, director of joint exercises, training and assessments, and a Senior Executive Service member, during his retirement ceremony in Bellevue, Neb., July 26, 2019.

Aug. 5, 2019

USSTRATCOM director of joint exercises, training and assessments retires after nearly a half century of dedicated service

BELLEVUE, Neb. — After almost half a century of combined military and federal service, Pat McVay, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) director of joint exercises, training and assessments (J7), and a Senior Executive Service member for the Department of the Air Force celebrated his retirement July 26, 2019, during a retirement ceremony in Bellevue, Nebraska.McVay,