News

Nov. 20, 2019

AFGSC announces Global Strike Challenge winners

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La — Global Strike Challenge 2019 concluded with Air Force Global Strike Command announcing the winners at a scoreposting event here, Nov. 20.

U.S. Navy Adm. Charles A. Richard accepts the U.S. Strategic Command guidon from Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist as he assumes command of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) during a change of command ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Nov. 18, 2019. Richard comes to USSTRATCOM after serving as the commander of Submarine Forces; commander of Submarine Force Atlantic and commander of Allied Submarine Command at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. USSTRATCOM has global responsibilities assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile defense, and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Cunningham)

Nov. 18, 2019

Admiral Richard takes the helm, leads U.S. Strategic Command into the future

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — U.S. Navy Adm. Charles “Chas” A. Richard took command of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) from U.S. Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten during a change of command ceremony at the USSTRATCOM Command and Control Facility today.As a former deputy commander of USSTRATCOM, Richard understands the responsibilities of the command and its mission, and is a

Sept. 23, 2019

Barksdale AFB bomb wings support Cobra Warrior

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) — The exercise featured more than 50 fighter aircraft from Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Israel. The large-scale exercise, based out of RAF Waddingham, United Kingdom, had aircraft flying in simultaneously to participate in peer-to-peer scenarios.

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.

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.

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,

June 26, 2019

Goldfein offers rationale for nuclear modernization and ‘failsafe’ deterrence

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — The United States remains the world’s most potent nuclear force, Goldfein said. But the nation cannot be complacent, especially at a time when Russia and China are moving to modernize and diversify their nuclear capabilities and when the core components of the U.S. nuclear capability are aging.

June 21, 2019

Global Strike Challenge 2019 kicks off

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — The 2019 Global Strike Challenge kicked off this week with a bomber maintenance competition at Minot AFB, N.D., and an intercontinental ballistic missile operations competition at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, ICBM, helicopter operations and security forces competition with units from Air Force Global

The B-52H completed phase one of its regeneration process at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group. It is scheduled to complete its phase depot maintenance in February of 2021 as a completely restored, fleet configured B-52H.

June 4, 2019

B-52 pilot reconnects with retired aircraft after more than a decade

Lt. Col. Stephen Miracle, 10th Flight Test Squadron B-52 flight commander, recently took part in a mission to fly a regenerated B-52 from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. The feat was only the second time a Stratofortress returned to service from Davis-Monthan's "Boneyard."