News

People stand around a B-52 Stratofortress that has a covered engine.

Nov. 20, 2024

New B-52 engine cover prototype testing protects Minot’s bomber fleet

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — AFGSC pilots and maintainers have secured new B-52 Stratofortress engine covers that prevent icing in extreme cold thanks to support from STRIKEWERX and the AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist.

U.S. Airmen, assigned to the 307th Maintenance Squadron, and a U.S. Air Force civilian employees assemble a B-52 Stratofortress towbar prototype during a demonstration of its capabilities at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Sept. 10, 2024. The new prototype was created in response to a request for a towbar that can meet the speed and readiness requirements inherent in Agile Combat Employment efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Sept. 26, 2024

AFGSC tests new B-52 Stratofortress towbar prototype

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — AFGSC recently demonstrated a prototype of a potential new B-52 Stratofortress towbar at Barksdale AFB, La. B-52 maintainers from the 307th Bomb Wing and the 2nd Bomb Wing tested the new prototype under real-world conditions during the week leading to the demonstration.

Sept. 12, 2024

USAF B-52 Stratofortresses complete double-transatlantic mission

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Two U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses completed a double-transatlantic training mission Wednesday, Sept. 11, demonstrating the service’s ability to integrate with Allied nation forces while providing global strike capabilities anytime, anywhere.

Fighter aircraft from the U.S. 8th Fighter Wing, Japan, and the Republic of Korea conducted a trilateral escort flight of a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress Bomber operating in the Indo-Pacific, April 2, 2024.

April 2, 2024

U.S., Japan, Republic of Korea Conduct Third Trilateral Aerial Exercise

For the third time following the historic trilateral summit at Camp David in fall 2023, fighter aircraft from the U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea conducted the third trilateral aerial escort flight of U.S. bombers operating in the Indo-Pacific, April 2, 2024.

March 22, 2024

B-52s arrive in Diego Garcia for Bomber Task Force

Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, landed at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, Mar. 22.

Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, 8th Air Force and Joint Global Strike Operations Center commander, tours the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber mission at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, along with directors and leaders representing National Laboratories, Oct. 20, 2023. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) commander, invited directors for an immersion in the weapons system and mission of AFGSC bases while interacting with the Airmen who operate the nuclear enterprise. As critically important partners of AFGSC, the laboratories develop technologies critical to the U.S. and its future forces -- both nuclear and conventional. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. John E. Hillier)

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.

Three B-52 Stratofortress bombers sit on the ramp at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 31, 2023. The B-52s are at Nellis in support of the Weapons School Integration exercise. The U.S. Air Force Weapons School teaches graduate-level instructor courses that provide advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to officers and enlisted specialists of the combat and mobility air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)

Aug. 3, 2023

B-52 Operational Test and Weapons School form “Super Squadron”

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — In an effort to expand operational test and accelerate capability to the warfighter, the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron and 340th Weapons Squadron have come together to form an integrated team focused on testing and developing tactics for un-fielded B-52 Stratofortress systems.

A B-52 arrives at Joint Base San Antonio. The aircraft will undergo installation of a new radar system at a nearby Boeing facility. (Courtesy photo by the Boeing Co.)

May 30, 2023

U.S. Air Force kicks off Radar Modernization for B-52 Stratofortress fleet

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — A B-52 from the 307th Bomb Wing arrived at a Boeing Co., facility in San Antonio, on May 25, to begin receiving the Active Electronically Scanned Array system, also known as AESA, as part of the Air Force’s B-52 Radar Modernization Program.

An Airman installs an AgilePod onto a B-52

May 11, 2023

AgilePod Demo Expands B-52 Communications

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — The backbone of the U.S.’s strategic bomber force, the B-52 Stratofortress, will soon demonstrate advanced communications capabilities through the new AgilePod, enabling a modernized, further-reaching, more secure communication on the historic aircraft.B-52 aircrew depend on rapid incoming and outgoing communication—whether that be with other

Feb. 23, 2023

B-52 Stratofortresses to flyby part of Estonia Independence Day celebration events

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Two B-52 aircraft assigned to 5th Bomb Wing from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota is scheduled to conduct a low approach flyby to help celebrate Estonia’s Independence Day February 24.