News

Dec. 2, 2022

B-21 Raider makes public debut, will become backbone of Air Force’s bomber fleet

PALMDALE, Calif. (AFNS) — The U.S. Air Force unveiled its newest bomber aircraft, the B-21 Raider, designed to operate in tomorrow's high-end threat environment.

Enlisted Airmen of Air Education and Training Command induct Gen. Anthony Cotton, Commander, U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, into the AETC Order of the Sword in a ceremony.

April 19, 2022

AETC enlisted Airmen present former AU president, commander Order of the Sword

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) — Gen. Anthony Cotton received the Order of the Sword for his significant contributions to the development of the Air Force enlisted force during an official ceremony at Gunter Annex’s Flag Park April 1, 2022.

Shown is an illustration of the LGM-35A Sentinel launch silo, the Air Force’s newest weapon system known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. The Air Force determined the LGM-35A Sentinel would provide continuity in strategic deterrence and cost less than extending the life of the current intercontinental ballistic missile fleet, comprised of the aging Minuteman III. Replacing the 1970s-era missile modernizes the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad and brings the Minuteman’s more than 50 years of service to a close. (U.S. Air Force illustration)

April 5, 2022

Air Force’s new intercontinental ballistic missile system has a name: Sentinel

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall approved the designation for the system that modernizes the ICBM leg of the Nation’s nuclear triad.

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.

A B-52H Stratofortress and an F-15 Strike Eagle fly over South Louisiana, May 1, 2020.

May 5, 2020

Assembling a Flyover

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — The men and women of Barksdale showed their appreciation to healthcare workers of Louisiana by performing a flyover of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, May 1, 2020.

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.

A UH-1N helicopter with the 40th Helicopter Squadron prepare to land during an integrated recapture and recovery exercise June 11, 2019, at an intercontinental ballistic missile launch facility near Simms, Mont.

June 13, 2019

Interagency exercise paves way for progressive training

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. — Members of the 841st Missile Security Forces Squadron, 40th Helicopter Squadron, 341st Security Support Squadron tactical response force, 341st Medical Group and 341st Missile Wing safety, with support from the 12th Missile Squadron, participated in an integrated exercise, displaying the weapons and tactics used during a recapture and recovery of an intercontinental ballistic missile launch facility.

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test, Feb. 5, 2019 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. There are many different components. Whether it be 30th Space Wing Airmen, mission partners, both government agencies and private companies or contractors, who contribute to launching a missile or rocket at Vandenberg AFB, each diverse role plays an important part in accomplishing the mission.

June 12, 2019

Providing access to space through innovation

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — The U.S. Air Force and Space Command are powered by innovation. Because of this, Vandenberg Air Force Base is continually making improvements to base facilities, equipment and the way Airmen and mission partners do their job in order to complete the space mission.

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, takes off during Exercise Diamond Storm at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, May 9, 2019.

May 17, 2019

23rd EBS trains during Exercise Diamond Storm

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE DARWIN, Australia — A contingent from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron (EBS) deployed from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, with a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress in support of the Australian Air Warfare Center-led exercise Diamond Storm May 6-26, 2019.