News

Over the shoulder photo of two U.S. Air Force Airmen in uniform looking at a blue binder.

Feb. 23, 2023

BLUE FLAG exercise prepares Pacific Air Forces for pacing challenge

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — Airmen from the 505th Combat Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, executed exercise BLUE FLAG, which tested Pacific Air Forces' ability to prevail in conflict against a strategic competitor as well as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command air component's ability to ensure command, control, communications, and computer, or C4I, systems resiliency against escalating cyberspace attacks, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Jan. 28 – Feb. 3.

The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay following routine operations. USS West Virginia is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named after the state.

Dec. 26, 2022

President signs National Defense Authorization Act into law

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has signed the Fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act into law, allotting $816.7 billion to the Defense Department.

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.

The ACE concept focuses on responsiveness, rapid deployment, versatility and maneuverability, aimed to create an expanse of new strategic options and reduce the risk to Air Force personnel.

Jan. 25, 2022

Executing mission, fostering innovation, making history: Barksdale’s first ACE exercise

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, Louisiana — Conducting the bomber ACE operations provided an opportunity for Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, to apply and practice strategic maneuvers designed to operate not just at U.S. and ally military installations, but nearly any austere airfield worldwide.

Defensive cyber network and host operators assigned to the 800th Cyber Protection Team, pose in front of a 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron B-1B Lancer, at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Oct. 8, 2021. The 800th CPT, Joint Force Headquarters Cyber- Air Force, is supporting the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron during a Bomber Task Force Europe deployment by hunting and hardening systems on the B-1 to ensure components were free of any adversary activity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Hollowell)

Nov. 4, 2021

Historic deployment of cyber forces with Bomber Task Force Europe

ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, United Kingdom — ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, United Kingdom – In a historic deployment, a U.S. Cyber Command Cyber Protection Team defended critical data on B-1B Lancers assigned to Dyess Air Force Base’s 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron during the Bomber Task Force Europe mission within U.S. European Command’s theater starting Oct. 6, 2021.

The aircraft flew over the stadium in conjunction with the singing of to the colors as a way to signal the start of the game.

Oct. 18, 2021

B-52 does flyover at LSU game

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, Louisiana — A B-52 from the 343rd Bomb Squadron assigned to Barksdale AFB and two F-15s from the 122nd Fighter Squadron assigned to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans perform a flyover at LSU's Tiger Stadium. The aircraft flew over the stadium in conjunction with the singing of to the colors as a way to signal the start of the game. (U.S. Air

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.

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.