News - Tag Air Force

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.

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.

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson emphasized the importance of the U.S. maintaining its dominance in space during a speech April 9, 2019, at the 35th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo. “America is the best in the world at space, and our adversaries know it,” she said. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Mathews)

April 10, 2019

Shanahan, Wilson, Goldfein offer views for ensuring U.S. superiority in space

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) — The top echelon of the United States’ civilian and military leadership offered unflinching assurances April 9, that America’s superiority in space will endure even as competition – and the stakes – for primacy intensify.