News

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.

April 2, 2019

Wilson, Goldfein outline Air Force progress, need for larger force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein told the House Armed Services Committee Tuesday that the Air Force must get bigger and funding must be predictable to meet – and defeat – security threats at home, globally and in space in an era of great power competition.

Dec. 12, 2018

AFSPC assumes COMSATCOM procurement responsibility for DoD

PETERSON AFB, Colo. (AFNS) — The Air Force Space Command commander assumed responsibility for procurement of commercial satellite communications services for the Department of Defense from the Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency December 12. The move is in accordance with Section 1601(a) of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.

Nov. 16, 2018

Air Force announces bases to support B-21 Raider mission

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — The Air Force has selected Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, to coordinate maintenance and sustainment of the B-21 Raider and Edwards AFB, California, to lead testing and evaluation of the next generation long-range strike bomber.

Jose Romualdez, Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Maj. Gen. Fred Stoss, 20th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Good, 20th Air Force command chief, greets Defense Secetary James N. Mattis plade side Nov. 14, 2018, at Cheyenne Regional Airport, Wyo. Suring the Defense Secretary's visit to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., the Bells of Balangiga were officially presented to the Philippine government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Abbigayle Wagner)

Nov. 15, 2018

U.S. presents Bells of Balangiga to the Philippines

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFNS) — Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis and Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Romualdez visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Nov. 14, during which the Bells of Balangiga were officially presented to the Philippine government.

HYT is extended, effective Feb. 1, 2019.

Oct. 23, 2018

Air Force extends high year of tenure for E-4s through E-6s

Arlington, Va. (AFNS) — The Air Force is extending the high year of tenure for senior airmen through technical sergeants beginning Feb. 1, 2019. The memo, signed Oct. 18, 2018, extends the high year of tenure from eight to 10 years for senior airmen, from 15 to 20 years for staff sergeants and from 20 to 22 years for technical sergeants.

A military commander makes a speech from behind a podium.

Aug. 2, 2018

Stratcom Commander Highlights Readiness of the Force

WASHINGTON — The men and women of U.S. Strategic Command are ready to respond to any threat, Stratcom’s commander, Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, said at a deterrence symposium in La Vista, Neb.