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.

An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during an operational test.

Nov. 6, 2024

Minuteman III test showcases readiness of U.S. nuclear force's safe, effective deterrent

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and Navy aircrew launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with multiple targetable re-entry vehicles from aboard the Airborne Launch Control System Nov. 5, 2024 at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

Nov. 1, 2024

U.S. aircraft slated to deploy to Europe for latest bomber task force

RAMSTEIN, Germany — The next Bomber Task Force-Europe deployment is scheduled to begin in the coming days with U.S. strategic bombers transiting from the continental U.S. to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

The Spirit of Pennsylvania B-2 Spirit assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, flies over Air Force Operating Location Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, July 17. (Air Force photo by Christian Turner)

Oct. 21, 2024

B-2 bomber undergoes key maintenance overhaul in record time

PALMDALE, Calif. — In a big win for U.S. Air Force readiness, the “Spirit of Nebraska” a B-2 bomber, returned to operations 91 days ahead of schedule, after completing programmed depot maintenance (PDM) at USAF Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., on Oct. 15, 2024.

Oct. 4, 2024

Air Force Global Strike Command activates Provisional 95th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — As part of the DAF reoptimatization for Great Power Competition, AFGSC activated the 95th Wing (Provisional) at Offutt AFB, Neb., effective Oct 1. In provisional status, the 95th Wing (P) will immediately begin leading planning efforts to stand-up, receive personnel & use facilities at Offutt starting in 2025.

Members of Minot Air Force base’s 91st Missile Wing and Vandenberg Space Force Base’s 576th Flight Test Squadron, coordinate with other agencies during the simulated electronic launch of a Minuteman III (SELM) at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Sept. 17, 2024. The teams tested their ability as combat crews to launch from not only the launch control center (LCC) but from an airborne launch control system aboard a Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft, which is capable of remotely launching the fleet of MMIII ICBMs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander)

Oct. 2, 2024

Proving Credibility: 91st Missile Wing completes simulated test launch

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — The 91st Missile Wing successfully performed its biennial Simulated Electronic Launch Minuteman test, the first phase of testing for the Minuteman III, at Minot AFB, N.D., on September 17 and 18, 2024.

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.

A B-21 Raider conducts flight testing, which includes ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The B-21 will be the backbone of the service’s future bomber force, and will possess the range, access and payload to penetrate the most highly-contested threat environments and hold any target around the globe at risk. The bomber platform is being developed through the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, which utilizes streamlined methods to develop, produce and field critical combat capabilities. (Courtesy photo)

Sept. 19, 2024

Air Force provides B-21 Raider program updates

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) — The B-21 Raider will incrementally replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers to become the backbone of the Air Force’s flexible global strike capability.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron conduct hot pit refueling on a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber during a Bomber Task Force mission at Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, Aug. 21, 2024. Bomber missions enhance the U.S. Air Force’s readiness to respond to any potential crisis or challenge in the Indo-Pacific through joint and multilateral operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Erhart)

Aug. 23, 2024

Engines hot: 110th EBS Airmen complete hot pits on B-2 Spirit during BTF

DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory — U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron completed a hot pit event with the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber during a Bomber Task Force mission, Aug. 21, 2024.

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron conducts flight tests on the Load Adaptable Modular pylon in the skies over California, Feb. 15. (Air Force photo by Richard Gonzales)

Aug. 9, 2024

Can one size fit all? Edwards demonstrates new modular pylon on B-1B Lancer

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — The 412th Test Wing recently tested a new weapons pylon that could remove traditional weapon constraints. Known as the Load Adaptable Modular Pylon, the equipment recently flew attached to a B-1B Lancer test aircraft with the 419th Flight Test Squadron.