News

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, lands on the runway for Exercise Prairie Vigilance 25-1 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, April 9, 2025. As a routine training mission, Prairie Vigilance enhances the safety, security and reliability of the bomber leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson)

April 21, 2025

Team Minot Airmen demonstrate strategic readiness during Prairie Vigilance 25-1

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB took part in Exercise Prairie Vigilance 25-1 (PV 25-1) here. Exercise PV 25-1 is a routine training operation designed to bolster the safety, security and reliability of the nation’s bomber-based strategic deterrence mission. The exercise supports readiness across AFGSC by sharpening operational proficiency and validating long-range, global strike capabilities.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kaden Brewer, 96th Bomb Squadron weapons load crew member, transfers a CBU-105, or cluster bomb unit, from a munitions trailer to a MJ-1 “jammer” for loading onto a B-52H Stratofortress

April 19, 2025

Lethality Tested, Mission Perfected: 2nd Bomb Wing Sharpens Lethal Edge During Combat Hammer

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — As part of the Air Force’s premier weapons system evaluation program, the 2nd Bomb Wing participated in Combat Hammer from March 10 to 21, testing its ability to deliver conventional airpower in a contested environment.

U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 9th Bomber Generation Squadron prepare B-1B Lancer for take-off in support of a Bomber Task Force at LOCATION at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Apr. 14, 2025. BTF deployments like this enhance the readiness and training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe.

April 15, 2025

Airmen, aircraft deploy in support of first Bomber Task Force mission to Japan

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — A Bomber Task Force deployment of U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft, Airmen and& support equipment from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas, arrived at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 15, 2025, to support Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with Allies, partners and joint forces, and strategic deterrence missions to reinforce regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

April 10, 2025

Sentinel Site Activation Task Force, Detachment 11 stood up at Malmstrom

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. — Air Force Global Strike Command stood up Sentinel Site Activation Task Force, Detachment 11 during a ceremony at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, April 4, 2025.

Col. David Leaumont unfurls the 95th Wing guidon

March 28, 2025

Eighth Air Force activates 95th Wing

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, commander Eighth Air Force and the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, commemorated the recent activation of the 95th Wing during a ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, March 28, 2025.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron takes off during Red Flag 25-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 13, 2025. Red Flag is an advanced aerial training exercise held several times a year which aims to prepare aircrews for real world combat situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson)

March 24, 2025

Bomber Barons conclude exercise Red Flag 25-2

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The “Bomber Barons” of the 23rd Bomb Squadron concluded exercise Red Flag 25-2 here, March 21.This iteration of the advanced aerial combat training exercise, which takes place annually at Nellis AFB, featured five B-52H Stratofortress bombers from the 23BS. The bombers deployed from Minot AFB, North Dakota, to participate in the exercise, which began on March 10.

U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Chris Hibbon

March 18, 2025

U.S. Bombers Complete Latest European Bomber Task Force 25-2 Deployment

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — After weeks of dynamic training and integration across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, four U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers and aircrews completed Bomber Task Force 25-2 deployment operations and returned to Minot AFB, March 17.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress conducts a low-pass over Oslo, Norway, alongside two Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs during Bomber Task Force 25-2 mission TOWER BLOCKHOUSE March 14, 2025. Bomber Task Force missions provide critical opportunities to integrate and train with regional partners. Integration Is a critical component of agile combat employment, allowing U.S. forces to adapt to evolving international security environments with speed and precision. (Photo courtesy of the Norwegian Armed Forces)

March 14, 2025

USAF B-52 conducts low-pass over Oslo during TOWER BLOCKHOUSE 

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress conducted a low-pass over Oslo, Norway, alongside two Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs during Bomber Task Force 25-2 mission TOWER BLOCKHOUSE, March 14.  “The importance of our partnership with Norway to ensure a secure and stable Arctic cannot be overstated,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kendall

Aircraft maintainers work on B-1B Lancer

Feb. 21, 2025

Guardians of the North, 28th Maintenance Group mobilizes entire B-1 Fleet

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — Raider maintainers from the 34th & 37th Bomber Generation Squadrons recently mobilized Ellsworth’s entire fleet of B-1B Lancers; while most will temporarily relocate to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., some made their way to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam for a bomber task deployment.

Feb. 21, 2025

MH-139 completes first IOT&E flight, advancing nuclear security operations

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. — The 582nd Helicopter Group achieved a major milestone in its modernization efforts as the MH-139 Grey Wolf completed its first Initial Operational Test and Evaluation flight in support of nuclear security operations on January 28, 2025.