News

Corps of Engineers and Air Force officials pose for groundbreaking photo

June 18, 2026

USACE, U.S. Air Force partners fortify Malmstrom national defense with ‘Gateway to Sentinel’ groundbreaking

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. — Nestled between the high plains and Rocky Mountains, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) leaders celebrated a project groundbreaking May 28, 2026, that will serve as the “gateway” for future modernization efforts to the installation’s Minuteman III ICBM arsenal.

A B-21 Raider conducts flight tests, which includes ground testing, taxiing and flying operations, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where it continues to make progress toward becoming the backbone of the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet. The B-21 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 B-21 program is on track to deliver aircraft in the mid-2020s to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, which will be the first B-21 main operating base and location for the B-21 formal training unit. (U.S. Air Force photo)

June 11, 2026

Operational Pilot Flies B-21 as Top General Pushes Urgency

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — In another milestone for the B-21 Raider program, an operational test pilot recently flew the bomber with a developmental test pilot sharing the cockpit.

From left, U.S. Navy Adm. Richard Correll, commander, U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua Wiitala, 509th Bomb Wing commander, and U.S. Sen. Rita Sanders, R-NE, hold the 2025 Omaha Trophy at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, May 26, 2026.

June 1, 2026

509th Bomb Wing presented with second consecutive Omaha Trophy

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. — U.S. Navy Adm. Rich Correll, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, and Nebraska State Sen. Rita Sanders, a member of the Strategic Command Consultation Committee (SCCC), presented the SCCC’s 2025 Omaha Trophy to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, May 26.

McConnell Airmen marshal a KC-46 Pegasus during a nuclear operational response exercise at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Feb. 7, 2026. Once the exercise members were on board the aircraft, they simulated the taxi and take off procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amelio Brown)

June 1, 2026

McConnell completes Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. — The 22nd Air Refueling Wing conducted a Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection May 13-20 at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.

May 20, 2026

GT 256: ICBM Test Launch Verifies System Reliability

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a routine, scheduled test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile May 20 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

U.S. Navy Adm. Rich Correll, commander, U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Army Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, pose for a photo during a visit at USSTRATCOM headquarters on Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, May 11, 2026.

May 19, 2026

Brunson, STRATCOM Discuss Stronger Nuclear Deterrence in Northeast Asia

Omaha, Nebraska, US — Gen. Xavier T. Brunson visited U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 11 to discuss strengthening strategic deterrence in Northeast Asia through enhanced collaboration across the commands and in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

United States Strategic Command officially dedicated its command library in honor of Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam War hero, Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger, in a ceremony here May 7.

May 14, 2026

U.S. Strategic Command memorializes enlisted Airman with library dedication

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — United States Strategic Command officially dedicated its command library in honor of Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam War hero, Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger, in a ceremony here May 7.

May 6, 2026

Back from the Boneyard: Tinker Brings B-1 Back to the Fight

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. — A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer once parked in the Arizona desert is back in the air after an intensive regeneration and depot maintenance effort led by the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at Tinker Air Force Base.

U.S. and Italian Air Forces aircraft consisting of F-35 Lightning IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and a B-52 Stratofortress, fly in formation over the Adriatic Sea during Astral Knight 19, June 4, 2019. Astral Knight is an exercise taking place throughout various locations in Europe, involving over 900 Airmen and supports the collective defense and security of NATO allies and U.S. forces in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua R. M. Dewberry)

May 6, 2026

B-52 Engine Replacement Program Holds Critical Design Review, Paves Way for B-52J Upgrade

The B-52J Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) recently held its Critical Design Review (CDR), a pivotal milestone that enables the modification of two B-52 aircraft with new engines.

Participants of the Deterrence and Escalation Game and Review (DEGRE) wargame discuss lessons learned onboard Naval Station Newport, April 17, 2026.

May 5, 2026

DEGRE wargame an "Essential Tool" for modern deterrence

NEWPORT, R.I. — U.S. Strategic Command, in collaboration with the U.S. Naval War College, conducted the annual Deterrence and Escalation Game and Review to examine and refine strategic deterrence concepts. The exercise brings together military leadership, strategists, and allied partners to explore decision-making in a simulated global crisis.