News

Airmen of the 96th Bomb Squadron prepare a B-52H Stratofortress for takeoff during exercise Global Storm at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Aug. 18, 2021.

June 27, 2025

Another decade of the B-52’s enduring legacy

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — Air Force Global Strike Command is celebrating the enduring legacy of one of America’s most iconic strategic bombers -- the B-52 Stratofortress, affectionately known as the BUFF.

Two airmen standing next to a truck on a runway refuel a B-2 aircraft with a crescent moon in a cloudy blue sky in the background.

June 27, 2025

AFLCMC continues modernization of B-2 bomber

AFLCMC's Bomber's Directorate is responsible for planning, modernizing, and sustaining the B-2 “Spirit.”

Two men, one in a business suit and the other in a dress military uniform, are standing across from each other behind podiums, speaking to a room full of people sitting down with their backs to the camera.

June 22, 2025

Hegseth, Caine Laud Success of U.S. Strike on Iran Nuke Sites

During a press conference at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, lauded the success of the U.S. strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities. U.S. Strategic Command B-2 Spirit bombers dropped fourteen Massive Ordnance Penetrators as part of Operation Midnight Hammer, marking the first combat use of the 30,000-pound GBU-57 MOP.

The defense secretary speaks during a hearing.

June 12, 2025

Hegseth says shipbuilding, Golden Dome, nuclear deterrence make up DoD budget request for billions in funding

WASHINGTON — "No doubt, our nuclear triad is the silent foundation of our entire deterrent effect, and that's why this budget fully funds all three legs of the triad and makes sure we're leaning forward and ensuring we have the most capable nuclear deterrent possible," said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during Senate Appropriations Committee testimony on funding levels for fiscal year 2026.

Four white horses with female riders holding the Texas and American flags walk in front of a B-1 Lancer

June 5, 2025

B-1B Lancer: 40 striking years

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — June 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of B-1B Lancer at Dyess AFB. The multi-mission B-1, carrying the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force, is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force, rapidly delivering massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, on demand.

An Airman assigned to the 393rd Bomber Generation Squadron prepares GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions to be loaded onto a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The loading operations were a component of the Air Force Research Laboratory QUICKSINK Joint Capability Technology Demonstration, a new low-cost, air-delivered capability for defeating maritime threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings)

June 4, 2025

Air Force Demonstrates Low-Cost Maritime Defense Capability with QUICKSINK

In a demonstration of enhanced maritime lethality, the Air Force tested a new, more versatile variant of the QUICKSINK maritime weapon, increasing aircraft lethality by expanding its targeting reach. QUICKSINK is a low-cost method for neutralizing surface vessels using a modified, air-delivered munition. A 500-pound variant of the anti-ship weapon was delivered by a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber during a test at the Eglin Air Force Base Gulf Test Range. This innovative capability provides a rapid response to maritime threats across vast ocean expanses, significantly bolstering the U.S. Air Force's counter-maritime deterrence and operations. DVIDS link: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/499608/air-force-demonstrates-low-cost-maritime-defense-capability-with-quicksink

Men in suits stand behind a missile

May 30, 2025

Air Force, NNSA complete assembly of first B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb ahead of schedule

AMARILLO, Texas — U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced May 19, 2025, at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, that the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has completed the manufacture of the first B61-13 gravity bomb, the latest modification to the B61 family of nuclear weapons. The first unit was assembled almost a year before the original target date and less than two years after the program was first announced, making the B61-13 one of the most rapidly developed and fielded weapons since the Cold War.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, (left) prepares to present to Lt. Col. Nicholas Conover, Site Activation Task Force Detachment 12 commander, (middle) the Detachment 12 guidon at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, May 21, 2025. SATAF detachments are tasked with laying the groundwork for Sentinel support operations by overseeing and coordinating transition and deployment activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Wesley Davies)

May 30, 2025

Minot AFB continues nuclear modernization with Detachment 12 activation

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, activated Sentinel Site Activation Task Force (SATAF) Detachment 12 during a ceremony here, May 21, 2025. The event marked a crucial step in preparing the base’s infrastructure to support the establishment of the next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) system, which will replace the LGM-35A Minuteman III ICBM system currently stationed across the continental United States.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wings perform a simulated alert response during a Nuclear Staff Assistant Visit at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, May 20, 2025. The Nuclear Staff Assistance Visit is a total force readiness exercise which assesses the proficiency and abilities of both Fairchild and McConnell AFB’s Airmen, continuing to maximize their capabilities that support the future fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Thorn)

May 29, 2025

Team Fairchild showcases readiness during NSAV exercise

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. — Airmen assigned to the 22nd, 92nd, 141st Air Refueling Wings demonstrated rapid global mobility and nuclear readiness during a Nuclear Staff Assistant Visit exercise held May 18-22 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The worldwide reach and strategic capabilities of U.S. Strategic Command's long-range bomber force relies on timely global air refueling support and its ability to be delivered under high-stakes conditions.

U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, B-2 Spirit and B-1B Lancer bombers led a seven-ship dissimilar bomber/fighter formation over Miami Beach, Fla., May 24, 2025, as seen in this screen capture from an Air Force Global Strike Command video published by Staff Sgt. Bailee Darbasie.

May 24, 2025

AFGSC unveils first tri-bomber/fighter formation

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Air Force Global Strike Command recently unveiled the first-ever demonstration tri-bomber/fighter formation during the Hyundai Air and Sea Show over Miami Beach, Florida.