News

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.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off in support of Bomber Task Force Europe (BTF) at Morón Air Base, Spain, May 23, 2025. BTF missions familiarize aircrew with air bases and operations in different geographic combatant command areas of operations to enable strategic access and integration with coalition forces in an effort to deter global conflict.

May 23, 2025

B-52 executes MIGHTY RHINO, integrating with African partners

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to Bomber Task Force Europe executed mission MIGHTY RHINO on May 23, integrating with African partner forces in Morocco.

a missile in the dark night sky, white ethereal clouds surrounding it

May 21, 2025

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

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — A joint team of AFGSC Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single Mark-21 High Fidelity Re-Entry Vehicle May 21 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg SFB, Calif.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron taxis after landing in support of Bomber Task Force Europe (BTF) at Morón Air Base, Spain, May 20, 2025. This deployment demonstrates the U.S. Air Force’s ability to operate from flexible, dispersed locations while maintaining strategic reach and precision. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson)

May 20, 2025

U.S. Air Force B-52s arrive at Morón for Bomber Task Force Europe deployment

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft arrived at Morón AB, Spain, May 20, as part of the latest Bomber Task Force Europe deployment.