NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Vandenberg AFB chosen as preferred location for GBSD FTU

    Acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth selected Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, as the preferred location for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, a new intercontinental ballistic missile, Formal Training Unit.

  • AFNWC team supports ICBM test launch

    An unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III missile equipped with a single test reentry vehicle launched at 12:27 a.m. Pacific time on Oct. 29 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The Minuteman III missile’s reentry vehicle contained test instruments and traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the

  • Test launch demonstrates safe, ready Minuteman III deterrent

    The test demonstrates that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective to deter twenty-first century threats and reassure U.S. allies. Test launches are not a response or reaction to world events or regional tensions.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Air Force announces 2019 Safety Awards

    Maj. Gen. John T. Rauch Jr., Air Force Chief of Safety, recently announced the recipients of the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Safety Awards and the Air Force Chief of Safety Awards for 2019.

  • AFGSC tests Minuteman III missile with launch from Vandenberg AFB

    The test demonstrates that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is robust, flexible, ready and appropriately tailored to deter 21st century threats and reassure our allies. Test launches are not a response or reaction to world events or regional tensions.

  • Vice President Pence visits Vandenberg AFB

    Vice President Michael R. Pence made his way to the Combined Space Operations Center where he was greeted by Maj. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, 14th Air Force commander, and received briefings on the evolution of launch operations at the Western Range and CSpOC operations, which concluded with an

  • Providing access to space through innovation

    The U.S. Air Force and Space Command are powered by innovation. Because of this, Vandenberg Air Force Base is continually making improvements to base facilities, equipment and the way Airmen and mission partners do their job in order to complete the space mission.

  • Vandenberg AFB aids during exercise Patriot Hook 2019

    Exercise Patriot Hook 2019, an annual joint-service exercise coordinated by the Air Force Reserve Command, took place at Vandenberg Air Force Base, April 10 through 15. The five day long exercise demonstrated the execution of civil relief operations that would typically occur following a natural

  • STPSat-5 successfully launched from Vandenberg AFB

    The Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched Space Test Program Satellite 5, or STPSat-5, into orbit via Spaceflight Industries’ fully dedicated smallsat rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle on Dec. 3 from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base,

  • Air Force Tech Report: Solar Power

    Solar energy is playing a larger role in how the Air Force is modernizing bases, making them more resilient and less dependant on fossil fuels. Using the sun is also a cost-effective way to update aging power grids.

  • Around the Air Force: April 18

    On this look around the Air Force the F-35 program completes the most comprehensive flight test program in aviation history, Vandenberg Air Force Base unveils a solar array project, and cadets learn about their Pathway to Blue. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson.

  • Vandenberg AFB unveils solar array project

    Local elected officials, key Vandenberg Air Force Base leaders, base affiliates and local media came together for the 28 megawatt solar photovoltaic array dedication, April 10, 2018, at Vandenberg AFB.

  • Secure Messaging makes communicating with your Air Force doctor simple

    In today’s connected world, we expect most communication to be convenient and instantaneous. Why should communicating with your health provider be any different? That is why the Air Force Medical Service offers a secure messaging platform for patients and families to communicate safely and quickly

  • Revitalizing squadrons: A commander's perspective

    Over the course of a 20 year career, I have experienced some challenges at the squadron level due to decisions made by higher headquarters staff personnel that have negatively impacted squadrons or go against what a commander might think is best for their squadron.

  • Travis AFB delivers NASA InSight Spacecraft

    Airmen from the 21st Airlift Squadron and the 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California, loaded and transported the NASA InSight Spacecraft Feb. 28, 2018, from Lockheed Martin Space, Buckley AFB, Colorado, to Vandenberg AFB, California, aboard a C-17 Globemaster III.

  • Around the Air Force: Dec. 29

    On this look around the Air Force deployed service members are treated with a USO show and Vandenberg Air Force Base assists in a Space X Falcon 9 launch. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Jasmine Vanderheyden.

  • Around the Air Force: Nov. 22

    On this look around the Air Force the secretary of the Air Force talks logistics at an Officer Symposium and a Delta II rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

  • BLUE: Testing the Minuteman

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – Air Force TV has released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE.Nuclear deterrence has been a mainstay in keeping America safe from nuclear threats for decades. One group of Airmen carry the awesome responsibility of ensuring the

  • 18th Space Control Squadron: Keeping watch up above

    The 18th Space Control Squadron located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, is a geographically separated unit of the 21st Space Wing, Peterson AFB, Colorado. The squadron provides situational awareness on thousands of items filling the skies while life moves along for those on Earth’s

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 4

    On this look around the Air Force, senior leaders release new priorities, F.E. Warren AFB Airmen launch a Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and the Secretary of the Air Force discusses space funding at an Air Force Association dinner.

  • F.E. Warren AFB tests Minuteman III missile with launch from Vandenberg

    A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single test reentry vehicle Aug. 2, 2017 at 2:10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Vandenberg AFB,

  • Malmstrom tests Minuteman III missile with launch from Vandenberg

    A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single test reentry vehicle May 3, 2017, at 12:02 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Vandenberg AFB,

  • Around the Air Force: April 28

    On this look around the Air Force, two F-35As deploy to Estonia for the first time, Global Strike Command Airmen test launch a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, and the 500,000th person has graduated from the Community College of the Air Force. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Traci Keller.

  • Goldfein visits Vandenberg AFB

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, recently visited Vandenberg Air Force Base to meet with base personnel and visit a portion of the Air Force Space Enterprise, from Jan. 29-30.

  • Around the Air Force: Jan. 18

    On this look around the Air Force, Airmen at Edwards Air Force Base, California, developed a new way to reduce the cost of testing fire suppression systems, a satellite launched from Vandenberg AFB, California, and Civilian Health Promotion Services is helping people quit smoking.

  • Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg AFB

    Members of Vandenberg Air Force Base, alongside SpaceX and Iridium partners, recently launched the Iridium NEXT satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4, here, Jan. 14.

  • Malmstrom tests Minuteman III with launch from Vandenberg

    A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle Sept. 5 from Vandenberg AFB, California.

  • Minot tests Minuteman III with launch from Vandenberg AFB

    A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, aboard the Airborne Launch Control System, launched an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic

  • Atlas V booster lands at Vandenberg

    One of the world’s largest cargo aircraft recently delivered an Atlas V booster to Vandenberg Air Force Base. The Antonov AN-124 made its way from a production facility in Decatur, Alabama, to deliver the booster Nov. 20.

  • 45 years on alert: Minot conducts Minuteman III test launch

    The 91st Missile Wing completed an operational test launch of an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, Aug. 19, continuing its mission of providing strategic deterrence for the U.S. and their allies. The launch fell on the 45th

  • June issue of Airman magazine now available

    The June issue of Airman magazine is now available to download on your tablet or can be viewed through a web browser. The front cover story focuses on a special unit of security forces Airmen and their partners -- quarter horses. Together, the Airmen and their horses patrol the beaches along

  • Commercial Integration Cell pilot program underway

    U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC Space) initiated a six-month pilot program incorporating commercial operators into its Joint Space Operations Center, here, June 1.

  • AF awards new launch, test range service contract

    The Air Force awarded the Launch and Test Range Integrated Service Contract (LISC) to RGNext on Nov. 6. The total contract value, including all potential options and potential award fee is $2 billion. LISC will provide the government with a single prime contractor responsible and accountable for

  • SecAF expresses priorities to Vandenberg Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James recently visited Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, to meet with Airmen and witness the successful launch of an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

  • Vandenberg AFB launch propels nanosatellite into space

    An Atlas V rocket launched Dec. 5, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., carried a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored nanosatellite into space -- and with it, the potential for more reliable and less expensive communications for troops around the world.