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NATO Air Policing operations — U.S. Air Force News

Oct. 11, 2024
Around the Air Force: Air Task Force Combat Support Training, First Guardian Launches into Space, Childcare Pilot Program

In this week’s look around the Air Force, Air Task Forces prepare for Combat Support Training, the first USSF Guardian launches into space on a NASA mission, and the DoD creates a pilot program to cover certain childcare costs after a PCS.
Oct. 4, 2024
Around the Air Force: Defining Units of Action, SECDEF’s well-being initiatives, B-21 Raider update

In this week’s look around the Air Force, the DAF further defines the evolution of wings into Units of Action, the SecDef's announces seven new well-being initiatives for military families, and an update on the Air Force’s newest bomber: the B-21 Raider.
Sept. 20, 2024
Around the Air Force: Great Power Competition, Realignment for Readiness, and Housing Feedback System

In this week’s look around the Air Force, SecAF Frank Kendall highlights accomplishments and emphasizes Reoptimization, AF realigns structure to maintain competitiveness, and DoD launches an online housing feedback system.
Sept. 18, 2024
DAF provides B-21 Raider program updates

The B-21 Raider will incrementally replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers to become the backbone of the Air Force’s flexible global strike capability.
Sept. 16, 2024
Kendall highlights accomplishments, urgency to finish transitioning to Great Power Competition

Conceding that his future as secretary is connected to the outcome of November’s election, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall used a high-profile keynote address Sept. 16 to highlight achievements modernizing and reshaping the Air Force and Space Force while also emphasizing unfinished work
Dec. 6, 2023
AFIMSC plays critical role in fielding of B-21

AFIMSC is playing a critical role in executing the multiyear beddown of the B-21 Raider for the Air Force.
Sept. 29, 2023
Brown’s tenure as CSAF leaves lasting imprint on the service, its evolution

As Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. closes out his three-year tenure as the Air Force’s highest-ranking officer and braces for a new, even more challenging assignment as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Aug. 22, 2023
‘Tinker and the Primes’ conference returns to talk sustainment, supply chain needs in a world with true competitors

Almost 2,000 aerospace representatives and defense officials recently gathered near Tinker Air Force Base at the Reed Center at Delta Hotels for the 17th annual Tinker and the Primes conference.
Aug. 16, 2023
Recipients of Harold Brown Award 2021, 2022 honored at Pentagon ceremony

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall hosted an award ceremony at the Pentagon for recipients of the 2021 and 2022 Harold Brown Award, Aug. 8.
March 28, 2023
Kendall, Brown, Saltzman tell lawmakers ‘on-time’ budget needed to meet security challenges, transform Air, Space Forces

DAF senior leaders told Congress that progress is being made modernizing the Air and Space Forces but to fully succeed, Congress must pass the budget on time so critical “transformation” is not delayed.
Dec. 2, 2022
B-21 Raider makes public debut; will become backbone of Air Force’s bomber fleet

The U.S. Air Force unveiled its newest bomber aircraft, the B-21 Raider, designed to operate in tomorrow's high-end threat environment.
Sept. 24, 2021
AFGSC wraps up divestiture of 17 B-1B aircraft, moves toward B-21

The divestiture of the aircraft is in support of the U.S. Air Force’s efforts to modernize America’s bomber fleet, as authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act.
April 14, 2021
Roth escapes Pentagon “bubble” to learn directly from Airmen and Guardians

Acting Secretary of the Air Force John P. Roth travelled recently to bases in Ohio, Utah, Nevada and California to review programs, meet Airmen and Guardians, receive updates from assorted commanders and senior officials, and engage with three members of Congress on their own turf.
March 3, 2021
B-21 Prototype Environmental Protection Shelters construction, test underway

Air Force Global Strike Command and the B-21 Program Office are testing various prototype shelters to identify the most effective and affordable designs that could be used across all three B-21 Main Operating Bases, the depot, and even at forward operating locations.
Feb. 18, 2021
AFGSC begins retirement of B-1 aircraft, paving way for B-21

In support of its efforts to modernize America’s bomber fleet, the Air Force will begin divesting 17 B-1B Lancers from its current fleet as authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act.
Jan. 11, 2021
Air Force participates in B-21 Beddown Construction Industry Day

The assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Energy, the Honorable John W. Henderson, provided keynote remarks at a virtual B-21 Industry Day, Jan. 11. The virtual event, hosted by the Rapid City Military Advisory Coalition, was held to increase industry awareness
Aug. 3, 2020
SecDef visits B-21 facilities in Florida

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark Esper, visited the B-21 Raider design and development headquarters at Northrop Grumman, to witness the progress being made on the nation’s most cutting edge dual-capable stealth bomber.
March 9, 2020
Senior leaders visit B-21 design, development headquarters

Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett was joined by Dr. Richard Joseph, Air Force chief scientist, and Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, in touring on-site facilities to observe B-21 engineering and manufacturing developments.
Feb. 27, 2020
Barrett highlights space, modernization, alliances, people as pressing priorities

Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett said Feb. 27 that successfully launching the Space Force while also modernizing the Air Force, strengthening ties with allies and partners and ensuring a culture of trust for Airmen and their families are the priorities that will drive the service into a
Feb. 6, 2020
VCSAF Wilson Visits B-21 Manufacturing Facility in Palmdale, California

During his visit to the Palmdale facility, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Stephen Wilson received a tour of the production line where the build of the initial test aircraft is currently underway and a briefing on the status of the overall program.
Oct. 9, 2019
420th FLTS reactivates to support B-21 Raider testing

The 420th Flight Test Squadron was reactivated following an assumption of command ceremony, Oct. 4. The squadron will plan, test, analyze and report on all flight and ground testing of the B-21 Raider.
Sept. 16, 2019
Acting SecAF Donovan announces B-21 manufacturing, testing locations

While speaking at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Donovan remarked on the Air Force’s B-21 program noting, “the development of the B-21 Raider is on schedule and the first test aircraft is under production at the same production facility in Palmdale, California, as its
July 22, 2019
Donovan visits B-21, X-37B facilities, L3 Harris Technologies

Acting Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donovan visited Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Design and Development Headquarters and the Kennedy Space Center to review the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Processing Facility, as well as the newly merged L3 Harris Technologies, Inc.
April 2, 2019
Wilson, Goldfein outline Air Force progress, need for larger force

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein told the House Armed Services Committee Tuesday that the Air Force must get bigger and funding must be predictable to meet – and defeat – security threats at home, globally and in space in an era of great
March 27, 2019
Air Force announces Ellsworth AFB as first B-21 base

The Air Force announced Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, has been selected as the preferred location for the first operational B-21 bomber and the formal training unit, March 27.
Dec. 14, 2018
Around the Air Force: B-21 Weapon Systems Review / F-35 Ops Test & Eval

On this look Around the Air Force, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson is happy with the progress of the B-21 Raider program and F-35 Lightning II pilots conduct initial operational tests and evaluations. Hosted by Senior Airman Jasmine Vanderheyden.
Dec. 10, 2018
B-21 Raider program holds weapons system critical design review

The Air Force successfully held a critical design review of the B-21 weapon system November 28-30, 2018. The event served as a multi-disciplined technical review that ensured the Air Force’s newest bomber has a stable and mature design as the program moves forward into manufacturing and flight
Nov. 16, 2018
Air Force announces bases to support B-21 Raider mission

The Air Force has selected Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, to coordinate maintenance and sustainment of the B-21 Raider and Edwards AFB, California, to lead testing and evaluation of the next generation long-range strike bomber.
May 2, 2018
Air Force selects locations for B-21 aircraft

The Air Force announced that the B-21 Raider will replace B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit aircraft at three existing bomber bases beginning in themid-2020s.
Feb. 12, 2018
Air Force outlines future of bomber force

The Air Force outlined plans for its bomber fleet in its Fiscal Year 2019 President’s Budget Request February 12, 2019.
Jan. 19, 2018
Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donovan highlights budget, readiness

The ability to adapt and stay ahead of potential adversaries is one of the greatest challenges the Air Force faces, Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donovan said during an Air Force Association breakfast in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2018.
Aug. 23, 2017
USAF awards contracts for new nuclear missile to Lockheed, Raytheon

The Air Force is on track to replace the aging AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile with modernized weapon capabilities designed for its nuclear bomber fleet, to include the B-21.
March 3, 2017
Disbrow delivers State of the AF

Acting Secretary of the Air Force Lisa S. Disbrow addressed current and future issues, and talked about some of the occasions the Air Force has to look forward to in 2017 during the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, March 3.
Sept. 20, 2016
B-21: Modernizing the bomber fleet

Following the Air Force secretary’s announcement that the new long-range strike bomber would be called the B-21 Raider, Gen. Robin Rand, the Air Force Global Strike Command commander, said during a session at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 19 the name brought the
Sept. 20, 2016
Around the Air Force: Sept. 20

On this look around the Air Force, Staff Sgt. Traci Keller takes us to the Air Force Association’s Air, Cyber and Space Conference where the name of the Air Force’s latest stealth bomber, the B-21, was announced.
Sept. 19, 2016
The B-21 has a name: Raider

The Air Force’s long-range strike bomber has officially been named the B-21 Raider.
May 13, 2016
Around the Air Force: May 13

This look around the Air Force takes us to a memorial for explosive ordnance disposal technicians at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; discusses the B-21 naming contest; and commemorates four decades of the U-2 in South Korea.
May 10, 2016
B-21 naming contest moves to next phase

Submission entries for the B-21 bomber naming contest concluded May 5. Active, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen, along with their dependents, submitted more than 4,600 entries in response to the contest announced by Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James during the Air Force Association Air Warfare
March 7, 2016
Air Force next-generation bomber naming contest begins

At the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James announced the newest bomber addition to the Air Force’s long history of aircraft, the B-21. Now it’s up to you to name it.

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