Latest air force news
Here are some of the latest news and updates from the United States Air Force:
Recent News
- B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Completes First Flight: The B-21 Raider, the Air Force's newest stealth bomber, completed its first flight on December 18, 2022. The aircraft is designed to penetrate heavily defended airspace and deliver precision strikes.
- F-35A Lightning II Fighter Jet Achieves Initial Operational Capability: The F-35A Lightning II fighter jet has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The IOC marks the first time the F-35A has been declared ready for combat operations.
- Air Force Awards Contract for Next-Generation Bomber: The Air Force has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to develop the Next-Generation Bomber (NGB), a new stealth bomber designed to replace the B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress.
- KC-46 Pegasus Tanker Completes First International Refueling Mission: The KC-46 Pegasus tanker has completed its first international refueling mission, refueling a Japanese F-15 fighter jet during a joint exercise with the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force.
- Air Force to Retire A-10 Thunderbolt II Attack Aircraft: The Air Force has announced plans to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, citing the need to focus on more modern and capable aircraft.
Upcoming Events
- Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber Conference: The Air Force Association's annual Air, Space & Cyber Conference will take place from September 12-14, 2023, in National Harbor, Maryland.
- Air Force's 75th Anniversary Celebration: The Air Force will celebrate its 75th anniversary on September 18, 2023, with a series of events and ceremonies across the country.
Recent Awards and Recognition
- Air Force Receives 2022 Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence: The Air Force has received the 2022 Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence in Acquisition Leadership for its work on the F-35A Lightning II fighter jet.
- Air Force Personnel Receive 2022 Air Force Association's General Billy Mitchell Award: Two Air Force personnel have received the 2022 Air Force Association's General Billy Mitchell Award for their outstanding contributions to the Air Force.
Recent Deployments and Exercises
- Air Force Deploys F-22 Raptors to Japan: The Air Force has deployed F-22 Raptors to Japan as part of a routine rotation of aircraft and personnel.
- Air Force Participates in Exercise Red Flag-Alaska: The Air Force has participated in Exercise Red Flag-Alaska, a biennial exercise that simulates combat scenarios and tests the readiness of Air Force units.
These are just a few of the latest news and updates from the United States Air Force. If you're interested in staying up-to-date on the latest Air Force news, I recommend following reputable sources such as the Air Force Times, Military.com, and the official Air Force website.