Last “Belle” Crewmember Dies:

Oct. 10, 2005

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Last Belle Crewmember Dies: Robert Hanson, 85, the last surviving member of the crew of the B-17 Memphis Belle, died Oct. 1 of heart illness at his home. Hanson was the radio operator for the famous bomber that was one of the first to complete 25 combat missions in World War II. The crew completed their last mission on May 17, 1943, and returned with the bomber to the states to help sell war bonds.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Trending Stories

Space Force Tackles Near-Term Training Needs with an Eye Toward a High-Fidelity Range

Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026

Wilsbach Wants Air Force Leaders to Get Back in the Cockpit

Air Force Shutting Down AI Chatbot NIPRGPT

Related

Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026

Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

USAF Adds to SOUTHCOM Buildup, Deploying F-35s to Puerto Rico

Dec. 24, 2025
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

US Bets on On-Orbit Satellite Servicing with 4 Missions in 2026

Dec. 24, 2025
Four satellite missions will launch in the coming year to demonstrate on-orbit refueling, servicing, and repair capabilities to extend the lives of military satellites. Funded by different Department of Defense entities, each will also entail commercial efforts. 

PHOTOS: Remembering 2025 in the Air Force and Space Force

Dec. 24, 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, Air & Space Forces Magazine selected several dozen of the best photos capturing exploration, activities, achievements, challenges, salutes, history, and milestones for Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Check them out below, and Happy Holidays!

Wilsbach Wants Air Force Leaders to Get Back in the Cockpit

Dec. 23, 2025
Three weeks after being sworn in as the new Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach climbed into the cockpit of an F-22 fighter on Nov. 24 and prepared to take off from Langley Air Force Base, Va. Now he wants the rest of the Air Force’s top leaders to likewise…

White House Order Underlines Space Force’s Counterspace Mission

Dec. 22, 2025
A new White House new executive order, “Ensuring American Space Superiority,” emphasizes space security as a high priority for President Donald Trump and underlines the Space Force’s role in not only defending U.S. assets, but also in the attack mission.