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.
House, Senate Unveil Competing Proposals for 2026 Budget
July 11, 2025
Lawmakers from the House and Senate laid out competing versions of the annual defense policy bill on July 11, with vastly different potential outcomes for some of the Air Force’s most embattled programs.