The B-52 bombers deployed to Guam from Barksdale AFB, La., flew more than 18 continuous hours to participate in US Pacific Command’s Koa Lightning exercise in the Hawaiian islands, receiving two aerial refuelings during the 6,880-nautical mile round trip. Co-pilot Capt. Matthew Quy called the experience “as close to a combat sortie as you could get.” The Barksdale bombers and about 300 airmen arrived at Andersen AFB, Guam, earlier this year for the latest USAF bomber rotation to reinforce PACOM’s strategic strike capability.
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.