May 18, 1953

May 18, 1953

Capt. Joseph C. McConnell Jr., flying an F-86, downs three MiG-15 fighters in two separate engagements. These victories give McConnell a total of 16 victories in just five months of action and make him the leading American ace of the Korean War.

Space Force Unit that Tracked Iranian Missiles Earns New Honor

July 14, 2025

The Guardians of the 11th Space Warning Squadron were honored as the top U.S. Space Force unit for 2024 for their role in thwarting Iranian missile barrages last year.

Carlyle ‘Smitty’ Harris, Vietnam POW Who Originated ‘Tap Code,’ Dies

July 14, 2025

Retired Col. Carlyle "Smitty" Harris, known for introducing the "tap code" by which American POWs in North Vietnam could surreptitiously communicate with one another, died July 6. Harris was brutalized by the North Vietnamese over almost eight years of captivity.

F-15EX Fighters Deploy to Japan for Training as Kadena Prepares for New Jets

July 14, 2025

Two F-15EX Eagle II fighters arrived for training at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 12 as the base gears up to receive a permanent fleet of the jets.

Air Force: Test B-21s Could Fly Combat Missions, Northrop Can Expand Production at Plant 42

July 14, 2025

Expanded production of the B-21 bomber can be accomplished at Northrop Grumman's existing Palmdale, Calif., facilities, the Air Force said. The service also stated that test aircraft will be so similar to the production version that early examples could be used in combat if necessary.

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.

B-52 Bomber Task Force Kicks Off in Guam as Pacific Exercises Rev Up

July 11, 2025

The Air Force kicked off a bomber task force deployment to Guam coinciding with a large-scale USAF exercise in the region that is intended to reinforce deterrence against China.

Iranian Ballistic Missile Hit US Air Base in Qatar in June, Pentagon Reveals

July 11, 2025

An Iranian ballistic missile struck Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar during Iran’s attack on the base June 23, the Pentagon told Air & Space Forces Magazine July 11. Defense officials have touted the success of U.S. and Qatari Patriot anti-missile systems in blunting the missile attack that Iran launched at…

USAF Moves F-16s from Japan to Korea, Clearing Way for F-35s

July 11, 2025

The Air Force permanently transferred F-16 fighter jets from Misawa Air Base in Japan to Osan Air Base in South Korea late last month, the next step in its transition to base F-35s in Japan. The move continues a modernization...

Air Force Senior Statesmen Make the Case for E-7, F-35, and Air Superiority

July 10, 2025

Air Force senior statesmen explained the reasons they jointly sent a letter to Congress urging restoration of the E-7 Wedgetail and more F-35s to the fiscal 2026 defense budget.

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