Airmen from Barksdale AFB, La., deployed to the Middle East earlier this month to continue hammering ISIS in B-52s. The airmen from the 11th Bomb Squadron, 20th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Squadron, and the 2nd Operations Squadron deployed to Al Udeid AB, Qatar, from Sept. 6-10 to replace B-52 crews from Barksdale that have been deployed since April. The new deployment will be the first time B-52s in theater will be outfitted with the new CONECT modification, which improves communication and situational awareness, according to a Barksdale release. The Air Force has set up a new continuous bomber presence in CENTCOM to keep bombers deployed for fights both in Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan. B-52s first deployed to CENTCOM in April to replace B-1Bs, and increased operations as the deployment progressed and airmen were able to build up Al Udeid’s infrastructure to support operations.
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…
