Air 
Force Reserve Command’s 307th Bomb Wing, a B-52 unit at Barksdale AFB, La., is now certified for the bomber’s nuclear mission following completion of an initial nuclear surety inspection earlier this month, announced wing officials. “This certification is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our people,” said Col. Jon Ellis, 307th BW commander, in Barksdale’s March 21 release. The Reserve wing runs the Air Force’s sole B-52 schoolhouse and its airmen also support the members of Barksdale’s Active Duty 2nd BW in operating and maintaining the latter’s combat-ready B-52s. The five-day inspection, conducted by an Air Force Global Strike Command-led team, concluded on March 18, states the release. The inspectors scrutinized the wing’s 343rd Bomb Squadron and 707th Maintenance Squadron in five areas: management and administration; technical operations; safety; personnel reliability program; and nuclear control order procedures. (See also Barksdale Reserve Realignment Takes Place.)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.