The 50th Space Communications Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., on Jan. 22 activated the Norfolk Satellite Broadcast Manager site at Norfolk Naval Base, Va. It is the first of three global broadcast service operating locations that the squadron is taking over from the GBS joint program office to increase the operational and maintenance efficiency of the broadcast mission. Lt. Col. Donald Fielden, 50th SCS commander, said during the activation ceremony that his unit “is enthusiastically accepting the challenges” of supporting GBS, which is a space-based, high-capacity broadcast communication system. Activation of the two remaining operating locations at Wahiawa, Hawaii, and Sigonella, Italy, is expected soon. (Schriever report)
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.
