The commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena AB, Japan, declared force protection condition Bravo for the installation after someone cut a hole in the perimeter fence near the flight line. The heightened security, implemented late last week, came after this discovery and a “series of unusual incidents,” including “surveillance of a base gate and multiple attempts to enter the installation by a pair of unauthorized individuals,” according to a base release. Kadena officials were urging airmen to be aware of their surroundings and contact security forces if they noticed anything unusual. (Kadena report by 2nd Lt. Hope Cronin)
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.