B-52s from Minot AFB, N.D., are deploying to the Middle East for their turn to fight ISIS. The bombers, assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron, will deploy to US Central Command to replace B-52s that deployed last year from Barksdale AFB, La. A Minot spokesperson on Wednesday confirmed the deployment to Air Force Magazine but did not provide a timeline. An advance group has already deployed to the base, the Grand Forks Herald reported. B-52s have been busy combating ISIS in Iraq and Syria, with the aircraft recently setting a record for consecutive sorties without a single flight canceled due to a maintenance issue, Maj. Gen. Jay Silveria, deputy commander of Air Forces Central Command, said last week. Barksdale B-52s deployed last year to replace B-1s that had been continuously deployed to CENTCOM since 2001 but needed to return home for maintenance and upgrades.
Air Force F-16 pilots are testing out new sensors that could help maximize their performance and avoid deadly accidents while flying fast fighter jets under heavy G-forces and stressful conditions.