Airmen at Minot AFB, N.D., celebrated Aug. 19 the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first B-52H Stratofortress at the base. In honor of BUFF’s half century of service, a B-52 named the “Peace Persuader,” was painted with nostalgic nose art. The Minot Air Force Base Color Guard presented the colors during the ceremony and 1st Lt. Daniel Welche, 23rd Bomb Squadron copilot and a third-generation B-52 crew member, was the keynote speaker during the event. (Minot release)
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.