Richard Bong Dies

Aug. 6, 1945

Army Air Force Maj. Richard I. Bong, America’ all-time leading ace, is killed in a P-80 accident. He had 40 confirmed victories.

KC-135 Pulled Out of Boneyard Weeks After Another Crashed in Iraq

May 21, 2026

The Air Force pulled a KC-135 out of storage at the “Boneyard” in early April, three weeks after another one of the service’s Stratotankers crashed in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury.

YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft Returns to Flight with Software Fix After Crash

May 21, 2026

The YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft has resumed flight testing after a six-week pause initiated when one of the drones crashed in early April.

Kadena to Get First F-15EXs in 2027 After Delay, Meink Says

May 21, 2026

The first F-15EX Eagle IIs will arrive at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, in 2027—a year later than originally planned—and the last of 36 planned fighters will likely get there in 2028, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said May 21.

Space Force Sees Path to Operationalize On-Orbit Logistics Demos

May 21, 2026

As the Space Force makes plans for two on-orbit refueling and maneuver demonstrations in 2027—and closely watches similar government and commercial endeavors—the service official overseeing the effort say he want to take these capabilities from demo to operations in short order.

New Report: Time Is Now to Start Work on Guardians in Space to Counter China

May 21, 2026

To counter Chinese ambitions, the U.S. Space Force must start work now to put Guardians in orbit and on the moon in the decades to come, according to a new paper from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Air Force Chief: MQ-9 Reaper ‘Most Valuable Player’ of Iran War Despite Losses

May 20, 2026

U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones have been the standout platform in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said May 20.

Air Force Asking for $1.5B to Fund E-7 in 2027

May 20, 2026

The Air Force’s planned budget amendment to restore funding for the E-7A Wedgetail in fiscal 2027 will be about $1.5 billion, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers May 20. The Air Force also plans to keep funding the E-7 in 2028 and beyond, Meink told the House Armed Services…

Meink: Long-Range Nuclear Cruise Missile ‘Going Well’ but Entering Critical Phase

May 20, 2026

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers May 20 that the program to build a new long-range nuclear cruise missile is performing “very well” in both cost and schedule—but will require support as it enters a critical phase.

Global Strike Command Launches Minuteman ICBM Test

May 20, 2026

Air Force Global Strike Command tested an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile early May 20, launching the ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.

Related

Enjoying This?

This content is free.

Thank You!

Welcome Back!