June 26, 1941

June 26, 1941

Royal Air Force Pilot Officer James E. “Johnnie” Johnson, flying a Supermarine Spitfire, records his first aerial victory, shooting down a German Messerschmitt Me-109 over France. Johnson goes on to record a total of 38 “kills”- all fighters – to become the RAF’s leading ace of World War II.

WATCH: Simulating Complex Threats in the Pacific with CAE

Sept. 15, 2026

At AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference, CAE takes Air & Space Forces Magazine behind the scenes of Valiant Shield 26, a Pacific exercise in June and July of 2026 focused on integrated air and missile defense and the defense...

AETC Boss Maps Path for New T-7 to Reach Initial Operational Capability

Sept. 15, 2026

The Air Force is targeting August 2027 for its new T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet to reach its initial operational capability. To get there, the head of Air and Education Training has three milestones he needs to see the program hit.

B-52 Engine, Radar Upgrades Hit New Milestones

Sept. 15, 2026

The Air Force’s program to re-engine the B-52H Stratofortress has moved from its technology maturation and risk reduction phase to engineering and manufacturing development, marking a new milestone in the sweeping overhaul of the Cold War-era bomber, a top official said Sept. 15.

Budget Impasse Will Stall 10 Percent of Space Force Programs, Officials Warn

Sept. 15, 2026

The Space Force estimates about 10 percent of its programs will be impacted under a continuing resolution for the coming fiscal year, according to Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess.

More Fighters Deploy to Middle East Amid Readiness Concerns

Sept. 15, 2026

A fresh National Guard squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets is rotating into the Middle East, seven months into the U.S. conflict with Iran. The high operational tempo of fighter units is prompting the Air Force to address concerns about extended deployments in the Middle East and their implications for…

BAE Unveils Cheap, Compact Electronic Warfare Systems for Small Platforms

Sept. 15, 2026

BAE Systems is building a new slate of compact electronic warfare tools for small airborne platforms that could coordinate with fighters, work with helicopters, or augment legacy aircraft with outdated, hard-to-update EW suites.

Space Force Accepting Applications for Interservice Transfers Until Oct. 2

Sept. 15, 2026

For the next few weeks, the Space Force is accepting applications from Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines who want to become Guardians.

F-117, the Original Stealth Fighter, Will Join Smithsonian Collection

Sept. 15, 2026

The Air Force F-117A Nighthawk—America’s first stealth fighter—will soon go on display among other iconic aircraft at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum's Udva-Hazy Center outside Washington, D.C.

AFSOC Launches Developmental Cruise Missile in Combat in Africa

Sept. 15, 2026

Air Force Special Operations Command recently fired small cruise missiles off an AC-130J gunship for combat operations in Africa, verifying the new weapon for broader operational use.

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