Air-to-Air Combat Over North Vietnam

March 4, 1966

A flight of Air Force F-4C Phantoms is attacked by three MiG-17s in the first air-to-air combat of the war over North Vietnam. The MiGs make unsuccessful passes before fleeing to the sanctuary of the Communist capital area.

F-22s Leave Caribbean as Trump Administration Maps Out Venezuela Strategy

Jan. 5, 2026

On Jan. 4, a dozen U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors departed Puerto Rico, where they had landed following their participation in Operation Absolute Resolve. Those fighters appeared to have flown directly from their home base at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., to participate in the operation and returned there two days…

Procedural Failures, Poor Supervision Led to F-22 Maintainer Death: Report

Jan. 5, 2026

An Air Force maintenance team in Alaska failed to follow “prescribed procedures” while working on an F-22 weapons bay, leading to a mishap March 25, 2024 that killed Staff Sgt. Charles A. Crumlett, according to a recent accident investigation report.

Air Force Signs $2 Billion Deal to Re-Engine Two B-52s for Testing

Jan. 5, 2026

The Air Force inked a $2 billion deal with Boeing to install new engines on two B-52 bombers and begin testing of the new eight-engine configuration.

Vandenberg Explores More Launch Pads, Including One for Super Heavy Rockets

Jan. 5, 2026

The Space Force is eyeing upgrades to launch more and bigger rockets from its western range at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., in the coming years.

US Airpower Paved the Way for Delta Force to Capture Venezuela’s Maduro

Jan. 3, 2026

U.S. military and law enforcement officials captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a high-stakes military operation on Jan. 3, a mission carried out by the Army's Delta Force and supported by extensive American airpower.

Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026

Dec. 30, 2025

The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

Space Force Tackles Near-Term Training Needs with an Eye Toward a High-Fidelity Range

Dec. 29, 2025

While the Space Force is still making long-term plans to establish high-fidelity live and virtual test and training ranges in the coming years, officials say they're also working with operators to identify near-term gaps and quickly field capabilities to address them.

USAF Adds to SOUTHCOM Buildup, Deploying F-35s to Puerto Rico

Dec. 24, 2025

F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

US Bets on On-Orbit Satellite Servicing with 4 Missions in 2026

Dec. 24, 2025

Four satellite missions will launch in the coming year to demonstrate on-orbit refueling, servicing, and repair capabilities to extend the lives of military satellites. Funded by different Department of Defense entities, each will also entail commercial efforts.

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