September 12, 1959

Sept. 12, 1959
The Soviet Union launches Luna 2, the first man-made object to reach the moon.

Related

Air Base Defense Is Our Duty. It’s Been Ignored Too Long

Oct. 30, 2025
Here is an axiom that may be regarded as Rule 1 for the military way of life: All officers must defend the lives and resources entrusted to them against hostile attack. For civilians, Rule 1 equates to “the right to...

Wilsbach Confirmed as Air Force Chief

Oct. 30, 2025
Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach was confirmed as the 24th Air Force Chief of Staff Oct. 30 by unanimous consent. Shortly before, his predecessor, Gen. David W. Allvin, was "clapped" out of the Pentagon, 10 weeks after he unexpectedly announced his retirement on Aug. 18, two years into his four-year term.

Colorado Sues to Stop SPACECOM Move

Oct. 30, 2025
Colorado’s attorney general is suing the Trump administration in an effort to block the President’s decision to relocate U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Ala.

Some Guard Troops Won’t Get Paid Until Shutdown Ends

Oct. 29, 2025
The National Guard Bureau says most units are postponing drills during the shutdown, but some states are sticking to their training schedule, resulting in a patchwork of different policies and some confusion in the ranks.

F-35s, F-16s Rapidly Deploy to Greenland for Exercise

Oct. 29, 2025
NORAD surged two F-35s, two F-16s, and a trio of KC-135s to Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland earlier this month for a “dynamic operational exercise,” testing its ability to rapidly deploy forces in the Arctic.