The Air Force and its industry partners launched WGS-6, the sixth Wideband Global Satellite Communications spacecraft, into orbit on Wednesday aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket fired from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. The launch of the Boeing-built satellite took place at 8:29 p.m. local time, according to the service’s Aug. 7 release. Approximately 57 minutes later, satellite controllers confirmed that the spacecraft was functioning as expected, states Boeing’s release. This satellite will provide additional wideband SATCOM coverage for US military forces and foreign partners, including Australia. The latter supported the cost of WGS-6 under a partnership agreement. Over the next few months, Boeing will begin on-orbit testing of WGS-6 to verify its performance and prepare it for operational use. WGS-6 is scheduled to enter operations in early 2014, according to the Air Force. This is the second WGS launch this year, following the WGS-5 mission in May. “WGS is providing unparalleled global communications capabilities to soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen for the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and New Zealand,” said Charlotte Gerhart, chief of the Air Force’s Wideband SATCOM division at Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
Airman Charged in M18 Shooting Death Found Dead
Oct. 27, 2025
The Airman arrested in connection with the M18 pistol discharge that killed a fellow member of Air Force security forces on July 20 in Wyoming was found dead earlier this month, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed.
