Latest news with #AirCombatCommand
Business Insider
2 days ago
- General
- Business Insider
I visited the only B-2 stealth bomber on display in the world. Take a closer look.
The advanced warplanes, which cost around $2 billion each, can evade radar detection and drop tens of thousands of pounds of nuclear or conventional weapons. They were most recently deployed in Operation Midnight Hammer in June, dropping 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Iran's nuclear facilities. All 19 of the US Air Force's operational B-2 planes are housed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, where access is strictly limited. However, there is one place in the world where a B-2 is on permanent public display: the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. I visited the museum in August to see the one-of-a-kind exhibit. Take a look. The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit entered development during the Cold War, and the first plane became operational in 1993. B-2s were used in Operation Allied Force in Serbia in 1999, as well as in Afghanistan and Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom in the early advanced stealth technologies that make it extremely difficult to detect by radar, a capacity to deploy nuclear and conventional weapons, and an ability to refuel midair for flight times that can exceed 30 hours, the B-2 is one of the most powerful warplanes in the world, and it has a very long reach. No other country operates anything comparable to the combat power and capability of the B-2 bomber. Technicians conducted over 1,000 hours of temperature testing at McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and found that the B-2 could withstand temperatures ranging from -65 degrees to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. To commemorate their work, the technicians painted a decorative "Fire & Ice" decal on the nose landing gear panel and signed their art was popular during World War II, when pilots and crew members would often personalize their planes with cartoons, pinups, or tallies of their missions. It's not as common on bombers in active service today. Air Combat Command prepares and equips Air Force teams to provide fighter power, intelligence, cyber operations, and support for combat missions around the shield-shaped emblem shows a downward-facing sword with wings spread on either side. The "509th" and "Follow us" reference the origins of the modern 509th Bomb Wing, which operates B-2 World War II, the historic 509th Composite Group was responsible for deploying nuclear weapons. The B-29 Superfortress bombers that dropped the first atomic bombs on Japan were part of this motto was "Follow Us, Follow Us, as we usher in the Nuclear Age," according to the US Air Force's official 509th was instrumental in the formation of Strategic Air Command and continues to support US nuclear deterrence. I found the B-2 to be one of the most memorable exhibits at the museum. The National Museum of the US Air Force features around 350 planes and missiles over 19 acres of exhibit space — among which were an Air Force One used by eight US presidents, Titan and Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles, and the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki — but seeing one of the world's most advanced warplanes up close was a memorable experience.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pregnant pilots and aircrew grounded for first trimester under new Air Force flying rules
Air Force pilots and aircrew who are pregnant will no longer be allowed to fly during their first trimester under revised flight rules announced by the service Tuesday. The move is one of several updates to rules for pregnant women that both restrict and loosen when they can fly. None of the changes were prompted by any specific cases involving pregnant airmen, said Rose Riley, an Air Force spokeswoman. The new rules, she said, bring the Air Force guidelines more in line with other military branches' policies on when pregnant service members can fly. In 2022, the service began allowing pregnant women in flight roles to apply for waivers to keep flying all the way from their first trimester through the 28th week of their pregnancy, Riley told Task & Purpose. The new rules change that window. Now, pregnant aircrew members cannot be approved to fly during their first trimester when the risk of a miscarriage is highest, she said. But once past that first trimester, women can now seek a waiver to keep flying until the 32nd week of their pregnancy — four weeks longer than previously allowed. However, the new rules put a hard stop to all flying in planes with ejection seats at any time during their pregnancy, Riley said. Those aircraft include fighters, bombers, and trainers. Health risks to pregnant women increase dramatically if they are exposed to more than three times the force of gravity, or 3Gs, Riley said. When ejection seats launch free of a plane, they can generate around 18Gs. Airmen who fly in aircraft without ejection seats — like cargo planes, helicopters and refueling tankers — can still apply for waivers to fly between the twelfth and 32nd weeks of pregnancy, Riley said, a policy change that allows airmen to keep flying four weeks longer than before. The Air Force found no significant increase in health risks for airmen who fly during the 28th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy, Riley said. As part of the latest policy updates, Air Force major commands will now be responsible for approving waivers for pregnant airmen instead of local flight surgeons, Riley said. The Air Force has nine major commands, or higher headquarters levels: Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Mobility Command, Pacific Air Forces, and United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. Having waivers adjudicated at the major command surgeon general level will allow medical professionals with more experience to determine if pregnant airmen face any health risks by flying, according to the Air Force. Those 'Hegseth bodyguards' are actually there for the Air Force's 'Doomsday' plane Army wants junior officers to fix quality-of-life issues that drive soldiers out '100% OPSEC' apparently means texting military plans to a reporter Ranger School's new fitness test is tougher than ever, but nixes sit-ups This photo of Air Force special ops pool training is chaos. There's a reason for that.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Altus Airpower Stampede hosts Open House and Air Show April 12-13
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (KFOR) – Altus Air Force Base is scheduled to host the Altus Airpower Stampede Open House and Air Show on April 12 and 13, 2025. The free, two-day event is open to the public, providing a unique opportunity to witness world-class aerial demonstrations and cutting-edge military aircraft. The lineup is set to feature a dynamic mix of military aviation beginning with headliner Air Combat Command F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team: F-35A Lightning II Heritage flight featuring the P-51 Mustang 'Gunfighter,' The historically significant TORA! TORA! TORA! Pearl Harbor reenactment C-5 Galaxy, KC-46 Pegasus, and CH-47 Chinook DETAILS: DATE: Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, TIME: 8:30 a.m. The general public can enter through the South Gate, located at 428 Challenger Ave. Altus, OK 73521, with ample parking available on base. The South Gate will transition to outbound traffic only at 2:30 p.m. DoD cardholders only, may enter through the main gate 4Warn Storm Team tracking severe weather moving into Oklahoma Attendees are permitted one clear bag and one small clutch. For a complete list of prohibited items click here. For more information click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
