Latest news with #AirForceGlobalStrikeCommand
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
These Air Force fighters and bombers just flew together for the first time
Attendees at a recent Miami airshow witnessed an unprecedented 'Freedom Flyover' of three types of Air Force bombers and four types of fighters that had never been seen flying together before, said Charles Hoffman, a spokesman for Air Force Global Strike Command. 'It's not just about fighters and bombers,' Hoffman told Task & Purpose. 'It's about an integrated team of professionals coming together across the total force to illustrate the readiness and resolve of the active duty, Guard and Reserve force any time…anywhere.' The 2025 Hyundai Air & Sea Show on Saturday marked the first time that a B-52H, B-1B, B-2, F-22. F-15C, F-16C, and A-10 have flown in a formation, Hoffman said. 'We have done a few tri-bomber flyovers, and the command wanted to do something special and unique to honor the fallen for Memorial Day at the Miami Air Show,' Hoffman said. The reason that an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter was not part of the formation is that none were available at the time, Hoffman said. Each of the aircraft showcased different capabilities that the Air Force brings to the fight, Hoffman said. The B-2 is designed to penetrate advanced enemy air defenses, and both the B-52 and B-1 are able to attack targets from a distance with standoff weapons, he said. 'The fighters represent the ability to get global strike to and from anywhere … anytime and maintain air superiority and persistent tactical ground attack,' Hoffman said. The airmen had to show tremendous skill to fly the seven aircraft in a single formation, especially since the fighters are designed to fly much faster than the bombers, he said. The display of airpower comes after a recent 'elephant walk' of 53 Air Force and Navy aircraft along with Army missile batteries at Kadena Air Base, Japan. As Task & Purpose previously reported, that elephant walk contained just about every airframe needed for a fight in the Pacific — and was likely put on with China in mind. Task & Purpose asked Hoffman if the Air Force was sending a message to China with the Freedom Flyover's unique combination of fighters and bombers. 'The flyover served to honor the fallen for Memorial Day and simultaneously illustrated the Air Force's ability to project power, communicate resolve, and provide options in times of crisis,' Hoffman replied. Still, the formation's first-ever combination of bombers and fighters demonstrated that the Air Force is 'not to be trifled with,' said retired Air Force Col. Mark Gunzinger, a former B-52 instructor pilot and flight evaluator. 'Did it send a signal to our nation's enemies, including China? Absolutely,' said Gunzinger, who previously served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for forces transformation and resources. Gunzinger noted that the planes that took part in the Miami airshow were flown by both active-duty troops and reservists. 'China is rolling out a lot of new kit, but a key point is their airmen lack the decades of combat experience our airmen have, and that can make the difference between victory and failure in war,' said Gunzinger, who is currently the director of future concepts and capability assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. However, Gunzinger added that the planes that flew at the Miami airshow were designed decades ago. The B-52, for example, first flew in 1952, just five years after the Air Force became an independent military branch. 'We have the combat edge in terms of experience,' Gunzinger said. 'We have the best airmen in the world, but we must increase our advantage over China by providing our airmen with new kit, because we don't want to engage in a fair fight. We want to dominate, and that will only occur if we modernize our Air Force.' 18 Army Rangers suspended for allegedly firing blanks at Florida beach Hegseth announces accountability review of Afghanistan withdrawal Coast Guard rescue swimmers saved a worker stuck in hardening concrete after roof collapse This National Guard unit went completely analog to simulate a cyber attack Fewer reenlistment options for soldiers amid high Army retention
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WATCH: Air Force demonstration over Miami Beach
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Air Force fighter and bomber jets took to the skies over Miami Beach in the ninth annual Hyundai Air & Sea Show. The event took place on May 24 and May 25 and brought together all six branches of the military for choreographed demonstrations. The formation in the video was showcased the Air Force Global Strike Command and had never been seen before Saturday. The jets were led by the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and included a B-1B Lancer, B-52H Stratofortress, F-22 Raptor, F-15C Eagle, F-16C Fighting Falcon, and an A-10 Thunderbolt II. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US tests launch of nuclear-capable ICBM Minuteman III in show of force
The U.S. Air Force conducted a routine launch of an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead on Wednesday morning, the military said. The LGM-30G Minuteman III missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, the Air Force said. The unarmed missile, equipped with a single Mark-21 High Fidelity Re-Entry Vehicle, traveled 15,000 mph to a test range near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, located about 4,200 miles from the launch site, the military said. "This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad," Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, said in a statement. Trump Unveils 'Golden Dome' Missile Shield, Blindsides Key Senators The "triad" refers to the three different types of nuclear weapons delivery systems that the U.S. military can use to launch nuclear attacks. The systems are land-based ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable strategic bombers. Read On The Fox News App The Air Force said the test was routine and "not a response to current world events," adding that more than 300 similar tests have been conducted in the past. Iran's Khamenei Says Americans Should Avoid Talking 'Nonsense' In Nuke Talks "This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities designed to demonstrate that the United States' nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, reliable and effective in deterring 21st-century threats and reassuring our allies," the Air Force said. The Minuteman weapon system is a program that first became operational in the early 1970s, and has received enhancements over the course of nearly 60 years, the military said. The Air Force now plans to replace the aging Minuteman with the modernized Sentinel article source: US tests launch of nuclear-capable ICBM Minuteman III in show of force
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US test fires Minuteman III nuclear missile a day after Donald Trump announced Golden Dome
A day after President Donald Trump announced the plan to develop and deploy a massive anti-missile defense system named Golden Dome to protect the entire US, the country demonstrated its readiness to launch nuclear-tipped projectile capable of hitting targets several thousand miles away. The nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was test launched as part of the nuclear deterrent demonstration by a joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen. The Minuteman III was not armed but equipped with a single Mark-21 High Fidelity Re-Entry Vehicle and fired from the Western Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base , California on May 21 at 12:01 am Pacific Time. The ICBM's reentry vehicle flew nearly 4,200 miles (6759 kilometers) and splashed in the Pacific Ocean in US Army Space and Missile Defense Command's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site located within Republic of the Marshall Islands at the Kwajalein Atoll. 'This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad. This powerful safeguard is maintained by dedicated Airmen – missileers, defenders, helicopter operators and the teams who supports them – who ensure the security of the nation and its allies,' said General Thomas Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command in a press release following the test firing. Also Read: Trump's Golden Dome, the future of defence or a Star Wars fantasy in space? US's one and only dedicated ICBM test organization, Vandenberg's 377th Test and Evaluation Group, oversaw the test launch. The press release quoted the 377th Test and Evaluation Group commander Colonel Dustin Harmon applauding the missile test. Live Events 'Minuteman III remains the bedrock of our nation's strategic deterrent and the unwavering dedication of the Airmen who ensure its readiness are a testament to its inherent lethality. Their expertise and commitment are vital to maintaining this credible force for peace. As we look to the future, these same Airmen are paving the way for the Sentinel ICBM, ensuring a seamless transition to this next-generation capability and the continued security of our nation," said Col. Harmon. Minuteman III ICBM details In service since 1970, Minuteman III can carry a single nuclear warhead and can hit a target 8,700 miles (14,000 km) away. It is 18.3 meters longs and weighs 36,030 kilograms. The deadly missile reaches a speed of Mach 23 (17,500 mph; 28,200 km/h) in the terminal phase while hitting the target. The thermonuclear warhead it carries can be detonate either on contact with the target or even be programmed to airburst above the same to impact a larger area. President Trump had on May 20 announced the multi-billion dollar Golden Dome missile shield which would use space-based assets along with land and sea based radars to track and intercept enemy missiles launched at targets in the US. The defensive shield project will be led by Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations General Michael A. Guetlein. However, a major component of the Golden Dome is the space-based interceptors, a technology which is yet to be fully developed and mastered.
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First Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
What is the Minuteman III missile that the US just launched?
The US Air Force successfully launched an unarmed Minuteman III missile from California, showcasing the strength of its land-based nuclear deterrent. As America transitions to the next-generation Sentinel ICBM, this test was aimed at highlighting the continued relevance of the ageing Minuteman III system read more An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during an operational test at 12:01 Pacific Time May 21, 2025, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, US. Image/US Air Force The United States successfully launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the early hours of May 21, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The test, which forms part of a long-standing series of routine operations, was aimed at showcasing America's continued reliance on and maintenance of its nuclear deterrence triad amid ongoing preparations to introduce the next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM. The Minuteman III, a key component of US strategic defence, has long served as the sole land-based missile in the nation's nuclear triad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The recent launch was executed at 12:01 am Pacific Time by a joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command personnel. The unarmed missile, fitted with a high-fidelity Mark-21 reentry vehicle, was fired from Vandenberg and flew approximately 4,200 miles before reaching its target at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defence Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. AFGSC Airmen & Guardians supported an operational test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM on May 21 at 12:01 am PT. This test validates the safety & readiness of the weapon system. Read here: | @usairforce | @SpaceForceDoD | @ArmySMDC — Air Force Global Strike Command (@AFGlobalStrike) May 21, 2025 According to US General Thomas Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, 'This ICBM test launch underscores the strength of the nation's nuclear deterrent and the readiness of the ICBM leg of the triad.' He added, 'This powerful safeguard is maintained by dedicated Airmen – missileers, defenders, helicopter operators and the teams who support them – who ensure the security of the nation and its allies.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These tests are conducted as part of routine assurance measures and are not tied to any particular global incident. With over 300 similar launches conducted to date, they serve to validate the operational capability, security and accuracy of the US nuclear missile systems. What we know about Minuteman III The LGM-30G Minuteman III is a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile deployed by the US Air Force Global Strike Command. Introduced in the early 1970s, the Minuteman III was the first missile in the US arsenal to feature multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). Originally capable of carrying three warheads, current configurations carry a single warhead, in compliance with arms control agreements. The missile operates using a three-stage, solid-fuel rocket engine, allowing for rapid launch readiness and reduced maintenance complexity compared to older liquid-fuel designs. This technological advancement enabled Minuteman missiles to be kept in a constant state of alert, a critical capability during the Cold War and beyond. An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile streaks through the sky of Vandenberg in California, US, August 25, 2005. File Image/Reuters With a maximum range of approximately 13,000 kilometres, the Minuteman III is capable of reaching targets across continents. It stands 18.2 metres tall, has a diameter of 1.85 metres, and weighs over 34,000 kilograms at launch. Its reentry vehicles, particularly the Mark 21 variant, have yield estimates ranging between 300 and 475 kilotonnes and are guided by an advanced inertial navigation system with an accuracy of around 120 metres circular error probable (CEP). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Each missile is housed in a hardened underground silo, connected to a launch control center via reinforced cables. Around-the-clock monitoring is conducted by dual-officer crews who maintain constant alert status. The system also includes redundant communication pathways, including the E-6B airborne launch control centers, which can assume control of missiles in the event of disrupted ground communications. About the recent missile launch The Western Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base serves as the primary hub for ICBM test launches. The operation was supervised by the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, the only dedicated US ICBM testing unit. US Colonel Dustin Harmon, who commands the group, highlighted the importance of the missile and the people who maintain it: 'Minuteman III remains the bedrock of our nation's strategic deterrent and the unwavering dedication of the Airmen who ensure its readiness are a testament to its inherent lethality.' Support also came from missile wings stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. Teams from these wings provided technical assistance and helped with system maintenance ahead of the launch. At the other end of the test, the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands played a key role in collecting radar, optical, and telemetry data. These data sets were instrumental in evaluating the missile's performance during its terminal flight phase. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US Army Lt. Col. Casey Rumfelt, range director at Reagan Test Site, highlighted its global relevance: 'Reagan Test Site is an indispensable national asset, uniquely equipped to support critical tests of our nation's offensive and defensive systems, including all Glory Trip missions.' What will replace the Minuteman III The Minuteman III forms one leg of the US nuclear triad, alongside the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched nuclear weapons aboard strategic bombers. This triad ensures that the United States retains the ability to respond to a nuclear attack from multiple platforms, enhancing deterrence through survivability and redundancy. Although the Minuteman III has performed reliably for over five decades, it is now nearing the end of its service life. The US Air Force plans to replace it with the LGM-35A Sentinel as part of the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) programme. The Sentinel is expected to achieve initial operational capability by 2029, with a complete transition projected through the 2030s. Also Watch: During the interim, the US continues to invest in extending the Minuteman III's viability. Between 2002 and 2012, nearly $7 billion was allocated for upgrades to extend the missile's service life to 2030. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Air Force currently maintains about 450 Minuteman III missiles, distributed across missile fields in North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, with around 150 missiles per location. Col. Harmon stated, 'As we look to the future, these same Airmen are paving the way for the Sentinel ICBM, ensuring a seamless transition to this next-generation capability and the continued security of our nation.' A look at the history of Minuteman series The Minuteman series originated in the 1950s, with the goal of developing a missile system that could be launched at a moment's notice. Unlike earlier liquid-fuelled rockets that required lengthy fuelling procedures and were vulnerable to pre-emptive strikes, the Minuteman's solid-fuel design enabled it to remain launch-ready for extended periods. The first Minuteman missile entered service in 1962 as a second-strike deterrent. Over time, evolving threats and technological developments shifted the missile's role from targeting cities to striking hardened military assets such as enemy missile silos. With the retirement of the LGM-118 Peacekeeper missile in 2005, the Minuteman III became the only land-based ICBM in active US service. The US Strategic Command, in partnership with the Department of Defence and the Department of Energy, continues to use data from these test launches to guide force development and modernisation efforts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Although modifications under treaties like START and New START have reduced the number of warheads per missile, the Minuteman III's design allows for potential reconfiguration should the global security landscape demand it. With inputs from agencies
