US Air Force (USAF)
USAF ushers in era of the B-21 after new stealth bomber makes public debut
The USAF marked a major milestone in its history on December 2, when the air arm ushered in a new age of sixth-generation combat aircraft with the public unveiling of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber at Northrop Grumman’s production facilities in Palmdale, California
First USAF F-15s leave Kadena as phased withdrawal effort begins
The phased withdrawal of USAF-operated Boeing F-15C/D Eagles from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, commenced on December 1, when the first eight 18th Wing aircraft departed from the base
Behind the scenes with 493rd FS F-15Cs
A selection of ten stunning photos from the book ‘Mission Ready – Inside the Best Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Air Force’ by Patrick van Dam
The story behind the USAF's controversial CSAR Replacement Vehicle project
The shambles over the selection for the Combat Search and Rescue Replacement Vehicle (CSAR-X) programme raised questions over procurement processes. David Willis details one of USAF’s most controversial projects
Inside US F-22 air shielding along NATO eastern flank
Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptors have taken on air shielding taskings along NATO’s eastern flank. Peter ten Berg reports from Łask Air Base in Poland
How US F-35s are protecting NATO aircraft from Russian missile threat over Poland
Almost all NATO aircraft operating over Poland are within range of Russian S-400 battalions stationed in Kaliningrad and Belarus. Babak Taghvaee details how the Green Mountain Boys’ first European deployment with the F-35 was designed to counter this threat
How is the USAF's PACAF command posturing to address the China threat?
The USAF’s Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) command faces an increasing challenge amid growing tensions with China. AirForces Monthly takes a detailed view of PACAF and the vital role it plays
Just a Nice Pic Competition - Top 10!
Combat Aircraft Journal presents ten outstanding images from its first ‘just a nice pic’ competition.
Secretive X-37B spaceplane returns from record-breaking two-year mission
The US Space Force’s secretive Boeing X-37B OTV – a highly classified, unmanned, reusable spaceplane – has returned to Earth after successfully completing its sixth operational mission, during which the platform beat its own previous flight duration record by remaining in orbit for 908 days before landing
109th AW ‘Skibird’ marks first Antarctic deployment with upgraded engines
After receiving new, more powerful turboprop engines, the New York ANG's 109th Airlift Wing deployed the first of five Lockheed LC-130H Hercules transports to Antarctica on October 19 in support of research operations being conducted by the US National Science Foundation