U.S. Air Force tests runway free MQ-9 Reaper operations in first of its kind mission at Kadena Air Base
An MQ-9 Reaper launched and landed without a runway on 8 October 2025 at Kadena Air Base in Japan, marking the first operation of its kind.
U.S.–Italian training effort evaluates U.S. Air Force’s next phase of undergraduate pilot instruction
The U.S. Air Force and the Italian Air Force have begun a joint undergraduate flying training Small Group Tryout at the International Flight Training School at Decimomannu Air Base.
U.S. Air Force F-35A fighters arrive at Kadena Air Base to strengthen Indo-Pacific airpower presence
F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base arrived at Kadena Air Base on 7 October 2025.
General Ken Wilsbach assumes U.S. Air Force leadership with pledge to sustain readiness and air superiority
General Ken Wilsbach took office as the United States Air Force’s highest ranking military leader on 18 November, stating that the service remains “the strongest, most capable, and lethal force in the world.
F-15E Strike Eagles end six-month mission marking first sustained fighter operations on Diego Garcia
F-15E Strike Eagles from the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron have returned to Kadena Air Base after a six-month deployment that included a three-month forward operation to Diego Garcia.
U.S. Air Force demonstrates American air power with B-52, F-35 and F-16 display at Dubai Airshow 2025
The Dubai Airshow 2025 opened with a strong display of American air power featuring the B-52 Stratofortress, F-35 Lightning II, F-16 Fighting Falcon and U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon.
B61-12 nuclear bomb flight tests on F-35 confirm weapon system performance and support U.S. stockpile reliability
Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have confirmed the successful completion of B61-12 stockpile flight tests on an F-35 aircraft.
U.S. Air Force executes Death Strike 25-03 munitions exercise focused on rapid war feadiness
Death Strike 25-03 involved a higher headquarters-approved War Reserve Material movement, including the large-scale handling, re-warehousing, and generation of the entire Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) stockpile.
U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers train with Finland and Sweden in NATO-led exercises across Europe and Nordic region
U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers have begun a new round of training in Europe, involving Sweden and Finland as part of wider coordination efforts with NATO allies.
Amentum secures U.S. Air Force contract worth up to $995 million to support and modernise MQ-9 Reaper
Amentum has been awarded the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Maintenance Support IDIQ contract by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.
U.S. Air Force projects slow F-35 Lightning II fleet growth as overall fighter numbers decline until 2028
The U.S. Air Force expects only modest growth in its F-35 fleet through the end of the decade, according to a new fighter roadmap submitted to Congress.
StandardAero delivers 1,000th J85-5 engine to U.S. Air Force in support of T-38 Talon programme
StandardAero has announced the delivery of its 1,000th J85-5 engine to the United States Air Force, five years after beginning support under the Engine Regional Repair Center contract.