Air Force Global Strike Command’s Global Strike Challenge has concluded, with presentation of trophies to the winning units last week at Barksdale AFB, La. The 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., took the Fairchild Trophy for top bomb wing as well as the Charlie Fire Team Trophy for best security forces. The 90th Missile Wing at FE Warren AFB, Wyo., swept the Blanchard Trophy for best ICBM wing. AFGSC hosted the challenge, reminiscent of the Strategic Air Command competitions held throughout the Cold War, for its own six wings as well as Air Combat Command, the Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve Command units. The competition consisted of three parts: bombing and weapon loading, from April to August; ICBM operations and maintenance, held from September to October; and security forces tactical operations, from Nov. 13-16. (For full results, see this Barksdale release)
The first flight of the secretive B-21 bomber has slipped to mid-2022, but the program is moving along well, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director Randall Walden said in an exclusive interview. The second copy of the B-21, which will be used for structural testing, is now on the production…