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  • MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. - A B-52H Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., soars through the elements during the rapid launch portion of Prairie Vigilance 09-7 here April 29. Prairie Vigilance is a combined-wing nuclear operational readiness exercise designed to demonstrate safe, secure, reliable nuclear weapons standards and procedures. A sequence of 12 B-52s successfully launched confirming the Air Force’s agile ability to respond when called upon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr.)

    Minot bomb wing commander relieved of duty

    The commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., was relieved of command Oct. 30 due to loss of confidence in his ability to command. Col. Joel S. Westa was removed by Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, commander of 8th Air Force. Colonel Westa assumed command in November 2007. Colonel Westa was not relieved for any alleged misconduct
  • Eighth Air Force

    8th Air Force transfers non-bomber units, continues Nuclear Enterprise Transformation

    Eighth Air Force reached a milestone in its Nuclear Enterprise Transformation today with the transfer of its non-bomber units to 9th and 12th Air Forces.Under this unit reassignment, 12th AF gains the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.; and the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force
  • MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.-- Col. Charles E. Patnaude, 5th Operations Group commander, passes the guidon to Lt. Col Michael Cardoza, 69th Bomb Squadron commander, during the 69th’s activation ceremony here, Sept. 3. The new squadron was established to provide each B-52 Wing with two active-duty combat coded squadrons, which will give the Air Force “bench depth” to rotate the squadrons across the mission sets as recommended in the Defense Science Board Report. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr.)

    69th Bomb Squadron reactivates at Minot AFB

    The 69th Bomb Squadron was reactivated during an activation ceremony here Sept. 3. The new unit is the fourth operational B-52H Stratofortress squadron in the Air Force and joins the 23rd Bomb Squadron as the second squadron at Minot. Barksdale Air Force Base, La. has two operational B-52 units, the 20th and 96th. The new squadron was established
  • Air Force Global Strike Command, stood up Aug. 7 at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., will provide combat ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of combatant commanders. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

    Air Force stands up Global Strike Command

    The Air Force stood-up a new major command to oversee all of its nuclear forces in an activation ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 7. Air Force Global Strike Command will provide combat ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of combatant commanders. "This week we achieved a major
  • Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, 8th Air Force commander, unveils the plaque for the newly dedicated Eighth Air Force Eaker Air & Space Operations Center at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 15. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carla Pampe)

    Eighth Air Force dedicates Air Operations Center

    The 8th Air Force Air and Space Operations Center got a new name Wednesday when it was dedicated to one of "The Mighty Eighth's" most legendary leaders. In a ceremony presided over by 8th Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, the AOC was officially renamed The Eighth Air Force Eaker Air & Space Operations Center, named for Gen. Ira C.
  • Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, 8th Air Force Commander.

    Eighth Air Force commander greets Airmen of 'The Mighty Eighth'

    I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to continue to serve in Eighth Air Force. I know firsthand all the great things the men and women of "The Mighty Eighth" are doing, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to lead this great organization. It is certainly an exciting time for 8th Air Force! In the last few months, we've witnessed the
  • Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, receives the Eighth Air Force flag from Gen. John D.W. Corley, commander of Air Combat Command, as he assumes command of Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) June 1. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Maj. Richard Komurek)

    'The Mighty Eighth' changes command

    Leadership of Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) changed hands June 1 when Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter assumed command from Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr., becoming the 48th commander of "The Mighty Eighth." Gen. John D.W. Corley, commander of Air Combat Command, presided over the ceremony, with Gen. Kevin Chilton, commander of U.S. Strategic

  • JFCC Global Strike gets new commander

    With a salute and the words, "Sir, I accept command," Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter took command of the Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike from Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder, at 10:30 a.m., in a change of command ceremony here today. Lt. Gen. Elder will have a retirement ceremony following the 8th Air Force change of command ceremony to
  • MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Members of the 5th Security Forces Squadron and 5th Munitions Squadron prepare for a weapons transportation convoy briefing during a Nuclear Surety Inspection here May 15. An NSI is designed to evaluate a unit's readiness to execute nuclear operations. Areas to be evaluated during the NSI include operations, maintenance, security, and support activities needed to ensure the wing performs its mission in a safe, secure and reliable manner. This no-notice inspection concluded May 22. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Sergeant Stacy Moless)

    5BW completes NSI with satisfactory rating

    The base's first no-notice Nuclear Surety Inspection concluded today with an announcement that the wing has been given the highest rating possible -- a satisfactory rating, meaning it remains certified to perform its strategic mission. The 10-day inspection was a demanding and detailed evaluation of the wing's mission, covering 14 major graded

  • Commander Bids Farewell after 34 year career

    It seems like it was just yesterday that I left Detroit with great anticipation to enter the Air Force and begin flight training. As I look back on the past 33 years, I realize that my Air Force experience was even more exciting than I could have imagined! I certainly never thought that one day I would command "The Mighty Eighth" Air Force. And as
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