Air Force B-1B Lancers return to Al Udeid after 2-year absence

Two B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota landed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Saturday.

The bombers are replacing the B-52 Stratofortress, U.S. Air Forces Central Command said Monday in posts on Facebook and Twitter.

The B-52s flew more than 1,800 sorties and dropped almost 12,000 weapons against the Islamic State and the Taliban since they themselves replaced the B-1 in 2016.

RELATED

Inside the B-1 crew that pounded ISIS with 1,800 bombs

For almost five months, B-1 crews fromDyess Air Force Base, Texas, focused on one town — Kobani in Syria.

By Brian Everstine

“The Bone is back!” AFCENT said in its social media posts.

AFCENT commander Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian on March 30 flew one of the B-52’s final combat missions before it departed, AFCENT said in a tweet Monday.

The B-1 last deployed to the Middle East in July 2014, to support operations in Afghanistan. Soon afterwards, however, the war against ISIS erupted and Lancers began carrying out missions against the militant group in Iraq and Syria.

More In Your Air Force

New York air guardsmen awarded for valor in Afghanistan evacuation

The C-17 crew brought in special ops to rescue Americans on the ground, evacuated Afghans in danger and transported the remains of U.S. troops.

Air Force’s first female special tactics officer earns coveted scarlet beret

The female airman faces about another year of advanced skills training before she is assigned to an operational unit.

US Air Force mints program to hone command and control

“In order to fight as joint and coalition forces,” Lt. Col. Steve Wyatt said, “we need to understand each other’s capabilities and limitations, and how each entity operates and communicates.”

Deadline approaching for troops to apply to join Space Force

The Space Force plans to employ 15,000 troops and civilians by the end of the year.

TikToker joins the Army for a day

Victor Fontanez, known online as VicBlends, spent the day at Fort Benning.

In Other News

Considerations for veterans when picking a college

Tips to pick the right college after your time in the service.

Marine Corps, Army report disproportionate substance abuse, mental health issues

The Air Force and Coast Guard reported the lowest prevalences.

Made in China? More than half the products in military exchanges could be banned

A ban on Chinese-made products could affect sales of clothing, shoes, baby items, home appliances, electronics, computers, Apple phones and lots more.

Major veterans toxic exposure legislation delayed again, but lawmakers insist it’s not defeat

Officials are optimistic the sweeping veterans bill will be finalized by Congress sometime next month.

He liked the pro-America, pro-constitution vibe. But he liked the rage, too.

Extremist groups are shifting toward a more militia-style environment, targeting veterans for recruitment, valuing their skills and preying on their patriotism.

Load More