With the official end of World War II in Europe on 8 May 1945, Eighth Air Force participated in Operation Revival, a humanitarian operations where Eighth’s bombers modified to carry passengers evacuated 7,717 American and 1,427 RAF officers from Stalag Luft I German Air Force Prisoner of War camp in Northern Germany.

In a flag move, Headquarters Eighth Air Force transferred from England to Camp Pinetree on Okinawa in the Pacific Theater of Operations and was there when the war against Imperial Japan ended.

In a flag move, Headquarters Eighth Air Force stationed on Okinawa, was transferred to MacDill Field, Florida and assigned as the second Numbered Air Force to the Strategic Air Command.

Eighth Air Force moved to Fort Worth Army Airfield, Texas (later renamed to Carswell AFB) and was assigned subordinate units by Strategic Air Command.

Members of Headquarters Eighth Air Force attended a conference at the Consolidate Aircraft Corporation plant adjacent to the Fort Worth Army Air Field to coordinate the preliminary training plans on the B-36 Peacekeeper bomber aircraft.

Air Marshal Sir Hugh William Saunders, Royal Air Force along with a group of key personnel visited Headquarters Eighth Air Force at Fort Worth Army Air Field, Texas and took a tour of the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation plant adjacent to the air field.

Eighth Air Force was transferred from the United States Army Air Forces to the United States Air Force.

The Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces and his immediate staff along with representatives of the Turkish Navy, Army, and Air Force – visited Headquarters Eighth Air Force.

A visit to Headquarters Eighth Air Force was conducted by senior officials from the Royal Canadian Air Force including Air Marshall William A. Curtiss, Chief Royal Canadian Air Force; Air Commodore Kerr (Plans and Operations); Air Commodore Miller (Maintenance Command); Air Commodore Plant (Personnel); Air Commodore Wray (Air Transport); and Flight Lieutenant Gowan, Aide-de-Camp.

General George C. Kenney, Commanding General of Strategic Air Command visited Headquarters, Eighth Air Force.

The first F-82 Twin Mustang fighter aircraft was delivered to the 27th Fighter Escort Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force.

20 to 27 June – The Strategic Air Command conducted its first-ever Bombing Competition that was held at Castle AFB, California. Eighth Air Force swept the first five places in the competition for the B-29 and B-50 bomber categories.

26 June 1948 to 30 September 1949 – Berlin Airlift commenced due to the Soviet closure of land access to the occupied and divided city of Berlin, Germany thus cutting off rail and road access between West Germany to West Berlin that was located deep into the Soviet-controlled zone of East Germany. Western response by the United States, Great Britian, and France was the initiation of a massive airlift of supplies and provisions to the civilian population as well as Western Allied occupation forces in West Berlin. The American airlift effort was called Operation Vittles with the British effort called Operation Plane Fare.
During the airlift the United States Air Force decided to deploy the YC-97A, an experimental version of a B-29 bomber converted to a cargo aircraft and assigned to the Eighth’s 1st Strategic Support Squadron at Biggs AFB, Texas. Eighth Air Force was field testing the YC-97A (s/n 45-59590) and deployed this individual aircraft with its Eighth’s air and ground crews along with a host of test technicians.
The YC-97A flew it first airlift mission on 1 May 1949 and conducted a total of 60 air missions carrying humanitarian supplies from West Germany to West Berlin which continued until 30 September, months after the Soviets had lifted their blockade on 12 May 1949. Eventually the United States Air Force accepted this new cargo aircraft as the C-97 Stratofreighter.
As well during Operation Vittles, as a show-of-force and messaging, the Air Force rotated B-29 bomber units to England. Bomber units assigned to Eighth Air Force participated in these rotational deployments; specifically: 28th Bomb Group to RAF Scampton (July to October 1948), 2nd Bomb Group to RAF Lakenheath (starting August 1948) and 509th Bomb Group to RAF Lakenheath (starting April 1949).

Eighth Air Force assigned 7th Bomb Group received the Air Force’s first operational B-36A Peacemaker heavy bomber.

The first unit of the Air Refueling Squadrons, Medium concept were activated by the United States Air Force and assigned respectively to the 43d Bomb Wing and 509th Bomb Wing; both belonging to Eighth Air Force.

Eighth Air Force dispatched several B-29 Superfortress bombers aircraft on an air mission to circumnavigate the global to demonstrate American long-range airpower. Two bombers completed the mission by flying 20,000 miles, while logging 103 hours and 50 minutes of flight time including eight stops for a total trip of 14 days.

An Eighth Air Force B-36 Peacemaker bomber conducted a 9,400-mile non-stop flight from Texas to Hawaii and return without refueling.

26 February to 2 March – The aircrew of Lucky Lady II, (s/n 45-010) a B-50 Superfortress bomber assigned to 43d Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force completed the first nonstop flight around the world by an airplane. The aircrew flew more than 23,452 miles in 94 hours and one minute, taking off and landing at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas; with refueling in the air over the Azores, Arabia, the Philippines, and Hawaii. For this flight, the Lucky Lady II aircrew won the Mackay Trophy; the first ever to be awarded to Strategic Air Command.

A single B-36 Peacekeeper bomber from Eighth Air Force assigned 7th Bomb Group flew 9,600 miles unrefueled within the United States in 43 hours.

Eighth Air Force began integration of African American airmen into all its assigned organizations.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force hosted a B-36 bomber conference with representatives from the Air Staff, Air Training Command, and Air Material Command to resolve engineering defects, maintenance, personnel, training, and manning challenges.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force implemented Strategic Air Command Regulation 66-12 that established a specialized aircraft maintenance organization replacing the Crew Chief system of maintenance as well as standardized maintenance procedures throughout the Command.

Eighth Air Force’s mission was change by Strategic Air Command to one of manning, training, and equipping assigned combat and service units for the primary purpose of conducting strategic air warfare with both atomic and conventional weapons.

Strategic Air Command changed the mission of its three assigned Numbered Air Forces with Eighth Air Force gaining responsibility for all heavy bomb operations.

The first KB-29P aerial tanker is delivered to the Eighth Air Force.

15 to 18 September – During the first phase of Operation Fox Able Three, Eighth Air Force assigned 27th Fighter Escort Wing ferried 89 F-84E Thunderjet fighter aircraft from Bergstrom AFB, Texas to Air Force units at Furstenfeldbruck, Germany. Refueling stops were made at McGuire AFB, New Jersey; Goose AB, Labrador; Bluie West One (Nassasurak AB) Greenland; Keflavik, Iceland; and RAF Manston in England.
15 to 28 October – 27th Fighter-Escort Wing executed the second phase of Fox Able Three by ferrying 91 jet fighters from Bergstrom AFB, Texas to Germany.
For achieving the first mass deployment of jet-powered fighters over the Atlantic Ocean, the 27th Fighter Escort Wing was presented the Mackay Trophy by General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, USAF Chief of Staff.

8 November 1950 to 30 June 1951 – Eighth Air Force’s only assigned unit to be deployed for the Korean War was the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing. The wing commenced deployment of 75 F-84E Thunderjet fighter aircraft to the Far East for air combat duty in the Korean War from Bergstrom AFB, Texas to San Diego Naval Air Station and after being loaded aboard two aircraft carriers; departed on 13 and 14 September docking in Japan on 30 November 1950. The 27th Fighter-Escort Wing was placed under the operational control of Far East Air Forces and saw air combat over the Korean Peninsula – to include air-to-air combat with Chinese MiG-15 fighter aircraft. This fighter wing became highly decorated with four Distinguished Flying Crosses and 23 Air Medals.

Six B-36s of the Eighth’s 7th Bomb Wing few a training mission from Carswell AFB, Texas to RAF Lakenheath, England, returning on 21 January 1951.

Provisional training squadrons were organized and assigned to each Eighth Air Force base to provide centralized control of administration for all individual training except for air crew training.

Three B-36D Peacekeepers heavy bombers from 7th Bomb Wing participated in the Paris Air Show.

The first B-36s Peacekeeper bombers landed at Sidi Slimane Air Base, in French Morocco. Six heavy bombers from the Eighth’s 11th Bomb Wing arrived at after covering 4,984 miles, 21 hours, nonstop from Carswell AFB, Texas. The B-36s departed for home station of Carswell AFB, Texas on 5 December landing on 6 December after a 27 hour flight.

Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing participated in the Royal Air Force Strike Command’s Bombing and Navigation Competition and the Wing’s B-50D Superfortress bomber took second place in the competition.

Eight B-50D Superfortress bomber aircraft assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing of Eighth Air Force flew over the city of Brussels, Belgium in the first airpower demonstration for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) officials.

A severe weather storm struck Carswell AFB, Texas where it damaged 72 B-36 Peacekeeper bomber aircraft assigned to Eighth Air Force’s 7th and 11th Bomb Wings.

13-18 October – Strategic Air Command conducted the Fourth Annual Bombing and Navigation Completion which involved 19 wings and participation by the Royal Air Force. Award of the Fairchild Trophy (for best bomber unit in combined fields of bombing and navigation) was a tie between Eighth Air Force’s 97th Bomb Wing and Fifteenth Air Force’s 93rd Bomb Wing. General Thomas S. Powers as the Vice Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Air Command flipped a coin to determine which unit would possess the trophy for the first six months – the 93rd Bomb Wing won the flip.

24 October to 1 November – Strategic Air Command conducted its first Reconnaissance, Photo, and Navigation Competition resulting in Eighth Air Force’s sole participant, the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing being the first winner of the P. T. Cullen Trophy.

6 October 1952 to 13 February 1953 – The 27th Fighter Escort Wing deployed again to the Korean War. This unique deployment from Bergstrom AFB, Texas included a 7,800 mile air trip composed of island-hopping. From Texas the F-84G Thunderjet fighter aircraft landed in Hawaii, Midway Island, and Misawa Air Base in Japan. The 2,572 mile route from Midway Island to Japan became the longest over-the-water, air-to-air refueling of jet fighters in aviation history up that time.

Ten B-36 Peacemaker bombers aircraft assigned to the 6th Bomb Wing, Heavy of Eighth Air Force conducted operations out of Thule AFB, Greenland.

The Eighth Air Force’s first KC-97 Stratotanker was delivered to the 96th Air Refueling Squadron at Altus AFB, Oklahoma; with this aerial tanker vital to world-wide strategic operations of the Eighth’s assigned B-47 Stratojet.

The Eighth Air Force Noncommissioned Academy began its first class at Bergstrom AFB, Texas.

Headquarters 1st Air Division was organized at Westover AFB, Massachusetts and served as a holding unit for the planned move of Eighth Air Force headquarters to the base.

Westover AFB, Massachusetts was transferred from the Military Air Transport Service to the Strategic Air Command and assigned to Eighth Air Force. During this major reorganization several units and installations were transferred between several Numbered Air Forces applying also to Eighth Air Force.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force began its operations at Westover AFB, Massachusetts.

Major General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr. assumed command of Eighth Air Force becoming the longest serving Commander in Eighth’s history relinquishing command on 1 October 1961.

The 42d Bomb Wing, Heavy, at Loring AFB, Maine received the first B-52 Stratofortress assigned to Eighth Air Force.

Eighth Air Force received a new mission set from Strategic Air Command.
Specifically, the Eighth was to: (1) train, and equip itself to conduct strategic air warfare on a world-wide basis, using either nuclear or conventional weapons, (2) perform tasks assigned in the current Emergency War Plan and in related operations orders, (3) train and administer assigned reserve personnel and units, (4) participate in disaster relief and other domestic emergencies, and (5) perform such special missions as directed by the Commander-in-Chief Strategic Air Command.

Headquarters Northeast Air Command was discontinued thus resulting in Eighth Air Force gaining airbases and USAF units under its jurisdiction including multiple air bases in Newfoundland (Canada) and Greenland.

Strategic Air Command commenced bomber ground alert status: Eighth Air Force would conduct ground and airborne alert operations from 1957 to April 1970 and then again resume alert operations on 1 January 1975 until 27 September 1991 when alert termination was ordered by President George H.W. Bush.

11 to 17 November – Operation Long Legs was begun by General Curtis E. LeMay, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force flying a new KC-135 Stratotanker named City of Moses Lake (s/n 55-3126) on two aviation record making flights. Accomplished in three phases, Operation Long Legs constituted the American cooperation with Argentina Air Force in celebration of that nation’s twelfth annual Aeronautics Week. The KC-135 flown by General LeMay belonged to the 4050th Air Refueling Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force.
The first phase conducted on 11 November resulted in an aviation record of a non-stop, non-refueled flight of 6,332.85 miles from Westover AFB, Massachusetts to Buenos Aires, Argentina accomplished in 13 hours, 2 minutes. Approximately 1,000 miles were added to the distance by flying “around-the-hump” of Brazil.
The second phase was an aviation speed record established with a 5,204 miles flight from Buenos Aires to Washington, D.C. in 11 hours, 5 minutes with an average speed of 471.5 mph conducted on 13 November.
The third phase of Operation Long Legs conducted 16-17 November had six B-52 Stratofortress bombers from the Eighth Air Force assigned 42nd Bomb Wing conduct a non-stop, round-trip flyover of the Buenos Aires air show with a return Plattsburgh AFB, New York.

Lincoln AFB, Nebraska became the first Eighth Air Force assigned base to be reorganized to support alert operations. Subsequently other bases belonging to the Eighth began their reorganization actions to support alert duty and operations.

24 to 25 November – Eighth Air Force’s participation in Strategic Air Command’s Operation Quick Kick included four B-52 Stratofortress bombers from 42d Bomb Wing and was part of Strategic Air Command’s effort to showcase its newest bomber, the B-52. In all, eight B-52s (including the four from the Eighth) few a two-day, non-stop flight around the perimeter of North America (the United States and Canada) with all eight bomber aircrews setting a new endurance aviation record by staying aloft more than 24 hours.

Strategic Air Command began its reorganization of its Numbered Air Forces. Specifically, Eighth Air Force lost some airbases in the middle of the country while gaining others essentially resulting in assigned units and bases contained within the eastern part of the Continental United States.

Eighth Air Force entered the missile era with assignment of the 702d Strategic Missile Wing (Snark). The MX-62 Snark was a short-lived, ground launched, turbojet-powered intercontinental cruise-type nuclear missile that achieved alert status in March 1960 and the only SNARK units activated by the Air Force. (Overtime, Eighth Air Force would have assigned missile wings equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) including Atlas-F, Titan I & II, and Minuteman I & II.)

The first Snark SM-62 surface-to-surface intercontinental nuclear-armed cruise missile attained alert status with Eighth Air Force assigned 702d Strategic Missile Wing (Snark) stationed at Presque Island, Maine.

The experimental test program of having bomb wings with 70 assigned aircraft was terminated by the Strategic Air Command. The test units of 2d and 380th Bomb Wing would retain their 70 aircraft inventory, but other B-47 Stratojet equipped units would not convert. Strategic Air Command concluded the 70 aircraft organizational concept was too large for effective management. (On 25 June 1961, both bomb wings would reorganize and reduce to 45 aircraft.)

The Eighth Air Force assigned 306th Bomb Wing replaced the 19th Bomb Wing assigned to 2nd Air Force in supporting Reflex Action rotation operations at Ben Guerir AB, Morocco. Strategic Air Command forward deployed nuclear-armed B-47 Stratojets as part of its alert force. Three airbases in Morocco would be utilized for forward deployed alert rotations.

Missile Site Number 5 and Number 6 respectively at Lewis and Ausable Forks in New York, were designated and assigned to Eighth Air Force and Plattsburgh AFB, New York. (During this time several Missile Sites were assigned to Eighth Air Force.)

Eighth Air Force assigned 19th Bomb Wing converted from B-47 Stratojet bomber aircraft to B-52 Stratofortress bombers.

16 to 22 September – During the Strategic Air Command’s Combat Competition held at Fairchild AFB, Washington; Eighth Air Force won the most top honors including best B-47 and B-52 wing honors as well as awards for aerial refueling units and aircrews.

Strategic Air Command discontinued the fourth bomb squadron in each medium bomb wing with the associated manpower savings providing centralized control of wing operations causing Eighth Air Force to lose a bomb squadron at six of its assigned airbases.

The first Atlas International Ballistic Missile arrived at Plattsburgh AFB, New York, an Eighth Air Force base.

The Cuban Missile Crisis began in response to increasing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union over discovery of Soviet nuclear ballistic missiles and jet bombers assets in Cuba. Historical context:
 20 October – Eighth Air Force actions taken in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis included: (1) moving all Eighth bombers from Homestead and MacDill AFBs in Florida, (2) implement limited airborne alert operations, (3) assigned B-47 bombers began dispersal operations, (4) increased force status to Defense Condition 3, and (5) placed the 12 Atlas missile sites at Plattsburgh AFB and personnel of the Site Activation Task Force directly under Strategic Air Command control to bring the sites to alert posture quickly.
 25 October – The United States implemented a naval “quarantine” blockade and air surveillance of Cuba at 1000 hours.
 2 November – President John F. Kennedy spoke to the nation to report that aerial photos had confirmed Soviet missile bases were being dismantled, their missiles and related equipment were being crated, and that the fixed installations at these sites were being destroyed. However, the United States continued its air surveillance and the naval quarantine.
7 November –the United States announced that missile removal would be verified by check at sea.
8 November – Pentagon photographs revealed that all known missile sites were dismantled.
7 December – Department of Defense announced Soviet jet bombers, apparently all the attack aircraft sent to Cuba, were loaded aboard three Soviet ships.

Whiteman AFB at Knob Noster, Missouri transferred from Second Air Force to Eighth Air Force along with all assigned units simultaneously Francis E. Warren AFB at Cheyenne, Wyoming transferred from Fifteenth Air Force to the Eighth along with its assigned units.

Lieutenant General Joseph J. Nazzaro, the Eighth Air Force Commander (#22) since 1 October 1962 was appointed as the Vice Commander of Strategic Air Command and was replaced by Lieutenant General Horace M. Wade.

Strategic Air Command began to deploy B-52 Stratofortress bomber units to Kadena AB, Okinawa as a contingency force if needed in the Vietnam War. Deployments were under the name of ARC LIGHT.
18 June – The inaugural ARC LIGHT conventional air combat sortie was conducted by B-52s in the Vietnam War striking enemy targets in South Vietnam. By December 1965, B-52s would have flown 100 air combat missions in the war.
Bomber aircraft and their aircrews from four bomber units (none from Eighth Air Force) home stationed in the United States rotated to conduct the air war in Southeast Asia from Andersen AFB, Guam. These rotations from these four bomber units phased out by March 1966.
In early 1966, six bomber wings became cadre units on Andersen AFB, Guam and were augmented with personnel and aircrews from other wings within Strategic Air Command. Of the six cadre wings, two were assigned to Eighth Air Force. The 306th Bomb Wing from McCoy AFB, Florida was the first cadre wing from Eighth Air Force to conduct a deployment starting on 6 September 1966. After this date into 1970 several bomb wings of the Eighth deployed as cadre units with some doing repeat deployments.

Strategic Air Command conducted its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile completion with Eighth Air Force sweeping all categories for the Minuteman missile system.

In a flag move from Westover AFB, Massachusetts to Andersen AFB, Guam; Headquarters Eighth Air Force attained a new mission to plan, command & control, and implement conventional bomber operations throughout Southeast Asia, while remaining assigned to the Strategic Air Command.

18-29 December – Headquarters Eighth Air Force based at Andersen AFB, Guam; in coordination with Strategic Air Command, planned and conducted 729 nighttime bomber sorties as part of Operation Linebacker II; an 11 day decisive air campaign against Hanoi-Haiphong heartland of North Vietnam resulting in influencing North Vietnam to return to the Paris Peace Talks and sign a previously negotiated cease-fire agreement. For the 11 days, USAF and USN tactical aircraft conducted daytime attacks with nighttime strikes conducted by B-52s and supporting aircraft. Some 1,200 surface-to-air missiles were fired during Linebacker II dowing 15 B-52s and 10 tactical aircraft.

The Robert J. Collier Trophy, a most prestigious recognition for achievement in aviation, was presented to Eighth Air Force for planning and implementing Operation Linebacker II over the heavily defended heartland of North Vietnam during the 11-day strategic air campaign from 18-29 December 1972. Co-winners included Seventh Air Force and Navy Task Force 77.

Bomber-centric air combat ends in war in Southeast Asia with the last B-52 bomber strike flown on this date. From April 1970 to this August date, Eighth Air Force had planned and then commanded and controlled B-52 operations in the air war during the Vietnam War.
Summary of Bomber Statistics in Vietnam War: For 98 months of air combat conducted by B-52s in Southeast Asia; bombers flew 126,615 actual sorties, credited with dropping 6,162,000 tons of munitions with most strikes conducted in South Vietnam (55 percent), Laos (27 percent), Cambodia (12 percent), and in North Vietnam (6 percent); loss of 31 B-52s (18 to hostile fire, remainder to operational accidents.)

In a flag move, Headquarters Eighth Air Force moved from Andersen AFB, Guam to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana reassuming nuclear deterrence and alert operations under Strategic Air Command.

23 to 25 October – The Twenty-Second Annual Bombing and Navigation Competition was conducted by Strategic Air Command, the first time where overseas-based Air Force units could compete. Some 43 units within the United States as well a B-52 unit stationed on Guam and an aerial tanker unit based at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa competed. Eighth Air Force’s 380th Bomb Wing (FB-111 Aardvark) took the Fairchild Trophy for a fourth time in a row. With this specific competition, Barksdale AFB in Louisiana became the official headquarters and center for the Competition’s symposium and award ceremonies.

B-52 Stratofortress bombers from 2d Bomb Wing the first to be modified to carry and launch the AGM-86 Conventional Air Launch Cruise Missile (CALCM) arrived at Edwards AFB, California for testing. Eighth Air Force and its assigned 2d Bomb Wing became the test bed for the CACLM, a stand-off precision strike munition.

The Mackay Trophy was awarded in recognizing a non-stop round-the-world aviation record – nicknamed “Busy Visit” – by two B-52s Stratofortress bombers covering 21,256 statute miles in 43 hours, 55 minutes averaging 488 miles per hour. This almost entire over-the-water route was conducted to validate several Strategic Air Command contingency plans and to figure out the “how to” of conducting sea surveillance of ocean-going vessels. Bombers and aircrews were from the 410th Bomb Wing of Eighth Air Force.

The first KC-10 Extender aerial tanker was accepted and flown from the Douglas Aircraft Company in California to Barksdale AFB by Lieutenant General Edgar S. Harris, Jr. then Commander (#35) Eighth Air Force. The field testing and evaluation of the newest aerial refueler was done under the auspices the 4200th Test and Evaluation Squadron as well as both Eighth Air Force and 2d Bomb Wing.

The former Commander of Eighth Air Force, General (retired) Ira C. Eaker, donated the Castle Croom Punch Bowl Set with this sterling silver set – the engraved punch bowl and ladle along with his personal cup – becoming the heraldic device for Eighth Air Force. The entire set was created by the Black, Starr & Gorham Company in 1944 and was the centerpiece for post-war reunion events. Subsequently five other cups were donated with each like General Eaker’s cup having the Eighth’s emblem and the person’s name engraved on the cup. The bowl, ladle and six of the original nine cups are displayed within a protective cabinet inside the headquarters’ Command Section adjacent to the entryway into the Commander’s Office.

15 to 18 March – Eighth Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crews in collaboration with the United States Navy, gain proficiency with the Harpoon anti-ship missile in developing air-sea interdiction capabilities.

Eighth Air Force began to transfer space-centric units – including early warning, space surveillance, and satellite tracking – were transferred to the newly activated Air Force Space Command. The transferring had been completed by 1 May 1983. These space-centric units had previously been transferred to the Eighth in early 1980 as the Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated in April 1980.

15-18 May – Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers from 2d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force participated in a Strategic Air Command test to develop a bomber-centric air-sea interdiction capability. These bomber aircrews in an exercise at the Pacific Missile Test Range on Kwajalein Atoll successfully launched three AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

Last B-52D model bomber (s/n 55-0674) was retired by the United States Air Force from its assignment to Eighth Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing.

The 42d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force reached Initial Operational Capability with the United States Navy’s AGM-94 Harpoon anti-ship missile.

Strategic Air Command conducted its Twenty-Eighth Annual Bombing and Navigation Competition with first contestants participating from the United States Air Forces Europe. The Competition Headquarters at Barksdale AFB was renamed as “Hoban Hall” in honor of former Eighth Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Richard M. Hoban who had done much to establish a permanent home for “Bomb Comp” at Barksdale AFB. The Royal Air Force participated with its newest fighter-bomber aircraft the Tornado. The Fairchild Trophy was won by Eighth Air Force’s 380th Bomb Wing, the only unit in Strategic Air Command to be the recipient of this top trophy five times.

The Air Force’s newest aerial refueling aircraft – the KC-10 Extender – reached Full Operational Capability while assigned to Eighth Air Force assigned 2d Bomb Wing. The testing and evaluation of the KC-10 at Barksdale AFB had commenced in March 1981.

Colonel Philip J. Ford, the 384th Bomb Wing Commander (and future Eighth Air Force Commander) and Lieutenant General E. G. “Buck” Shuler, Jr., the Eighth Air Force Commander (#40) flew the last B-1B from the Rockwell International plant to McConnell AFB, Kansas.

7 to 11 February – Strategic Air Command conducted its last Unit Effectiveness Inspection of Eighth Air Force resulting in 15 outstanding and 22 excellent marks.

The United States Air Force filed its Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Peacekeeper Rail Garrison system with the study listing 10 candidate bases, including five Eighth Air Force assigned installations for the system’s eventual deployment.

27 April to 4 May – Strategic Air Command conducted the annual missile competition at Vandenberg AFB, California where Eighth Air Force assigned 351st Strategic Missile Wing a Minuteman II unit stationed at Whiteman AFB, Missouri won the Blanchard Trophy for the best missile wing in Strategic Air Command.

CMSgt Joseph D. Cook, Eighth’s Senior Enlisted Advisor (#6) since 12 August 1986, left to become the Senior Leader Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Air Command.

5 to 17 September – Eighth Air Force initiated Exercise Mighty Warrior 89 and during the exercise generated nearly 1,150 sorties from 10 forward operating locations in a realistic wartime environment. During the exercise, Eighth Air Force surged multiple B-52s, B-1Bs and FB-111s sorties to drop live and inert weapons on the Nellis Range, Nevada.

The aircrew of a B-1B bomber aircraft from Eighth Air Force assigned 96th Bombardment Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas skillfully landed their aircraft on a dry lakebed in the first-ever gear up emergency landing due to a retracted nose landing gear. No aircrew member was harmed, and the bomber suffered minimal damage. For this feat, the aircrew earned the Mackay Trophy for 1989.

The United States initiated military operations against Panama to protect American lives, restore democracy, and apprehend General Manuel Noriega. Eighth Air Force served as the lead Numbered Air Force for aerial tankers and assembled a tanker task force with over 90 aerial refuelers. The tankers subsequently completed 80 missions to offload 4.75 million pounds of fuel to 124 receivers in the first 22 hours of the operation.

5 to 19 January – For Exercise Mighty Force 90-1, the 2d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force deployed seven B-52s and three KC-10s aerial refuelers to Roswell Industrial Air Center for training in supporting Red Flag exercises at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

With the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the United States with allied nations built a coalition force under Operation Desert Shield. On 7 August, as part of Strategic Air Command prepared bomber and aerial refueling aircraft for possible deployment, Eighth Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General E. G. “Buck” Shuler, Jr., held his first battle staff conference. Aircraft began to be deployed to theater within days afterwards.

The 509th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force closed at Pease AFB, New Hampshire and simultaneously opened at Whiteman AFB, Missouri.

16-17 January – In Operation Senior Surprise (nicknamed “Secret Squirrel”) seven B-52Gs from Eighth Air Force assigned 2d Bomb Wing, deployed from Barksdale AFB against targets in Iraq. This singular mission turned out to be the longest single air combat mission in history (35.4 hours to complete a 14,000-mile round trip flight), combat debut of the Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missiles (CALCM) precision munitions, first Continental United States (CONUS) to CONUS air combat mission, and first use of standoff air tactics. This air strike was the first air combat mission opening Operation Desert Storm.

21 January thru 15 April – Strategic Air Command established the “Mighty Express” – a special airlift channel to funnel supplies and equipment to intermediate service centers supporting Operation Desert Storm. Eighth Air Force’s Logistics Readiness Center assumed control over the logistics network.

Strategic Air Command implemented its objective wing restructuring plan so to create logistics, operations, and support groups under each wing-level organization. Specifically for Eighth Air Force, the restructuring caused 12 bomber equipped wings to be redesignated with the new nomenclature of “Bomb Wing” and the restructuring caused reassignment and move of all aerial refuelings units to be consolidated under Fifteenth Air Force.

Following presidential directions on 27 September 1991, the Strategic Air Command removed all bombers from alert. Bomber-centric nuclear alert for Strategic Air Command had commenced on 1 October 1957.

United States Strategic Command created Task Force 204, a unique single service task force managing the daily status of nuclear-capable bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Beginning on 1 October 1993 until 16 October 2017, the Commander Eighth Air Force was also dual hatted as Commander Task Force 204.

Headquarters Strategic Air Command was disestablished resulting in Eighth Air Force being reassigned to the newly established Air Combat Command. Ensuring actions renamed most bomber “Wing” organizations as “Bomb Wings.” Per the reassignment to Air Combat Command, the Eighth Air Force retained the: 2d, 5th, 7th, 28th, 96th, 97th, 319th, 384th, 410th, and 509th Bomb Wings.

Senior leaders from Headquarters Eighth Air Force met with Air Combat Command representatives at Langley AFB, Virginia to discuss a new roles and missions for the Numbered Air Force.

Eighth Air Force created a Standardization and Evaluation function in its headquarters to check aircrew mission capabilities.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force reorganized, eliminating it’s the Chief of Staff and staff directorate positions by forming staff divisions.

At the direction of Air Combat Command, the Eighth Air Force established a B-52 Formal Training Unit Site Activation Team to manage the transition of the B-52 Formal Training Unit from Castle AFB, California to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

2 to 3 June – The Mackay Trophy was awarded to Eighth Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing for an around-the-world aviation record set by two B-1B Lancer bombers.

Headquarters Air Mobility Command transferred the 65th Wing at Lajes Air Base, in the Azores to Air Combat Command who redesignated the wing as an Air Base Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force.

Air Combat Command implemented its General Purpose Numbered Air Force where Commander Eighth Air Force became the Commander Task Force - Bomber mission supporting the United States Strategic Command as well as support the United States Navy’s Atlantic Command in their counterdrug operations and long range interdiction operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

1 October 1993 to 16 October 2017 – The Commander United States Strategic Command created Task Force 204 (TF 204) for the generation of nuclear capable bombers with the Commander Eighth Air Force becoming dual-hatted as Commander TF204. Task force personnel was provided by Eighth Air Force’s 608th Strategic Operations Squadron (activated 4 June 2004 and inactivated 24 August 2018).

Air Combat Command transferred the 35th Wing with F-15s and HH-60s stationed at Keflavik AB, Iceland from First Air Force to the Eighth Air Force.

7th Bomb Wing moved from Carswell AFB, Texas to Dyess AFB, Texas but remained assigned to Eighth Air Force.

The first B-2A Spirit bomber aircraft – named “ACC-1” and later renamed the Spirit of Missouri – arrived at Whiteman AFB, Missouri and assigned to the Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing.

Under the newly created General Purpose Numbered Air Force operational concept, Air Combat Command activated several warfighting units assigned to Headquarters Eighth Air Force at Barksdale AFB. New subordinate units included the 608th Air Operations Group, the 608th Air Communications Squadron, the 608th Air Intelligence Squadron, the 608th Air Support Squadron, the 608th Combat Operations Squadron, and the 608th Combat Plans Squadron.

Eighth Air Force assigned 2d Bomb Wing established Detachment 1, 2d Operations Group at Barksdale AFB to support the transition of the B-52 Formal Training Unit (FTU) activities from Castle AFB, California. Later, on 1 July, the B-52 FTU operations closed at Castle AFB with the FTU mission formally transitioning to the newly activated 11th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale AFB.

1 to 3 August – An aviation record was achieved during Global Power 94-7 with a non-stop circumnavigation of the global in just over 47 hours, accomplished by two B-52s Stratofortress bombers from 2d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force. This mission was a show-of-force marking the anniversary of the Iraqi ground invasion of Kuwait. Of the two participating bomber aircraft, one was the Lucky Lady IV (s/n 60-0008) the flagship of Eighth Air Force.

Eighth Air Force assigned 509th Bomb Wing dispatched the Spirit of California that became the first B-2A Spirit bomber to deliver munitions by dropping two 2,000-pound bombs on the Utah Test and Training Range.

B-52 Stratofortress (from 2d Bomb Wing) and a B-1B Lancer (from 7th Bomb Wing) assigned to Eighth Air Force along with a KC-10 Extender landed at Poltava Air Base, Ukraine, marking the first time since World War II that American bombers had landed in that country. During World War II, B-17 Flying Fortresses belonging to Eighth Air Force had flown to this airfield on shuttle bombing missions against Nazi targets in Eastern Europe.

Air Combat Command inactivated the 35th Wing and activated the 85th Wing to assume the F-15 and HH-60 missions at Keflavik NAS, Iceland; with these units assigned to Eighth Air Force

Air Combat Command reassigned the 3d Air Support Operations Group with home station at Fort Hood, Texas from Twelfth Air Force to Eighth Air Force

17-19 January – Over 60 commanders and advisors from active, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserves units were hosted by Lieutenant General Stephen B. Croker, the Commander (#42) Eighth Air Force at his Winter Commanders’ Conference conducted at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

20 January to 3 February – Lieutenant General Stephen B. Croker, Commander served as the Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC) and the Air Force Forces (AFFOR) Commander for Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 95-2 aboard the United States Navy’s U.S.S. Mount Whitney at Norfolk Naval Operating Base, Virginia.

A B-2A Spirit bomber assigned to Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing dropped its first-ever live munition on the Nevada Test Range with this task contributing to the Air Force’s newest bomber aircraft achieving Initial Operating Capability.

15 April to 9 May – Eighth Air Force participated in a joint integrated air defense exercise held at Fort Bliss, Texas called Roving Sands 95.

The 931st Air Refueling Wing (United States Air Force Reserve) was he first KC-135 Stratotanker unit to fly an operational mission with an all-Reserve aircrew. The aircraft being refueled was B-2A Spirit of Kansas from Eighth Air Force’s 509 Bomb Wing.

The B-2A Spirit bomber made its first international appearance at an air show in Paris, France; with the B-2A from Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing and flown to Paris by the wing’s commander; Brigadier General Ronald C. Marcotte (future #44 Eighth Air Force commander).

2-3 June – Two B-1B Lancer bombers from 7th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force flew around the world in a record 36 hours, 13 minutes, 36 seconds, refueling in flight six times during Operation Coronet Bat (Global Power mission) that covered 36,797.65 kilometers and earning the aircrews the Mackay Trophy.

A single B-2A Spirit bomber from the Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing, participated in a Global Power mission – the first for any B-2A bomber – and flew 12 hours from Whiteman AFB, Missouri to The Netherlands and return conducting a simulated bomb drop.

The first-ever drop of a Global Positioning System Aided Munition by a B-2A Spirit bomber was accomplished over the test range at China Lake, California by a B-2A from 509th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force.

A B-52 named Mudbuff from to 2d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force experienced a violent explosion causing the pod containing engines number three and four to fall off the airframe as the bomber had just take off from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. The aircrew maintained controlled and circled the airfield seven hours to burn off fuel and conduct controllability checks before safely landing back on base. For this feat, the aircrew garnered the Air Combat Command’s Aircrew Safety Award, the Air Force Safety’s “Well Done” Award, and the Ira Eaker Outstanding Airmanship Award.

A B-52H Stratofortress from Eighth Air Force assigned 2d Bomb Wing set six speed records over a 10,000-kilometer close-circuit course, unrefueled and with a payload. Nicknamed “Long Rifle,” the B-52H took-off from Edwards AFB, California; flew to Adak Naval Air Station, Alaska; and returned in a record time of 11 hours 23 minutes, at an average speed of 556 miles per hour. The crew earned the 1995 Gen Curtis E. LeMay award.

In its first flight over the Pacific Ocean, B-2A Spirit of Kansas assigned to Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing, flew to Hickam Field in Hawaii marking the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific area.

12 to 20 September – Lieutenant General Stephen B. Croker, the Commander Eighth Air Force directed Exercise Blue Flag 95-4 at the United States Battlestaff Training School on Hurlburt Field, Florida. Eighth Air Force personnel deployed to Hurlburt Field where General Croker and his staff utilized the same organization as they would in a real-world contingency.

Lieutenant General Phillip J. Ford, Commander (#43) of Eighth Air Force directed the Joint Task Force Exercise 97-2 conducted from the Eighth’s headquarters building with the exercise melding the efforts of the Air Force with the United States Army, Navy and Marines.

Air Commodore D. K. Norriss, the Air Attaché at the British Embassy received an organizational briefing from senior leaders of Eighth Air Force.

Members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Tactical Communications Wing stationed at RAF Brize Norton, England visited Eighth Air Force and participated in Exercise United Endeavor conducted from 25 October to 4 November.

In a ceremony conducted at Barksdale AFB, the United States Air Force named its 17th B-2A bomber aircraft The Spirit of Louisiana with the bomber flown a few days earlier to the airbase by Lieutenant General Phillip J. Ford, Commander of Eighth Air Force.

CMSgt Elvin L. Pearson became the #9 Command Chief of Eighth Air Force and was the first African American airman to hold this senior leadership position.

15 to 21 March – General-Lieutenant Mikhail Oparin, commander of Russia's long-range aviation forces, visited Barksdale AFB and Eighth Air Force as part of a tour of bomber bases. Lieutenant General Phillip J. Ford the Commander of Eighth Air Force escorted General Oparin to Whiteman AFB and Dyess AFB, Texas to see the B-2A Spirit and B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft, respectively. The tour was part of United States Strategic Command’s hosting program for Russian military dignitaries.

30 May to 7 June – Eighth Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Phillip J. Ford conducted a tour of Russian long-range aviation bases. During the tour, General Ford met with several senior military leaders, received orientation briefings, and participated in a Tu-95 Bear bomber orientation flight. General Oparin, who visited Eighth Air Force earlier in March escorted General Ford on tours to long-range aviation bases, the cosmonaut training complex at Star City, and to the City of Moscow.

When Saddam Hussein denied United Nation weapon inspector teams access to some of the facilities in Iraq that required inspection, President Clinton approved a recommendation to deploy additional forces to the region. Eighth Air Force’s 2d Bomb Wing began to prepare for the deployment of airmen and aircraft to island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

16 to 20 December – Eighth Air Force assigned B-52 and B-1B bomber aircraft conducted Operation Desert Fox – the combat debut of the B-1B Lancer bomber. The delivery four 500-pound General Purpose conventional bombs against Iraqi military barracks was in coordination with the launch of cruise missiles and air strikes by the United States and Great Britain against Iraqi targets after Iraq refused to allow United Nations weapons inspectors to continue their work. The four-day operation, which hit some 100 enemy sites destroyed weapons-production facilities. This was the largest air campaign against Iraq since Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

24 March – Operation Allied Force against Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the combat debut of Eighth Air Force’s B-2A Spirit bombers assigned to 509th Bomb Wing supporting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization military operation to re-establish peace in Kosovo and Serbia. (The American portion was called Operation Nobel Anvil.) This was also the first air combat mission conducted by Eighth Air Force in Europe since 1945.
24 March 1999 – Combat debut of the B-2A Spirit bomber, from 509th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force, struck Serbian integrated air defense systems and military command and control nodes.
28 March 1999 – B-1B Lancer bombers from 28th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force, struck industrial sites and Kosovo-based military forces. Participating B-1B bombers delivered 20 percent of the total ordnance but only flew less than two percent of the air combat sorties.

20 to 28 September –The Aerospace Command and Control & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center from Hurlburt Field, Florida conducted Blue Flag 99-4 at Barksdale AFB to train Eighth Air Force personnel in Air Operation Center procedures.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force began its transition to become an Information Operations Numbered Air Force. This transition caused the assignment information operation-centric units and the creation of the Air Force Network Operations Center. Subsequently the Eighth’s headquarters provided the “on-ramp” to the proposed Air Force Cyberspace Command with the headquarters directly supporting the provisional cyberspace headquarter co-located with the Eighth’s headquarters from 18 September 2007 to July 2009.

Terrorist attacks on the American heartland caused President George H. Bush aboard Air Force One to land at Barksdale AFB. Headquarters Eighth Air Force supported the President with facilities, operational awareness, intelligence & communications support, and physical security while the Eighth’s assigned 2d Bomb Wing directly supported the preparation of Air Force One for continued flight. President Bush spoke to the nation about the terrorist attacks from the Eighth Air Force Commander’s Conference Room. Subsequently, in Operation Noble Eagle – the defense of the American Homeland – Eighth Air Force aircraft flew over 2,000 air patrols.

5, 7, & 8 October – Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing conducted six B-2A Spirit strikes against Taliban and terrorist targets in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The air combat sortie of the B-2A Spirit of America of 44.3 hours conducted on 7 October became the longest air combat mission in history to date.

The B-1B Lancer “Live Free or Die” (s/n 86-0114) became the first B-1B to be lost. The bomber was on a bombing mission to Afghanistan (supporting Operation Enduring Freedom) when it crashed into the Indian Ocean about 10 miles north of its island base, Diego Garcia, just after takeoff. The aircrew ejected and was rescued unharmed. It was the first Air Force aircraft lost in the war in Afghanistan as well as the first B-1B lost. It was determined the loss was due to multiple system malfunctions not to enemy counter-air action.

Air Combat Command assigned a new mission set of non-kinetic warfare to Eighth Air Force thus accelerating the transition of the Eighth from a General Purpose Numbered Air Force (NAF) to an Information Operations NAF. This transition over time caused a number of reconnaissance, command and control, cyber, information warfare, and electronic warfare units to be assigned to the Eighth and later in 2007 for the Eighth to serve as the “on-ramp” for a new Major Command to be the Air Force Cyberspace Command.

An air attack by B-2A Spirit bombers deployed by 509 Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force conducted an air attack against senior Iraqi leaders gathered al-Dora farms in Iraq the day prior to the start of ground offensive in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

21 March to 14 April – During Operation Iraqi Freedom was the first time for all three bomber types – B-1Bs, B-2As, and B-52s – concurrently operated by attacking simultaneous targets including enemy command and control facilities.

The 46th Commander of Eighth Air Force, Lieutenant General Bruce Carlson became multi-hatted as Commander of the Air Force Network Operations Center. This appointment by the Commander Air Combat Command was to create and implement procedures in operating and safeguarding the United States Air Force global computer networks as part of Information Operations Numbered Air Force mission set assigned to the Eighth.

Brigadier General Kimber L. McKenzie became the first female to become the Vice Commander of Eighth Air Force.

1 March 2004 to 21 April 2020: Eighth Air Force and its bomber fleet participated in back-to-back rotations to Andersen AFB, Guam as part of the Continuous Bomber Presence mission set supporting the Commander of United States Pacific Command. All bomber types participated in supporting the theater strategy and objectives.

Major General Richard M. Clark became the #52 Commander of Eighth Air Force and was the first African American General Officer to become the Commander.

A massive Category 3 storm – Hurricane Katrina – made landfall near New Orleans creating heavy flooding, widespread damage, and over 1,800 deaths in three southern states bordering along the Gulf of Mexico. The federal response created Joint Task Force Katrina – the largest military operation inside the Continental United States since the American Civil War. For this humanitarian support to civil authorities, Eighth Air Force provided support units, operational expertise, capabilities, and equipment.

The Commander’s Conference Room was memorialized in honor of General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr. – the #20 Commander and to date, the longest serving Commander of Eighth Air Force (6 August 1955 to 1 October 1961).

29 August to December – Humanitarian Operations, 29 August-December 2005, Joint Task Force-Katrina: Multiple units assigned to Eighth Air Force units participated in the largest military operation inside the United States since the Civil War in supporting Joint Task Force-Katrina in supporting civil authorities after a massive hurricane devastated and flooded the urban regional in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. Eighth Air Force support included personnel, equipment, and capabilities. This humanitarian operation pioneered the peacetime use of unmanned aerial vehicles provided by an Eighth assigned units, of the impacted urban areas of New Orleans as well as supported Army ground units assigned to the Joint Task Force-Katrina.

Three B-52 Stratofortress bombers from 2d Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB conducted a long-range exercise into the Gulf of Mexico to find ocean-going vessels. In Rex Redux or formally Exercise Recognition Identification Maneuver, the 608th Air Operations Center of Eighth Air Force conducted an innovative experiment to find and track several U.S. Navy utility ships in the Gulf of Mexico so to demonstrate bomber connectivity to a command and control entity and to gain experience with B-52s equipped with targeting pods.

18 September 2007 until July 2008 – The Chief of Staff, USAF tasked the Commander and Headquarters Eighth Air Force to host and directly support the Commander of Headquarters Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional) in the eventual standup of this new Major Command.

18 September 2007 to June 2009 – The Chief of Staff, USAF appointed the Lieutenant General Robert J. “Bob” Elder, Jr, the Eighth Air Force Commander to host and support the Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional) as preclude to the standup of this new Major Command.

A B-1B Lancer bomber from Eighth Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing became the first USAF aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using synthetic fuel.

Eighth Air Force was re-designated as Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) transforming from to a Component Numbered Air Force creating a warfighting headquarters with the supported commander as United States Strategic Command.

The Eighth Air Force assigned 608th Air Operations Group was redesignated as the 608th Air and Space Operations Center (with weapons system status) as part of the Eighth’s warfighting headquarters mission set.

Lieutenant General Robert J. “Bob” Elder, Jr, the 48th Commander of Eighth Air Force initiated and implemented the memorialization of the Eubank Conference Center on in honor of Major General (retired) William E. Eubank, Jr. In his 29 years of active duty service, General Eubank had been stationed on Barksdale numerous times, was a World War II bomber commander in the Pacific Theater of Operations and had accepted the first B-52 Stratofortress for the United States Air Force on 29 June 1955.

Eighth Air Force along with its assigned 2nd Bomb Wing), 5th Bomb Wing, 509th Bomb Wing, 608th Air Operations Center, 608th Strategic Operations Squadron, and 608th Air Communications Squadron was reassigned from Air Combat Command to a new major command, Air Force Global Strike Command.

Operation Odyssey Dawn global strike missions conducted against Libyan Air Force facilities by three B-2A Spirit bombers assigned to Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing to enforce United Nations “no-fly” zone Resolution #1973. Operation Odyssey Dawn was the United States portion of coalition air operations in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Operation Unified Protector sustaining the no-fly zone. As well the Eighth’s 608th Air Operations Center supported the Commander United States Strategic Command with planning and coordinating options for time-sensitive bomber strike operations against Libya.

31 January to 16 December – Eighth Air Force conducted a year-long celebration of its 70th Anniversary composed of 21 commemorative events including eight conducted in the United Kingdom. Major General Stephen W. “Seve” Wilson the 50th Commander of Eighth Air Force authorized replica of an Eaker Bowl cup in limited numbers.

The new headquarters building of Eighth Air Force was formally opened by the 51st Commander, Major General Scott A. Vander Hamm and marked the fourth physical move since 2009 due to activation at Barksdale AFB of a new major command, Air Force Global Strike Command.

America’s bomber community was re-constituted with re-assignment of both B-1B Lancer bomb wings – 7th Bomb Wing and 28th Bomb Wing – to Eighth Air Force. (Both bomber wings were re-assigned to Twelfth Air Force on 1 October 2002 due to the Information Operations Numbered Air Force mission transition by the Eighth Air Force.)

3-5 October – Lieutenant General Bernard Schuler, Commander French Strategic Air Forces conducted a base visit to Barksdale AFB and also attended the Change of Command for Eighth Air Force (Major General Thomas Bussiere was assuming command).

For the 75th Diamond Anniversary of Eighth Air Force, the headquarters building was memorialized as the General James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle Hall in honor of General Doolittle who served multiple times as the 8 AF Commander. The memorial dedication ceremony was officiated by then Commander (#53) of Eighth Air Force, Major General Thomas A. Bussiere.

United States Strategic Command disestablished Joint Functional Component Command - Global Strike established in March 2005 at Offutt AFB, Nebraska; a unique joint functional staff for the generation of conventional capable bombers and commanded by the Commander Eighth Air Force in a dual-hat role. Mission scope was transferred to the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.

The Commander Joint-Global Strike Operations Center was appointed verbally by the Commander United States Strategic Command to command provisional operations center established on same date for nuclear and conventional global strike operations. This begins the dual-hatted commandership of Commander Eighth Air Force.
The Center formed an integrating point to support combatant commanders with crisis and deliberate planning, joint-service and coalition liaison, and operational connectivity for bomber, intercontinental ballistic missile, and reconnaissance capabilities.

United States Strategic Command disestablished Task Force 204 with the mission of managing nuclear-centric bombers transferred to the Joint Nuclear Operations Center underneath the provisional Joint-Global Strike Operations Center dual-hatted commanded by the Commander Eighth Air Force.

United States Strategic Command created the Air Forces Strategic-Air staff to support its global missions. The primary staff directorates of Eighth Air Force were reconfigured to become the directorates of the new staff.

United States Strategic Command created the provisional Joint-Global Strike Operations Center with the Joint Air Operations Center (composed of the 608th Air Operations Center from Eighth Air Force), Joint Nuclear Operations Center, and the Standoff Munitions Application Center. Clarifying points:
On 20 April 2018, the Commander Eighth Air Force was formally dual-hatted as the Commander Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.
On 24 August 2018, the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center was formally activated.

The Joint Nuclear Operations Center and the Standoff Munitions Operations Center were provisionally established with their formal activation on 24 August 2018 and assignment to the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.

In response to a Syrian chemical use against its civilian population was conducted by synchronized global strike by stand-off precision munitions from bomber aircraft and naval vessels geographically separated but focused on 19 points of impact.
Requested support by combatant commanders involved the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center contributing to multi-community air and naval planning, de-conflicting management, and analysis support with strike planning and operation coordinated with 24 external agencies. The Center conducted 24-hour battle staff rhythm for four days through the conclusion of this multi-national conducted global strike.

CMSgt Melvina A. Smith became the first African American female to become Command Chief (#18) of Eighth Air Force.

Major General James C. Dawkins, Jr., the 54th Commander Eighth Air Force was a speaker at the induction of Texas-native General (retired) Ira C. Eaker into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. General Eaker was the first Commander of VIII Bomber Command assigned to Eighth Air Force in World War II.

3-5 February: B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft named “Live Free or Die” from 28th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force was the first American bomber to land in India since 20 October 1945. The aircraft was met on the ground in India by the Eighth’s Commander (#55), Major General Mark A. Weatherington and was participating in Aero India 21 airshow.

October into November 2021: Teams (survey, POL, and maintenance) from Eighth Air Force assigned 7th Bomb Wing visited Istres-Le Tube, France in preparation for the inaugural B-1B Lancer bomber hot pit operations at this French Air Force base to be in November as part of the first multiple “hub and spoke” hot-pit operation in European Command during Bomber Task Force 22-1.

June to 4 July – Bomber Task Force employment featured Eighth Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber integration with the Japanese Air Defense Forces implementing the Agile Combat Employment, featuring the first-ever hot-pit refueling of a B-1B bomber at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin.

Bomber Task Force employment featured Eighth Air Force B-2A Spirit bombers from both 509th Bomb Wing and 131st Bomb Wing (Missouri Air National Guard) conducting the first B-2A bomber hot-pit refueling at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.

First time for the E-4B Nightwatch National Airborne Command Post aircraft to appear at the Royal International Air Tattoo in England or make an appearance at any airshow outside the United States. The E-4B aircraft are assigned to Eighth Air Force.

The United States successfully completed its first live-fire hypersonic missile test where a B-52H Stratofortress bomber successfully fired an AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon at a target off the coast of California.

Bomber Task Force deployed B-1B Lancer bombers from Eighth Air Force’s 28th Bomb Wing participated in the first-ever joint air exercise with the Indian Air Force.

B-1B Lancer bombers from the 7th Bomb Wing participated in the first hot-pit refueling at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania as part of the German Air Defender exercise. (Earlier in 2022, B-52s had overflown Romania during an exercise.)

Simultaneous air operations conducted by Eighth Air Force bombers including:
An American strategic bomber flew above the Freedom Monument in Riga, some 83 years after the beginning in 1940 of Soviet Union occupation.
After conducting the first-ever overflight of Finland, a few days later two B-1B Lancer bombers conducted the first-ever landing in Sweden; specifically landing at Lulea-Kallax Airbase in northern Sweden, accompanied by three Jas-39 Gripen fighters from the Swedish Air Force.
United States Strategic Command commented on strategic deterrence on a global scale noting strategic bombers had recently operated in the geographic areas of six combatant commands including a seventh time in the last six months to have B-52s or B-1Bs flying above or near the Korean Peninsula as well as the first American bombers – two B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from 2d Bomb Wing – to land in Indonesia, with this landing conducted on 20 July.
During a Bomber Task Force deployment in the INDOPACOM’s Exercise Northern Edge, deployed B-52s flown alongside combat aircraft from the French Air Force.

Major General Jason R. Armagost became the 57th Commander of Eighth Air Force in ceremonies conducted on Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

With the official end of World War II in Europe on 8 May 1945, Eighth Air Force participated in Operation Revival, a humanitarian operations where Eighth’s bombers modified to carry passengers evacuated 7,717 American and 1,427 RAF officers from Stalag Luft I German Air Force Prisoner of War camp in Northern Germany.

In a flag move, Headquarters Eighth Air Force transferred from England to Camp Pinetree on Okinawa in the Pacific Theater of Operations and was there when the war against Imperial Japan ended.

In a flag move, Headquarters Eighth Air Force stationed on Okinawa, was transferred to MacDill Field, Florida and assigned as the second Numbered Air Force to the Strategic Air Command.

Eighth Air Force moved to Fort Worth Army Airfield, Texas (later renamed to Carswell AFB) and was assigned subordinate units by Strategic Air Command.

Members of Headquarters Eighth Air Force attended a conference at the Consolidate Aircraft Corporation plant adjacent to the Fort Worth Army Air Field to coordinate the preliminary training plans on the B-36 Peacekeeper bomber aircraft.

Air Marshal Sir Hugh William Saunders, Royal Air Force along with a group of key personnel visited Headquarters Eighth Air Force at Fort Worth Army Air Field, Texas and took a tour of the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation plant adjacent to the air field.

Eighth Air Force was transferred from the United States Army Air Forces to the United States Air Force.

The Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces and his immediate staff along with representatives of the Turkish Navy, Army, and Air Force – visited Headquarters Eighth Air Force.

A visit to Headquarters Eighth Air Force was conducted by senior officials from the Royal Canadian Air Force including Air Marshall William A. Curtiss, Chief Royal Canadian Air Force; Air Commodore Kerr (Plans and Operations); Air Commodore Miller (Maintenance Command); Air Commodore Plant (Personnel); Air Commodore Wray (Air Transport); and Flight Lieutenant Gowan, Aide-de-Camp.

General George C. Kenney, Commanding General of Strategic Air Command visited Headquarters, Eighth Air Force.

The first F-82 Twin Mustang fighter aircraft was delivered to the 27th Fighter Escort Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force.

20 to 27 June – The Strategic Air Command conducted its first-ever Bombing Competition that was held at Castle AFB, California. Eighth Air Force swept the first five places in the competition for the B-29 and B-50 bomber categories.

26 June 1948 to 30 September 1949 – Berlin Airlift commenced due to the Soviet closure of land access to the occupied and divided city of Berlin, Germany thus cutting off rail and road access between West Germany to West Berlin that was located deep into the Soviet-controlled zone of East Germany. Western response by the United States, Great Britian, and France was the initiation of a massive airlift of supplies and provisions to the civilian population as well as Western Allied occupation forces in West Berlin. The American airlift effort was called Operation Vittles with the British effort called Operation Plane Fare.
During the airlift the United States Air Force decided to deploy the YC-97A, an experimental version of a B-29 bomber converted to a cargo aircraft and assigned to the Eighth’s 1st Strategic Support Squadron at Biggs AFB, Texas. Eighth Air Force was field testing the YC-97A (s/n 45-59590) and deployed this individual aircraft with its Eighth’s air and ground crews along with a host of test technicians.
The YC-97A flew it first airlift mission on 1 May 1949 and conducted a total of 60 air missions carrying humanitarian supplies from West Germany to West Berlin which continued until 30 September, months after the Soviets had lifted their blockade on 12 May 1949. Eventually the United States Air Force accepted this new cargo aircraft as the C-97 Stratofreighter.
As well during Operation Vittles, as a show-of-force and messaging, the Air Force rotated B-29 bomber units to England. Bomber units assigned to Eighth Air Force participated in these rotational deployments; specifically: 28th Bomb Group to RAF Scampton (July to October 1948), 2nd Bomb Group to RAF Lakenheath (starting August 1948) and 509th Bomb Group to RAF Lakenheath (starting April 1949).

Eighth Air Force assigned 7th Bomb Group received the Air Force’s first operational B-36A Peacemaker heavy bomber.

The first unit of the Air Refueling Squadrons, Medium concept were activated by the United States Air Force and assigned respectively to the 43d Bomb Wing and 509th Bomb Wing; both belonging to Eighth Air Force.

Eighth Air Force dispatched several B-29 Superfortress bombers aircraft on an air mission to circumnavigate the global to demonstrate American long-range airpower. Two bombers completed the mission by flying 20,000 miles, while logging 103 hours and 50 minutes of flight time including eight stops for a total trip of 14 days.

An Eighth Air Force B-36 Peacemaker bomber conducted a 9,400-mile non-stop flight from Texas to Hawaii and return without refueling.

26 February to 2 March – The aircrew of Lucky Lady II, (s/n 45-010) a B-50 Superfortress bomber assigned to 43d Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force completed the first nonstop flight around the world by an airplane. The aircrew flew more than 23,452 miles in 94 hours and one minute, taking off and landing at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas; with refueling in the air over the Azores, Arabia, the Philippines, and Hawaii. For this flight, the Lucky Lady II aircrew won the Mackay Trophy; the first ever to be awarded to Strategic Air Command.

A single B-36 Peacekeeper bomber from Eighth Air Force assigned 7th Bomb Group flew 9,600 miles unrefueled within the United States in 43 hours.

Eighth Air Force began integration of African American airmen into all its assigned organizations.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force hosted a B-36 bomber conference with representatives from the Air Staff, Air Training Command, and Air Material Command to resolve engineering defects, maintenance, personnel, training, and manning challenges.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force implemented Strategic Air Command Regulation 66-12 that established a specialized aircraft maintenance organization replacing the Crew Chief system of maintenance as well as standardized maintenance procedures throughout the Command.

Eighth Air Force’s mission was change by Strategic Air Command to one of manning, training, and equipping assigned combat and service units for the primary purpose of conducting strategic air warfare with both atomic and conventional weapons.

Strategic Air Command changed the mission of its three assigned Numbered Air Forces with Eighth Air Force gaining responsibility for all heavy bomb operations.

The first KB-29P aerial tanker is delivered to the Eighth Air Force.

15 to 18 September – During the first phase of Operation Fox Able Three, Eighth Air Force assigned 27th Fighter Escort Wing ferried 89 F-84E Thunderjet fighter aircraft from Bergstrom AFB, Texas to Air Force units at Furstenfeldbruck, Germany. Refueling stops were made at McGuire AFB, New Jersey; Goose AB, Labrador; Bluie West One (Nassasurak AB) Greenland; Keflavik, Iceland; and RAF Manston in England.
15 to 28 October – 27th Fighter-Escort Wing executed the second phase of Fox Able Three by ferrying 91 jet fighters from Bergstrom AFB, Texas to Germany.
For achieving the first mass deployment of jet-powered fighters over the Atlantic Ocean, the 27th Fighter Escort Wing was presented the Mackay Trophy by General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, USAF Chief of Staff.

8 November 1950 to 30 June 1951 – Eighth Air Force’s only assigned unit to be deployed for the Korean War was the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing. The wing commenced deployment of 75 F-84E Thunderjet fighter aircraft to the Far East for air combat duty in the Korean War from Bergstrom AFB, Texas to San Diego Naval Air Station and after being loaded aboard two aircraft carriers; departed on 13 and 14 September docking in Japan on 30 November 1950. The 27th Fighter-Escort Wing was placed under the operational control of Far East Air Forces and saw air combat over the Korean Peninsula – to include air-to-air combat with Chinese MiG-15 fighter aircraft. This fighter wing became highly decorated with four Distinguished Flying Crosses and 23 Air Medals.

Six B-36s of the Eighth’s 7th Bomb Wing few a training mission from Carswell AFB, Texas to RAF Lakenheath, England, returning on 21 January 1951.

Provisional training squadrons were organized and assigned to each Eighth Air Force base to provide centralized control of administration for all individual training except for air crew training.

Three B-36D Peacekeepers heavy bombers from 7th Bomb Wing participated in the Paris Air Show.

The first B-36s Peacekeeper bombers landed at Sidi Slimane Air Base, in French Morocco. Six heavy bombers from the Eighth’s 11th Bomb Wing arrived at after covering 4,984 miles, 21 hours, nonstop from Carswell AFB, Texas. The B-36s departed for home station of Carswell AFB, Texas on 5 December landing on 6 December after a 27 hour flight.

Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing participated in the Royal Air Force Strike Command’s Bombing and Navigation Competition and the Wing’s B-50D Superfortress bomber took second place in the competition.

Eight B-50D Superfortress bomber aircraft assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing of Eighth Air Force flew over the city of Brussels, Belgium in the first airpower demonstration for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) officials.

A severe weather storm struck Carswell AFB, Texas where it damaged 72 B-36 Peacekeeper bomber aircraft assigned to Eighth Air Force’s 7th and 11th Bomb Wings.

13-18 October – Strategic Air Command conducted the Fourth Annual Bombing and Navigation Completion which involved 19 wings and participation by the Royal Air Force. Award of the Fairchild Trophy (for best bomber unit in combined fields of bombing and navigation) was a tie between Eighth Air Force’s 97th Bomb Wing and Fifteenth Air Force’s 93rd Bomb Wing. General Thomas S. Powers as the Vice Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Air Command flipped a coin to determine which unit would possess the trophy for the first six months – the 93rd Bomb Wing won the flip.

24 October to 1 November – Strategic Air Command conducted its first Reconnaissance, Photo, and Navigation Competition resulting in Eighth Air Force’s sole participant, the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing being the first winner of the P. T. Cullen Trophy.

6 October 1952 to 13 February 1953 – The 27th Fighter Escort Wing deployed again to the Korean War. This unique deployment from Bergstrom AFB, Texas included a 7,800 mile air trip composed of island-hopping. From Texas the F-84G Thunderjet fighter aircraft landed in Hawaii, Midway Island, and Misawa Air Base in Japan. The 2,572 mile route from Midway Island to Japan became the longest over-the-water, air-to-air refueling of jet fighters in aviation history up that time.

Ten B-36 Peacemaker bombers aircraft assigned to the 6th Bomb Wing, Heavy of Eighth Air Force conducted operations out of Thule AFB, Greenland.

The Eighth Air Force’s first KC-97 Stratotanker was delivered to the 96th Air Refueling Squadron at Altus AFB, Oklahoma; with this aerial tanker vital to world-wide strategic operations of the Eighth’s assigned B-47 Stratojet.

The Eighth Air Force Noncommissioned Academy began its first class at Bergstrom AFB, Texas.

Headquarters 1st Air Division was organized at Westover AFB, Massachusetts and served as a holding unit for the planned move of Eighth Air Force headquarters to the base.

Westover AFB, Massachusetts was transferred from the Military Air Transport Service to the Strategic Air Command and assigned to Eighth Air Force. During this major reorganization several units and installations were transferred between several Numbered Air Forces applying also to Eighth Air Force.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force began its operations at Westover AFB, Massachusetts.

Major General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr. assumed command of Eighth Air Force becoming the longest serving Commander in Eighth’s history relinquishing command on 1 October 1961.

The 42d Bomb Wing, Heavy, at Loring AFB, Maine received the first B-52 Stratofortress assigned to Eighth Air Force.

Eighth Air Force received a new mission set from Strategic Air Command.
Specifically, the Eighth was to: (1) train, and equip itself to conduct strategic air warfare on a world-wide basis, using either nuclear or conventional weapons, (2) perform tasks assigned in the current Emergency War Plan and in related operations orders, (3) train and administer assigned reserve personnel and units, (4) participate in disaster relief and other domestic emergencies, and (5) perform such special missions as directed by the Commander-in-Chief Strategic Air Command.

Headquarters Northeast Air Command was discontinued thus resulting in Eighth Air Force gaining airbases and USAF units under its jurisdiction including multiple air bases in Newfoundland (Canada) and Greenland.

Strategic Air Command commenced bomber ground alert status: Eighth Air Force would conduct ground and airborne alert operations from 1957 to April 1970 and then again resume alert operations on 1 January 1975 until 27 September 1991 when alert termination was ordered by President George H.W. Bush.

11 to 17 November – Operation Long Legs was begun by General Curtis E. LeMay, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force flying a new KC-135 Stratotanker named City of Moses Lake (s/n 55-3126) on two aviation record making flights. Accomplished in three phases, Operation Long Legs constituted the American cooperation with Argentina Air Force in celebration of that nation’s twelfth annual Aeronautics Week. The KC-135 flown by General LeMay belonged to the 4050th Air Refueling Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force.
The first phase conducted on 11 November resulted in an aviation record of a non-stop, non-refueled flight of 6,332.85 miles from Westover AFB, Massachusetts to Buenos Aires, Argentina accomplished in 13 hours, 2 minutes. Approximately 1,000 miles were added to the distance by flying “around-the-hump” of Brazil.
The second phase was an aviation speed record established with a 5,204 miles flight from Buenos Aires to Washington, D.C. in 11 hours, 5 minutes with an average speed of 471.5 mph conducted on 13 November.
The third phase of Operation Long Legs conducted 16-17 November had six B-52 Stratofortress bombers from the Eighth Air Force assigned 42nd Bomb Wing conduct a non-stop, round-trip flyover of the Buenos Aires air show with a return Plattsburgh AFB, New York.

Lincoln AFB, Nebraska became the first Eighth Air Force assigned base to be reorganized to support alert operations. Subsequently other bases belonging to the Eighth began their reorganization actions to support alert duty and operations.

24 to 25 November – Eighth Air Force’s participation in Strategic Air Command’s Operation Quick Kick included four B-52 Stratofortress bombers from 42d Bomb Wing and was part of Strategic Air Command’s effort to showcase its newest bomber, the B-52. In all, eight B-52s (including the four from the Eighth) few a two-day, non-stop flight around the perimeter of North America (the United States and Canada) with all eight bomber aircrews setting a new endurance aviation record by staying aloft more than 24 hours.

Strategic Air Command began its reorganization of its Numbered Air Forces. Specifically, Eighth Air Force lost some airbases in the middle of the country while gaining others essentially resulting in assigned units and bases contained within the eastern part of the Continental United States.

Eighth Air Force entered the missile era with assignment of the 702d Strategic Missile Wing (Snark). The MX-62 Snark was a short-lived, ground launched, turbojet-powered intercontinental cruise-type nuclear missile that achieved alert status in March 1960 and the only SNARK units activated by the Air Force. (Overtime, Eighth Air Force would have assigned missile wings equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) including Atlas-F, Titan I & II, and Minuteman I & II.)

The first Snark SM-62 surface-to-surface intercontinental nuclear-armed cruise missile attained alert status with Eighth Air Force assigned 702d Strategic Missile Wing (Snark) stationed at Presque Island, Maine.

The experimental test program of having bomb wings with 70 assigned aircraft was terminated by the Strategic Air Command. The test units of 2d and 380th Bomb Wing would retain their 70 aircraft inventory, but other B-47 Stratojet equipped units would not convert. Strategic Air Command concluded the 70 aircraft organizational concept was too large for effective management. (On 25 June 1961, both bomb wings would reorganize and reduce to 45 aircraft.)

The Eighth Air Force assigned 306th Bomb Wing replaced the 19th Bomb Wing assigned to 2nd Air Force in supporting Reflex Action rotation operations at Ben Guerir AB, Morocco. Strategic Air Command forward deployed nuclear-armed B-47 Stratojets as part of its alert force. Three airbases in Morocco would be utilized for forward deployed alert rotations.

Missile Site Number 5 and Number 6 respectively at Lewis and Ausable Forks in New York, were designated and assigned to Eighth Air Force and Plattsburgh AFB, New York. (During this time several Missile Sites were assigned to Eighth Air Force.)

Eighth Air Force assigned 19th Bomb Wing converted from B-47 Stratojet bomber aircraft to B-52 Stratofortress bombers.

16 to 22 September – During the Strategic Air Command’s Combat Competition held at Fairchild AFB, Washington; Eighth Air Force won the most top honors including best B-47 and B-52 wing honors as well as awards for aerial refueling units and aircrews.

Strategic Air Command discontinued the fourth bomb squadron in each medium bomb wing with the associated manpower savings providing centralized control of wing operations causing Eighth Air Force to lose a bomb squadron at six of its assigned airbases.

The first Atlas International Ballistic Missile arrived at Plattsburgh AFB, New York, an Eighth Air Force base.

The Cuban Missile Crisis began in response to increasing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union over discovery of Soviet nuclear ballistic missiles and jet bombers assets in Cuba. Historical context:
 20 October – Eighth Air Force actions taken in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis included: (1) moving all Eighth bombers from Homestead and MacDill AFBs in Florida, (2) implement limited airborne alert operations, (3) assigned B-47 bombers began dispersal operations, (4) increased force status to Defense Condition 3, and (5) placed the 12 Atlas missile sites at Plattsburgh AFB and personnel of the Site Activation Task Force directly under Strategic Air Command control to bring the sites to alert posture quickly.
 25 October – The United States implemented a naval “quarantine” blockade and air surveillance of Cuba at 1000 hours.
 2 November – President John F. Kennedy spoke to the nation to report that aerial photos had confirmed Soviet missile bases were being dismantled, their missiles and related equipment were being crated, and that the fixed installations at these sites were being destroyed. However, the United States continued its air surveillance and the naval quarantine.
7 November –the United States announced that missile removal would be verified by check at sea.
8 November – Pentagon photographs revealed that all known missile sites were dismantled.
7 December – Department of Defense announced Soviet jet bombers, apparently all the attack aircraft sent to Cuba, were loaded aboard three Soviet ships.

Whiteman AFB at Knob Noster, Missouri transferred from Second Air Force to Eighth Air Force along with all assigned units simultaneously Francis E. Warren AFB at Cheyenne, Wyoming transferred from Fifteenth Air Force to the Eighth along with its assigned units.

Lieutenant General Joseph J. Nazzaro, the Eighth Air Force Commander (#22) since 1 October 1962 was appointed as the Vice Commander of Strategic Air Command and was replaced by Lieutenant General Horace M. Wade.

Strategic Air Command began to deploy B-52 Stratofortress bomber units to Kadena AB, Okinawa as a contingency force if needed in the Vietnam War. Deployments were under the name of ARC LIGHT.
18 June – The inaugural ARC LIGHT conventional air combat sortie was conducted by B-52s in the Vietnam War striking enemy targets in South Vietnam. By December 1965, B-52s would have flown 100 air combat missions in the war.
Bomber aircraft and their aircrews from four bomber units (none from Eighth Air Force) home stationed in the United States rotated to conduct the air war in Southeast Asia from Andersen AFB, Guam. These rotations from these four bomber units phased out by March 1966.
In early 1966, six bomber wings became cadre units on Andersen AFB, Guam and were augmented with personnel and aircrews from other wings within Strategic Air Command. Of the six cadre wings, two were assigned to Eighth Air Force. The 306th Bomb Wing from McCoy AFB, Florida was the first cadre wing from Eighth Air Force to conduct a deployment starting on 6 September 1966. After this date into 1970 several bomb wings of the Eighth deployed as cadre units with some doing repeat deployments.

Strategic Air Command conducted its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile completion with Eighth Air Force sweeping all categories for the Minuteman missile system.

In a flag move from Westover AFB, Massachusetts to Andersen AFB, Guam; Headquarters Eighth Air Force attained a new mission to plan, command & control, and implement conventional bomber operations throughout Southeast Asia, while remaining assigned to the Strategic Air Command.

18-29 December – Headquarters Eighth Air Force based at Andersen AFB, Guam; in coordination with Strategic Air Command, planned and conducted 729 nighttime bomber sorties as part of Operation Linebacker II; an 11 day decisive air campaign against Hanoi-Haiphong heartland of North Vietnam resulting in influencing North Vietnam to return to the Paris Peace Talks and sign a previously negotiated cease-fire agreement. For the 11 days, USAF and USN tactical aircraft conducted daytime attacks with nighttime strikes conducted by B-52s and supporting aircraft. Some 1,200 surface-to-air missiles were fired during Linebacker II dowing 15 B-52s and 10 tactical aircraft.

The Robert J. Collier Trophy, a most prestigious recognition for achievement in aviation, was presented to Eighth Air Force for planning and implementing Operation Linebacker II over the heavily defended heartland of North Vietnam during the 11-day strategic air campaign from 18-29 December 1972. Co-winners included Seventh Air Force and Navy Task Force 77.

Bomber-centric air combat ends in war in Southeast Asia with the last B-52 bomber strike flown on this date. From April 1970 to this August date, Eighth Air Force had planned and then commanded and controlled B-52 operations in the air war during the Vietnam War.
Summary of Bomber Statistics in Vietnam War: For 98 months of air combat conducted by B-52s in Southeast Asia; bombers flew 126,615 actual sorties, credited with dropping 6,162,000 tons of munitions with most strikes conducted in South Vietnam (55 percent), Laos (27 percent), Cambodia (12 percent), and in North Vietnam (6 percent); loss of 31 B-52s (18 to hostile fire, remainder to operational accidents.)

In a flag move, Headquarters Eighth Air Force moved from Andersen AFB, Guam to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana reassuming nuclear deterrence and alert operations under Strategic Air Command.

23 to 25 October – The Twenty-Second Annual Bombing and Navigation Competition was conducted by Strategic Air Command, the first time where overseas-based Air Force units could compete. Some 43 units within the United States as well a B-52 unit stationed on Guam and an aerial tanker unit based at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa competed. Eighth Air Force’s 380th Bomb Wing (FB-111 Aardvark) took the Fairchild Trophy for a fourth time in a row. With this specific competition, Barksdale AFB in Louisiana became the official headquarters and center for the Competition’s symposium and award ceremonies.

B-52 Stratofortress bombers from 2d Bomb Wing the first to be modified to carry and launch the AGM-86 Conventional Air Launch Cruise Missile (CALCM) arrived at Edwards AFB, California for testing. Eighth Air Force and its assigned 2d Bomb Wing became the test bed for the CACLM, a stand-off precision strike munition.

The Mackay Trophy was awarded in recognizing a non-stop round-the-world aviation record – nicknamed “Busy Visit” – by two B-52s Stratofortress bombers covering 21,256 statute miles in 43 hours, 55 minutes averaging 488 miles per hour. This almost entire over-the-water route was conducted to validate several Strategic Air Command contingency plans and to figure out the “how to” of conducting sea surveillance of ocean-going vessels. Bombers and aircrews were from the 410th Bomb Wing of Eighth Air Force.

The first KC-10 Extender aerial tanker was accepted and flown from the Douglas Aircraft Company in California to Barksdale AFB by Lieutenant General Edgar S. Harris, Jr. then Commander (#35) Eighth Air Force. The field testing and evaluation of the newest aerial refueler was done under the auspices the 4200th Test and Evaluation Squadron as well as both Eighth Air Force and 2d Bomb Wing.

The former Commander of Eighth Air Force, General (retired) Ira C. Eaker, donated the Castle Croom Punch Bowl Set with this sterling silver set – the engraved punch bowl and ladle along with his personal cup – becoming the heraldic device for Eighth Air Force. The entire set was created by the Black, Starr & Gorham Company in 1944 and was the centerpiece for post-war reunion events. Subsequently five other cups were donated with each like General Eaker’s cup having the Eighth’s emblem and the person’s name engraved on the cup. The bowl, ladle and six of the original nine cups are displayed within a protective cabinet inside the headquarters’ Command Section adjacent to the entryway into the Commander’s Office.

15 to 18 March – Eighth Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crews in collaboration with the United States Navy, gain proficiency with the Harpoon anti-ship missile in developing air-sea interdiction capabilities.

Eighth Air Force began to transfer space-centric units – including early warning, space surveillance, and satellite tracking – were transferred to the newly activated Air Force Space Command. The transferring had been completed by 1 May 1983. These space-centric units had previously been transferred to the Eighth in early 1980 as the Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated in April 1980.

15-18 May – Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers from 2d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force participated in a Strategic Air Command test to develop a bomber-centric air-sea interdiction capability. These bomber aircrews in an exercise at the Pacific Missile Test Range on Kwajalein Atoll successfully launched three AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

Last B-52D model bomber (s/n 55-0674) was retired by the United States Air Force from its assignment to Eighth Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing.

The 42d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force reached Initial Operational Capability with the United States Navy’s AGM-94 Harpoon anti-ship missile.

Strategic Air Command conducted its Twenty-Eighth Annual Bombing and Navigation Competition with first contestants participating from the United States Air Forces Europe. The Competition Headquarters at Barksdale AFB was renamed as “Hoban Hall” in honor of former Eighth Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Richard M. Hoban who had done much to establish a permanent home for “Bomb Comp” at Barksdale AFB. The Royal Air Force participated with its newest fighter-bomber aircraft the Tornado. The Fairchild Trophy was won by Eighth Air Force’s 380th Bomb Wing, the only unit in Strategic Air Command to be the recipient of this top trophy five times.

The Air Force’s newest aerial refueling aircraft – the KC-10 Extender – reached Full Operational Capability while assigned to Eighth Air Force assigned 2d Bomb Wing. The testing and evaluation of the KC-10 at Barksdale AFB had commenced in March 1981.

Colonel Philip J. Ford, the 384th Bomb Wing Commander (and future Eighth Air Force Commander) and Lieutenant General E. G. “Buck” Shuler, Jr., the Eighth Air Force Commander (#40) flew the last B-1B from the Rockwell International plant to McConnell AFB, Kansas.

7 to 11 February – Strategic Air Command conducted its last Unit Effectiveness Inspection of Eighth Air Force resulting in 15 outstanding and 22 excellent marks.

The United States Air Force filed its Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Peacekeeper Rail Garrison system with the study listing 10 candidate bases, including five Eighth Air Force assigned installations for the system’s eventual deployment.

27 April to 4 May – Strategic Air Command conducted the annual missile competition at Vandenberg AFB, California where Eighth Air Force assigned 351st Strategic Missile Wing a Minuteman II unit stationed at Whiteman AFB, Missouri won the Blanchard Trophy for the best missile wing in Strategic Air Command.

CMSgt Joseph D. Cook, Eighth’s Senior Enlisted Advisor (#6) since 12 August 1986, left to become the Senior Leader Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Air Command.

5 to 17 September – Eighth Air Force initiated Exercise Mighty Warrior 89 and during the exercise generated nearly 1,150 sorties from 10 forward operating locations in a realistic wartime environment. During the exercise, Eighth Air Force surged multiple B-52s, B-1Bs and FB-111s sorties to drop live and inert weapons on the Nellis Range, Nevada.

The aircrew of a B-1B bomber aircraft from Eighth Air Force assigned 96th Bombardment Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas skillfully landed their aircraft on a dry lakebed in the first-ever gear up emergency landing due to a retracted nose landing gear. No aircrew member was harmed, and the bomber suffered minimal damage. For this feat, the aircrew earned the Mackay Trophy for 1989.

The United States initiated military operations against Panama to protect American lives, restore democracy, and apprehend General Manuel Noriega. Eighth Air Force served as the lead Numbered Air Force for aerial tankers and assembled a tanker task force with over 90 aerial refuelers. The tankers subsequently completed 80 missions to offload 4.75 million pounds of fuel to 124 receivers in the first 22 hours of the operation.

5 to 19 January – For Exercise Mighty Force 90-1, the 2d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force deployed seven B-52s and three KC-10s aerial refuelers to Roswell Industrial Air Center for training in supporting Red Flag exercises at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

With the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the United States with allied nations built a coalition force under Operation Desert Shield. On 7 August, as part of Strategic Air Command prepared bomber and aerial refueling aircraft for possible deployment, Eighth Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General E. G. “Buck” Shuler, Jr., held his first battle staff conference. Aircraft began to be deployed to theater within days afterwards.

The 509th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force closed at Pease AFB, New Hampshire and simultaneously opened at Whiteman AFB, Missouri.

16-17 January – In Operation Senior Surprise (nicknamed “Secret Squirrel”) seven B-52Gs from Eighth Air Force assigned 2d Bomb Wing, deployed from Barksdale AFB against targets in Iraq. This singular mission turned out to be the longest single air combat mission in history (35.4 hours to complete a 14,000-mile round trip flight), combat debut of the Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missiles (CALCM) precision munitions, first Continental United States (CONUS) to CONUS air combat mission, and first use of standoff air tactics. This air strike was the first air combat mission opening Operation Desert Storm.

21 January thru 15 April – Strategic Air Command established the “Mighty Express” – a special airlift channel to funnel supplies and equipment to intermediate service centers supporting Operation Desert Storm. Eighth Air Force’s Logistics Readiness Center assumed control over the logistics network.

Strategic Air Command implemented its objective wing restructuring plan so to create logistics, operations, and support groups under each wing-level organization. Specifically for Eighth Air Force, the restructuring caused 12 bomber equipped wings to be redesignated with the new nomenclature of “Bomb Wing” and the restructuring caused reassignment and move of all aerial refuelings units to be consolidated under Fifteenth Air Force.

Following presidential directions on 27 September 1991, the Strategic Air Command removed all bombers from alert. Bomber-centric nuclear alert for Strategic Air Command had commenced on 1 October 1957.

United States Strategic Command created Task Force 204, a unique single service task force managing the daily status of nuclear-capable bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Beginning on 1 October 1993 until 16 October 2017, the Commander Eighth Air Force was also dual hatted as Commander Task Force 204.

Headquarters Strategic Air Command was disestablished resulting in Eighth Air Force being reassigned to the newly established Air Combat Command. Ensuring actions renamed most bomber “Wing” organizations as “Bomb Wings.” Per the reassignment to Air Combat Command, the Eighth Air Force retained the: 2d, 5th, 7th, 28th, 96th, 97th, 319th, 384th, 410th, and 509th Bomb Wings.

Senior leaders from Headquarters Eighth Air Force met with Air Combat Command representatives at Langley AFB, Virginia to discuss a new roles and missions for the Numbered Air Force.

Eighth Air Force created a Standardization and Evaluation function in its headquarters to check aircrew mission capabilities.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force reorganized, eliminating it’s the Chief of Staff and staff directorate positions by forming staff divisions.

At the direction of Air Combat Command, the Eighth Air Force established a B-52 Formal Training Unit Site Activation Team to manage the transition of the B-52 Formal Training Unit from Castle AFB, California to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

2 to 3 June – The Mackay Trophy was awarded to Eighth Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing for an around-the-world aviation record set by two B-1B Lancer bombers.

Headquarters Air Mobility Command transferred the 65th Wing at Lajes Air Base, in the Azores to Air Combat Command who redesignated the wing as an Air Base Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force.

Air Combat Command implemented its General Purpose Numbered Air Force where Commander Eighth Air Force became the Commander Task Force - Bomber mission supporting the United States Strategic Command as well as support the United States Navy’s Atlantic Command in their counterdrug operations and long range interdiction operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

1 October 1993 to 16 October 2017 – The Commander United States Strategic Command created Task Force 204 (TF 204) for the generation of nuclear capable bombers with the Commander Eighth Air Force becoming dual-hatted as Commander TF204. Task force personnel was provided by Eighth Air Force’s 608th Strategic Operations Squadron (activated 4 June 2004 and inactivated 24 August 2018).

Air Combat Command transferred the 35th Wing with F-15s and HH-60s stationed at Keflavik AB, Iceland from First Air Force to the Eighth Air Force.

7th Bomb Wing moved from Carswell AFB, Texas to Dyess AFB, Texas but remained assigned to Eighth Air Force.

The first B-2A Spirit bomber aircraft – named “ACC-1” and later renamed the Spirit of Missouri – arrived at Whiteman AFB, Missouri and assigned to the Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing.

Under the newly created General Purpose Numbered Air Force operational concept, Air Combat Command activated several warfighting units assigned to Headquarters Eighth Air Force at Barksdale AFB. New subordinate units included the 608th Air Operations Group, the 608th Air Communications Squadron, the 608th Air Intelligence Squadron, the 608th Air Support Squadron, the 608th Combat Operations Squadron, and the 608th Combat Plans Squadron.

Eighth Air Force assigned 2d Bomb Wing established Detachment 1, 2d Operations Group at Barksdale AFB to support the transition of the B-52 Formal Training Unit (FTU) activities from Castle AFB, California. Later, on 1 July, the B-52 FTU operations closed at Castle AFB with the FTU mission formally transitioning to the newly activated 11th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale AFB.

1 to 3 August – An aviation record was achieved during Global Power 94-7 with a non-stop circumnavigation of the global in just over 47 hours, accomplished by two B-52s Stratofortress bombers from 2d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force. This mission was a show-of-force marking the anniversary of the Iraqi ground invasion of Kuwait. Of the two participating bomber aircraft, one was the Lucky Lady IV (s/n 60-0008) the flagship of Eighth Air Force.

Eighth Air Force assigned 509th Bomb Wing dispatched the Spirit of California that became the first B-2A Spirit bomber to deliver munitions by dropping two 2,000-pound bombs on the Utah Test and Training Range.

B-52 Stratofortress (from 2d Bomb Wing) and a B-1B Lancer (from 7th Bomb Wing) assigned to Eighth Air Force along with a KC-10 Extender landed at Poltava Air Base, Ukraine, marking the first time since World War II that American bombers had landed in that country. During World War II, B-17 Flying Fortresses belonging to Eighth Air Force had flown to this airfield on shuttle bombing missions against Nazi targets in Eastern Europe.

Air Combat Command inactivated the 35th Wing and activated the 85th Wing to assume the F-15 and HH-60 missions at Keflavik NAS, Iceland; with these units assigned to Eighth Air Force

Air Combat Command reassigned the 3d Air Support Operations Group with home station at Fort Hood, Texas from Twelfth Air Force to Eighth Air Force

17-19 January – Over 60 commanders and advisors from active, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserves units were hosted by Lieutenant General Stephen B. Croker, the Commander (#42) Eighth Air Force at his Winter Commanders’ Conference conducted at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

20 January to 3 February – Lieutenant General Stephen B. Croker, Commander served as the Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC) and the Air Force Forces (AFFOR) Commander for Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 95-2 aboard the United States Navy’s U.S.S. Mount Whitney at Norfolk Naval Operating Base, Virginia.

A B-2A Spirit bomber assigned to Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing dropped its first-ever live munition on the Nevada Test Range with this task contributing to the Air Force’s newest bomber aircraft achieving Initial Operating Capability.

15 April to 9 May – Eighth Air Force participated in a joint integrated air defense exercise held at Fort Bliss, Texas called Roving Sands 95.

The 931st Air Refueling Wing (United States Air Force Reserve) was he first KC-135 Stratotanker unit to fly an operational mission with an all-Reserve aircrew. The aircraft being refueled was B-2A Spirit of Kansas from Eighth Air Force’s 509 Bomb Wing.

The B-2A Spirit bomber made its first international appearance at an air show in Paris, France; with the B-2A from Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing and flown to Paris by the wing’s commander; Brigadier General Ronald C. Marcotte (future #44 Eighth Air Force commander).

2-3 June – Two B-1B Lancer bombers from 7th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force flew around the world in a record 36 hours, 13 minutes, 36 seconds, refueling in flight six times during Operation Coronet Bat (Global Power mission) that covered 36,797.65 kilometers and earning the aircrews the Mackay Trophy.

A single B-2A Spirit bomber from the Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing, participated in a Global Power mission – the first for any B-2A bomber – and flew 12 hours from Whiteman AFB, Missouri to The Netherlands and return conducting a simulated bomb drop.

The first-ever drop of a Global Positioning System Aided Munition by a B-2A Spirit bomber was accomplished over the test range at China Lake, California by a B-2A from 509th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force.

A B-52 named Mudbuff from to 2d Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force experienced a violent explosion causing the pod containing engines number three and four to fall off the airframe as the bomber had just take off from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. The aircrew maintained controlled and circled the airfield seven hours to burn off fuel and conduct controllability checks before safely landing back on base. For this feat, the aircrew garnered the Air Combat Command’s Aircrew Safety Award, the Air Force Safety’s “Well Done” Award, and the Ira Eaker Outstanding Airmanship Award.

A B-52H Stratofortress from Eighth Air Force assigned 2d Bomb Wing set six speed records over a 10,000-kilometer close-circuit course, unrefueled and with a payload. Nicknamed “Long Rifle,” the B-52H took-off from Edwards AFB, California; flew to Adak Naval Air Station, Alaska; and returned in a record time of 11 hours 23 minutes, at an average speed of 556 miles per hour. The crew earned the 1995 Gen Curtis E. LeMay award.

In its first flight over the Pacific Ocean, B-2A Spirit of Kansas assigned to Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing, flew to Hickam Field in Hawaii marking the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific area.

12 to 20 September – Lieutenant General Stephen B. Croker, the Commander Eighth Air Force directed Exercise Blue Flag 95-4 at the United States Battlestaff Training School on Hurlburt Field, Florida. Eighth Air Force personnel deployed to Hurlburt Field where General Croker and his staff utilized the same organization as they would in a real-world contingency.

Lieutenant General Phillip J. Ford, Commander (#43) of Eighth Air Force directed the Joint Task Force Exercise 97-2 conducted from the Eighth’s headquarters building with the exercise melding the efforts of the Air Force with the United States Army, Navy and Marines.

Air Commodore D. K. Norriss, the Air Attaché at the British Embassy received an organizational briefing from senior leaders of Eighth Air Force.

Members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Tactical Communications Wing stationed at RAF Brize Norton, England visited Eighth Air Force and participated in Exercise United Endeavor conducted from 25 October to 4 November.

In a ceremony conducted at Barksdale AFB, the United States Air Force named its 17th B-2A bomber aircraft The Spirit of Louisiana with the bomber flown a few days earlier to the airbase by Lieutenant General Phillip J. Ford, Commander of Eighth Air Force.

CMSgt Elvin L. Pearson became the #9 Command Chief of Eighth Air Force and was the first African American airman to hold this senior leadership position.

15 to 21 March – General-Lieutenant Mikhail Oparin, commander of Russia's long-range aviation forces, visited Barksdale AFB and Eighth Air Force as part of a tour of bomber bases. Lieutenant General Phillip J. Ford the Commander of Eighth Air Force escorted General Oparin to Whiteman AFB and Dyess AFB, Texas to see the B-2A Spirit and B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft, respectively. The tour was part of United States Strategic Command’s hosting program for Russian military dignitaries.

30 May to 7 June – Eighth Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Phillip J. Ford conducted a tour of Russian long-range aviation bases. During the tour, General Ford met with several senior military leaders, received orientation briefings, and participated in a Tu-95 Bear bomber orientation flight. General Oparin, who visited Eighth Air Force earlier in March escorted General Ford on tours to long-range aviation bases, the cosmonaut training complex at Star City, and to the City of Moscow.

When Saddam Hussein denied United Nation weapon inspector teams access to some of the facilities in Iraq that required inspection, President Clinton approved a recommendation to deploy additional forces to the region. Eighth Air Force’s 2d Bomb Wing began to prepare for the deployment of airmen and aircraft to island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

16 to 20 December – Eighth Air Force assigned B-52 and B-1B bomber aircraft conducted Operation Desert Fox – the combat debut of the B-1B Lancer bomber. The delivery four 500-pound General Purpose conventional bombs against Iraqi military barracks was in coordination with the launch of cruise missiles and air strikes by the United States and Great Britain against Iraqi targets after Iraq refused to allow United Nations weapons inspectors to continue their work. The four-day operation, which hit some 100 enemy sites destroyed weapons-production facilities. This was the largest air campaign against Iraq since Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

24 March – Operation Allied Force against Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the combat debut of Eighth Air Force’s B-2A Spirit bombers assigned to 509th Bomb Wing supporting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization military operation to re-establish peace in Kosovo and Serbia. (The American portion was called Operation Nobel Anvil.) This was also the first air combat mission conducted by Eighth Air Force in Europe since 1945.
24 March 1999 – Combat debut of the B-2A Spirit bomber, from 509th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force, struck Serbian integrated air defense systems and military command and control nodes.
28 March 1999 – B-1B Lancer bombers from 28th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force, struck industrial sites and Kosovo-based military forces. Participating B-1B bombers delivered 20 percent of the total ordnance but only flew less than two percent of the air combat sorties.

20 to 28 September –The Aerospace Command and Control & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center from Hurlburt Field, Florida conducted Blue Flag 99-4 at Barksdale AFB to train Eighth Air Force personnel in Air Operation Center procedures.

Headquarters Eighth Air Force began its transition to become an Information Operations Numbered Air Force. This transition caused the assignment information operation-centric units and the creation of the Air Force Network Operations Center. Subsequently the Eighth’s headquarters provided the “on-ramp” to the proposed Air Force Cyberspace Command with the headquarters directly supporting the provisional cyberspace headquarter co-located with the Eighth’s headquarters from 18 September 2007 to July 2009.

Terrorist attacks on the American heartland caused President George H. Bush aboard Air Force One to land at Barksdale AFB. Headquarters Eighth Air Force supported the President with facilities, operational awareness, intelligence & communications support, and physical security while the Eighth’s assigned 2d Bomb Wing directly supported the preparation of Air Force One for continued flight. President Bush spoke to the nation about the terrorist attacks from the Eighth Air Force Commander’s Conference Room. Subsequently, in Operation Noble Eagle – the defense of the American Homeland – Eighth Air Force aircraft flew over 2,000 air patrols.

5, 7, & 8 October – Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing conducted six B-2A Spirit strikes against Taliban and terrorist targets in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The air combat sortie of the B-2A Spirit of America of 44.3 hours conducted on 7 October became the longest air combat mission in history to date.

The B-1B Lancer “Live Free or Die” (s/n 86-0114) became the first B-1B to be lost. The bomber was on a bombing mission to Afghanistan (supporting Operation Enduring Freedom) when it crashed into the Indian Ocean about 10 miles north of its island base, Diego Garcia, just after takeoff. The aircrew ejected and was rescued unharmed. It was the first Air Force aircraft lost in the war in Afghanistan as well as the first B-1B lost. It was determined the loss was due to multiple system malfunctions not to enemy counter-air action.

Air Combat Command assigned a new mission set of non-kinetic warfare to Eighth Air Force thus accelerating the transition of the Eighth from a General Purpose Numbered Air Force (NAF) to an Information Operations NAF. This transition over time caused a number of reconnaissance, command and control, cyber, information warfare, and electronic warfare units to be assigned to the Eighth and later in 2007 for the Eighth to serve as the “on-ramp” for a new Major Command to be the Air Force Cyberspace Command.

An air attack by B-2A Spirit bombers deployed by 509 Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force conducted an air attack against senior Iraqi leaders gathered al-Dora farms in Iraq the day prior to the start of ground offensive in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

21 March to 14 April – During Operation Iraqi Freedom was the first time for all three bomber types – B-1Bs, B-2As, and B-52s – concurrently operated by attacking simultaneous targets including enemy command and control facilities.

The 46th Commander of Eighth Air Force, Lieutenant General Bruce Carlson became multi-hatted as Commander of the Air Force Network Operations Center. This appointment by the Commander Air Combat Command was to create and implement procedures in operating and safeguarding the United States Air Force global computer networks as part of Information Operations Numbered Air Force mission set assigned to the Eighth.

Brigadier General Kimber L. McKenzie became the first female to become the Vice Commander of Eighth Air Force.

1 March 2004 to 21 April 2020: Eighth Air Force and its bomber fleet participated in back-to-back rotations to Andersen AFB, Guam as part of the Continuous Bomber Presence mission set supporting the Commander of United States Pacific Command. All bomber types participated in supporting the theater strategy and objectives.

Major General Richard M. Clark became the #52 Commander of Eighth Air Force and was the first African American General Officer to become the Commander.

A massive Category 3 storm – Hurricane Katrina – made landfall near New Orleans creating heavy flooding, widespread damage, and over 1,800 deaths in three southern states bordering along the Gulf of Mexico. The federal response created Joint Task Force Katrina – the largest military operation inside the Continental United States since the American Civil War. For this humanitarian support to civil authorities, Eighth Air Force provided support units, operational expertise, capabilities, and equipment.

The Commander’s Conference Room was memorialized in honor of General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr. – the #20 Commander and to date, the longest serving Commander of Eighth Air Force (6 August 1955 to 1 October 1961).

29 August to December – Humanitarian Operations, 29 August-December 2005, Joint Task Force-Katrina: Multiple units assigned to Eighth Air Force units participated in the largest military operation inside the United States since the Civil War in supporting Joint Task Force-Katrina in supporting civil authorities after a massive hurricane devastated and flooded the urban regional in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. Eighth Air Force support included personnel, equipment, and capabilities. This humanitarian operation pioneered the peacetime use of unmanned aerial vehicles provided by an Eighth assigned units, of the impacted urban areas of New Orleans as well as supported Army ground units assigned to the Joint Task Force-Katrina.

Three B-52 Stratofortress bombers from 2d Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB conducted a long-range exercise into the Gulf of Mexico to find ocean-going vessels. In Rex Redux or formally Exercise Recognition Identification Maneuver, the 608th Air Operations Center of Eighth Air Force conducted an innovative experiment to find and track several U.S. Navy utility ships in the Gulf of Mexico so to demonstrate bomber connectivity to a command and control entity and to gain experience with B-52s equipped with targeting pods.

18 September 2007 until July 2008 – The Chief of Staff, USAF tasked the Commander and Headquarters Eighth Air Force to host and directly support the Commander of Headquarters Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional) in the eventual standup of this new Major Command.

18 September 2007 to June 2009 – The Chief of Staff, USAF appointed the Lieutenant General Robert J. “Bob” Elder, Jr, the Eighth Air Force Commander to host and support the Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional) as preclude to the standup of this new Major Command.

A B-1B Lancer bomber from Eighth Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing became the first USAF aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using synthetic fuel.

Eighth Air Force was re-designated as Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) transforming from to a Component Numbered Air Force creating a warfighting headquarters with the supported commander as United States Strategic Command.

The Eighth Air Force assigned 608th Air Operations Group was redesignated as the 608th Air and Space Operations Center (with weapons system status) as part of the Eighth’s warfighting headquarters mission set.

Lieutenant General Robert J. “Bob” Elder, Jr, the 48th Commander of Eighth Air Force initiated and implemented the memorialization of the Eubank Conference Center on in honor of Major General (retired) William E. Eubank, Jr. In his 29 years of active duty service, General Eubank had been stationed on Barksdale numerous times, was a World War II bomber commander in the Pacific Theater of Operations and had accepted the first B-52 Stratofortress for the United States Air Force on 29 June 1955.

Eighth Air Force along with its assigned 2nd Bomb Wing), 5th Bomb Wing, 509th Bomb Wing, 608th Air Operations Center, 608th Strategic Operations Squadron, and 608th Air Communications Squadron was reassigned from Air Combat Command to a new major command, Air Force Global Strike Command.

Operation Odyssey Dawn global strike missions conducted against Libyan Air Force facilities by three B-2A Spirit bombers assigned to Eighth Air Force’s 509th Bomb Wing to enforce United Nations “no-fly” zone Resolution #1973. Operation Odyssey Dawn was the United States portion of coalition air operations in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Operation Unified Protector sustaining the no-fly zone. As well the Eighth’s 608th Air Operations Center supported the Commander United States Strategic Command with planning and coordinating options for time-sensitive bomber strike operations against Libya.

31 January to 16 December – Eighth Air Force conducted a year-long celebration of its 70th Anniversary composed of 21 commemorative events including eight conducted in the United Kingdom. Major General Stephen W. “Seve” Wilson the 50th Commander of Eighth Air Force authorized replica of an Eaker Bowl cup in limited numbers.

The new headquarters building of Eighth Air Force was formally opened by the 51st Commander, Major General Scott A. Vander Hamm and marked the fourth physical move since 2009 due to activation at Barksdale AFB of a new major command, Air Force Global Strike Command.

America’s bomber community was re-constituted with re-assignment of both B-1B Lancer bomb wings – 7th Bomb Wing and 28th Bomb Wing – to Eighth Air Force. (Both bomber wings were re-assigned to Twelfth Air Force on 1 October 2002 due to the Information Operations Numbered Air Force mission transition by the Eighth Air Force.)

3-5 October – Lieutenant General Bernard Schuler, Commander French Strategic Air Forces conducted a base visit to Barksdale AFB and also attended the Change of Command for Eighth Air Force (Major General Thomas Bussiere was assuming command).

For the 75th Diamond Anniversary of Eighth Air Force, the headquarters building was memorialized as the General James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle Hall in honor of General Doolittle who served multiple times as the 8 AF Commander. The memorial dedication ceremony was officiated by then Commander (#53) of Eighth Air Force, Major General Thomas A. Bussiere.

United States Strategic Command disestablished Joint Functional Component Command - Global Strike established in March 2005 at Offutt AFB, Nebraska; a unique joint functional staff for the generation of conventional capable bombers and commanded by the Commander Eighth Air Force in a dual-hat role. Mission scope was transferred to the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.

The Commander Joint-Global Strike Operations Center was appointed verbally by the Commander United States Strategic Command to command provisional operations center established on same date for nuclear and conventional global strike operations. This begins the dual-hatted commandership of Commander Eighth Air Force.
The Center formed an integrating point to support combatant commanders with crisis and deliberate planning, joint-service and coalition liaison, and operational connectivity for bomber, intercontinental ballistic missile, and reconnaissance capabilities.

United States Strategic Command disestablished Task Force 204 with the mission of managing nuclear-centric bombers transferred to the Joint Nuclear Operations Center underneath the provisional Joint-Global Strike Operations Center dual-hatted commanded by the Commander Eighth Air Force.

United States Strategic Command created the Air Forces Strategic-Air staff to support its global missions. The primary staff directorates of Eighth Air Force were reconfigured to become the directorates of the new staff.

United States Strategic Command created the provisional Joint-Global Strike Operations Center with the Joint Air Operations Center (composed of the 608th Air Operations Center from Eighth Air Force), Joint Nuclear Operations Center, and the Standoff Munitions Application Center. Clarifying points:
On 20 April 2018, the Commander Eighth Air Force was formally dual-hatted as the Commander Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.
On 24 August 2018, the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center was formally activated.

The Joint Nuclear Operations Center and the Standoff Munitions Operations Center were provisionally established with their formal activation on 24 August 2018 and assignment to the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.

In response to a Syrian chemical use against its civilian population was conducted by synchronized global strike by stand-off precision munitions from bomber aircraft and naval vessels geographically separated but focused on 19 points of impact.
Requested support by combatant commanders involved the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center contributing to multi-community air and naval planning, de-conflicting management, and analysis support with strike planning and operation coordinated with 24 external agencies. The Center conducted 24-hour battle staff rhythm for four days through the conclusion of this multi-national conducted global strike.

CMSgt Melvina A. Smith became the first African American female to become Command Chief (#18) of Eighth Air Force.

Major General James C. Dawkins, Jr., the 54th Commander Eighth Air Force was a speaker at the induction of Texas-native General (retired) Ira C. Eaker into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. General Eaker was the first Commander of VIII Bomber Command assigned to Eighth Air Force in World War II.

3-5 February: B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft named “Live Free or Die” from 28th Bomb Wing assigned to Eighth Air Force was the first American bomber to land in India since 20 October 1945. The aircraft was met on the ground in India by the Eighth’s Commander (#55), Major General Mark A. Weatherington and was participating in Aero India 21 airshow.

October into November 2021: Teams (survey, POL, and maintenance) from Eighth Air Force assigned 7th Bomb Wing visited Istres-Le Tube, France in preparation for the inaugural B-1B Lancer bomber hot pit operations at this French Air Force base to be in November as part of the first multiple “hub and spoke” hot-pit operation in European Command during Bomber Task Force 22-1.

June to 4 July – Bomber Task Force employment featured Eighth Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber integration with the Japanese Air Defense Forces implementing the Agile Combat Employment, featuring the first-ever hot-pit refueling of a B-1B bomber at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin.

Bomber Task Force employment featured Eighth Air Force B-2A Spirit bombers from both 509th Bomb Wing and 131st Bomb Wing (Missouri Air National Guard) conducting the first B-2A bomber hot-pit refueling at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.

First time for the E-4B Nightwatch National Airborne Command Post aircraft to appear at the Royal International Air Tattoo in England or make an appearance at any airshow outside the United States. The E-4B aircraft are assigned to Eighth Air Force.

The United States successfully completed its first live-fire hypersonic missile test where a B-52H Stratofortress bomber successfully fired an AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon at a target off the coast of California.

Bomber Task Force deployed B-1B Lancer bombers from Eighth Air Force’s 28th Bomb Wing participated in the first-ever joint air exercise with the Indian Air Force.

B-1B Lancer bombers from the 7th Bomb Wing participated in the first hot-pit refueling at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania as part of the German Air Defender exercise. (Earlier in 2022, B-52s had overflown Romania during an exercise.)

Simultaneous air operations conducted by Eighth Air Force bombers including:
An American strategic bomber flew above the Freedom Monument in Riga, some 83 years after the beginning in 1940 of Soviet Union occupation.
After conducting the first-ever overflight of Finland, a few days later two B-1B Lancer bombers conducted the first-ever landing in Sweden; specifically landing at Lulea-Kallax Airbase in northern Sweden, accompanied by three Jas-39 Gripen fighters from the Swedish Air Force.
United States Strategic Command commented on strategic deterrence on a global scale noting strategic bombers had recently operated in the geographic areas of six combatant commands including a seventh time in the last six months to have B-52s or B-1Bs flying above or near the Korean Peninsula as well as the first American bombers – two B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from 2d Bomb Wing – to land in Indonesia, with this landing conducted on 20 July.
During a Bomber Task Force deployment in the INDOPACOM’s Exercise Northern Edge, deployed B-52s flown alongside combat aircraft from the French Air Force.

Major General Jason R. Armagost became the 57th Commander of Eighth Air Force in ceremonies conducted on Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.