Today’s 8th Air Force activated under the designation of VIII Bomber Command at Langley Field, Virginia, as part of an expansion of the U.S. Army Air Corps Feb. 1, 1942. The 8th Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., celebrated its 75th anniversary with retired 8th Air Force commanders and command chiefs, and several Air Force Global Strike leaders and Royal Air Force personnel. The Eighth commands the U.S. Air Forces entire fleet of long-range, stealth, and heavy bombers, to include the recently added E4-B National Airborne Operations Center fleet. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Erin Trower)