NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) —
Operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury — or at least the lessons learned — were the topics of discussion at a long-range airpower panel during the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Sept. 15.
The panel brought together bomber, mobility, and aerospace industry leaders to assess the strategic airpower environment.
Throughout the dialogue, panel members emphasized that while long-range strike operations have proven decisively effective in recent combat campaigns, maintaining that asymmetric advantage demands continuous modernization, seamless cross-command teamwork, and a strong partnership with the defense industrial base.
Maj. Gen. Ty Neuman, Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander, began by highlighting the inherent stamina of the nation’s bomber fleet.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Ty Neuman (center), Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Operations Center commander, speaks at the Long-Range Airpower: Lessons From Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury panel during the 2026 Air, Space and Cyber Conference at the National Harbor, Md., Sept 15, 2026. The annual conference is an opportunity for Department of the Air Force senior leaders to meet and address Airmen, Guardians, allies, partners and industry leaders. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelby Thurman)
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“We are a ready force that demonstrated our endurance,” Neuman said, emphasizing how Eighth Air Force’s constant readiness provides tailored deterrence and reassurance across the globe.
Reflecting on the sheer logistical and operational coordination demanded during Operation Epic Fury, Neuman praised the joint commitment across the enterprise, noting that “everyone has been all in.” He stressed that the unmatched long-range strike capability demonstrated in both Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury delivers an unmistakable message to adversaries: no one should question the readiness or capability of the United States to hold targets at risk anytime, anywhere.
Panelists later discussed the necessity of denying adversaries safe havens and operational sanctuaries, where Neuman outlined why standoff weapons alone cannot shoulder the strategic burden. Potential adversaries continue to harden facilities, bury critical infrastructure, and construct heavily defended anti-access perimeters.
“Not every target can be hit by long-range standoff weapons; we need a penetrating force,” the Eighth Air Force commander said. “Modernizing the legacy bomber fleet is an imperative to denying sanctuary to our adversaries.”
To outpace emerging threats, the Air Force is advancing a complementary mix of weapons and platforms, including standoff systems and stand-in penetrating capabilities. Ongoing modernization efforts include expanding the B-1’s beyond-line-of-sight communication systems, outfitting the B-2 Spirit with advanced radar enhancement programs to bolster survivability in anti-access environments, and exploring expanded payloads for the B-2 fleet.
When operating against advanced air defense systems, stealth remains paramount. “All-aspect low observable weapon systems are a non-negotiable price to entry,” Neuman underscored.
The conversation then moved to the future viability of stealth in an era of proliferating air defense systems.
Neuman affirmed that low observability is not a passing technological phase, but a foundational requirement for the future fight.
He emphasized that the Air Force must pursue both low-observable aircraft and low-observable complementary munitions to survive and deliver effects inside contested airspace. Echoing this assessment, the panel moderator noted that stealth is fundamentally about disrupting the enemy’s integrated kill chain, denying adversaries the ability to detect, track, and engage U.S. strike platforms before mission completion.
The evolving nature of the battlespace, where multi-domain environments are saturated with unmanned systems, electromagnetic interference, and missile salvos, was another topic of discussion.
Industry panelist Jamie Burgess of Boeing cautioned that sheer data volume does not automatically equate to combat capability.
“One can drown in data and starve for information,” Burgess remarked, pointing out the necessity of delivering processed, actionable intelligence directly to aircrews and operational commanders.
The panel discussed how the battle network and integrated command, control, and communications architectures must synthesize real-time data from space, cyber, and airborne assets into coherent situational awareness that accelerates combat decision-making.
Diving into fleet viability and continuous modernization, the general highlighted the operational strain and lessons realized from long-duration strike missions. During Operation Epic Fury, bomber sorties averaged 38 hours in duration — demanding extraordinary human stamina, aircraft reliability, and extensive air refueling support.
According to the Air Mobility Command panelist, “it took dozens and dozens of tankers to execute Operation Epic Fury,” illustrating the indispensable synergy between Air Force Global Strike Command and AMC.
When looking at the service’s age of the inventory, Neuman noted that “our youngest bomber is 30-plus years old.” While airframes have proven durable, sustained investment in modern digital avionics, resilient beyond-line-of-sight connectivity, and modern propulsion is essential across every platform.
The bomber force commander called for a fundamental pivot in weapons integration philosophy: rather than undertaking costly and complex modifications to alter legacy aircraft around new weapons, future munitions must be intentionally designed to seamlessly integrate into existing bomber bays and pylons.
“Bombers must deliver strategic options to the president,” Neuman emphasized, noting that modernization ensures the commander in chief retains flexible, credible conventional and nuclear response options.
Examining the role of industry innovation, Neuman praised the ingenuity of maintenance and logistics Airmen who keep vintage platforms flight-ready, but stressed that the service cannot accomplish sustainment alone.
“It is about partnerships, clear and concise requirements, and giving industry the ability to run with it. It’s a team effort,” Neuman remarked, underscoring the urgent requirement to bolster the defense industrial base and maintain reliable supply chains for critical components.
The panel then concluded by addressing Total Force Integration.
“This is a Total Force Integration effort for every single component,” Neuman said.
“Allies and partners, we have your back. We are the free world’s only long-range strike capability, and we will continue to deliver anytime, anywhere.”
By Justin Oakes
Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center Public Affairs
