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U.S. Air Force News

  • 437th AW crew provides quick-response relief following Hurricane Maria

    Members of the 14th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency completed a humanitarian mission in support of Hurricane Maria to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Sept. 23, 2017.

  • Joint team delivers relief in Hurricane Maria aftermath

    Members of the 14th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina delivered 17 pallets containing more than 129,000 pounds of food and water to St. Croix, Virgin Islands in support of relief efforts after Hurricane Maria, Sept. 24, 2017.

  • Dobbins ARB serves as important hub for hurricane relief efforts

    The flightline resembled a truck stop gas station this week as semitrucks were lined up in several rows behind the Transportation Proficiency Center, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Sept. 21, 2017. Trucks carried cargo vital to the relief efforts currently underway in countries lying in the destructive

  • Dobbins ARB provides hurricane evacuation support

    Late on the evening of Sept. 6, 2017, the first of several KC-130 Super Hercules carrying evacuees landed at the Dobbins Air Reserve Base flightline. What began as a typical aircraft arrival scene with airfield managers guiding the planes in, became a bit more unique as Marine Corps aircrews

  • Civil Air Patrol links 300 stranded people to needed help

    A Civil Air Patrol aircraft taking photos along the rain-swollen Colorado River near Wharton, Texas, received a radio call for help and observed a group of people gathered at Holy Families Catholic Church. Three hundred people sought shelter from the floodwaters that cut-off access to the town of

  • EPLOs provide critical coordination to FEMA disaster relief efforts

    As three CH-47 Chinooks flew into Joint Base San Antonio-Seguin Auxiliary Airfield from the west, , Col. Harry Hughes, an emergency preparedness liaison officer, quickly worked through how to alleviate a back-up of overflow truck traffic onto the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Incident

  • AFNORTH wraps up Hurricane Harvey ops, looks East to Irma

    As Hurricane Harvey slammed into coastal Texas the last week of August, Houston and the surrounding area were pounded with unprecedented amounts of rain – experiencing 50 inches of rain in a matter of days. That is more than the annual average for the region.

  • Keesler AFB medical team supports hurricane relief effort

    An Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Team, and a supporting logistics team, from Keesler Air Force Base arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Aug. 30, 2017, to support the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

  • 48th RQS provides Hurricane Harvey rescue support

    Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron responded to recovery operations for Hurricane Harvey, arriving at Easterwood Airfield, College Station, Texas, with approximately 20 members, Aug. 29, 2017.The mission is to provide boat-based rescue support in addition to current efforts in southeast Texas.

  • JB Charleston provides aid to hurricane victims

    Two C-17 Globemaster III aircraftr left Joint base Charleston carrying 30.6 tons of relief supplies to Alexandria International Airport, Alexandria, Louisiana, in response to Hurricane Harvey Aug. 29, 2017.

  • 182nd CES finishes construction rotation at Crow Reservation

    Thirty-five Airmen with the Illinois Air National Guard's 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron completed their two-week annual training constructing homes for Crow Tribe veterans Aug. 6, 2017 in Crow Agency, Montana.The Peoria-based squadron provided services including drywall, windows, doors, siding,

  • Airman provides aid to Kent Island tornado victims

    More than 9,000 homes and businesses on Kent Island were affected when an EF-2 tornado tore across Maryland’s Eastern shore July 24, 2017. The tornado produced winds up to 125 mph and destroyed several homes, tore roofs from buildings and left thousands of people without power.When Airman 1st Class

  • Airmen deliver aid to refugees in northern Iraq

    Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing delivered humanitarian aid here Jan. 13 while also conducting a multifaceted training mission; the aid is bound for refugee camps in northern Iraq.

  • Humanitarian aid delivered to Haiti through Denton Program

    Members from the 701st Airlift Squadron delivered humanitarian aid to Port-au-Prince on April 21 as part of ongoing Denton Program efforts. Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs were filled with 32 combined pallets as they transported more than 170,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to Haiti.

  • BLUE: A new horizon

    Pulling a team together to work toward a common goal is one of the things at which the Air Force excels. In this edition of BLUE, members of one team participating in New Horizons work toward building stronger relations with the people of Honduras, and learn some things about themselves along the

  • Defense Department officials establish Ebola medical support team

    When Capt. Stacey Morgan’s squadron commander sent her a text message saying that she needed to immediately call him, her first thought was, “Uh-oh. What did I do?” But after a minute or two of talking to her commander, her apprehension was quickly replaced by anxious excitement, as he asked her to

  • Airmen deliver Ebola treatment facility to West Africa

    Airmen from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, partnered with representatives from the U.S. Public Health Service Sept. 26, to deliver a modular medical treatment center, as part of a government-wide effort to support humanitarian relief operations in Ebola-stricken African nations.

  • Pediatricians care for young patients of Operation PACANGEL-Nepal

    More than an hour's drive along uneven, dirt roads outside the nearest major city is the rural village of Manahari, Nepal, where the Shree Rastriya Rotary Secondary School can be found. Hundreds of Nepalese people line up outside the gate of the compound, now a temporary a site for health services

  • Airmen host shoe drive during Pacific Unity 14-8

    Though the official mission of Pacific Unity 14-8 is to construct two female dormitories for students at Togoba Secondary School in Papua New Guinea, Airmen deployed in support of the operation have found additional ways to give back to the community.

  • Yokota Airmen strengthen bilateral, joint disaster response exercises

    As the C-130 Hercules dove through the clouds toward its target 300 feet off the deck, the crew began its drop zone entry checklist. In the back of the aircraft, two loadmasters readied the cargo and eyed the amber light, awaiting its turn to green. Suddenly, the navigator's voice alerted over the

  • The "almost" candy bombers of Iraq

    The U.S. government provided the container delivery system bundles and the military aircraft, but something just seemed to be missing on the airdrop packages. Master Sgt. Stephen Brown had something sweet for the kids in mind to make things just right.

  • Goodwill through the language of civil engineering

    U.S. Air Force civil engineers communicated with Mongolian contractors and worked with MAF engineers to help improve the quality of life in local schools and clinics, said Senior Master Sgt. Sandon Miller, lead civil engineer for PACANGEL 14-4 assigned to the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron.

  • Obama praises success of humanitarian operations in Iraq

    President Barack Obama has announced an end to the siege of Iraq's Mount Sinjar where Iraqi Yezidis had fled to escape Sunni terrorists, and that U.S. airdrops to those who were trapped there will likely end. But he said airstrikes will continue to protect Americans in the country.

  • U.S. provides aid to Yezidis, strikes ISIL mortar position

    The U.S. military conducted a sixth airdrop last night of food and water for thousands of Iraqi citizens threatened by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on Mount Sinjar, Iraq, U.S. Central Command officials said. This airdrop was conducted from multiple air bases in the CENTCOM area of

  • Pacific Angel-Tonga wraps up

    More than 4,300 patients received care and five schools obtained much needed upgrades as Operation Pacific Angel 14-3, a joint and combined humanitarian mission, closed July 25.

  • Airmen make 'Angels' day

    Tears masked her cheeks. Her mother tried to calm her, but her expression didn't change until Damarius Pettway walked up to her. The day would soon become special.

  • Airmen treat and educate at Tonga dental clinic

    American, Australian, and Tongan dentists and technicians are working together to ensure they treat as many dental patients as possible during Pacific Angel-Tonga’s health care services outreach program July 21-25.

  • ANG partners with Croatian army for renovations

    Airmen from the 219th RED HORSE Squadron and Minnesota Air National Guard’s 133rd and 148th Civil Engineering Squadrons partnered with the Croatian army June 27, to renovate bathrooms at an elementary school in Ogulin, Croatia.

  • Philippine and U.S. Airmen renovate school in need

    Airmen from the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron spent 31 days building two classrooms and renovating utilities throughout the Buyong Elementary School in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines, as part of Operation Pacific Unity 14-6, a bilateral engineering program meant to strengthen ties

  • BMT quarters temporarily housing immigrant minors

    A former BMT facility was turned into a temporary shelter May 18 by the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families. The shelter is for unaccompanied Central American minors who have been caught illegally crossing into the U.S.

  • AF 'impossible' rescue mission recognized

    On the remote coastline of Eastern Iceland, inaccessible to ordinary travel, a plaque was dedicated May 30 to commemorate a U.S. Air Force rescue team operation accomplished 20 years earlier.On Jan. 10, 1994, members of the 56th Rescue Squadron, then located at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland,

  • Minot rescue crew saves two motorists

    Members of the 54th Helicopter Squadron responded to a search and rescue request involving two men trapped in the bed of their truck in Savage, Mont., when an ice flow caused the river to overrun its banks, March 10.

  • Nigerian, U.S. air forces partner for disaster relief seminar

    "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."This African proverb was referenced several times during a disaster relief seminar hosted by the Nigerian air force at the National Defense College here, Jan. 27-30. More than 40 senior service members from various career fields

  • Airlift operations complete in Central African Republic

    A small U.S. Air Force support team and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft began airlift operations Dec. 12 in response to a French request for airlift support. The Airmen conducted 16 flights from Burundi to the Central African Republic, Warren said, transporting 857 Burundi troops, 73 pallets of

  • Operation Christmas Drop delivers relief to typhoon-stricken island

    Airmen participating in Operation Christmas Drop here, coordinated with non-governmental organizations and State Department officials in the region to airdrop critical shipments of water and food for 30 workers recovering from damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan on Kayangel Island, part of the Republic

  • C-17 crew supports Africa-led peacekeeping support mission

    The Defense Department sent another Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport jet from Burundi to the Central African Republic today in support of the African Union-led International Support Mission in that beleaguered nation.

  • Operation Christmas Drop continues as Pacific tradition

    Base volunteers here will team up with Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, to conduct humanitarian airdrops over the remote islands of Micronesia in the Western Pacific this week.Volunteers here have been spreading the holiday cheer to surrounding islands since December 1952. Operation Christmas

  • Guam Airmen in the mix for Damayan support

    Airmen from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, deployed to the Philippines last week in support of ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. A four-person advance team from the 36th Contingency Response Group deployed to Villamor Air Base early last

  • AF activates accountability system in response to Philippine crisis

    The Air Force has activated the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System to monitor the status and location of all personnel and dependents who may be affected by the category 5 typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines Nov. 8, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Nov. 13.

  • U.S. Military to aid typhoon-devastated Philippines

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel directed U.S. Pacific Command yesterday to support U.S. government humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines in the wake of a deadly typhoon that has left more than 1,000 dead, defense officials announced yesterday.

  • Air Force reunites Alaska families with sled dogs

    For six days a week, a small 30-passenger, chartered plane touched down on the runway in Galena, Alaska, carrying a team of contractors with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, their equipment and supplies for conducting environmental investigations at the former Air Force Galena Forward Operating

  • Guardsmen mobilize to assist in Colorado flooding

    Nearly 100 Colorado National Guard soldiers and airmen, along with high-mobility vehicles and helicopters, have been mobilized to assist local authorities in search-and-rescue operations in the midst of historic flooding in the state.

  • Airman saves teen during remote outing

    Sunday afternoon, Sept. 1, Maj. Jaesin White and his family set out on a hike to a popular swimming hole in the Sierra foothills of Northern California. They never suspected the path they followed into the woods that day would lead them into the heart of a grateful stranger.

  • Love for Lamia: Retired general devotes life to help Afghans

    It was part of the international relationship building he spoke about to the graduating pilots from Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, Aug. 9., here that has propelled Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John Bradley into a post-military career passion.

  • Minot Airmen eligible for humanitarian award

    Airmen at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. are eligible to receive recognition for their role in the relief and recovery efforts related to the historic flooding that devastated the area two years ago.On June 3, the Secretary of the Air Force approved the Humanitarian Service Medal for more than 5,600

  • EOD Warrior Foundation supports wounded warriors, grieving families

    No warrior left behind - a commitment at the heart of every member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal community. Now, two groups that have supported EOD families in times of need have joined to expand their outreach and strengthen that promise.The EOD Warrior Foundation was founded in March 2013

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Kadena AB Airman has Nhu story to tell

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Think of taking time off, leave, or going abroad. What comes to mind? Perhaps some time for you, a way to reinvigorate or reenergize? For one staff

  • Liberian soldiers employ training during medical outreach mission

    A team of Armed Forces of Liberia soldiers, U.S. service members and county health officials conducted a mobile medical outreach mission in Grand Cape Mount County recently. The mobile mission held from 1 - 4 July was a first for the AFL medics, who, until now, have been focusing their efforts on

  • First Airman Resilience Center opens at Altus AFB

    A new Airman Resilience Center opened its doors during a ribbon cutting ceremony here July 11.The ARC is the first facility of its kind at the base. "The ARC includes five classrooms for training use, a theater room, a game room and an electronic gaming area," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Mathe, the

  • AF Reserve MAFFS C-130s, crews back in Colorado

    Aircrews, maintainers and two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 aircraft assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing returned  here July 7 after supporting aerial fire fighting operations for five days at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Ariz. The 302nd AW MAFFS

  • Airman's actions lead to heroic rescue

    For Airman 1st Class Jake Bush, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron electro-mechanical technician, July 1 was a seemingly normal Monday. Just hours after completing a CPR refresher training course, Bush was put in an unlikely situation which required him to put his skills to good use. He rescued

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman saves lives, delivers twins

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)It was a typical day for Senior Airman Rainier Jeffrey as he rode to the Upolu Hospital in Samoa. As a medical technician deployed out to sea with the

  • AF chaplain, NASCAR team to help service members

    On April 27, 2012, Chaplain (Col.) Steven West went to Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., to speak about ministry; he left with a plan to change the world. He left his office as the chaplain for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to meet with Dell Hamilton, a partner of Hamilton

  • Deployed Airmen in right place, right time

    "There were people everywhere screaming and yelling," explained Capt. Cassie Cosentino, 4th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health officer in charge, as she recalled being faced with a horrific encounter while supporting operations in Southwest Asia, April 10.Cosentino, Senior Airman Husein Khan,

  • Forest Service directs MAFFS to Arizona

    Forest Service, through the National Interagency Fire Center here, has directed the repositioning of military Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System aircraft from Colorado Springs, Colo., to Mesa, Ariz."The weather and progress on the ground have helped us in the Four Corners region." said Col.

  • Reserve F-16 pilot helps squelch wildfires across West

    Air Force Reserve F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Paul "Buster" Delmonte flies several types of aircraft as part of his full-time civilian job, but instead of dropping bombs he delivers an entirely different kind of weapon.Delmonte, the 466th Fighter Squadron commander, is an aerial firefighter and aviation

  • Davis-Monthan Airmen work to end veteran homelessness by 2015

    Col Michael T. Rawls, the 355th Fighter Wing vice commander, spoke at a press conference about ending veteran homelessness by 2015 June, 21 in Tucson, AZ.The White House has announced an initiative to end veterans homelessness by 2015, and Tucson is one of 25 flagship cities selected to lead this

  • AF drops 50,000 plus gallons of retardant on Colorado fires

    More than 50,000 gallons of fire retardant was dropped by Air Force aerial firefighting aircraft June 25 on wildland fires burning throughout Colorado's West Fork Complex.Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130s from both the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard performed 18 drops

  • Joint readiness training wraps up in Hawaii

    Reserve component medical personnel from the Air Force, Navy, Army and Air National Guard came together for medical innovative readiness training June 2-15, on the islands of Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii.The medics provided free health care clinics and performed community service projects for

  • Air Force C-130s drop 25,000 gallons of retardant on Colorado fire

    Airmen from the Colorado Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing flew their first aerial firefighting support missions of the year June 12, dropping fire retardant on the growing Black Forest fire.302nd AW aircrews fighting the nearly 9,000-acre blaze performed 10 drops, releasing approximately

  • Operation Pacific Angel 2013 soars in Vietnam

    The United States and Vietnam began humanitarian assistance operations here June 10 as part of Operation Pacific Angel.Operation Pacific Angel which is in its sixth year, is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance exercise led by Pacific Air Forces."We are here to provide medical care and

  • Airman gets unusual gift along with dental cleaning

    When Air Force 2nd Lt. Jennifer Szatkowski came to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a dental exam, she discovered an unusual coincidence that made her visit not-so-routine.While having her teeth cleaned May 3, she noticed two brown paper bags hanging on a bulletin board in the exam

  • 35 cats, 16 dogs - 1 Airman

    Fifteen years ago Samson, a Yorkie, found a home in San Antonio, Texas. The home was that of Senior Master Sgt. Melissa Spurling. Seeing Samson, she fell in love. Samson was the first animal adopted by Spurling, driving her devotion and love for animals. Living in San Antonio, she could not go

  • Airmen assist organization to help homeless vets

    Members of Luke Air Force Base joined to help homeless veterans in the state during the 12th annual Arizona StandDown.The Arizona StandDown is a nonprofit organization and is the largest homeless outreach event in Arizona. In 2012 more than 1,290 at-risk veterans benefitted from the event. This year

  • Tyndall Airmen reach out to Tinker tornado victims

    "I will never leave an Airman behind," is a part of the Airman's Creed and the spirit behind this creed was demonstrated by Tyndall Airmen May 28 as they rallied to support wingmen living in Oklahoma.Service Before Self motivated Tyndall to take action to help fellow wingmen affected by the

  • 3 Okla. bases continue help to tornado victims

    In addition to federal and state workers, more than 600 airmen from three Oklahoma Air Force bases volunteered to assist residents in recovering some of their effects, May 24. Much of the Air Force had the day off to spend time with their families, but for volunteers in the greater Oklahoma area,

  • Airmen picking up the pieces

    Members of the base here are picking up the pieces after one of the largest and most costly tornadoes in history ripped through Moore, Okla., May 20. In the 507th Air Refueling Wing alone, more than 20 Airmen and their families were affected by the deadly storm. Master Sgt. John Prokup, an air

  • Tinker AFB reservist survives monster tornado

    What started out as a sunny, routine day for one member of the 507th Force Support Squadron and the estimated 250 staff and patients at the Moore Medical Center took a sudden turn for the worse on Monday, May 20, as a mammoth 1.3 mile-wide tornado bore down on them. Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Nikki

  • Airman aids victim of Oklahoma tornado

    As a community shatters in the wake of a deadly EF-5 tornado, ordinary citizens become heroes as they give selflessly to those directly affected. Many who answer the call to help are volunteers or first responders, but others are reacting to the Moore tornado as citizen Soldiers and Airmen serving

  • U.S. NORTHCOM aids Oklahoma tornado disaster relief efforts

    U.S. Northern Command officials are coordinating Department of Defense-provided support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state and local response activities in response to tornado-devastated areas in Oklahoma. Currently, there are two NORTHCOM mission assignments approved in support of

  • Tinker AFB aircraft return to Oklahoma after diverting to Arizona

    Six Air Force E-3 Sentries and two Navy E-6B Mercuries returned to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., May 21 after diverting here in advance of severe weather in Oklahoma.The E-6Bs and one E-3 arrived May 17, while the other five E-3s arrived May 20 with less than eight hours notice. The inclement

  • Arizona base houses Oklahoma aircraft during tornado

    Six U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry and two U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft arrived here from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. during the weekend of May 17 due to severe weather in Oklahoma.The inclement weather that caused the aircraft to divert included a tornado that touched down, destroying Moore, Okla.,