NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • COMPUSEC automation delivers time, cost savings

    A three-person team of Matt Seibert, AFICC chief information officer and information technology specialists, Mia DeLucia and Liam Randall, competed in the Air Force's "Rise of the Digital Wingman Challenge," an Air Force-wide competition that empowers Airmen to automate and learn about Robotic

  • App for military resources available to service members, families

    The purpose of Military OneSource is to put as many resources as possible in one place, so people have an easier time finding what they need, said Erika Slaton, Military Community Support Programs associate director. The app makes it more convenient when users are away from their computers and are

  • New AFMC supervisor course aims to develop stronger leaders

    The course is a complement to the mandatory supervisor training provided by the Air Force and offers supervisors in-depth knowledge of personnel and workplace policies as well as the opportunity for practical application of concepts through case studies and collaborative learning.

  • AFCEC awarded patent for new runway repair technology

    The formula for the repair solution, developed by members of Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s laboratory at Tyndall Air Force Base, will allow Rapid Airfield Damage Repair, or RADR, teams to quickly repair runways using materials that can be gathered locally, such as sand and clay.

  • Air University’s Barnes Center begins beta-testing for ALS DLC

    The ALS DLC curriculum focuses on four outcome-based, multimedia modules; leadership, culture, problem-solving and mission. The modules contain 22 lessons, each based on national strategic documents, which prepare front-line Guard and Reserve enlisted leaders with the most pertinent information,

  • Orange Flag brings test data to warfighter

    Orange Flag is an exercise born from a need to maximize resources across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains to include joint and coalition forces. The exercise aims to bring test as close as possible to the warfighter through combat relevant testing early in the development cycle.

  • SATURN radio connects U.S. forces to allies

    To improve communication with allies, the Air-to-Ground, Tactical Data Links team, headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, has been working to provide the Department of Defense with an anti-jam, hack-proof, and high-frequency radio system.

  • AFWERX announces Reimagining Energy Challenge for Department of Defense

    AFWERX, the Air Force’s innovation catalyst, announces the Reimagining Energy for the DOD Challenge, seeking solutions to create the future of resilient energy production, transmission, use and storage. The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently the largest energy consumer globally. By reducing

  • “SpeedDealer” demos wrap, new radar agreement expected early 2021

    Using a try-before-you-buy strategy, a team within the Digital Directorate headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, completed a series of live-fly demonstrations Sept. 26 to evaluate three commercially available, production-ready and deployable long-range radar systems.

  • AFMC, AFGSC establish Weapons System Lead Wing Collaboration Program

    Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., AFMC Commander, and Gen. Timothy M. Ray, AFGSC Commander, cosigned a memorandum aimed at developing deeper collaboration between the program offices and operational wings, providing a venue for acquisition and operational Airmen to gain insight into each other’s

  • Air Force deploys commercial IT capability

    Working with the EITaaS office through an Other Transaction Agreement, the Accenture Federal Services team passed commercial internet traffic from the Amazon Web Services and Azure Impact Level 5 cloud environments through the Defense Information Systems Agency’s Boundary Cloud Access Point, or

  • AFLCMC, Wichita State University creating digital copy of B-1

    In an effort to keep the aircraft flying and operational, the B-1 Program Office is sponsoring an initiative with Wichita State University’s National Institute of Aviation Research, or NIAR, to create a virtual or digital twin of the bomber, which will help identify maintenance and structural issues

  • ‘AFMC We Need’ campaign continues to drive change

    When Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., Air Force Materiel Command commander, launched the AFMC We Need campaign in 2019, many were skeptical if true change would result from the study. However, one year later, the initiative continues to drive success across the mission, bringing positive change and

  • Roper joins first Digital Campaign virtual industry day

    More than 1,500 people tuned in for the virtual event, co-hosted by Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, and Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., commander of Air Force Materiel Command.

  • Acquisition chief calls for disruptive agility, new digital paradigm

    During his Matrix-inspired virtual keynote, Roper discussed the accomplishments and the future of acquisition for the Department of the Air Force while calling for disruptive agility in order to remain competitive in an ever-innovating global security environment.

  • Air Force recruits future Space Professionals

    The Department of Defense’s newest military branch is relying on Air Force Recruiting Service to find America’s best and brightest to fill more than 300 enlisted positions next fiscal year.

  • AFW2 Fit Games: Taking virtual fitness by storm

    The Fit Games are a fitness challenge that will consist of predesignated bodyweight exercises, fulfilled by an established number of reps per exercise and round. Open for all AFW2 warriors and Invictus Games U.S. Team athletes to participate, this fitness event will be the first of its kind geared

  • Summit charts future of installation, mission support innovation

    With a theme of Evolution of Innovation, the virtual event brought more than 100 installation and mission-support leaders and innovators together for a series of special engagements designed to help them empower Airmen and learn about opportunities available to pursue and cultivate innovative ideas.

  • AFIMSC seeks ideas for 2021 Innovation Rodeo

    The campaign, open through Dec. 1, gives military and civilian members of mission support groups around the world a chance to win part of $1 million in funding and resources to pursue their ideas.

  • Special Instruments Training teaches deterrent techniques

    Following Air Education and Training Command priorities, SPINSTRA constructs a ready, resilient and rapidly innovative Air Force, just like their students assemble a hovercraft from spare parts tucked away in the Nova Lab at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.

  • RCO delivers Department of the Air Force capabilities

    The mission of the DAF RCO is to expedite development and fielding of select DoD combat support and weapon systems by leveraging defense-wide technology development efforts and existing operational capabilities.

  • Acquisition chief to host AFVentures-focused 'Ask Me Anything'

    Col. Nate Diller, AFWERX director, will moderate and co-host the live, virtual event that provides an opportunity for Airmen and Space Professionals, industry partners, the American public and members of the media to directly engage with Roper and Diller on all things AFVentures.

  • ACC builds leaders armed for action

    Inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, Athena, Air Combat Command recently completed the first-ever inaugural Sword Athena Leadership Symposium, Aug 12-14, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The theme for this year’s event was “Building Leaders Armed for Action.”

  • Acquisition chief to host ABMS-focused Ask Me Anything

    The event will provide an opportunity for industry partners, the American public, and members of the media to engage directly with Dr. Roper and Mr. Dunlap on all things ABMS - the Department of the Air Force’s top modernization priority.

  • AFRL neurotechnology partnership aims to accelerate learning

    The Individualized Neural Learning System, or iNeuraLS, is a new augmented learning platform that will enable rapid learning by closed-loop modulation of cognitive states during skill acquisition. Essentially, the AFRL team seeks to develop a capability that will give Airmen the ability to rapidly

  • AF AI Accelerator brings future faster

    Mankind has often dreamed of what the future may hold. Every advancement in technology opens minds to dream bigger and better. Imagination is the only final frontier as the human race ventures deeper into what were previously only lightly treaded territories.

  • MacDill AFB beats the heat with innovation

    Aiming to allow military members to work hard in a more comfortable environment, the Personal Cooling System, or PCS, provided by Florida-based RINI Technologies keeps Airmen at a cool 72-degrees while being compact enough to wear beneath protective gear and clothing.

  • Community College of the Air Force reveals plans for new degree program

    The new Associate of Applied Science in Military Technology and Applied Sciences Management degree is a flexible alternative for enlisted personnel serving in Air Force specialties lacking enough formal skills training to meet current degree program requirements, said Dr. Hank Dasinger, the dean of

  • More companies enter ABMS innovation pipeline

    These companies will join 46 other companies on-boarded earlier this year to compete to develop new information and communications technologies to be evaluated in future onramp demonstration exercises for potential integration with the operational force.

  • Air Force hits key milestones with commercial IT

    In June, the Enterprise IT-as-a-Service Integrated Program Office, headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., began migrating users at a number of military installations to commercially available networks provided by both AT&T and Microsoft.

  • AFSFC launches software to monitor health of military working dogs

    The software will analyze four major focus areas — administrative offices, kennel facilities, support areas and veterinary support. It will also analyze 10 sub-focus areas and 32 graded areas. These parameters will be used to categorize and advocate for facility enhancements and renovations to

  • Revolutionizing Aircrew training through virtual reality

    The Virtual Reality Procedures Trainer, released during a milestone demonstration of its capabilities on July 7 at StrikeWerx in Bossier City, Louisiana, may even change the entire Air Force bomber community’s approach to training.

  • Optimize aviation fuel? The Air Force wants your ideas

    In partnership with AFWERX, Air Force Operational Energy has launched an Airmen Powered by Innovation Challenge to solicit ideas on how to optimize aviation fuel for the Air Force, enabling greater combat capability, range and more efficient operations.

  • AFMC to host Digital Campaign Virtual Industry Exchange Day

    The event aims to brief academia and industry on the overall Digital Campaign Strategy to prepare them for the future of how the Air Force expects to conduct business, to request feedback and gather comments regarding the government’s strategy.

  • Spangdahlem AB hosts USAFE large force exercise

    The exercise focused on aircrew integration of multiple platforms to enhance readiness and increase proficiency needed to maintain a ready force to ensure the collective defense of the NATO alliance.

  • AFIMSC single data call frees up civil engineers

    AFIMSC's Facility Recap and Sustainment Branch collaborated with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Planning and Integration Directorate to develop an integrated data call list of specific deliverables needed throughout the calendar year to help base civil engineers in programming efforts for

  • AFMC launches Spark Tank competition

    The submitters of the top five, most innovative, game-changing ideas will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges during the AFMC Senior Leader Conference this September. This panel will then select the top two ideas as the major command nominees for the 2021 Air Force-wide competition.

  • AFWERX Fusion 2020 registration announced

    In response to the current global health crisis, the annual Fusion event goes virtual this year as a highly engaging and interactive online event packed with unique experiences.

  • AFLCMC acquires new Air Force handgun

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Small Arms Program Office acquired approximately 125,000 M18s from Sig Sauer for $22.1 million, and is making them available to Air Force organizations that have a handgun requirement.

  • Texas Guard team wins first NGB innovation competition

    The Texas Guard team, whose entry focused on development of 3D printer technology, beat out 110 submissions nationwide. Competitors pitched their ideas in rounds at the unit, state and regional levels. The winners advanced to the final round, held June 12.

  • AFRS releases Aim High mobile app

    The Aim High app is a comprehensive, intuitive recruiting tool powered by a data-rich, enterprise solution that helps the Air Force find elite Airmen, as well as guides recruits to discover their passions through intuitive, interactive means.

  • AFCEC study gives new life to old chemical defense decon kits

    The Air Force Civil Engineer’s Readiness Lab recently determined more than 75,000 expired M295 decontamination kits used in chemical defense ensembles are still effective and can be used, saving the Air Force more than $2.3 million over a four-year period.

  • AFIMSC analytics tool expands, helps leaders prioritize investments

    Developed and launched by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in August 2018, the Installation Health Assessment analytics platform was initially designed to forecast facility and infrastructure funding requirements for Air Force bases. By April

  • Barrett, Raymond speak with US astronaut ahead of historic launch

    The conversation with Behnken, an Air Force colonel, came six days before the scheduled May 27 launch of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft in Florida. The launch and the mission to the International Space Station (ISS) are significant because it is the first time since the space shuttle was retired in

  • Satellite hacking challenge shifts to fully virtual event

    Despite a transition to an all online event, the Air Force, Space Force, and DDS will continue partnering with DEF CON’s Aerospace Village to virtually showcase the team’s mission: build a diverse community committed to promoting and developing aerospace cybersecurity expertise and knowledge through

  • Agile contracting team delivers COVID-19 protection to Airmen

    Air Force Installation Contracting Center’s contracting experts -- teaming with colleagues at all levels -- showed agility and innovation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic when they quickly got cloth protective masks in the hands of Airmen and their families. It's a great example of how Airmen

  • Magellan mobility allocation planning app gets an upgrade

    Hosted on the Kessel Run platform, Magellan provides an electronic interface for operational planners to allocate mobility aircraft and their associated crews over several months, providing greater visibility and enabling them to de-conflict recurring missions and high-demand periods.

  • Air Force SERE modernizes training

    Initial SERE training for Airmen at high risk of isolation has been conducted through four courses over a 26-day period. Now, leaders at 336th TRG believe they have found a way to restructure the training requirements, which make it more efficient and ultimately saves time. COVID-19 expedited the

  • Thinking ahead: Agility Prime kicks off

    The objective of this week’s event is to reinforce the Air Force’s commitment in partnering with industry, investors and the interagency to help ensure there is a robust domestic capability in the aerospace sector.

  • Faster, smarter: virtual hiring fair recruits STEM talent

    In conjunction with the Air Force’s Personnel Center, the Air Force Materiel Command held a virtual hiring fair April 23, 2020 to fill open science, technology, engineering and mathematics positions across the command.

  • AFLCMC-led team delivers isolation container prototype for testing

    Rapidly developed in response to the United States Transportation Command's Joint Urgent Operational Need, the Negatively Pressurized Conex, or NPC, is designed to fit inside of a C-17 Globemaster III, and enable the safe transport of as many as 28 patients both ambulatory and litter, and teams of

  • Squadron redesignations bolster enterprise contracting support

    In joining other enterprise sourcing squadrons, the new ESSs are positioned as “centers of excellence” for distinct business-line strategic contract support across the enterprise, eliminating duplication of effort and contract execution for the same requirements.

  • AFICC dashboard to help clean up custodial costs

    The Custodial Services Dashboard directly supports category management, a federal government-wide initiative that drives organizations to strategically manage costs for common goods and services.

  • Vertical wiper blades reduce aircraft drag, tests show

    Across the KC-135 fleet, blades are positioned horizontally on the windshield as part of the aircraft’s original 1950s design. However, as the understanding of aviation aerodynamics advanced, research indicated placing the wipers vertically when not in use could improve aerodynamic efficiency and

  • AFIMSC geospatial tools help commanders manage COVID-19 risk

    Geospatial tools developed by the detachment’s GeoBase team are providing commanders with near real-time data detailing the spread of the disease in their areas of responsibility. Commanders are using this capability to make decisions to sustain mission readiness and help mitigate the threat of

  • Aircraft airflow tested in Nebraska to reduce COVID-19 spread

    Active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard components from AMC, in coordination with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, worked April 4-11 at the 155th Air Refueling Wing examining airflow and particles to assess ways to prevent the spread of the

  • Illinois Air Guard C-130s join the fight against COVID-19

    Two aircrews assigned to the 182nd Airlift Wing departed Peoria Air National Guard Base, Illinois, April 7, to pick up and transport 250 medical isolation pods from the Oregon manufacturer to Chicago Midway International Airport the next day.

  • Agility Prime to hold virtual launch event

    During the week of 27 April, Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, will officially launch Agility Prime, the Air Force program to accelerate the growth of the transformative vertical flight market for subsequent government use.