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NATO Air Policing operations — U.S. Air Force News

Jan. 12, 2024
UPDATE: Selfridge ANG Base selected as next location for KC-46A Pegasus

The Department of the Air Force selected Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, as the preferred location to host the next KC-46A Pegasus pending the outcome of a planned environmental impact analysis in 2025.Twelve KC-46As are expected to replace the aging A-10C Thunderbolt IIs and KC-135
Nov. 23, 2023
Fairchild AFB demonstrates strategic deterrence readiness during Titan Fury 24-1

Airmen assigned to the 92nd and the 141st Air Refueling Wings conducted an exercise demonstrating how various support activities contribute to mobilizing KC-135 Stratotankers at a moment’s notice.
Nov. 17, 2023
AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
Aug. 8, 2023
Red Flag 23-3: Uniting US armed forces

Red Flag 23-3 has come to a close for more than 2,000 U.S. Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Air National Guard that ran from July 17 to August 4.
July 26, 2023
Connected battlespace modernizes fight in Indo-Pacific

Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Air Refueling Wing, working with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Test Center, sent their modified KC-135 Stratotanker to Kadena Air Base for use in the Western Pacific during Northern Edge 23-2.
July 18, 2023
US integrates with 25 nations at Royal International Air Tattoo 2023

The U.S. Air Force brought over 12 aircraft and 100 Airmen to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, United Kingdom, July 14-16.
June 16, 2023
AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
April 27, 2023
MacDill AFB conducts Operation Violent Storm

The operation consisted of an elephant walk with 18 KC-135 Stratotankers mobilizing through the efforts of more than 700 personnel from across the installation, all in under six hours.
March 18, 2023
5th-gen fighters debut in Philippines during bilateral integration

U.S. Air Force aircraft from Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska and Kadena Air Base, Japan traveled to Clark Air Base, Philippines to integrate and train with Philippine air force 5th Fighter Wing counterparts.
Oct. 11, 2022
Fairchild completes historic 72-hour KC-135 endurance mission

Two KC-135 Stratotankers simultaneously conducted 72-hour single-aircraft endurance missions, demonstrating multi-day tanker mission generation capabilities, Oct. 4-7.
Feb. 25, 2022
AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
Jan. 24, 2022
March ARB named preferred location for next KC-46A Pegasus

The Department of the Air Force selected March Air Reserve Base, California, as the preferred location to host the next KC-46A Pegasus aircraft.
Dec. 21, 2021
MacDill AFB named preferred location for next KC-46A Pegasus

The Department of the Air Force selected MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, as the preferred location to host the next active duty KC-46A Pegasus aircraft, Dec. 21.
Oct. 18, 2021
AMC approves F-15, F-16 receivers as third KC-46 ICR milestone

Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, approved a third Interim Capability Release mission set for the KC-46A Pegasus, Oct. 13.
Oct. 12, 2021
Air Force rescue personnel support NEO weeks before the fall of Kabul

The U.S. Air Force led the largest NEO in U.S. history — in 17 days the DoD evacuated approximately 124,000 people, including 6,000 Americans.
Aug. 25, 2021
Airman’s KC-135 solution scales from initial spark into action

An empowered Airman’s innovation has made it past Initial Operational Capability and is en route to be fully scaled across the Air Force’s fleet of KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft.
June 11, 2021
CSAF, CMSAF visit MacDill AFB

During the visit, both leaders addressed future policy changes for enlisted and commissioned officer talent management and force structure in addition to answering a variety of questions from basic allowance for housing to how the Civil Air Patrol contributes to the Total Force mission.
Feb. 22, 2021
31st FW, Italian air force complete Agile Combat Employment exercise

The 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons executed counter air training with the Italian air force 32 Stormo, Rome Air Squad Command. The 32 Stormo is the first European unit to acquire F-35A Lightning II aircraft. 
Jan. 11, 2021
100th ARW conducts first USAFE KC-135 hot-pit refuel

“Hot-pit refueling” is another name for an engine-running refuel while the aircraft is grounded. This type of refueling is already performed on airframes such as the CV-22 Osprey, but until September 2020, had never been recorded on checklists or technical orders as having been performed on a KC-135
Oct. 15, 2020
Aircraft availability, readiness increases at three bases thanks to new methodology

The Air Force is seeing success in new sustainment initiatives resulting in increased aircraft availability and readiness across three of its bases.
Oct. 14, 2020
Enduring Lightning III exercise brings together US, Israeli air forces

U.S. Air Forces Central and the Israeli Air Force conducted exercise Enduring Lightning III Oct. 12, in the skies over Israel. It was the third joint exercise between the two countries involving the F-35 Lightning II.
Sept. 10, 2020
Airmen find solution to KC135 and C130 battery testing failure, reducing cost and maintenance delays

The batteries serve as the aircraft’s backup to power essential equipment should engine generators fail. To date, the Air Force C-130 and KC-135 fleets, more than 600 aircraft globally, operate with the batteries.
Aug. 28, 2020
AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
July 31, 2020
AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
July 2, 2020
AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
May 29, 2020
AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
March 11, 2020
USAF Stratotankers provide air refueling capabilities for exercise Cold Response 20

Cold Response is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise, with participation from each of Norway’s military services, as well as eight additional NATO allied nations and regional partners. The U.S. Air Force’s KC-135R Stratotankers extend missions by providing aerial refueling for U.S.,
Jan. 27, 2020
Total-force aviators take flight during Sentry Aloha 20-1

Sentry Aloha 20-1, an air-to-air combat exercise, is hosted by the Hawaii Air National Guard and designed to train Airmen from around the country in a joint and interoperable venue on a large scale.
Jan. 11, 2020
18th Wing, joint partners execute first WestPac Rumrunner exercise

With the evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific and to further support a safe and secure region, the 18th Wing spent months designing WestPac Rumrunner as an exercise to train counter-air capabilities and strengthen joint interoperability. In addition to air tactics and joint
Oct. 3, 2019
No effort spared to bring wounded Soldier home

In mid-August, Air Mobility Command’s 618th Air Operations Center was notified of an injured Soldier in need of urgent aeromedical evacuation out of Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Immediately, AOC Airmen started to build a mission – REACH 797 – to help save one Soldier whose survival was in question
Sept. 4, 2019
Fairchild AFB tankers refuel Marine aircraft

The refueling showcased the importance of partnerships, as the Air Force and the Marine Corps further trained their capability to work as a team.
June 17, 2019
US builds intermilitary relationship with RSAF

Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C Eagles fly in formation with U.S. Air Force F-15Cs in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 2, 2019. The flight was conducted as part of a larger effort to continue building military-to-military relationships and interoperability.
May 30, 2019
USAFE commander discusses regional security with Arctic air chiefs during Arctic Challenge 19

Gen. Jeff Harrigian worked with the air chiefs on a path forward for future ACE exercises, including a focus on developing realistic scenarios for the Airmen on the ground and in the air.
May 28, 2019
Reserve & Active Airmen team up at Palmetto Challenge

Airmen trained on “real world” scenarios that could happen in a deployed environment when provided limited resources. For exercise purposes, there were two “deployed” locations, one at Pope AAF and the other at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina.
May 23, 2019
Okies support exercise Northern Edge

The 507th ARW and 465th Air Refueling Squadron provided KC-135R Stratotanker aerial refueling support to joint Department of Defense aircraft during the large force exercise.
May 16, 2019
Air Force leaders strengthen community ties, engage students at JB Andrews Air & Space Expo

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson delivered opening remarks for this year’s biennial three-day event, which focused on JB Andrews’ partnership and mentorship with local schools against a backdrop of more than 30 STEM exhibits designed to engage and inspire some 7,000 students.
March 19, 2019
RAF Mildenhall KC-135 crew strengthens relationship with Romanian air force

Airmen with the 351st Air Refueling Squadron and the 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron participated in air refueling training alongside members of the Romanian air force in Bucharest, Romania, March 11-15.
Feb. 11, 2019
Airmen, dignitaries celebrate KC‐46 arrival

Reserve Airmen assigned to the 730th Air Mobility Training Squadron, dignitaries and Air Force leaders accepted the new KC‐46A Pegasus during a historic arrival celebration Feb. 8 at Altus Air Force Base.
Dec. 30, 2018
Fighter exercise Sentry Aloha 19-1 completed

More than 800 Airmen, Sailors and Defense Department civilians from nine states completed exercise Sentry Aloha, a large-scale fighter exercise, , Dec. 19, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Dec. 14, 2018
AF Week in Photos

This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
Nov. 28, 2018
Air Force Spark Tank winning idea takes next step at 97th AMW

Positioned next to every KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator in training is an instructor lying on a pad in the boom pod guiding them through training.
Aug. 14, 2018
Total force integration: 9th LRS, Reservists fuel Beale AFB aircraft

The 9th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight works to ensure the mission at Beale Air Force Base maintains a steady rate.
Aug. 7, 2018
KC-46 pilot selection board calls for nominations

Pilots interested in becoming KC-46 tanker pilots to fill positions in the Air Force’s first two operational KC-46 squadrons at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, have until Sept. 7, 2018, to submit their application packages. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Kat Bailey)
July 26, 2018
Air Mobility Command announces next two KC-135 simulator relocations

The commander of Air Mobility Command selected Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, and MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, as the relocation sites for the next two KC-135 Stratotanker pilot flight simulators.
June 29, 2018
KC-46 Training Summit helps set timeline for Air Force

McConnell Air Force Base hosted its fifth KC-46 Pegasus Maintenance Training Summit to define training timelines and expected progression based on aircraft delivery.
Jan. 11, 2018
Flying ambulances: Aeromedical evacuation

The morning starts early with an alert about four hours before takeoff. Members of the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron begin several mandatory tasks before boarding the aircraft. Nurses go over mission details, as medical technicians pack more than a thousand pounds of equipment
Jan. 10, 2018
A-10s bring thunder, lightning during fight against ISIS

The 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is wrapping up a deployment that saw heavy involvement in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
Oct. 20, 2017
Hill AFB maintainers support F-35A first Asia appearance during Seoul ADEX 17

Twenty-seven Hill Air Force Base maintainers and accompanying support equipment loaded into a C-17 Globemaster III Oct. 13, 2017, bound for Northeast Asia’s largest air show to support the F-35A Lightning II’s first time on Asian soil.
Oct. 16, 2017
US forces to participate in Seoul ADEX 2017

The U.S. military will be represented at the 2017 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, or Seoul ADEX 17, at Seoul Airport, South Korea, Oct. 17-22, 2017.
Sept. 8, 2017
MacDill AFB KC-135s reposition in wake of Hurricane Irma

McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, welcomed 11 KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to MacDill AFB, Florida, Sept. 7-8, 2017, after they evacuated due to the threat posed by Hurricane Irma.
Sept. 5, 2017
Powering partnership: Singapore tankers boost coalition forces

This year alone, coalition air refuelers have already flown more than 5,000 separate in-flight refueling sorties, supplying more than 28,000 aircraft with fuel while providing air support to Operation Inherent Resolve.
Aug. 14, 2017
Mobility Guardian draws to an end

Crews flew approximately 1,200 hours in eight days, executing almost 650 sorties during Exercise Mobility Guardian, July 31 to Aug. 12, 2017.
May 26, 2017
Arctic Challenge exercise aims to increase interoperability

Twelve F-15C Eagles and about 200 personnel from the 493rd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and two KC-135 Stratotankers and over 30 personnel from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England, deployed to bases in Finland and Sweden for exercise Arctic
April 21, 2017
McConnell tankers enable first F-35 European deployment

When the F-35A Lightning II deployed to Europe for the first time April 15, it was made possible by the backbone of the aerial refueling fleet, the KC-135 Stratotanker. “The mission of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing is to refuel the fight,” said Col. Albert Miller, the 22nd Air Refueling Wing
April 6, 2017
AMC, industry partner to enhance virtual training

Canadian Aviation Electronics USA, the primary contractor for the KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew training system, recently received authorization to operate on the Air Force’s Distributed Training Center Network. KC-135 Stratotanker simulators will now be connected to other Air Force mobility platforms
April 25, 2016
F-22 Raptors arrive in Romania

Two F-22 Raptors and one KC-135 Stratotanker arrived at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, on April 22. The F-22s and approximately 20 supporting Airmen are from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The KC-135 is from the 916th Air Refueling Wing deployed from Seymour
April 13, 2016
Around the Air Force: April 12

This look around the Air Force includes information about the shooting at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas;B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, deploy to support Operation Inherent Resolve; and the Air Force conducted an air superiority survey.
Jan. 23, 2015
ANG conducts air refueling training with NATO allies in Germany

Nearly 30 Airmen from the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing recently spent two weeks at Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany, Jan. 4-16 to provide air refueling support during training flights for NATO E-3A Sentry aircraft pilots.
Sept. 26, 2014
AF fighters, RPAs continue attacks on ISIL targets

U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Iraq and Syria, using a mix of fighter, attack and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct 10 airstrikes Sept. 25 and 26.

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