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  • Marching to the beat of his own drum

    Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Valadie’s passion for music began in the vibrant culture of New Orleans, sparking a journey that has spanned 26 years of distinguished service in The U.S. Air Force Band including his current position as the band's drum major.

  • BLUE: The Call to Change

    In this edition of BLUE, we take a look at how the Air Force is changing to meet the challenge of Reoptimizing for Great Power Competition. From how the service is structured to how service members will be trained and deployed, we examine what’s driving change, and how it impacts people.

  • Army paratrooper to Air Force photographer

    Justin Connaher, now an Air Force photographer at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, talks about his days as an Army paratrooper at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1997.

  • Airmen help make dream come true for special fan

    Capt. Dennis Conner, 701st Airlift Squadron, at Joint Base Charleston, flew a C-17 Globemaster III over the state’s coast during the “Salute From The Shore” celebration July 4. Little did he know the impact that flight that day would have for him, as well as a family watching from the shore, who

  • Chaplain reflects on journey of perseverance, gratitude

    Chaplain (Maj.) Bitrus Cobongs' journey began more than 6,000 miles away in Nigeria, where his early aspirations consisted of being a youth minister, but through closed and opened doors, he ended up serving in the U.S. military.

  • Determined to Serve: Critical care nurse joins Reserve at age 50

    It was stories like this one that made Capt. Jennifer McGuigan feel particularly close to the families of the veterans in her care. Her children were only 8 and 9 at the time, but his words forever changed how she viewed the families of the veterans under her care.

  • Becoming a SERE augmentee

    With hundreds of aircrew assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, the installation's two survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists are training SERE augments to help train aircrew personnel when their survival refresher training is due.

  • Cramped spaces and fuel vapors: MacDill AFB “Tank Divers”

    This hangar is the home of the 6th Maintenance Squadron’s fuels systems section. “Tank Divers,” as the technicians of this shop are called, work day and night to ensure MacDill Air Force Base’s aircraft are always ready to fuel the fight.

  • First ever: 305th APS moves U-2 specialized vehicles

    For the 305th Aerial Port Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, there’s always a first time for everything. On Aug. 16, the squadron was tasked with moving two chase vehicles and a transportation truck to Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom, for utilization with the U-2.

  • Innovative design could save KC-10 aircrews valuable time

    Currently, aircrews spend a lot of time coordinating the placement of weapons or other sensitive materials because of their inability to store the items themselves. Maj. Matthew Ables, 9th Air Refueling Squadron director of staff, believes having a safe on the KC-10 will give aircrews more time and

  • Zero percent: Wounded warrior Airman refuses to quit

    On November 28, 2015, Tech. Sgt. Steve Fourman, a Department of Defense Warrior Games athlete, found himself on a temporary duty assignment for the Red Flag aerial combat training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, when he unexpectedly fell ill with chest pains.

  • Go in, get help, get back to the fight

    “A lot of people think that if you go to mental health, that is the end of your career,” Siler explained. “I am living proof that that is not the case. Going to get help allowed me to gain an understanding of what I experienced, get the help I needed, and come back stronger. Now when I experience

  • DHA provides KMC Labor and Delivery Clinic manning assist

    Every month Keesler Medical Center’s Labor and Delivery Clinic averages approximately 35 births. However, last year the clinic experienced a manning shortage that began to impact their ability to take care of families.

  • A military training leader learns to lead

    Military training leaders are responsible for helping Airmen learn how to take care of themselves and instill the Air Force core values during their time in technical training. Even in the face of adversity, MTLs stand tall and exemplify the Air Force standards.

  • 18th AF leadership talks spouse employment, license reciprocity

    Some aspects of being in the military can be hard on individuals and families. To gain better insight into the issues Airmen and their families face at McChord Field, Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett, 18th Air Force commander, and his wife, Kelly Barrett, visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord to learn what’s

  • USAF Honor Guard Drill Team builds new routine, bonds

    Originally stationed in Washington, D.C., the U.S Air Force Honor Guard drill team travels to Keesler Air Force Base for five weeks at the beginning of every year to develop and perfect their new routine. They practice formations, steps and sequences to prepare for the unveiling of the routine they

  • MacDill AFB provides wounded warriors unique treatment

    To minimize the impact of traumatic injuries, the dermatology office from the 6th Medical Group at MacDill Air Force Base offers a variety of treatments for those who suffer from scarring as a result of blast injuries, burns, amputations and other surgeries.

  • Airmen battle ice, snow to ensure readiness

    For aircrews, ice or snow on their jet can prove to be a major hazard, and before they can fly, maintenance Airmen must deice the aircraft four hours before takeoff to help mitigate those hazards.

  • Ukrainian Airmen serve USAF to give back

    Each Airman makes the decision to join the U.S. Air Force for their own reasons. For some it is the benefits or travel. For others, it might be because they want to serve their country. But for a select few Airmen, joining was a chance to give back to the country that gave them new prospects in

  • LaFlamme brothers: Identical twins, identical Air Force careers

    Growing up, they were known around their small town as “the twins.” Their mother dressed them in matching outfits as infants, and they participated in the same school activities. Although they gained their own identity as they got older, they now have the same job and wear the same uniform.

  • Defender delivers baby at gate

    Most installation entry controllers expect to come into work and perform their usual duties to defend the base from unwelcomed visitors. Occasionally, something interesting happens and they respond accordingly. Then, there’s the unexpected.

  • Deployed Airmen discover spiritual fortitude

    Leaving for or returning from a deployment can challenge the resiliency of Airmen. They have to say goodbye to their families and friends and be a part from them for a considerable amount time. Then, when they return, they could have undergone times of great stress during their deployment.

  • How the 437th AW is innovating the Air Force

    Innovation can often be overlooked. There is a misconception around the idea of innovation that it has to be a total overhaul or somehow life-altering. To ensure future success, service members must innovate and modernize to prepare mobility forces for future operating environments. Safely and

  • Military Family Life: A single mother’s experience

    She is an Airman, a noncommissioned officer and the mother of a 5-year-old girl. Throughout her life, she’s risen to overcome numerous obstacles including the challenges of military deployments and going through a divorce after six years of marriage.

  • Airman for a day, warrior for a lifetime

    On Dec. 4, 2013, Melanie Emery Dallis lived every parent’s worst nightmare – learning that she might outlive one of her children.A CT scan revealed that Melanie’s nine year-old daughter, Fallon, had a mass on her brain. She was rushed to the Medical University of South Carolina for emergency

  • Cadet for a day Ryleigh reports for duty

    Ryleigh Messmer is a curious, rambunctious eight-year-old girl living with cystic fibrosis. The Air Force Academy, through a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, hosted her and her family for a day of fun and learning Oct. 26.