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DAF updates COVID-19 reinstatement process, reduces time for members returning to service

DAF updates COVID-19 reinstatement process, reduces time for members returning to service
Airman discharged under vaccine mandate returns to guide others back
An F-22 Raptor assigned to the Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team performs during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2026. The team performs precision aerial maneuvers at air shows and open houses worldwide to demonstrate the capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon)

AF Week in Photos
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AF Week in Photos

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing prepares for aerial refueling over the North Sea July 20, 2026, during exercise Combat Archer U.K. The exercise provides British and U.S. units an opportunity to integrate during live-fire air-to-air training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody J. A. Mott)

Photo of the Week

This week's AF Photo of the Week comes from Senior Airman Cody J. A. Mott

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin Martinez, a 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron patrolman, scans the perimeter for targets through his weapon sight during a field training exercise at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, July 23, 2026. The exercise challenged defenders with competing demands that required effective communication and decision-making under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster)

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team performs during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2026. The team performs precision aerial maneuvers at air shows and open houses worldwide to demonstrate the capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon)

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the Air Force C-17 Demonstration Team at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, performs during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2026. The C-17 provides rapid strategic delivery of personnel and cargo to main operating bases and forward locations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon)

A KC-46A Pegasus, 141st Air Refueling Squadron, 108th Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, flies over Wausau, Wis. Aug. 5, 2026. The mission offloaded 40,000 pounds of fuel, supporting operational readiness and integration between Air National Guard units. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Michael Hong)

Senior Airman Osvaldo Vargas, a 22nd Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, performs metal inert gas welding at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 30, 2026. The welding arc generates heat to melt and fuse metal while shielding gas protects the weld area from atmospheric contamination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Matthew Nguyen)

Maj. Taylor Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performs aerial maneuvers in an F-16C Fighting Falcon during AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wis., July 24, 2026. The F-16 is a multirole fighter capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, and its dynamic demonstrations showcase the aircraft’s versatility across the United States and abroad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Cardo)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Wyatt Pooler, a 100th Operations Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist, boards a Caister lifeboat during joint SERE training at Caister-on-Sea, United Kingdom, July 23, 2026. The training, conducted with the Caister Lifeboat Volunteer Service, provided Airmen hands-on survival instruction rooted in generations of lifesaving expertise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chloe Masey)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kane Dew, 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron lead training instructor, fires an M240B machine gun at simulated hostile forces during a field training exercise at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, July 23, 2026. The exercise strengthened shoot-and-move techniques, communication, land navigation, mounted operations and combat-response skills to support evolving mission requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew Gonzalez, Airman 1st Class Elias Villaseñor and Senior Airman Jacob Thompson, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, extinguish a fire during the 100th CES Fire Department Rookie Academy at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, July 22, 2026. The academy condenses four months of training into three weeks for new firefighters, providing consistent, high-quality instruction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aidan Martínez Rosiere)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing prepares for aerial refueling over the North Sea July 20, 2026, during exercise Combat Archer U.K. The exercise provides British and U.S. units an opportunity to integrate during live-fire air-to-air training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody J. A. Mott)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 15, 2026. The F-15E provides all-weather air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities that support regional security and operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery)

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, jump from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2026, during exercise Arctic Predictable Iron 26. The five-day exercise included rapid-movement training and airdrop operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

Staff Sgt. Philip Slick performs pushups under pressure during the 101st Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Squadron Best Defender Competition in Bangor, Maine, July 27, 2026. The competition tested security forces Airmen's proficiency in land navigation, marksmanship, tactical fitness, doctrine knowledge and endurance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair)

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th and 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons taxi to the runway during readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 3, 2026. The exercise strengthens readiness to deter aggression and defend the shared interests of the United States and Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

Maj. Sean Laughlin, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander, performs an aerial maneuver during the Arctic Lightning Air Show at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 2, 2026. The demonstration showcased the advanced capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II while highlighting the skill, precision and professionalism of Air Force personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Perkins)

Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Hunter, assigned to the 421st Fighter Generation Squadron, and other Aircraft Armament Systems specialists assigned to the 388th Maintenance Group participate in a quarterly weapons-loading competition at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, July 24, 2026. The competition encourages Airmen to hone their skills while demonstrating the speed and precision required to safely load weapons onto F-35A Lightning II aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper)

Recently deployed Airmen hug their families after returning to Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine, July 27, 2026. The Airmen returned home following a routine deployment to an undisclosed location in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair)

Pararescuemen assigned to the 57th Rescue Squadron, based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, conduct a vehicle extraction of an isolated person during Exercise Savage Jackal at Playas, N.M., July 26, 2026. The training enhanced the squadron's capability to recover isolated personnel from damaged vehicles while preparing rescue forces to respond to complex real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jenna A. Bond)

A YFQ-42A Dark Merlin Collaborative Combat Aircraft assigned to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft Experimental Operations Unit approaches Creech Air Force Base, Nev., July 22, 2026. The aircraft is designed to increase tactical flexibility by operating alongside crewed aircraft in contested, dynamic environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Jacobsen)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 22, 2026. Aerial refueling extends the aircraft's range, endurance and operational flexibility, enabling fighter aircraft to project combat airpower and sustain operations across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcaniz)

Security forces Airmen assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Security Forces Squadron prepare for an ambush exercise during annual training at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, July 19, 2026. The training strengthens tactical proficiency, teamwork and expeditionary readiness while operating in unfamiliar terrain and austere conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Scofield)

Staff Sgt. Conner Montgomery, 824th Base Defense Squadron force production analyst, displays first-person-view drone goggles at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., July 14, 2026. Using first-person-view drones provides a flexible capability that supports reconnaissance, force protection and operations in environments that may be difficult to access by ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Noah Noonan)

Basic cadets march to Jacks Valley during Basic Cadet Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 12, 2026. The training marked the beginning of the second phase of Basic Cadet Training at Jacks Valley, where basic cadets completed field exercises, land navigation and weapons training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jonathan Suni)

Airmen from the 32nd Aerial Port Squadron load a forklift aboard a static C-5 Galaxy during exercise Steel Anvil at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., July 11, 2026. Steel Anvil is the Air Force Reserve's first flyaway exercise conducted at the squadron level specifically for air transportation specialists to test the skills and competencies of Port Dawgs in contested conditions and scenarios including inclement weather. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Leddick)

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs fly in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 2, 2026. The aircraft deliver advanced airpower capabilities that enhance combat readiness and support regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Malcom Dixon and Staff Sgt. Reynold Lewis, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeymen, retorque propeller nuts on a C-130J Super Hercules engine at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. Routine engine maintenance helps keep C-130Js mission ready for tactical airlift operations across U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

Therapy dogs wait to greet returning service members at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., July 8, 2026. Therapy dogs support morale and help create a welcoming environment for Airmen returning home from deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Marharyta Chumakova)

Senior Airman Martin Palomino, a 552nd Operations Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist, works with Airmen to secure a canopy over a life raft during water survival training at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., July 10, 2026. SERE specialists led the Airmen as they practiced properly securing the canopy to the raft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Wright)

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing takes a defensive position during an opposing-force training scenario for Beverly Sentinel 26-4 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, July 22, 2026. The realistic training required personnel to adapt to complex challenges and strengthened their ability to execute the mission under high-stress conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Chapman)

U.S. Air Force Airmen prepare to transport U.S. Marines and equipment aboard a C-17 Globemaster III before departing Simón Bolívar International Airport at Maiquetía, Venezuela, July 16, 2026. At the direction of U.S. Southern Command, the military is supporting State Department-led U.S. disaster assistance for the people of Venezuela following the June 24 earthquakes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin M. Rumbaugh)

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