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  • PERSCO keeps the base accountable

    Before you arrive to a deployment at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, there is a team already tracking and processing your movement into the Area of Responsibility. This is the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team whose mission is total force accountability, casualty reporting

  • The 736th SFS are defenders of the force

    The dictionary defines the word “defender” as a person who defends someone or something. It’s no coincidence security force members throughout the Air Force use this moniker. Defender is well-suited; however, just one word could not speak to their flexibility, warrior ethos or enormous

  • Email in the cloud: CHES phase 1 completion

    On Nov. 8, 2018, the Air Force Network Integration Center, or AFNIC, concluded the first phase of the Air Force’s transition to Cloud Hosted Enterprise Services, completing the migration of 555,000 continental U.S. based Air Force hosted e-mail accounts to a Microsoft Office 365 collaboration

  • First GPS III satellite successfully launched

    The Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched the first Global Positioning Systems III satellite Dec. 23 from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The Lockheed Martin-built satellitewas carried to orbit aboard a Space Exploration Technologies

  • Air Force base of preference initiative evolves to permanent program

    The Base of Preference enhanced assignment initiative begins Jan. 9, 2019, and provides enlisted Airmen who have 48 months’ time on station as of May 2019 the opportunity to apply for available Permanent Change of Station assignments in the continental United States, or CONUS, through an immediate,

  • Bunch nominated to command AFMC

    Lt. Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr. has been nominated by the president for a fourth star to become the next commander of Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

  • How the Air Force got smarter about its aviation fuel use in 2018

    Did you know the Air Force is the largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense? This may not surprise you, if say, you’ve ever watched a sortie of F-35 Lighting IIs complete an aerial refueling, or witnessed a C-5 Galaxy lift (seemingly) effortlessly into the sky. In fact, the Air Force

  • Chief Wright to Airmen: Know your retirement options

    The opt-in deadline for the Blended Retirement System is December 31, 2018.Make your decision knowing only you can determine which system is best for you, and understand that if you opt into BRS, it is irrevocable. You only have one chance to make this choice, so it’s imperative you and those

  • 36th CRG brings relief, inspiration after devastation

    On Oct. 25, Daverrick Camacho, a firefighter from Saipan, woke-up to a nightmare turned reality. Everything he worked toward was wiped off the face of the earth. The place he called home and held family gatherings was nothing more than darkly twisted debris, scattered across the front lawn.

  • Major changes to medical policies good news for Reservists

    When Col. John Buterbaugh took the helm as the command surgeon at Air Force Reserve Command in late summer 2018, he wanted to make some bold changes to improve processes for the 70,000 Reserve Citizen Airmen serving around the world.

  • Air Force Safety goes mobile

    The Air Force Safety Center released a mobile version of the Airman Safety App, Nov. 15, enabling Airmen at installations Air Force-wide to voluntarily report safety issues with their devices as they encounter them.

  • AFMC unleashes $4.6M in FY18 Squadron Innovation Funds

    When Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein asked leaders to “unleash the brilliance in our Airmen,” Air Force Materiel Command answered the call, executing more than $4.6 million in Squadron Innovation Funds in fiscal year 2018.

  • F-35 maintainers at Hill AFB shaping future with BOLT

    After several months, an innovative program in the 388th Fighter Wing is proving it has the potential to deliver combat power more efficiently and may shape how the Air Force determines future requirements to sustain F-35A Lightning II operations.

  • Around the Air Force: Tyndall Update / BRS Deadline / Solar Power

    On this look around the Air Force, several important missions resume at Tyndall Air Force Base, the chief master sergeant of the Air Force posts about the upcoming BRS deadline and the Air Force uses more solar power. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Angelo Rosario.

  • Kunsan Air Base revitalizes energy utilization

    The 8th Civil Engineer Squadron has launched its latest project to help Kunsan Air Base take its first steps in becoming more energy efficient and environmentally conscious by rolling out phase one of an infrastructure refresh plan with assistance from the Energy Savings Performance Contract.

  • AMC’s Phoenix Spark Tank competition recognizes innovation

    Air Mobility Command held its first-ever Phoenix Spark Tank competition at the Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium in Grapevine, Texas, where four finalists proposed their innovation ideas to top Air Force leaders and the president of VOX Space Oct. 26.

  • 325th LRS: Helping shape a new Tyndall AFB

    The 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron is a multi-faceted unit working diligently on Hurricane Michael recovery efforts. Two of their five sections are vehicle operations and vehicle maintenance.

  • FYI: Continuum of Learning

    The Continuum of Learning initiative is a shift to better focus how Airmen learn by integrating education, training and experience in ways that allow them to learn anytime, anywhere throughout their careers. The end goal is to create a culture of lifelong learning. FYI- For all the stuff you need to

  • Weather data pilot includes Hurricane Michael

    A prototype project providing the Air Force access to commercial weather data began Oct. 1, nine days before Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle. The prototype is managed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.

  • The enlisted Airmen perspective: Success in the MDO world

    The mission of the recently-formed Air Force Strategic Integration Group blends senior leader’s perspectives of The Force We Need, the Future of Multi-Domain Operations, and the Airmen We Need to implement lasting change across the service. These changes include direct and indirect improvements for

  • Around the Air Force: Hurricane Michael, SECAF Testimony, BRS

    On this look Around the Air Force, Hurricane Michael hits the Tyndall Air Force Base and the Florida panhandle, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee and the window to opt into the Blended Retirement System will close soon.

  • Air Force awards three Launch Service Agreements

    The U.S. Air Force announced today the award of three Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Launch Service Agreements to (in alphabetical order) Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, and United Launch Alliance.

  • AFIMSC observes two years of innovation, support to AF

    AFIMSC celebrated its second year of full operational capability Oct. 1. The standup represented the Air Force’s largest change in more than 20 years as the service centralized 155 installation and mission support functions previously executed by the major commands and Headquarters Air Force into a

  • Demonstration results in policy update and optimized operations

    Thanks to an optimization initiative led by Air Force Operational Energy (SAF/IEN), F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor fighter sorties are now requested to fly closer to the fighters' maximum range airspeed, while still within tanker boom limits, during Coronet missions. The faster speed decreases

  • Air Force Recognized With FEMP FEDS Spotlight

    Three members of the Air Force’s Mission Thread Analysis team were recognized for their work in support of the Air Force’s Mission Assurance through Energy Assurance initiative with a Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program FEDS Spotlight on August 22nd at Energy Exchange 2018. The

  • A Day That Resonates

    JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- By looking at him you wouldn’t know it, but Tech Sgt. Trevor Brewer, 72nd Security Forces Squadron flight chief at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, has deep scars from a day that took the lives of two fellow Airmen and severely wounded two others. His wounds

  • Phantom of Takur Ghar: The Predator above Roberts Ridge

    A once quiet landscape turned battlefield, the clash of gunfire and shouts ripped through the Shahi-Kot Valley in the early hours of March 4, 2002. As part of an early war effort that targeted al Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan, the Battle of Roberts Ridge is still known as one of the

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 31

    On this look Around the Air Force, Air Force leadership provides an update on the Publication Reduction Initiative, and Airmen provide support to the Royal Air Force during exercise Typhoon Warrior. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Angelo Rosario.

  • Why I serve: The Kalkbrenner family

    As of 2017, approximately two million people currently serve in the U.S. military with millions of veterans serving before them in the several hundred year history of the country’s armed forces. All of these service members chose to don their respective service’s uniform for varying reasons. Many

  • AFTAC helps break the 'STEM mold'

    In 1976, esteemed historian and author Laurel Thatcher Ulrich wrote a book entitled, “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History.” The premise of her work was to shine a light on famous women throughout history who challenged the way things were done. While the title may seem to be a modern-day rallying

  • Exercise Pitch Black 2018 strengthens alliances

    Exercise Pitch Black 2018 is a Royal Australian Air Force-hosted biennial multinational large force employment exercise held from July 27 through Aug. 17. This year’s event, the largest since its inception, involves 16 nations, 140 aircraft and more than 4,000 personnel – approximately 150 of which

  • BLUE: Episode 26 Life cycle of an Airman

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – Recruiting, developing and retaining a high-quality workforce of effective leaders is essential for war fighting success. The Air Force’s ability to respond faster than our adversaries relies on the talent and leadership of Airmen.This episode of BLUE outlines the

  • Revitalizing squadrons, Air Force outlines progress

    The task force conducted an Air Force-wide review, driven by Airmen in the field, to promote best practices and identify improvements. Consisting of Total Force Airmen from diverse backgrounds, they reviewed survey data and gathered inputs from across the Air Force through on-line crowd sourcing and

  • Pawlikowski tenure marked by effectiveness, Air Force readiness

    Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski will retire from the Air Force in September following 40 years of service. As only the third femalefour-star general in the history of the Air Force, Pawlikowski’s career was marked by extraordinary achievements across the science and engineering domains.

  • Galaxy wraps upgrades to become C-5M Super Galaxy

    The first flight of the Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy took place on June 30, 1968, with an audience including President Lyndon Johnson. Now, 50 years later, the Super Galaxy is still going strong.

  • Flying training reimagined as first PTN class graduates

    The Air Force’s pilot training landscape took a significant step forward in reimagining how Airmen learn to fly as 13 students from the first iteration of Pilot Training Next pinned on their silver wings in a ceremony Aug. 3, at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, Austin, Texas.

  • Hill AFB Airmen, aircraft progress together as F-35A program matures

    Two years after the Air Force declared initial operational capability for the F-35A Lightning II, pilots and maintainers at Hill Air Force Base’s active duty 388th and reserve 419th Fighter Wings are steadily erasing the word “initial” from in front of “operational capability.”

  • Air Reserve TFSC call center agents take on 24-hour operations

    Effective Aug. 1, the Air Reserve Personnel Center’s call center will centralize at the Air Force's Personnel Center call center at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. With this centralization, ARPC’s more than 1.3 million customers will now have access to Total Force Service Center call agents

  • Technical sergeant promotion cycle correction

    Following the recent technical sergeant/18E6 promotion cycle release and Airmen expressing concerns about selection rates in the Refueling/Bomber Aircraft Maintenance (2A5X4) Air Force Specialty Code, the Air Force’s Personnel Center identified 57 Airmen in that AFSC with an ‘A’ shred-out

  • Former CSAF awarded for analytic achievements

    Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz was presented the 2017 Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent Leadership Award by Kevin Williams, director of Air Force Studies, Analyses and Assessments, at the Pentagon, July 13, 2018.

  • JBLE exemplifies CMSAF initiatives

    The Airmen at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, are at the forefront of implementing Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright’s three initiatives – resiliency, leadership and training.

  • Sisters in service: Closing the joint warfighter’s diversity gap

    The Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium at the San Diego Convention Center June 20-22, 2018, included attendees from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and other service members from 20 different countries. As the largest gathering of military women in the nation, it marked the

  • Airmen partner toward quicker deployments

    Rescue Airmen from the 23rd Wing visited the Devil Raiders of the 621st Contingency Response Wing, May 21-23, 2018, to better understand the essential assets to stand up rescue operations from bare-base situations.Although the 23rd Wing’s mission to organize, train, equip and maintain combat-ready

  • Retired Air Force rated officers welcomed back on active duty

    Retired Air Force rated officers with Air Force Specialty Codes 11X-pilot, 12X-combat systems officer or 13B-air battle manager are encouraged to apply for the Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty Program to help alleviate manning shortages within the Air Force rated community.

  • AFPC launches database for special trophies, awards information

    As the Air Force continues to streamline guidance and target improvements that impact Total Force Airmen in the squadrons, the Air Force’s Personnel Center has implemented an initiative placing all special trophies and award descriptions and eligibility information into a single location for maximum

  • Whole Airman Concept: Leadership development

    Airmen from the 821st Contingency Response Support Squadron are using the Whole Airman Concept to find innovative ways to incorporate leadership development into their everyday squadron routine.

  • Embedded care teams work to improve Airman resiliency

    For Airmen at the 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, stress is an occupational hazard. Pressing deadlines, a heavy workload and constant pressure are requirements of the mission.They are also one of a growing number of units combating those stressors with an embedded care

  • Check your ego at the door, be your own advocate

    Master Sgt. James Stalnaker always thought going to mental health was a deal breaker for your career; that mental issues make you a weaker person. It took encountering struggles of his own to change those views.

  • Air Force CTCS’s win DoD combat camera titles

    Teams from Joint Base Charleston’s Combat Camera Total Force Initiative squadrons took two of the top three placings at the 2018 Specialist Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition. Four teams of two from the active duty 1st Combat Camera Squadron and the reserve 4 CTCS participated in the

  • Around the Air Force: May 4

    On this look around the Air Force, a C-130 Hercules crash is being investigated, medical Airmen get real world experience in Panama, and Air Mobility Command holds their biannual Phoenix Rally Summit.