NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • 438th AEW Airmen commemorate Memorial Day

    Members of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing in Kabul, Afghanistan, gather to commemorate Memorial Day May 30, 2011. The day serves to honor military members currently serving and those that have died while in military service. Many Americans observe Memorial day by visiting cemeteries and memorials

  • 43rd EECS passes 20,000 combat hours

    Airmen with the 43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, a unit that has almost five years of continuous deployment, clocked their 20,000th combat flight hour early Feb. 17. The 43rd EECS aircrews and the EC-130 Compass Call aircraft they fly provide communications jamming support to U.S. and

  • 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron Airmen participate in ISR demo

    In late July and early August, members of the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron participated in Empire Challenge 10, a live intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance interoperability demonstration. The annual endeavor, sponsored by the undersecretary of Defense for intelligence, aims to enhance

  • 44 civilian leaders witness airpower

    Forty-four U.S. civic, business and industry leaders witnessed military life June 9 when the Defense Secretary’s 2003 Joint Civilian Orientation Course stopped here for a firsthand look at what the U.S. Air Forces in Europe has to offer. Hand-picked from more than 6,000 applicants all vying for a

  • 44 selected for test pilot school

    Forty-four Air Force captains and first lieutenants have been selected as primary or alternate test pilot school program attendees, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Jan. 21.

  • 440th Airlift Wing helps 'Move that bus!'

    Airmen from the 440th Airlift Wing got a taste of Hollywood recently as ABC's reality television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" was here to film scenes for an upcoming episode.Extreme Makeover: Home Edition renovates homes for families facing recent or ongoing hardships. Show host Ty

  • 447th ELRS Airmen help Soldiers get home as drawdown continues

    Airmen from the air terminal operations center and aerial porters helped move more than 100 Soldiers from Charlie Company of the 67th Expeditionary Signal Battalion onto a C-17 Globemaster III for redeployment July 10 as part of the responsible drawdown of forces here.The responsible drawdown of

  • 44th FS named Air Force's top air superiority squadron

    The 44th Fighter Squadron "was recently named as the winner of the Raytheon Trophy for 2012.Awarded annually since 1953, the Raytheon trophy is awarded to the top air superiority or air defense squadron in the Air Force. Units are not only evaluated on operational mission performance, training and

  • 44-year-old C-130 flies final combat mission, ends service

    After 44 years of service and more than 29,500 flying hours, a C-130 Hercules flew its final combat mission Nov. 13 from Southwest Asia and will next be heading to the boneyard. Aircraft 63-7865 from the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and currently assigned to the 386th Air

  • 45 Airmen selected for promotion

    Nearly four dozen Airmen have been selected for promotion as part of the April enlisted supplemental promotion process, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Click here to see the list. Those on the supplemental promotion list are Airmen who tested outside of their required cycle because of

  • 45 selected for test pilot training

    Forty-five pilots have been selected for the Air Force test-pilot program by a selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center. Most of those selected will attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. One will attend the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent

  • 45 units gather to support 30th Golden Coyote at Ellsworth AFB

    Ellsworth Air Force Base continued its history of providing vital assets and support during the South Dakota National Guard's, or SDNG, 30th Golden Coyote training exercise June 7 to 21.Forty-Five Air Force, Army and Navy military units, representing 15 states and personnel from four foreign

  • 45 years on alert: Minot conducts Minuteman III test launch

    The 91st Missile Wing completed an operational test launch of an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, Aug. 19, continuing its mission of providing strategic deterrence for the U.S. and their allies. The launch fell on the 45th

  • 454 selected for promotion to chief master sergeant

    More than 450 senior master sergeants have been selected for promotion to chief master sergeant, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. Those selected represent 22.9 percent of the 1,981 eligible for consideration, and when promoted will be among those who make up less than 1 percent of the

  • 455th AEW holds memorial vigil

    Airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing recognized two of its fallen comrades and honored many others who have given their lives, during a wreath-laying and silent vigil ceremony at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 26. "As Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, we go forward, risk our lives,

  • 455th ESFS Reapers push out insurgents, keep Bagram safe

    Most service members deployed to Afghanistan have heard the alarm blare over the giant voice system that signals incoming indirect fire to the base. While most people do their best to stay safe by taking cover and waiting for the "all clear," the Reapers gear up and head outside the wire in search

  • 459th Airlift Squadron: a life-saving evacuation team

    For the pilots of the C-12J Huron assigned to Yokota AB’s very own 459th Airlift Squadron, this delivery of hope is just a perk of the job – providing aeromedical evacuation to the individuals that need it.

  • 45th Space Wing Airmen support NASA's successful launch

    With support from Airmen with the 45th Space Wing, Space Shuttle Endeavour blasted off safely from Kennedy Space Center March 11 at 2:28 a.m. (EDT), starting NASA's 25th mission to the International Space Station. The 45th SW's support included providing weather forecasts, helping organize and train

  • 45th Space Wing Airmen support successful Ares I-X launch

    Airmen, Air Force civilians and contractors from the 45th Space Wing provided Eastern Range support for NASA's successful launch of the Ares I-X. The test rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center at 11:30 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 28. Personnel from throughout the 45th Space

  • 45th Space Wing enables nation's space mission

    Space launches may soon be an almost weekly sight on Florida's Space Coast. As the need for space lift grows globally, partnerships between the Air Force, other government agencies and the commercial space industry are enhancing the 45th Space Wing's vision of remaining the world's premier gateway

  • 45th Space Wing launches NRO satellite

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance-built Delta IV-Heavy Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle from Space Launch Complex 37 Nov. 21, carrying a classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite. "The tremendous ULA, NRO and Air Force partnership once again delivered

  • 45th Space Wing launches ORBCOMM satellites

    The 45th Space Wing supported Space Exploration Technologies’ successful launch of their Falcon 9 rocket carrying six second-generation ORBCOMM communications satellites July 14, from Space Launch Complex 40, here.

  • 45th Space Wing launches satellite

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance-built Delta IV rocket carrying the sixth Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite at 8:29 p.m., Aug. 7 from Space Launch Complex 37B here.A combined team of military, government civilians and contractors from across the 45th SW

  • 45th Space Wing launches second SBIRS GEO satellite

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the second Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO-2 satellite into orbit from Space Complex 41 here March 19.A combined team of military, government civilians and contractors from across the 45th Space Wing

  • 45th Space Wing officials launch satellite atop Delta IV

    Members from the 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance-built Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle here March 13 carrying a classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite."The outstanding ULA, NRO and Air Force partnership made yet another successful mission," said

  • 45th Space Wing supports 6th SpaceX re-supply mission

    The 45th Space Wing supported Space Exploration Technologies' (SpaceX) successful launch of their Falcon 9 Dragon spacecraft headed to the International Space Station from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, April 14.

  • 45th Space Wing supports GPS satellite launch aboard Atlas V

    The 45th Space Wing supported the Air Force's 11th launch of a Boeing-built Global Positioning System IIF satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on Oct. 31.

  • 45th Space Wing supports NASA launch

    The 45th Space Wing supported NASA's successful launch of Orbital ATK CRS-4, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station from Space Launch Complex 41, Dec. 6.

  • 45th Space Wing supports shuttle launch

    The U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing provided Eastern Range support for NASA's launch of the space shuttle Discovery Tuesday. Discovery lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 2:38 p.m."Congratulations to the entire NASA, DOD and contractor launch team," said Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th Space

  • 45th Space Wing supports SpaceX Thaicom 6 mission

    The Air Force's 45th Space Wing provided Eastern Range support to the successful launch of the Thaicom 6 communications satellite from Space Launch Complex 40 at 5:06 p.m. Jan 6 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

  • 45th Space Wing supports successful final shuttle launch

    Members of the 45th Space Wing provided Eastern Range support for NASA's successful launch of the final flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis July 8and the final space shuttle flight in history. The shuttle launched at 11:29 p.m. (EDT) from Space Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.A combined team

  • 45th Space Wing supports successful NASA launch

    The U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing provided flawless Eastern Range support for NASA's successful launch of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-L mission aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41 here at 9:33 p.m. Jan. 23.

  • 45th Space Wing supports successful shuttle launch

    The 45th Space Wing at nearby Patrick Air Force Base provided flawless support for NASA’s successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on July 26, officials said.This was the shuttle’s first flight since the Columbia tragedy on Feb. 1, 2003. The wing’s Department of Defense Manned Spaceflight

  • 45th Space Wing supports successful shuttle launch

    The 45th Space Wing here supported NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis Sept. 9.The launch occurred at 11:14 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center.The 45th SW's Eastern Range assets such as radar, optical and meteorological instrumentation helped energize a

  • 45th Space Wing supports successful shuttle mission

    The 45th Space Wing provided continued support of the Space Shuttle Discovery from its launch on July 4 to its landing at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on July 17.The Department of Defense Manned Spaceflight Support staff operated an around-the-clock Support Operations Center for STS-121 at Patrick

  • 45th Space Wing supports ULA’s 100th Atlas launch

    The 45th Space Wing supported the United Launch Alliance's 100th launch, an Atlas V 421 rocket flying the Morelos-3 communications satellite for Mexico's Secretariat of Communications and Transportation on Oct. 2.

  • 45th Space Wing team supports successful shuttle Launch

    The men and women of the 45th Space Wing provided flawless Eastern Range support for NASA's successful launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour Nov. 14. The launch occurred at 7:55 p.m.(EDT) from Space Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. "Congratulations to the entire NASA, DOD and contractor

  • 45th SW launches 5th OTV mission

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle Sept. 7, 2017, from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A.

  • 45th SW launches NRO satellite

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance-built Delta IV-Heavy rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 on June 29 carrying a classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite.The largest of the Delta IV family, the Heavy version features three common booster cores mounted

  • 45th SW supports 5th SpaceX launch for ISS resupply mission

    The 45th Space Wing supported Space Exploration Technologies' (SpaceX) successful launch of their Falcon 9 Dragon spacecraft headed to the International Space Station from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Jan 10.

  • 45th SW supports NASA’s successful launch

    The 45th Space Wing supported NASA’s successful launch of the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-Ex) spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Sept. 8.

  • 45th SW supports successful Atlas V GOES-R launch

    The 45th Space Wing supported NASA’s successful launch of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Nov. 19.

  • 45th SW supports successful launch

    The 45th Space Wing supported United Launch Alliance’s successful launch of the NROL-37 spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV-Heavy rocket from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, June 11.

  • 460th Medical Group sharpens combat readiness skills

    The 460th Medical Group held annual combat leadership and combat medic training Oct. 1-4 at Fort Carson, Colorado. Learning how to continue the mission while under the stresses of combat is essential to being successful on the battlefield.

  • 460th Space Wing wraps up first Cyber Lightning exercise

    Working under a carefully planned and escalating contested cyber environment on Oct. 15, members of the 460th Space Wing here successfully completed their first exclusively cyber-focused exercise."Exercise Cyber Lightning" was designed to test the wing' s capability to operate in a contested cyber

  • 46th Test Wing integral part of Hubble repair

    May 13 is rendezvous time for the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis and the Hubble Space Telescope. But prior to reaching this point, months of preparation work was done for this mission and the 46th Test Wing played a vital role. During the next week, astronauts will go on five spacewalks to

  • 479 selected for top enlisted rank

    Of the 2,525 senior master sergeants eligible for promotion to chief, 479 were selected for an 18.97 percent selection rate, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Nov. 20.

  • 48 officers selected for career field change

    Air Force officials selected 48 company and field grade officers to crossflow into the intelligence and public affairs career fields during a selection board held last month at the Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force officials announced today.The nonrated line officer crossflow program is one of

  • 480th activated as Spangdahlem's newest F-16 squadron

    The 480th Fighter Squadron was activated as the 52nd Fighter Wing's newest F-16 Fighting Falcon squadron as of 13 Aug. at 1:48 p.m.The new squadron comes after the Combat Air Forces Restructuring plan transitioned 21 F-16s assigned to the 22nd and 23rd fighter squadrons here to the 148th FW at

  • 480th Intel Group wins Air Force language award

    The Air Force Senior Language Authority recently announced the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Fort Gordon, Georgia as the Command Language Program of the Year awards recipient for 2011. "This group of Airmen has demonstrated excellence and discipline as language

  • 480th Intelligence Wing realigned

    Air Force officials announced Jan. 14 the transfer of the 480th Intelligence Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency at Lackland AFB, Texas. Formal realignment of the affected units will occur on or before March 1. The 480 IW,

  • 480th ISR Wing Airmen aid Haiti recovery

    Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Airmen have been processing images since Jan. 14 to aid humanitarian efforts in Haiti.Just two days after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti, these Air Force specialists have been using their talents to assist the recovery efforts in

  • 480th ISRG fills training gap

    The transition from technical school to duty station created issues within the intelligence community that couldn’t be addressed with on-the-job training alone.

  • 484th AEW brings airpower to battlefield

    It is the largest and most diverse Air Force unit supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, yet few people know it exists, according to 484th Air Expeditionary Wing officials.Behind the scenes, the 484 AEW works quietly, providing combat enabling, contingency response, terminal attack and combat weather

  • 48-hour battle results in AF Cross, Silver Star medals

    Three special tactics combat controllers were awarded the Air Force Cross and two Silver Star medals here May 6, for extraordinary heroism and gallantry in the face of danger while on a deployment to Afghanistan in September 2014.

  • 48th AMDS team returns from Djibouti

    An optometry team from the 48th Aerospace Medicine Squadron joined peers from Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, and Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as part of the first Medical Civic Action Program operation in Tadjoura, Djibouti, recently.Working side by side with Djiboutian doctors, the Medical Civic Action

  • 48th Fighter Wing downed aircraft, pilot found deceased

    One pilot was killed when their U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle crashed at approximately 9:40 a.m (BST) June 15, in the North Sea.The name of the deceased pilot is being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.The aircraft, from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United

  • 48th Fighter Wing jets receive high-tech overhaul

    When aircraft launch from the British Isles in September to support operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, they will be fitted with the most advanced avionics and carry the most accurate, lethal weapons in the Air Force inventory. The 48th Fighter Wing here has taken the Air Force lead in

  • 48th Fighter Wing wraps up exercise Valiant Liberty

    The training was designed to increase the 48th Fighter Wing's capability to rapidly support joint operations across the European theater, normalizing interoperability between air and ground force assets.

  • 48th FW Airman honored by German government

    During a Jan. 16 ceremony here, the 48th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of vehicles was awared the highest tribute the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for services to the German nation.German Interior Minister Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich presented the Order of Merit of the

  • 48th FW conducts ACE exercise

    Four F-15E Strike Eagles and a 14-Airmen maintenance team with limited support equipment participated in a simulated deployment to a forward-operating base on the north side of the RAF Lakenheath airfield.

  • 48th RQS provides Hurricane Harvey rescue support

    Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron responded to recovery operations for Hurricane Harvey, arriving at Easterwood Airfield, College Station, Texas, with approximately 20 members, Aug. 29, 2017.The mission is to provide boat-based rescue support in addition to current efforts in southeast Texas.

  • 48-year-old KC-135 retires

    One of only two remaining KC-135 E model Stratotankers of the Utah Air National Guard was delivered to its final resting place April 24 to officials of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The aircraft touched down onto the Arizona flightline, its

  • 49 C-5s approved for modernization program

    Air Mobility Command leaders welcomed the news that defense officials certified 49 of the Air Force's C-5 aircraft for upgrade in the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program. The decision was made Feb. 14. Continuing the C-5 RERP allows the Air Force to modify aircraft with better, newer

  • 493rd FS trains during Tactical Leadership Programme 18-4

    F-15C Eagles and an F-15D assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron and support personnel from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, U.K., are participating in the NATO Tactical Leadership Programme 18-4 at Amendola Air Base, Italy.

  • 49th MDG trains Airmen with Medic-X initiative

    Medic-X is a program implemented in the 49th MDG last year and is designed to train Airmen from different medical careers to provide potentially life-saving measures in emergency situations and relief in daily operations.

  • 4-star returns to 1st assignment for WiSE keynote address

    The Air Force’s third-ever female four-star general returned to her first assignment to deliver keynote remarks at the Air Force Technical Applications Center’s (AFTAC) Women in Science and Engineering Symposium (WiSE) Sept. 7.Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski, commander of Air Force Materiel Command,

  • 4th CMS hydraulics Airmen design, use apparatus to test stabilator actuators

    The F-15E Strike Eagle depends on many parts to maintain operational status. One mission critical part is the stabilator actuator. Without this part, the F-15E cannot fly. The hydraulic actuator, which moves the stabilator of an F-15E, defects collectively for pitch control and differentially to add

  • 4th Corps Soldiers get lift from 386th AEW

    Pvt. 1st Class Michael Sirrine is on his first deployment but knows plenty about being in the desert. A native of Tuscon, Ariz., he noticed as soon as he arrived in Kuwait, "it's just like home, with less cactus." Before boarding an Air Force C-130 Hercules in early September for Balad, Iraq,

  • 4th Fighter Wing loses an Airman

    An Airman assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing was found dead Oct. 4. Deceased is Senior Airman Ross Merrit Horton, a lodging customer service representative of the 4th Force Support Squadron. Airman Horton is from Chico, California. The cause of death is under investigation. "The 4th Fighter Wing

  • 4th FW Airmen to launch aircraft to honor WWII history

    Members of the 4th Fighter Wing will pay homage to World War II history here April 16 by launching 70 F-15E Strike Eagles in a training mission to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across North Carolina.During World War II on April 16, 1945, the 4th Fighter Group destroyed

  • 4th FW holds historic change of command

    Col. Jeannie Leavitt assumed command of the 4th Fighter Wing from Col. Patrick Doherty during a change-of-command ceremony at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., June 1. Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, the 9th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony."With the departure of one leader, we welcome

  • 4th FW Strike Eagles assist shuttle launch

    Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, or CONR, and Air Forces Northern Command provided crucial airspace control and manning support to the successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis May 14

  • 4th SOPS closes the door on operations legacy

    In a ceremony held April 11, 4th Space Operations Squadron members decommissioned the Satellite Mission Control Subsystem, or SMCS, and the Air Force Command Post Terminal, closing the door on a legacy of operations."Today we turn the lights off on the command and control system that has been

  • 4th Special Operations Squadron receives first AC-130J Ghostrider

    The 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, is now home to Air Force Special Operations Command’s newest aircraft – the Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.Similar to the Block 20 AC-130Js flown by the 73rd Special Operations Squadron, the Block 30 upgrade marks a major improvement in

  • 4-wheelin' provides active therapy for wounded warriors

    Airmen from the Washington area have found a unique way to help wounded warriors, one that takes them out of the daily grind, far removed from their normal surroundings.Tucked away in the backwoods of northwest Virginia, about 90 miles from Washington, a non-profit organization called "4 wheel to

  • 5 basic trainees become US citizens

    Five trainees became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony Aug. 25 here, making them the first to earn their citizenship during basic military training.A cooperative agreement between the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Army, Navy, and now the Air Force, created a faster

  • 5 hours of work for 15 seconds of action

    A C-17 Globemaster III flies low, with its cargo door open. In 30 seconds it will drop 2 tons of food and water to a disaster-stricken country; the pallets will land safely, all due to the expertise of aerial delivery specialist riggers.

  • 5 NATO countries take part in jump week

    Five NATO countries including Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States participated in airborne jump operations during International Jump Week Aug. 9 thru 14. Parachuting out of the back of a C-130 Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron here, more than 250 paratroopers guided

  • 5,000 days of war

    It’s been 5,000 days of struggle, rugged landscapes, blood and sweat. It’s been 5,000 days of exhaustion, injuries, and long separations from family, friends and home. On June 27, the 17th Special Tactics Squadron marked 5,000 days of unremitting war.