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  • First Doolittle Award presented to 4th Fighter Wing

    The 4th Fighter Wing received the inaugural Air Force Historical Foundation Doolittle Award during a ceremony at the Air Force Memorial here June 2.The Doolittle Award promotes the history and heritage of a unit as opposed to an individual. The award is named after Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, a Medal

  • Thunderbirds set to kick off 2011 European tour in Turkey

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are practiced and ready to perform the first official demonstration of their 2011 European Tour. The team brought 78 of its nearly 120 Airmen on the six-week, transcontinental trip, arriving earlier this week at Cigli AB, just outside of the western coastal city of

  • Officials suggest new role for more capable Reserve force

    Capabilities gained from a decade of combat have transformed military reserve components into a full-spectrum operational force that should be integrated into the active fighting force, a defense official said June 3.Paul Patrick, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs for

  • Thunderbirds announce 2012 officer selections

    The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. William M. Fraser III, has officially selected the officers who will be joining the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds" for the 2012 demonstration season. Maj. Greg Moseley, a lieutenant colonel-select currently assigned to

  • Captain shares Student Flight knowledge to help unit build program

    Capt. Bryan Williams, the Student Flight coordinator for the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif., helped establish the new Student Flight training program for the West Virginia ANG's 130th Airlift Wing here.A Student Flight prepares new recruits for

  • Minot Airmen help neighbors as flood water rises

    With the Souris River threatening to break the levies already in place, thousands of Minot citizens, including military members, their families and DOD civilians, have been forced to evacuate the area here June 1.Many have sought shelter with friends and families outside of the evacuation areas. For

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • DOD works toward successful transition in Iraq

    The recent Middle East turmoil underscores the importance of an active U.S. engagement in Iraq and a "shoring up" of relations with key regional partners, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East said June 1."(The Defense Department) strongly believes we must remain focused on

  • Fallen tanker pilot to be honored in building dedication

    Airmen from the 911th Air Refueling Squadron will honor a fallen tanker pilot June 26 here by dedicating a new auditorium in his name. The event comes exactly 43 years to the day that the late Maj. Robert Francis Woods was declared missing in action after his plane crashed over Vietnam, and four

  • Air Force announces OTS selection results

    A total of 63 men and women from across the U.S. have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced today. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 971 applications as part of Officer Training School

  • AF scientists share research during aviation psychology symposium

    Scientists with the 711th Human Performance Wing discussed the latest research on human performance problems and opportunities May 2-5 at the 16th Annual International Symposium on Aviation Psychology here.The symposium brought together scientists, research sponsors and aviation operators from 20

  • Photo essay: Honoring the fallen

    During a Memorial Day ceremony here May 30, volunteers place flags on the graves of men and women who died while serving in the military. View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Deployed Airmen honor fallen on Memorial Day

    Deployed Airmen in the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing honored fallen but not forgotten service members during a Memorial Day ceremony May 30 in Southwest Asia. Colonel Patrick Mordente, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Turcotte, the 386th command chief, laid a

  • Reserve Airmen begin work on Boy Scout Jamboree site

    Reserve Airmen recently arrived here to begin work on a 10,600 acre National Scout Jamboree site as part of Joint Task Force Summit.More than 20 civil engineers from the 477th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, began clearing trees and installing silt fences on the

  • Photo essay: Kadena Airmen participate in operational readiness exercise

    Airmen participate in simulated power outages, minor on-the-job injuries, bomb threats and aerial attack scenarios during Beverly High here May 19. Beverly High is an operational readiness exercise, during which Airmen continue to perform their normal duties while also participating in scenarios

  • New firing range 'shoots down' time, costs

    The newly refurbished combat arms firing range here is now loaded and ready.After the completion of a series of renovations to the base's old range, Airmen will no longer have to transfer from the 18th Security Force Squadron's classroom here to the Marine Corps range on Camp Hansen, saving the

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Air Force Academy's Class of 2011

    Newly commissioned second lieutenants celebrate at the end of the Air Force Academy's Class of 2011 graduation ceremony here May 25. The Class of 2011 is the Academy's 53rd graduating class. (Ray McCoy and Mike Kaplan contributed to this story.) View the slideshow.

  • Explosive ordnance disposal team trains Iraqi agencies to save lives

    Thousands of people have died from roadside bombs in Iraq. But even one death from these attacks is one too many, and an explosive ordnance disposal team from Contingency Operating Site Warrior is trying to prevent that number from getting any bigger.The 321st Expeditionary Operation Support

  • Medics, aircrew members execute life-saving mission

    In the early hours of the morning on May 22, a group of Airmen here departed with a moment's notice for Pago Pago, American Samoa, to save the life of a critically ill child.Medical personnel from the 13th Air Force surgeon general's office and the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Det. 1, along

  • Photo essay: Refueling the fight

    Airmen from the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron participate in multiple air refueling missions here May 8, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.View the slideshow.

  • myPay goes mobile

    Users of myPay now can check pay statements on the go using a smartphone or other mobile device that has a web browser.This update for myPay, the online pay account management system for service members, military retirees and many federal civilian employees, is based on customer feedback received

  • Pentagon, Homeland Security collaborate on cybersecurity

    In line with an agreement between the department secretaries last fall and a recently released White House proposal, the Defense Department is sharing cybersecurity information, capabilities and expertise with the Homeland Security Department, a Pentagon official said May 23.Robert J. Butler, the

  • Medical, physical evaluation board processes improving

    From the moment an Airman is injured or becomes ill, one of his or her biggest questions becomes: Can I stay on active-duty? Thus begins the wait. But, thanks to new processes, officials said, answers are coming much faster.Since Sept. 11, 2001, the number of service members processing through the

  • Hero Miles brings families to healing Warrior Games

    For wounded or injured servicemembers, family support is a vital lifeline during the initial and long-term recovery process that helps them find a new "normal" in their life.The Hero Miles program provides family members the commercial airline flights to the injured service member in the hospital or

  • C2-Forward concept enhances combat capability

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe is showcasing a new concept designed to enhance a joint force commander's combat capability as part of the Combat Air Forces/Mobility Air Forces conference here May 23 and 24.The concept stemmed from the 2009 Joint Forces Exercise Austere Challenge, when 3rd Air Force was

  • 7th Intel Squadron named best in Air Force

    The 7th Intelligence Squadron was named the Outstanding Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Unit of the Year for 2010 as part of the annual Air Force ISR awards program and the National Military Intelligence Association Maj. Gen. Jack E. Thomas awards program. The 7th IS selection was made

  • Conaton speaks on AF biomass fuel use at open house

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton spoke to media about the milestone of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team's first use of a biomass fuel blend in two of their jets here during the 2011 Joint Service Open House May 20.The Air Force has a vested interest in the use of

  • Education is key in fight against PTSD

    Stemming the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, requires awareness, education and recognizing its symptoms, a senior military psychiatrist said.Navy Capt. Paul S. Hammer, director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, spoke

  • Photo essay: RED HORSE on a drop zone mission

    RED HORSE Airmen perform jump missions and operate their own drop zones here May 12. The jumps were part of the 414th Combat Search and Rescue Squadron's training and certification of 3 RED HORSE Airmen as drop zone control officers, enabling the RED HORSE Airmen to perform jump missions and operate

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Warrior Games welcomes new faces

    For the second year, the Warrior Games has returned here, bringing competition among all branches of the military and Coast Guard, during a week-long series of sporting events. The Air Force Warrior Games team has seen many veterans return, but there are also many new faces joining them.These

  • Air Force officials release E-7 promotion list

    The master sergeant promotion list is now available on the Air Force Personnel Center's website and Air Force personnel services website under "Active Duty: MSgt Promotion Release." Airmen can also access their Weighted Airman Promotion System score notices at the same time on the Virtual Military

  • DOD makes progress in civilian hiring reform

    Until recently, applying for a civilian job at the Defense Department was an exercise in navigating through a byzantine federal hiring process and amassing thick application packets, with applicants sometimes waiting up to a year for any word on their applications.Pasquale M. Tamburrino Jr., the

  • CONR officials provide support during shuttle launch

    Officials from the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Air Forces Northern provided airspace control and shuttle support during the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour May 16 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. CONR officials ensured airspace sovereignty by enforcing the

  • 20th FW hands off alert mission to McEntire ANG

    The 20th Fighter Wing here turned over responsibility for the air sovereignty alert mission to the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., recently.The 20th FW controlled the alert mission from Sept. 11, 2001 to Nov. 15, 2003 and again from Aug. 1, 2006 to May 9, 2011. The

  • EPLOs supporting Mississippi River flood response effort

    The recent flooding along the Mississippi River has disrupted lives and commerce, and now the next threat is to several parishes in Louisiana. To help save lives and mitigate property damage, officials at the Air Forces Northern National Security Emergency Preparedness Directorate have deployed two

  • Cadet honored in Pentagon ceremony

    The newest name engraved on the Millennium Sword of Friendship in the Pentagon is that of a student at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., who was presented with the 2010 U.S. Air Force Cadet of the Year Award here May 12.During a ceremony hosted by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Marines begin reintegration through Air Force Deployment Transition Center

    More than 100 Marines arrived by air here April 27 for a brief stay at the Air Force Deployment Transition Center.On their way home from Helmand Province in Afghanistan, the Marines of the 1st Explosives Ordnance Disposal Company, from Camp Pendleton, Calif., are the first members from another

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • AFSPC commander welcomes AF Wounded Warriors, kicks off 2011 competition

    The U.S. Air Force Warrior Games team gathered for breakfast here May 8 to mark the beginning of a week of training before the kick-off of the 2011 Warrior Games.During the breakfast, Gen. William Shelton, the Air Force Space Command commander, passed on thanks and encouraging words to the 23

  • AETC, 17th AF officials bring maintenance training to 7 partner nations

    Officers and NCOs from seven African nations began a three-week course here May 5 designed to provide fundamental maintenance and logistics management skills, thanks to a partnership between 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) and Air Education and Training Command.The Trans-Sahara Culture of

  • Undersecretary addresses fiscal challenges

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton spoke at the Air Force Association's Air Force Breakfast Program here May 11.Ms. Conaton discussed the state of the Air Force and how the service is approaching the challenging budgetary environment it faces today."We're currently balancing a range of

  • 'Total Force 21' paper offers new force mix, DOD savings

    Air Force Reserve officials recently announced new guidelines that may help combat planners better access reservists, make the Air Force more efficient and save money.Called "Total Force 21," this new approach refocuses planning efforts on how many reservists can be mobilized instead of traditional

  • Photo essay: Chief Roy participates in Brave Defender training

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy received a hands-on tour of Air Force Materiel Command's "Brave Defender" training area May 6, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base Fla.  Brave Defender is a three-week deployment training course for security forces Airmen. The training is hosted by the 96th

  • AFCEE redefines the gateway to the Air Force

    Engineers at the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment are preparing to build an inprocessing and information center for Air Force recruits and their families here.The construction of the facility is significant to both the agency and the Air Force, due to its robust depiction of Air

  • CMSAF experiences "Brave Defender" training

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy received a hands-on tour of Air Force Materiel Command's "Brave Defender" training area May 6 here.Brave Defender is a three-week deployment training course for security forces Airmen. The training is hosted by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron,

  • Airmen help make Iraq a little greener

    Members of the 321st Expeditionary Logistical Readiness Squadron Vehicle Maintenance Flight created a volunteer project called Operation Kirkuk Regional Air Base Cleanup at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq.On any given Sunday, the program allows anyone from any unit to spend a few hours

  • AF lodging officials announce new payment procedures

    As part of the Air Force's recent implementation of the new Citibank controlled spend account travel cards, funding for lodging costs will be pre-loaded on the card once authorization is approved in the Defense Travel System.As a result of the CSA travel card implementation, Air Force Inns guests

  • ESC trifecta will enable autonomous Iraqi air defense

    Because a strong Iraqi air force capable of flying and fighting starts with a solid foundation of planning and control of forces, an Electronic Systems Center team has taken on three major projects of an ESC master plan to ensure the Iraqi air force is capable of providing its own air

  • Photo essay: Air Force Airmen participate in Thracian Spring 2011

    Members from the 435th Security Forces Squadron work in conjunction with Bulgarian air force paratroopers here April 29. Thracian Spring is a two-week, on-site training course designed to build partnerships between the Bulgarian and U.S. Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Officials announce AF fuels management awards

    The 87th Air Base Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., recently received the Air Force's 2010 American Petroleum Institute Gold Award.The other award winners were:Silver Award - 86th Air Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany Bronze Award - 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Air

  • Report outlines progress in Afghanistan

    READY FOR REVIEWLast year's surge of U.S. and coalition forces into Afghanistan, with the simultaneous growth of Afghan forces, is leading to tangible progress for peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, according to a biannual Defense Department report recently released.The final component of 30,000

  • Air Force announces enlisted supplemental promotions

    More than 60 Airmen have been selected for promotion to the next higher rank as part of the May enlisted supplemental promotion process.The enlisted supplemental promotion release announces those Airmen selected for promotion who tested outside of their required cycle due to an extended temporary

  • Officials announce Eglin as MQ-1 squadron candidate base

    Air Force officials announced May 3 the Eglin Air Force Base complex in Florida as a candidate for an Air Force Reserve Command MQ-1 Remote Split-Operations squadron. "The selection of this candidate is the result of a deliberate, measured and transparent process," said Kathleen Ferguson, the deputy

  • 24th AF officials conduct first change of command

    Maj. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot assumed command of 24th Air Forces during a change-of-command ceremony here April 29.General Vautrinot replaced Maj. Gen. Richard E. Webber, who retired after 36 years of service. General William L. Shelton, the Air Force Space Command commander, presided over the

  • Photo essay: Service members drop fire retardant in West Texas

    Service members aboard a Modular Airborne Firefighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules drop fire retardant onto a West Texas wildfire April 27 and 28. The wildfires have spread across parts of Texas and have burned more than 1,000 square miles of land.View the slideshow.

  • Air Force announces fighter training mission preferred basing decision

    Air Force officials announced May 3 that Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the preferred location for consolidation of the Introduction Fighter Fundamentals training units.The Air Force conducts IFF training at five locations, producing 450 IFF graduates per year. Over the years, the Air Force IFF

  • Some officer development applications due by May 31

    Officers considering 2012 advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs should get their applications started, since some applications are due as early as May 31, officials recently said.Bomber pilot, space and missile operations, intelligence, weather, logistics, program management,

  • Troops explore emerging energy solutions

    As officials work to shrink the military's operational energy footprint, experts in solar power, microgrids and "smart" generators recently took that technology to a crucial jury: the troops.Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who deal hands-on with battlefield power converged here April 12

  • Photo essay: Falcons vs. Aztecs

    The Air Force Falcons took on the San Diego State Aztecs at Falcon Field here April 22. The Falcons defeated the Aztecs 7-3.View the slideshow.

  • Top enlisted leaders focus on families

    Building resilience in families and ensuring they have access to effective support programs are just a few of the steps the services are taking to ensure a high quality of life for troops and their families, the services' senior enlisted leaders said during a town hall meeting here April 28."At the

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Surge week at Little Rock AFB

    Aircrew members participate in a surge week here April 14. The purpose of the surge week is to make up lost flying time by increasing the operations tempo.View the slideshow.

  • Commissaries continue efficient reporting of taxpayer funds

    When it comes to accounting for taxpayer funds, the Defense Commissary Agency has proven that every dollar counts. For the ninth consecutive year, independent auditors have rated DeCA's financial statements as excellent. In the accounting world, an excellent rating on the review of a corporate

  • Photo essay: Earth Day kayak tour

    Kayakers drift down Turkey Creek here, April 21, during the base's second annual Earth Day kayak tour and celebration. The scenic tour showed off the wild and plant life here and helped close out a weeklong Earth Day celebration. View the slideshow.

  • New unit adds outreach, education to contingency response mission

    A new air mobility unit activated April 19 in a ceremony here, marking the genesis of a new mission for the expeditionary air mobility specialists of the 621st Contingency Response Wing. By order of the secretary of the Air Force, members of the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron will provide

  • AETC officials announce new professional development guide

    Air Education and Training Command officials have announced the release of the new AFPAM36-2241, Professional Development Guide. The effective date of the new PDG is Oct. 1 and will be available at www.e-publishing.af.mil beginning May 2. Master sergeants testing this December will be the first to

  • Semifinalists selected for employer support awards

    Defense Department officials announced April 25 that 148 employers have been selected as semifinalists for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.The Freedom Award is DOD's highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the National

  • Photo essay: Falcons vs. Bears

    The Air Force Falcons took on the Northern Colorado Bears at Falcon Field here April 19. The Bears capitalized on a top-of-the-ninth home run to defeat the Falcons 6-5. (Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)View the slideshow.

  • Honor guard provides unique opportunity

    The hurried commotion of people chatting and finding their seats overwhelms the room. A group of five people stand in the background; not one Airman says a word and all stand tall and unwavering. These five Airmen are silent for a purpose. They are the color guard detail for the retirement ceremony

  • Photo essay: Airmen and Soldiers conduct airdrop and sling-load training

    Members of the 820th Red Horse Squadron, the Nevada Army National Guard and the Army's Aerial Delivery Field Service Department participated in airdrop and sling-load training here April 15. The training is designed to help the services to closely work together in preparation for their deployed

  • National resource directory goes mobile

    A version of the National Resource Directory website, which connects wounded warriors, service members, veterans and families with those who support them, now is available for mobile phones.With more than 3,000 new users each day searching for information on the site, it makes sense to have a mobile

  • First lady aims to improve military families' lives

    First lady Michelle Obama stood behind a podium in the White House's East Room, her husband close at hand, as she addressed an audience of high-ranking military and government officials.Although it was a high-powered crowd, the first lady wasn't there for the officials or for the star-studded brass.

  • Military sees high recruiting, retention

    Recruiting and retention has stayed high throughout the military for the first half of the fiscal year, according to Defense Department numbers released April 25.Through March, the active duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force met or exceeded their accession goals for fiscal 2011, which began

  • DOD officials recognize Air Force for environmental accomplishments

    Each year, Department of Defense officials recognize military personnel, teams and installations for excellent stewardship of natural and cultural resources entrusted to their care. Conservation efforts across the Air Force over the past year were rewarded April 15, when the Air Force was announced

  • AFPC officials to stand up operating location at Robins

    As part of a continuing Air Force initiative to provide on-site civilian personnel recruitment support, Air Force Personnel Center officials will stand up an operating location at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., May 1. This is the fourth of five AFPC OLs to support commanders and missions at Air Force

  • Defense Finance and Accounting Service revamps website

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials are rolling out a redesigned website tonight to give the Defense Department's workforce easier, quicker access to the information they need. "We know our online visitors don't want to spend more of their time on our website than they have to," said

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • DOD: U.S. continues support of NATO operations in Libya

    A U.S. military fighter jet destroyed two of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's surface-to-air missile sites near the Libyan capital of Tripoli April 18, continuing U.S. support of NATO operations there, officials reported.Since NATO took the lead of multilateral operations in Libya on April 1, U.S.

  • NASA specialists to descend on Offutt

    More than 20 NASA flight crew, ground crew and technicians are scheduled to arrive here late this month as the base's newest, if only temporary, members. The team will bring a NASA ER-2 to participate in the Mid-latitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment over Oklahoma. This U-2-based platform