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  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America.

  • CHIEFchat: CMSAF talks about force management, EPRs

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody addressed upcoming changes to enlisted performance reports and effects of force management during his 2nd worldwide CHIEFchat at Defense Media Activity here Jan. 9. CHIEFchat is a recurring initiative, designed to give Airmen around the world a

  • Official urges support for Afghan counternarcotics efforts

    A senior Defense Department official has warned about the growing threat of narcotics originating in Afghanistan and has urged continued support for efforts to eradicate production. Erin Logan, the Defense Department’s principal director for counternarcotics and global threats told the Senate Caucus

  • Recruiting on track, but officials worry about future

    Military recruiting is going well today, but economic and demographic changes will make the environment more difficult in the future, said Vee Penrod, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy.

  • 34 ICBM launch officers implicated in cheating probe

    Thirty-four intercontinental ballistic missile launch officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., have been implicated in cheating on the ICBM launch officer proficiency test, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said Jan. 15. The revelations emerged during an investigation into alleged illegal

  • Aerospace medicine: More than just doctors

    Aerospace medicine does more than keep aircrews fit to accomplish their day-to-day operations. The 99th Aerospace Medicine Squadron performs a number of operations ranging from medically certifying aircrews, to responding to medical emergencies on the flightline. They are also responsible for

  • DOD raises awareness of human trafficking

    Defense Department officials have a zero-tolerance level for human trafficking and have stepped up awareness and education efforts to curb the crime overseas.

  • Press briefing on ongoing Air Force investigation

    Senior Air Force officials will brief the press at 2:30 p.m. EST today in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973). Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, will provide an update on the status of Air Force investigations into allegations of

  • Collection of ‘heroic’ Airmen stories to be released in February

    The latest edition of an annual collection of heroic Airmen stories is slated to be released the first week of February, the project officer said Jan. 10. Portraits in Courage was designed to tell Airmen’s stories of courage, valor and heroism, Maj. John Baum said.

  • TRICARE ends walk-in admin services at 189 facilities

    TRICARE military health plan service centers will end administrative walk-in services in the U.S. on April 1, Pentagon officials said Jan. 13. While the 189 facilities will stop taking walk-ins, beneficiaries can accomplish any administrative task online or by phone, said Pentagon spokesman Army

  • AF family heads to national fitness finals

    McConnell's first family to compete in the national Triple Play Fit Family Challenge has progressed to the third and final tier of the national competition. The Blairs are among the top five out of two hundred families who will travel to Los Angeles, Calif., to compete for the title.

  • Hurricane Hunters transition from tropical gales to arctic blasts

    Maintaining constant awareness of what storm systems are doing is a concerted effort between the National Weather Service and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron here, also known as the Hurricane Hunters. Each year, to combat the persistent threat of winter storms, the 53rd WRS fly out over the

  • Road to marksmanship

    It's time to deploy and part of out-processing is weapons training. For younger Airmen, this might be the first time they have shot since basic military training. The thought of having to qualify could be nerve racking to some, while others have their eyes set on becoming a marksman. Regardless of

  • Religious support teams provide hope and comfort at Bagram hospital

    Medical personnel at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital see patients from all over Afghanistan with medical issues ranging from kidney stones and appendicitis to trauma battle-related issues, but other teams are also present to provide another type of healing that goes beyond medical care. Two sets of

  • It takes a village: Airman is walking example of resilience

    By the age of 3, he found himself in and out of group housing and foster homes in New York City. His father had abandoned him before birth and his mother was addicted to drugs. Staff Sgt. Lamar Valentina, a 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron equipment accountability element supervisor, didn't have

  • DOD focuses on healthy, active lifestyle for kids

    With the national rate of childhood obesity increasing, the Defense Department wants to ensure children in military families lead healthy and active lifestyles, the Defense Department's director of the office of family policy and children and youth said.

  • Famed scientist, author visits RAF Lakenheath

    On the afternoon of Dec. 29, 2013, Royal Air Force Lakenheath received a surprise and impromptu visit from a member of the local community and a famed figure in the global scientific community. Preceding the unexpected visit, RAF Squadron Leader Jerry Neild, the RAF commander, received a late-night

  • AF JAG Corps gains insight at SAPR Summit

    The Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps held its first Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Summit Dec. 17-18 at the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy here.The purpose of the summit was to bring total force legal professionals together to improve the way they handle all aspects

  • New SecAF to Airmen: With change comes opportunity

    The Air Force’s most senior leader gave insight into her life and shared career advice with Airmen across the Air Force during her first town hall Jan. 9. Speaking from the Pentagon auditorium, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James spoke about her 32 years of defense experience, passing on

  • New secretary testifies to commission on total force

    The Air Force will rely more on its Air National Guard and Reserve components in the future with the aim to preserve more capabilities as the service seeks to reduce its personnel , the service’s top leader said Jan.9.

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America.

  • Hagel visits Airmen, stresses importance of mission, gratitude

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visited Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing here Jan. 9 to learn about the ICBM mission and the people who operate, maintain, secure and support the Minuteman III weapon system. Hagel also took time to speak to Airmen who were selected as top performers by their

  • Sexual assault reports drop at service academies

    Reports of sexual assault decreased in two of the three military academies in academic year 2012-13, officials of the Defense Department's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office said today.

  • Force protection team helps keep trainees safe

    A program office here is using its expertise to help ensure the safety of Air Force trainees. Following occurrences of sexual misconduct during basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, a commander's directed-investigation looked at various programs and procedures to see how

  • Hagel visits troops, defense nuclear facilities in New Mexico

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said he was impressed with what he saw here Jan. 8 at an Air Force base on the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, where two facilities represent a large and historic part of the nation’s nuclear weapons expertise.

  • Online library provides Airmen education, entertainment

    Need assistance working on a class project, learning a new language or fixing an engine? Look no further than the online Air Force library, where Air Force library staff work to meet customers' needs. The online Air Force library offers resources such as electronic books, audio books, digital

  • Grand Forks squadron named best small comm unit in AF

    The members of the 319th Communications Squadron have an extra reason to walk a little taller after recently being named the best small communications unit in the Air Force.The cyber warriors of the 319th CS won the 2013 Air Force Information Dominance Small Unit Award at the Air Force level.

  • Ease landlord disputes with few easy steps

    Most disputes between landlords and tenants are caused by one or both of the parties' failure to meet its obligations related to the rental property. There are several steps tenants can take to ensure tenancy is peaceful and dispute-free as possible. Service members and their families should seek

  • B-52 upgrade to increase smart-weapons capacity

    Tinker AFB Airmen will update ground maintenance and mission planning software in support of a new Air Force contract that will increase the B-52 Stratofortress's "smart-weapons" capacity by 50 percent.

  • Challenges never stop as AF officer clocks up 20 '13s' in 2013

    To those who know him, Lt. Col. Chris Bennett, the former 100th Operations Support Squadron commander, isn't just a runner - he's a running machine. Not only has the Airlift and Tanker Requirements chief at Headquarters Air Force Reservist Directorate, Air Staff, Pentagon, run every single day for

  • AF’s top leader to host online town hall

    The Air Force’s newest and most senior leader will hold a service-wide, online town hall meeting Jan. 9 at 3:30 p.m. EST, addressing issues relevant to today’s Airmen.

  • Airman cellist bows for audience

    The deep, rich sound of the vibrating strings echoed in front of thousands of people at a change of command ceremony as one Airman put to work 22 years of practice.

  • POW to personal triumph

    Many people might associate the phrase 'prisoner of war' with service men and women, but a POW can also include non-combatants such as women and children. George "Julie" Kubat, an Air Force spouse and a member of the Fairchild Air Force Base family for roughly 40 years, had a different childhood

  • Shelton discusses importance of space defense

    Space is fundamental to the economy, the military and the way of life in the United States and officials must continue to guard against challenges in the domain from adversaries, the commander of Air Force Space Command said today. Gen. William Shelton shared with students at George Washington

  • AF helicopter crashes in England

    An Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crashed at about 6 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time Jan. 7 near Salthouse on the Norfolk coast in England.

  • AF seeks enlisted commissioning applicants

    Eligible active-duty enlisted Airmen interested in pursuing a nursing commission have until Feb. 28 to submit their intent to apply, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Jan. 7.

  • 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.

  • First combat deployable F-22s arrive at Tyndall

    Tyndall Air Force Base received the first five-of-24 F-22 Raptors scheduled to transfer from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Jan. 6 as part of the new combat mission. The aircraft are now a part of the 95th Fighter Squadron, which reactivated in October 2013.

  • TAP curriculum available online for separating service members

    Separating service members can participate in the transition assistance program, or TAP, online, Department of Defense officials announced. TAP, now called Transition GPS-Goals, Plans and Success, is designed to help prepare separating and retiring members for life outside of the military. It

  • AFNet PII breaches still a concern

    More than one month after Air Force Space Command's implementation of lock-out procedures for individuals found to have inappropriately transmitted Personally Identifiable Information, PII breaches still remain a significant issue.

  • AF announces 2013 Design Award winners

    The winners of the 2013 Air Force Design Awards were announced recently by Maj. Gen. Theresa Carter, the Air Force Civil Engineer chief of staff for logistics, installations and mission support.

  • CMSAF, wife visit air traffic control roots

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, returned here Jan. 3 and 4 to visit the men and women of the 157th Air Refueling Wing nearly 23 years after leaving as young staff sergeants.

  • Pearl Harbor-Hickam set to host first Wounded Warrior Pacific Invitational

    Thirty Air Force wounded warriors will face off against 90 other athletes during the first Wounded Warrior Pacific Invitational hosted by Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Jan. 8-10.The week-long event will be the largest joint-service competition to take place outside of the annual Warrior Games.

  • Military blood program director urges generosity

    The director of the Armed Services Blood Program wants all service members to be part of a new arms race. Col. Richard H. McBride wants service members to roll up their sleeves and donate blood to help fellow service members and their families.

  • B-1B accident report released

    A displaced fold-down baffle in the left overwing fairing of a B-1B Lancer led to a fuel leak and a series of detonations that disabled the aircraft prior to it crashing Aug. 19, 2013, near Broadus, Montana, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Dec. 30,

  • Agency works to draw down costs, maintain top medical care

    The Defense Department’s goal to save medical dollars and deliver the best health care possible has made strides in its first 100 days, the director of the new Defense Health Agency said. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Douglas J. Robb said the agency, which stood up Oct. 1 in Fairfax, Va., has been on a “journey”

  • Rescue squadron deactivates at Camp Bastion

    The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrew of the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron and pararescuemen of the 651st Expeditionary Rescue Flight, deployed here, sat alert for the last time Dec. 31, 2013.

  • AF to convene enhanced selective early retirement board in June

    The Air Force will convene an enhanced selective early retirement board here June 16 to consider eligible officers for early retirement, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.ESERB, a new authority granted in the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, applies to regular,

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America.

  • Deployed Airman embodies resiliency through fitness

    Capt. Ezekiel Duran, a physiologist with the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group here, is not only determined to be physically fit, working out two times each day while preparing to run a marathon, but also be the best possible wingman to his fellow deployed Airmen.

  • Doolittle Raider to Airmen: Training is key to mission success

    While the Air Force is often celebrated for its use of technology and reliance on hardware, a Doolittle Raider's visit here Dec. 30, 2013, re-enforced that the service's true strength stems from well-trained, innovative Airmen working jointly. Retired Lt. Col. Richard Cole, who served as then-Col.

  • AF officer, former Academy athlete killed in Afghanistan

    Former Air Force thrower Capt David (Lissy) Lyon was killed on Dec. 27, while conducting combat operations near Kabul, Afghanistan. Lyon, a 2008 Academy graduate, was a three-year letter winner for the Falcons' track and field team and a Mountain West champion in the shot put.

  • Bagram Airmen get call from AF top leader to ring in new year

    Four 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen received New Year's Eve phone calls from the Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James.The secretary wished them a happy new year and wanted to let the Airmen know the Air Force leadership team was thinking of all the deployed Airmen and their families

  • Airlift operations complete in Central African Republic

    A small U.S. Air Force support team and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft began airlift operations Dec. 12 in response to a French request for airlift support. The Airmen conducted 16 flights from Burundi to the Central African Republic, Warren said, transporting 857 Burundi troops, 73 pallets of

  • Airman finds motocross racing ultimate 'stress reliever'

    His heart is racing and his entire nervous system is pulsing with adrenalin. He revs the engine of his dirt bike easing the tension before the race begins. But this rider isn't a professional on the American Motorcyclist Association circuit, but a McConnell AFB officer who uses the sport as the

  • 2014 Air Force marathon registration begins

    Registration for the 2014 Air Force Marathon will open at midnight EST on Jan. 1 with special New Year's Resolution discounts. Participants who register on Jan. 1 will save $10 off the full or half marathon and $5 off the 10K or 5K.

  • Enlisted retention board to convene in June

    An enlisted retention board will convene here in June to consider eligible senior airmen through senior master sergeants for retention, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

  • Applicants sought for NDU emerging leader program

    Eligible officers and civilians have until Feb. 14 to submit their application for the National Defense University Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction Program for Emerging Leaders.

  • 2013 Air Force Year in Photos

    This Year in Photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America.

  • Top AF leaders: Happy holidays to all!

    The Air Force’s senior leaders send a holiday message to Airmen and family members throughout the force.Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh II and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody thank service members and family members for their

  • AF selects officers for space leadership roles

    More than three dozen officers have been selected for calendar year 2014 space operations director of operations, detachment commander and director of space forces positions, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.

  • Cadet-designed system aids stroke victim recovery

    An entrepreneurial collaboration between the Air Force Academy and Penrose-St. Francis Health Services is creating a device to help patients recover their full range of motion after suffering a stroke or injury. The project - called Neumimic - is the result of a partnership between mechanical and

  • Africa Command repositions forces to increase flexibility

    The commander of U.S. Africa Command is repositioning forces in East Africa in an effort to attain maximum flexibility to respond to State Department requests, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters here Dec. 23.

  • Academy officer looks back on challenges, rewards of deployment

    When Lt. Col. Howard Gentry deployed to Afghanistan in May 2012, he knew he'd be stepping out of his comfort zone -- living and working in a different country, absorbing its culture, learning a new language and, for the next 12 months, watching his one-year-old daughter grow up and say her first

  • Eligible officers, enlisted members offered early retirement

    Staff through senior master sergeants and captains through lieutenant colonels in certain Air Force Specialty Codes may apply to retire with fewer than 20 years of active service under the Temporary Early Retirement Authority, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.

  • Thousands of U.S. personnel serve overseas during the holidays

    For many American service members, the holidays are just another work day.In a news conference last week, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey reminded Americans that their military is deployed worldwide, performing missions that keep their fellow citizens safe.In his