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  • Biomedical sciences corps Lt Cols will not meet ESERB

    Biomedical sciences corps, or BSC, lieutenant colonels originally slated to meet the June 16 enhanced selective early retirement board, or ESERB, will not meet the board, Air Force Personnel Center officials said April 30.

  • Biometric database offers security stamp of approval

    Members of the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here ensure the security of base personnel and resources by using a Department of Defense advanced security system designed to track the movement third country nationals who work on base. Defense Biometrics Identification System is an

  • Biometric database offers tighter security

    The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron activated an entry system at a deployed location June 22 that will help make operations there safer and more secure. "(The Defense Biometric Identification Database System) enhances a security system, such as entry control to an installation, and

  • Biometric technology improves identification security

    Since the Department of Defense distributed more than 11 million Common Access Cards as its primary form of identification and enhanced protection to the military network, the number of network intrusions attempts by the enemy has nearly halved. Although the CAC has proved to be a valuable tool,

  • Bird avoidance job going to the dogs

    Officials  from the 459th Air Refueling Wing hired a new member to the wing staff.What makes this new employee different is the recent wing addition is a four-legged member who answers to the name Jackson. Nearly seven months old, Jackson is the only dog hired in the history of the 459th ARW. Owned

  • Bird flu -- fact and fiction

    A global outbreak of disease -- that is what many people think when they hear the words “bird flu.” But is it really the next pandemic or just fowl play? Properly named avian influenza, this virus has spurred global awareness and growing concerns about the possibility of the virus mutating into a

  • Bird migration season increases bird strike risks

    As summer fades into fall, birds begin to migrate south to their wintering grounds. That migration means one thing to pilots and airfield managers: a dramatic increase in the risk of bird strikes. Monthly trends recorded from 1995 - 2010 by the Air Force Safety Center Aviation Safety Division

  • Bird strike likely cause of crash

    Air Force investigators determined an F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed after at least one spot-billed duck was ingested into the engine, resulting in catastrophic engine failure, according to a report released Sept. 18. The May 29 crash happened off the end of the runway at Osan Air Base, South

  • Bird watch

    Master Sgt. Lloyd Webb, 40th Air Expeditionary Wing flight safety noncommissioned officer, ensures the airfield at a deployed location is clear of birds. The base uses a combination of methods such as airfield mowing, water drainage and pyrotechnics to help reduce the number of birds, which can be a

  • Birdik Village school commemorates with ceremony, surprise

    More than eight months after the reopening of the Birdik Village school, 250 students heard the sound of the last bell of the year during a ceremony here May 25.With Air Force funding, volunteers from the Transit Center here reconstructed the Birdik Village school at a cost of about $540,000.The

  • Birds of a feather: brother promotes sister via VTC

    The video stream stuttered, lagged and occasionally froze, but it ended with Col. Theresa Goodman looking into a webcam and rendering a perfectly clear salute to her brother stationed 5,296 miles away from her location, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Col. Joseph McFall, the 52nd Fighter Wing

  • Black box sheds light on night vision challenges for aircrew students

    A collaborative effort of the 502nd Trainer Development Squadron and Air Education and Training Command Aerospace Physiology Lead Command, the unaided night vision trainer, also known as an NV light bar, demonstrates how dark adaptation and various types of lighting enhance unaided night vision.

  • Black Flag first responders train with tunnel vision

    Cold and dimly lit walls surround Airmen dressed in crinkling, sweaty plastic suits to protect against unknown hazards. Firefighters, paramedics, emergency responders, bioenvironmental engineers and police forces share the former highway tunnel year-round for numerous crisis situation exercises.

  • Black Flag: Taking care of those who wait

    The distinctive black flag, depicting a head lowered under a guard's watchtower, is often seen waving right below the American flag. Black patches with the mottos "You are not forgotten," "Keeping the promise" and "No one left behind" adorn leather vests, ball caps and bumper stickers across the

  • Black Knights saddle up for deployment

    Airman 1st Class Saraha Hughes, 21, has no idea where she will lay her head in a few days.She does not know if she packed enough, too much or too little, but that does not quell the excitement of her very first deployment.A jet engine mechanic with the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here, Hughes

  • Blake paved way for thousands of Air Force women

    At the first available opportunity to return to her roots, Staff Sgt. Esther Blake transferred from the Army to the Air Force on July 8, 1948, minutes after the start of the first duty day for the WAF, along with 11 other women at Fort McPherson, near Atlanta. She remained on active duty with the

  • Blake Shelton lends voice to holiday program

    From growing up in Ada, Okla., to spending Christmas Eve with his father for the last time before his passing, country superstar Blake Shelton shares his favorite, and at times emotional, family holiday memories on this year's "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio special.

  • Blast from the past: Last M117 bomb dropped near Guam coast

    Airmen from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron -- with the help of 36th Munitions Squadron Airmen -- dropped the final M117 air-dropped general purpose bomb in the Pacific Air Force's inventory June 26 on an uninhabited island off the coast of Guam.

  • Blended e-learning courses mix accessibility, personal touch

    As part of the effort to modernize Air Force training programs, the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development here has taken to cyberspace recently with five new blended e-learning courses. Using a combination of online webinars and self-paced curriculum, the e-learning courses allow students

  • Blended Military Retirement System to take effect Jan. 1

    One of the most wide-reaching and significant changes to military pay and benefits over the last 70 years goes into effect Jan. 1 with the implementation of the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System, known as BRS.

  • Blended Retirement System Opt-In training now available to all Airmen

    The Defense Department will implement the new Blended Retirement System next year. While no one needs to make a decision until Jan. 1, 2018, all Airmen should take advantage of training and informational resources to research their options during the remainder of 2017.

  • Blended retirement system training now available

    Online training designed to educate Airmen about the new Blended Retirement System, the Defense Department system with changes on the current military retirement system, is now available via Joint Knowledge Online course number P-US1330. The course is also available to those without a Common Access

  • Blended teams blaze new trail at Rodeo 2007

    Just like the famous cowboys Jim Shoulders and Bill Picket changed the face of the rodeo, there's a new group of boots in town that are stirring things up. But, these aren't your normal cowboys.  What they're doing has little to do with horses but a whole lot to do with the spirit of teamwork,

  • Blind, disabled Americans help prepare Airmen for battlefield

    In several factories around the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, Americans who are blind or severely disabled are now assembling the uniforms Airmen will soon wear while fighting the war on terrorism. Under federal law, when purchasing certain items, the Department of Defense and other

  • Blizzard fails to derail NORAD Tracks Santa operations

    Despite being pounded by the holiday blizzard of 2006, North American Aerospace Defense Command remains on alert for the nation and ready to track Santa Claus, according to NORAD officials. "NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center is schedule to begin operations as scheduled at 2 a.m. Christmas Eve,"

  • 'Blizzard' of cargo crashes on Charleston

    The workload of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here increased an estimated 250 percent after two APS buildings at Dover Air Force Base, Del., collapsed under snow from a blizzard.Air Mobility Command officials sent a portion of Dover's cargo here, increasing the average of five to seven trucks

  • Block 5 MQ-9 debuts in combat

    The latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper, the Block 5 variant, flew its first successful combat mission June 23, 2017, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

  • Blog features preparations for launch of Endeavour

    Visit DOD's Armed with Science blog to keep tabs as members of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., showcase preparations and support for the NASA Endeavour launch scheduled for April 29. People in both the 45th Weather Squadron and 1st Range Operations Squadron are sharing blog

  • Blog offers support to military families

    Defense Department officials have launched a blog called "Family Matters" that is dedicated to providing resources and support to military families. The blog, which can be found at http://afps.dodlive.mil, features tips from experts, and military-related topics that discuss anything from deployments

  • Blogging Airman sheds 70 pounds, ready to take on marathon

    As last Thanksgiving passed and the leftovers were all gone, one Airman had an epiphany about his portly self. Nearly a year later and 70 pounds lighter, Senior Master Sgt. Ken Holcomb is getting ready to run the Air Force Marathon Sept. 19 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He plans to blog

  • Blogs study may net credible information

    The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has begun funding a new research area that includes a study of blogs. Blog research may provide information analysts and warfighters with invaluable help in fighting the war on terrorism. Drs. Brian Ulicny, senior scientist, and Mieczyslaw Kokar,

  • Blood brothers

    Airman 1st Class Saul Vasquez, from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, tore his radial artery during a misstep while performing maintenance on an F-15E Strike Eagle April 2, 2015. Thanks to the quick response of his co-workers providing self-aid and buddy care, they were able to keep Vasquez alive

  • Blood center is lifeline for servicemembers

    Every year, thousands of units of blood and plasma are donated and sent into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to save the lives of servicemembers and civilians who sustain life threatening injuries. Thanks to the hard work of the four members of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group

  • Blood center supports U.S., coalition warfighters

    Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group's blood transshipment center here have a tendency to make people's blood run cold -- literally. Blood transshipment center members are responsible for receiving blood from donors stateside, processing it, accounting for it, repacking it and shipping it

  • Blood donations still in high demand

    The U.S. military always needs blood in war zones and now, more than ever, it is depending on troops at stateside bases to donate. That is because troops that deploy “down range” cannot donate blood for one year after they return home, said Maj. Julie Zwies, officer in charge of the Expeditionary

  • Blood donor month: Be a silent hero with gift of life

    The Air Force has a long history when it comes to the national blood donation system. The system dates all the way back to World War II when the Army Air Corps created the capabilities to transport much needed blood products from the United States into campaign theaters.

  • Blood donor restrictions also apply to retirees

    Some military retirees have been surprised to find that they are no longer eligible to give blood, according to officials at the Armed Forces Blood Program Office here. A substantial number of active-duty and retired military personnel cannot donate blood because of past duty assignments in the

  • Blood donors necessary in war, peace

    It may seem like blood centers are always asking for more. The fact is, there is a constant need for blood.Technological advances have a lot to do with this continuous need for blood, said Capt. Christine Murphy, the 48th Medical Group executive officer here. More and more, there have been

  • Blood donors needed during holiday

    Armed Services Blood Program officials are urging eligible donors to give blood this holiday season to ensure supplies are available to treat servicemembers, retirees and their families.The blood program organization collects, processes and distributes blood and blood products for the Department of

  • Blood drive breaks record -- again!

    First Lt. Scott Cassano of the 82nd Communications Squadron here donates blood Jan. 27 during a blood drive. The base collected 653 units, breaking the Texas state record set by Plano East High School, which collected 457 units recently. Sheppard had set the record previously before being unseated

  • Blood platelet collection begins at Balad

    When coalition forces are wounded on the battlefield, sometimes it takes more than a skilled medical team to save their lives. It takes blood, and lots of it.With the help of apheresis, a new capability at the Air Force Theater Hospital here, doctors now have a ready supply of platelets, one of the

  • Blood platelet donations vital in deployed environment

    When a servicemember is critically injured in Iraq or Afghanistan and in need of a blood transfusion, it is the responsibility of technicians in the 932nd Blood Support Detachment here to ensure units of blood platelets are collected and shipped out to the caretakers tending to the wounded. Medical

  • Blood transfer center essential to mission

    Six Airmen deployed to an air base here are the lifeline of Operation Iraqi Freedom -- literally and figuratively. For them, receiving, monitoring and shipping blood products is a sobering, but motivating responsibility.“People’s lives depend on the accuracy of our job performance,” said Staff Sgt.

  • Bloody good job!

    Loretta Haynes of the American Red Cross prepares to draw a pint of blood from Airman Basic Ransom Holland, an aerospace propulsion student assigned to the 361st Training Squadron here. Holland joined with other airmen in his unit to collect 325 pints of blood, which broke the previous Texas record

  • Blowing stuff up for safety’s sake

    Most people use tools to fix things, but the 455th Civil Engineer Flight’s explosive ordnance disposal team here uses its tools to blow up stuff. To these Airmen, blowing something up is the best way to eliminate hazards and with an average of three suspected unexploded ordnance calls here daily,

  • Blowing up the competition

    The 366th Operations Support Squadron won the Defense Logistics Agency Range of the Year award. Although there isn't a trophy or plaque presented, the range personnel have earned bragging rights for their use of excess property.

  • Blue Coach improves security forces Airmen tactics, training

    Airmen from the 5th Security Forces Squadron are participating in a series of training classes, which began Jan. 5, in an Air Force-wide initiative to improve the tactics, awareness, vigilance and survivability of security forces here. "This training better prepares us for any situation we may come

  • BLUE Episode 24: The Bombers

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – With the ability to carry almost any weapon the Air Force has to offer, Strategic bombers are a mainstay in the U.S. arsenal. Just the threat of using one can be enough to change the enemy's mind. In this edition of BLUE we find out how the Air Force uses strategic

  • Blue Episode 26: United in Defense

    Operation Noble Eagle has become an enduring mission in the years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, protecting the United States and Canada from airborne aggression. The North American Aerospace Defense Command is bi-national, bringing U.S. and Canadian forces together to provide

  • BLUE Episode 7: Brain Stimulator

    Air Force TV here released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE.This edition delves into the ground breaking research Air Force scientists are using to evolve the most important technology used by the military today -- the human brain.

  • Blue Flag enhances ability to protect U.S. from attacks

    More than 500 Air Force personnel along with Army, Navy and Marine representatives completed a two-week training exercise April 24 here to improve how to monitor and intercept hostile military aircraft and to respond to potential terrorist attacks. Part of a series of military defense training

  • Blue Flag exercise marks 40th Anniversary

    Airmen from 505th Combat Training Squadron are the creators and controllers of a live, virtual and constructive world that takes air operation centers and Air Force forces staff through a quest to sharpen their skills at planning, executing and controlling war and relief operation scenarios. The

  • Blue Flag starts with bang at Nellis, Hurlburt Field

    Joint forces from around the United States, along with 11 coalition partners, converged here and at the Combined Air Operations Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for the start of Blue Flag 05-02 on July 24.About 2,000 joint troops, led by 9th Air Force, are participating at the two locations

  • Blue Grit podcast features stories of resilience, strength

    You may have noticed a recent addition to the Air Force Portal homepage. A logo depicting a warrior looking over his shoulder with a fighter jet above him. It’s the face of the Blue Grit podcast. The podcast is the brainchild of Maj. Anna Fedotova, Los Angeles Air Force Base psychologist.

  • Blue Horizons: War College students look at 2035

    Each spring, a select group of Air War College students meet for BOGSAT sessions and collaborate in "murder boards" to help Air Force leaders make decisions on how the service will adapt to technological changes in the next quarter of a century. For the past five years, Blue Horizons has

  • 'Blue' NCO temporarily goes 'green', wins Army NCO of quarter

    He's a spot of Air Force blue surrounded by Army green at a deployed location in Southwest Asia.Staff Sgt. James Springer, a Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman in the 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron, decided to try on a bit of "green" when he competed against Army NCOs for a quarterly award in

  • 'Blue to Green' allows Airmen, Sailors to transfer to Army

    As the Air Force and Navy continue to transform themselves, the two services are finding they do not need the number of people they once did, but a program called "Operation Blue to Green," gives an option for Airmen and Sailors chosen for separation the chance to transfer to the Army and remain on

  • Blue uniforms continue presence in Puerto Rico

    Since 1939, an American blue uniform presence has been on Puerto Rico to maintain a military force and to deter enemy forces from here or the homeland. From 1939 to 1973, Air Force bluesuiters were stationed at what was once called Ramey Air Force Base in the northwest corner of Puerto Rico.  When

  • Blue, silver AEFs get rotations back on track

    The Air Force is establishing two transitional air and space expeditionary forces, blue and silver, to put the deployment schedule back on track by March 2004 and to bring home deployed airmen as quickly as possible.“We envision these two 120-day rotations filling the requirements of combatant

  • BLUE: Human Performance

    Air Force TV here released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE.

  • BLUE: A new horizon

    Pulling a team together to work toward a common goal is one of the things at which the Air Force excels. In this edition of BLUE, members of one team participating in New Horizons work toward building stronger relations with the people of Honduras, and learn some things about themselves along the

  • BLUE: A nuclear family

    This edition features how an intercontinental ballistic missile has the power to change the course of human history – or possibly end it. That is why protecting America’s nuclear arsenal is our nation’s number one defense priority. This episode of BLUE goes behind-the-scenes for a rare look at the

  • BLUE: A step ahead

    Staying a step ahead in current and future conflicts required a new edge in air warfare. In this episode, we introduce you to the newest fifth-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft, the F-35A Lightning II.

  • BLUE: Air Force TV premiers new show

    Air Force Television here released its all-new premier broadcast show BLUE. The 30-minute show replaces the former Today's Air Force. Blue will be released quarterly in order to provide more exclusive and in-depth look into what is happening around the Air Force. This show's line-up includes:

  • BLUE: Blueprint to Battlefield

    Getting new technology from the lab bench to the warfighter has taken on new urgency as the Air Force explores innovative ways to move ideas quickly from blueprint to battlefield. Those efforts are already paying off with advancements that are having a direct effect on missions around the world.

  • BLUE: Blueprint to Battlefield

    Getting new technology from the lab bench to the warfighter has taken on new urgency as the Air Force explores innovative ways to move ideas quickly from blueprint to battlefield. Those efforts are already paying off with advancements that are having a direct effect on missions around the world.

  • BLUE: Charlie Mike to Recovery

    Through the fog of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic injuries, and illness, American veterans realize that the ability to regain control of their minds and bodies lies within their own hands.

  • BLUE: Charlie Mike to recovery

    In this episode of BLUE, through the fog of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic injury and illness, American veterans realize that the ability to regain control of their minds and bodies lies within themselves. Wounded warriors talk about how the Air Force Wounded Warrior Care Program has

  • BLUE: Cyber in Contested Domain

    As America's adversaries evolve, the Air Force has to be ready to withstand a digital 'sucker punch'. To mitigate this threat, cybersecurity is being integrated into the development of all new programs from the start.

  • BLUE: Episode 25 Pilot Pipeline

    The Air Force’s pilot shortage is a complex issue, but when the Air Force starts seeing the signs that they need to do something different, Airmen innovate through technology and processes. Take a journey through the pilot pipeline to see solutions Airmen have implemented in each fighter-pilot

  • 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

  • BLUE: Fueling the future

    Most families have traditions that revolve around holidays and special occasions. We introduce you to a family with a tradition that's intertwined with the history and future of two tankers, the KC-135 Stratotanker and the new KC-46A Pegasus.

  • BLUE: Generation STEM

    Air Force TV has released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE. Maintaining a technological edge in defense requires snagging the best and brightest minds for research and development. In this episode, we introduce you to some of the innovative minds working to

  • BLUE: Katrina, 10 years later

    Ten years ago, the Airmen of Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, faced one of the greatest tests of the American spirit as Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. Where there were once hopes and dreams, Katrina left devastation and destruction. But through the wreckage of it all, the survivors

  • BLUE: Khobar Towers

    Air Force TV has released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE. On June 25, 1996, the U.S. Air Force experienced one of the most horrific attacks in its history. Three Airmen look back on the incident and how it changed them and the Air Force -- forever.

  • BLUE: Out of Vietnam

    Air Force TV has released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE.

  • BLUE: Recruit, train, educate

    Recruit, Train and Educate. That's the motto of Air Education and Training Command. In this episode we show the Instructors training the next generation of Airmen for today's battlefield.

  • BLUE: Space -- The High Ground

    The Air Force impacts billions of people across the world through operations in space, including GPS and missile warning. In this episode of BLUE we meet the Airmen who perform these missions, discovering what they do and why they do it.

  • BLUE: Stronger Together

    Through relationships, international affairs leaders build partnerships, strengthen capabilities, and develop partner Airmen. Every day the U.S. works to build partnerships and strengthen alliances around the world to maintain regional and global stability.

  • BLUE: Target Acquisition

    To meet emerging threats and maintain domain dominance, the Air Force is moving beyond antiquated acquisition processes and opening new avenues to smaller, more agile businesses to develop and acquire new technology.

  • BLUE: Testing the Minuteman

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – Air Force TV has released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE.Nuclear deterrence has been a mainstay in keeping America safe from nuclear threats for decades. One group of Airmen carry the awesome responsibility of ensuring the

  • BLUE: The AI Advantage

    The Air Force aims to harness and wield the most optimal forms of artificial intelligence to accomplish all mission-sets of the service with greater speed and accuracy. One way to accomplish this effort is by embedding innovative Airmen of all ranks and backgrounds into academia and industry across

  • BLUE: The art of survival

    This edition of BLUE features America's Airmen receiving survival skills training. If their plane ever goes down, they need to know how to survive in the harshest environments. See how the Air Force puts their skills to the ultimate test in the frozen wilderness of Alaska, at Arctic Survival School.

  • BLUE: The Call to Change

    In this edition of BLUE, we take a look at how the Air Force is changing to meet the challenge of Reoptimizing for Great Power Competition. From how the service is structured to how service members will be trained and deployed, we examine what’s driving change, and how it impacts people.

  • BLUE: The Cyber Shield

    Air Force TV has released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE.

  • BLUE: The Quantum Frontier

    In the race to master and harness advanced technology, the Air Force is making strides within quantum research, bringing “Q-Day” to fruition sooner. Q-Day, or the day all Airmen have access to quantum technology, is the ultimate goal. The Air Force Research Laboratory is leading the way into the

  • BLUE: The Spirit of Exploration

    Have you ever dreamed of going into space? In this episode of BLUE, we meet two Air Force astronauts who share their experiences and give us a glimpse into the future of space exploration.

  • BLUE: World class

    Air Force TV has released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE. This episode features Airmen with multiple goals – to serve their country and to compete in the Olympic Games. Thanks to the Air Force World Class Athlete Program, elite athletes can do both – they can