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  • 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

    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: 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: 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

  • BMT adapts to limit spread of COVID-19

    The shift is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will allow the training pipeline to continue and help ensure the health and safety of trainees and instructors while also providing relief to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland’s training infrastructure.

  • BMT extended, NCOs to learn new languages

    Civilians wanting to be Airmen are going to have to tough it out for an additional two and a half weeks at basic military training, said the Air Force's top general here Feb. 2. Airmen graduating from BMT are going to be better trained and better equipped to be war fighters, said Air Force Chief of

  • BMT graduation parade canceled

    The 37th Training Wing canceled the Air Force Basic Military Training graduation parade scheduled for March 13 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland’s parade grounds out of concern for the safety of the newly accessioned Airmen and their family members due to the coronavirus.

  • BMT quarters temporarily housing immigrant minors

    A former BMT facility was turned into a temporary shelter May 18 by the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families. The shelter is for unaccompanied Central American minors who have been caught illegally crossing into the U.S.

  • BMT safety efforts protect trainers, pipeline

    Specific mitigation measures that have been implemented across BMT include implementation of a 14-day restriction of movement upon arrival, as well as social distancing, symptom monitoring and increased sanitation.

  • BMT sets new fitness standards

    Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper announced July 30 the Air Force would be raising fitness standards in January. More rigorous basic military training graduation standards will take effect here Oct. 12.Basic military training daily physical fitness regimens are now tougher and more focused on

  • Board announces cause of F-15 crash

    Investigators have determined that structural failure led to the April 30 crash of an F-15 Eagle into the Gulf of Mexico about 60 miles south of Panama City, Fla.James A. Duricy, from the 46th Test Wing here, was declared dead following the crash after search and rescue efforts were

  • Board determines F-15E fire causes

    An accident investigation board recently determined an F-15E Strike Eagle engine stall and fire Feb. 12 was caused by several factors.Factors include operating the engine in secondary mode, a reduced stall margin and a high fuel-flow rate into the engine.The F-15E, assigned to the 492nd Fighter

  • Board meets at academy to discuss issues

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors met here July 24 and 25 to discuss a variety of issues affecting the institution. The board is required to meet at least annually to review morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical education, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other

  • Board of Visitors to meet at Academy

    The Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors is scheduled to meet at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 26 and 27 to discuss a variety of issues, including updates on the cadet honor code, cadet research efforts and the Academy's remotely piloted aircraft program.The board meets at least four

  • Board Of Visitors to meet at the Air Force Academy

    The Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors is scheduled to meet at the Academy July 15 and 16. The purpose of the meeting is to review morale and discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy.Members

  • Board releases F-16 accident report

    An F-16 pilot's failure to follow emergency checklist procedures for a failed hydraulic pump caused the F-16CG Fighting Falcon he was taxiing to collide with a parked F-16 at a forward-operating location June 15.The aircraft, assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, was

  • Board releases HH-60 incident report

    A less-than-optimum takeoff technique combined with an attempt to out climb a dust cloud with insufficient power caused the Aug. 12 crash of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, according to Air Force officials who investigated the incident.At the time of the crash, the helicopter was returning to its

  • Board releases KC-135 accident findings

    Air Force accident investigation board officials have determined the cause of a KC-135 Stratotanker ground accident that occurred April 1.Officials said the accident was caused by the failure of aircraft maintainers and operators to follow their inspection checklists and technical order guidance in

  • Board seeks nominations for in-residence schools

    The annual Air Force Reserve Development Education Designation Board will convene at the Air Reserve Personnel Center here in November to select Reserve officers for in-residence developmental education schools for the 2009-2010 academic year. The board will select qualified Airmen to attend

  • 'Bob' marks mission milestone

    A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 778th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron marked a milestone Jan. 26 when it reached 30,000 flying hours while performing a combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.The aircraft, from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., and now serving at a forward-deployed

  • Boeing officials bring 787 to Eglin AFB for weather tests

    Officials at the McKinley Climatic Lab here are hosting Boeing's newest passenger aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, for two weeks of cold and hot weather testing.The new plane arrived April 18 and was moved into the lab to begin its cold-weather testing with temperatures reaching minus 45 degrees. The

  • Boeing X-45A unmanned combat vehicle on display

    The Boeing X-45A unmanned combat air vehicle was officially inducted into the National Museum of the United States Air Force collection during a ceremony Nov. 13. "The X-45A is a prime example of an air vehicle that points to the future of our Air Force," said retired Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf,

  • Boeing, Travis partner for KC-46A testing

    A Boeing KC-46A Pegasus team conducted testing at Travis Air Force Base from March 7-10, 2017. This testing was a combined effort between Boeing Test and Evaluation, and the Detachment 1, 418th Flight Test Squadron, which are co-located at the Boeing Facility in Seattle.

  • Bold dreams propel war-torn child to AF flight engineer

    Growing up, Master Sgt. Kristofer Reyes and his cousins would use rubber and rocks from a nearby recycling center and create games. He was born to a poor family in Luzon, Phillipines. His parents divorced when he was 2 years old and his mom moved to the U.S. That left him and his siblings stuck in

  • Bold Quest exercise wraps up

    The last mission complete, U.S. Joint Forces Command officials now have the task of assessing all the data collected during the Coalition Combat Identification Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, known as Bold Quest.The nine nation coalition operational exercise took place at Nellis Air Force

  • Bold Quest improves coalition combat identification

    Officials from U.S. Joint Forces Command launched its premier Coalition Combat Identification Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, known as Bold Quest, Sept. 10 to 24 at Nellis Air Force Base and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. The exercise has the monumental task of

  • Bold Quest Plus wraps up in Florida

    Bold Quest Plus, which included units from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and coalition partners from Canada and the United Kingdom, wrapped up this week, highlighting innovative ways to enhance future U.S. and coalition warfighting capabilities. The two-week U.S. Joint Forces Command