NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Development plan helps officers communicate their preferences

    Officers interested in specific development opportunities should use the Airman Development Plan to communicate their preferences to decision-makers, official said. Although assignments are based on Air Force needs first, and then professional development, officer preferences communicated via the

  • Development team to select chief nurses in June

    Lieutenant colonel and lieutenant colonel-select nurses interested in chief nurse opportunities must ensure their Airman Development Plan is up to date and statement of intent is submitted by the June 11 suspense, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.The nurse corps development team will

  • Development teams guide Reserve Airmen's careers

    The Air Force Reserve Command is working on a new program designed to maximize the potential of its Airmen as they chart their future careers. It encourages them to forward their desires up the chain of command, and will prepare future air and space leaders to seize the opportunities afforded them

  • Development teams to consider officer command positions

    Development teams from various Air Force specialties will convene between May and August 2015 to consider eligible line and non-line officers for squadron and deputy group commander positions projected for calendar year 2016.

  • Development teams up, running

    Every officer career field now has development teams set up to “vector” officer career development. "They're up and running," said Col. Kathleen Grabowski, chief of assignment policy at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "They're applying a great deal of collective officer career experience to

  • Developmental education application deadline set

    Officers and civilians considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2008 have until April 13 and May 1, respectively, to submit their applications for selection board consideration. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit their applications through their

  • Developmental education application deadlines set

    Applications for intermediate and senior developmental education for officers are due April 9, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Civilians interested in basic developmental education or intermediate and senior developmental education will need to turn in their applications by May 1.Basic

  • Developmental education application deadlines set

    Civilians and officers considering intermediate or senior developmental education in academic year 2010 to 2011 have until May 1 and May 6, respectively, to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board here. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit

  • Developmental education application deadlines set

    Officers and civilians considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2009 have until April 25 and May 1, respectively, to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit their applications

  • Developmental education application windows open

    Eligible active duty officers and civilians are now able to apply for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Officer applications are due to AFPC April 5, and civilian nominations are due May 1, said George McKey, AFPC officer

  • Developmental education application windows open in March

    Eligible active duty officers and Department of the Air Force appropriated fund civilian employees can apply beginning in March for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials said March 24.

  • Developmental education applications due April 12, May 1

    (EDITOR'S NOTE: The officer application suspense has been extended to April 12.)Eligible active duty officers and civilians are now able to apply for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Officer applications are due to AFPC

  • Developmental education deadline set for officers, civilians

    Officers considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2011 have until March 31 to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board, officials announced. Civilians have until May 1 to submit applications.Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians

  • Developmental engineering officers needed

    Some developmental engineering cross-flow opportunities exist for 2002 year group officers. However, to be considered, their applications must be received at the Air Force Personnel Center here by Jan. 3. Eligible officers, currently serving in over-strength career fields, must have an accredited

  • Developmental opportunities in WMD for civilians/officers

    Officials are requesting nominations for a professional military education course in the study of weapons of mass destruction.The Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the National Defense University announced recently the call for nominations to the 2010 program for emerging

  • Developmental teams get voice in officer PME selection

    More than 1,100 officers will get the chance to attend intermediate or senior developmental education schools thanks to the Developmental Education Designation Board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here in October.The board combined inputs from the central selection promotion boards and

  • Developmental teams to consider 2013 command candidates

    Developmental teams from 11 different Air Force specialties will convene between May and September to consider eligible officers for calendar year 2013 squadron command, deputy logistics commander and deputy mission support group commander positions. Officers interested in command opportunities must

  • DFAS and myPay officials assure personal-data security

    With “phishing” scams occurring more frequently, Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials said they want to assure customers that every precaution is taken to secure data.Customers should be aware that the agency and its Web-based system, myPay, will not ask for personal or financial

  • DFAS begins recouping separation pay soon

    Recouping military retirees' voluntary separation incentive special separation benefit and other separation payments by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will resume in August. Separation payments and others, such as severance pay, were offered to active-duty servicemembers to reduce

  • DFAS clarifies retro civilian pay raise

    The additional 2.1-percent pay raise for civilian employees authorized by the president Jan. 23, will be retroactive to Jan. 11. However, before it can take effect, an executive order must be issued addressing how the increase will be split between base and locality pay, said Defense Finance and

  • DFAS gets pay out on time

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials have processed on schedule all payrolls for servicemembers, retirees and annuitants, and federal civilian employees who have pay accounts with the agency.Direct deposit funds were transferred on schedule to financial institutions, officials said.

  • DFAS officials caution against look-alike sites

    Officials here caution the 2 million military and civilian users of myPay to use only the official Web site when accessing pay account information."Personal information is valuable and should be safeguarded," said Claudia L. Bogard, director of corporate communications for the Defense Finance and

  • DFAS serves 21st century Airmen

    Maj. Gen. Mark Brown visited the Defense Finance and Accounting Service headquarters here Sept. 16, during the agency’s annual business meeting to speak about 21st century Airmen and how DFAS could help service today’s generation.

  • DFAS to process retroactive civilian-pay increase

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials will soon begin processing the 2.1-percent retroactive pay increase for the federal civilian employees they serve. President George W. Bush signed an executive order March 3 identifying the new pay-increase percentages. The updates will be processed

  • DFAS warns service members of scam emails

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service recently released a statement warning of email scams targeting military members, military retirees, and civilian employees.According to the statement, the most recent email scam indicates that individuals who are receiving disability compensation from the

  • DFAS Web site moves

    The Defense Finance and Accounting Service public Web site moved to a new location on the Internet, officials announced March 2.The old site, www.dfas.mil, will remain available through March 31. Then, users will be redirected to the new site, www.dod.mil/dfas, and links to pages on the previous

  • Diagnosis fails to stop Airman in her tracks

    Tech. Sgt. Ashley Bean spent her summer prepping for an upcoming marathon, one of two she planned to run this year. The reservist had even made a goal to beat her fastest time, until an MRI scan changed her plans.

  • Diamond in the rough: An Airman’s recovery from his haunted past

    Growing up, many of his childhood nights were spent staring through a gaping hole in his bedroom ceiling. He didn't know how it got there, but sometimes it served as a pleasant escape from the surrounding chaos. It gave access to the wide open Oklahoma sky and he positioned his mattress in the

  • Did you say CSI or AFOSI?

    First responders here received training April 15 from an Air Force Office of Special Investigations crime scene investigator on how to process a hazardous materials incident. Special Agent Jennifer Steel, one of AFOSI's forensic science consultants, came to Vance to teach people from

  • Dietary supplements removed from Exchanges due to health concerns

    The Department of Defense has implemented a temporary moratorium on the sales of products containing DMAA within military facilities. The moratorium will remain in effect pending further review of relevant scientific evidence and reported events, officials said.Recent reports show that two Soldier

  • Different views of same humanitarian effort

    Maj. Mark Ledbetter briefs his aircrew about the day’s mission and walks with them to their HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. It is a simple mission, but the enormity of the situation still affects the entire aircrew. Their task it to help feed and supply more than a million people left homeless after

  • Differing tour lengths affect deployment morale

    Tour lengths are the biggest obstacle to U.S. servicemember morale in Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a visit here Oct. 4. Marine Gen. Peter Pace said when he visits combat zones, morale generally is high, but after a bit of digging, he said, he finds the different tour

  • Digital advances produce improved unmanned aerial vehicles

    One day on a gray-painted aircraft carrier tossed by turbulent seas, a grizzled Navy commander awaits the arrival of a new pilot.A teeny knock pings from the outside of the officer's watertight steel door."Come in," the commander growls. The door swings open and a squat, cylindrical object

  • Digital Campaign virtual industry event slated for Sept. 21

    The event will be conducted via Microsoft Teams Live Event from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, and Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr., commander of Air Force Materiel Command.

  • Digital close-air support improvements on the way

    Airmen on the ground whose mission is to help deliver close-air support will soon receive a set of tools that will help them do their jobs better while lightening the loads they're required to carry.Tactical air control party Airmen are assigned to Army units that engage in all levels of operations,

  • Digital Directorate sets new pace for Phase II SBIR awards

    The Digital Directorate at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., recently awarded seven Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Program contracts to some of the startups who participated in the July 2019 UAS and Kessel Run Pitch Days.

  • Dignified transfer

    An Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center carry team transfers the remains of Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Myers, of Hopewell, Va., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 5. Sergeant Myers died April 4 near Helmand Province, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered from an improvised explosive

  • Dignified transfer OIC honored to serve fallen

    At his home base of Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Capt. Bernard Harper is the chief of the Military Personnel Section. His job there varies greatly from the range of duties he oversees as the officer in charge of dignified transfers here with Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations."The jobs are like

  • Dignitaries visit U.S., Bulgarian exercise

    The U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria and Bulgarian minister of defense visited Plovdiv Airport to witness the partnership building between U.S. and Bulgarian military forces April 27 during Operation Thracian Spring 2010 here. The bilateral training exercise brings U.S. and Bulgarian military forces

  • Dillons named 2011 O'Malley recipients

    Air Force officials have announced their selection for the 2011 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon, the 86th Airlift Wing commander, and his wife Sara were selected as this year's winners.The annual award recognizes the wing commander and spouse team who have best

  • DIMO strengthening medical ties worldwide

    Defense Institute for Medical Operations officials recently sent out an eight-person team to head-up and teach an aeromedical evacuation and critical-care transport course in Ankara, Turkey.The five-day course provided the advanced training necessary to care for critically ill or injured patients in

  • Dining facility feeds leaders of tomorrow

    For most dining facilities, the thought of feeding an entire wing at one time is not a pleasant one. For the staff at Mitchell Hall, the cadet dining facility at the United States Air Force Academy, this is simply business as usual. The dining facility, named after military aviation pioneer Brig.

  • Direct communication between Airmen key to suicide prevention

    More than a decade in the making, the culture of the "wingman" approach to suicide prevention is still evolving as risk factors and causes of suicide are becoming more widely understood. The wingman concept should be very familiar to most Airmen. Suicide prevention training has been incorporated

  • Direct hire authority offers flexible civilian recruitment

    Direct hire authority provides Air Force managers the capability to hire employees when the Office of Personnel Management determines a severe candidate shortage or critical hiring need exists. Working with civilian personnel flight specialists, the program allows managers to recruit and hire

  • Directive boosts priority of stability operations

    Stability operations are now a major priority for the Defense Department, on par with combat operations, and will receive more planning and funding, two DoD officials said here today. The officials were explaining DoD Directive 3000.05, which was signed Nov. 28. The directive provides guidance on

  • Directive re-emphasizes protecting Afghan civilians

    A new tactical directive for coalition forces serving in Afghanistan re-emphasizes the importance of preventing civilian casualties. Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, released the directive July 2. It builds on

  • Director asks Air Guard leaders to look ahead

    Times are tough for the Air National Guard, but Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt III sees many "great" opportunities for his 106,700-member force to excel in the future."We know there is a mismatch right now of demands on the force and resources," said General Wyatt, the director of the Air Guard. "I think it

  • Director calls personnel system transition 'rewarding'

    The Defense Department's transfer of more than 170,000 civilian employees out of the National Security Personnel System since 2009 has been smooth, the transition's director said Jan 13.John H. James Jr. said much of the credit for the transition goes to the services."The components have done a very

  • Director details furlough plans for DOD schools

    Students, teachers and parents of the Defense Department's schools can be confident that despite the department's upcoming civilian furloughs, the school year will start on time, the Department of Defense Education Activity's director said May 22.DODEA operates schools overseas and at some U.S.

  • Director of the ANG addresses AFA Air & Space Conference

    Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke, the Director of the Air National Guard, provided an overview of the ANG at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air & Space and Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 15.

  • Directorate cleans up with new water-based solution

    Maintainers here recently replaced their chemical-based cleaning solvent with a water-based product that is proving safer for workers. The new solvent will also saves thousands of dollars each year in environmental disposal and compliance costs, said officials.The water-based cleaning fluid,

  • Directorate leads KC-135 upgrade for Turkish Air Force

    The upgrade, termed “Block 45,” completely remodeled the inside of the Turkish KC-135R Stratotanker’s flight deck, with new liquid crystal displays, radio altimeter, computer module updates, autopilot, and a digital flight director, replacing approximately 63 parts to include analog instruments

  • Directors: Air Guard, Army Guard are cost-effective forces

    We are trained to the same standards of the active duty Air Force, we are available and on call 365 days a year, and it doesn't cost the taxpayer a thing until the governor picks up the phone, the director of the Air National Guard said Dec. 8 at the Reserve Officer Association here."I think that's

  • Directory for wounded warriors, families, caregivers launched

    Department of Defense officials here Nov. 17 launched the National Resource Directory, a collaborative effort between the departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The directory is a Web-based network of care coordinators, providers and support partners with resources for wounded, ill and

  • Directory links wounded warriors, families to resources

    From benefits and compensation, to education and training, an online directory is providing wounded warriors, veterans and their families a direct connection to thousands of state, local and national resources. "There's so much information on the Web right now; it's nice to have one place to access

  • 'Dirt Boyz' pave way for aircraft, Airmen

    Kettles filled with scalding tar, 300-degree asphalt, concrete chemicals that can burn skin are the tools of the trade for heavy equipment operators who labor here under a scorching Iraqi sun. Airmen assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, known as "Dirt Boyz" know their duties

  • Dirt runway testing increases C-17 safety, agility

    In an effort to expand the capability of the C-17 Globemaster III, about 40 people from the C-17 Integrated Test Force are in the midst of a four-phase test program to determine the C-17 takeoff and landing performance on non-paved surfaces. Engineers and pilots are testing the aircraft in extreme

  • 'Dirtboyz' keep Balad airfield operational

    Every day, aircraft fly in and out of Balad AB to provide vital support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Whether F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-130 Hercules or HH-60 Pave Hawks, the airframes are able to approach and depart because of fully operational, well-maintained runways. Better known as "dirtboyz,"

  • Dirty bird gets a bath

    Staff Sgt. Rick Casto guides a B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., into the wash rack at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The wash racks here recently received new foam sprayers that cut the washing time of a B-52 in half. Casto is a crew chief

  • DISA highlights increase in use of collaboration tool

    Use of a Web-based application designed to offer an information exchange environment for Defense Department users has grown markedly as defense spending cuts loom, Defense Information Systems Agency officials said.Since 2007, Defense Connect Online has been the "go-to" mechanism among several new

  • DISA rolls out DOD online communication tool

    The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is rolling out a new online collaboration tool that offers Defense Department employees anywhere in the world secure web conferencing and secure instant messaging and chat capabilities.

  • Disabilities don't stop marathoners

    A paralyzing injury from a motorcycle crash at age 20 took away Andy Houghton's ability to use his legs, but he still finished his first marathon Sept. 20. Mr. Houghton from Hollywood, Fla., completed the 26.2 mile 12th annual Air Force Marathon piloting a sleek handcycle equipped with a derailleur

  • Disability board accepting applications for records review

    Department of Defense officials here are now accepting applications from certain medically-separated veterans to have their records reviewed, potentially increasing their disability rating. "To be eligible for a review, veterans must have been medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31,

  • Disability claims backlog reduced by 44 percent

    One year after the backlog of pending disability compensation claims peaked at over 611,000 in March 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reduced that number by approximately 44 percent to 344,000 claims -- a reduction of more than 267,000. At the same time officials have improved the

  • Disabled veteran earns DOD award

    An Air Force civilian received top-level recognition at the 25th Annual Department of Defense Disability Award ceremony. John Hanson is the 2005 Outstanding DOD employee with a disability. Mr. Hanson, who works at the base family support center here, was the lone Air Force recipient out of 18 who

  • Disabled veterans inspire all Americans, Biden says

    Vice President Joe Biden made a surprise appearance last night at the opening ceremonies of the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, thanking the participants for their service and sacrifices and for the inspiration they give their fellow Americans."You are a remarkable group of

  • Disabled veterans recharge lives in New York City marathon

    Of the 38,000 runners in the New York City Marathon Nov. 5, 50 disabled veterans ran on the Achilles Freedom Team of 'wounded veterans'.While most runners push themselves to exhaustion through the 26.2 miles of urban roads, Monica Szymanski took on the marathon to re-energize her life. "I'm still in

  • Disabled veterans sports clinic begins in San Diego

    The third annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic began here Sept. 20, as more than 200 disabled veterans came out to participate in a number of activities, including surfing, kayaking, cycling, and track and field events. The week-long clinic gives veterans with disabilities an opportunity

  • Disabled veterans sports clinic opens in Colorado

    Deputy Veterans Affairs Secretary W. Scott Gould called on more than 350 disabled veterans March 27 to strive for new heights as they participate here this week in the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.Speaking during opening ceremonies alongside Vice President Joe Biden and

  • Disabled vets discover 'miracle on mountain'

    Sheila James threw her arms up in joy, flashing a smile that stretched from ear to ear as she celebrated a personal victory during the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic here March 29.A motor vehicle rollover in 2009 turned the former senior airman's life upside-down, landing her

  • Disabled vets, troops compete in first Warrior Games

    Let the games begin.With the lighting of the ceremonial Olympic cauldron by National Football League hall of famer and U.S. Naval Academy graduate Roger Staubach, the much-anticipated inaugural Warrior Games are under way.Some 200 disabled veterans from all five branches of military service marched

  • Disassembly project to provide data to F-15 maintainers

    In a small building in the nearby town of Byron, Ga., five people are working on a painstaking project that could significantly impact the future of the F-15 Eagle. The crew from S&K Technologies is completely disassembling an F-15D fighter jet. The purpose of the project is to give Air Force

  • Disaster response symposium focuses on strength, unity

    Disaster responders from across the nation converged in Orlando, Fla., for the 2nd Annual National Joint Defense Support of Civil Authorities Symposium, hosted by Air Forces Northern officials, to discuss better ways for federal agencies, specifically the military, to assist during man-made and

  • Disbrow confirmed as under secretary of the Air Force

    The U.S. Senate recently confirmed Lisa S. Disbrow as the new under secretary of the Air Force to ensure efficient and effective management of Air Force resources. In this position, Disbrow oversees the Air Force’s annual budget of more than $120 billion and serves as the co-chair of the top Air

  • Disbrow delivers State of the AF

    Acting Secretary of the Air Force Lisa S. Disbrow addressed current and future issues, and talked about some of the occasions the Air Force has to look forward to in 2017 during the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, March 3.

  • Disbrow to serve as acting AF secretary

    Under secretary of the Air Force Lisa S. Disbrow will serve as the acting secretary of the Air Force as of Jan. 20, until the President nominates and the Senate confirms a permanent replacement.

  • Disciplinary authority for friendly fire incident changed

    Disciplinary authority over the April 17 friendly fire incident near Kandahar, Afghanistan, that resulted in the deaths of four Canadian paratroopers was passed Aug.16 to the U.S. Air Force's 8th Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson.Gen. Hal M. Hornburg, Air Combat Command commander,

  • Discovery Channel series highlights C-17

    The show "Mighty Planes" took aim at a new plane, the C-17 Globemaster III, and the Discovery Channel was here to film the versatile cargo plane from Sept. 20 to Sept. 26. "The whole show Mighty Planes is exactly what it is, it's planes that are 'mighty;' that are big," said Stephen Grant, the

  • Discovery Channel show visits McConnell 'Dirty Jobs' crew

    “It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.” That’s a cliché jokingly thrown around in everyday life. But a team of 22nd Maintenance Group Airmen tackle their “dirty job” with such aplomb, the Discovery Channel show “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe” taped an episode about the Airmen here Nov. 21 and

  • Discovery flies for last time, ends chapter in aerospace history

    After almost 27 years and 39 flights in Earth's orbit, the space shuttle Discovery arrived at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., April 17 on its way to its final resting place. The last moments in the air for Discovery began at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., mounted on top of a modified Boeing 747.

  • Discrimination, harassment hot line available

    The Air Force's hot line for reporting unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment remains open for business.The quickest method to resolve complaints is by visiting the local base military equal opportunity or the equal employment office, Air Force Personnel Center officials said."But the hot