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  • New leaders equipped for command at AFMC Squadron Leader Orientation

    More than 50 first-time AFMC commanders and materiel civilian leaders attended the intense five-day training, which included briefings, panel discussions, mentorship sessions and workshops on topics ranging from AFMC mission expectations to information on legal, financial and support programs and

  • New chapter for the 911th Airlift Wing

    As of the first week of April, three out of the eight C-17s assigned to the 911th AW will be stationed at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station. The rest of the aircraft are to arrive over the next few months.

  • Air Force ROTC cadets find their Pathway to Blue

    Second Air Force held their fifth annual Pathways to Blue event at Keesler Air Force Base, where more than 250 Air Force ROTC cadets and enlisted members attended to learn about different officer career fields, April 5-6.

  • Spark Cell winner solves mid-air refueling problem

    Tinkering with a small communication box in his home garage, recent Spark Cell winner Staff Sgt. Jeremie Anderson, 9th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II instructor loadmaster, discovered an innovation in mid-air refueling that changed the way loadmasters execute the mission.

  • Air Force releases 2018 Acquisition Report

    The Air Force released the Fiscal Year 2018 Air Force Acquisition Annual Report April 2, emphasizing the need to field tomorrow’s Air Force faster and smarter.

  • Air Force announces athletes of the year

    The Air Force recently announced its 2019 Male and Female Athletes of the Year -- a commander’s action group director and an acquisition officer turned world class athlete.

  • RAF partners with PTN to innovate pilot training pipeline

    It’s been said that “seeing is believing” and after a visit last May to the Pilot Training Next facility in Austin and facing a pilot shortage, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force is taking innovation to the next level with the inclusion of a student and an instructor pilot in the second iteration

  • AFPC hosts Squadron Commander Course

    The Air Force’s Personnel Center hosted its second squadron commander course March 18-22.After a six-year hiatus, the course was reinstituted in January and redesigned to provide new and sitting squadron commanders a first-hand opportunity to learn about key issues and processes about AFPC’s key

  • Motorcycle Safety Training: What AF riders need to know

    Training season for motorcyclists is just around the corner, and as training gets into full swing, it may be helpful to shed some light on the Air Force’s training requirements, review the proper acronyms for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses and dispel some misinformation.

  • Scobee highlights Air Force Reserve success on Capitol Hill

    Lt. Gen. Richard W. Scobee, chief of Air Force Reserve and Air Force Reserve Command commander, testified on the status of the Reserve and the fiscal year 2020 budget request before the U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee, March 26, on Capitol Hill. Counterparts from the Army,

  • Two nations, one mission: US TACP, Thai CCT join forces

    The U.S. tactical air control party Airmen lower tactical vests over their heads with practiced confidence, quietly relaying a composure born of constant training. They strap their helmets on and prepare for the first strike of the day.

  • Airman trains for Alpha Warrior competition

    Parenting three preschoolers, supporting a spouse in pilot training, teaching crossfit classes and serving as an executive officer for a flying training squadron is a lot to manage for one person. But Capt. Jennifer Trewett of the 43rd Flying Training Squadron is still able to squeeze in time to

  • Air Force hub uncovers insider threats

    As the Air Force’s defense against insider threats, identifying indicators of potential risk is the hub’s primary mission, but not all indicators they detect are symptoms of espionage or intentional wrongdoing. According to Barron, most indicators are unintended exposures, or the result of policy

  • Air Commando pursues dream of flying on AFSOC airframes

    As a child, she sat in front of the TV watching the “Top Gun” movie over and over again and listening to Tom Cruise proclaim, “I feel the need – the need for speed!” Watching the aircraft soar across the screen made it clear to her that she wanted to fly when she grew up.

  • AFW2 announces 2019 Warrior Games team

    The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, or AFW2, is proud to announce the 2019 Air Force Warrior Games team. A team of coaches and staff selected 40 primary and ten alternates at the 6th Annual Air Force Trials at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 7th. The 40-person team will go on to compete at

  • Air Force seeks men's rugby players

    The Air Force is looking for athletes for the 2019 Men’s Rugby Trial Camp June 12-23 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and the Armed Forces championship Aug. 12-26 in Glendale, Colorado.

  • IFF: Where fighter pilots begin their careers

    Before pilots step into fighter aircraft, they must go through Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals.IFF is an eight-week course designed to transform newly graduated pilots selected to fly fighters into fighter wingmen. The 49th Fighter Training Squadron teaches pilots the discipline, attitude and

  • International environment, innovation to headline 21st-century pilot training

    The 77th meeting of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Steering Committee, which is the governing body of the world’s only internationally manned and operated pilot training program, was held at Sheppard Air Force Base, March 11-15, to give representatives from partner nations an opportunity to

  • Quality Assurance: making sure it’s done right

    Going the extra step to ensure things are done the right way is what the Air Force is about. This precaution is pertinent to Airmen’s safety and the Air Force’s mission.The 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Group Quality Assurance team is responsible for serving as the primary technical advisory

  • AFMC to host virtual hiring event

    The Air Force Materiel Command is scheduled to host an online, virtual hiring fair April 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST, to fill multiple noncompetitive and direct-hire authority positions across the enterprise.

  • Optometry leads KC-46 laser program

    With recent advances in technology and the addition of a laser system in the KC-46A Pegasus, there are precautions that the Air Force must take in order to keep Airmen safe.

  • XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator completes inaugural flight

    The XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator, a long-range, high subsonic unmanned air vehicle completed its inaugural flight March 5, 2019, at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. The Air Force Research Laboratory partnered with Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems to develop the XQ-58A.

  • Army names 362nd TRS instructor best of quarter

    Tech. Sgt. Casey Andersen, 362nd Training Squadron Detachment 1 UH-60 helicopter maintenance course instructor, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia was recently recognized as Distinguished Instructor of the Quarter for the Army’s 128th Aviation Brigade, the best out of more than 500 instructors.

  • 2018 Air Force Safety Awards announced

    Maj. Gen. John T. Rauch Jr., Air Force chief of safety, recently announced the recipients of the five Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff Safety Awards, as well as the Chief of Safety Awards for 2018.

  • Innovation Rodeo moves ideas closer to reality

    Three innovative ideas to support worldwide warfighter success are one step closer to reality today thanks to the first Air Force Innovation Rodeo, $650,000 in total seed money and a partnership with AFWERX and tech accelerator companies.

  • AFSFC begins delivery of new Air Force-wide handgun

    The Air Force Security Forces Center, in partnership with the Air Force Small Arms Program Office, has begun fielding the new M18 SIG Sauer Modular Handgun System to security forces units as part of the Reconstitute Defender Initiative and its effort to modernize weapon systems and increase

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • Perfecting human weapon system with healthy fueling

    The Air Force Services Activity, through its comprehensive healthy food initiative continues zeroing in on the human weapons system – our nation’s Airmen – and providing them “with the right nutrition to increase lethality; ensuring a more ready force to meet mission requirements,” said Bill

  • Wilson’s glide path for a more lethal, ready Air Force of the future

    Emphasizing priorities that will largely define the year ahead, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson stressed the need to modernize and grow the force. She also highlighted how streamlining acquisitions will inject innovative ideas and tools faster and more reliably into every corner of the

  • Spangdahlem AB master sergeant wins Spark Tank competition

    Master Sgt. Jonathan Maas assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, was named the 2019 Spark Tank winner during the Air Force’s Spark Tank competition at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 28, in Orlando.

  • Faster, smarter: Speed is key in acquisition reform

    Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, spoke about fielding tomorrow’s Air Force faster and smarter by reforming the acquisition process at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Dec. 28.

  • F-35A maintainers, special ops team up for forward refueling

    For the first time, Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah and Airmen from the 26th Special Tactics Squadron and the 27th Special Operation Logistics Readiness Squadron at Cannon AFB, trained and carried out a Forward Air Refueling Point operation from the MC-130J Commando

  • Commanders, senior raters to select IDE attendees

    Beginning with the 2019 Developmental Education Designation Board, wing commanders and some senior raters will be able to select one Line of the Air Force officer per academic year to attend Intermediate Developmental Education in residence.

  • AFOTEC maintains mission readiness through operational testing

    The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 4, tests and evaluates new space, cyberspace, missile and missile defense capabilities. Their mission is to test weapons systems in operationally realistic environments. The goal is to inform warfighters of the lessons learned and

  • Supporting warfighters: Two workforces come together with one mission in mind

    Child care, golf, bowling, community center, lodging operations and outdoor recreation. These operations, and many more, are designed to support the morale, welfare and recreation of Airmen and their families and rely heavily on one thing to make them tick … nonappropriated fund, or NAF, employees.

  • Air Force awards $739M launch service contracts

    The U.S. Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office, awarded two Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) launch service contracts Feb. 19.

  • Financial Operations workshop features innovation

    Tech. Sgt. Samuel Spaethe used to spend hours upon hours completing work as a financial services technician, often working weeknights until 7 p.m. and then on Saturdays just to get the job done.

  • Desert Depot: Equipping and supplying the fight

    Within the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron there is a shop that stores and issues mission essential items. From batteries to aircraft parts, the Desert Depot provides them to the warfighters at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

  • Columbus AFB instructor pilots connect with Virginia Tech AFROTC cadets

    It’s not everyday cadets are given the opportunity to work closely with U.S. Air Force pilots; however, the Virginia Tech Air Force ROTC Detachment 875 was given the chance when instructor pilots from the 37th and 48th Flying Training Squadrons visited the university Feb. 8-11.

  • Donovan: Readiness, force lethality begins with training

    Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew P. Donovan, the second highest ranking civilian in the Department of the Air Force, visited Sheppard on Feb. 14, 2019, to see how the Air Force’s largest and most diverse technical and undergraduate pilot training base is employing technology to train today’s

  • AFMC hiring effort draws new talent, faster

    With a command mission that relies heavily on a more than 65,000 person civilian workforce, recruiting, developing and retaining top talent is critical to success. This is the driving force behind the ongoing AFMC effort to transform the civilian hiring process across the enterprise to meet mission

  • AFICA partnership delivers COOL program for Airmen

    In partnership with Air University and The Barnes Center for Enlisted Education, the Air Force Installation Contracting Agency recently delivered a follow-on contract to help enlisted Airmen get civilian-recognized credentials for their post-Air Force careers.

  • Pilot training moving at the speed of innovation

    The 80th Flying Training Wing is moving at the speed of innovation and is bound to only get faster as visionaries incorporate the latest in mixed realities to boost undergraduate pilot training.

  • Project HeRO improves squadron health habits

    A new Air Force Health and Readiness Optimization program, or HeRO, seeks to partner with squadrons by using data to help Airmen improve health habits that impact readiness.HeRO represents a reboot of Air Force Health Promotion efforts. It is designed to target at-risk squadrons using data and

  • Helping F-35A pilots operate, survive at Red Flag

    The F-35 Lightning II is lethal and survivable in almost any environment, but it’s just a machine, unable to do anything without a skilled pilot. Those pilots need gear to interface with the jet, operate and survive.

  • One weekend, three countries, helps nearly 130,000 people

    Over a weekend-long combined humanitarian and training mission, three C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and their Reserve Citizen Airmen crews from the 315th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charlston, S.C. delivered humanitarian aid to Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras, Feb. 3-4.

  • Civilian Developmental Education offers opportunities to learn, grow

    The application cycle for the Academic Year 2020 Civilian Development Education opportunities opens March 1.“The Air Force is making a dedicated effort to develop the entire workforce and all of our future leaders,” said Patricia Young, Air Force Materiel Command executive director. “We are making

  • Tyndall to host first Industry Day in rebuild effort

    The Air Force will host the first industry day for the Tyndall Air Force Base rebuild at Florida State University, Panama City, Florida, on January 31, 2019, from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. This “state of the installation” presentation will inform the Air Force’s potential partners in industry and elected

  • Air Force, industry meet to discuss rebuilding Tyndall

    Air Force representatives met with more than 450 industry professionals and community leaders Jan. 31 to begin a dialogue and partnership that will eventually lead to the rebuilding of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, as an “installation of the future.”

  • Around the Air Force: Scribes Program / C-SATS

    On this look Around the Air Force, the Air Force Scribes program gives patients more face time with doctors and Crowd-Sourced Assessmentof Technical Skills provides surgeons with virtual feedback to help improve skills.

  • AFLCMC aids Kessel Run in recruiting new rebels

    An innovative effort to speed up talent acquisition for the Air Force compressed a months-long employment process to just weeks, when 28 on-the-spot job offers were made to candidates at the Kessel Run hiring event in Boston held January 23-24.

  • Air Force offers EOD retention bonuses

    The Air Force has been granted an exception to policy enabling it to offer Selective Retention Bonuses to a wider population of Explosive Ordnance Disposal senior noncommissioned officers, if they agree to continue serving in EOD for a minimum of three years.

  • 97 AMW boom operators prepare for future KC-46 students

    The 56th Air Refueling Squadron has been training the past few months to ensure they are ready for the arrival of the KC-46 Pegasus. While simulators are useful, scheduling and usage can create delays that slow the process of training. That is where part-task trainers, or PTTs come into play.

  • Air Force announces 2019 Spark Tank finalists

    The Air Force recently announced the 2019 Spark Tank finalists who will showcase their innovative ideas to Air Force senior leaders Feb. 28, in Orlando, Florida, at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium.

  • Changes at HQ AETC focus on Force Development Efforts

    Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, announced changes to Headquarters AETC and to 2nd and 19th Numbered Air Force organizations today, in order to refocus the headquarters on force development efforts.

  • KC-46 hits milestone at Edwards AFB

    Fielding began last week on America’s newest air refueling tanker aircraft – the KC-46 Pegasus. Operationalizing a new military aircraft does not happen often, but when it does, it typically goes through Edwards Air Force Base – the center of the aerospace testing universe. Regardless of whether it