First AFFORGEN deployers depart Travis AFB

The newly implemented AFFORGEN model aims to reconstitute manpower, aircraft and equipment into force elements that train, deploy and recover as cohesive units throughout each phase of the 24-month cycle.

First Afghan Air Force C-208 CASEVAC a success

In another historic step for the Afghan Air Force, an AAF Cessna 208 configured for battlefield casualty evacuation successfully transported a seriously injured soldier and three minor casualties from Kandahar, Afghanistan to Kabul International Airport Feb. 11. The Afghan-tasked, planned and led

First Afghan pilot class completes flight screening course

A group of seven Afghan officers continued their journey to earn pilot wings by passing their first flight screening course Feb. 2 at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan.The officers are attending the first undergraduate pilot training held exclusively inside Afghanistan in more than 30 years. The flight

First Afghan UH-60 pilots graduate

Six Afghan Air Force members became the first ever AAF UH-60 Black Hawk pilots, after graduation from Aircraft Qualification Training during a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 20, 2017.

First African-American Academy grad passes away

The first African-American to graduate from the Air Force Academy passed away Nov. 5 at his home in Lolo, Mont."The United States Air Force Academy is saddened to learn of the passing of one our most notable graduates, Chuck Bush," said Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, Academy superintendent. "Our hearts go out

First African-American astronaut refused to let 'misstep' keep him from dream

When a person is trying to reach for the stars, any misstep could keep them just out of reach.Retired Air Force Col. Guion Bluford, however, didn't let a less-than-stellar start in college stop him from becoming one of the most prominent figures in aerospace engineering as well as the first African

First African-American pilot a war hero during WWI

After watching his father narrowly escape a lynching in early 20th century Georgia, Eugene Bullard would escape the confines of racial tensions and a segregated country to become the first African-American combat pilot and one of the first African-American heroes of World War I.Bullard, who grew up

First African-American woman to earn commercial pilot's license challenged racism head-on

A Chicago registered nurse would go on to become the first African-American female to hold a commercial pilot's license.Janet Bragg was born in March of 1907 in Griffin, Ga., and after graduation from an Episcopal school, attended college at Spelman Seminary in Atlanta where she earned a registered

First AFSA chapter in Afghanistan commemorates POW/MIA Day

While Americans throughout the U.S. observed National Prisoner of War/Missing In Action Day Sept. 19, Airmen halfway around the world at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan held their own recognition ceremony. The POW/MIA recognition ceremony was put on by the Air Force Sergeants Association

First AFWERX storefront opens in Las Vegas

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, along with guest of honor Vice President Mike Pence as well as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein, opened the AFWERX-Vegas storefront Jan. 11 at the Howard Hughes Center in Las Vegas.

First Air Force Combat Action Medals to be presented

The Air Force chief of staff is scheduled to present the first Air Force Combat Action Medals to six Airmen during an 8 a.m. ceremony June 12 at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. Gen. T. Michael Moseley will award the new medals to recognize Air Force members who were engaged in air or ground

First Air Force designated as air component to US Space Command

Following this reorganization, First Air Force will continue to provide uninterrupted air component support to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command while also exercising command and control over Air Force forces supporting U.S. Space Command.

First Air Force dive course graduates 17 Airmen

This was the final test. An underwater compass and a buddy harnessed three feet from their bodies provide direction. A 25-pound breathing device strapped to their chests provides vital oxygen while underwater without making surface bubbles. A 50-pound rucksack and weapon weighted on their backs are

First Air Force F-35 pilot part of aviation history

With the arrival of the joint strike fighter, the military continues setting the historic milestones for the worldwide aviation industry in preparing the first F-35 Lightning II pilots.Lt. Col. Eric Smith became a part of history himself recently as the first Airman to fly the new stealth fighter

First Air Force female four-star general confirmed

The Senate confirmed Air Force Lt. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger for promotion March 26, making her the first female four-star general in Air Force history.Wolfenbarger currently serves as the military deputy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition here and she is one

First Air Force Indy car gets ready to race

The first Air Force-themed Indy race car debuts April 19 at Long Beach, Calif., courtesy of Luczo Dragon Racing, owners of race car no. 2. Luczo Dragon Racing, corporately-sponsored by Seagate Corporation, will display the Air Force symbol during the 2009 race season, including the Indy 500. "The

First Air Force provides COVID-19 support through CAP

CAP’s Michigan Wing has partnered with Michigan State Police, who handle emergency management and lead the state emergency operations center. The wing was available with resources from the moment the center was set up in response to the pandemic.

First Air Force provides top cover for America

While much of the Air Force is engaged overseas, one organization has remained behind to fulfill a mission equally important -- Operation Noble Eagle, the air-defense mission aimed at preventing terrorist attacks in the United States.The organization comprises Air Force active-duty and reserve

First Air Force Stryker unit deploys to Iraq

The first Air Force Stryker unit marked its first deployment with the high-tech Army vehicle when it departed here Aug. 14 for Iraq.About 20 Airmen from the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron deployed with the Army’s 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, both stationed at nearby Fort Wainwright.“Our

First Air Force supports US Space Command as ‘Air Forces Space’

The Department of Defense designated First Air Force as ‘Air Forces Space’ (AFSPACE), and the fifth service component to U.S. Space Command May 3.

First Air Force Total Force Recruiting School graduation a milestone toward integration

As the Air Force moves forward on making recruiting a Total Force concept, it reached a landmark Feb. 22, with the first Total Force graduating class at the recruiting schoolhouse.

First Air Force warrant officers graduate, prepare to enter force

The first 30 Air Force warrant officers graduate from the U.S. Air Force Warrant Officer Training School.

First Air National Guard contingency response group trains

Airmen assigned to the nation's first Air National Guard contingency response group unit attended 22 days of training at the Air Force Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School here. Fifty-six Airmen from the 115-person 123rd Contingency Response Group of the Kentucky Air National Guard at

First aircraft in phase one of block 40/45 modification completed ahead of schedule

Phase one of the low-rate initial production of the block 40/45 modification project was finished on the first AWACS May 17, 30 days ahead of schedule. The block 40/45 modification is a $2.9-billion initiative to upgrade the computer system, ground systems and infrastructure. Replacing the

First aircraft to undergo high velocity maintenance at Robins

The first Air Force aircraft to undergo the new high velocity maintenance program arrived July 31 at Robins Air Force base. High velocity maintenance is designed to shorten the time the aircraft is down for maintenance and inspections. The C-130 Hercules will be used to validate this new maintenance

First Airman Resilience Center opens at Altus AFB

A new Airman Resilience Center opened its doors during a ribbon cutting ceremony here July 11.The ARC is the first facility of its kind at the base. "The ARC includes five classrooms for training use, a theater room, a game room and an electronic gaming area," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Mathe, the

First Airman selected for UN Logistics Officer Course

For the first time ever, an Airman will attend the 2018 United Nations Logistics Officer Course in Bangladesh starting in fall 2018.

First Airmen graduate BMT proof of concept at Keesler AFB

Due to safety concerns stemming from COVID-19, the Air Force sent new recruits to Keesler Air Force Base to demonstrate a proof of concept to generate the force at multiple locations during contingencies.

First Airmen graduate from new EOD screening course

Six Airmen graduated from the first explosive ordnance disposal preliminary screening course here June 27. The revised and extended 20-day academic Air Force program gives Airmen a well-rounded vision of their duties while mentally and physically challenging them. The goal for the course is to

First all-engine flight using biomass and conventional jet fuel blend set

An Air Force test pilot is scheduled to fly an A-10 Thunderbolt II jet aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base March 25 on a blend of biomass-derived and conventional JP-8 jet fuel. This will be the first flight of an aircraft powered solely on a biomass-derived jet fuel blend. The biomass-derived fuel

First all-female honor flight gets hero's welcome in Washington

Female veterans, trailblazers who served in the military decades ago, received a hero's welcome Sept. 22 after arriving in the nation's capital on the first all-female honor flight.

First American flies Mi-35 HIND in combat

An Air Force major from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Combined Air Power Transition Force here is the first American Mi-35 HIND attack helicopter pilot to fly in combat. Maj. Caleb Nimmo, an Afghan National Army Air Corps pilot adviser, began flying in 2000. In the last ten years, he has flown

First ANG bomb wing certified for nuclear operations

The Air National Guard celebrated a historic milestone this week as the 131st Bomb Wing, the nation’s only Guard unit to fly and maintain the B-2 Spirit, was certified to conduct the nuclear mission upon completion of their initial nuclear surety inspection.

First aviation mechanic display added to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force honored the first aviation mechanic, Charles E. Taylor, by unveiling a bronze bust of his likeness for permanent display during a ceremony in the museum's Early Years Gallery July 21.

First B-1Bs resume flight operations

The first B-1B Lancers resumed flight operations May 3 following a safety stand-down issued April 20 by Gen. Tim Ray, Air Force Global Strike Command commander. Individual B-1B aircraft will return to flight as inspections and maintenance directed during the stand-down are completed on each

First B-2 surpasses 7,000 flight hours

Since the first B-2 Spirit arrived here in July 1996, its stealthiness and massive firepower have been used in missions around the world. During its latest mission April 1, the "Spirit of Florida" and its crew became the first B-2 to surpass 7,000 flight hours."This achievement is a testament to the

First B-2s deploy to Andersen

B-2 Spirit bombers have deployed here for the first time to support Pacific Command’s security efforts in the Western Pacific. More than 270 Airmen of the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deployed from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., currently the only B-2 unit in the Air

First B-52 departs to depot for communications upgrade

The first B-52H Stratofortress departed Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 16 is enroute to the depot at Tinker AFB, Okla., for the Combat Network Communications Technology, or CONECT, upgrade.The CONECT upgrade will allow B-52 crews to receive and send real-time digital information such as updated

First Belize air, land, sea mobile training team

The 571st MSAS mobile training team’s goal was to enact, change and build capabilities for each of the three Belizean forces, while building partner nation relationships. The team accomplished this by conducting various training courses, including an aircrew flying hour program, aircraft scheduling

First Beta class RPA pilot becomes launch-and-recovery qualified

Forging the way for officers in his career field, Rob, a captain assigned to the 432nd Wing as a remotely piloted aircraft pilot has established many firsts. He was a graduate of the first Beta class for RPA pilots, first Beta to go to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, first Beta to live fire, first

First black female fighter pilot follows childhood dream

By the time she was in fourth grade, young Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell knew she wanted to be a fighter pilot.What the now-Air Force major didn't know, however, was that she would knock down a racial barrier by becoming the first black female in the career field.Kimbrell was born in Lafayette, Ind., on

First BMT trainees experience M-4 training, qualification

Basic Military Training trainees were the first to experience M-4 carbine weapons familiarization course at the range, which closed in November 2018, due to improper rainwater drainage. Since then the range has undergone refurbishing efforts to divert water runoff.

First C-130 crew provides humanitarian assistance to Burma

A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules loaded with emergency relief supplies touched down at Rangoon International Airport in Burma May 12 in support of national disaster relief efforts following Tropical Cyclone Nagris that swept through Burma May 2. An aircraft was loaded with 8,300 bottles of water, two

First C-130J arrives for active duty

The first C-130J Hercules assigned to an active-duty unit arrived here March 19.“We are proud to call Little Rock Air Force Base and central Arkansas home -- home of the United States Air Force’s first active-duty C-130J,” said Col. Joseph Reheiser, 314th Airlift Wing commander. “We look forward to

First C-17 lands on refurbished runway at Shindand

A C-17 Globemaster III landed at Shindand Air Base recently marking the first time the large military transport aircraft was needed to land at the base since the refurbished runway opened in December 2010.The landing marked a significant milestone as strategic airlift provides a critical and

First C-17 touches down in Sendai

A C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, landed in Sendai March 20 to part in the relief support mission here. Members of the 517th Airlift Squadron delivered an all-terrain forklift to download supplies, including four pallets of water and six pallets of blankets and

First C-21 arrives in North Dakota

The first official 119th Fighter Wing C-21 aircraft arrived Jan. 10 in Fargo.The aircraft marks the unit's transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the C-21 and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. "The Happy Hooligans have proven themselves as the best of the best in every mission they have

First C-5 arrives at Balad

The first C-5 Galaxy arrived here Nov. 12, from Dover Air Force Base, Del., increasing the Air Force presence at the Army's Logistical Support Area. A 14-person crew and about 21 truckloads of war materiel were on board the aircraft."This event is a significant milestone in support of the global

First C-5 Galaxy aircraft retires

The first C-5 Galaxy to be retired from the Air Force inventory was delivered Nov. 4 to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.Maintainers here prepared the Lackland AFB, Texas-based aircraft for long-term storage. The gigantic C-5 is an outsized

First call-to-service airmen graduate

The first person to enlist into the Air Force under the National Call to Service program graduated from Basic Military Training on Nov. 14 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Airman Hector Barreto of Ingleside, Texas, joined seven other airmen graduating who were among the first to take advantage of

First career air liaison officers graduate TACP pipeline training

For the first time since the Tactical Air Control Party career field began in 1977, five non-rated air liaison officers joined the ranks of battlefield Airmen across the Air Force after graduating from the basic Tactical Air Command and Control Apprentice Course April 27.Capt. Matthew Kealy, 1st Lt.

First CJCS senior enlisted adviser selected

Marine Gen. Peter Pace has selected Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey to serve as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff beginning Oct 1.General Pace has been confirmed as the next chairman and will assume the office at the end of September.This is a newly created

First class graduates from aviation school at former George Air Force Base

Forty-three student aircraft mechanics attending the Southern California Logistics Airport School of Aviation Technology, located at the former George Air Force Base, recently graduated with full certification in general aviation, powerplant and airframe maintenance. And their diplomas are paying

First class graduates from new Advanced Sortie Production Course

The Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, graduated 15 officers from its first Advanced Sortie Production Course Dec. 7.

First class graduates from new AF intelligence course

The 552nd Air Control Wing's Operations Support Squadron recently graduated its first class from the new Air Force-wide E-3 Sentry Intelligence Initial Qualification Course.

First class qualification

First CMSAF earns Lifetime Achievement Award

The first chief master sergeant of the Air Force announced he had learned the secret to winning awards to those in attendance at the Senior NCO Academy auditorium Nov. 20 here."The secret is simple  -- just live long enough," said retired Chief Paul Wesley Airey. "If you live long enough, (the

First combat deployable F-22s arrive at Tyndall

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

First combat MQ-1, MQ-9 wing celebrates 10 years at Creech AFB

The 432nd Wing celebrated their 10th anniversary at Creech Air Force Base as a combat remotely piloted aircraft wing May 1, 2017. In attendance was Gen. Mike Holmes, the Air Combat Command commander, Col. Case Cunningham, the 432nd WG/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and 400 Airmen of the

First combat systems officers graduate from training program

Ten lieutenants, including nine active-duty members and one member of the Wyoming Air National Guard, became the first class of combat systems officers to graduate from the 479th Flying Training Group's CSO training program here April 15. Previously, the Air Force had separate training tracks for

First cyber class graduates

The Air Force took a significant step forward in its cyberspace training transformation Dec. 6, as 15 officers graduated from the first undergraduate cyberspace training course at here."It's time to leave here and provide the Air Force, and the nation, with real options and opportunities based on

First Danish female fighter pilot continues training

When Denmark graduated its first female fighter pilot, it was a special moment for the country. Now she is going through the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program here.Although a few other women began the program with her, 2nd Lt. Line Bonde was the only one to make it through Denmark’s

First day of football practice at the Academy

First Delta IV Heavy launches from Vandenberg AFB

A Delta IV Heavy Launch Vehicle was launched from here Jan. 20. It was the first Delta IV HLV to be launched from the West Coast of the U.S., and it carried a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office."The teamwork between the 30th Space Wing, the National Reconnaissance

First deployed Airman Readiness Center opens

Two Air Combat Command members marked a deployment first by opening the Air Force's first Airman Readiness Center in Southwest Asia. Master Sgt. Steven Wright, from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and Jeff Halstead, from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., opened the new office literally overnight,

First deployed civilian sexual assault response coordinator arrives in region

Airmen already know the pace here is much different than home. “Frenetic” is the word Donna Rathbun uses to describe the operations tempo on base. “The mission is always in the forefront,” she said. “There isn’t time for outside distractions or mistakes. Airmen are working long hours, and there’s

First deployed SARC stationed at Manas

In the continuing effort to ensure that deployed Airmen are as well taken care of as their home station counterparts, the Air Force recently deployed its first sexual assault response coordinator here. The effort is part of the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program drive to have

First Doolittle Award presented to 4th Fighter Wing

The 4th Fighter Wing received the inaugural Air Force Historical Foundation Doolittle Award during a ceremony at the Air Force Memorial here June 2.The Doolittle Award promotes the history and heritage of a unit as opposed to an individual. The award is named after Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, a Medal

First Dutch F-35 pilot takes to skies

The first Netherlands pilot took to the skies here Dec. 18, in the F-35A Lightning II, making the Netherlands the second partner country to operate the fifth-generation multirole fighter. Maj. Laurens J.W. Vijge, the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 Integrated Training Center training lead,

First E-3 with DRAGON modification arrives at Tinker AFB

The first E-3 Sentry aircraft with the glass flight deck modification known as DRAGON (Diminishing Manufacturing Sources Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation) arrived at Tinker Jan. 9.

First Eagle Flag exercise begins

More than 150 expeditionary combat-support leaders from around the Air Force arrived here Oct. 13 for the inaugural Eagle Flag, the Air Force’s newest flag-level exercise. The goal of the exercise is to test the ability of the participants to open and establish an air base to an initial operating

First enlisted Airmen graduate from new Weapons School course

The first class of six enlisted students graduated the Advanced Enlisted Mission Planning Course, the first course for enlisted intelligence professionals, at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School here May 17.When these Airmen return to their home units, they will work closely with their intelligence

First enlisted leaders enshrined in CSAF, CMSAF International Honor Roll

For the enlisted inductees, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass held an additional ceremony later in the day to dedicate the International Honor Roll wall in the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy on Maxwell AFB’s Gunter Annex, memorializing their accomplishments.

First enlisted US Air Force air defense artillery fire control officers certified

Two 225th Air Defense Squadron weapons directors attended a three-week Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officers course and are now the only two U.S. Air Force enlisted certified ADAFCOs.

First enlisted-to-officer air liaison officers receive Air Force commissions

The Air Force's newest officer career field welcomed its first five former enlisted tactical air control party Airmen after receiving their Air Force commissions Sept. 9 from Officer Training School here. Effective Aug. 1, the Air Force dedicated air liaison officer as a specific officer career

First ever 'Tonnerre Lightning' refining language of war

British, French, and U.S. Airmen wrapped up the inaugural exercise Tonnerre Lightning 14-1 here and other operating locations March 28. The tri-lateral exercise, which replicates a coalition response to a contingency operation, developed as a method for the U.S., the United Kingdom and France's air

First ever: Bomber Task Force 20-2 integrates with a Royal Netherlands air force F-35

Two B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and the 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, conducted a fifth-generation integration familiarization flight with a Royal Netherlands air force F-35A Lightning II.

First F/A-22 deployment is for training

The Raptors are leaving the nest for their first deployment. Nearly 170 Airmen left here Oct. 15 on a two-week deployment to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. This may sound like a run-of-the-mill temporary duty assignment. But for the Langley Airmen, it is far from a typical out-of-town operation. It is

First F-15E Strike Eagles equipped with Advanced EPAWSS system arrive at Liberty Wing

Two F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft equipped with the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System arrived at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, marking the delivery of the first F-15E Strike Eagles integrated with one of the world’s most advanced electronic warfare suites.

First F-22 bound for Pacific unveiled

Representatives from the Air Force and Lockheed Martin gathered to accept Pacific Air Forces' first F-22 Raptor Feb. 12 at Marietta, Ga. This latest F-22 will be among 36 others that will make up the first F-22s assigned to PACAF at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens

First F-22 Raptors arrive at Kadena

The first two F-22 Raptors arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16 for their first overseas deployment. The remaining aircraft will follow in the coming days. A software issue affecting the F-22's navigation system was discovered while the aircraft were en route to Kadena Feb. 10, which delayed

First F-22 slated for Pacific rolls out

Lockheed Martin rolled out the first combat-capable F-22 Raptor Oct. 16 destined for basing and operations in the Pacific Rim.Raptor 5087 completed its final assembly, with Air Force leaders from Alaska and Lockheed Martin employees on hand to mark the event outside the production line in

First F-35 arrives at Eglin

The Department of Defense's first F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter touched down at its new home here July 14, marking a major milestone in the nation's military history. Upon arrival, the jet officially became part of the Air Force inventory. It now belongs to the JSF training unit, the 33rd

First F-35 Lightning II arrives at Luke AFB

Escorted by two F-16 fighting Falcons, Luke Air Force Base's first F-35 Lightning II arrived a little after 11 a.m. March 10 from the Lockheed Martin factory in Fort Worth, Tex.

First F-35 training commander: 'This jet is our future'

Five months of flying the Air Force's newest fighter jet has left one Airman convinced of the aircraft's substantial combat capability.Lt. Col. Lee Kloos is the commander of the 58th Fighter Squadron, the Defense Department's first F-35 Lightning II training squadron, located at Eglin Air Force

First F-35A four-ship flies over Eglin

 Increasing capability is becoming routine for the F-35 Lightning II team.The 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit produced a four-turn-four for the 58th Fighter Squadron flying Jan 31. "The pilots flew four F-35As in the morning and the maintainers performed routine maintenance for airworthiness after

First F-35A operational weapons load crew qualified

Three Airmen with the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit became the first qualified operational weapons load crew for the F-35A Lightning II during a qualification load here, Oct. 10.

First families arrive at Ramstein from Turkey

The first group of families arrived at Ramstein Air Base March 30 after the State Department and the secretary of defense approved the ordered departure of dependents of service members and Defense Department civilian personnel currently stationed in Adana, Izmir, and Mugla, Turkey.

First Family Readiness Center opens doors in AOR

The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is now home to the first Airman and Family Readiness Center in the Southwest Asia area of responsibility. The center opened its doors and added family members to those they serve, following the ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 29, 2012.Daniel Ginsberg, the Assistant

First female assumes command of ANG fighter wing

Col. Sherrie McCandless , the first woman selected to command the 124th Fighter Wing and first female wing commander in Idaho Air National Guard history assumed command in a ceremony on March 2, at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho.

First female aviator receives Kolligian Trophy

In April 2020, during a routine training sortie, Bye’s A-10’s gun experienced a catastrophic failure, her canopy was sent soaring through the sky during flight and forced her to decide to either eject or attempt a gear-up “belly” landing.

First female CV-22 pilot completes training

After nearly three years of flight training with the Air Force, she recently became the first qualified female pilot of the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. It started with pictures of aircraft in her grandfather's home. Then it was on to starting lessons to earn her private pilot's license as a

First female F-35 test pilot completes flight mission

A routine F-35 Lightning II flight test mission recently marked a significant event in Air Force history at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

First female four-star general promoted

Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody became the first female four-star general in U.S. military history in a Pentagon ceremony Nov. 14 and later assumed command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command here from outgoing commander, Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. presided over the

First flight a success for future Afghan flying crew chiefs

Four Afghan airmen attached to the Kandahar Air Wing recently flew their first flights as part of the inaugural flying crew chiefs course here.The month-long course pairs U.S. flying crew chiefs and Afghan crew chief trainees and focuses on the operational capability of the MI-17 transport

First Future Total Force wing proves successful

The first Future Total Force wing, the 116th Air Control Wing, is nearing its third birthday since merging active-duty Air Force, Army and Air National Guard units to form a “blended wing.”In October 2002, America’s first total force wing took flight as the 116th ACW and made history by combining

First GPS IIF satellite on station

Officials from the Air Force Space Command's Global Positioning Systems Wing at the Space and Missile Systems Center here have announced the first GPS IIF satellite arrived on station Aug. 1. This indicates the satellite is in its designated orbital position and ready for its final phase of on-orbit

First GPS III satellite successfully launched

The Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched the first Global Positioning Systems III satellite Dec. 23 from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The Lockheed Martin-built satellitewas carried to orbit aboard a Space Exploration Technologies

First group of Air Force civilians now part of NSPS

Although there have been only two pay periods since the Department of Defense’s new civilian pay system began, the transition to the National Security Personnel System has been smooth, said an NSPS official here. “The system conversion to NSPS went very well,” said Deborah Carlton, NSPS deputy chief

First group of Airmen from Hill AFB’s 34th Fighter Squadron return home

The Airmen are made up of pilots from the active duty 34th FS and Reserve 466th FS, as well as active duty and Reserve Airmen in the 34th and 466th Aircraft Maintenance Units, and personnel in other support functions.