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  • Innovation in tight spaces

    As Hurricane Michael churned toward the Emerald Coast of Florida, F-35A Lightning IIs from the 33rd Fighter Wing evacuated to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, to avoid the storm’s path and potential catastrophic damage. As Michael passed, narrowly missing Eglin AFB, a different type of storm

  • 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

  • Air Force begins work on Tyndall AFB rebuild with PMO

    Following Hurricane Michael, the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center and its partners established a program management office at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, to lead redevelopment and reconstruction efforts.

  • Retired Airman’s resilience sets leading example

    Karah Behrend’s tattooed arms and wild blue hair aren’t the only reasons she stands out on the rugby field. Rugby is a relatively new hobby for Behrend, though her practiced technique paints a different picture. She performs with the intensity, coordination and endurance of an experienced athlete.

  • Hacking road map to physiological episodes mitigation in Air Force

    The Air Force Physiological Episodes Action Team, or AF PEAT, recently held a “hackathon” to update the service-wide road map to mitigate physiological episodes. Hackathons are sprint-like events where subject matter experts collaborate intensively to solve problems or establish a course of action.

  • Air Force base of preference initiative evolves to permanent program

    The Base of Preference enhanced assignment initiative begins Jan. 9, 2019, and provides enlisted Airmen who have 48 months’ time on station as of May 2019 the opportunity to apply for available Permanent Change of Station assignments in the continental United States, or CONUS, through an immediate,

  • Reserve spouse to memorialize fallen EOD Airman

    Bronze statues can be seen almost anywhere but one rarely hears the amazing stories behind their creation.The spouse of a Reserve Airman here at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, recently sculpted a bust of Senior Airman Daniel Johnson, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal

  • Super Galaxy: Aeromedical evacuation's biggest ally

    During a cold, gloomy first week of December, total force Airmen teamed up at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, to test the capability of the Air Force’s largest aircraft to perform aeromedical evacuation during a proof of concept event.

  • Brain surgery to bear hugs: One wounded warrior’s story

    Born with a birth defect causing seizures, battling anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and facing divorce and separation from a child, can be a lot for anyone to handle, but with a community of support things can get better.

  • Not all heroes wear capes

    As U.S. Air Force Airmen, it is our job to meet the Air Force’s priorities of restoring readiness, strengthening alliances, driving innovation and developing exceptional leaders.With innovation and readiness at the forefront of our force, one Airman found a way to use those ideas to aid Incirlik Air

  • A1C with Ph.D. lands job at nuclear treaty monitoring center

    It’s not often you see those three-letter titles A1C and Ph.D. used to refer to the same person. As a matter of fact, only one-hundredth of one percent of the Air Force’s enlisted force from E-1 through E-9 possess a doctor of philosophy degree, one of 33 enlisted Airmen in the Air Force with a

  • Cyber operators host cyber certification training courses for SA youth

    In mid-2016, four Air Forces Cyber operators teamed to create a free cyber certification academy for San Antonio teenagers. Master Sgt. Shaun Herron and Staff Sgts. Charles Hackett, Justin Gonzalez and Austin Ellsworth’s dream became reality when their non-profit, GhostWire Academy, was born. Today,

  • AFIMSC Innovation Office seeks game-changing ideas

    The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Office will launch a program in the new year to help Airmen implement their innovative ideas. The campaign, open Jan. 1-31, 2019, gives military and civilian members of mission support groups worldwide a chance to fund their ideas and

  • Bunch nominated to command AFMC

    Lt. Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr. has been nominated by the president for a fourth star to become the next commander of Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

  • How the Air Force got smarter about its aviation fuel use in 2018

    Did you know the Air Force is the largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense? This may not surprise you, if say, you’ve ever watched a sortie of F-35 Lighting IIs complete an aerial refueling, or witnessed a C-5 Galaxy lift (seemingly) effortlessly into the sky. In fact, the Air Force

  • Dover, Ramstein set standard for AMOW C-5 maintenance training

    More than 30 U.S. Air Force Reserve aircraft maintainers assigned to the 512th Airlift Wing along with a 436th Airlift Wing C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft and crew traveled to Ramstein Air Base, Nov. 23, to assist the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing with vital hands-on, airframe-specific training.

  • Navajo Airman continues family's military legacy at Whiteman

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Airman 1st Class Phillip Rock is part of his family’s legacy of military service – a legacy that, in fact, would not have continued if it weren’t for

  • B-21 Raider program holds weapons system critical design review

    The Air Force successfully held a critical design review of the B-21 weapon system November 28-30, 2018. The event served as a multi-disciplined technical review that ensured the Air Force’s newest bomber has a stable and mature design as the program moves forward into manufacturing and flight

  • Grit and determination: AFSOC Airmen slide with Team USA bobsled

    Two Airmen within Air Force Special Operations Command were selected to compete with the USA Bobsled team this year. Capt. Dakota Lynch, a 34th Special Operations Squadron U-28A pilot, and Capt. Chris Walsh, a 24th Special Operations Wing special tactics officer, are push athletes who are ultimately

  • STPSat-5 successfully launched from Vandenberg AFB

    The Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched Space Test Program Satellite 5, or STPSat-5, into orbit via Spaceflight Industries’ fully dedicated smallsat rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle on Dec. 3 from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base,

  • Tracking Santa

    The North American Aerospace Command is responsible for tracking every flight over the U.S. and Canada. They’re so serious about their job that not even Santa gets a free pass when he delivers his gifts on Christmas. Find out how they accomplish this amazing feat.

  • Mathematician inducted into Space and Missiles Pioneers Hall of Fame

    Lt. Gen. David Thompson, Air Force Space Command vice commander, presented Dr. Gladys West with the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers award for her decades of contributions to the Air Force’s space program. West was unable to attend the formal induction ceremony that took place Aug. 28, where

  • AFIMSC resources team shores up Tyndall AFB

    In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Michael’s devastating trek across Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, a critical mission unfolded: One of a handful of F-22 Raptors that couldn’t be moved before the storm arrived sat under the threat of a destabilized concrete wall.

  • Maker Hub, AFRL “sprint” to innovation

    To build strength and endurance, athletes perform “intervals” or short, intense periods of exertion designed for maximum benefit in the shortest time possible. Thanks to the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Maker Hub at the Wright Brothers Institute, that same kind of benefit is possible for some of

  • TLP brings it all together

    Above the mountainous landscape of Amendola Air Base, Italy, F-15C Eagle pilots assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron are training side-by-side with NATO allies from Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium in support of Tactical Leadership Programme 18-4.

  • Chief Wright to Airmen: Know your retirement options

    The opt-in deadline for the Blended Retirement System is December 31, 2018.Make your decision knowing only you can determine which system is best for you, and understand that if you opt into BRS, it is irrevocable. You only have one chance to make this choice, so it’s imperative you and those

  • One step at a time

    Senior Master Sgt. David Snyder put on his physical training uniform and fought the tension inside his chest. It was the day of his annual PT test. Like all his tests before, he had been preparing for months. But this time, he was a lot more nervous.

  • Around the Air Force: Tactical Leadership Programme / Tyndall rebuilds

    On this look Around the Air Force, the Tactical Leadership Programme trains NATO allied Airmen, about 600 Airmen participate in a readiness exercise at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, and an update on the recovery of Tyndall Air Force Base after Hurricane Michael. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Braden

  • Air Force fields next generation CBRN protective masks

    In November 2018, the Air Force will complete fielding of an improved chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protective mask for aircrew on rotary wing aircraft, allowing operational units to achieve full operational capability.

  • US Air Force hydrazine team train Chilean Airmen

    A U.S. Air Force hydrazine Mobile Training Team traveled to Los Condores Air Base, Chile, to conduct classroom instruction and hands-on training with Chilean Air Force fuels technicians Nov. 5-16.

  • Turn stress into strength this holiday season

    The holiday season presents opportunities to engage in multiple forms of resiliency. Engaging in close relationships, practicing gratitude, and participating in religious activities that promote spirituality are often helpful aspects of the holidays. However, the holidays may also create stressors

  • 380th EMDG: Providing care to the fight

    The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing consists of four groups executing the warfighting mission. One of these groups, the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group, provides various medical care and services supporting more than 3,500 deployed personnel at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

  • Revitalizing squadrons efforts cross borders

    The Air Force’s Revitalizing Squadrons team recently joined together with their Royal Canadian Air Force, or RCAF, counterparts in Ottawa, Canada to collaborate and share best practices in their respective missions to strengthen squadrons across both Air Forces.

  • LCBP provides enterprise opportunities to lead, learn

    The Logistics Career Broadening Program offers company grade logistics officers the opportunity gain leadership skills and experience in depot, supply, sustainment and development missions through a two-year rotation at an air or defense logistics center. Officers are embedded within the

  • 493rd FS trains during Tactical Leadership Programme 18-4

    F-15C Eagles and an F-15D assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron and support personnel from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, U.K., are participating in the NATO Tactical Leadership Programme 18-4 at Amendola Air Base, Italy.

  • More cadets given opportunity to fly

    More than 530 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets from the 2019 graduating class have been matched to attend pilot training pending final qualifications and commissioning. This is a 26 percent increase over the 2018 class.

  • Foreign Naval officers dive into Air Mobility

    Approximately 56 foreign and joint military officers from 52 foreign naval services from around the world visited Joint Base Charleston Nov. 13, 2018, to learn about the mission and capabilities of Air Mobility Command as well as JB Charleston’s role as the gateway to the Atlantic.

  • JB Charleston hosts new leadership course

    Company grade officers and senior noncommissioned officers at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., hosted Flight Commander’s edge, a new flight leadership training program, Nov. 6 to 8, 2018.

  • Air Force Safety goes mobile

    The Air Force Safety Center released a mobile version of the Airman Safety App, Nov. 15, enabling Airmen at installations Air Force-wide to voluntarily report safety issues with their devices as they encounter them.

  • Air Force announces bases to support B-21 Raider mission

    The Air Force has selected Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, to coordinate maintenance and sustainment of the B-21 Raider and Edwards AFB, California, to lead testing and evaluation of the next generation long-range strike bomber.

  • US, Aussie partnership thriving at Luke AFB

    Since the arrival of Australia’s first F-35A at Luke Air Force Base in December 2014, Australian pilots and maintainers have trained side by side with members from the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin in preparation for the day when Australian F-35s would travel home to Australia.

  • AFMC unleashes $4.6M in FY18 Squadron Innovation Funds

    When Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein asked leaders to “unleash the brilliance in our Airmen,” Air Force Materiel Command answered the call, executing more than $4.6 million in Squadron Innovation Funds in fiscal year 2018.

  • F-35 maintainers at Hill AFB shaping future with BOLT

    After several months, an innovative program in the 388th Fighter Wing is proving it has the potential to deliver combat power more efficiently and may shape how the Air Force determines future requirements to sustain F-35A Lightning II operations.

  • 388th Fighter Wing completes combat exercise

    The 388th Fighter Wing’s 4th Fighter Squadron and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit recently completed a combat exercise where they tested and evaluated their capabilities to operate the F-35A Lightning II in a deployed environment.

  • AFIMSC helps Tyndall get back in the fight

    As Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, recovers from Hurricane Michael Oct. 10, members and teams from across the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center are helping the base get back in the fight.

  • 920th RQW Airmen prepare for human spaceflight

    To prepare for the arrival of human space flight tests next year, the 920th Rescue Wing along with the DoD Human Space Flight Support Office, NASA and SpaceX personnel joined forces to plan and execute a realistic medical evacuation exercise at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Oct. 25.

  • AFPC supporting Tyndall recovery

    The Air Force’s Personnel Center is supporting Headquarters Air Force, Air Combat Command and the 325th Fighter Wing as they continue the recovery efforts at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael.

  • Enlisted Heritage and Training Complex uses the past to teach the present

    Located mainly on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the Enlisted Heritage and Training Complex uses heritage to train, educate, inspire and recruit Airmen to fly, fight and win the nation’s wars through an extensive array of artifacts and exhibits spanning more than 111 years of aeronautic history.

  • Weather data pilot includes Hurricane Michael

    A prototype project providing the Air Force access to commercial weather data began Oct. 1, nine days before Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle. The prototype is managed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.

  • CCAF no longer required for promotion

    Due to an update to the enlisted personnel handbook, an associate’s degree from the Community College of the Air Force is no longer required for promotions, however, master sergeants still have to keep education in mind for their enlisted performance reports.

  • Pilot instructor training embraces change through virtual reality

    Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, has empowered Airmen across the recruiting, training and education enterprise to "be bold, take risks and embrace change" as they make changes to their training curriculum and processes to find the best way to inspire and develop

  • Changes released for Voter Assistance Program

    The Secretary of the Air Force issued new guidance to Air Force Instruction 36-3107 in August implementing changes that re-align Installation Voting Assistance office responsibilities, update Air Force Personnel Center responsibilities, and clarify Unit Voting Assistance Officer responsibilities.

  • President Trump visits Luke AFB

    President Donald J. Trump visited Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 19, to discuss military weapons and technology capabilities and learn about the 56th Fighter Wing’s pilot training mission.

  • The enlisted Airmen perspective: Success in the MDO world

    The mission of the recently-formed Air Force Strategic Integration Group blends senior leader’s perspectives of The Force We Need, the Future of Multi-Domain Operations, and the Airmen We Need to implement lasting change across the service. These changes include direct and indirect improvements for

  • Employees need to know, heed Hatch Act rules

    Department of Defense civilian employees must be aware of the law limiting political activities in the federal workplace, during duty hours, or on federal property at any time.

  • Cyber Airmen fuel innovation

    Cyber Airmen assigned to the 557th Weather Wing recently teamed with the Defense Innovation Unit program to improve how airborne tankers’ scheduling.