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U.S. Air Force News

  • AFMC conducts focus groups across enterprise

    The AFMC We Need enterprise-wide initiative, launched in late June 2019, seeks inputs and recommendations from AFMC civilian and military Airmen that can help posture the command to best support the National Defense Strategy today and in the decades to come.

  • Whiteman AFB commemorates 30-year anniversary of B-2 test flight

    For three decades, B-2 crews have participated in five major military operations and countless training engagements. The bomber has completed missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and, most recently, Libya. The B-2 was also the first aircraft over Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, for which

  • Wright-Patterson AFB opens cyber defense facility

    One of the Air Force’s ongoing challenges is to create processes, infrastructure and capabilities to counter threats to its weapon systems. To address this, organizations are looking at creative ways to forge partnerships and alliances to advance the cyber resiliency of weapon systems by protecting

  • OTS prepares for arrival of “Godzilla” class

    What is being dubbed the “Godzilla” class, OTS Class 19-07 will push the school to its maximum capacity by tipping the scales with the expected arrival of 800 officer trainees in mid-July.

  • Rescue helicopter pilots showcase VR capability to ACC leadership

    The trainer allows four people to don VR headgear and simultaneously enter a server to fly a virtual HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter in simulated training missions. The controls are the same equipment the helicopter uses to add further realism to the VR environment.

  • From enlisted marine to 100th ARW commander

    The son of immigrant parents from Thailand, Col. Troy Pananon, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, didn’t have a long family military tradition to lean on, so he made his own instead.

  • Overnight radar replacements for NEXRAD

    The NEXT RADAR, or NEXTRAD replacement, completed at Cannon AFB in February in one night, is part of an ongoing effort there and 24 other Air Force installations worldwide. The Air Force’s 25-site replacement program is part of a three-agency U.S. government effort to standardize the 180 radars that

  • 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.

  • Online worksheet to replace biannual AGR review board

    One significant change to the program was the elimination of an AGR Review Board, or ARB, which was held twice a year. The board was co-chaired by the deputy to the chief of Air Force Reserve and the deputy commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, with the purpose of determining career status for

  • Aircrew gets new anti-smoke goggles

    With innovation, the new ASGs are now a three-part system. The suspension frame itself is still made the same with the nape pad attached, while the goggles and oxygen mask portion have been upgraded.

  • AFMC launches “AFMC we need” initiative

    The command-wide activity will seek the input of military and civilian Airmen across the headquarters and center footprints to recommend changes to posture the command for mission success in the decades to come.

  • Airman owns mistake, recovers from Article 15, becomes shining example

    Airman 1st Class Mary Kapuscinski, 7th Operations Support Squadron meteorologist, was recently recognized for an act that could have saved thousands of lives. She has won awards for her weather forecasting expertise. But it hasn’t always been positive times for her at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

  • Gunfighters use 1950s tech on F-35 for a huge win

    Airmen from the 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron, also known as Gunfighters, are the first in the Air Force to perform hot-pit refueling on F-35 Lightning II’s with a Type 1 hydrant system from the 1950s and hose cart from the 1970s.

  • First virtual reality training arrives at Keesler AFB

    The 334th Training Squadron incorporated the first virtual reality training for airfield management students in the Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base, June 28, so they can get more of a “hands-on” learning experience.

  • CSAF presents Kolligian Trophy to T-38 pilot

    During the ceremony, Goldfein stated that Heath's superb analysis and outstanding skill in response to this life-threatening emergency resulted in the safe recovery of two Airmen and an $8.2 million aircraft.

  • Air Force BRAC program reaches innovation milestone

    AFCEC’s Base and Realignment Closure team developed and transferred geospatial data for 39 BRAC installations onto the Air Force GeoBase program and was the first organization to complete the Air Force wide task.

  • Team Offutt restores lighthouse in the sky

    The TACAN system was only two years old when the transponder cabinet in which it is housed was damaged by flood waters March. While the outer shell remained intact, the inside components were heavily impaired.

  • AFIT students inform Pentagon energy initiative as part of new course

    Initiated and funded by Air Force Operational Energy, the course covers topics such as aircraft physics, aircraft energy requirements including propulsion & mission systems and the technologies used to meet those requirements. Future technologies are also considered, along with operational factors

  • Air Force announces Junior ROTC instructors of the year

    The award program recognizes AFJROTC instructors’ “diligent work and outstanding achievement” in the development of cadets and encourages excellence through recognition of superior accomplishment. In addition to national recognition for their educational performance and award presentation from the

  • Air Force Academy teams up with Test Pilot School in new candidacy program

    Test Pilot School is a highly competitive, 48-week educational opportunity for aviators, combat systems officers, remotely piloted aircraft pilots and engineers. Graduates of the course receive a Master of Science in flight test engineering and go on to test a variety of aerospace weapon systems for

  • Weapons School: Multi-domain integration since 1996

    A leader in tactics, techniques and procedures development, the USAFWS has focused on integrating combat capabilities across domains since 1996 when the school’s Space Division was established. The division structure was dissolved in 2003 but integrating space operations as part of the USAFWS

  • European partnership flight visits Spangdahlem AB

    The visit, which happened during an African-European Partnership Flight program at Ramstein AB, was a multilateral, military-to-military engagement and security cooperation event focused on sharing best practices.

  • Step-by-Step Guide for how to Transfer GI Bill Benefits

    You must meet all eligibility requirements outlined in DoDI 1341.13, Change 1, Post-9/11 GI Bill and AFI 36-2649, Voluntary Education Program, Attachment 13, prior to applying for the Transfer of Education Benefits, or TEB.

  • Misawa Block-50 F-16 hits 10K hours, an AF first

    One of Misawa Air Base’s most famous flight line assets hit a historic milestone June 10 as a 29-year-old Block-50 F-16 Fighting Falcon, tail number 808 affectionately known as “BOB,” reached 10,000 flight hours during a sortie flown across Japan.

  • HQ ARPC hosts 2019 Joint IRR Conference

    The Joint IRR Conference included representatives from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy, educating one another on their service-specific IRR programs. While each service program has the same Office of the Secretary of Defense policies driving them, the consensus was that the

  • AFRL XQ-58A UAV completes second successful flight

    The Air Force Research Laboratory developed a low-cost unmanned air vehicle together with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. The joint effort falls within AFRL’s Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology portfolio, which has the goal to break the escalating cost trajectory of tactically

  • Radar survey team uses innovation for faster surveys

    As the nation’s only long-range radar evaluation unit, the 84th RADES mission is to monitor, evaluate and optimize long-range radars located across the United States, ensuring perimeter security of the borders and within the country.

  • Pacific senior enlisted leaders meet for historic Red Flag-Alaska

    Approximately 2,000 personnel are flying, maintaining and supporting more than 85 aircraft from more than a dozen units during this iteration of Red Flag-Alaska. The majority of participating aircraft are based at, and flying from, JB Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base.

  • 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.

  • IHA tool goes live in the cloud

    The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center first launched the IHA in 2017 as a first-of-its-kind, metrics-based framework to integrate information from authoritative databases across the I&MS enterprise.

  • Flight equipment redesigned to better fit female aviators

    Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, held a Female Fitment Event, June 4, where Air Force and Navy female aviators gathered to have their measurements taken, which will be used to design new prototypes for female flight equipment.

  • Agile BOLT maintainers support F-35 deployment

    These Blended Operational Lightning Technician or BOLT maintainers are currently deployed alongside the 421st Fighter Squadron during a Theater Security Package to Europe and they’ve sent the first 388th Fighter Wing maintainer to ever be qualified in six different aspects of F-35 maintenance.

  • Future deployers: Don’t forget to feed the runway

    Three Blue Horizons fellows, with different technical backgrounds, including a former member of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, were among those who graduated June 3 as part of this year’s class of 16.

  • Technology, AFWERX, helping SF Academy graduates become more lethal, ready

    Arguably the most critical skills a Defender must possess – how and when to employ the use of force – the 343rd Training Squadron schoolhouse recently acquired six Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives simulators or MILO, as well as a VR-based training system facilitated through an AFWERX

  • 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

  • Reserve Airmen hunt hurricanes

    This specialized unit of Reserve Airmen is made up of a five-person crew consisting of a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, aerial reconnaissance weather officer and loadmaster who is also the dropsonde operator.

  • Bunch takes command

    Amidst a sea of aviation history, Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr. assumed leadership of the Air Force Materiel Command during a ceremony at the National Museum of the Air Force, May 31.

  • USAFRICOM hosts APORA 2019

    The AFRICOM-facilitated program promotes an exchange of best practices between 27 African nations and representatives from U.S. government agencies to increase communication, discuss ongoing challenges, identify gaps and needs and promote regional stability and security.

  • Superintendents join AFPC Squadron Commander Course

    Previous courses this year provided a first-hand opportunity to new and sitting squadron commanders to learn about AFPC programs and processes for talent management and care for Airmen and families. This iteration offered superintendents the same opportunity, with 41 commanders and civilian

  • Command senior enlisted leaders attend European Air Forces Conference

    Approximately 22 participants from 19 countries, including the United States, discussed readiness, professional military education, process improvement, recruitment, retention and force resilience. These attributes enabled them to combine their knowledge and experience to enhance the

  • AFMC team receives prestigious award for life-saving aircraft technology

    The Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, or Auto-GCAS, team won the 2018 Robert J. Collier Trophy, an award bestowed annually by the National Aeronautic Association that recognizes “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance,

  • From cockpit to saddle, Columbus AFB Airman excels in both

    It wasn’t until 2013, while stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, that Maj. Andrea Matesick, now an F-15E weapons system officer and instructor with the 49th Fighter Training Squadron’s Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, would reach out to the Air Force

  • AFRL launches ARCNet, autonomy R&D portal

    ARCNet, or the Autonomy Research Collaboration Network, is a new electronic platform and business opportunity which facilitates collaborative research and development related to autonomous technologies for AFRL.

  • SecAF, CSAF visit AU for 66th annual National Security Forum

    The NSF is designed to inform community influencers on Air University and the Air Force’s current and future objectives as well as plans for enhancing national security, and is hosted by Air War College on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force.

  • Air Force announces artificial intelligence research with MIT

    Beginning this summer, the combined officer and enlisted team representing various Air Force career fields, is expected to work with researchers at MIT to harness the university’s student talent, renowned faculty and state-of-the art facilities and laboratories. The partnership will address a broad

  • Airmen come together for Combat Archer exercise

    The Combat Archer exercise, also known as the Weapons Systems Evaluation Program, is the Department of Defense’s largest air-to-air live-fire evaluation exercise. Squadron leaders monitor the lifespan of a missile to assess execution performance by maintenance crew members, aircraft armament systems

  • Resiliency Toolkit: The power of a positive thought

    Many of you have probably been in a situation where nothing seems to be going right and every step you move forward, something hits you in the face, knocking you two steps back. In these moments, your biggest adversary becomes your own mind.

  • Wise Guy back in the sky

    A team of Reserve Citizen Airmen and active duty maintainers spent four months prepping Wise Guy, a B-52 Stratofortress for flight. The bomber had been at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group since 2008.

  • Air Force transitions enlisted specialty, grows special tactics capabilities

    By combining the core skills of special operations forces with their meteorology skills, SOWTs have been a critical asset to the war on terror. Alongside special tactics teammates from forward deployed locations, SOWTs would gather, assess and interpret environmental to forecast weather impacts to

  • Air University rolls out new ALS curriculum

    Academic experts at the Barnes Center took a look at the ALS curriculum and decided a new, modernized plan was overdue. Several of the more than 60 Airman Leadership Schools around the world are currently testing the course ahead of the Air Force-wide release scheduled for June 5.

  • Year of Defender revitalizes security forces squadrons

    Security forces is the largest enlisted career field in the Air Force with approximately 38,000 defenders spanning 120 bases. In order to better care for these Airmen and ensure they have everything they need to complete their mission, 2019 was declared – Year of the Defender – by top Air Force

  • Hanscom AFB software teams decode F-35 maintenance

    Software teams from Hanscom Air Force Base are fielding applications that help aircraft maintainers at Nellis AFB, Nevada, plan for successful operational testing of the Air Force’s newest fighter, the F-35 Lightning II.

  • Air Force completes test of combat support innovation

    The Combat Support Wing proof-of-concept capstone exercise developed by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center and hosted by Air Combat Command’s 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, tested the ability of three teams of about 30 Airmen each to establish

  • Building a weather-ready nation

    The purpose of the tour is to help create a weather-ready nation by raising awareness for the upcoming hurricane season occurring June 1 – Nov. 30, with an emphasis this year on raising awareness about inland flooding.

  • Army GLOs enable joint combat power, battlefield safety

    The Department of Defense receives a significant amount of its intelligence from the Air Force distributed common ground system, which is an enterprise of globally networked analysts and cyber professionals linked together by a global communications architecture.

  • Changes to Post-9/11 GI Bill transfers effective July 2019

    The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The request to transfer unused GI Bill benefits to eligible dependents must be completed while serving as an active member of the Armed Forces.