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  • First Sergeant Academy curriculum, organization mirrors total force

    The life of an Air Force first sergeant is truly a tale of two experiences. There exists the joy of watching Airmen receive well-deserved promotions and recognition, and there is the disappointment and sadness at receiving a 3 a.m. phone call from a law enforcement desk or casualty affairs. These

  • First Sergeant Academy embraces blended learning

    The U. S. Air Force First Sergeant Academy has transformed its curriculum from a traditional "brick-and-mortar" education experience to a mixture of facilitated distance learning and in-resident classroom time to teach future first sergeants. What was once a three-week in-residence course is now

  • First sergeant award nomination deadline nears

    Air Force officials reminded Airmen today that 2013 First Sergeant of the Year award nominations are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by April 2. Established by the Air Force, the award recognizes the important contributions and leadership qualities exhibited by Air Force members in the first

  • First sergeant changes benefit entire AF

    Air Force officials are touting recent changes made to first sergeant assignments and hope that more senior noncommissioned officers take advantage of what some are calling "the best job I've ever had in the Air Force."The Air Force converted the career field into a special-duty assignment in

  • First Sergeant continues career after tumor, hearing loss

    More than ten years ago, while stationed in Hawaii, Master Sgt. Geoffrey VanDyck, had the constant feeling of water in his ear. He knew something was wrong. Nothing seemed to relieve the feeling, so his medical provider sent him to an ear, nose and throat specialist. After an MRI, the cause of his

  • First sergeant provides health, welfare for warriors

    General health, esprit de corps, discipline, mentoring, well-being, career progression, professional development and recognition of all assigned Airmen and their families is all a part of the mission of an Air Force first sergeant -- taking care of people.

  • First sergeant steps up in time of need

    On Jan. 3, Alec Fonoti, a mechanic for the quartermaster laundry here, was preparing dinner with his family to take to a friend's house. With the meal packed, the family of nine loaded everything into their vehicle and left."The fire report said the burner on the left was still slightly on," Fonoti

  • First sergeant testifies to seatbelt safety

    When Master Sgt. Thomas Dunlap buckled his seatbelt after climbing into his truck recently, he was not thinking about personal-risk management. He was simply doing what came naturally after years of accident-free driving.But as the 436th Services Squadron first sergeant crawled out of his wrecked

  • First sergeant to join stateside walk from deployed location

    Sometimes she walks or runs with a friend, and then she's got someone to talk with and motivate her. But many times she walks with just her music and her thoughts, and it allows her to remember just what she's walking for.Master Sgt. Laurie Cherry, the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron first

  • First sergeants deploy, discover family members

    Sleep-deprived and weary from days of travel, in a blur of new names and faces, one of the first people most Airmen deploying to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing meet is their respective unit’s first sergeant.

  • First sergeants to supervisors: Here are 4 things you should know

    There are approximately 2,600 active-duty Airmen assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base and only nine fully trained, diamond-wearing first sergeants on duty.That's a little more than 280 Airmen to one first shirt. This proportion is not uncommon at most bases around the command and the Air Force.

  • 'First shirt' recycles OCPs for Bagram Airmen

    Every U.S. Air Force first sergeant is responsible for making sure their Airmen's uniforms are in good order, but one first sergeant here has taken this charge a step further.Master Sgt. Nicholas Kollett, the first sergeant for the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, developed and

  • First shirts find value in ANG 'warrior network'

    When Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kennedy wanted to communicate to more than 800 first sergeants across the Air National Guard as their functional manager this week he turned to the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center.The Center told him, no problem.Its Media Engagement Division and "Warrior

  • 'First shirts' use tough love, care for troops

    It is 2 a.m. and pitch black outside when suddenly the phone rings and the voice on the other end says an airman needs help.The first sergeant gets up and prepares for an early day. This is not new; it is part of the job, and could mean anything from a car accident to domestic violence or other

  • First shuttle trainer introduced by NASA astronauts

    NASA Astronauts Michael Good and Michael Foreman visited the National Museum of the Air Force during a private event to formally introduce the first shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer (CCT-1) to military and community officials and preview the next steps for the exhibit. The event marked the debut of

  • First simulated F-35A deployment conducted at Mountain Home AFB

    A much anticipated and important test mission for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program is underway with the "deployment" of six operational test and evaluation F-35s and more than 85 Airmen from the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, who arrived Feb. 8-9.

  • First Spangdahlem jets return home from desert duty

    Six F-16 Fighting Falcons returned home to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, on Labor Day after a two-and a half month deployment to Southwest Asia. The fighter jets, of the 23rd Fighter Squadron, spent their deployment providing close-air support to coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, 52nd

  • First students graduate Raptor Basic Course

    Four student pilots at Tyndall AFB became the first graduates of the Air Force's F-22 Raptor Basic Course Nov. 1, setting another milestone in the fielding of the Air Force's most advanced fighter aircraft. These pilots are the first in the Air Force to have the F-22 as their first operational

  • First T-7A Red Hawk rolls out

    The first T-7A Red Hawk training aircraft rolled off the production line at the Boeing Defense, Space & Security building at Lambert International Airport.

  • First Term Airmen's Center helps with transition into Air Force

    Training and professional development is a high priority, beginning for young Airmen at Basic Military Training, tech school and continues at the first duty station training at the First Term Airmen's Center. FTAC is a two-week program that plays an important role in transitioning Airmen from a

  • First test of 'Net Decoy' system shows promise

    The airmen of the 100th Communications Squadron here hosted the first-ever demonstration of the pioneering "Net Decoy" system, combining two defensive information systems that detect, track and potentially identify cyberspace intruders.During the latter part of August the Air Force Information

  • First Thunderbird commander dies

    The first commander of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, died Aug. 12 of complications from pneumonia. Maj. Gen. Richard C. Catledge, the Air Force pilot known as Thunderbird One, formed and led the original Thunderbirds team as a major in 1953. "We were assigned a

  • First time for AFMC at Red Flag exercise

    The 416th Flight Test Squadron conquered the vast bombing and gunnery ranges of Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., as they participated in Red Flag 09-2, marking the first time an Air Force Materiel Command unit has ever deployed and participated in the exercise. "Red Flag allowed us to provide the most

  • First Transit Center commander reflects on decade of change

    Even in his wildest dreams, he never could have envisioned what he started 10 years ago would turn into what he sees now. But when the Transit Center's first commander, then-Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly, landed on Runway 08 at the Manas International Airport on Dec. 16, 2001, he saw potential of what this

  • First U.S.-trained Afghan helicopter pilots begin Mi-17 qualification course

    The first two Afghan air force helicopter pilots to complete basic pilot training in the U.S. recently began the initial Mi-17 qualification course meant to convert them into Mi-17 helicopter pilots at the Afghan air force base in Kabul. A hybrid of Croatian and U.S. helicopter training syllabi, the

  • First Undergraduate Pilot Training 2.5 class graduates

    Instructors from the 559th Flying Training Squadron implemented training for Air Education and Training Command’s first UPT 2.5 class, which began in July 2020. Using the T-6A Texan II as the primary trainer aircraft, the first class completed training in only seven months.

  • First USAF F-35A takes overseas flight to England

    The Air Combat Command F-35A Heritage Flight team accomplished America’s first transatlantic flight in an F-35A Lightning II, with refueling support from a KC-10 Extender, when it touched down June 30 at Royal Air Force Fairford, England.

  • First virtual pitch day contract awarded

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa A8I Operational Innovation Branch and the 764th Enterprising Solutions Squadron awarded their first virtual Pitch Day contract, Dec. 13.

  • 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.

  • First Virtual Uniform Board attracts Airmen response

    The first Air Force Virtual Uniform Board received about 800 uniform change requests via the IDEA Program Database System since its release in March. Airmen were able to submit uniform change requests via the IPDS between March 5 and April 14. The Uniform Enterprise Working Group -- acting as

  • First wave of Airmen deploy from Ellsworth

    The first wave of about 550 Ellsworth Airmen deployed to various locations throughout Southwest Asia to support ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.The majority of the Airmen, from operational and maintenance units, left earlier this week to join the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and serve

  • First wave of ROTC field training gets underway

    More than 360 ROTC cadets, mostly upcoming juniors from 144 colleges nationwide, kicked off the first wave of summer field training May 8 at Maxwell Air Force Base. In the next three months, Air Force ROTC officials forecast more than 2,300 cadets will participate in the annual training that serves

  • First week of RARO 12 wraps up

    The first week of live training at Ramstein Rover 2012 ended Sept. 16 here. RARO 12 is a NATO exercise focused on preparing forward air controllers to support ground commanders in Afghanistan within the next year. Multiple nations are participating, including the U.S., Czech Republic, United

  • First woman to lead air campaign

    In early 2011, the world watched in horror as the aging dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi turned his weapons against his own people in what became a bloody civil war in the North African state of Libya. Soon, the Libyan army was bearing down on Benghazi, the second largest city in the country, threatening

  • First-ever blood test for detecting brain injury cleared by FDA

    Brain injuries can happen from a fall, while in combat or during training exercises. Thanks in part to research funded by the Defense Department and the Army, Banyan Biomarkers has created the first-ever brain trauma blood test. On Feb. 14, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration cleared marketing of

  • Firsts of the 1st Fighter Wing

    During its nine decades of service, the 1st Fighter Wing carved its niche in U.S. air history.For its part, the 1st FW was:-- The first U.S. group-level unit to enter air combat.-- The first U.S. unit to destroy an enemy aircraft in World War I. -- The parent unit of the first recipient of the Medal

  • 'First-strike ration' aims for better nutrition

    Several military organizations are working together to provide servicemembers with healthy, good-tasting, sustainable and nutritionally sound combat rations. "We're charged with a fairly awesome task, and that is to fuel the Defense Department's most flexible and adaptable weapons platform, and

  • Fiscal '07 Air Guard promotions to lieutenant colonel, major announced

    The Air Reserve Personnel Center here announced today the results of the Fiscal 2007 Air National Guard Line and Nonline Lieutenant Colonel and Major Promotion Selection Boards. The board selected 588 officers for promotion from more than 759 considered. The results of the boards are as follows:

  • Fiscal 2009 captain, first lieutenant promotions announced

    Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here recently announced the first half of fiscal 2009 line and nonline captain and the first half of fiscal 2009 first lieutenant promotions. There were 307 Air National Guard and 610 Air Force Reserve officers selected for promotion to captain, and 232 Air

  • Fiscal 2009 reserve captain, first lieutenant promotions announced

    Air Reserve Personnel Center officials have announced the second half of fiscal 2009 line and non-line captain and the second half of fiscal 2009 first lieutenant promotions. There were 305 Air National Guard and 379 Air Force Reserve officers selected for promotion to captain, and 284 Air National

  • Fiscal 2010 budget to reflect 'fundamental shift' in defense

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will make budget decisions this weekend that will indicate a "fundamental shift in direction" for the department, the Pentagon press secretary said April 3. "These are not changes to the margins," Geoff Morrell said. The changes will affect the fiscal 2010 Defense

  • Fiscal 2011 enlisted force management programs conclude after meeting goal

    Air Force officials announced the closure of enlisted voluntary and involuntary force management programs for fiscal 2011 after meeting end-strength goals for enlisted Airmen. Force management programs announced in December 2010 were implemented to size and shape the force to meet congressionally

  • Fiscal 2011 request improves terror fight

    The President's Fiscal 2011 Defense Budget request grows a department fighting two wars and attacking an amorphous terror network, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 2 here. Reforming the department's acquisitions system and related processes also is

  • Fiscal austerity requires leveraging 'total force'

    In wartime and peacetime, the total force construct is virtually seamless, with Guardsmen and Reserve service members who are indistinguishable from their active-component peers. Our recent air operations in Libya are but the latest example.The ability of our Guardsmen and Reservists to deploy on

  • Fiscal cliff legislation affects military, civilian paychecks

    The legislation President Barack Obama signed Jan. 2 postponed the fiscal cliff and means changes to military and civilian paychecks, Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials said today.The legislation increases Social Security withholding taxes to 6.2 percent. For the past two years during

  • Fiscal closeout may delay orders in hand

    Some Airmen may experience slight delays in receiving permanent-change-of-station orders in September as officials here begin implementing new procedures for closing out the fiscal year PCS budget. Active-duty Airmen with assignment report dates or a date eligible for return from overseas of January

  • Fiscal crisis requires responsible approach, Lynn says

    A fiscal crisis that's putting the squeeze on defense budgets and related industries requires difficult choices for leaders and a responsible approach that manages the spending slowdown while retaining military effectiveness, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said here June 19.In a

  • Fiscal year 21 drives innovation, readiness across command, enterprise

    The Air Force Materiel Command executed more than $68.5 billion across all funding areas in fiscal year 2021, closing out the year 99.9% obligated despite challenges related to COVID-19, Operation Allies Refuge and Welcome, underfunded enterprise programs, innovation needs and more.

  • Fiscal year recruiting, retention remain on track

    Fiscal 2011 recruitment and retention remained high throughout the services through January, with all active and reserve-component services meeting their recruiting goals, Pentagon officials announced Feb. 15.The fiscal year began Oct. 1, 2010, and ends Sept. 30.All four active-duty services met or

  • Fisher DeBerry announces retirement as head coach at Air Force

    Air Force head football coach Fisher DeBerry announced his retirement Friday, ending over a quarter-century at the Air Force Academy. DeBerry just completed his 23rd season as the head football coach and 27th overall at Air Force. DeBerry has guided the Falcons to 17 winning seasons since taking

  • Fisher House Distributes Airline Tickets

    Wounded servicemembers and their families can get a free ticket home through "Operation Hero Miles."The Fisher House organization uses more than a million frequent flyer miles per week to distribute free round-trip airline tickets to war-wounded servicemembers -- as well as their family members --

  • Fisher House groundbreaking ceremony set May 1

    The groundbreaking ceremony for the Fisher House and Meditation Pavilion for the Families of the Fallen at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center is scheduled for May 1here.AFMAO members will direct the Fisher House as it provides free on-base lodging for families who come here to witness

  • Fisher House helps service members' children

    Military children of service members who died or who were seriously disabled in the line of duty might be eligible for a college education through the Fisher House Foundation.Foundation chairman Kenneth Fisher says the Heroes' Legacy scholarships can be used by students to attend school in the fall.

  • Fisher House offers help in times of crisis

    Her kind eyes have seen a lot of joy and sorrow over the years, but Paula Lewis never tires of helping those in need. A self-professed collector of hugs, Ms. Lewis has been a staple of the Lackland Fisher House since it opened in 1994. She started her association as a volunteer, and after being

  • Fisher House opens at JB Elmendorf

    The Fisher House of Anchorage officially opened its doors here recently to family members of military patients. The Fisher House serves patients and families from all branches of the military receiving active medical treatment at the base hospital or local area hospitals. "The Alaska Fisher House is

  • Fisher House program still growing after 20 years

    The Fisher House Foundation isn't basking in past achievements as it prepares to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the opening of its first home on the grounds of the National Naval Medical Center here.As the first military families move this week into one of three new Fisher Houses just across

  • Fisher House to be dedicated at Dover Air Force Base

    Air Force leaders, elected officials and distinguished guests are scheduled to dedicate the Fisher House for Families of the Fallen on Dover Air Force Base, Del., Nov. 10. The Fisher House for Families of the Fallen is a unique facility among the Fisher House Foundation's 49 other Fisher Houses

  • Fisher House, Meditation Pavilion for families of fallen dedicated

    A serene, stone-front home along a private road is now a place of comfort for family members awaiting the dignified transfer of their loved ones.During a pre-Veterans Day ceremony here Nov. 10, family members of the fallen joined military officials and TV personality Montel Williams, himself a

  • Fishing community gives back to military

    Active-duty, Guard and Reserve servicemembers from each branch competed in the third annual combat fishing tournament here May 21. The tournament has grown from 66 servicememebers in 2007 to nearly 300 in 2009.  Taking this many people out wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the 30 boat captains

  • Fit to fight or fighting to get fit?

    March is typically focused on the madness of college basketball or growing a fabulous mustache. But it's also a time to watch both what's on the table during your favorite team's game or on the verge of getting caught in that carefully groomed crumb catcher.

  • Fit to fight: one fighter wing at a time

    To ensure pilots are ready at a moment’s notice, the 1st Fighter Wing has embedded Capt. Michelle Jilek, a physical therapist with the 633rd Medical Operations Squadron, to help increase mission effectiveness.

  • FitFamily program promotes healthy lifestyles

    Air Force officials launched FitFamily Jan. 30 to encourage and reward children and adults for leading an active lifestyle.The program is designed to increase fitness levels and supplements the Air Force's youth fitness program, FitFactor. "FitFamily promotes the importance of healthy lifestyle

  • Fitness center at Tyndall receives LEED Platinum award

    The fitness center here was awarded the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum level, the highest rating possible as of Aug. 20, 2010, under the group's green building rating system. The fitness center opened Aug. 20, 2010, and is the first building in

  • Fitness center becomes aeromedical facility

    One of the fitness centers here became a contingency aeromedical staging facility March 23.The staging facility, the first of this type stood up by the Air Force since Operation Desert Storm in 1991, is designed to hold injured servicemembers who have been medically evacuated from Operation Iraqi

  • Fitness experts: Start training now

    Air Force fitness experts say airmen must begin preparations now if they want to pass the new fitness evaluations in January. "They need to start training today for year-round fitness to meet mission readiness. They must include running, push-ups and crunches into their program," said Sylvia Goff,

  • Fitness first piece of puzzle to healthier lifestyle

    “It makes you feel better.” “It reduces stress.” “It lowers blood pressure.”“Pick up any fitness magazine, and it’ll give you a bunch of boring definitions of what fitness will do for you,” said John Gahagan, 92nd Services Squadron fitness center director here.But to him, fitness means something a

  • Fitness 'In Training' program helps runners achieve goals

    Air Force fitness has a new program that may improve Airmen's running goals. The "In Training" program, accessible from the Air Force Fitness Web site, www.usafsports.com, has guides for runners of all fitness levels. New runners can use the program to learn how easy it is to start a training

  • Fitness instructor loses nearly half of herself

    Keyra Donaldson was sitting on the bathroom floor while her children were taking a bath. Her back was in pain, and her patience was growing thin because they were taking too much time in the tub. This was the moment, she said, when she admitted to herself that she was severely overweight.The year

  • Fitness month focuses on health, social benefits

    May is National Sports and Fitness month, and there are positive health and social benefits to getting off the couch and over to the fitness center, a track, running trail, pool, court, park or other venue of your choice.In other words, just choose it!Jill Goff, fitness program manager at Yokota's

  • Fitness NCO brings smiles to deployed Airmen

    This NCO is always there. If you're feeling down, she will comfort you. If you're eating by yourself, she will sit by you, and, if you're looking to improve your fitness, she'll whip your body into shape. She is ... the ultimate wingman.Meet Staff Sgt. Sokum Ouk, a 332nd Expeditionary Force Support

  • Fitness program showing results

    Airmen have been filling fitness centers and burning up running tracks in preparation for the new, tougher fitness-testing standard set to begin Jan. 1.Direct, immediate and overwhelming feedback from the field says that airmen are taking the new fitness challenge seriously, said Air Force Chief of

  • Fitness regulation changes based on Airmen's feedback

    As Air Force officials continue to sculpt their fitness program based on Airmen's feedback, service officials issued an AF Guidance Memorandum here Dec. 20 that provides policy changes to AFI 36-2905, Fitness Program, with an implementation date of Jan. 1, 2011. Compliance with the program is

  • Fitness testing begins for deployed Airmen

    Airmen deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility will roll physical fitness testing into their wartime responsibilities starting Oct. 1. Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, the U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander, recently approved a policy authorizing fitness testing in the AOR for

  • Fitness workouts OK after smallpox shot

    Air Force fitness center patrons who receive the smallpox vaccination got a welcome shot in the arm concerning their fitness routines thanks to some common sense rules.Vaccinated gym-goers can go about their workouts by simply following the precautions prominently posted in the various fitness

  • Five Academy fencers qualify for NCAA fencing championships

    Five Air Force Academy fencers have qualified for the 2010 National Collegiate Men's and Women's Fencing Championships. The field of 144 competitors will compete at Harvard University on March 25 to 28. The last time the Falcons had five qualifiers was in 2007.Making his fourth trip is senior Peter

  • Five Airmen -- brothers in fight for freedom

    The remains of five Airmen, brothers in arms to bring freedom to the nation of Iraq, were buried here Aug. 11 with full military honors.They were Maj. William Downs of the 6th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Capt. Jeremy Fresques of the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt

  • Five Airmen awarded Olmsted Foundation scholarships

    The Air Force has selected five officers for the award of an Olmsted Foundation scholarship, sponsored by the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation, which offers outstanding young military leaders the opportunity to become fluent in a foreign language, pursue graduate study at an overseas university

  • Five Airmen killed in Iraqi crash

    Four U.S. Airmen and one Iraqi airman were killed May 30 when an Iraqi air force Comp Air 7SL aircraft crashed in eastern Diyala province during an operational mission.The aircraft belonged to Iraqi’s 3rd Squadron and is a single engine high-winged aircraft used for surveillance and movement of

  • Five Airmen receive Silver Stars

    Air Force Secretary Dr. James G. Roche presented five Airmen here Silver Stars on Dec. 9 for their handling of close-air support missions during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.“(We) are extremely proud of all of you and of all the battle-fit Airmen in the 18th Air Support Operations