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  • Optometry leads KC-46 laser program

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

  • Air Force Assistance Fund is just around the corner

    The annual Air Force Assistance Fund, or AFAF, campaign will begin March 18 and will run through April 26.“The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is a way to give back to the Air Force community by supporting organizations that benefit both current Airmen and their families, as well as the families

  • JAAGA award-winning Airman fortifies Japanese-American relations

    Approximately 2,300 enlisted service members live at Misawa Air Base with an opportunity to interact face-to-face with their local Japanese neighbors. On March 6, the Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association recognized Airman 1st Class William Raley, a 610th Air Control Flight weapons director

  • 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.

  • XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator completes inaugural flight

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

  • New AFRL podcast goes behind the scenes

    The Air Force Research Laboratory has launched a new podcast to bring you behind the scenes with the Air Force scientists, engineers and professionals who are developing tomorrow’s technology, today.

  • 2018 Air Force Safety Awards announced

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

  • 16th TRS puts control of learning in students' hands

    Ensuring Airmen are ready to meet the joint-warfighting needs of today’s dynamic security environment in a way that moves with 21st century speed is a challenge faced in every training environment in Air Education and Training Command.

  • Innovation Rodeo moves ideas closer to reality

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

  • AFSFC begins delivery of new Air Force-wide handgun

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

  • Perfecting human weapon system with healthy fueling

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

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

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

  • Faster, smarter: Speed is key in acquisition reform

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

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

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

  • Interagency exercise boosts medical readiness

    The 99th Medical Group, Department of Veterans Affairs and Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps took part in Operation Foremost Endeavor, an exercise where injured individuals in a simulated disaster were airlifted to Nellis AFB, Nevada, Feb. 19.

  • EQ-4 Global Hawk Controlled‘Beyond Line of Sight’

    One of the assets flying missions from Al Dhafra Air Base, is the EQ-4 Global Hawk. This remotely piloted aircraft previously required coordination with other bases to control it while in the air. Now by utilizing technology this process can be conducted locally.

  • AFOTEC maintains mission readiness through operational testing

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

  • Industry gets schooled on MDC2

    Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, projected its quiet power during the Multi-Domain Command and Control (MDC2) Industry Day, Feb. 20, at the Minuteman Educational Center, according to speaker Eileen Vidrine, the Air Force's chief data officer.

  • 380th EMXS AGE shop provides ground power

    The 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Group Aerospace Ground Equipment shop is responsible for 84 different types of support equipment, totaling 313 pieces in all at Al Dhafra Air Base.

  • Joint Air Defense Exercise sharpens skills, strengthens partnerships

    Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of U.S. Central Command worked together with regional partners to conduct Joint Air Defense Exercise 19-01, a regularly scheduled three-day training event focused on increasing the readiness of air defense assets in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. The U.S. Air

  • Air Force awards $739M launch service contracts

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

  • New guidance for travel to Mexico

    The United States Army North Force Protection division has new guidelines regarding travel to Mexico to ensure that our service members are kept safe.

  • Financial Operations workshop features innovation

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

  • Desert Depot: Equipping and supplying the fight

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

  • Conventional Rotary Launcher upgrade tested

    An upgrade to the B-52 Stratofortress and the Conventional Rotary Launcher was tested, Feb. 11. The change is designed to increase mission flexibility and make the B-52 more lethal in a combat environment.

  • Donovan: Readiness, force lethality begins with training

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

  • AFMC hiring effort draws new talent, faster

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

  • 8th MDOS polishes readiness with 3D tech

    The 8th Medical Operations Squadron Dental Flight ensures all Kunsan service members have the brightest smile and best teeth with efficiency, comfort, and new technology to facilitate a quick return to duty after procedures.

  • EOD Airmen detect, disarm, protect

    The Joint Defense Operations Center calls about a confirmed or suspected explosive ordnance disposal incident. Three Airmen rush out the door, set up their truck and immediately depart for the incident site. They head out with a security element to safely transport them to the location. For them it

  • AFICA partnership delivers COOL program for Airmen

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

  • Pegasus Wings its way to 97th AMW

    The 97th Air Mobility Wing welcomed its newest weapon system, the KC-46A Pegasus, to the official training unit of the Air Force’s state-of-the-art tanker aircraft at Altus Air Force Base, Feb. 8.

  • CMSAF Wright testifies before Congress on Air Force quality of life

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright told members of Congress at Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., Feb. 7, that issues such as adequate base housing, reliable child care and other quality of life factors are “inextricably linked” to the service’s readiness.

  • Hurricane Hunters fly Atmospheric Rivers

    In November 2018, California experienced one of its most destructive fires with more than 150,000 acres burned, 18,000 homes destroyed, over 80 deaths, and with the winter rainfall season ahead, heavy rain can bring flooding and mudslides.

  • Silver Flag performs first exercise since Hurricane Michael

    Hurricane Michael altered the landscape where many Airmen worked, trained and lived. With the flood of changes, a return normalcy is a priority for the base. Tyndall Air Force Base's first step to normal operations was to reestablish its mission sets. The 823rd REDHORSE Squadron Detachment 1

  • Air Force ends promotion testing for E-7 and above

    The Air Force announced today it is removing the Weighted Airman Promotion System testing requirement for active-duty promotions to the grades of E-7 through E-9, beginning this fall with the 2019 E-9 promotion cycle.

  • Protecting the force day in and day out

    It takes Airmen from every base and job to execute the deployed mission at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. This same concept applies to the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron’s Force Protection unit, where Airmen from every Air Force specialty code to help carry out the mission.

  • Air Force analyzes operational efficiency – one airframe at a time

    The Energy Analysis Task Force, or EATF, led by the deputy assistant secretary of Air Force Operational Energy, has been systematically visiting Air Force bases around the country to observe actual training and mission flights, and speak with flight crews (to include operators and maintainers) about

  • AFLCMC aids Kessel Run in recruiting new rebels

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

  • AtHoc Emergency Mass Notification System receives upgrade

    AtHoc, an interactive warning system that allows senior leaders to inform base personnel of urgent information such as base closures or delayed openings, recently received updates to its system that requires the user to verify contact information.

  • 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.

  • Air Force offers EOD retention bonuses

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

  • Around the Air Force: Pegasus Ceremony / Enlisted Academy Instructors

    On this look Around the Air Force, the secretary of the Air Force and chief of staff of the Air Force commemorate the first KC-46 Pegasus at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas and enlisted Airmen will be hired for faculty teaching positions at the Air Force Academy. Hosted by Senior Airman Cory

  • Registration opens for 3rd annual I-WEPTAC

    The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center announces registration for the third annual Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference is open.

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

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

  • Last chance for life: US, PAF airmen exchange egress ideas

    U.S. Air Force members from the 113th Maintenance Squadron participated in a subject matter expert exchange with Philippine Air Force 430th Aircraft Maintenance Group Egress personnel, during the Bilateral Air Contingent Exchange-Philippines, or BACE-P, at Cesar Basa Air Base, Jan. 22.

  • Biomedical Sciences Corps appreciation week

    The 96th Medical Group will observe Biomedical Sciences Corps Appreciation Week beginning Jan. 23 to recognize the organization’s efforts and contributions to Air Force medicine.

  • POL fuels ADAB, maintains the mission

    Directly supporting the aircraft of Al Dhafra Air Base, the E-3 AWACS Sentry, KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, and RQ-4 Global Hawk, the various types of fuel plays a key part in the mission. The fuel needed for these aircraft is like food to all living things on Earth.

  • KC-46 hits milestone at Edwards AFB

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

  • Joint Simulation Environment inches closer to reality

    The 412th Electronic Warfare Group is one step closer to bringing the Joint Simulation Environment to life at Edwards Air Force Base. The 412th EWG recently began work to pave the way for ultimately building a new facility to house the JSE.

  • Offutt hub for new Air Force comptroller software

    The 55th Comptroller Squadron Financial Management Flight recently began testing a new scanning software, EPHESOFT. The software is used to send documentation to the Air Force Financial Services Center at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, responsible for the processing and payment of temporary

  • ‘Eye in the sky’ surveillance at Al Udeid

    According to Air Force doctrine, air superiority requires basic freedom of movement – the ability to operate anywhere without opposition. Twenty three Airmen from the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, Detachment 3, here, enable this level of control, ensuring no aircraft within 240 nautical

  • From Haiti to the greatest Air Force in the world

    Every Airman has their own story, unique with diverse educational backgrounds, mixed upbringings and different heritages.For Master Sgt. Larwens Subtil, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, his Air Force story begins in Haiti

  • PERSCO keeps the base accountable

    Before you arrive to a deployment at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, there is a team already tracking and processing your movement into the Area of Responsibility. This is the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team whose mission is total force accountability, casualty reporting

  • Virtual, augmented reality may hold key to future Air Force training

    A demonstration of how virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR) can benefit Air Force training processes took place Jan. 8.The demonstration was geared toward Airmen within the aircraft armament systems and munition systems, and gave a glimpse of how VR/AR applications can aid in providing an

  • CSAF lauds combat RPA innovation

    Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein visited Creech Air Force Base to meet with 432nd Wing and 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen, Jan. 15.

  • Growing Air Force’s space medicine culture

    As space continues to play an increasingly critical role in our nation’s defense, the need for the space medicine specialty grows. Medical Airmen within U.S. Air Force Space Command are making sure space operators are ready for future readiness requirements.

  • AFLCMC team working to acquire next generation fixed-wing helmet

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Human Systems Division working with members of the Advanced Tactical Acquisition Corps or ATAC, one of the center’s premier leadership development programs, are in the early stages of acquiring the next generation helmet for aircrews in fixed-wing