NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Largest Kadena flying exercise successfully completed

    Kadena Air Base pulled off their most aggressive exercise to date with Forceful Tiger off the coast of Okinawa, April 1.Forceful Tiger was a large force exercise (LFE) designed to demonstrate the 18th Wing's combat capabilities to defend Okinawa and had more participation from the 909th Air

  • Largest military solar energy project in Northeast breaks ground on JB MDL

    Miranda A.A. Ballentine, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and energy, and Brig. Gen. Michael Cunniff, the adjutant general of New Jersey, helped break ground on a 98-acre solar farm at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Dec. 21.The 16.5-megawatt solar energy

  • Largest solar panel farm in Utah commissioned at Hill Air Force Base

    The largest photovoltaic array solar panel farm in Utah was commissioned at Hill Air Force Base during a ceremony June 25. "Currently the peak load of this system ... is 220 kilowatts," said Harry Briesmaster, 75th Civil Engineering Group director, during the commissioning ceremony. "That is enough

  • Laser paint removal lessens production time, health hazards

    Six months ago, the process to remove paint from an aircraft part took four or five hours. Today, the use of lasers is accomplishing the job in 20 minutes. The 566th Aircraft Maintenance Group's Disassembly and Cleaning Unit can "nitpick" an aircraft part of its paint in that reduced amount of time

  • Laser simulator provides weapons training

    A high-energy laser weapon simulator is helping F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots gain valuable experience with high-energy weapons. The simulator is located at the Fighter Weapons Training Branch in Mesa, Ariz.The simulator allows pilots to use those simulated weapons in tactical engagements against

  • Lasers may aid missile defense, engine crack detection

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded work at the University of Colorado at Boulder could lead to possible future technologies that use the high energy densities of lasers. Studies by university officials explore how atoms and molecules respond to light pulses, which could show cracks in

  • LASIK available for airmen

    The Air Force’s “warfighter” corneal refractive surgery program expanded its services to include Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, or LASIK, for qualified people at its centers.Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force vice chief of staff, approved a memorandum written by Lt. Gen. George “Peach”

  • Last active-duty C-141B Starlifter makes final flight

    The last two active-duty C-141B Starlifters in the U.S. Air Force inventory flew their final journey Sept. 16 after a special departure ceremony here.This final flight marked the end of nearly 40 years of service to the nation by C-141s and their crews.“If you look at the sum total of its history,

  • Last AF Security Service Airman bids farewell

    For Lt. Gen. John C. (Craig) Koziol, bidding adieu culminates more than his three-plus decades as an intelligence game-changer. On the eve of his Air Force retirement capping a distinguished 36-year career, his goodbye to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, one of his

  • Last Air Force police transition team completes mission

    The final Air Force police transition team in Iraq completed its mission July 26 as Iraqi police officials have reached a self-sustaining level.In a ceremony here, 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Det. 2 officials transferred authority to officials from the Army's 94th Military Police

  • Last Airmen leave Iraq

    A group of Airmen redeployed from here Dec. 18, marking the last service members to leave Iraq. A 2008 Security Agreement between Iraq and the U.S. required all U.S. service members to be out of the country by Dec. 31.

  • Last Airmen out of Iraq arrive home for Christmas

    America welcomed home from Iraq more than 200 of her Air Force sons and daughters Dec. 20 at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.The Airmen were the last of the Air Force contingent in Iraq and were home in time for the winter holidays as stated by the president.Among the

  • Last American flag on Iwo Jima flies over Buckley

    In 1968, Old Glory was lowered on the island of Iwo Jima for the last time as the island returned to the Japanese government.A flag had flown day and night on Mount Suribachi since U.S. Marines famously raised on there during the battle for Iwo Jima.On March 27, that last flag flew here as part of a

  • Last baby born at Wilford Hall, labor and delivery moves to BAMC

    Baby Laurel Perez made history on Aug. 28.She was the last baby born at Wilford Hall Medical Center and is now an important part of the 60-year history of labor and delivery here.The Hauth Birthing Center, located on the fifth floor of the nine-story hospital, closed Aug. 29 and will re-open at

  • Last Block 10 Global Hawk arrives for check flights

    An RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, the last Block 10 production aircraft, arrived here for a thorough checkup before delivery to an operational squadron. The aircraft will undergo a series of acceptance and operational check flights by the 452nd Flight Test Squadron before flying to Beale

  • Last C-130E leaves Ramstein

    Ramstein Air Base officials said goodbye to their last C-130E Hercules Nov. 2 after more than 30 years of flying for the Air Force, C-130 tail number 1299, which has been at Ramstein AB since 2007, departed for Poland under a Foreign Military Sales lease agreement between officials from Air Force

  • Last cargo mission out of FOB Sharana

    The aircrew of "Growler 51" set out a few hours before sunrise Sept. 28 to fly the last of the U.S. cargo out of Forward Operating Base Sharana before the base was officially transferred to the Afghan government. Twelve hours and three round-trip flights later, the 774th Expeditionary Airlift

  • 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.

  • Last commander of Joint Base Balad departs

    What began 14 months ago will conclude, with the transitioning the second largest U.S. base in Iraq to the Iraqi government. Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander and the final commander of Joint Base Balad, relinquished command during a ceremony Dec. 4 here. "My first

  • Last 'new' Phantom returns to service

    The 82nd Aerial Target Squadron received the last of the "new" QF-4 aerial targets as the Vietnam-era aircraft landed here Nov. 19. The QF-4, Aircraft 68-0599, spent more than 20 years in the Air Force "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., before being brought back to life for one last

  • Last of Doolittle Raiders memorialized

    Remembered as a man who faithfully served his country and was a devoted father and a man of faith, Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Cole, the last of the Doolittle Raiders, was honored and posthumously promoted to the rank of colonel during a Sept. 7 ceremony at the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston

  • Last Peacekeeper class graduates

    The era of the Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile is coming to a close as the last class of Peacekeeper operators graduated here Oct. 15. There will be no more Peacekeepers after September 2005.Gen. Lance W. Lord, commander of Air Force Space Command, presided over the graduation. The

  • Last Randolph T-38A simulator shut down

    After 26 years of training thousands of pilots, the last full-motion T-38A Talon simulators here was retired. The once state-of-the-art equipment is being replaced by virtual reality trainers designed to reproduce the cockpit of the new T-38C aircraft. Ron Hamada, now a training manager at the Air

  • Last TSP 'open season' ends June 30

    The restrictions of having only two open seasons each year for civilian and military members to sign up for, stop, resume or change their Thrift Savings Plan contributions has ended.Public Law 108-469 goes into effect July 1, eliminating restrictions on contribution elections that have always been

  • Last two T-38s get avionics upgrade

    The Air Force closed another chapter in the T-38 Talon aircraft modification process as the last two upgraded aircraft arrived the end of August at Randolph Air Force Base. The aircraft underwent such a major change that Air Force officials redesignated it the T-38C."The last two aircraft being

  • Last U.S. servicemembers to leave Iceland Sept. 30

    A 65-year segment of history ends Sept. 30, when the last American servicemembers based in Iceland will leave the country. U.S. servicemembers will continue to work with, train with and operate with their NATO ally, but troops will not be based in the island nation, said Thomas F. Hall, assistant

  • Last Utah ANG KC-135E Stratotanker retires

    The last KC-135 "E" model Stratotanker assigned to the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing flew its final flight May 21. Aircraft tail number 57-1510 was flown approximately 15 miles from the Air Guard base in Salt Lake City to nearby Hill Air Force Base where it was officially

  • Last Voice Network Systems course graduates at Sheppard

    The Air Force's last class for the Voice Network Systems course graduated July 30 at Sheppard Air Force Base. The Voice Network Systems course trained Airmen to be future apprentices in one of 16 Air Force specialty codes that will be merging into a new career field known as the cyber AFSCs. The

  • Last WC-130H departs Keesler

    The last of a generation of aircraft lifted gently off the runway here Jan. 12. “This is the end of an era. For years the H model performed magnificently meeting the needs of the weather mission; however, it is time to move on,” said Brig. Gen. Rich Moss, commander of the 403rd Wing. “The increased

  • Lasting impressions of an AF honor guardsman

    Walking tall throughout the base, it's apparent that Master Sgt. Andre Moore stands out from the rest of the Airmen. His uniform is sharp and he carries himself with pride. He has the mark of an Air Force honor guardsman. Not unlike a tattoo, the Air Force Honor Guard experience is impressed upon

  • Last-minute call leads to unplanned refueling mission

    A late night call, a cancelled sortie and flexibility led an aircrew from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron here to expedite medical care for more than a dozen severely injured troops being transported from Iraq to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Feb. 7. According to Capt. Brent Toth, 100th

  • Late space, missile pioneer receives full military honors

    Retired Gen. Bernard Adolph Schriever, widely regarded as the father and architect of the Air Force space and missile programs, was buried July 12 with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.After a chapel ceremony at Fort Myer, General Schriever was placed on a caisson and

  • Latest ‘The Secretary’s Vector’ addresses BRAC process

    The Air Force was a “significant player” in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process, according to the latest “The Secretary’s Vector.”Michael L. Dominguez, acting secretary of the Air Force, released the vector May 11. “We determined the military value of active duty, Air National Guard and

  • Latest AFIT graduates earn degrees

    More than 70 scientists and engineers are the recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology.AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its graduation ceremony Sept. 14. The graduating class earned 67 master’s degrees and four doctorates.Air

  • Latest Airman magazine issue now available

    The July/August issue of Airman magazine is now available to download and viewable through a Web browser.Our cover story, titled “The Perfect Edge” takes you into the forests of Washington state to learn how survival, evasion, resistance and escape students learn to survive in austere environments

  • Latest Airman magazine now available

    The cover story for the October edition of Airman magazine is titled “Going Beyond,” and tells the story of several Air Force wounded warriors learning how to go beyond what others would call limits as they prepared for the Warrior Games. The October issue is now available to download...

  • Latest Airman's Roll Call features Airman's Creed

    This week's Airman's Roll Call features the Airman's Creed. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley introduced the idealogy as a means to provide Airmen with a tangible statement of beliefs "they can hold most dear." The general said having a creed is like a blinding flash of the

  • Latest C-130J evolution arrives on desert ramp

    The faster more powerful C-130 Hercules J-models and the stretch version arrived in Southwest Asia on June 7 and 8, bringing state-of-the-art technology to the war on terrorism.Airmen with the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Airlift Squadron, the California ANG’s 146th AS and the Maryland

  • Latest doctrine signed on foreign internal defense

    The latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2-3.1, Foreign Internal Defense, has been approved by Maj. Gen. Allen G. Peck, Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center commander.Although Air Force officials can perform foreign internal defense, or FID, across the range of military

  • Latest enlisted AFIT nominations due

    Air Force Institute of Technology officials are again offering noncommissioned officers the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.Eight NCOs from around the Air Force will be selected in early 2004 to attend the

  • Latest Enlisted Perspective features taking care of wounded Airmen

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force released his latest perspective and it focuses on taking care of wounded Airmen. Chief Master Sgt. Rodney J. McKinley, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman, knows the importance of taking care of Airmen, especially those who have been wounded during the war

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine available

    The latest issue of Airman magazine, "Special Ops at the tip of the spear," features Airmen flying and maintaining the CV-22 Osprey.The CV-22 can perform missions that normally require both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. This feature gives an inside look at the lives of the Airmen working with this

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine available

    The latest issue of Airman, now available in print and online, highlights stories about caring for Airmen and their families. The list of feature stories in the November/December issue include:  An Immigrant's Tale The journey of a Sudanese "lost boy'" whose search for stability took him from the

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine available

    In the latest issue of Airman magazine, the "Ghostwalkers," Airmen with a unique mission hone their skills for action outside the wire.Whether they are called to secure a captured airfield or provide force protection in a combat zone, these security forces warriors depend on each other. Intensive

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine now available

    In this issue of Airman magazine, you’ll meet Airmen who are assigned to Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, who have a vastly different deployment experience than most others in the Air Force, where they operate from Creech AFB and come home to their families at the end of their shift. They’re

  • Latest issue of Citizen Airman magazine now available

    A little more than a year into the nation's war on terrorism, Air Force leaders are in the midst of a transition from a "crisis-response" mode, with heavy reliance on mobilized Guard and Reserve members, to a new steady state, which relies mainly on volunteer reservists and guardsmen to help meet

  • Latest Joint Force Quarterly focuses on airpower

    The latest edition of the Joint Force Quarterly, published for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University, focuses on airpower. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley opens the magazine's forum with an

  • Latest OCP guidance OKs current subdued patches

    Latest Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform guidance OKs current subdued patches Airmen wearing OCP uniforms are authorized to add their former Battle Dress Uniform subdued patches until the mandatory brown subdued ones go into effect.

  • Latest 'Perspective' features nuclear enterprise priority

    The Air Force's top enlisted Airman released his latest "Enlisted Perspective" and it focuses on strengthening one of the service's priorities, the nuclear enterprise. Over the last few months, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy has visited some of the Air Force bases involved with the

  • Latest 'Perspective' focuses on heritage

    In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman highlights the importance of heritage and honoring the contributions and sacrifices of Airmen to fulfill the Air Force mission."Even before our current fight to win the Global War on Terror, more than 52,000 brave Airmen gave

  • Latest 'Portraits in Courage' released

    The stories of heroism, valor, sacrifice and bravery of 17 Airmen appear in the fourth edition of the Air Force's Portraits in Courage now available.The stories are compelling: Airmen who call in close-air support following an improvised explosive device attack, save the life of an Afghan

  • Latest radio technology declared ready

    For nearly a year, the Air Force has developed and tested a communications system allowing commanders to talk directly to troops operating convoys outside the bases. Today, Radio over Internet Protocol Router network, or RIPRnet has earned its initial operational capablity title, achieving a

  • Latest Red Flag exercise begins at Nellis

    Southern Nevada residents may notice increased military aircraft activity as the Air Force begins Red Flag 09-4 July 13. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and

  • Latest revision signed to space operations doctrine

    The Air Force chief of staff has approved the latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2-2, Space Operations, outlining the operations of space power. "As a keystone doctrine document, it emphasizes the force multiplying and enabling nature of space operations," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley.

  • Latest Roll Call addresses ancillary training

    Reducing ancillary training requirements by as much as 50 percent is the focus of this week's Roll Call.Air Force leaders met recently at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, to discuss supplemental training that is not related to the job.Air Force leaders said that while ancillary training remains an

  • Latest Roll Call addresses PCS moves

    This week's Roll Call highlights a topic that affects every Airman -- permanent change of station moves. Air Force leaders have developed new policies regarding moves in an effort to save PCS dollars and to stabilize and better develop Airmen. For the Air Force, it means money can be used to

  • Latest Roll Call addresses performance forms

    This week's Roll Call discusses streamlined officer and enlisted performance report forms.Air Force officials have already approved new forms incorporating fewer lines and a section to document annual fitness scores to better reflect a warrior ethos. Changes include new lables identifying

  • Latest Roll Call discusses ancillary training requirements

    This week's Roll Call discusses the decision by Air Force leaders to reduce the amount of ancillary training Airmen will perform each year. The numerous training briefings Airmen are required to attend annually will be combined into a new "block instruction" plan, which will be arranged to more

  • Latest Roll Call discusses contacting Airmen directly

    This week's Roll Call discusses how the Air Force chief of staff wants to expand on the information receiving process through a direct e-mail program. E-mails from "CSAF@us.af.mil" come directly from Gen. T. Michael Moseley. Airmen are encouraged to discuss these messages with fellow Airmen and

  • Latest Roll Call explains force shaping initiatives

    In this week's Roll Call, Air Force leaders discuss force shaping and define the measures being taken by the service to meet end-strength numbers. Air Force leaders are in the process of reducing the service's current size by 40,000 full-time equivalent positions through a variety of programs

  • Latest Roll Call focuses critical eye on responsible conduct

    This week's Roll Call directs Airmen to take responsibility for their actions, both on-and off-duty. Airmen are ambassadors for both their service and America -- no matter where they are stationed, TDY or deployed. Simply put, the actions of Airmen have far-reaching ramifications. When Airmen make

  • Latest Roll Call focuses on AFSO 21

    This week's Roll Call features Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, also known as AFSO 21, which is a program that encourages Airmen to maximize value while minimizing waste. AFSO 21 is about results. Senior leaders have identified the major result areas, which are called "Five North

  • Latest Roll Call focuses on enlisted career development

    This week's Roll Call features an on-line enlisted career development tool designed to provide standardization in every aspect of career progression. My Enlisted Development Plan, or MyEDP, can be accessed from anywhere that Internet service is available. Once an Airman has established an account --

  • Latest Roll Call highlights National Security Personnel System

    This week's Roll Call highlights one of the most important segments of the Total Force -- government civilians. Air Force leaders believe it is important for all Airman to at least have a basic understanding of the new National Security Personnel System, or NSPS.NSPS is one of the secretary of

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' addresses modernization

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Air Force initiatives to modernize the force through the introduction of new aircraft and the retirement of designated older models like the F-117 Nighthawk, the world's first stealth aircraft. And learn how Hollywood producers work to maintain a

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' highlights Air Force's focus

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights three Air Force's topics:  modernization and recapitalization, air shows and the culture of responsibility. Leaders understand that cyberspace will be the final war-fighting frontier. With technology steadily advancing, the need for cyberspace

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' highlights efficiency, management

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Airmen at bases around the world are continually looking for ways to help the Air Force become more efficient. The war on terrorism has Airmen all around the world doing their part, whether in Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere around the globe.

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    In this week's edition of "Today's Air Force," communities welcome back deployed heroes in homecoming celebrations; experience their re-integration process, readjusting to life at home and work. Also this month, we commemorate The Month of the Military Child. See how different the life of a military

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    In this week's edition of "Today's Air Force," officials reach out to strengthen relationships overseas, new technologies help in accomplishing the Air Force mission, the role women play in a predominately male environment, and the first segment of a three-part series on what it takes to become a

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's "Today's Air Force" includes features on how the Air Force moves cargo, Airmen providing medical assistance to Cambodians and how maintenance units in the Pacific are saving Air Force money. The long-format, weekly news show tells Air Force stories in more depth. The program is made up

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's "Today's Air Force" includes features focusing on retention, the first Air Force Week of 2007 and what products are used for AF Strategic Communications.The long-format, weekly news show tells Air Force stories in more depth. The program is made up of three segments and each runs

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Air Force's latest unmanned vehicle and first hunter-killer UAV, the MQ-9 Reaper. More powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, the MQ-9 is designed to go after time-sensitive targets and can destroy or disable

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Space Command and its multi-faceted mission, ranging from helping pilots navigate around the world to detecting and tracking objects in space above the United States and maintaining America's nuclear arsenal. And be part of an Air Force joint

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the warrior ethos and how Air Force leaders are giving Airmen a new sense of pride as warriors, starting at basic training. Also featured is a compelling story on how children of deployed parents cope by bonding together with other children

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's "Today's Air Force" focuses on Airmen in Afghanistan fighting alongside Soldiers, Sailors and Marines combining unique capabilities to the joint fight; how Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century seeks to decrease waste in daily operations; and the passing of one of the famed

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights six Airmen receiving the new Air Force Combat Action Medal presented by the Air Force chief of staff during a recent ceremony in Arlington, Va. Also in this week's edition, take a view from an air traffic control tower in Baghdad, and experience

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Combat Skills Training prepares Airmen to operate on the streets of Afghanistan and Iraq, and how the Air Force's highly trained Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape, or SERE, instructors provide Airmen the skills to survive alone in a

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights a device called the targeting pod, whicht ensures pilot accuracy and minimizes collateral damage on the battlefield. Also in this edition, experience how Airmen co-exist alongside Soldiers, Sailors and Marines performing their duties as joint

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" showcases the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper and how the Air Force is currently working to become the executive agent for unmanned aerial vehicles. Also featured is the never-ending mission of moving cargo and people.  Finally, see how Airmen at bases around

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    In this week's edition of "Today's Air Force" see how Airmen are in the fight against terrorism, filling Army "In-Lieu-Of" requirements, and how these Airmen warriors are helping meet the immediate demands of the surge in Iraq. Also, when people think of the Air Force they think of aircraft and

  • Latest 'Vector' focuses on wingmen for life

    The Air Force chief of staff released his latest vector for Airmen and it focuses on the importance of being a wingman for your fellow Airmen. The wingman concept reflects the ultimate confidence we all must have in our fellow Airmen -- we trust each other, quite literally, with our lives, Gen. T.

  • Latest 'Vector' highlights importance of discipline

    The Air Force chief of staff released his latest vector for Airmen and it focuses on the importance of a disciplined force. "Commanders and supervisors at all levels must lead by personal example, ensure compliance by all, and reinforce the highest standards of the United States Air Force," Gen. T.

  • Latest 'Vector' remembers Berlin Airlift

    The latest Chief of Staff's Vector remembers the Berlin Airlift and discusses how today's mobility Airmen are following the examples of Airmen past as visible signs of U.S. compassion and resolve."Day or night, operating from pavement or dirt, our Airmen deliver the goods, the gas and the