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U.S. Air Force News

  • AF firefighters qualify to train Central American counterparts

    Twelve members from the 612th Air Base Squadron Fire Emergency Services completed the Air Advisor Academy’s five-day academic mobile training team course Sept. 15-19, to become the first group to receive air advisor training qualified to provide partner nation firefighting training.

  • AF firefighters relocate, expand Iraqi fire training course

    Iraqi firefighters are were more than half-way through the firefighter apprentice course being trained in Baghdad's International Zone before being moved. The class was previously taught at Taji Military Base just north of Baghdad, but the location lacked advanced live fire trainers and had limited

  • AF firefighting aircraft repositioned

    The U.S. Forest Service, through the National Interagency Fire Center here, has directed the repositioning of military Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System aircraft from Colorado Springs, Colo., to Mesa, Ariz. "The weather and progress on the ground have helped us in the Four Corners region," said

  • AF first sergeants gather, train to answer CSAF Squadron Revitalization Call

    More than 210 first sergeants from across the Air Force did their part to aid the CSAF’s squadron revitalization effort, as they gathered at the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Tennessee, July 21-27, for a summit and symposium to become

  • AF flight surgeon makes mark during historic space flight

    The American public remembers John Glenn for his solo orbit around Earth. They remember Neil Armstrong for his walk on the moon. But few remember how Col. (Dr.) Vance H. Marchbanks Jr., one of the first black flight surgeons in the Army and the first in the Air Force, made it possible for them and

  • AF funds development of high-performance munitions technology

    The Air Force Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program office recently provided nearly $400,000 of additional funding for a SBIR effort that will give the warfighter an affordable, high-performance millimeter wave seeker technology for high-performance munitions.

  • AF general thanks Coast Guard for continuous shuttle support

    The Air Forces Northern commander and overseer of the Joint Task Force-Space Transportation System visited the Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral, Fla., to express his thanks to the team for their continued support of the JTF-STS mission. "NASA's mission is one of international importance, and your

  • AF general to retire at reduced rank

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne has directed that Brig. Gen. Richard S. Hassan, former director of the Air Force senior leader management office, retire in the permanent grade of colonel effective March 1. The retirement grade determination follows an Air Force Inspector General

  • AF generals testify for their future positions

    Two Air Force generals testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee during their nomination hearing as the next U.S. Transportation Command commander and new vice chairman to the Joint Chiefs of Staff July 14.

  • AF GeoBase safely integrates sUAS in AFCEC operations

    The Department of the Air Force is one step closer to safely and more widely integrating small unmanned aircraft systems into civil engineering operations, thanks to the Air Force GeoBase Program’s sUAS office.

  • AF gets new weapon in firefighting arsenal

    The main fire station has received a new weapon in their arsenal, the P-34 Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV), which is the newest addition to the Air Force crash response fleet. The RIV is the first vehicle in the Air Force to use new ultra high pressure fire fighting technology and is smaller and

  • AF Global Strike Command establishes school for its best, brightest

    The Cold War ended in 1991, and with it, a comprehensive knowledge of the nation's deterrence capability. The link between strategic deterrence and technical competence faded away, with Airmen often gaining expertise in other areas, according to Air Force Global Strike Command staff. This shortage

  • AF government travel cards receive tech upgrade

    Beginning this month, Citibank is issuing chip and PIN-enabled government travel cards (GTC) to new card applicants, individuals whose cards will expire in 2015 and individuals who have reported lost or stolen cards.

  • AF heads to Haiti for Matthew relief

    A C-17 Globemaster III with personnel and equipment from the 621st Contingency Response Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, left for for Haiti Oct. 6 in response to Hurricane Matthew. The 621st CRW has units continuously on alert and ready to deploy anywhere in the world in support

  • AF helicopter crashes in England

    An Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crashed at about 6 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time Jan. 7 near Salthouse on the Norfolk coast in England.

  • AF helicopter crews rescue 221 hurricane victims

    Air Force special operations helicopter crews from the 347th Rescue Wing rescued more than 200 people stranded in areas hard hit by Hurricane Katrina through Aug. 31.Flying from Jackson-Evers International Airport, Miss., these and other Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews are continuing

  • AF helps Airmen obtain CDL

    The Air Force is taking steps to turn government vehicle operator certifications into commercial driver’s licenses. By creating a course to mirror the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Commercial Driver’s License Test System model, the Air Force will enable examiners to certify

  • AF Heritage: Gen. Tinker still honored by native Indian tribe

    During the early days of World War II, an Army Air Corps major general, who was an Oklahoma native, and member of the Osage Indian tribe, was named to lead the air effort in Hawaii following Pearl Harbor. Maj. Gen. Clarence L. Tinker managed to stay close to his tribe during his 30 plus years as a

  • AF holds 50th anniversary Vietnam War commemoration ceremony

    The Air Force is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War by honoring prisoners of war and missing in action, veterans and their families during a wreath-laying ceremony at 10:30 a.m. EST, March 2, at the Air Force Memorial in Washington D.C.

  • AF holds Distributed Common Ground System summit

    More than 40 action officers from across the Air Force attended the intelligence community’s inaugural Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) Action Officer Summit at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, March 25-26.

  • AF holds Medal of Honor recognition event

    In observance of National Medal of Honor Day, Air Force senior leaders hosted a Q-and-A session with two of the Air Force's living Medal of Honor recipients, retired Col. Joe M. Jackson and retired Col. Leo K. Thorsness at the Pentagon, March 24.

  • AF Honor Guard blossoms in joint drill exhibition

    The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team members displayed their skill at a Joint Service Drill Team Exhibition on the National Mall during the 101st National Cherry Blossom Festival here April 13.Between the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and its iconic reflecting pool, the 12 Drill Team members

  • AF Honor Guard to post flags at Arlington Cemetery

    Officials at Arlington National Cemetery will continue the time-honored tradition of "Flags In" May 21. The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard will join Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), Marines from the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard Company, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial

  • AF honors fallen hero with ship renaming

    The Air Force decided May 23, to honor a fallen hero by naming the service’s newest pre-positioning vessel after Air Force logistician Capt. David I. Lyon.

  • AF honors, remembers 9/11

    Airmen around the world participated in 9/11 remembrance ceremonies to honor of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. This photo series highlights some of those ceremonies.

  • AF hospital adds ‘virus-zapping' robot to inventory

    Standing at 5 feet 2 inches tall, U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley's newest staff member doesn't initially have a commanding presence; however, after five minutes, its impact has the potential to save countless lives around the world.

  • AF hosts International Air Chiefs Conference

    The gathering exemplified the Air Force’s ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with allies and partners through meaningful conversation and information exchange.

  • AF hosts Magazine Day at Pentagon

    Roughly 15 representatives from a variety of magazines ranging from Popular Mechanics and Runner’s World to People and Buzzfeed attended the Air Force’s second annual Magazine Day event at the Pentagon May 13.

  • AF hosts Warrior Care Sitting Volleyball Tournament

    The volleyball courts were clear as athletes made their way into the Pentagon Athletic Center. Some arrived in wheelchairs. Some were missing limbs. Many had wounds which couldn’t be seen. As they sat down on the court for warm-ups, they all had something in common…they were all wounded warriors.

  • AF husband earns Military Spouse of the Year award

    A husband who championed the progression of disability policy and the exceptional family member program received the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year Award here today.Jeremy Hilton, spouse of Air Force Lt. Col. Renae Hilton, an Air Force Office of Special Investigations agent on Joint Base Andrews,

  • AF identifies Boeing 747-8 platform for next Air Force One

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James in coordination with Frank Kendall, the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, determined that the Boeing 747-8 will serve as the next presidential aircraft, commonly known as Air Force One.

  • AF identifies career fields eligible for crossflow

    Support officers in some overmanned career fields may be eligible to volunteer for retraining into an undermanned career field in support of the Air Force 2012 nonrated line officer crossflow program. Applications for the program will be accepted Feb. 17 through March16.Crossflow is one of various

  • AF identifies operational shortfalls

    Air Force officials released a list of operational shortfalls Dec. 17. The list came from a two-year analysis of current and future warfighting effects and capabilities, a process called a capabilities review and risk assessment.The assessment identified and prioritized critical operational

  • AF implements career intermission pilot program

    Up to 40 active-duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard officers and enlisted members who meet eligibility requirements will be offered between one and three years of partially-paid time out of uniform to focus on personal and professional pursuits under the Career Intermission Pilot Program,

  • AF implements changes to PT assessment

    The Air Force has released further guidance on the implementation of several changes to the physical assessment test, which will take place Oct. 21.The new guidance includes additions to the body composition component of the fitness assessment, delegation of appeal authority for fitness assessments

  • AF implements DOS rollback phase II

    The Air Force has implemented the 2014 Enlisted Date of Separation Rollback Program Phase II, Air Force Personnel Center officials said May 1.

  • AF implements enlisted date of separation rollback

    The Air Force will implement the enlisted date of separation rollback program this fiscal year, in addition to several voluntary force management programs that were announced Feb. 5, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.The rollback will accelerate the date of separation for senior master

  • AF implements hiring tool 7 weeks ahead of schedule

    Bringing new Air Force civilian employees on board is more efficient and timely now following full-implementation of the USA Staffing Onboarding Manager tool, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.In April, AFPC initiated a phased implementation strategy to replace the civilian virtual

  • AF implements intel officer retention program

    Eligible intelligence officers have until Sept. 22 to apply for a critical skills retention bonus implemented by the Air Force this month, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.

  • AF implements new DOD-wide changes to maternity leave

    Beginning Feb. 2, active-duty female Airmen will receive up to 12 continuous, non-transferable weeks of fully paid maternity leave in accordance with Defense Department-wide changes to the policy outlined in Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s Force of the Future announcement Jan. 28.

  • AF implements new personnel policies as it prepares to get smaller

    The Air Force will implement new personnel policies to posture for future force management programs as it prepares to become smaller, officials announced today. In the absence of Congressional direction to mitigate the impact of sequestration, the Air Force must proceed with changes to personnel

  • AF implements non-volunteer MTI selection process

    Technical sergeants and master sergeants who meet qualification requirements may be non-voluntarily selected for military training instructor duty, Air Force Personnel Center officials said."Low MTI manning levels in 2003 resulted in non-volunteer selections, so this decision is not without

  • AF implements static EPR closeout dates, eliminates change of reporting

    The first in a series of changes to the enlisted evaluation and promotion systems announced July 31 will include implementation of The SCOD also drives adjusted active-duty promotion eligibility cutoff dates for promotion to technical and master sergeants; all other grades are unchanged.

  • AF implements voluntary FY13 force management programs

    The Air Force will implement several voluntary officer and enlisted force management programs for fiscal year 2013, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.Announced in the January release of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2013, the authorized active duty Air Force

  • AF 'impossible' rescue mission recognized

    On the remote coastline of Eastern Iceland, inaccessible to ordinary travel, a plaque was dedicated May 30 to commemorate a U.S. Air Force rescue team operation accomplished 20 years earlier.On Jan. 10, 1994, members of the 56th Rescue Squadron, then located at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland,

  • AF initiates plan for CSAF Focus Area No. 2

    The Air Force is moving out on its top general’s number two focus area – Strengthening Joint Leaders and Teams.In the fall of 2016, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein announced three areas he considers foundational to the Air Force: Revitalizing Air Force squadrons, Strengthening Joint

  • AF initiates voluntary limited loadmaster recall

    Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard loadmasters may be eligible to apply for a limited period recall to extended active duty, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.The loadmaster career field is chronically undermanned, said Senior Master Sgt. Marvin Daugherty, AFPC accessions branch

  • AF Installation Cyberattack Plans tested during national grid exercise

    Recently, 32 Air Force installations and representatives from Headquarters Air Force took part in the two-day national Grid Security Exercise IV, or GridEx IV, to simulate a coordinated response to cyber and physical security threats to North America's electricity grid and other critical

  • AF installations chief testifies to Congress on BRAC, MILCON

    In testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction-Veteran Affairs here April 12, a senior Air Force leader announced the fiscal year 2014 budget for the service's installation programs. Kathleen Ferguson, Air Force Installations, Environment and Logistics, outlined

  • AF instant messengers shutting down

    The Air Force will shut down the Air Force Instant Messenger and Friends and Family Instant Messenger services by Dec. 31. AFIM and FFIM are collaborative tools available on the Air Force Portal. AFIM is used by Air Force Portal users to chat with each other. FFIM is a subset of AFIM that allowed AF

  • AF instructors learn modern Army combatives skills

    After spending five days in a joint combatives "train the trainer" course, Air Force participants gained a valuable benefit in becoming certified to teach both Modern Army Combatives and Basic Air Force Combatives:"Confidence," said Lt. Col. Tim Thurston, the 322nd Training Squadron commander --

  • AF integrates TAP into new Military Lifecycle Model

    The redesigned Transition Assistance Program is in its third and final stage and will be integrated into the new Defense Department Military Lifecycle Model, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The MLC, which will be implemented Oct. 1, is the latest in a series of improvements to the

  • AF intern: ‘I have never felt less disabled’

    Natalie Labayen may look fine on the outside, but inside, a battle wages. A senior at George Washington University and intern with the Air Force, LaBayen was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2011, an ailment that some days leaves this 23-year old in severe pain.

  • AF introduces Air Superiority 2030 study

    The Air Force introduced the results of a yearlong study focused on developing capability options to ensure joint force air superiority in 2030 and beyond during an Air Force Association breakfast April 7 in Arlington, Virginia.

  • AF introduces civilian acculturation, leadership program

    Applications are now being accepted from Air Force civilian interns and Student Career Employment Program graduates for the Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training program. This opportunity is a chief of staff initiative designed as an intensive leadership development program for civilians

  • AF introduces enlisted Global Hawk pilots

    Air Force officials announced a new initiative Dec. 17 to enhance the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission by integrating enlisted remotely piloted aircraft pilots into the force.

  • AF introduces new Energy Flight Plan

    The Air Force introduced a new Energy Flight Plan, signed by Miranda Ballentine, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and energy, on Jan. 6.

  • AF introduces Total Force Commissioning Process

    Air Force officials announced the Total Force Commissioning Process July 10. This new process allows the Air Force to provide multiple career avenues for officers being commissioned through Air Force ROTC by offering cadets the chance to pursue opportunities in the Air Force Reserve or Air National

  • AF introduces Volume 9 of Portraits in Courage

    The Air Force released its ninth volume of Portraits in Courage, highlighting five teams and seven individual Airman for their honor, valor, devotion and selfless sacrifice in the face of extreme danger to themselves and others.

  • AF invites industry for light attack platform experiment

    The Air Force released an industry invitation to participate today to evaluate the military utility of light attack platforms in future force structure.The invitation is part of a broader Air Force effort to explore cost-effective attack platform options. The live-fly experiment is an element of the

  • AF is transforming how it provides services

    The Air Force Personnel Center is transforming how it provides morale, welfare and recreation services, and the type of programs it offers.AFPC is taking a tailored approach to ensure Airmen around the world have what they need and want, rather than the same programs that have traditionally been

  • AF issues Article 15 to top military lawyer

    The commander of Air Education and Training Command completed nonjudicial punishment action against the Air Force’s former top military lawyer Dec. 21.Following a review of an Air Force inspector general investigation into allegations of wrongdoing, Gen. Donald G. Cook, AETC commander, punished Maj.

  • AF JAG Corps gains insight at SAPR Summit

    The Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps held its first Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Summit Dec. 17-18 at the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy here.The purpose of the summit was to bring total force legal professionals together to improve the way they handle all aspects

  • AF joins international battle against HIV, AIDS

    The armed forces for the defense of Mozambique, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program and U.S. Africa Command, is hosting the third International Military HIV/AIDS Conference from May 7 to 10. More than 445 military and civilian delegates from 77 nations

  • AF joins NATO partners in Ramstein Rover 2012

    The U.S. Air Force joins 15 other nations in Ramstein Rover 2012 here from Sept. 5-22. RARO 12 is a NATO exercise focusing on forward air control and close air support capabilities. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 81st Fighter Squadron, out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, are flying throughout the

  • AF lab investigating microscopic crack formations, metal fatigue

    The B-52 Stratofortress is one of the oldest legacy aircraft in the Air Force. Since the 1950s, the B-52 has led the force in its dominance as the world’s best; however, just as humans begin to age, so do aircraft. Repeated loading and unloading, changes in air pressure, exposure to altitude and

  • AF largest refueling squadron tops 50K combat hours in 2012

    Averaging more than 136 hours a day, the largest refueling squadron in the world flew more than 50,000 combat hours within 2012's 366 calendar days using the Total Force Integration model."Surpassing 50,000 hours is a significant milestone," said Lt. Col. Brian Gilpatrick, 340th Expeditionary Air

  • AF launches 3rd AEHF satellite

    The U.S. Air Force successfully launched the third Advanced Extremely High Frequency communication satellite at 4:10 a.m. EDT, Sept. 18, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The satellite was carried to orbit aboard an United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle.

  • AF launches cyberspace task force

    Cyberspace. The word generally conjures up images of computers, wires, connections and hardware. But, for the Air Force, cyberspace is far more than that. “Cyberspace is a domain where the Air Force conducts operations," said Dr. Lani Kass, director of the Air Force Cyberspace Task Force. It is the

  • AF launches successful satellite mission

    The 45th Space Wing supported a successful United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle carrying Air Force Space Command mission assets for the Air Force July 28.

  • AF launches yearlong ‘Cyber Secure’ campaign

    The Air Force message is clear -- October may be National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but with the continuous advancement of technology and evolving cyber threats, one month of cybersecurity awareness is no longer enough.

  • AF lays to rest an ‘American hero’

    Friends, family members, political leaders, former prisoners of war and service members paid their respects as an Air Force Ace was interred at Arlington National Cemetery Jan. 23.

  • AF leader addresses cyberspace defense at conference

    Defending air and space is what the Air Force has done admirably for 60 years, and it will protect information in the cyberspace domain in the future with the establishment of the Air Force Cyber Command. "The mission of the Air Force is to provide sovereign options for the defense of the nation and

  • AF leader discusses acquisition focus areas

    People in the Air Force acquisitions office are focusing on the workforce, product improvement and acquisitions processes, said Sue C. Payton, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. The acquisitions office is comprised of 24,183 people responsible for 127 major programs. They are

  • AF leader reaffirms commitment to Asia-Pacific partners

    Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, Heidi Grant, attended the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2013 at Langkawi Island, Malaysia, as part of ongoing efforts to build relationships in the Asia-Pacific region, March 24 through 28. The Deputy

  • AF leaders accepting visionary leadership award nominations

    Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 2013 General Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award.Named in honor of Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught, the award recognizes service members and civilians who have exhibited innovation, commitment and a selfless spirit of service to others while

  • AF leaders brief BMT sexual misconduct investigation findings

    Air Force leaders announced Nov. 14 to members of the press here the results of the commander-directed investigation regarding the occurrences of sexual misconduct within basic military training between October 2010 and June 2011.The CDI was commissioned by Gen. Edward Rice, commander of Air

  • AF leaders cheer on Airmen at Warrior Games

    Air Force senior leaders attended the 2017 Warrior Games opening ceremonies July 1, 2017, in Chicago to show support for the athletes participating in the weeklong competition.