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U.S. Air Force News

  • Leaders provide update, vector on Air Force space efforts at symposium

    Senior Air Force leaders, servicemembers and industry partners gathered for the Air Force Association's annual Global Warfare Symposium Nov. 18 through 19 here. This year's symposium focused on innovation, operating under financial constraints, building partnerships and managing space acquisition.

  • Leaders recognize 56 years of Air Force

    The U.S. Air Force celebrates its 56th year Sept. 18. In recognition of this, the following is a message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:“In 56 years, the U.S. Air Force has earned its wings as the world’s greatest air and space

  • Leaders reflect on 100 years of flight

    The following is a joint message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:“It was the most significant 12 seconds of the last 100 years.“On Dec. 17, 1903, two bicycle builders from Ohio, Orville and Wilbur Wright, launched the world on a

  • Leaders review programs, processes that take care of Airmen

    A cross-functional team of senior Air Force leaders is reviewing programs and processes essential to the health and welfare of Airmen using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century problem-solving tools. One of the 10 AFSO 21 key processes, "Caring for People," was chartered to take on

  • Leaders say Cope India 'great success'

    Exercise Cope India ‘06 ends Nov. 20, but U.S. and Indian air force leaders have already said the training has been a resounding success. The exercise, which began Nov. 7, involves Indian Airmen and about 250 U.S. Airmen from Pacific Air Forces bases. “Such exercises not only help in promoting

  • Leaders say happy birthday, Air Force

    The Air Force's top leaders send a message to the total force to celebrate the Air Force's 63rd birthday and to remind them to remember the commitment and sacrifice of all the Airmen deployed around the globe.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Leaders say happy birthday, Air Force

    The Air Force's top leaders send a message to the total force to celebrate the Air Force's 62nd birthday and to remind them to remember the commitment and sacrifice of the more than 40,000 Airmen deployed around the globe.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Leaders say timetable for troops’ return would be mistake

    Setting a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal in Iraq would be a mistake, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee here June 23."Some in Congress have suggested that deadlines be set," Secretary Rumsfeld said. "That would be a mistake; it would throw a lifeline

  • Leaders say volunteers key to Guard's success

    National Guard leaders said that if citizen-Soldiers and citizen-Airmen continue to deploy in support of overseas missions, their family readiness groups will need to be supported at the same pace."If we allow these rotations and what we do to become common, accepted and routine, then we need to

  • Leaders send energy awareness message

    The Air Force's top leaders released a joint "Letter to Airmen" to encourage Airmen to continue to be energy efficient at the workplace and at home.  "The Air Force is engaged in a long-term effort to improve our nation's energy security through energy efficiency and conservation," Secretary of the

  • Leaders send holiday greetings

    The Air Force's top leaders send the Air Force family holiday greetings and remind all to remember those Airmen in harm's way apart from family and friends.  Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy

  • Leaders send holiday safety message

    The Air Force's top leaders send the Air Force family a holiday safety message and remind all to celebrate responsibly.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz issued the following message: "Happy Holidays! Whether you are deployed, stationed

  • Leaders send letter to Airmen on Critical Days of Summer

    The Air Force's top two leaders cited the start of the 2009 Critical Days of Summer campaign, and called for everyone to be proactive in saving lives during this high-risk season in a letter to Airmen sent out May 22. In the letter, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff

  • Leaders send Memorial Day message

    The following is a joint Memorial Day message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:“As the flag soars gracefully to the top of the flagpole and then lowers solemnly to half-staff, the loss of great Americans who have fallen in our

  • Leaders show off Raptor, Joint Strike Fighter at air show

    Air Force senior leaders took advantage of an open house here to tell reporters and visitors about the service’s newest fighters, the F/A-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche held a press conference before a static display of both aircraft May 14

  • Leaders speak at renewable energy industry day event

    Military and industry leaders gathered for the annual Renewable Energy Industry Day to discuss opportunities for public-private collaboration to meet the military's energy needs June 12 in Arlington, Va.While making the event's opening remarks, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Installations,

  • Leaders stress holiday safety

    In a joint Letter to Airmen, Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley stressed the importance of safety during the holiday season. The two leaders want Airmen to watch out for each other. And they said though the service puts emphasis on safety, the

  • Leaders stress summer safety

    In a joint Letter to Airmen, the Air Force secretary and chief of staff emphasize the importance of safety during the days between Memorial Day to Labor Day, the 101 Critical Days of Summer. Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley want Airmen to be

  • Leaders stress winter safety

    With the winter season firmly in place and bitter weather gripping the nation, the service's senior leaders urge Air Force members to be safety-conscious."The mission, travel, weather and distractions caused by family separations all factor into increased risk," said Secretary of the Air Force Dr.

  • Leaders talk to Congress about long-range strike

    A variant of the F/A-22 Raptor is one consideration for the Air Force’s next long-range strike aircraft, the Air Force’s senior leaders said.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper met with members of the House Committee on Armed Services on

  • Leaders tell Congress about new aircraft, missions

    The Air Force's senior leaders presented their vision of the service's next-generation fighter and a new mission for an old warhorse to members of Congress on March 19.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper briefed members of the House

  • Leaders tell Congress relationships key in war on terrorism

    Leaders from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command spoke to members of Congress on March 19 on the personnel issues their organizations face in fighting the global war on terrorism.Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, the director of the Air National Guard, told the Senate Armed Services

  • Leaders to committee: Air Force on track for 2014 auditability deadline

    Leaders from each armed service and the Defense Department testified Sept. 14 to the House Armed Services Committee about the DOD's efforts to become auditable by 2014.The original auditable date was 2017, but Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta accelerated that goal in late 2011 by setting a DOD-wide

  • Leaders to draw from defense board's NSPS review

    Senior defense leaders will use a recently issued report on the National Security Personnel System when they decide what to do with the civilian personnel system this fall, a Pentagon official said here Aug. 27. Last spring, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III directed that a comprehensive

  • Leaders unveil new partnership for acquisition

    Air Force Materiel Command officials here and acquisition professionals at the Pentagon have recently formed a new partnership to overcome weapon-system acquisition challenges, according to senior Air Force leaders.Sue C. Payton, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and Gen.

  • Leaders unveil updated utility uniform colors, pattern

    Responding to Airmen’s feedback, Air Force leaders unveiled an alternative utility uniform color scheme and pattern Nov. 2 as part of the ongoing wear-test that was announced in August 2003.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and Chief Master

  • Leaders urge care in changing commanders' UCMJ responsibilities

    Commanders must be a part of any solution to the crisis of sexual assault in the military, service leaders told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.Commanders are responsible not only for the health and welfare of those in their commands, but also for good order and discipline, they

  • Leaders visit Travis for AMC orientation

    A group of Air Mobility Command mission support group commanders and an AMC general visited Travis recently as a part of AMC’s Excellent Installation Orientation. The team toured five AMC bases, including Dover Air Force Base, Del.;  Andrews AFB,  Md.; Charleston AFB, S.C.;  McConnell AFB, Kan.; and

  • Leaders, compelling mission keep AF strength high

    Air Force leaders are struggling with a problem. The service has 20,000 more people than it is authorized. And as its leaders work to pare the numbers by 16,000 by the end of fiscal 2005, Airmen and would-be Airmen are standing in line to enlist or re-enlist."It's a fascinating problem for us,"

  • Leadership development participants back up book study with travel

    From Southbridge, Mass., to Seoul, South Korea, the 61 members of the 2010 Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program have been globetrotting to gain hands-on field experience geared toward sculpting their joint leadership skills. By exposing the participants to the various

  • Leadership development program assists GS-15 advancement

    A new leadership development program called GS-15 LD provides a total force development vision for Air Force civilians in the GS-15 grade, preparing them for senior roles in the Department of Defense. "We're working hard to prepare these people to successfully lead at the Senior Executive Service

  • Leadership key to tackling suicide, Medal of Honor recipient tells guardsmen

    Leadership at all levels is the key to lowering the suicide rate among servicemembers, a Medal of Honor recipient told National Guard members here Aug 8. Retired Army Maj. Drew Dix received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam. Now, he has been talking with servicemembers about resiliency

  • Leadership roundtable demonstrates solidified partnership

    While nearly 2,000 Airmen from three countries began two weeks of intense training at exercise Cope North 2013 Feb. 4, leaders from the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force discussed the invaluable impact the exercise has on the readiness of their forces. Gen.

  • Leadership summit reaches out to USAFE teens

    More than 100 teens from 11 U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases traveled here to take part in the first Air Force-hosted European Keystone Club Leadership Summit. The Keystone program, aimed at developing leadership skills and encouraging civic responsibility in youths aged 14 to 18 years old, has been

  • Leadership, teamwork, community service in abundance at MYOY Summit

    Through a partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Air Force Youth Programs, managed by the Air Force Services Center, provide a variety of installation programs that help teens build on skills necessary to be resilient today and successful tomorrow.

  • Lead-in training increases Afghan capabilities

    Train, Advise, Assist Command – Air maintainers are providing lead-in training to Afghan air force airmen at the Kabul Air Wing in an effort to ensure they excel at the C-130 Hercules maintenance courses they will attend in the U.S.

  • Leading by example: Academy cadets develop leadership skills at BMT

    U.S. Air Force Academy cadets learned first-hand over the past seven weeks how military training instructors develop the Air Force's newest warrior Airmen in basic military training.The 27 cadets in the Summer Leadership Program developed leadership skills by shadowing MTIs in seven BMT squadrons at

  • Leading the next generation of AF medics

    It’s a little after 7:30 a.m. and the stampede has finally cleared the hallways. There’s a moment of silence, the first since arriving to work three hours prior. The five-story building is nearly desolate now, but a multitude of paperwork and tasks remain to be done before the 800-plus military

  • Leaflets urge Iraqis to help capture insurgents

    More than one million leaflets were pushed out of a 40th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules over ten designated drop zones urging local citizens to provide information on three top leaders of an armed insurgent militia in Iraq. The leaflets are the wanted posters of the region and were

  • Lean initiatives in the Portuguese air force

    There have been many articles touting the benefits to the Air Force of Lean initiatives and Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO 21. It's not only the Air Force that is benefiting from Lean initiatives, however.  Other air forces have benefited from the Lean initiatives supported

  • Lean principles contribute to missile success

    The members of the 309th Missile Maintenance Group completed assembly of Minuteman booster No. 75-939 Nov. 7, marking two years of early or on-time deliveries by the unit. The unit has maintained its completion and delivery record by using Lean principles, which helped organize work areas and remove

  • Lean principles reduce antenna repair times

    Since adopting Lean principles, the F-16 Antenna Shop here has improved efficiency, cut costs and enabled F-16 pilots to fly without worrying about their radar. When an F-16 antenna shows signs of failure, it is replaced with a spare and the defective antenna sent to the shop for repair. Using Lean

  • 'Lean tools' hammer waste, improve processes

    Many people within Air Force Materiel Command associate toolboxes with maintenance-oriented jobs. However, with the renewed emphasis on continuous improvement, more people are turning to their "Lean" toolbox. This toolbox contains various Lean improvement tools that are part of Air Force Smart

  • Lean Week comes to Randolph

    Gone is the Air Force before super computers and modern technology. Gone are the, "We used to do it this way," and "When I was an Airman..." mindsets. Even gone, is the Air Force of fifteen years ago. Today's Air Force is a highly streamlined, technology-driven entity that is tasked more and more

  • Leaner Northern Edge exercise under way at Eielson

    Approximately 1,600 airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are participating in a scaled-down version of Northern Edge, a joint-service training exercise here and at other Alaska military installations, as well as the port of Valdez. The exercise, which began March 3, ends March

  • Leaner processes working at Kirtland

    The Air Force is becoming leaner without the help of fad diets or abs-crunching exercise regiments. Logistics and maintenance programs imported from the private business sector, like Lean, are turning once-bloated processes into models of streamlined efficiency. The payoff is less cost, improved

  • LeAnn Rimes headlines Air Force holiday radio special

    Multiple Grammy-award winner LeAnn Rimes recalls her fondest holiday memories as the featured artist in the "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio special to be released in November. Produced and marketed by the Air Force Recruiting Service's strategic communications division, the one-hour

  • LEAP application window opens

    The Language Enabled Airman Program is accepting active-duty officer and enlisted applications July 15 - Aug. 22. Those intending to submit applications must register their intent to apply by Aug. 8. Officer candidate students in their senior years may also apply

  • LEAP boosts AF language capability

    Amid the darkness and the sputters of machine gunfire, service members hustle to assess and treat combat casualty victims. These victims have suffered injuries ranging from loss of limbs to sucking chest wounds. Adding to an already disorienting environment is the hodgepodge of English, coming from

  • LEAP program grows with second selection board

    Air Force Language and Culture Center officials added 260 participants from more than 400 active duty officer and cadet applicants to the Language Enabled Airman Program during their selection board in September, they said here Oct. 15.The Air Force program has grown since its first board, when 192

  • LEAP program grows with second selection board

    The Air Force Language and Culture Center added 260 participants from more than 400 active-duty officer and cadet applicants to the Language Enabled Airman Program during its selection board in September, officials said here Oct. 15.The Air Force program has grown since its first board, when 192

  • Learning early: First-term Airmen learn security forces skills

    Airmen fresh out of basic training and technical school are now receiving a security forces introduction here in line with new Air Force security forces training initiatives. The 347th Security Forces Squadron recently introduced a five-day augmentee course for recent graduates of the Moody’s First

  • Learning the tools to manage chronic pain

    Like many motivated Airmen, Staff Sgt. Robin Morrow is determined to make the most of her career.Chronic back pain after an automobile accident and spinal surgery almost shortened the career of the noncommissioned officer in charge of point-of-care testing for the 859th Diagnostics and Therapeutics

  • Learning through patience, hard work

    What do kicking, joint-lock techniques, falling, push-ups and frog-jumps all have in common?Staff Sgt. Keith Morris teaches them to his students in the kuk sool won class held several times a week at the recreation center in a forward-deployed location.Morris, a member of the 819th/219th Red Horse

  • Leasing option increases Air Force land value

    Underutilized Air Force land does not need to sit idle any longer. The Air Force Real Property Agency converts underutilized land and infrastructure into real value for the Air Force, installations and communities through the enhanced use leasing option, officials said. "Enhanced use leasing is a

  • Leave donations help during crisis

    In March 2003, Stacy Davenport delivered twins, one boy and one girl, but they were four months early.Brady, the boy, weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces, while his sister, Grace, weighed only 1 pound, 1 ounce. Two days after they were born, Brady died. Doctors said the next several days were critical for

  • Leave en route policy change benefits Airmen

    Some Airmen will now have the opportunity to take leave en route within the continental United States when they return home, or redeploy, from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. This change can save Airmen significant time and travel-associated costs, as well as provide them an

  • Leave program helps activated fed employees

    Federal employees who are called up by a Reserve or National Guard unit to support a contingency can use special leave to supplement lost wages.They can receive their civilian income instead of military pay for 22 days if their civil service job pays more than the military.“Although not new to the

  • Leaving a legacy of air power

    Milestones are being achieved and partnerships are being strengthened at Combat Operating Base Speicher here. Advising Iraqi forces is nothing new to the Iraq Training and Advising Mission component of the U.S. Air Force. Since the troop drawdown began early 2009, Iraqi forces have started to take

  • Leaving a legacy, beginning a tradition

    The annual General and Mrs. Jerome F. O’Malley Award is given to the wing commander and spouse whose contributions to the nation, Air Force and local community best exemplify the selflessness displayed by the O’Malleys.

  • Leaving the Air Force? Consider civilian government employment

    For those facing force shaping boards and contemplating the possibility of separating from the Air Force, employment options can seem overwhelming. However, the members of civilian personnel offices are ready to help military members transition to government civilian employment. People may apply for

  • Leaving the AOR on their own terms

    Eight wounded warriors, who have visible and invisible injuries from combat, were on a mission to find closure by returning to the place of their traumatic incident through Operation Proper Exit, April 4-8, 2018.

  • Lebanese student conducts first ‘in seat’ A-29 flight

    A Lebanese A-29 Super Tucano pilot trainee, from the 81st Fighter Squadron, conducted the first ‘in seat’ training sortie March 22, 2017, here. The program, which began earlier this month, is designed to ensure the Lebanon air force receives the support and training needed to safely and effectively

  • Lecture honors retired general

    The Southern Medical Association held its first lecture Nov. 8 named for retired Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Walter John Giller in Atlanta. The lecture is in tribute to the former mobilization assistant to the Air Force surgeon general who retired in December 1998 and died March 13.The Giller lecture reviewed

  • Lee Greenwood entertains troops on Patriotic World Tour

    On his 18th military world tour, country music performer Lee Greenwood is once again proudly standing up for the men and women in uniform deployed overseas. Mr. Greenwood left the United States April 5 for Germany, Turkey and three forward-operating bases in Southwest Asia. The final stop of the

  • Lee Greenwood to entertain deployed, overseas troops

    The man best-known for writing and performing “God Bless the U.S.A.” will entertain U.S. troops in Europe, Southwest Asia and the Pacific from April 5 to 18. "I am thrilled that Restless Heart, Dick Hardwick, the New England Patriot Cheerleaders and members of the Air Force band have all agreed to

  • LEGACY youth program builds interest in STEM careers

    The Leadership Experience Growing Apprenticeships Committed to Youth, or LEGACY, program is an Air Force program aimed at building interest in science, technology, engineering and math through summer craftsman camps and paid summer apprenticeships while showing how STEM applies to the world around

  • Legal Airmen train to support rule of law missions

    An unprecedented number of Airmen deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan from the Air Force judge advocate corps are taking on roles to support rule of law missions in those theaters of operation. Because of that effort, the JAG corps developed a new course focusing on Task Force 134 -- the task force

  • Legal assistance helps Airmen manage stress

    Earlier this year, Air Force officials introduced a year-long campaign that highlights monthly initiatives to help Airmen and their families manage stress. The initiative for the month of September is "legal assistance." "Legal assistance is an incredibly valuable resource available to all Airmen

  • Legal office helps Airmen stay prepared for deployment

    Combat readiness is key in the post-9/11 military environment. Since the terrorist attacks more than four years ago, thousands of Airmen have deployed to locations all over the world. Some have even deployed two or three times. A key component to ensure combat readiness is to make sure one’s legal

  • Legal officer's commitment to service gives back to U.S.

    The United States gave Capt. Dimple Nolly's parents a chance to provide a better life for their family once they immigrated from India to America."Although my parents faced adversity, they remained focused on their goal, which ultimately inspired me to always pursue the best, do my best and push for

  • Legal proceedings set for cadets

    Four cadets are facing legal proceedings here Nov. 20 and 24. Three of the cadets are charged with drug use, and one is charged with sexual assault. Cadet 1st Class Jacob Billeter faces a court-martial Nov. 20 for allegedly using Ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and an Ecstasy derivative. He was also

  • Legal professionals become JAG Corps

    Air Force lawyers, paralegals and court reporters are no longer part of the Judge Advocate General’s Department; they are now in the “JAG Corps.”The change is part of two secretary of the Air Force directives designed to eliminate confusion and clarify the duties and responsibilities of the JAG and

  • Legal readiness important before deployment

    American servicemembers have deployed across the globe for months at a time since the beginning of the war against global terrorism.Therefore, it is important military members vigilantly ensure a constant state of legal readiness, according to Capt. Brian K. Keller, a Marine Corps lawyer. He is the

  • Legend behind 'Pardo Push' visits Seymour Johnson Airmen

    The 4th Fighter Wing welcomed one of the Air Force's most heroic fighter pilots from the Vietnam War for a base visit, Oct. 10. Retired Lt. Col. Bob Pardo, known for saving the lives of a fellow F-4 Phantom crew with what became known as "Pardo's Push," visited the 4th Training Squadron's F-15E

  • Legendary fighter pilot Robin Olds dies

    Legendary fighter pilot, retired Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, died June 14 from congestive heart failure one month short of his 85th birthday.General Olds, rated a triple ace for having shot down a total of 16 enemy aircraft during World War II and the Vietnam War, served his country in assignments to

  • Legendary group enhances defense at Fairford

    Security here has taken on a formidable new dimension.After adding layers of concertina wire, K-9s and four contingents of law enforcement, officials at this British installation have added a regiment nothing short of legendary.The Gurkhas, the world-renowned Nepali special forces contingent of the

  • Legendary journalist visits England base

    A broadcast journalism legend returned to Royal Air Force Molesworth where he reported on World War II events to see the monument dedicated to the members of the 303rd Bomb Group from World War II. Walter Cronkite is best known as the anchorman for the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981, and he has

  • Legendary pilot visits Kadena

    A surviving pilot of a legendary aviator group of determined black men at the forefront of historic social change during World War II spoke Feb. 25 at the Rocker NCO Club here. Retired Lt. Col. Charles Dryden was one of 992 Tuskegee Airmen who answered the call to serve his country when blacks were

  • Legends inducted into Space, Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame

    One man was a nuclear physicist who led the Air Force to create a command dedicated to space, while the second is an aviation legend famous for flying airplanes into space, and together they entered the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame Aug. 8 here. The 2007 Space and Missile Pioneer

  • 'Legends of Aerospace' visit Airmen in Southwest Asia

    The first and last men to walk on the moon, the commander of Apollo 13, the last Air Force pilot "Ace" and the SR-71 chief test pilot, all "Legends of Aerospace,"  were the honored guests of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing March 8 at an air base in Southwest Asia.Hundreds of servicemembers flocked

  • Legends Panel links past, present communications Airmen

    Air Force Network Integration Center Airmen had a unique opportunity to meet with and ask questions of some of the organization's past commanders and members of the Communications and Information Hall of Fame during the AFNIC Legends Panel session here Jan 26.The panel was part of a two-day heritage

  • Legion Pod reaches IOC

    The Legion Pod is a sensor that uses the infrared spectrum to help pilots to track and engage enemy aircraft in environments where traditional radar technology is denied.

  • Legislative liaisons enhance mobility relationships, future

    During an election year, many service members are extra cautious about any political affiliations. While this is important, Airmen have the right to reach out to their congressional representatives. Some Airmen even work directly with the politicians.