NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Aviano stays 'Forward, Ready, Now' with joint exercise

    The 555th Fighter Squadron hosted a weeklong exercise with the U.S. and Netherlands joint tactical air controllers here Dec. 2, as a part of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces in Africa's "Forward, Ready, Now" initiative.

  • GPS analysts bridge gap between launch, orbit

    As the Air Force continues to upgrade its most recognizable space constellation, a small team is busy testing and evaluating, and ensuring that each spacecraft is ready to begin its job of providing position, navigation, and timing to more than 3 billion worldwide users.

  • AFSOUTH Airmen train Salvadoran firefighters

    Firefighters from the 612th Air Base Squadron's Fire Emergency Services facilitated the El Salvador's Autonomous Executive Port Commission airport firefighter live-fire exercise for 12 firefighters, Dec. 3.

  • Rescue loadmasters: Balance is key

    A rescue loadmaster squeezes around the tight space in the back of an HC-130J Combat King II. With a nearly 6,000 pound Humvee waiting to be airdropped, there is little room for maneuvering and zero room for error.

  • AF Band performs new holiday flash mob

    ‘Tis the season where friends and family come together over a bountiful spread of food and drink -- the time of year where gifts are exchanged and memories and traditions are made. But it is also the time of year when the U.S. Air Force Band surprises the world with another musical flash mob.

  • Tool to safeguard PII scheduled for AF-wide December rollout

    The Digital Signature Enforcement Tool is scheduled for Air Force-wide integration Dec. 5, providing Microsoft Outlook email users with an interactive, automated virtual assistant to help ensure the security of personally identifiable information

  • Egress systems get a makeover during AFSO21 event

    Master Sgt. Kenneth Kelly, the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron accessories flight superintendent, admitted it was nerve-racking to ask Maj. Mark Gray, the 48th CMS commander, about implementing innovative, yet radical, changes to maximize the efficiency of their shop during an Air Force Smart

  • Student pilot earns second set of wings

    Capt. William Smith, a 14th Flying Training Wing Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 15-02 student, became the first pilot to earn his silver wings in the new pilot-physician selection process during a graduation ceremony Nov. 21 at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

  • PACAF family shares story of adoption, love, duty

    For Majs. Brian and Amanda Evans, life is a constant balancing act with work and a family. At work, Amanda is the commander of the 15th Comptroller Squadron and Brian is a Special Operations Command Pacific air operations planner. At home, they're parents to three energetic kids -- two of whom are

  • Born to wave the flag

    Blaine Yelton was born Aug. 12, 1915, when World War I was in its second bloody year.

  • The footprint of the Jolly Green Giant leaves its mark

    Tech. Sgt. Mathew Macella, the 56th Rescue Squadron pararescueman blue team NCO in charge, succinctly summed up the explanation for all the stickers of green feet found around Royal Air Force Lakenheath and what they mean for the 56th RQS. The origin of the green feet symbol came from Vietnam, when

  • Retrograde in full gear

    As the retrograde mission of transporting equipment and personnel out of Afghanistan continues, Dover AFB personnel are hard at work ensuring the job is done safely, on time and as efficiently as possible.

  • Skydiver places 3rd, donates winnings

    As a canopy pilot, also known as a swooper,a 3rd Space Operations Squadron captain maneuvers high performance parachutes with the goal of flying through a course just inches above the Earth. He then drags his foot across a pond in a controlled manner gaining points in three separate categories:

  • New app to solve basic computer problems across AF

    As the Air Force Enterprise Service Desk goes virtual, Airmen will see a new application on their computers that allows them to immediately tackle and fix their minor information technology issues

  • Mackay Trophy returns to AFSOC

    Under heavy enemy fire Dec. 21, 2013, the crew of Rooster 73 performed expert aerial maneuvers while simultaneously providing medical care to the critically-injured passengers on board their CV-22 Osprey.

  • Providing a FAST deployment role

    Air Force FAST teams play a crucial role in protecting aircrews and airplanes in hostile areas. They fly on specific missions to various deployed locations to ensure the safety and security of aircraft and crew members.

  • Research laboratory honors top scientists, engineers

    Air Force Research Laboratory honored 12 outstanding scientists and engineers at the 2014 AFRL Fellows and Early Career Awards Banquet recently for their exceptional contributions to advancing technologies for the warfighter.

  • Veterans in Blue Volume V out now

    For decades, Airmen have answered the call to serve and protect the nation’s interests, people and cherished freedoms that underpin it all, risking their lives for others, and thus, becoming heroes in the eyes of those they protected.

  • AF awards new launch, test range service contract

    The Air Force awarded the Launch and Test Range Integrated Service Contract (LISC) to RGNext on Nov. 6. The total contract value, including all potential options and potential award fee is $2 billion. LISC will provide the government with a single prime contractor responsible and accountable for

  • AF engineers log record-breaking accelerated engine test

    A highly successful accelerated mission test (AMT) of Pratt & Whitney's F135 conventional take-off and landing/carrier variant (CTOL/CV) engine was recently completed in the Sea Level 3 test cell (SL-3) at the Arnold Engineering Development Center.

  • Air Combat Command salutes new leader

    Gen. Hawk Carlisle assumed command of Air Combat Command from Gen. Mike Hostage during a ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, Nov. 4.

  • 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

  • FY 15 launch schedule kicks off with GPS IIF-8 liftoff

    The U.S. Air Force supported the successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Air Force's eighth Block IIF navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System at 1:21 p.m. EDT Oct. 29 from Space Launch Complex 41 here.

  • AF to implement DOD TDY policy changes

    The Defense Department recently implemented two TDY policy changes impacting travel reimbursements for Airmen.The first change took effect Oct. 1, and made changes to the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Reimbursable and Incidental Expense Policy. The second will be a change in long-term TDY per diem

  • PACAF hosts Air Force civic leaders

    Members of the Air Force Civic Leader Program traveled to Hawaii Oct. 14-16, to participate in a military tour highlighting the Pacific Rebalance.The program and its civic leader visits to military installations serve to better inform communicators in the civilian community and advocates for Air

  • ISR: A critical capability for 21st century warfare

    The progressive adaptations and breakthroughs made in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance arena have changed the way wars are fought, and the way commanders think about the battlespace.

  • Travel regulation changes affect PCS moves, travelers

    Big changes are happening with the Joint Travel Regulations, and they could affect your next permanent-change-of-station move or how you are reimbursed for temporary duty assignments. As of July 25, Army uniformed and civilian travelers are directed to use their government travel credit cards for

  • Scientific Advisory Board begins 2015 studies

    The U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board 2015 season officially kicked off at an event here in September that brought together new and returning members to discuss the Secretary of the Air Force’s approved studies.

  • 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

  • Global Strike workshop delivers key planning strategies

    Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command, along with representatives from the Air Staff, Pacific Air Forces and the Navy, participated in the Global Strike Workshop Oct. 6-10, here, to develop plans via a joint planning group to deal with contingencies in the context of unified engagement.

  • Airmen support remote arctic operations

    Located just 508 miles from the North Pole and 1,140 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Canadian Forces Station Alert and its small contingent of personnel provides signals intelligence there and for its detachment stations. Due to its remote geographic location at the northernmost inhabited location

  • Airmen train for ‘new wild, wild west’ in cyber domain

    On any given day, the Defense Department defends itself against numerous cyber-attacks at installations throughout the world. To help combat this growing threat, Airmen from the 39th Information Operations Squadron train to defend computer networks against invisible ordnance in the operational

  • Cyber expansions create security considerations

    Technological advances have put the world at the fingertips of anyone with connection to the Internet and during cyber security awareness month, Airmen and their families are reminded to remain vigilant when posting personal information.

  • AF energy initiatives increase mission readiness

    The Air Force’s top leaders for energy programs highlighted strides the Air Force has taken in energy conservation, and discussed innovative ideas that will lead to even more cost and energy savings, during the Air Force Association’s monthly breakfast Oct. 8, in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Hackathon to help solve real-world problems

    The Air Force Research Laboratory is preparing to co-host LabHack, a 26-hour long coding competition which will task coding-savvy individuals, or "hackers," to creatively solve challenges that AFRL researchers face every day.

  • SecAF expresses priorities to Vandenberg Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James recently visited Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, to meet with Airmen and witness the successful launch of an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

  • Turning the page in financial improvement

    Oct. 1 marked not only the beginning of a new fiscal year but also the start of a new chapter in Air Force Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness that has been ten years in the making.

  • First sergeant provides health, welfare for warriors

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

  • A place to belong

    Staff Sgt. Ruta Shibeshi is an Airman in the U.S. Air Force, and what sounds like a job title to most, to Shibeshi has meant family, friends and a place to belong.

  • Airman uses LEAP experience to enhance AFSOUTH mission

    The Air Force is made up of a diversely talented group of people whose personal skill sets often enhance their careers and one Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Airman is using his language and culture skills to support a unique Air Forces Southern mission.

  • No greater friend

    Service dogs can range from being a person's eyes, sensing a seizure or low blood sugar, to sniffing out improvised explosive devices on the battlefield. For some of the Air Force's wounded warrior athletes, service dogs provide so much more than just physical assistance.

  • Dover tail flash flies around the ‘Monster Mile’

    The Dover tail flash is blue, yellow, black and white, has the head of an eagle, depicts the Liberty Bell, proudly displays the name "Dover," and normally is only found adorning the tail section of Dover Air Force Base C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

  • Energy Action Month spotlights Airmen impacting operations

    October is Energy Action Month throughout the federal government and in the Air Force, Energy Action Month is the centerpiece of the “I am Air Force Energy” campaign dedicated to educating Airmen on ways they can maximize their energy efficiency and mission effectiveness.

  • Cyber: The new Red Flag battleground

    The internet is a battleground, and information is the prize. News reports of a shopping retailer losing control of customers’ digital data and an internet browser being compromised are some of the recent evidence of the constant cyber-threat present in the World Wide Web. The digital war over

  • Global Strike provides deterrence for the modern era

    The Air Force recently demonstrated its nuclear deterrence and power projection capabilities through a coordinated display of strategic combat power.Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen -- responsible for two legs of the nation's nuclear triad -- conducted the demonstrations, which included

  • Weathering the storm: AF eyes in the sky provide global weather data

    Detachment 1, 50th Operations Group, a small contingent of four Air Force officers, is responsible for seven satellites that comprise the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, or DMSP. The team coordinates with the space experts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, contractor

  • AF starts with clean sweep in sitting volleyball

    Competition began Sept. 28 at the 2014 Warrior Games with four games of sitting volleyball to start the round-robin tournament at the U.S. Olympic Training Center's Sports Centers 1 and 2.Air Force made it a clean sweep of their back-to-back games. The first game against Army provided a close

  • 'Day in the Life' project showcases right Airman, right job, right time

    The 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, spent months of pre-planning, coordination and post-production efforts to create a multimedia project titled, "Day in the Life of the 86th Airlift Wing" showing how the wing supports multiple Air Force, joint and international missions daily.

  • Hill AFB in midst of robust F-35 preparation

    Hill AFB’s preparations for the F-35A Lightning II, totaling more than $100 million, with 23 projects to be completed between September 2014 and July 2015, and 36 total projects will be finished once construction concludes in 2019.

  • Tanker aircrews help in fight against ISIL

    With 16 KC-135 Stratotankers on its installation, Airmen from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, waste no time when answering the call to defend the nation -- even when there is little to no notice. As these planes can be seen and heard overhead, one has to wonder where in the world they are flying.

  • Minuteman III test missile launches from Vandenberg

    A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile Sept. 23 at 7:45 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

  • Phased rollout to improve enlisted evaluation system

    The Air Force chief of enlisted force policy outlined the implementation of the new enlisted evaluation and promotion systems at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17.

  • PIKE nears end of service

    The 22nd Space Operations Squadron will decommission the Colorado Tracking Station Sept. 29, during a ceremony here, signaling the end of operations for one of the Air Force Satellite Control Network's most valued assets of the past two decades.

  • Guam RED HORSE Airmen provide lifesaving training

    Firefighters from Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam joined with their island partners from the Guam Fire Department to develop the skills to perform high-risk rescues by participating in a three-week Defense Department Rescue Technician Course here in September.

  • CMSAF fields questions, speaks about EPRs

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody addressed the future of enlisted performance reports during a Q-and-A format session at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17.

  • Women’s legacy parallels Air Force history

    As we celebrate the Air Force’s 67th birthday, we talk of how far we’ve come and look ahead to what the future holds, but it’s just as important to look at where we’ve been. The story of women in the military, specifically the Air Force, parallels that of the Air Force itself. In fact, for women

  • Enlisted Heritage Panel convenes at AFA

    Former chief master sergeants of the Air Force shared experiences and challenges they faced in their careers during the 2014 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference, Sept. 17.

  • F-35 on time to deliver global security, Air Force official said

    Work leading up the completion of the multinational F-35 program is largely on track, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office executive officer said in remarks during the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 15.

  • CMSAF outlines future force improvements

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody discussed the force’s way forward at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17.

  • 67 plus years of airpower

    "We didn't become the world's greatest Air Force by accident," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody. "We got here through 67 years of American Airmen breaking new terrain and lifting us to a higher level. We should celebrate that innovation this year...

  • Innovation is key to stabilizing the Pacific

    The only way to continue forward is through innovation, Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of the Pacific Air Forces Command, said during a speech at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition, Washington D.C., Sept. 16.

  • AMC commander puts spotlight on Airmen

    In his comments about the state of the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, Gen. Darren McDew, the commander, lauded the capabilities of Airmen enabling the nation’s global air power at the 2014 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here, Sept. 16.

  • AMC outlines future 'total force' mobility requirements

    The Air Mobility Command director of strategic plans, requirements and programs discussed innovation and technology that will shape the total force mobility enterprise in the coming years during an AMC requirements brief at the 2014 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology

  • POW/MIA: 1,482 Airmen still missing

    Nearly 1,500 Airmen are still missing and unaccounted for from various conflicts and there are more than 83,000 Americans still unaccounted for across the Defense Department.Every year the nation pauses on the third Friday of September to remember the sacrifices and service of prisoners of war,

  • Top Airman discusses Air Force future

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III spoke about the importance of embracing change and creating an adaptive Air Force at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition, Sept. 16.