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U.S. Air Force News

  • Finding a way to win

    It was a temperate day at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan when Lt. Col. Craig Andrle and his wingman, Capt. Adam Fuhrmann, began walking across the flightline to their soon-to-be airborne F-16CM Fighting Falcons.

  • 68th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award winners announced

    Air Force officials are pleased to announce the three recipients of the 68th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award. The three distinguished winners are scheduled to be honored by the award commission at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

  • Dunford urges new AF officers to lead in Academy graduation address

    While the new officers of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2017 must never stop learning, it's time to lead, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at graduation ceremonies in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford thanked the 979 graduates for answering the call to

  • Air defense exercise hones air-intercept skills

    Aircrews and associated support personnel from across the military air-defense enterprise are here for a three-day Aerospace Control Alert CrossTell live-fly training exercise from May 23-25, 2017.

  • AF rolls out fiscal 2018 space budget

    Air Force leaders met with media to discuss specifics of the service’s fiscal 2018 space investment budget at the Pentagon May 24, 2017. The request totals $7.75 billion, an approximately 20 percent increase from fiscal year 2017.

  • RPA culture continues innovation

    The RQ-1 Predator, later designated as the MQ-1, was the right aircraft at the right time following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. While the nation was recovering from the largest attack in its history since the bombings of Pearl Harbor, members of the Pentagon prepared for a war they already knew

  • AF proposes 1,600 personnel increase to command support staffs

    The Air Force plans to increase commander support staff manning across the force by 1,600 by fiscal year 2022 increasing total authorizations to more than 6,300. Currently, the personnel increase calls for 170 officers, 469 enlisted and 961 civilians with all civilian hires authorized for fiscal

  • AF presents fiscal year 2018 budget

    The Air Force presented its fiscal year 2018 president's budget request May 23, 2017, following the Defense Department and sister services’ budget briefings.

  • Enlisted Airmen selected for 2017 nursing program

    Almost three dozen active-duty enlisted Airmen have been selected for the 2017 Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program following the April 17-19, 2017, selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center.

  • AF showcases game-changing technologies at DOD Lab Day

    Scientists and engineers from the Air Force Research Laboratory presented 16 technology research projects in various stages of maturity during the second biennial Department of Defense Lab Day May 18, 2017, in the Pentagon center courtyard.

  • Dragon Lady makes historic appearance at Northern Edge

    Looking across the flightline at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson during previous Northern Edge exercises you would have seen a mass of gray and white aircraft, but this year the distinctly black U-2S Dragon Lady from Beale Air Force Base, California, made its presence known for the first time at

  • Senior leaders discuss US space posture

    On May 17, 2017, Air Force senior leaders testified before the Senate Armed Service Committee Strategic Forces subcommittee on military space, organization, policy and programs.

  • 45th Space Wing enables nation's space mission

    Space launches may soon be an almost weekly sight on Florida's Space Coast. As the need for space lift grows globally, partnerships between the Air Force, other government agencies and the commercial space industry are enhancing the 45th Space Wing's vision of remaining the world's premier gateway

  • Largest African Air Chiefs Symposium to date kicks off

    The seventh annual African Air Chiefs Symposium began in Kasane May 16, 2017. The African Air Chiefs Symposium is an annual forum for air chiefs from across the African continent to come together with the U.S. to discuss important regional and continental issues, and how African air forces can best

  • Special Operations Command aircrew recognized for meritorious flight

    Every year, an aircrew is selected for the Clarence Mackay Trophy for accomplishing the most meritorious flight of the year. This year, an AC-130U aircrew from Air Force Special Operations Command, which included one of 25th Air Force’s outstanding Airmen, was recognized with the honor.

  • Air Force to Release F-35 Weight Restrictions

    Air Force leaders recently removed the restriction that kept pilots weighing less than 136 pounds from flying the F-35A. The restriction was imposed in 2015 due to concerns about the risk during ejections in a portion of the flight envelope.

  • Civilians gain leadership, warfighter support skills through program

    The Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program has been molding leaders for more than 30 years. In keeping with that tradition, the ELDP class of 2017 gained valuable knowledge of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber missions and capabilities while visiting

  • Airman beats leukemia into remission

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)In January 2012, Staff Sgt. Nicholas Worley, a 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems craftsman, was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous

  • MQ-1 squadron celebrates 100 years

    The 15th Attack Squadron patch depicting a pigeon clutching a telescope harkens to the squadron’s long history of reconnaissance missions. On May 9, 2017, the 15th ATKS celebrated their 100-year anniversary and reflected on the unit’s extensive and honorable heritage, which coincidentally includes

  • AFLCMC awards major long range radar contract

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center here awarded the Raytheon Company a $52.6 million contract May 11, 2017, for the three-dimensional expeditionary long-range radar system.

  • Air National Guard senior NCO breaks barriers

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)With multiple deployments and unique assignments during her 29 plus years of military experience as a munitions system specialist, Chief Master Sgt.

  • Holloman surges RPA operations

    The 49th Wing’s remotely piloted aircraft squadrons at Holloman Air Force Base completed a five-day surge May 5, 2017, to measure the full capabilities of the Airmen and civilians involved in the RPA mission.

  • Deployed Airmen, Marines conquer U.S. Marine Corps Corporal’s Course

    Deployed Airmen at the 407th Air Expeditionary Group were given the opportunity to attend the U.S. Marine Corps’ Corporal’s Course to gain vital skills to be successful as enlisted leaders. Attending alongside their Marine brothers-in-arms, Airmen embarked on the two-week training, which is designed

  • Endpoint cybersecurity technology deployed through AF agreement

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center electronic systems development division here and Carbon Black, a locally-based security company, signed a cooperative research and development agreement to improve cybersecurity for the Hanscom Air Force Base Collaboration and Innovation Center.

  • Accelerating hypersonics development

    On May 3, 2017, Air Force senior leaders met to consider options to accelerate hypersonics research and development to break even more speed barriers and ensure continued technological superiority.Hypersonics refers to flying at five times the speed of sound, also known as “Mach 5,” or higher.

  • MQ-9 Reapers add to arsenal with first GBU-38 drop

    Airmen from the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, here, and the 26th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, made history earlier this week, by employing the first GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition from an MQ-9 Reaper.

  • Academy cadets compete in UAS competition

    The Air Force Academy took second place to the Naval Academy at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency sponsored unmanned aerial systems Swarm Competition, April 23-25 at Camp Roberts, California.

  • Medal of Honor recipient passes away at 85

    Col. Leo K. Thorsness, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away May 2, 2017, in St. Augustine, Florida, at the age of 85, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

  • Malmstrom tests Minuteman III missile with launch from Vandenberg

    A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single test reentry vehicle May 3, 2017, at 12:02 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Vandenberg AFB,

  • Around the Air Force: May 2

    On this look around the Air Force, the Air Force Research Lab helps reduce the C-5M Super Galaxy’s energy footprint, the Alpha Warrior fitness program is on tour and the first three enlisted RPA Airmen complete their training.

  • Hill F-16s train in NATO exercise

    Eight F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and more than 200 Airmen from the active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th FW from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, are currently at Albacete Air Base, Spain, to participate in the NATO Tactical Leadership Program through May 19, 2017.

  • AF family navigates autism together

    Michael Christi is a three year old who loves animals, enjoys playing outside and adores school. He is like any other child who learns new subjects and socializes, but he performs differently due to having autism spectrum disorder, a developmental condition that is characterized by difficulty with

  • Do you have what it takes to ‘Hack the Air Force’?

    The Air Force is inviting vetted computer security specialists from across the U.S. and select partner nations to do their best to hack some of its key public websites.The initiative is part of the Cyber Secure campaign sponsored by the Air Force’s Chief Information Office as a measure to further

  • Technology of the Future

    Looking much like a handheld vacuum cleaner attached to an extra-large Shop-Vac, the technology that may revolutionize the aircraft structural maintenance shop does not scream “innovation” on first glance. Despite appearances, the capabilities of the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG)

  • Travis AFB earns DOD environmental restoration award

    Dedication to using green and sustainable remediation technologies and biological processes that breakdown contaminates in groundwater has earned Travis Air Force Base, California, its first Defense Secretary Environmental Restoration Award for Installations.

  • DoD celebrates Month of the Military Child

    April is designated as the Month of the Military Child by the Department of Defense Education Activity. This awareness month was established to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community.

  • Air Force senior enlisted leaders conduct full EPME review

    More than 40 Air Force senior enlisted leaders and subject matter experts met at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, April 4-5 to perform an extensive review of all facets of enlisted professional military education during the 2017 EPME Triennial Review.

  • Wright-Patterson, NMUSAF pay tribute to Doolittle Raid 75th anniversary

    Friends, family and fans from around the country came together to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid April 17-18, 2017, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The April 18, 1942, Doolittle Raid on Tokyo was an

  • KMC medics implant AF’s 1st Micra TPS

    The Keesler Medical Center became the first Air Force hospital to implant the world’s smallest pacemaker for patients with bradycardia April 13, 2017.

  • Resilience: One Airman’s story of faith, service

    Senior Master Sgt. Jon Rousseaux was like many children who grew up in a military family. The self-described man of faith and service followed his father, a retired chief, into the Air Force -- and after 19 years, he is still at it. In fact, he just re-enlisted for four more years. Rousseaux’s years

  • AMC civic leaders learn about global reach execution

    Headquarters Air Mobility Command hosted 30 civic leaders at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, from April 10-12, 2017, to provide an interactive look into what it takes to execute the rapid global mobility mission every day.

  • Persistent surveillance gives squadron its global purpose

    Deep within the walls of a four story structure along Florida’s Space Coast sits a squadron of Airmen whose number one mission is to detect, identify and locate nuclear explosions anywhere in the world.The Technical Surveillance Squadron (TESS), a subordinate unit to the Air Force Technical

  • Immigrant joins Air Force to give back

    Staff Sgt. Fadi Chreim, a 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations dispatch chief, joined the military to give back to the country that brought him in as an immigrant a decade ago.

  • Pilots take brotherhood to new heights

    Maj. Matthew Shelly, the 23d Wing director of inspections and a pilot with the 74th Fighter Squadron, and his little brother, Capt. Christopher Shelly, the 76th Fighter Squadron chief of standards and evaluations, flew in formation together for the first time, April 8, 2017, over Moody AFB.

  • 90th MW provides unwavering nuclear deterrence

    The 90th Missile Wing conducted a successful Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman test here April 10-12, 2017. The SELM demonstrates the wing’s capability to provide unwavering nuclear deterrence for the nation.

  • Green Dot training prompts suicide intervention

    An Air Force Life Cycle Management Center program manager at Hanscom Air Force Base credits her efforts to help a woman she worried was suicidal to Green Dot training she received.

  • Airman battles cancer with leadership support

    In February of 2016, Black was almost finished with her technical training at Beale Air Force Base, California, when she said she began to experience abdominal cramps and unusual bloating. When her symptoms worsened, Black decided to visit a doctor to figure out if something was wrong.

  • Vice Chief, CMSAF visit 386th AEW

    The Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, April 9, 2017.

  • Military Treatment Facility leadership conference stresses Trusted Care

    If medical error could be classified as a disease, it would rank as the third deadliest disease in America. A medical error is a mistake by a medical provider which results in harm to a patient. For example, misdiagnosis of a condition or administering the improper dosage of a medicine.

  • Cadets learn about AF through Pathways to Blue

    The third annual Pathways to Blue event, designed to help ROTC cadets make their Air Force career choices, was April 7-8, 2017.The diversity and inclusion event, attended by more than 175 ROTC cadets from seven universities, is a 2nd Air Force initiative aimed to help build future leaders in the Air

  • CSAF Prestigious Captains Ph.D. Program application window open

    The application window is open for active-duty Air Force captains interested in applying for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Captains Prestigious Ph.D. Program which exposes rising officers to a unique learning experience at a top-tier university.

  • Air Force officer’s inventions inspired by Pin Art, E Ink

    When Capt. Daniel Stambovsky, a physicist assigned to the 32nd Intelligence Squadron, left his assignment at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York, he left several patents pending. To his surprise, he recently received notification that two of his patents have been approved.

  • Innovation enhances safety, leads to international recognition

    Air traffic control is serious business. Every day thousands of flights take off and land all across the U.S. Dedicated professionals known as air traffic controllers are responsible for monitoring every flight and coordinating with aircrews and people on the ground.

  • AMC, industry partner to enhance virtual training

    Canadian Aviation Electronics USA, the primary contractor for the KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew training system, recently received authorization to operate on the Air Force’s Distributed Training Center Network. KC-135 Stratotanker simulators will now be connected to other Air Force mobility platforms

  • Intelligence communications systems migrate worldwide

    While protecting the nation and seeking out the enemy, U.S. military forces must exchange sensitive information safely and securely. The Air Force Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System allows multi-media communications between authorized individuals by secure means, and in a timely

  • 250th Air Force Community Partnership signed

    Leaders from Joint Base Charleston and the surrounding community signed the 250th Air Force community partnership agreement last week. This one aims to reduce emergency response time for local military and civilian first responders.

  • Mobility Airmen support Peru relief mission

    At the request of the government of Peru, two U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, flew to Lima, Peru, April 4, 2017, to support ongoing U.S. disaster assistance to communities devastated by floods resulting from torrential rainfall in the country’s

  • Wings of Blue train, jump with reservists

    Citizen Airmen from the 701st Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, took to the sky in a C-17 Globemaster III over the Arizona desert early Saturday morning for mission critical training with the Air Force’s Wings of Blue parachute team.

  • CSAF shares thoughts, stresses importance of Hanscom work during visit

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein visited Hanscom Air Force Base March 28 to 30, 2017 to learn more about the work done at the base, meet with local civic officials to discuss collaboration, and share his insight about where the Air Force currently is and where it’s headed.

  • Wing inspection teams inspect QA programs

    Two wing inspection teams from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, visited to assess the 23rd Maintenance Group’s quality assurance program March 20 to 24.

  • AFRL lighting the way for military aircrews

    Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (RX) junior force researchers resolved an issue of critical importance to military pilots and aircrews—portable, reliable and robust temporary landing zone lighting.