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U.S. Air Force News

  • AF Small Business officials spread word about innovation

    Air Force Small Business officials spread the word about the innovation, agility and efficiency of small businesses to more than 1,400 contracting professionals attending the National Contract Management Association, or NCMA, World Congress here April 5 to 8. Ronald A. Poussard, director of the Air

  • AF soccer team wins 2nd straight armed forces championship

    The All-Air Force Men's Soccer Team has done it again.The team triumphed in the 2012 Armed Forces Soccer Championship held at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 23 through Oct. 1. Air Force team members traveled from all over the world to train, compete and bring home the gold with a 2-1 victory over

  • AF Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame inducts 6

    Six trailblazers were inducted here Aug. 24 into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame for their significant accomplishments in the advancement of space and missile programs in the Air Force. The inductees, whose work formed the basis upon which Air Force Space Command now operates,

  • AF Space Command adds new antennas

    The 50th Space Wing here earned operational acceptance for four of its remote tracking station antennas from Air Force Space Command Jan. 29, signaling the start of full operations for the Air Force's newest satellite communication assets.

  • AF Space Command general garners White Trophy

    The Air Force Association announced this year's winner of the Gen. Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy this week. The award, which recognizes "outstanding contribution to the nation's progress in aerospace," goes to Lt. Gen. Michael A. Hamel, Space and Missile Systems Center commander at Los Angeles

  • AF Space Command realigns cyberspace capabilities

    The Air Force Network Integration Center will go through a restructure as it divests cyberspace lead command functions to Air Force Space Command to allow AFNIC to focus on its core mission of Air Force network integration and engineering services.The changes are a result of an AFSPC chartered study

  • AF space leader attends AFA breakfast

    The Air Force deputy undersecretary for space spoke on the importance of safeguarding the space enterprise during an Air Force Association breakfast on March 17 at the Sheraton Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

  • AF special operations group key to aid effort after Typhoon Haiyan

    The Air Force's 353rd Special Operations Group opened a fourth airfield in Borongan, Republic of the Philippines Nov. 18, to facilitate a more efficient distribution of relief supplies to outlying areas as part of Operation Damayan. The group has opened airstrips at Tacloban, Ormoc, Guiuan and

  • AF Special Ops officer killed in Kabul shooting

    An officer assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command died Saturday of wounds suffered from a gunshot in Kabul, Afghanistan.Lieutenant Colonel John Darin Loftis, 866th Air Expeditionary Squadron, was deployed in support of OPERATION Enduring Freedom and working in the Government of the Islamic

  • AF Special Victims' Counsel provides legal assistance, support

    If a sexual assault happens, it is crucial for individuals to know who they can turn to, where they can go and what help is available to them.April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The month focuses on ensuring Airmen and families are aware of the resources available to aid in the

  • AF splits space, missile career field for officers

    The Air Force has split the space and missile career field in an effort to ensure more focused development for officers performing these critical missions in increasingly complex operational environments, Air Force officials announced today.Under the old construct, more than 50 percent of

  • AF sponsors Busch Series race car

    The next generation of the Wood Brothers racing team dynasty is “Crossing into the Blue” driving a specially painted Ford Taurus prominently featuring the Air Force logo and colors. Coming on the heels of his recent NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win at Martinsville, Va., Jon Wood is making his 2003

  • AF spouse receives spouse of the year accolades

    Michelle Aikman was named Military Spouse Magazine’s 2016 Air Force Military Spouse of the Year during a luncheon May 5 at Fort Myer. Surrounded by her family and previous Air Force military spouses of the year winners, Aikman was recognized for her lifetime of accomplishments.

  • AF spouse sings her way into America’s hearts

    When Dawn McClure found out there were openings in the American Military Spouses Choir, she propped her smartphone on the mantel, recorded an audition piece and submitted it to the Center for American Military Music Opportunities for consideration. McClure, whose husband is the housing director at

  • AF starts migration of information, services to new total-force website

    Air Force personnel specialists are in the process of migrating personnel information and services to the new Air Force Personnel Services website.The transfer aims to move the Air Force toward its goal of establishing a single, online knowledge base for active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force

  • 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

  • AF stops moves to Colorado

    The Air Force has temporarily halted permanent change of station moves and most temporary duty assignments to Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever AFB, Cheyenne Mountain Air Station and the U.S. Air Force Academy for military members and civilians as the result of wildfires burning in the Black Forest

  • AF streamlines expeditionary readiness training

    Air Force officials announced the creation of a new streamlined Expeditionary Readiness Program governance construct that replaces the current tiered predeployment training model.The updated program is designed to ensure expeditionary readiness training is relevant, effective, timely, synchronized,

  • AF strengthens ties with community through partnership program

    The Air Force Community Partnership Program (AFCP), one of the 13 Make Every Dollar Count initiatives launched by the Air Force, is currently working with 51 installations and local communities to improve and strengthen community and Air Force partnerships.

  • AF student pilot wins Ms. Fitness bodybuilding competition

    Since March of this year, a student pilot with the 47th Student Squadron has worked to train her body to peak fitness. 2nd Lt. Colby Chaput's efforts culminated in her competing at the Ms. Fitness bodybuilding competition in San Antonio this past October.

  • AF students bound for space camp

    Last year, the Military Child Education Coalition had only enough money to send one student of military parents to the U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. But this year, two Air Force children are among five youngsters to experience the camp thanks to a $5,000 corporate donation.London H. Durand,

  • AF study highlights world trends, core missions

    The Air Force Chief Scientist has officially concluded his last study, looking into the Air Force's core mission of global vigilance, global reach and global power in the context of how global trends will affect those missions in the next 25 years. The Global Horizons study, led by Dr. Mark Maybury,

  • AF successfully launches the AFSPC-5 mission

    The Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched the AFSPC-5 mission aboard the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) procured United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, May 20, at 11:05 a.m. EST. There were no issues reported with the

  • AF suicide prevention recognized

    A landmark University of Rochester study of suicide in the U.S. Air Force concluded that the service’s suicide-prevention program reduced the risk of suicide by 33 percent during the past six years. The research was reported in the Dec. 12 edition of the British Medical Journal. "This is a

  • AF support missions intensify after wake of Hurricane Katrina

    As thousands flee in a mass exodus from Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, hundreds of Airmen nationwide are flocking to the region to help recover from Hurricane Katrina's devastation.Dozens of Air Force aircraft have flown missions supporting Federal Emergency Management Agency humanitarian

  • AF supports both Sandy relief and Afghanistan operations

    Mobility Airmen are playing key roles supporting humanitarian relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, while continuing to support U.S. operations around the world, including missions in Afghanistan.Since Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast on Oct. 30, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-5 Galaxys, and

  • AF supports improved method for transporting TBI patients

    Scientists with the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine are playing an important part in the testing and evaluation of a novel aeromedical evacuation stretcher designed to safely transport traumatic brain and spinal injury patients in air and ground vehicles.

  • AF supports Operation Iron Hammer

    An AC-130 gunship helped destroy a warehouse when Operation Iron Hammer kicked off Nov. 12 with a series of coordinated U.S. strikes against anti-coalition insurgents in Iraq.Iron Hammer is a joint operation to target enemy operating areas, stop the enemy from staging weapons for use against

  • AF surgeon exceeds expectations in Afghanistan

    When receiving a set of orders for a deployment, many service members are left with an assortment of questions: “What will I do, where will I go and will I make a difference?’ For Maj. Jonathan Forbes, a neurosurgeon assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Medical Group here, knew he would be deploying

  • AF surgeon general issues warning about safety of electronic cigarettes.

    The Air Force surgeon general has issued a memo alerting all Airmen about safety concerns regarding electronic cigarettes, a new type of nicotine product.Also known as "e-cigs," electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices that look like conventional cigarettes. The e-cig contains a cartridge

  • AF surgeon helps Belizean boy get 'new hand'

    An Air Force surgeon deployed here performed surgery on a 4-year-old Belizean boy May 2, to improve the usability of the boy's hand.The boy, Isai Carrillo, underwent surgery May 2 to correct syndactyly, otherwise known as hand fusion, in his right hand. The surgery took three hours and consisted of

  • AF survey looks at community programs' effectiveness

    The 2013 Air Force Community Assessment Survey launched Mar. 5, and this time includes reservists, guardsmen and spouses. The assessment is designed to assist chaplains and people working in installation-level Airman and family readiness centers, family advocacy programs, health and wellness

  • AF Survival School becomes reality TV

    Americans get the opportunity to step into the boots of an Air Force Survival School student by watching the reality show Survival School starting Sept. 9 on the MOJO HD channel at 9 p.m. EDT. The ten half-hour episodes will track 47 Airmen as they face the limits of their skill during the Air Force

  • AF sweeps youth sports program awards

    The Hurlburt Field, Florida Youth Sports Program is one of five winners of a National Alliance for Youth Sports Excellence in Youth Sports Award. Air Force personnel also won NAYS Coach of the Year and Parent of the Year Awards.

  • AF swimmers make splash at Warrior Games

    Air Force swimmers proved themselves in the pool May 5 by securing one gold and two silver medals during the 2012 Warrior Games at the U.S. Air Force Academy here.Ryan McGuire secured the silver medals in the men's 100m freestyle single-leg amputation multi-class and the men's 50m freestyle SLA

  • AF system improves homeland air defense

    An Air Force system designed in the wake of Sept. 11 to provide comprehensive air surveillance and defense for North America recently got even better. The Battle Control System-Fixed program reached a major milestone with the full deployment of Increment 3. The BCS-F, produced by

  • AF takes bronze in sitting volleyball

    The Air Force sitting volleyball team defeated the U.S. Special Operations Command team May 3 during the bronze medal game of the Warrior Games here. This was the Air Force's second win over SOCOM in volleyball this week.The Air Force wasn't able to overcome the Army in the previous match and

  • AF takes home 4 DOD Best Disability Program awards

    The Air Force received the Secretary of Defense trophy for the best disability program among large military components and three civilian Airmen were also recognized for their work Oct. 30, during a small ceremony in the Pentagon.

  • AF takes partnership approach to wildland fire management

    The Air Force has taken a new approach to Air Force wildland fire management by maximizing the use of interagency partnerships to address fire management and suppression requirements -- an initiative that is expected to save time and money for all parties involved.

  • AF takes to the skies for Baltops 2015

    The Air Force, along with its Polish counterparts, officially kicked off Powidz Air Base's portion of Baltic Operations 2015 with the first KC-135 Stratotanker flight from the 507th Air Refueling Wing here June 8.

  • AF talks diversity of opportunities at annual engineers conference

    What do measuring earthquakes, creating lightning and applying space-like pressure to marshmallows all have in common? They each were demonstrations of science and technology used to intrigue the next generation of engineers on the Air Force’s capabilities and opportunities during the National

  • AF taps 2,560 for promotion to major, lieutenant colonel, colonel

    More than 2,500 captains, majors and lieutenant colonels have been selected for promotion, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.Eligible officers were considered during the December CY12C Colonel Biomedical Science Corps/Chaplain/Medical Service Corps, CY12D Lieutenant Colonel

  • AF taps a dozen captains for Inter-American SOS

    A dozen active-duty captains have been selected to attend the 2015 Inter-American Squadron Officer School at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland here, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Sept. 10.

  • AF team addresses local province women's needs

    The needs and issues of the Afghan women of the Kapisa Province were addressed for the first time Jan. 22 in an unprecedented meeting with the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team. More than 20 women representing six districts in the province traveled various distances to not only bring their

  • AF team fuels aerial fight to defeat ISIS

    Comprised of active-duty, Guard and Reserve aircrew service members, the men and women of the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron help project combat power by providing agile, effective air refueling in line with the objectives of the Combined Forces Air Component Command and Combined Joint

  • AF teams win armed forces bowling championships

    First Lt. Rickie Banister and Master Sgt. Christine Dash led their Air Force teams to the men's and women's team titles in the 2005 Armed Forces Bowling Championships here Jan. 12.The tournament was held in conjunction with the 2005 USA Bowling National Amateur Championships, and the field was cut

  • AF Teen Council plans 2013 growth, development events

    How many times have you said, "Man, I'm so bored."? If you said it once, you've said it too many times. The Air Force Teen Council has many events planned this year that will get you on your feet, including four projects, collectively known as the 2013 Teen Movement Project. Designed to benefit

  • AF teens learn teamwork, leadership skills at camp

    More than 80 teens from Air Force installations world-wide learned about college life, teamwork and leadership skills during a week long summer camp here July 10-15. The Air Force Teen Leadership Camp was held at the University of Texas, San Antonio campus to expose the teens to personal development

  • AF teens make an impact with Teen Movement initiative

    Air Force teen councils around the globe launched a new initiative to foster teen personal development and to create a positive impact on local Air Force communities.Teen Movement challenges installation teen councils to conduct four large-scale projects throughout the year supporting four pillars:

  • AF teens participate in Joint Services Teen Council

    Air Force Teen Council representatives attended the first Joint Services Teen Council meeting July 13 to network and discuss common issues affecting military youth and teens worldwide here.From July 9-13, members of the Air Force Teen Council, Army Teen Panel and Navy Teen Council participated in

  • AF Test Pilot School applications due in June

    The 2015 Air Force Test Pilot School (TPS) selection board will convene July 20-24 to consider candidates for July 2016 and January 2017 classes. Applications are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by June 5.

  • AF test pilot school applications due in June

    The 2014 U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, or TSP, selection board will convene here Aug. 5-8 to consider candidates for July 2015 and January 2016 classes, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

  • AF testers recognized for achievements

    Three Air Force people will receive the National Defense Industrial Association's Air Force Tester of the Year award in a ceremony Feb. 26 in Victoria, British Columbia.The award recognizes government civilian, military and contract testers who made significant contributions in the field of testing

  • AF tests 24/7 fitness centers

    Six installations will implement 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week fitness center access this and next month as part of an Air Force Services Transformation Initiative test concept, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.The Office of the Secretary of Defense Military Communities and Family

  • AF tests facilities for radium on 6 bases

    Initial test results at facilities on six Air Force bases indicate employees are not at immediate risk from the residual radioactive material left over from old luminous paints. The paints were used at the bases more than 60 years ago. The initial tests results are from buildings here; the former

  • AF to change instructions for oaths

    The Air Force has instructed force support offices across the service to allow both enlisted members and officers to omit the words “So help me God” from enlistment and officer appointment oaths if an Airman chooses.

  • AF to convene CMSgt retention board in June

    The Air Force will convene a chief master sergeant retention board in June to select chief master sergeants for retirement no later than Nov. 1, 2014, officials announced today.

  • AF to convene enhanced selective early retirement board in June

    The Air Force will convene an enhanced selective early retirement board here June 16 to consider eligible officers for early retirement, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.ESERB, a new authority granted in the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, applies to regular,

  • AF to convene selective Lt Col, Col early retirement board

    The Air Force will convene a selective early retirement board Dec. 9 to consider eligible lieutenant colonels and colonels for retirement under the FY14 Force Management Program.SERB is one of several FM programs to be implemented in FY14 to help size and balance the force to meet authorized end

  • AF to every Airman: Tell us your story

    Air Force leaders want Airmen to share their stories with the world and designed the 2014 American Airman Video Contest with that purpose in mind.

  • AF to expand Powder River Training Complex

    The Air Force issued its record of decision Jan. 16, to expand the airspace at the Powder River Training Complex (PRTC), after an extensive review of environmental impacts and public concerns regarding expansion.

  • 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

  • AF to implement force structure changes

    The Air Force released its plan Mar. 28 to implement force structure changes mandated by the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill authorized the service to complete actions approved in previous years, such as aircraft retirements, and directed execution of

  • AF to implement new feedback process July 1

    In a recent message to Airmen, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody announced plans to begin implementing a more comprehensive Air Force evaluation system for officers and enlisted members. The first step in the process will be the July 1

  • AF to reduce additional duties

    In a memorandum to Airmen released Aug. 19, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein announced the service has established a task force titled “Airmen’s Time,” charged with streamlining, and in some cases eliminating, additional duties.

  • AF to release community assessment survey

    Air Force leaders will launch the Community Assessment Survey in late April in an effort to better understand what issues people face at their individual installation. The survey is conducted every two to three years and this year will include both active duty and Reserve Airmen, their spouses, and

  • AF to release draft impact statement on proposed F-35 pilot training center

    The Air Force will file a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed establishment of an F-35 Lightning II pilot training center within the continental United States Jan 20.The current Air Force and Air National Guard installations under consideration are: Boise Air Terminal Airport Air

  • AF to release small business research solicitations

    The Air Force Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program office is set to release its fiscal year 2015 list of topics Oct. 22, on the SBIR/STTR website.

  • AF to rely more on renewable energy -- 1 gigawatt by 2016

    The Air Force is on target to generate 1 gigawatt of renewable energy by 2016, and expects to have enough renewable energy to supply 25 percent of all installation electricity use by 2025, according to Air Force officials. The announcement supports the Department of Defense's plans to roll out new

  • AF to replace aviator locator beacons

    The Air Force will replace thousands of unreliable aircraft personnel locator beacons across the fleet, a service official said Jan. 16, here.

  • AF to retain additional intratheater airlift aircraft through fiscal 2014

    The Air Force announced it will retain additional airlift aircraft through fiscal 2014 in response to a congressional mandate to retain an inventory of 358 intratheater airlift aircraft.The Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 3, 2013, included language directing

  • AF to retire MQ-1, transition to MQ-9

    For the past 21 years, the Air Force has flown the MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft in combat, and for the last 10, the MQ-9 Reaper. Combined with a skilled aircrew, these aircraft provide consistent support in daily engagements making an impact downrange.

  • AF top boxers vie to compete at Armed Forces championships

    The goals are still the same for Air Force boxing coach Steven Franco during the Air Force Boxing Camp at the Chaparral Fitness Center: Defeat the other military branches to win medals."Like I tell these guys from day one, I don't care if I take one guy or all 10 guys from different weight classes,

  • AF top engineers give tips on saving energy, money

    Summer is officially under way. While it means fun in the sun for Airmen and their families, it can be an expensive, wasteful time of year for the Air Force. Utility bills on installations often rise drastically as air conditioning units and sprinkler systems work to keep up. The Air Force spends

  • AF top enlisted leader visits Holloman

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited Aug. 10 here to talk to base Airmen and see the Holloman Air Force Base mission.  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy was given a tour of the base and shared his priorities with base members. "It's easy to align my goals with the Air

  • AF top JAG: 'Rule of law' critical for success in Iraq

    A fair justice system, which holds people accountable for their actions, is vital in stopping the violence in Iraq, said the Air Force's top judge advocate general recently during a tour of Southwest Asia. Maj. Gen. Jack L. Rives visited the men and women of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing during a