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U.S. Air Force News

  • Photo essay: Oleoresin Capsicum spray training

    Members of the 75th Security Forces Squadron participate in Oleoresin Capsicum spray training here Jan. 5. Oleoresin Capsicum is a non-lethal spray, similar to pepper spray, used to temporarily incapacitate individuals. All security forces Airmen receive the Oleoresin Capsicum training when they

  • PHOTO ESSAY: One team, one fight

    Airmen assigned to the 64th Agressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., are charged with preparing the combat air forces, joint and allied aircrews for tomorrow's victories with challenging and realistic threat replication, training, academics and feedback.

  • Photo essay: Opening ceremony for AF Week New York City

    The Air Force Thunderbirds took center stage as they participated in a flyover during the opening ceremony for Air Force Week New York City Aug. 24 at the USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum here.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Operation Christmas Drop

    Airmen from the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, come together each year during Operation Christmas Drop to drop thousands of pounds of donated supplies over various Micronesian Islands Dec. 14.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Osan Airmen take part in operational readiness exercise

    Airmen participate in Beverly Bulldog 11-01, an operational readiness exercise here Jan. 28. The exercise allows Airmen to demonstrate their ability to complete the mission in simulated chemical environments while executing their primary duties, practicing self-aid and buddy care, and conducting

  • Photo essay: Pararescuemen demonstrate their skills during Air Force Week

    Pararescuemen from the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., perform a freefall water rescue demonstration here Oct. 27. The demonstration was part of Air Force Week Cocoa Beach, a weeklong event showcasing U.S. Air Force capabilities and increase public

  • Photo essay: Pararescuemen help save lives

    Air Force Special Operations pararescuemen were on the scene Jan. 19 with other rescue organizations freeing a 25-year-old Haitian woman who had been trapped for seven days in a collapsed building after the earthquake hit the island nation.The Airmen are assigned to  the 23rd Special Tactics

  • Photo essay: Photographer captures mission

    Aerial still photographer Tech. Sgt. Michelle Desrochers documents a C-17 Globemaster III refueling mission over the Pacific Ocean July 30. The aircraft is assigned to the 336th Air Refueling Squadron out of March Air Reserve Base, Calif. Sergeant Desrochers is from the 4th Combat Camera Squadron

  • Photo essay: Pilot achieves 4,000 hours in F-15E

    Lt. Col. David Iverson and Capt. Tim Tendall, with the 492nd Fighter Squadron, flew their F-15E Strike Eagle from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England and landed here Jan. 10. The about 10-hour flight was supported by seven in-flight refuelings. Colonel Iverson passed 4,000 flight hours in the F-15E

  • Photo essay: Practice makes perfect

    Air Force Honor Guard members visited here to train and evaluate base honor guard members Oct. 21. The training develops the skill sets used in various formations and ceremonies. View slideshow.

  • Photo essay: PRT Zabul patrols area

    Air Force, Army, Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul patrol here for situational awareness Nov. 1. The team works with the government of Afghanistan to improve stability and

  • Photo Essay: Quitters never win...Winners never quit

    Airmen from the 51st Security Forces Squadron here try out for the Osan Quick Response Team Aug. 9, 2011. The QRT provides immediate response to any high-risk situation including barricaded suspects, workplace violence, domestic violence and abuse response, school violence and disaster response. To

  • Photo essay: Ramstein Airmen participate in NATO jump

    Airmen from the 435th Contigency Response Group here take part in activities for the fifth annual NATO jump week June 14. Five NATO countries participated in the jump in an effort to learn from their coalition partners and build better relationships. View the slideshow:

  • Photo essay: Ramstein Airmen test skills at Allied Strike 10

    Joint terminal attack controllers test their skills in directing combat aircraft to enemy targets and providing close air support to units here July 23 during Exercise Allied Strike 10. Before they worked with aircraft, they tackled the obstacle course.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Ramstein forces practice air insertion

    Airmen from the 435th Security Forces Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, practice an air insertion mission here Jan. 25. The unit is setting up bare-base operations as part of the dual-wing operational readiness exercise with the 86th Airlift Wing.   View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Raptors at Red Flag-Alaska

    An F-22 Raptor pilots braved a rainy day of flying July 27 during Red Flag-Alaska here. Red Flag is a field training exercise for U.S. coalition forces that provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction close air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment.

  • Photo essay: Raptors fly in Iron Falcon

    The F-22 Raptor and aircrews deployed here from Langley Air Force Base, Va., to participate in the Iron Falcon exercise Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.  View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Raptors reign over Red Flag

    F-22 Raptors from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and Holloman AFB, N.M., participate in Red Flag here Feb. 1 through 4.  Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on a 15,000-square-mile range north of

  • Photo essay: Reaching over the fence

    Members of the 755th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Reaper teams operate missions "outside the wire" providing security during key leader engagements and meetings with the local community.The Reaper teams also conduct patrols near Bagram Airfield to counter improvised explosive devices and

  • Photo essay: Realistic training with Red Flag

    Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted within the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range complex, north of Las Vegas. Red Flag is managed by the 414th Combat Training Squadron and is one of a

  • Photo essay: Red Flag trains combat air forces

    Units from the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines Corps participate in training missions for Red Flag 09-5 along with allied forces from Italy and the United Arab Emirates Aug. 26, 2009 here. This is the first time the United Arab Emirates has participated in Red Flag, a realistic two-week air combat

  • Photo essay: RED HORSE on a drop zone mission

    RED HORSE Airmen perform jump missions and operate their own drop zones here May 12. The jumps were part of the 414th Combat Search and Rescue Squadron's training and certification of 3 RED HORSE Airmen as drop zone control officers, enabling the RED HORSE Airmen to perform jump missions and operate

  • Photo essay: Refuelers keep aircraft flying during RIMPAC exercise

    Tanker aircrews help keep participating aircraft flying during the Rim of the Pacific exercise. RIMPAC, the world's largest maritime exercise, is a biennial event which stresses interoperability of all partner nations as a key element of regional stability The exercise, which runs from June 23

  • Photo essay: Refueling the fight

    Airmen from the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron participate in multiple air refueling missions here May 8, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Returning to the U.S.

    U.S. citizens in Haiti wait to board a C-17 Globemaster III for a flight back to the United States Jan. 20, 2010 at Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport here.  The U.S. Air Force is flying U.S. citizens in Haiti back to the states following the earthquake Jan. 12 that leveled much of the

  • Photo essay: San Antonio forces honor fallen members

    Security forces and civilian police officers from the San Antonio area take part in an obstacle course and ruck march competition at Camp Bullis, Texas, May 12 during National Police Week.View slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Santa, friends welcome C-17

    Three 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron leaders became visitors from the North Pole for a day and marshalled a C-17 Globemaster on the flightline here Dec. 22.  The squadron held a fundraiser to chose which person would dress as Santa, a reindeer or an elf. Maj. Aaron Sasson, the operations

  • Photo essay: Schriever security forces compete

    Airmen from the 50th Security Forces Squadron here compete during a Security Forces Guardian Challenge obstacle course and race at the nearby U. S. Air Force Academy training area May 18. Guardian Challenge is Air Force Space Command's premier bi-annual competition to determine the best units within

  • Photo essay: Schriever trains for emergencies

    Emergency services and a civilian crew from Flight for Life Colorado participated in a emergency response exercise here Feb. 10. The helicopter and crew added to the realism of the exercise scenario. View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Security forces enhance capabilities through K-9 training

    Military working dog trainers in the 20th Security Forces Squadron here work hard to train and prepare dogs for real-world situations such as drug raids, patrols and other specialized mission functions for the Department of Defense and government agencies. View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Security forces training

    Security forces Airmen participate in Brave Defender training exercises to learn about weapons and improvised explosive devices here April 22.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Service members drop fire retardant in West Texas

    Service members aboard a Modular Airborne Firefighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules drop fire retardant onto a West Texas wildfire April 27 and 28. The wildfires have spread across parts of Texas and have burned more than 1,000 square miles of land.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Shaw aircrews train at Red Flag

    Aircrews and F-16 Fighting Falcons from Shaw AFB, S.C., participate in Red Flag Feb. 23, 2010, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test

  • Photo Essay: Shuttle transitions through bases

    Space Shuttle Atlantis riding atop a NASA-modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft taxies after landing June 2 at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Columbus AFB was the shuttle's final stop for fuel before finishing its journey to Kennedy Space Center, Fla. View the shuttle slideshow

  • Photo essay: Southwest Asia EOD fun run

    Members of the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron participate in a fun run to raise awareness for an EOD memorial here Dec. 31.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Special tactics Airmen jump at night

    Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Training Squadron participated in a high altitude, low opening or HALO, mission near here March 16 during Exercise Emerald Warrior 2010. View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: 'Spooky' training at Hurlburt Field

    Members of the 4th Special Operations Squadron participate in a training mission aboard an AC-130U Spooky here Feb. 3. The AC-130U is the primary weapon for members of Air Force Special Operations Command. The gunship's primary missions are close-air support, air interdiction and armed

  • Photo essay: Squadrons maintain South Korean presence

    About 300 Airmen from two squadrons here are maintaining a presence on the South Korean peninsula, working with alliance partners for peace and stability in the region. Airmen with the 391st Fighter Squadron deployed Jan. 18 as members of the 389th FS returned home Jan. 20.View slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Static-line jumps over Guam

    Airmen from the 535th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, flew training missions for the 36th Contingency Response Group's static-line proficiency training here Jan. 13.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Strike Eagle, Fighting Falcon 'thunder' over Kentucky

    Two Air Combat Command demonstration teams landed at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base here April 15, just in time for "the thunder."The F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon are just two of many aircraft taking flight this weekend for the Thunder Over Louisville air show.  During the ACC

  • Photo essay: Supplies drop in Afghanistan

    Pallets of cargo drop from a C-17 Globemaster III to a forward operating base in Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2009,  in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The aircrew is assigned to the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Surge week at Little Rock AFB

    Aircrew members participate in a surge week here April 14. The purpose of the surge week is to make up lost flying time by increasing the operations tempo.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Taking a closer look

    Senior Airman Lilia Linares uses a fluorescent magnetic particle process to inspect an aerospace ground equipment hook for cracks May 27 at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. The nondestructive inspection section inspects more than 40,000 pieces of weapon systems and nonweapon systems assets a year.

  • Photo essay: testing mobility forces

    A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., takes off from the Tonopah runway May 20 near Nellis AFB, Nev., while participating in the Mobility Air Forces Exercise. Approximately 12 U.S. Air Force bases participate in the exercise twice a year,

  • Photo essay: Thunderbirds close season at air show

    Members of the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds and the U.S. Air Force Academy Parachute Team participate in the 2009 Aviation Nation here. The open house allowed the Las Vegas community to visit the base and view the Air Force's finest aerial performances.View slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Trainees conquer the BEAST

    A recent group of basic trainees conquered training exercises here at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Training, or BEAST, course Sept. 2, 2009.  The BEAST introduces Airmen to the joint expeditionary concept and immerses them in deployment scenarios. View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Training for military working dogs

    A military working dog attacks his handler on command at the training grounds on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Military working dogs are enrolled in a 60- to 90-day training program where they are taught to detect explosives and drugs. They are also taught deterrence training and how to protect

  • Photo essay: Training with a bang!

    Students in the Security Forces Basic Officers' Course attend a grenade weapons training class conducted by the 343rd Training Squadron June 18 at Camp Bullis, Texas.View the training slideshow.

  • Photo Essay: Training with the "Hurricane Hunters"

    The "Hurricane Hunters" of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, shown in this photo essay, prepare for the upcoming hurricane season which began June1.  The entire aircrew hone their skills while flying missions from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.; Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. and the

  • Photo essay: Tuskegee Airmen

    The Tuskegee Airmen were an elite group of African-American pilots in the 1940s. They were pioneers in equality and integration of the armed forces. The term "Tuskegee Airmen" refers to all who were involved in the Army Air Corps program to train African-Americans to fly and maintain combat

  • Photo essay: Tyndall Airmen prepare for morning dive

    Combat controllers in training prepare to head out for an early morning dive during a combat dive course held at Panama City Beach, Fla. June 10. The Airmen are assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron Det. 2.View the slideshow:

  • Photo Essay: U.S. Air Force well represented at Russian air show

    The Moscow International Aviation and Space Salon, known as MAKS, is one of the premier events of its type in the world and Department of Defense participation demonstrates the U.S. commitment to international security, promotes international cooperation and contributes to U.S. foreign policy

  • PHOTO ESSAY: U.S., Japan aeromedics collaborate during bilateral exchange

    Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron hosted more than 30 Japan Air Self Defense Force Airmen during a two-day bilateral exchange July 22-23. Flight medics, flight nurses and loadmasters showed off their unique aeromedical capabilities and equipment used inside the 353rd Special

  • Photo essay: USAFE Band tours Poland

    The 41-piece U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band toured Poland, and performed six concerts in various cities.  The band is touring the country to support the international relations program sponsored by USAFE Commander Gen. Roger Brady in partnership with the U.S. State Department.View the slideshow.

  • Photo Essay: Volunteers create barrier

    Airmen of the 506th Air Expeditionary Group here saved an estimated $500,000 by using existing assets and volunteers to create a barrier near the flightline.  The barrier will mitigate security concerns.See volunteers slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Volunteers honor veterans with wreaths

    Volunteers from Buckley Air Force Base joined Civil Air Patrol members and volunteers from Schriever and Peterson air force bases and the Denver Metropolitan Area for a day of remembrance at the Fort Logan National Cemetery here for the Wreaths Across America program. View slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Warrior Games cycling events

    During the inaugural Warrior Games, athletes from all services participated in three types of cycling events May 13 during unseasonably cold weather here.View slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Water survival training

    Aircrew members from the 94th Airlift Wing participate in water survival training at the Cobb Aquatic Center here Feb. 4. Crewmembers are required to receive this type of training once every three years to stay proficient with the equipment and techniques used in various water survival

  • Photo essay: Water, meals delivered for Haitian relief

    An aircrew from the 15th Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., delivered 40 bundles totaling 67,800 pounds of Meals, Ready to Eat and bottled water in support of Operation Unified Response to Haiti.  Airmen and Soldiers from Pope AFB and Fort Bragg in North Carolina  loaded the C-17

  • Photo essay: Whiteman crews practice 'hot pit' refueling

    Technicians with the Air Force Reserve Command's 442nd Fighter Wing practice hot pit refueling with A-10 Thunderbolts II Dec. 8 here. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft. View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Whiteman's T-38 Talons get ready for flight

    Crew chiefs and maintainers perform final preflight checks on the T-38 Talon high-altitude supersonic trainer here Jan. 26. The T-38 is used by pilots to conduct sorties and accumulate flight hours and training time.View the slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Wind power at Arnold AFB

    The von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility and the Propulsion Wind Tunnel Facility were photographed during various on-site visits to the wind tunnels located at Arnold Engineering Development Center here. The facility is devoted to aerodynamic and propulsion integration testing of large-scale aircraft

  • Photo essay: Working the night shift

    Airmen from the 100th Air Refueling Wing here participated in an operational readiness exercise in preparation for an operation readiness inspection later this year. The exercise is designed to prepare Airmen to do their jobs in a deployed environment and in a worst-case scenario. View the

  • Photo essay: 'Yellow Bird' comes to life

    Wright "B" Flyer "Yellow Bird" comes to life with the help volunteers from the Wright "B" Flyer Inc. Feb. 27, 2010 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. They assembled two Flyers in San Antonio for the Centennial of Military Aviation event held March 2. View slideshow.

  • Photo: Airmen Helping Airmen

    (From left) Gordon Hartley, John Heffernan, and William Kehler, from the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, stand next to 85 bags of groceries they bought for Airmen Helping Airmen Nov. 16, 2010, at the base commissary at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The quarterly Airmen Helping Airmen program

  • Photographer sees war first hand

    During her deployment with a provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan in 2010, Senior Airman Chanise Epps proved that a simple hand-held camera can be just as effective in war as the high-tech U-2 imagery she normally worked with back home."I think photography is important, because without

  • Photographers capture bomb damage in Iraq

    Master Sgt. Michael Best has taken photographs for 28 years. The past 20 years, he has made his living taking photos for the Air Force.But on a sunny, sultry day in mid-June in Iraq’s capital city, he is looking for more than just photos. He is looking for snipers.“I’m sure the force-protection