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  • Volunteering with the Stars

    Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Place, 21st Medical Squadron primary care element noncommissioned officer in charge, and two other volunteers participated in Snowball Express in Dallas, Dec. 9-13, 2017. Snowball Express is an all-expenses paid event for children of fallen military members. This event is meant to

  • Wellness for mission success

    Physical health is at the core of a person’s ability to complete their mission. If they are injured or sick, or exhausted, they might be able to show up and do work, but their effectiveness will be diminished.

  • Basic Training to Al Udeid: Two Air Force careers reunited after 21 years

    It all started in 1996. One kid from Prattville, Alabama, and another from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, took a bus to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. They were both a little scared and excited to become the U.S. Air Force’s newest Airmen. Though they grew up about 400 miles apart and spent six weeks

  • Around the Air Force: Jan. 4

    On this look around the Air Force the 418th Flight Test Squadron assists NASA and Airmen can now enroll in the new Blended Retirement System.

  • Year-end review: 386th AEW remembers banner year

    As the world celebrated the passing of another year, and looked to the future with optimistic hope, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, and its leadership, reflected on its accomplishments.

  • Around the Air Force: Dec. 27

    On this look around the Air Force the Air Force Research Laboratory develops new antibodies, the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron flies more than a dozen flights a day on deployment, and Airmen volunteers assist the base post office during the holiday season. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Cory

  • Deployed parents see their children open toys

    Master Sgt. Shalenna Mitchell, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing finance budget analyst and Tech. Sgt. Randle Mitchell, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron assistant chief of fire prevention, share their experiences and feelings during the holiday season while deployed at an undisclosed

  • Air Force dual-military retention improves thanks to Airman’s idea

    The day comes when that final project is due for class. The project is ready and prepped for presentation or thrown together within twenty-four hours. Either way it has to be ready without delay. Despite being an academic project, sometimes there are cases where it could be implemented in real life.

  • Blended Military Retirement System to take effect Jan. 1

    One of the most wide-reaching and significant changes to military pay and benefits over the last 70 years goes into effect Jan. 1 with the implementation of the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System, known as BRS.

  • Helping Haiti’s children: 315th AW delivers school buses

    Reserve Airmen of Joint Base Charleston’s 317th Airlift Squadron, with support from three additional Reserve Airmen of the 514th Air Mobility Wing from JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, transported school buses in a C-17 Globemaster III from JB Charleston to Port-au-Prince, where they were

  • Airman wins on and off the court

    The Airman’s Creed is a promise to the United States and a rallying cry for Airmen to remain the world’s greatest Air Force. The words, “My mission is to fly, fight and win,” hold true for 20th Air Force’s Tech. Sgt. Corey Rucker, a world champion who embodies the creed both professionally and

  • Finding the way: Special tactics chief awarded Silver Star

    Chief Master Sgt. Michael West, 24th Special Operations Wing special tactics operator, utilized 58 coalition aircraft delivering 24,000 pounds of munitions, turning the tide of battle, and now he’s receiving the Silver Star Medal.

  • AF names primaries, alternates for advanced studies

    Air Force officials announced the selection of 86 officers as primary or alternate participants for advanced studies at the nation’s advanced war fighting schools during the 2018-2019 academic year.

  • Operation Christmas Drop launches

    The 66th iteration of Operation Christmas Drop took to the sky Dec. 11, 2017 as military leaders ceremoniously pushed the first pallet of donated toys, food, supplies and educational materials into a C-130J Super Hercules at Andersen Air Force Base.

  • Around the Air Force: Dec. 13

    On this look around the Air Force, Airmen will soon have the option to use the new Blended Retirement System and Reserve Airmen at Little Rock Air Force Base, receive a new C-130J Hercules. Hosted by Airman Marqus Williams.

  • Cyber operations Airmen 'Hack the Air Force'

    Within 30 seconds of receiving the order to “start hacking,” researchers at the Hack the Air Force 2.0 event discovered two vulnerabilities—exactly the result the organizers were hoping for.The researchers were cyber security specialists invited to the Dec. 9, 2017 event in New York to identify

  • Columbus AFB AFE keeps pilot production going

    The Air Force is known for its air supremacy around the globe, and pilots are recognized for their ability to keep the skies safe from America’s enemies. But who keeps the pilots safe?

  • 386th AEW MOC gatekeeper of a broader scope

    The Airmen of the maintenance operations center are responsible for recording the mission capabilities of all aircraft under the 386th AEW purview. The information gathered helps analysts determine trends in aircraft maintenance needs, creating opportunities to preclude long-term problems. The

  • Four MAJCOMs join forces, upgrade C2 systems

    Four Air Force major commands joined forces to overhaul command and control systems at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Dec. 4, 2017.Airmen assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, Air Mobility Command, Air Force Space Command, and Air Force Materiel command conducted major upgrades to

  • Around the Air Force Dec. 8

    On this look around the Air Force the Joint Space Component gets a new commander, U.S. and South Korea forces exercise together during Vigilant Ace 18, and the Civil Air Patrol celebrates 76 years of service

  • AF awards recognize pilot excellence

    With a continued focus on solving the pilot retention problem and maintaining air dominance, Air Force senior leaders look to celebrate the culture and flying expertise of their pilots.

  • Double take: Brothers’ bond extends far beyond twin upbringing

    It is well known that twins share a unique bond that transcends other sibling relationships. It’s common for twins to live, work and recreate within close proximity to each other throughout their lives.But for one pair of Air Force twins, they’ve taken that commonality several steps further.

  • Upgrades to missile detection radar earns civilian recognition

    Dr. Donald Hoying, the radar’s program manager at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, leads a team of 50 military and government civilians and contractors who are working to upgrade these SSMs while improving the radar’s satellite, space-borne object and missile detection capabilities. In November,

  • SecAF, CSAF direct review of all Air Force programs

    Air Force senior leaders have directed a Zero-Based Review of all Air Force programs, budget accounts and associated manpower authorizations in preparation for assembling the Fiscal Year 2020 Program Objective Memorandum and Future Years Defense Plan.

  • Airman lunges for knockout debut

    A Florida native, Tech. Sgt. Andre Penn, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron unaccompanied housing manager at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, has been preparing for more than a decade to achieve his dream of becoming a professional boxer.

  • Evolution of the Airman Safety App

    The evolution of the Air Force Safety Center’s Airman Safety App reached an important milestone with recent software updates Dec. 1, 2017.This simple, web-based tool provides a streamlined process for all Airmen, their families and anyone accessing the base to report safety issues as they encounter

  • First Afghan UH-60 pilots graduate

    Six Afghan Air Force members became the first ever AAF UH-60 Black Hawk pilots, after graduation from Aircraft Qualification Training during a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 20, 2017.

  • Around the Air Force: Dec. 1

    On this look around the Air Force the preferred location for a new MQ-9 Reaper wing is selected, continuation pay rates are announced for the Blended Retirement System (BRS), and Exercise Lightning Focus is taking place in Australia. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Anastasia Tompkins.

  • Special Tactics Airmen survey airfields to gain an operational advantage

    Special Tactics Airmen from Air Force Special Operations Command conducted multiple airfield surveys with their Afghan Air Force counterparts in Faryab province this week. Airfield surveys are executed prior to the arrival of special operations and conventional aircraft to traditional airfields and

  • Hurricane Hunters close intense 2017 season

    As massive spirals of lightning, wind and rain, hurricanes are some of the most dangerous and destructive forces in nature. And the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters fly directly into the center of them.

  • Airman brings Reaper, ISR capabilities closer together

    Among the exceptional Airmen of the 25th Air Force are many inspirational leaders, motivators and innovators. Staff Sgt. Nick, 526th Intelligence Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of Distributed Mission Site Flight Operations, is one of those unique Airmen.

  • Interfaith Thanksgiving: Chief of Chaplains provides words of grace

    On Nov. 28, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln ordered the government closed in a proclamation stating: “It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow

  • Around the Air Force: Nov. 24

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – On this look around the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. Amy Giaquinto becomes the first woman to serve as the top enlisted advisor to the adjutant general of New York, Air Force F-35As are in Japan for the first time and the Air Force’s Personnel Center is accepting

  • Guardsmen deploy at home and abroad

    The Wyoming Air National Guard stands faithfully in support of both domestic and federal missions assisting victims in need throughout the world by providing aid when called upon.

  • A commander’s story of survival

    The sound of tire treads rolling over a smooth driveway was the only sound that could be heard on the street Col. John Boudreaux lived when he and his wife, Susi, pulled up to it. Susi shoved the gear shift to “Park.” She couldn’t do it fast enough, and sat back in the seat for a moment. She

  • AF travelers reminded of flat rate per diem policy

    Some Air Force travelers may not be aware of a flat rate per diem policy established a few years ago that focused on extended temporary duty travel.Congress instituted the flat rate in November 2014. The new policy reduced per diem from 100 percent to 75 percent for TDYs from 31 to 180 days and to

  • AFRL-Carroll High School iGEM team earns Gold in Boston

    A Carroll High School academic team, mentored by CHS teachers and Air Force Research Laboratory scientists, earned a gold medal at the 2017 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition in Boston, Nov. 9-13, 2017.

  • AFPAAS teams poised to help Air Force families in need

    When a natural disaster or real-world event impacts the Total Force, two branches at the Air Force’s Personnel Center come together to provide comprehensive support: the Airman and Family Support Branch and the Personnel Readiness Branch.

  • AETC welcomes new commander

    Members of Air Education and Training Command gathered as the guidon was passed from Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson to Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, signifying the formal transfer of authority and responsibility from one commander to another in a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Nov. 16, 2017.

  • Defying odds: An Airman’s focused journey

    It is 5 a.m. and the sun has yet to rise on a chilly morning where all that can be heard are the crickets chirping at the Main Fitness Center at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Inside, however, the clacking and grunts of those pushing their bodies to their limits fills the room as Staff Sgt.

  • AFGSC wraps up innovation and technology symposium

    The 2017 Air Force Global Strike Command Innovation and Technology Symposium concluded today at the Shreveport Convention Center with a focus on leadership and the Airmen who make the mission happen. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Alston, former U.S. Strategic Command command senior enlisted

  • AFPC offers follow-on option to Airmen taking short tours

    Airmen selected for a dependent-restricted short tour for their second or later assignments can voluntarily apply to participate in the Follow-On assignment program, providing them greater flexibility in the assignment process and greater stability for their families.

  • Keep safety in mind in seasonal, holiday plans

    Temperature changes, shorter daylight hours, increased travel and emotional overload are hallmarks of the fall, winter and holiday seasons that safety officials say result in preventable mishaps.“It’s as simple as taking the same safety practices and procedures we use on duty and applying them to

  • Federal Benefits Open Season runs through Dec. 11

    This year's Federal Benefits Open Season runs from Nov. 13 through Dec. 11, 2017, and includes the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program and the Federal Flexible Spending Account program.

  • Ramstein AB Airmen honor U.S. veterans in Belgium

    Bad weather did not deter Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, from celebrating Veteran’s Day Nov. 11, 2017, at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium. The ethereal curtain of fog and delicate rainfall only added to the poignancy of the ceremony.

  • Airmen conduct long-range rescue of cruise passenger

    Within two hours of the call, Airmen with the 920th Rescue Wing took to the skies bound for a cruise ship roughly 500 miles off the Florida coastline carrying an elderly passenger suffering an acute condition and in need of medical evacuation Nov. 7, 2017.

  • Speed drives Air Force, DoD innovation, improvements

    Speed is the crux of innovation and improvements the Defense Department will make to ensure the force is ready for any contingency, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson said at the Defense One Summit Nov. 9, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

  • Mental health expands services, reaches more Airmen

    The 386th Expeditionary Medical Group, with support from the 386th Expeditionary Operation Group, expanded mental health services recently to Airmen at an undisclosed location supporting ongoing operations in Syria.

  • Air Force recognizes veterans in blue

    Veterans in Blue 2017 is now available online. First launched in 2010, Veterans in Blue is a portrait collection showcasing men and women who have contributed to the security of our nation and the legacy of 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.

  • Organ donation bolsters bond between classmates

    Col. Dave Ashley’s schedule since May 2017 included climbing a mountain, completing a 40-mile trail run, competing in a multiday athletic event that included bicycling and kayaking and achieving a perfect score on his military physical fitness test, his seventh in a row. Ashley accomplished all of

  • Repair facility saves AFGSC $13 million

    The nuclear mission cannot be stopped by old or non-functioning aircraft components. The solution to this is a trip to a bomber hydraulic Centralized Repair Facility which saves time and money.

  • AMC commander hosts fireside chat with Airmen at A/TA symposium

    Reminiscing on heritage, taking a mission tour around the world and ending with a personal fireside chat were a few of the ways Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, Air Mobility Command commander, addressed Airmen during the closing remarks at the 2017 Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium Oct. 28, 2017, in

  • Managing pests, keeping the mission going

    The goal for pest management and entomology is to keep the bases insect, rodent and feral animal population at a manageable level, Argo said. To do this they use a variety of control measures, everything from setting up traps for feral animals, the use of rodenticides and pesticides to utilizing

  • Burn Center offers new pain management approach for patients

    Doctors at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston are utilizing a novel method of administering pain medication to burn patients in the burn intensive care unit in hopes to mitigate opioid addiction and other complications associated with

  • Flying Jennies ready for combat airlift mission

    In Greek mythology, a phoenix is a bird that obtains new life by rising from the ashes. Many members of the 815th Airlift Squadron might be able to relate to this tale of renewal or resurrection, except their symbol isn’t a legendary bird, but a hard-working and practical pack mule—a Flying Jenny.In