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  • Voting deadline for Teen Council video contest is Oct. 21

    The final date to vote for the 2013 Air Force Teen Council video contest is Oct. 21.More than 20 videos were submitted for the fifth annual teen video contest and entries have been posted on the Air Force Teen Council Facebook

  • Government Shutdown: Frequently Asked Questions

    Below are frequently asked questions about the current government shutdown (Updated: Oct. 17, 2013). If you don’t find the answer to a question you have about the government shutdown and its impact on the Air Force, post your question as a comment below. We will research and try to find the

  • President Obama welcomes back, thanks federal workers

    President Barack Obama thanked federal employees for their service, sacrifices and dedication. In a White House speech Oct. 17 to mark the end of a government shutdown that sidelined hundreds of thousands of federal workers, the president said their service matters. "Thanks for your service," Obama

  • AF clarifies same sex marriage policy

    The Air Force recently published guidance clarifying the service’s policy on implementation of same sex marriage. The guidance clarifies how Airmen may be eligible for administrative absence to obtain legal marriage, if the state or country they are stationed in does not yet recognize same sex

  • Maxwell AFB civil engineers use construction technology to cut energy costs

    During a time when "government shutdown, furlough and recapitalization" are a part of the military landscape, Airmen are constantly looking for ways to save money for the service. The 42nd Civil Engineer Squadron is doing more than just recycling and trading out incandescent light bulbs to save

  • Communication key in protecting security clearance during financial hardships

    As the government shutdown continues, Air Force leadership wants their civilian workforce to communicate well and often as possible financial challenges arise -- something that could impact one’s security clearance. With such a large number of civilians possessing security clearances, including many

  • Air Force Falcons play Navy Midshipmen in Annapolis

    The Air Force Falcons will kick off their interservice rivalry against the midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. EST. Due to the government shutdown, a private organization donated money to pay for the Air Force Academy team's travel, lodging and food expenses.

  • Air Force Aid Society provides services during government shutdown

    Due to the government shut down we are being told many Airman & Family Readiness Centers to include their Air Force Aid sections will be closed. We have compiled a list of FAQs to help you understand what we can do and how you can request assistance if needed.

  • Hagel says national security assured during shutdown

    The Defense Department and other government agencies responsible for national security will carry out their missions despite the government shutdown, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Oct. 1 here. The secretary, traveling in the Asia-Pacific region this week for high-level meetings here and in

  • Air Force reunites Alaska families with sled dogs

    For six days a week, a small 30-passenger, chartered plane touched down on the runway in Galena, Alaska, carrying a team of contractors with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, their equipment and supplies for conducting environmental investigations at the former Air Force Galena Forward Operating

  • DOD spells out closure contingency plan guidance

    DOD officials today issued guidance to the force in the event appropriations lapse Oct. 1 and a government shutdown results. Officials emphasize they still hope Congress can avoid that but say it is prudent to take such steps.The eight-page document gives basic guidance to commanders and directors

  • Lieutenant beats cancer, selected to pilot Raptors

    For one new Air Force pilot, "living the dream" is much more than a cheap throwaway line. To 1st Lt. Rob Hansen of the 80th Flying Training Wing, "living" means surviving stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma. "The dream" means graduating at the top of his undergraduate pilot training class and earning a slot

  • F-35: New fighter creates new culture for 21st Century and beyond

    She didn’t have a smudge on her. Not a leak found anywhere. She even had that “new jet smell.” Skies were blue, everything was perfect. Those were the conditions on that July day in 2011 when Lt. Col. Eric Smith took off from the Lockheed facilities at Fort Worth, Texas, in the first operational

  • Commander discusses future of Air Force Reserve

    Discussing the future of the Air Force, senior military and industry leaders gathered at the Air Force Association's 2013 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor, Md., Sept. 16-18.

  • Generals stress collaboration, innovation during forum

    General officers candidly discussed innovation, concerns and the service's future during the professional development portion of the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2013 here Sept. 18.

  • AF launches 3rd AEHF satellite

    The U.S. Air Force successfully launched the third Advanced Extremely High Frequency communication satellite at 4:10 a.m. EDT, Sept. 18, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The satellite was carried to orbit aboard an United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle.

  • F-35 program chief cites steady progress

    Citing changes to one of the Defense Department’s most ambitious acquisition programs, F-35 Lightning II development is making steady progress, the F-35 Joint Program Executive Officer said here Sept. 17. Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan told military and industry experts at the Air Force

  • CMSAF emphasizes power of Airmen

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody discussed why the strength of the Air Force lies in its Airmen at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here today.

  • ISR official urges looking to history to face future challenges

    At the Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17, Lt. Gen. Robert P. Otto discussed the current state and way ahead for Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, and the role Airmen play in its planning and impact.

  • Open mind, extra time can save cash when traveling

    Fantasizing about an exotic getaway but finding yourself strapped for cash? A "Space-A" seat aboard a military aircraft might be just your ticket to that vacation of your dreams. Military-owned or -contracted aircraft fly to more places than many people realize, even to areas without U.S. military

  • 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year shine at gala

    The Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year earned praise at a dinner hosted by the Air Force Association as part of the 2013 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 16.

  • Buckley nerve center for FEMA flood victims support

    With more than a 1,000 people unaccounted for and communities still damaged from flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, staged out of Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., continues providing life-essential materials to Coloradans in need.

  • Forum focuses on family

    In remarks and an interactive session during the Air Force Association’s Spouse and Family Forum here today, spouses of Air Force senior leaders championed the service’s focus on families and support.

  • Airman receives International Affairs Excellence Award

    During the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here today, an Air Force lieutenant colonel accepted the 2013 International Affairs Excellence Award for his leadership efforts downrange.

  • Senior leaders send Airmen, families birthday best

    Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody issued the following message to the Airmen of the United States Air Force:

  • AFA Air & Space Conference comes to AF.mil

    The AFA’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition brings Air Force and industry leaders. The Defense Media Activity and www.af.mil will be bringing coverage conference’s most important events right to your screen.

  • DOD officials announce missile defense siting study

    Pursuant to the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, the Defense Department has initiated a study to evaluate five candidate sites in the continental United States for the potential future deployment of additional ground-based interceptors, Pentagon officials announced Sept. 12

  • Memory’s requiem: 12 years after 9/11

    She held the Airfone receiver close to her mouth and spoke in a clear, concise manner.“The cockpit’s not answering,” the flight attendant said as her voice wavered slightly. “Somebody’s stabbed in business class, and um, I think there is mace that we can’t breathe. I don’t know, I think we’re

  • Airman makes a splash while giving back to community

    In 2011, Lance Thornton, then a Buffalo (N.Y.) State College student-athlete, hung up his goggles and swimwear to join the Air Force and eventually sharing his aquatic skills with the Montgomery YMCA Barracudas swim team.

  • Wounded warrior adopts four-legged partner, friend

    From the moment Staff Sgt. Brian Williams arrived at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to begin his recovery, he had only one request. Carly. Williams was deployed from the 87th Security Forces Squadron when he sustained serious injuries after an roadside bomb detonated while he was on a

  • Testing, tactics, training: Training squadron sets the bar

    The 505th Test Squadron provides testing, tactics development and training for the United States military and coalition forces. Their focus is on providing advanced air operations center training and AOC testing and tactics development at the operational level of war.

  • AF only forward surgical team makes a difference in Afghanistan

    All over Afghanistan service members are deployed to forward operating bases as they continue their mission to train and assist Afghan forces. Currently, a team of twenty four Airmen with a range of medical specialties are deployed to FOB Ghazni as the only Air Force Forward Surgical Team in

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman overcomes tough past

    (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.)He stepped out his door and looked down the street. He saw homes with tires for walls and rust-covered steel roofs. For one Airman, this was

  • Help for hatchlings on the beach

    The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources monitors and protects the sea turtles that come to Tyndall AFB's beaches to nest. They also compile data for Florida's monitoring system on these nests including; where the nests are located, what species of turtles laid the nest and how many

  • National commission reviews AF ‘life-cycle’ manpower costs

    The "National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force" interviewed senior defense leaders past and present on Aug. 27, to review the "fully-burdened life-cycle manpower costs" of active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen.

  • Technicians coengineer cost-saver with a spin

    Staff Sergeants Alex Aguayo and Michael Rogers, aircraft metals technicians with the 6th Maintenance Squadron, co-engineered a way to centrifugally mount a KC-135's nose and main landing wheel on a rotating base to allow the entire part to be painted in a single step.

  • Air Force showcases hot technologies on 'cool' roof

    A year of data collection is nearly complete on the integrated roof system on the base's security forces building at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. The metal-over-metal retrofit integrates cool roofing, solar-power generation, solar thermal, above-sheathing ventilation and rainwater catchment

  • Working dogs, handlers dynamic duo for base defense

    Deploying in pairs, military working dogs and their handlers share a bond exclusive to their career field; each directly dependent upon each other to accomplish the mission. This bond is strengthened in a deployed environment keeping the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working

  • Airman rollerskates way to fitness

    The Air Force requires all members to be 'fit to fight', but not everyone lifts weights, hit a punching bag or run on a treadmill. One Airman gives the phrase a different meaning.Staff Sgt. Hilary Middleton, 355th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, skates with the local

  • Curriculum policy changes mark start of new DODEA school year

    Department of Defense Education Activity students, parents and employees should expect quite a few changes in the upcoming school year, the DODEA director said in an Aug. 23 interview. Those changes will be both visible and behind the scenes, but they all are geared toward improving the quality of

  • Vigilant Eagle continues closer U.S.-Russian cooperation

    Vigilant Eagle 13 kicked off today, with scenarios that present the United States, Canada and Russia with a common enemy: terrorist hijackers, Joseph Bonnet, director of joint training and exercises for NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, said during a telephone interview with American Forces Press

  • Chief turns hobby into 500 mile trek

    With less than a year left before he retires, Chief Master Sgt. Alan Onufrak, 460th Medical Group superintendent, rode in the Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa on the Air Force team, all while helping fellow cyclists, recruiting and completing the challenge.

  • Welsh, Cody: greatest strength is our Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody visited here Aug. 22 to 23 to discuss Air Force priorities and thank Airmen and families for their service and dedication.

  • Mortuary affairs sends fallen warriors home

    A solemn dignified transfer of remains is conducted upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del., from the aircraft to a transfer vehicle to honor those who have given their lives in service to America. These fallen warriors, however, have stops along the way including the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing

  • Joint training helps readiness, saves dollars

    In an effort to save dollars and increase mission effectiveness, 41 students from across the Area of Responsibility, including enlisted, officers and chief warrant officers representing every service, attended two 10-day joint tactical data link courses in the Combined Air and Space Operations

  • Training system brings fight to F-16 pilots

    Groundbreaking advancements to F-16 Fighting Falcon warfare training here arrived during the week of Aug. 12 through 16 in the form of a Joint Deployable Electronic Warfare Range, or JDEWR.

  • CSAF: Every Airman matters, each story is important

    As outlined in the Air Force vision, “every Airman, regardless of specialty, must understand and be able to explain how they contribute to producing unparalleled airpower for our Nation Each Airman has a compelling story that needs to be told. Tell your story. Let your fellow Americans know that

  • Combat arms instructor is third generation Air Force cop

    Staff Sgt. William Delphia said he has gained both strength and wisdom from his father, a former Airman. Delphia, a 633rd Security Forces Squadron combat arms training and maintenance instructor at Langley Air Force Base, Va., has spent his enlistment continuing the legacy of his father, Bruce

  • Former astronaut, AF test pilot dies

    C. Gordon Fullerton, who compiled a distinguished career as a NASA astronaut, research pilot and Air Force test pilot spanning almost 50 years, died Aug. 21. He was 76.

  • AF physician honored for ground-breaking treatment

    59th Medical Specialty Squadron Dermatologist Lt. Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor was recently selected to receive the Air Force Association's Paul W. Myers Award for his work using lasers to improve skin texture and flexibility for wounded warriors.

  • Command and Control ... Total Flexibility

    Airmen employ the Air Force’s other four interdependent and enduring core missions through robust, adaptable, and survivable command and control systems. Using the specialized skills of over 53,000 command and control Airmen, the Air Force provides access to reliable communications and information

  • Air and Space Superiority

    America’s freedom to operate effectively across the spectrum of conflict rests not only on the Air Force’s ability to dominate in the air, but also on its ability to exploit space. Every day, over 15,000 Airmen play a role in ensuring space superiority. As the Nation’s space force, the Air Force

  • Global Strike ... Any target, any time

    Global strike, a significant portion of America’s deterrence capability, means that the Nation can project military power more rapidly, more flexibly, and with a lighter footprint than other military options. With the expertise of over 26,000 Airmen, the Air Force’s nuclear and conventional

  • Love for Lamia: Retired general devotes life to help Afghans

    It was part of the international relationship building he spoke about to the graduating pilots from Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, Aug. 9., here that has propelled Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John Bradley into a post-military career passion.

  • DOD facilities gear up to issue ID cards to same-sex couples

    DOD facilities are gearing up to issue identification cards to same-sex spouses beginning Sept. 3, Pentagon officials said today. "All spousal and family benefits, including ID cards, will be made available no later than September 3, 2013," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen. The Supreme Court

  • Bulgarian students complete Air Force PME

    The Paul H. Lankford EPME Centergraduated its first Bulgarian students in a ceremony attended by Tennessee National Guard senior leaders and international guests. Two Bulgarian air force members completed leadership education here through the Tennessee National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

  • The Power of Airmen

    The effectiveness of Air Force airpower comes directly from thepower of Airmen. While it is natural to define the Air Force interms of its aircraft, missiles, or satellites, in reality, the Service’sunmatched capabilities exist only and precisely because of theimagination, innovation, and dedication

  • The Enduring Importance of Airpower

    In January 2013, the United States Air Force released a vision statement that focuses on “Airmen, Mission, and Innovation.”In addition to recognizing Airmen as the power behind the Air Force and acknowledging the importance of innovation toour story, the vision encourages Airmen to understand and

  • Air Force Core Missions

    Airmen bring to the Nation’s military portfolio five interdependent and integrated core missions that have endured sincePresident Truman originally assigned airpower roles and missions to the Air Force in 1947. Although the way we do themwill constantly evolve, the Air Force will continue to perform

  • Air Force Vision

    America is—and always will be—an aerospace nation. To fully realize the Nation’s aerospace potential, President Truman established an independent Air Force in 1947 to better protect America, its citizens, and its allies. From this beginning, we have grown airpower into the ability to project global

  • AF names DOD leadership program participants

    Six officers have been selected for the Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.This program is designed specifically for highly-motivated, active-duty officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership ability, commitment to

  • 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

  • Message from CSAF

    Since the Air Force was born in 1947, the core missions of the United States Air Force haven’t fundamentally changed.

  • PTSD specialist simplifies stress science

    Tania Glenn, Doctor of Psychology and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, delivered a feelings-free, scientific analysis of the human body's physiological response to high-stress situations to help Air Commandos understand their biological processes downrange during a briefing at the Landing Zone at

  • DOD announces same-sex spouse benefits

    Today, the Department of Defense announced its plan to extend benefits to same-sex spouses of uniformed service members and Department of Defense civilian employees, according to a DOD news release issued today.After a review of the department's benefit policies following the Supreme Court's ruling

  • 45th Space Wing launches satellite

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance-built Delta IV rocket carrying the sixth Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite at 8:29 p.m., Aug. 7 from Space Launch Complex 37B here.A combined team of military, government civilians and contractors from across the 45th SW

  • TRICARE moves forward with prime service area reductions

    Defense Department officials will reduce the number of TRICARE Prime service areas in the United States beginning Oct. 1, affecting about 171,000 retirees and their family members. Those beneficiaries, who mostly reside more than 40 miles from a military clinic or hospital, received a letter earlier

  • Acting SECAF impressed by 45th SW mission, Airmen

    Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning made his first-ever stop to the 45th Space Wing and got an up-close-and-personal look at the mission and Airmen who work on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Patrick Air Force Base.

  • A-10C accident report released

    Poor judgment and a lapse in flight discipline caused an A-10C Thunderbolt II to strike two cables over Stockton Lake in Missouri, according to the Air Force Reserve Command Accident Investigation Board report released Aug. 6. According to the report, the aircraft from the 442nd Fighter Wing,

  • Department of Energy recognizes Air Force energy program

    It's the Oscars of the energy world and the Air Force has stolen the show again.Innovative ideas and procedures for saving facility energy and aviation fuel have earned the Air Force five Federal Energy Management Program awards in 2013, bringing the total to 21 winners in the last four years. A

  • EOD Warrior Foundation supports wounded warriors, grieving families

    No warrior left behind - a commitment at the heart of every member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal community. Now, two groups that have supported EOD families in times of need have joined to expand their outreach and strengthen that promise.The EOD Warrior Foundation was founded in March 2013

  • Air Force takes swift action against sexual assault

    It's not an overstatement to say that the past many years have been challenging for those in the military working to prevent sexual assault and sexual trauma. However, for those who've been victimized it has been much worse, and we should never forget that. The harm in this crime is not just