HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Some medically separated Airmen can have their disability ratings reviewed

    Airmen who were medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2009, can have their disability ratings reviewed. Airmen medically separated with a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less and who received separation pay versus medical retirement may request a Physical Disability

  • Thunderbird aircraft mishap at air show

    The United States Air Force Thunderbirds were conducting a single-ship familiarization flight on Friday June 23, 2017. Upon landing there was a mishap at the Dayton International Airport with an F-16D Fighting Falcon at approximately 12:20 p.m. Emergency services are on the scene. We will provide

  • Wright-Patterson AFB goes to the bees

    Hundreds of base personnel and members of the public were buzzing about the same thing at the Wright Brothers Memorial June 21, 2017 – Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s status as the first military installation nationwide to be declared a “Bee City USA.”

  • 387th ESPTS sustains busiest aerial port in AFCENT

    As one of the busiest aerial ports of debarkation in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, the 387th Air Expeditionary Group is no stranger to service members and cargo transiting downrange, but it is the 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron that is charged with sustaining that

  • Air Force offers tuition assistance for civil service Ph.D. candidates

    Air Force officials recently approved tuition assistance funding for eligible Ph.D. candidates through the Civilian Tuition Assistance Program. Applications are due July 2, 2017 for academic programs this fall and need to include a strong justification statement explaining how the course work

  • F-35 makes historic appearance at Paris Air Show

    The U.S. made history when two F-35A Lightning IIs arrived at the Paris Air Show to fly the aircraft's first public aerial demonstrations June 19 – 25, 2017. Pulling off a historic event such as this takes months of careful planning and preparation. This team had only 36 days to make it happen.

  • Real Airmen, real stories of courage, heroism inspire at Magazine Day

    Col. Laurel Burkel has no recollection of her first meeting with Air Force civil engineer Greg Gangnuss.But some 20 months after a British Puma Mk 2 helicopter crash at the NATO base in Kabul, Afghanistan claimed the lives of five coalition members, injured five others and nearly decapitated her,

  • ICBM Country: Hill AFB workers play key role in future of strategic defense

    The Air Force is responsible for two legs of the U.S. strategic nuclear triad, intercontinental ballistic missiles and bombers. Airmen, civilian employees and contractors at Hill AFB are working hard to provide that strategic ICBM need by overseeing the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, the

  • Airman looks to sister for re-enlistment ceremony

    An ophthalmic technician in the 88th Medical Group didn’t choose to be sworn in by her unit commander when she was ready to re-enlist. Instead, she turned to a family member – her younger sister.The re-enlistment ceremony for Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Stem was held June 19, 2017, in the auditorium of the

  • AETC announces changes to developmental special duty assignments

    Air Force officials are making three substantial changes to the developmental special duty process that will significantly improve the Air Force’s ability to fill these important positions by adding more flexibility to the process and increasing opportunities for NCOs.

  • Test team looks at new parachute for ACES II ejection seat

    EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Members of the 418th Flight Test Squadron are testing a new parachute canopy for the Advanced Concept Ejection Seat II. Testers are collecting data on the GR7000 parachute, which has been proposed to replace the current C-9 canopy used in the ACES II ejection

  • Around the Air Force: June 26

    On this look around the Air Force, the historic 6thWeapons Squadron is reactivated, Saber Strike 2017 wraps up and tuition assistance is available for civil service PHD candidates.

  • Bomber Squadron marks 100 years of history

    Carrying out vital missions for over 100 years, the 23rd Bomb Squadron and the associated aircraft maintenance units continue to play a critical role in delivering combat airpower.

  • Healing from invisible wounds: The other side of the story

    Chanda D’Angelo was in a frenzy; she quickly washed all the clothes in her home, zoomed the vacuum across every floor, wiped down every surface, cleaned out the refrigerator and stove and scrubbed the windows and mirrors until they were spotless. Exhausted, she had just enough time to get her hair

  • From cadets to colonels: Wingmen for life

    Filing into a barber shop in 1989, a group of college freshmen prepare for the Cadet Corps program at Texas A&M University, College Station by receiving the traditional rites during their transition from civilian to military: a buzz cut.Physical training, formations and university classrooms were

  • Block 5 MQ-9 debuts in combat

    The latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper, the Block 5 variant, flew its first successful combat mission June 23, 2017, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

  • Foreign pilots fly high in exchange program at JB Charleston

    Foreign exchange programs across the globe allow students from a secondary school or university to study abroad and are fairly well known. However, some might not be aware of the foreign pilot exchange program the Air Force implemented in 1998.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Around the Air Force: June 29

    On this look around the Air Force, a new parachute canopy is tested for the ACES II ejection seat, squadron revitalization teams visit Scott AFB, and special duty changes are coming.

  • Holloman AFB Airman named Fighter Instructor Pilot of the Year

    One of Holloman’s Airmen, Maj. John R. Widmer, 314th Fighter Squadron flight commander and an F-16 instructor pilot, was named the Air Force’s Fighter Instructor Pilot of the Year. The award is designed to recognize fighter pilots and weapon systems officers’ commitment, performance, leadership and

  • Enlisted RPA pilots soar to new heights

    The Air Force’s first three Enlisted Pilot Initial Class graduates are slated to complete their final phase of training requirements in July at Beale Air Force Base, California.

  • 4 FW's greatest heroes: McKennon, Green – The rescue

    The history of the 4th Fighter Wing includes many stories of great wingmen, including the incomparable team of Don Gentile and John Godfrey in World War II. By adjusting their tactics and working closely together in the air combat duels over Europe, they became two of the highest scoring American

  • Foreign-born Airmen deploy, live their American dream

    The Air Force is proud of its diversity, providing Airmen the opportunity to live and visit places they never would imagine going and working with people from all walks of life. Two Airmen, who are deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, as part of the 451st Expeditionary Support Squadron, are

  • AF leaders cheer on Airmen at Warrior Games

    Air Force senior leaders attended the 2017 Warrior Games opening ceremonies July 1, 2017, in Chicago to show support for the athletes participating in the weeklong competition.

  • Arresting cable mission stands ready to save lives

    The Airmen in the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron power production shop are unsung heroes. Nobody thinks about the constant, never-ending generator mission until the grid power goes down. The fleet of light carts is overlooked until night operations occur. The arresting cable mission

  • Thunderbirds announce 2018 officer selections

    Gen. Mike Holmes, the commander of Air Combat Command, has officially selected the officers who will be joining the United States Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2018 demonstration season.

  • Combat metals team innovates repair, saves AF thousands

    You don’t always have everything you want on a deployment. No sixty inch plasma with video game console in your room, so you bring a laptop to play your games. Your cell phone doesn’t have coverage unless you pay exorbitant roaming fees, so you video chat with your family over Wi-Fi when you can

  • Silver Star mission a lesson in teamwork

    Retired Lt. Col. Gregory Thornton was presented the Silver Star Medal - the third highest medal for valor in the military - in a private ceremony held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force June 30, 2017.

  • Yesterday's Air Force: RPAs

    This episode of Yesterday's Air Force looks at the history of Remotely Piloted Aircraft. RPAs are not a new war-fighting technology, in fact their development goes back to the early 20th century. Roger Connor with the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum takes us through their evolution.

  • Robins AFB finishes Global Hawk work

    A special ribbon-cutting ceremony, signaling the early completion of work on the first RQ-4 Global Hawk at Robins Air Force Base, was held on the base flight line here June 29, 2017.

  • USAFA cadets train for future at 386th AEW

    Each summer, rising juniors at the U.S. Air Force Academy travel to military bases across the globe to get a first-hand look at how support and operational functions work together to accomplish a wing’s mission. This year, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted approximately twenty cadets as part

  • HG outreach to Southern California

    The hearty yell of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard’s narrator was followed by a wave of cheers through the crowd of Disneyland onlookers, ranging from nostalgic veterans to curious children.The “Ambassadors in Blue” laced these announcements throughout each drill routine during their recent tour of

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • New Air Force health mobile app available for patients

    The Air Force Medical Service has launched a new mobile app to connect Airmen and patients to news and information about the AFMS. The new app is a mobile version of the AFMS website, and lets users customize their experience based on the Air Force military treatment facility they use. This way,

  • Adaptive sports shift outlook on life

    “I was sitting at home alone one night and had taken out my pistol; I remember how cool it felt in my hands and knowing I was moments away from taking my life. In that split second, my phone went off with a text from one of my Airmen who said he needed my help getting to work the next morning, and I

  • Rescue Airmen save two German citizens stranded at sea

    In a concerted effort from July 7, and into the early hours of July 8, 2017, approximately 80 Airmen and four aircraft assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing successfully rescued two German citizens whose vessel caught fire approximately 500 nautical miles off the east coast of southern Florida.

  • Defenders deescalate situation downrange, prevent potential catastrophe

    Airmen 1st Class Drew and Giovanni, who are flightline security element members with the 451st Expeditionary Support Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, recently had to deescalate a potentially volatile situation where they had mere seconds to make a possibly life-altering decision.

  • Mentoring is for the total force

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright was a self-proclaimed undisciplined Airman during his first enlistment in the early 1990s…that is, until his mentor stepped in and provided the leadership he needed to set him on the right path.

  • AF selects 8,167 for promotion to technical sergeant

    Air Force officials selected 8,167 staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant out of 25,552 eligible for a selection rate of 31.96 percent.The technical sergeant promotion list will be available on the Air Force Portal and myPers July 20, 2017, at 8 a.m. CDT. On July 20, Airmen can also

  • Around the Air Force: July 12

    On this look around the Air Force, the location for the 2018 Warrior Games is announced, Airmen and Marines work together during F-35 refueling Lightning II exercise, and the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year have been announced.

  • DUI: What it really costs

    When an Airman receives a DUI charge, they are eligible to receive both a civilian conviction if caught off base, as well as a punishment given at their commander’s discretion. The final sentence could cost thousands of dollars in fines, suspension of their license, negative paperwork,

  • Chaplain candidates participate in internship

    About 20 years ago, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor placed his hands on a 7-year-old boy’s forehead. After a moment of reflection, he prophesied the boy would be a man of God. Today, that boy is now 2nd Lt. William Hammond, an Air Force chaplain candidate completing his Master of Divinity. The

  • Commanders to have more say in developmental education opportunities

    Air Force officials recently announced changes to the nomination process for officer developmental education beginning with the results of the March 2017 Line of Air Force Major Board. The March 2017 LAF Major’s Board results will be released publicly July 18, 2017, and will not include

  • SEAC visits with Nevada Airmen

    Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Troxell, the senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spent a day immersing himself in the diverse missions carried out by Airmen at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 11, 2017.

  • Bonded through service, linked by fate

    Thousands gathered to witness an extraordinary display of resilience and strength by the nation’s wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans representing all branches of the military during the 2017 Defense Department Warrior Games in Chicago. The lives of two master sergeants became

  • Around the Air Force: July 12

    On this look around the Air Force, Air National Guard Airmen battle California wildfires, F-16s arrive in England for a flying training deployment, and fiscal year 2018 first-term Airmen retraining quotas are released.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • RED HORSE Airmen battle heat, darkness to shape future

    On a construction site at the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, all five senses are constantly bombarded. The sun scorches every inch of uncovered skin. Gusting winds kick up sand and dirt, making it difficult to see. Deafening machines saturate the air with the smell and taste of fumes.

  • Top AF analysis leader recognized

    Gen. Mike Holmes, the commander of Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis received the Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent Leadership Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon July 11, 2017.

  • US, coalition partners demonstrate global defense capabilities

    Four U.S. Air Force and one Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs loaded with more than 300 American and Canadian paratroopers took off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, to Shoalwater Bay, Australia, for biennial training exercise, Talisman Saber July 13, 2017.

  • Innovation challenge brings possible advancement in F-22 test capabilities

    The 412th Test Wing’s Experimentation Center for Ideas/Technology Exploration team, known as XCITE, hosted a one-day innovation challenge July 10, 2017.Several engineers from around Edwards Air Force Base partnered with members of the Desert High School Robotics team to come up with a solution to a

  • A-10 pilot spits fire in fight against ISIS

    Originally tasked to deploy as an A-10 pilot in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Lt. Col. Ben Rudolphi saw his mission change before even leaving the U.S.Instead of manning his aircraft, he was given the opportunity to lead others as the commander of the 407th Expeditionary Operation Support

  • Colonel promotes wife, then retires

    When military members hold their promotion ceremonies, many times their families enjoy the occasion alongside them. Spouses, children, parents, siblings and other relatives witness the time-honored ceremony and take part in the tradition of pinning or tacking on the next rank.

  • Air Force MTI named Military Times Airman of the Year

    A 326th Training Squadron military training instructor facilitator has been selected as the Military Times 2017 Airman of the Year for her exceptional service over the course of a 15-year Air Force career.

  • Around the Air Force: July 19

    On this look around the Air Force a Wounded Warrior receives the Pat Tillman award at the ESPYs, a medical exercise in Minnesota provides free healthcare for local residents, and Red Flag 17-3 features F-35s from both the Air Force and the Marine Corps. Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Robbie Arp.

  • Air Force selects 2,311 BSC, LAF officers for promotion

    The Air Force selected 2,311 active-duty officers for promotion to colonel, lieutenant colonel and major during the 2017B Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel Biomedical Sciences Corps and Major Line of the Air Force and Biomedical Sciences Corps central selection boards.

  • KC-10s display global reach in the Pacific

    Three KC-10 Extenders flew from Hawaii and Wake Island Airfield to refuel five C-17 Globemaster IIIs carrying over 300 coalition paratroopers across the Pacific Ocean, July 13, 2017.

  • Air advisor teamwork enhances expeditionary Air Force compound

    Over the past four months, a small team of air advisors, deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve to Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, combined its efforts to enhance and improve the U.S. Air Force’s compound, changing the working conditions for the airmen assigned

  • 29th IS Airman tackles Air Force Rugby team

    Listed at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 220 pounds, this fusion analyst and player on the Air Force Rugby Team is not an Airman you want running at you full speed.Airman 1st Class Austin, of the 29th Intelligence Squadron, has been playing with the Air Force Rugby Team since March

  • New annual Mental Health Assessment requirement begins July 31

    Beginning July 31, 2017, Airmen undergoing their annual Periodic Health Assessment may notice something new. A Mental Health Assessment will now be part of every annual PHA, to help ensure Airmen suffering from undiagnosed mental health issues are referred to the necessary care.

  • Cherish every moment

    It’s 4 a.m., and a car parks outside the family home. Inside, a proud father of two takes one last look at his daughter and son before hugging his wife and walking out the door.As the car drives off, he stares out the window, hoping his wife and children will be all right for the next six months.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Podcast puts new spin on resilience

    How do you talk to Airmen about resilience – especially when a unit is geographically dispersed? When two colleagues and friends at the 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing, set out to answer that question, their priorities were to make the information approachable, accessible

  • SecAF gets firsthand look at MQ-1, MQ-9 mission

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson visited Creech Air Force Base July 19, 2017 to get a closer look at the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper mission.During her visit Wilson toured the base and gained insight into the dominant persistent attack and reconnaissance mission the Airmen of the 432nd

  • Around the Air Force: July 21

    On this look around the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright shares the major changes made to Enlisted Professional Military Education for the 21st century, Air Force medical practitioners work with their Fijian counterparts, and Edwards Air Force Base, California,

  • U.S. Air Force bombers integrate with Royal Australian Air Force JTACS

    U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam conducted two separate integration training missions with Royal Australian Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers as part of Exercise Talisman Saber 17 at Shoalwater Field Training Area, Australia, July 17 and 19, 2017.

  • Student loan forgiveness takes effect in October

    The first forgiveness of student loan balances under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program goes into effect for government employees this October. The program offers forgiveness for remaining balances due on William D. Ford federal direct loans after employees have made at least 120 loan

  • 17th ATKS celebrates 75 years of aviation excellence

    For the past 75 years, the 17th Attack Squadron have played an integral part in the defense of the nation by providing combatant commanders with reconnaissance capabilities, and more recently, with precision attack capabilities.

  • Around the Air Force: July 26

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- On this look around the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth Wright answers EPME 21 questions and senior leaders from the European theater came together for an F-35 leadership forum. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Samantha Konieczny.For previous episodes,

  • B-52 testers complete leaflet bomb drops

    An important part of U.S. military operations overseas is communicating with the local population. This can be done in a number of ways including something as simple as distributing leaflets.  In psychological operations, leaflets with messages are often dropped from aircraft in order to reach a

  • Tech Report: Fly by feel

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- Nature has inspired scientific and engineering innovations for hundreds of years. For scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory, it is the hairs on bats and crickets that inspired the creation of artificial hair sensors, destined to change the course of

  • CSAF describes future of conflict

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein addressed the future of the Total Force, operations in space and the importance of a multi-domain, networked approach to warfare during an Air Force Association breakfast at the Mitchel Institute in Washington, D.C., July 26, 2017.The CSAF outlined

  • Holloman AFB flies toward future

    The Air Force provides day and night support to troops all around the world, and Holloman Air Force Base’s remotely piloted aircraft training mission is at the forefront.

  • AF extends Health Professions Loan Repayment Program

    Application packages for the Air Force’s Health Professions Loan Repayment Program will now be accepted until Sept. 1, 2017. Active-duty Biomedical Sciences Corps and Nurse Corps officers are eligible to apply.