HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • New under secretary visits Joint Base San Antonio

    Eric Fanning visited with Airmen at Joint Base San Antonio May 16 and 17 during his first base trip as the under secretary of the Air Force.   His two-day visit to JBSA included stops at Randolph, Lackland and Fort Sam Houston, where he met with Airmen and got an overview of the military

  • DOD firefighter certification program turns 20

    It has shaped Department of Defense firefighters for two decades. This May, the DOD Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program that ensures military and civilian firefighters are properly trained, certified and qualified marks its 20th anniversary.The Air Force Civil Engineer Center here

  • Hagel emphasizes summer safety in message to Department

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urged service members, civilian employees and their families May 23 to enjoy the upcoming summer, but to do so safely.In a message to all Defense Department activities, Hagel emphasized the need to make good decisions during a time of year that resulted in more than 80

  • Tinker AFB aircraft return to Oklahoma after diverting to Arizona

    Six Air Force E-3 Sentries and two Navy E-6B Mercuries returned to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., May 21 after diverting here in advance of severe weather in Oklahoma.The E-6Bs and one E-3 arrived May 17, while the other five E-3s arrived May 20 with less than eight hours notice. The inclement

  • First enlisted Airmen graduate from new Weapons School course

    The first class of six enlisted students graduated the Advanced Enlisted Mission Planning Course, the first course for enlisted intelligence professionals, at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School here May 17.When these Airmen return to their home units, they will work closely with their intelligence

  • Minuteman III test missile launches from Vandenberg AFB

    Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile here during an operational test at 6:27 a.m. PST, today.Col. Brent McArthur, the 30th Space Wing's Vice Wing Commander, was the launch decision authority.The launch team, under the direction of the 576th Flight Test

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Chaplain overcomes adversity, delivers hope

    (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.)As the proud owner of three master's degrees and a doctorate, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Tillery has dedicated his life to service in the U.S. Air Force.

  • Arizona base houses Oklahoma aircraft during tornado

    Six U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry and two U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft arrived here from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. during the weekend of May 17 due to severe weather in Oklahoma.The inclement weather that caused the aircraft to divert included a tornado that touched down, destroying Moore, Okla.,

  • DOD seeks leadership program candidates

    Department of Defense officials are seeking active duty Air Force majors and major-selects for the academic year 2013-2014 Executive Leadership Development Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Applications are due to AFPC by June 10. Program orientation is slated for August and the

  • Cadets earn praise for cyclogyro project

    Aeronautical Engineering cadets have presented their award-winning design of a search and rescue and medical evacuation aircraft for the year 2045 to Academy and industry leaders at the Aero Lab here May 13.Nine cadets collaboratively designed "The Night Owl," a futuristic cyclogyro that can direct

  • Airmen train with Polish air force

    Nearly 100 Airmen assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, here to train in a joint theater security cooperation event with the Polish air force. This event, hosted by the U.S. Aviation Detachment 1, is geared toward enhancing the skills of U.S. and Polish F-16 Fighting

  • GPS IIF-4 successfully launched from Cape Canaveral

    A U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite built by Boeing was successfully launched May 15. The fourth GPS IIF satellite, Space Vehicle Number (SVN) 66, was carried aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V Launch Vehicle at 5:38 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

  • Warrior Games 2013: Airman faces challenge at Games as TBI victim

    By looking at him, you would never be able to tell he is a battle-tested, combat-injured Airman. He is a testament to invisible wounds and just how their effects can become visible in everyday life. Capt. Mitchell Kieffer is a mathematician at heart and an operations research analyst at Joint Base

  • EOD tech competes in Warrior Games

    Combat can take its toll on the body both physically and mentally, but for an Airman here his Warrior spirit is not limited by such things. For many wounded warriors, the tolls of combat could have diminished their abilities and reaction times, but the internal fire of the Warrior Spirit remains

  • STRATCOM strives to build coalitions for space operations

    Recognizing the value of multinational coalitions for operations in the land, maritime and air domains, officials at U.S. Strategic Command here hope to forge a coalition that shares assets and capabilities in space.The U.S. and its allies are discussing details for the first agreement of its kind

  • Wounded Warrior proud to represent

    It has been a long journey from the swimming pool at Colorado's Greeley Central High School to proudly representing the Air Force in the lanes at this year's Warrior Games at the U.S. Air Force Academy. But for Senior Master Sgt. Martin Smith, operations superintendent for the 380th Space Control

  • Warrior Games 2013: AF cyclists win 3 medals

    Air Force cyclists took home three medals in the Warrior Games 2013 cycling competition at Falcon Stadium May 12.Maj. Scott Bullis of Peterson Air Force Base took first place in the men's recumbent cycle race to win the Air Force's first gold medal of this year's Warrior Games."This is my first

  • Transit Center honors fallen heroes

    Friend and colleague. Mentor and role model. Son and daughter. Husband and wife. Mother and father. Airman and hero. These were just some of the words used to describe three fallen warriors. Service members gathered for a memorial service May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas here to honor and pay

  • AF energy chief 'service to America' finalist

    The nonprofit Partnership for Public Service announced their 2013 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America medalists, which included a senior Air Force official. Dr. Kevin Geiss, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for energy, was recognized as a finalist May 7 on Washington's Capitol Hill. The

  • President selects Academy's next dean of faculty

    The president of the United States has nominated Col. Andrew Armacost to the U.S. Senate for promotion to the rank of brigadier general and to become the next dean of the faculty of the U.S. Air Force Academy.Armacost will assume his new duties and rank later this year. Armacost moves to the dean's

  • DARPA seeks bold, imaginative, innovative officers

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency needs eight motivated officers for the fiscal 2013 Service Chiefs' Fellows Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Application packages for the three-month program, which begins in September, are due to the AFPC officer developmental

  • CE Airmen improve life on remote Army outpost

    A small team of deployed civil engineer Airmen traveled to a remote Army outpost to provide much needed infrastructure improvements.The 577th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron Consolidated-Small Maintenance and Repair Team visited here April 29 through May 3 to improve life,

  • CE Airmen keep Afghans safe with new bridges

    Members of the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron installed safe and secure bridges for local Afghans coming in and out of Bagram Airfield, May 2.The 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron entry point controllers requested the bridges to provide safe passage to and from BAF for the

  • X-51A Waverider achieves breakthrough in final flight

    The final flight of the X-51A Waverider test program has accomplished a breakthrough in the development of flight reaching Mach 5.1 over the Pacific Ocean May 1. "It was a full mission success," said Charlie Brink, the X-51A program manager for the Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems

  • Warrior Games 2013: Personal stories of adversity turned into triumph

    Warrior Games, a spirited competition that pits wounded , ill or injured service members and veterans against their representative services continues into its fourth year as teams converge on Colorado Springs, Colo., beginning May 11.This year, 50 Airmen or former Airmen will compete in individual

  • Warrior Games 2013: Track and field star has 'wings on her back'

    Midway through retired Tech. Sgt. Katie Robinson's first track and field practice at the Air Force Warrior Games training camp, she pulled out a pair of butterfly wings from her workout bag and strapped them to her back. The wings were both comedy relief and symbolized a dramatic change several

  • Bataan survivor helps celebrate memorial walk

    "Since I didn't bow, he took the bottle and busted my teeth out," he said.A Japanese sergeant dropped a bottle of Coke where John was supposed to walk, so he picked it up and gave it to him. Afterwards, he was punished for his lack of "respect."John Mims, a Bataan Death March survivor, and

  • Officer development program applications due

    Officers considering 2014 advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs have a narrow application window, which is currently open, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. In addition, mobility pilot, intelligence, space, missile, weather, cyber operations, munitions and missile

  • Every Dollar Counts campaign to launch May 1

    Beginning May 1, Airmen can submit their cost-reducing ideas via the Airmen Powered by Innovation websites while at home, the office or on their smartphones. With budgets shrinking, Air Force leaders are calling on Airmen to share their best money-saving ideas through the "Every Dollar Counts"

  • JSTARS: Connecting the dots on battlefield

    After slipping by each other the narrow aisle of an E-8C Joint STARS aircraft, more than a dozen Airmen settle into their seats and begin to flip switches and work through checklists. Their olive-green headsets block out the roar of the jet engines and replace it with busy radio chatter as the crew

  • New under secretary sworn in during Pentagon ceremony

    The Senate confirmed the nomination of Eric Fanning to become the next under secretary of the Air Force April 18 and he began his transition into the office after being sworn in April 29."On behalf of the more than 690,000 men and women of the U.S. Air Force, I want to welcome Eric to our Air Force

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Thunderbirds crew chief takes to new heights

    (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.)Growing up around small planes, it's no surprise that 23-year-old Staff Sgt. Ben Ayivorh, a dedicated crew chief assigned to the U.S. Air Force Air

  • U.S.-Australia agreement promotes space situational awareness

    A new agreement made between the United States and Australia represents the first in what U.S. Strategic Command's commander hopes will be many that promote transparency in the space domain.Air Force Gen. C. Robert Kehler signed the agreement on behalf of the United States, short-cutting the process

  • Edwards completes tests to extend KC-135

    Known as "The Mighty War Wagon" of the Air Force, the KC-135 Stratotanker has proven to be the core aerial refueling capability for the Air Force for more than 50 years.With the help of the 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards, along with a multitude of testers, the KC-135 Block 45 test team

  • EPA recognizes Air Force renewable energy efforts

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Top 50 list of Green Power Partners released this month ranks the Air Force number one in the Department of Defense and number two in the federal government for its purchase and on-site production of green power. In 2012, the Air Force used 283 million

  • Air Force, Italian medics simulate joint patient care

    Members of the 31st Medical Group at Aviano Air Base and the local Italian hospital in Pordenone, Italy, came together April 17 to discuss the results of the region's first international patient care simulation.The collaboration, which took place in early March, encompassed all levels of care needed

  • Sequestration impact on combat aviation: decreased readiness

    The near and long term effects of sequestration and budget cuts for the military's combat aviation assets was the focus of a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee panel on Capitol Hill April 17.Two of the Air Force's top experts on combat aviation acquisition and operations, along with their

  • AF captain seriously injured during Boston Marathon blasts

    An Air Force captain stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base, outside of Boston, was one of the bystanders seriously injured during one of two devastating explosions that rocked the Boston Marathon on April 15.Capt. Adam K. Davis is a deputy IPT lead systems engineer with the Air Force Life Cycle

  • Former bases offer communities earth-friendly education opportunities

    As one of 10,000 students at Arizona State University's Poly Technic campus at the former Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., Theodore Betkie heard about the Air Force's soil cleanup efforts at his campus. Since he knew past military operations caused some problems from fuel spills and leaks, he

  • AF leaders highlight space program successes, address FY14 budget

    Space today is in as good a position as it's been in a very long time, said Richard McKinney, the deputy under secretary of the Air Force for space. McKinney, along with Dr. Jamie Morin, the acting under secretary of the Air Force, and Brig. Gen. Robert McMurry, the director of space programs for

  • Science, technology remain critical, official says

    Despite fiscal uncertainty, science and technology remain critical elements in mitigating emerging threats against the United States, a Defense Department official told Congress yesterday.Alan Shaffer, the acting assistant secretary of defense for research and engineering, pledged to continue a

  • 'Thunderbirds' announce 2014 officer selections

    The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Mike Hostage III, has officially selected the officers who will be joining the United States Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2014 demonstration season. Lt. Col. Matthew Bradley, 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron director of operations from Tyndall AFB, Fla., will

  • Air Superiority: Advantage over enemy skies for 60 years

    A few months after the D-Day invasion in June 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower surveyed the Normandy beaches with his son. "You'd never get away with this if you didn't have air supremacy," then 2nd Lt. John Eisenhower told his father. "Without air supremacy," the elder Eisenhower replied, "I

  • 'Every dollar counts' ushers in new savings culture

    With budgets shrinking, Air Force leaders are calling on Airmen to share their best money-saving ideas through the Every Dollar Counts campaign.In the wake of sequestration, the initiative marks a cultural shift that empowers Airmen to find and recommend areas for savings that may be used to support

  • SecAF discusses $114.1 billion budget proposal

    The Air Force's top civilian leader today presented his service's fiscal 2014 $114.1 billion baseline budget request to Congress and shared some of the fiscal challenges the Air Force has faced."As with all budgets, our FY (2014) request represents a snapshot in time," Secretary of the Air Force

  • Budget request provides for best Air Force possible, Welsh says

    The Air Force's $114.1 billion fiscal 2014 budget request will provide for the most capable airpower arm possible, the Air Force chief of staff said here today.Testifying with Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told the House Armed Services Committee his service's

  • 38 Airmen selected for physician assistant program

    More than three dozen Airmen, including one U.S. Air Force Academy cadet, have been selected for the Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.Out of 52 applicants, six officers (one an alternate), one U.S. Air Force Academy cadet and 31 enlisted

  • Space Command's ops chief discusses new warfighter role

    The Director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations for Air Force Space Command spoke at the Space Warfighters Luncheon April 9 during the 29th National Space Symposium held at the Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, Colo.Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein addressed a packed room of both military and

  • Retired 'crew dogs' keep Norton's legacy alive

    Thanks to a group of retired Air Force C-141 "Crew Dogs," the legacy of Norton Air Force Base, lives on. Members of the 63rd and 445th Airlift Wings Veterans Group were instrumental in the recent opening of the Norton Air Force Base Museum, located in the former NCO club at the San Bernardino

  • FY 14 budget: Sequester puts key Air Force objectives at risk

    Upon release of the Air Force Fiscal Year 2014 budget here April 10, the services' senior leaders said the shadow of sequestration in 2013 and on-going fiscal uncertainty will affect critical programs and objectives for years to come.While Air Force officials have scrambled to minimize impacts on

  • Cyberspace: Fundamental to joint fight

    Cyber operations are a clear catalyst for change in the art and science of modern warfare, Lt. Gen. John Hyten, the Air Force Space Command vice commander, said during the Space Foundation's Cyber 1.3 luncheon here, April 8. Hyten emphasized the importance of getting back to the basics in cyber, the

  • Air Force graduates first RPA armament course

    Five Airmen from the 363rd Training Squadron graduated from the Air Force's first Remotely-Piloted Aircraft armament apprentice course during a graduation ceremony here April 8.Prior to the RPA armament apprentice course coming on-line, Airmen who were headed to an RPA armament assignment received

  • Cyber Airman-development strategically critical to the nation

    Cyber Airman development became the focus of discussion at Cyber 1.3 in Colorado Springs April 8, as Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan, command chief, Air Force Space Command, addressed space and cyber industry leaders at the conference prior to official opening of the 29th National Space

  • Travel Channel brings 'magic' to Airmen

    Even with all that goes on one at Tyndall one of the last things expected to be seen here is magic tricks.The Travel Channel' s street magician, JB Benn, visited Tyndall on March 29. He and his crew filmed for their TV show "Magic Man," which focuses on Mr. Benn stunning the average by stander on

  • Strategic Command plans for unexpected, commander says

    The last thing Air Force Gen. C. Robert Kehler wants is to be caught by surprise.He is the point man for the U.S. nuclear arsenal as well as space, cyber, ballistic missile and other capabilities. As commander of U.S. Strategic Command, Kehler's job is to ensure U.S. deterrence remains so strong

  • Air Force Medical Service goes green and receives top energy award

    The Air Force Medical Service was awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Partner of the Year award March 26, in Washington, D.C. for Air Force-wide efforts to reduce energy consumption in medical facilities by 10 percent, saving an estimated $3.3 million in taxpayer dollars.The

  • Reductions won't affect most TRICARE Prime beneficiaries

    Despite upcoming service area reductions, TRICARE Prime will remain a health care option for 97 percent of the more than 5 million beneficiaries eligible for the health care plan, Military Health System officials said.The 3 percent difference, which comprises about 171,000 beneficiaries who mostly

  • Military children express sacrifices through art, writing

    Life through the eyes of military children through their paintings, drawings and writings was on public display at the Education Department here today to celebrate the Month of the Military Child.Since 1983, the Defense Department has officially recognized military children for the support they

  • Guard rescue center completes 5,000th mission

    Members of the Alaska (11th Air Force) Rescue Coordination Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, completed their 5,000th mission (since July 1, 1994) March 27. During the 5,000th mission, the team coordinated the Alaska Air National Guard's successful recovery of a pilot who crashed a

  • Andrews communications Airmen have global mission

    He'll be the first to admit that his job is far from easy. Maintaining highly complex, state-of-the-art cyber systems operations equipment is something Senior Airman Joseph Cline finds amazingly difficult, but one that he says has global implications.Cline is a member of the 89th Communications

  • CMSAF visits Aviano AB, tackles tough questions

    During his recent visit of Air Force bases in Europe, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody spent two days talking with Aviano Airmen, March 28 and 29, getting their viewpoints on some of the Air Force's biggest issues. In his second month since stepping into the service's highest

  • Airman, wife make a difference

    When this Airman dons his uniform, he flies a C-17 Globemaster III on missions transporting supplies and Airmen to where duty calls. But when he takes his uniform off, he still finds ways to make a difference in the world. First Lt. Joey Brewer, 16th Airlift Squadron pilot, and his wife, Tori,

  • Space mission continues despite restructure

    Critical Air Force missions continue from their current locations after today's restructure of Air Force Space Command's Space Innovation and Development Center at Schriever AFB, Colo.The SIDC restructure and realignment of subordinate organizations is part of the Air Force response to meet future

  • AF nurse to serve in White House clinic

    One 81st Medical Group nurse will soon join an elite medical staff when he becomes a member of the White House clinic.Capt. Kyle Perry, a critical care nurse in the 81st Inpatient Operations Squadron intensive care unit, was notified of his selection for the post in February and reports there in

  • AF scientist earns DOD's top civilian award

    Dr. Boris Tomasic from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was named a recipient of the 57th annual Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award.The highest honor given by the Secretary of Defense to career civilian

  • WGS-5 Launch Aboard a Delta IV Confirmed for May 8

    The launch of the U.S. Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM mission on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle has been placed on the 45th Space Wing range schedule for May 8.The launch vehicle and spacecraft are both being processed in Florida.The investigation into the off-nominal performance on

  • CENTCOM-area troops get commercial tickets for R&R flights

    Beginning in April, service members and others serving overseas in U.S. Central Command's area of operations will be issued commercial airline tickets to travel to their rest and recuperation leave destination, officials said. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., CENTCOM's overseas AOR encompasses a region

  • Medic shows courage after rocket attack

    Three weeks after arriving to her deployed location in Afghanistan, insurgents showered then-Tech. Sgt. Angela Blue's base with 80-millimeter mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire.During the attack, she received a radio request to report to the Afghan National Army side of the

  • TSA expedites airport screening for wounded warriors

    The Transportation Security Administration now offers expedited airport screening to severely injured members of the armed forces.In addition to offering curb-to-gate service, TSA now allows wounded warriors to move through security checkpoints without having to remove shoes, light outerwear jackets

  • MilPDS upgrade complete

    The Air Force has successfully upgraded and transferred the Military Personnel Data System to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise Computing Center, Air Force Personnel Center officials said March 25."We're pleased that the MilPDS upgrade took less time than anticipated, and we

  • Moon landing jump starts general's own space legacy

    When Neil Armstrong made history with man's first footsteps on the moon, Susan Helms needed a little nudging from her mom to get excited. And get excited she did. She realized that there would never be another first step on the moon, and even as a young 11-year-old, knew the feat was something

  • Air Force rabbi 'one of her kind'

    Minutes before sunset on Friday, she lowers her head and covers her face in prayer. Her hands are illuminated by the faint glow of the Shabbat candles, each flame representing and honoring a family member.As the week comes to a close, Capt. Sarah Schechter, the Jewish chaplain of the 11th Wing at

  • 16 specialties work together, build one clear picture

    Controlling 250,000 square miles of air space over Afghanistan is no easy task, but it's just another day for the Airmen of the 73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron.The 73rd EACS supports the enduring airpower mission through air control and data support by making sure constant radar feeds, radio

  • 45th Space Wing launches second SBIRS GEO satellite

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the second Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO-2 satellite into orbit from Space Complex 41 here March 19.A combined team of military, government civilians and contractors from across the 45th Space Wing

  • Airmen, Japanese remember the past, honor the present

    Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, joined local Japanese citizens March 20 here, to remember American B-29 Superfortress flight crews who lost their lives during a World War II raid over the city and unveil a memorial monument in their honor. Since 1971, service members stationed here have traveled

  • Developmental education applications due April 12, May 1

    (EDITOR'S NOTE: The officer application suspense has been extended to April 12.)Eligible active duty officers and civilians are now able to apply for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Officer applications are due to AFPC

  • Airmen now learn in HD with Guard's NCO Academy

    The Air National Guard's center for training and education is leveraging live high-definition, high-bitrate video to develop Airmen with the high quality associated with an in-residence experience - but at a fraction of the cost.Currently the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center, or TEC, is in

  • Developmental education application windows open

    Eligible active duty officers and civilians are now able to apply for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Officer applications are due to AFPC April 5, and civilian nominations are due May 1, said George McKey, AFPC officer

  • Nellis accepts delivery of F-35 with ceremony

    In the Thunderbird Hangar filled to capacity, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Lofgren, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, formally accepted delivery of three F-35A Lightning IIs March 19.The aircraft will be assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron where they will undergo operational

  • First Sergeant Academy embraces blended learning

    The U. S. Air Force First Sergeant Academy has transformed its curriculum from a traditional "brick-and-mortar" education experience to a mixture of facilitated distance learning and in-resident classroom time to teach future first sergeants. What was once a three-week in-residence course is now

  • Children need routine environment during moves, official says

    Service members and their spouses who will travel to new duty stations this summer might face the added concern of keeping life routine for their children, the director of the Pentagon's office of family policy and children and youth told American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel."Just

  • Plan early for household moves

    For many military and federal government workers, spring signifies not only flowers in bloom and warmer weather, but also a good time to get the jump on peak moving season, which typically runs from May to August.Mitch Chandran, an Army Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command spokesman,

  • Young girl's love of flying leads to history-making missions in space

    As a young child, Eileen Collins loved to sit with her dad in the family car and watch airplanes take off and land. The roar of the powerful engines and the grace of the aircraft as they seemed to float in the air always held excitement and enchantment for the young daughter of Irish immigrants.That

  • ISR warriors raise bar at Red Flag

    Armed with some of the military's latest technologies and defined objectives in mind, Airmen in the intelligence career field begin to process, exploit and disseminate intelligence to an extent and level never achieved before. They do this as part of a continuing campaign that prepares fighters for

  • Airmen bike, run 465 miles in 48 hours

    A team of students, faculty and staff members from Air Command and Staff College hit the ground running and riding March 7 to raise money for the children of fallen special operations members. The team of 63 left Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., on a 465-mile, 48-hour run and bike relay to the finish

  • Medical Airmen move wounded warriors, provide closure

    Usually when a wounded Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine or Airman leaves the combat theater, they leave on a stretcher, surrounded by the beeps and hum of machines reading and reporting vital signs. Sometimes they are conscious, but all too often they are not -- suddenly waking in a hospital

  • US, Philippine service members work together during PACANGEL

    A joint team of U.S. service members traveled to the Philippines to participate in Operation Pacific Angel March 4 through 11.Operation Pacific Angel is a U.S. Pacific Command humanitarian mission that sends primary care, dental, optometry and civil engineer experts to different countries each year

  • PACOM promotes regional cyber capabilities, defenses

    Two years ago, U.S. Pacific Command set out on a big experiment during its Terminal Fury exercise, subjecting participants for the first time to simulated cyber intrusions and network access denials, among other unexpected curve balls the exercise planners threw their way.PACOM's cyber cell, serving

  • First shirts find value in ANG 'warrior network'

    When Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kennedy wanted to communicate to more than 800 first sergeants across the Air National Guard as their functional manager this week he turned to the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center.The Center told him, no problem.Its Media Engagement Division and "Warrior

  • Betty 'Tack' Blake: Only surviving member of 1st WASP class

    Last year, a young female pilot recently showed her 91-year-old guest the F-16 Fighting Falcon she flies at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. She thanked Betty "Tack" Blake several times as she talked about her job, so Blake finally asked the young captain why she was thanking her."Because you started it,"

  • Women's roles evolve quickly following World War II

    Within the time span it took for women in television to transform from the female stereotypes portrayed on "I Love Lucy" to the more modern, late-century version found on "Murphy Brown," women in the U.S. Air Force were making strides that far outpaced their Hollywood counterparts.By the end of

  • AF officer named tops in her field

    A Lajes Field officer was recently awarded the 2012 Armed Forces Optometric Society Junior Officer of the Year.Maj. Tara Jayne, 65th Medical Operations Squadron optometrist, was surprised with the news when Col. Lorn Heyne, 65th Medical Group commander, and his wife visited her home Feb. 17 with a

  • Service chiefs ask congress for fiscal help

    The senior officers from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps asked Congress March 5 for more spending flexibility so they can maintain military readiness as the sequester's across-the-board budget cuts take effect.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Army Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Strategic Command: Cuts could erode capabilities

    The U.S. Strategic Command can execute its full mission responsibilities today, but the impacts of fiscal uncertainty and declining resources in the next six months or a year could change that, Air Force Gen. C. Robert Kehler said today.Testifying here before the House Armed Services Committee,

  • USO brings Peyton Manning to Airmen

    Super Bowl champion and current Denver Broncos' quarterback, Peyton Manning, along with other professional athletes and performers visited 380th Expeditionary Airmen here Feb. 28 as part of United Service Organizations-hosted tour. Navy Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., the vice chairman of the Joint

  • Airmen adapt aerial port procedures to be more effective, efficient

    The 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron members recently re-evaluated their processes and procedures and decided it was time to fine tune the way they operate and move cargo here.Maj. Philip Shields, the former 451st ELRS Aerial Port Flight commander and Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Spain,

  • Two women, different backgrounds, one goal

    Two women, from opposite economic, social and cultural backgrounds, earned common ground during the early days of World War II and set a path in aviation that would steamroll into women's boundless roles today. Jacqueline Cochran was born in 1906 in a cotton-fields-and-sawmill small town in western

  • Reserve activates cyberspace operations group

    Air Force Reserve Command activated the first cyberspace operations group in the Air Force March 1. Col. Lloyd Terry Jr., the 960th Cyberspace Operations Group commander, is charged with providing combat-ready forces with specialized expertise in the operation and defense of Air Force and Defense

  • USecAF nominee testifies before Senate committee

    Eric Fanning testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 28 during his confirmation hearing to be the next under secretary of the Air Force. "I come from a family with a long history of service in uniform -- two uncles graduated from West Point and made careers in the Army, another