NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Some Air Force families eligible for free child-care

    Certain Air Force people returning from overseas deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom are eligible for free child-care.The Extended Duty Child-Care Program will provide the service for up to 16 hours per child under 12 years old. The child-care is available to active-duty, Reserve and

  • Some Airmen can carry over 'use or lose' leave

    Airmen who were recalled from or unable to take annual leave this past year for reasons such as support for contingency operations may be allowed to accumulate more than the normal 60 days after the fiscal year ends. Special leave accrual carry over also applies to Air Force Reserve and Air National

  • Some Airmen can carry over 'use or lose' leave

    Active-duty Airmen who were unable to take leave because they supported contingency operations may be allowed to accumulate more than the normal 60 days after the fiscal year ends.Those affected can retain up to 120 days of leave until Sept. 30, 2005, said Air Force Personnel Center officials here.

  • Some Airmen can carry over 'use or lose' leave

    Airmen who were recalled from or unable to take annual leave this past year for reasons such as support for contingency operations will be allowed to accumulate more than the normal 60 days after the fiscal year ends.Special leave accrual carry-over also applies to Air Force reservists and Air

  • Some Airmen, civilians authorized to wear NATO medals

    Some deployed Air Force military and civilian personnel are now authorized to wear one of four North Atlantic Treaty Organization medals. Those who served in a NATO unit for 30 continuous or accumulated days and were listed on a Combined Joint Statement of Requirements may be awarded either the NATO

  • Some civilian career updates just clicks away

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced a new self-service application as part of its ongoing commitment to civilian force development. The Electronic Civilian Record Update, or ECRU, gives civilians preparing to meet a development team panel the ability to perform Web updates

  • Some civilians to see 'adjustment bill'

    Some employees enrolled in the long-term care insurance program may soon receive an adjustment bill for uncollectible premiums, Office of Personnel Management officials announced.Missed payments have occurred for various reasons, such as an employee entering into nonpay status; a paycheck with

  • Some 'doctors' still make house calls

    Have mat, will travel.That is the newly adopted creed of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group's three-person physical therapy team at a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia. The 332nd EMDG is from the 10th Medical Group at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.Realizing that many of the pilots

  • Some extended guardsmen, reservists may get GI Bill boost

    Guardsmen and reservists whose active-duty time is extended past the normal 12-month call-up may be eligible for active-duty-level benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill under certain circumstances, said a senior Department of Veterans Affairs spokesman.Currently, people participating in the active-duty

  • Some gifts cannot be wrapped

    An Air Force Space Command headquarters Airman helped save his brother-in-law’s life here.Maj. Dave Holz, a plans and programs officer, gave a Christmas present that did not need wrapping. Rich Borsuk, Major Holz’s brother-in-law, was diagnosed with type-one diabetes 25 years ago as a 6-year-old

  • Some IDs may be invalid starting Aug. 15

    Individuals will no longer be able to access Air Force installations with a state-issued identification card or driver’s license from Minnesota, Missouri, Washington or American Samoa beginning Aug. 15.

  • Some Incirlik people return to United States

    The first of several flights contracted to bring more than 1,300 Air Force family members and nonmission-essential civilian employees from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, arrived at Charleston International Airport, S.C., on March 21.Armed with teddy bears, cell phones and dog biscuits, more than 100

  • Some KC-135Es removed from flying schedule

    Gen. John W. Handy, commander of Air Mobility Command, has directed 29 KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft with identified engine strut problems be removed from the flying schedule while Air Force leaders evaluate a report from the Fleet Viability Board and recommendations of the Oklahoma City Air

  • Some lieutenant colonels can apply for TIG retirement waiver

    Lieutenant colonels with at least two years time in grade may be able to retire at their current grade through the Time in Grade Waiver Program, said Lt. Col. Tara White, Air Force Personnel Center retirements and separations chief. Air Force officials announced last December that the TIG Waiver

  • 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

  • Some NCOs may apply to reenter old career fields

     Air Force officials here are offering some active duty staff, technical and master sergeants the opportunity to reenter previously held career fields now in demand, provided they apply by Oct. 31. The Air Force initiated the fiscal 2008 NCO Limited Reclassification program due to unexpected

  • Some officer development applications due by May 31

    Officers considering 2012 advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs should get their applications started, since some applications are due as early as May 31, officials recently said.Bomber pilot, space and missile operations, intelligence, weather, logistics, program management,

  • Some personnel services become Web-only

    Starting March 15, Airmen will no longer have to stand in line to accomplish a personnel records review or several other common tasks.To make it easier for personnel customers, six different personnel services are now available only on the Web. Military personnel flight workers will point customers

  • Some prior service officers eligible to retire early

    Air Force officials announced plans recently to allow some prior service officers the opportunity to retire earlier than expected.As a result of the Fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, eligible officers with prior enlisted service who have completed 20 years of total active federal

  • Some reservists billed for dental premiums

    About 3,500 Guard and Reserve Airmen on extended active duty will need to pay dental premiums directly to the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. rather than through payroll deduction, officials said.A glitch, which occurred May 1 when the TRICARE Dental Program changed providers from United Concordia

  • Some reservists won't have to repay portion of GI Bill

    Some Air Force Reserve Airmen who are no longer able to participate due to Base Realignment and Closure or Program Budget Decision 720 actions, will not be required to repay a portion of their Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve entitlement. Members in their initial six-year enlistment who are

  • Some retirees could get Medicare-surcharge refund

    A collaborative effort among officials at the Department of Defense, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Social Security Administration could prove beneficial to certain Medicare-eligible uniformed services beneficiaries.The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 provides a chance for

  • Some South Dakota veterans eligible for bonuses

    The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers.Bonuses are available for servicemembers who:-- were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.-- are currently on active duty or were honorably

  • Some tax statements now online

    Tax statements are now posted on myPay for Army, Navy and Air Force Reserve, Department of Defense and Department of Energy civilian employees, military annuitants and military retirees.The W-2 and 1099 statements are available for these groups to view and print, allowing them to submit their tax

  • Some troops qualify for extended tax filing deadline

    Service members serving outside of the United States -- including those supporting operations in Libya and Japan -- will receive an automatic two-month tax filing extension this year, officials said. This extension is in addition to the nation's already extended deadline. Due to Emancipation Day, a

  • Some veterans see another VA travel increase

    Service-disabled and low-income veterans who are reimbursed for travel expenses while receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities will see an increase in their payments beginning Jan. 9. A recently passed law allows VA to cut the amount it must withhold from their mileage

  • Son continues family military legacy, works alongside father at Dobbins

    A new pilot here has a particularly special memory from Father’s Day last year. While he was attending C-130 pilot training at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, his father came to visit. His father is no stranger to Little Rock AFB, he also attended training there as a young aviator and was

  • Son flies in father's footsteps

    Some sons walk in their father's footsteps, while others fly in them. This was recently the case for Capt. Taylor Wight, an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, flew a Weapons Systems Evaluation Program mission with his father, Col. Al Wimmer,an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot.

  • Son follows father's footsteps into firefighting

    As the chief master sergeant walked through the firefighter school here, he exchanged friendly smiles and greetings with students, instructors and other staff members who passed by.Standing at about 6 feet tall with his back straight and his head held high, the man displays an obvious pride in what

  • Son of deployed Airman helps start 2013 World Series

    When Lindsey Miller, wife of Capt. Garrett Miller, received a call from the Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Airman and Family Readiness Center Oct. 22, little did she know she was about to answer a call from destiny.

  • 'Son Tay' Talon flies into history

    After more than 23,500 hours of flight and approximately 47 years in service, the MC-130E Combat Talon I known as the "Godfather" left the ground here for the last time June 22 for its ultimate mission.The aircraft with the tail number 64-0523 took off for its final resting place -- a special

  • Sons of Iraq represent future, freedom

    Iraq just moved closer toward freedom and independence -- 54 steps closer to be exact.Each step is represented by one of 54 elite Iraqi soldiers who have begun explosives ordnance disposal school, the first group to enter the school since the free elections in January. The soldiers will learn how to

  • Sortie changes green pilot blue

    An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot deployed here with the 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron was required to fire at an enemy target on his first combat sortie Aug. 11.First Lt. Erik Axt deployed here Aug. 9 from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, less than two months after becoming combat-ready, said Lt.

  • Sortie support team delivers decisive air power

    The 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Sortie Support Flight is made up of four flightline occupations, or Air Force specialty codes, that contribute to Operation Inherent Resolve. The team issues, maintains and inspects required repair tools and support equipment needed to deliver decisive

  • Sorties across the stratosphere

    The enemy should fear what it can’t see. At high altitudes toward the edge of space, the U-2S is invisible to the naked eye, transmitting critical intelligence to the warfighters below.

  • SOS 'blends' training model incorporating new technology

    Academic and military researchers are introducing and proposing new approaches on leadership and teamwork training at the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Officials with Air Education and Training Command, the sponsor organization, partnered with researchers at the University

  • SOS reduces course length, increases classes in FY 15

    To align with the chief of staff of the Air Force's vision to give more company grade officers the opportunity to attend Squadron Officer School, Squadron Officer College is changing the school's course term length from eight to five weeks starting in fiscal year 2015.

  • SOST member named to SOMA board

    Maj. Regan Lyon, 720th Operations Support Squadron SOST emergency medicine physician, was named board member at-large on the board of directors, where she will be involved in the multiple projects and SOMA committees.

  • SOST members earn Bronze Star Medals

    The brightly lit, inviting atrium of the University of Alabama Hospital is a far cry from the two room, concrete-walled farmhouse in the Middle East where the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Surgical Team, based out of the UAB, deployed in 2016. During their four-month tour at that casualty

  • Soto brothers endure Balad together

    Deployments often mean working long hours thousands of miles away from family and friends. But for two Airmen here, that is not the case. The Soto brothers are both deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. Tech. Sgt. Orlando Soto and Senior Airman Saul Soto deployed from the

  • Soto Cano members battle devastating blaze

    Emergency crews from Joint Task Force-Bravo at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, worked alongside local responders to battle a blaze here that consumed an historic building April 15. Seven firefighters and two security forces patrolmen left Soto Cano just 20 minutes after base officials were notified of

  • Soto Cano servicemembers provide 630 people medical care in Belize

    A 23-person team from Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Belize March 1 through 4 to provide medical care to more than 630 people in rural areas of the country. In partnership with the Belize ministry of health and defense force team, JTF-Bravo medical crews, based out of Price Barracks near Belize

  • Soto Cano task force arrives in Peru

    A team of Airmen and Soldiers from Joint Task Force-Bravo at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, arrived here Aug. 17 to provide medical care to those suffering in the aftermath of an 8.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the region Aug. 15. The task force is the first American force to touch down in

  • Soto Cano team responds to Peru earthquake

    Approximately 30 Soldiers and Airmen departed here Aug. 17 in support of relief efforts following the Aug. 15 earthquake near Lima, Peru. The task force, composed of a mobile surgery team, communications specialists and a small security detail, departed the base aboard a C-130J assigned to the

  • Sound barrier pioneer celebrates 65 years

    Retired Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound, celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ground breaking event with a re-enactment here Oct. 14.Yeager was serving as a test pilot and flying the experimental Bell X-1 named the, "Glamorous Glennis," Oct. 14,

  • Source of mumps outbreak unknown

    Between January and April, there were more than 600 possible mumps cases reported in the Midwestern United States.The source of the outbreak and why it has spread in such large numbers is unknown. “The Air Force has not seen an increase in cases of mumps within our active duty or beneficiary

  • South Carolina Air Guard unit wins international F-16 competition

    The South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing was named the overall winner of Falcon Air Meet 2009, a three-nation F-16 Fighting Falcon competition, held here through Nov. 3. The South Carolina team, which represented the U. S. Air Force's Central Command and the U.S., won three of the

  • South Dakota Air National Guard wing named top fighter unit

    The Airmen of the South Dakota Air National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing have once again distinguished themselves as the most outstanding Air National Guard fighter unit in the nation. They were selected as the 2010 recipient of the National Guard Bureau's Winston P. Wilson Trophy. The trophy is

  • South Dakota officials to pay veterans bonus

    Since World War 1, South Dakota officials have paid a bonus to residents who served on active duty during a wartime period and this tradition continues today. The current bonus program authorizes payments of up to $500 to current or former members of the Armed Forces who were legal residents of the

  • South Dakota officials to pay veterans bonus

    South Dakota officials are paying a bonus to members of the Armed Forces who were legal residents of the state for no less than six months immediately preceding their period of active duty and who served on active duty during one or more of the following periods. 1. Aug. 2, 1990, to March 3, 1991 -

  • South Dakota veterans may be eligible for bonuses

    The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers based on monthly service during qualifying dates. Bonuses are available to servicemembers who: -- were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.

  • South Dakota veterans may be eligible for bonuses

    The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers based on monthly service during qualifying dates. Bonuses are available to servicemembers who: -- were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.

  • South Korean army UAVs enhance training at Kunsan

    Airmen from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron here and South Korean army soldiers teamed up for combined nuclear, biological and chemical training June 23 and 24 at Kunsan Air Base. The two-day training course presented the two forces with scenarios requiring them to protect and sustain mission

  • South Korean civic leaders gain insight on Air Force mission

    Gunsan civic leaders received a firsthand look at how the United States and South Korean air forces work together to maintain peace and stability in the region Jan. 7 during a tour of Kunsan Air Base. Officials from the 8th Fighter Wing hosted 15 leaders from the local community including Gunsan

  • South Korean, U.S. airmen celebrate Lunar New Year

    Members of the 8th Fighter Wing joined South Korea air force 38th Fighter Group airmen in celebrating Lunar New Year's day during a ceremony in the Korean air force base exchange Feb. 3. The ceremony included a memorial service, ceremonial bowing, a traditional Korean breakfast and traditional

  • South Pole airdrop delivers critical medical supplies in total darkness

    Airmen with the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here airdropped urgently needed medical supplies Sept. 1 at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica. The supplies will augment a South Pole medical team's treatment of an ailing civilian wintering there with the U.S. Antarctic

  • South Texas Reserve units participate in 2022 Flambeau Parade

    Reserve Airmen with the 433rd Airlift Wing, 960th Cyberspace Wing, 340th Flying Training Group and 23rd Intelligence Squadron participated in San Antonio’s 74th annual Fiesta Flambeau Parade, the largest illuminated night parade in the United States.

  • SOUTHCOM alerts additional medics for Peru relief

    A 14-person Air Force medical team, consisting of six doctors, a physician's assistant, a pharmacist and medical technicians, will depart Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 18 en route to Ica, Peru to assist residents affected by the 8.0 magnitude earthquake Aug. 15. The medical readiness team

  • SOUTHCOM chief praises Haiti quake response

    A year after his headquarters staff jumped into action to coordinate the military response to a devastating earthquake in Haiti, Gen. Douglas Fraser, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, offered high praise Jan. 12 for the hard work and dedication they demonstrated. General Fraser, during his

  • SOUTHCOM deploys damage assessment team to Belize

    Approximately 25 Airmen and Soldiers, two CH-47 Chinook helicopters and a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from U.S. Southern Command's Joint Task Force-Bravo here deployed to Belize today to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Dean. The assessment team will bring various people to evaluate the amount

  • SOUTHCOM deploys disaster assessment team to Nicaragua

    A nine-member disaster assessment team and an Army CH-47 Chinook from Joint Task Force-Bravo based at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, deployed to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, Sept. 5 to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Felix. The team is comprised of engineering, communications and medics. The

  • SOUTHCOM medics respond to Peru quake relief efforts

     A joint U.S. military mobile surgical team from Joint Task Force-Bravo, based at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, deployed to Peru Aug. 17 as part of U.S. Southern Command's response to an 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the South American nation Aug. 15. The deployment follows a disaster

  • SOUTHCOM Military Deputy Commander Meets with Leaders in Colombia

    Lt. Gen. Michael Plehn, U.S. Southern Command's military deputy commander, visited Colombia March 17-19 to meet with Colombian military leaders to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Colombia bilateral security relationship and to deepen understanding of the rapidly changing security situation in the

  • SOUTHCOM officials embrace two-way impact of social media

    Social media has become all the rage throughout the military as a growing number of senior leaders turn to blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter entries and other social networking venues to get word out about their activities and engage new audiences. Command officials exploring the best way to get

  • SOUTHCOM provides support to relief operations in Chile

    U.S. military officials are providing support to the ongoing relief efforts in Chile following the 8.8- magnitude earthquake that struck the country in late February. "U.S. military personnel have been working with local and international responders to provide relief to the hard-hit areas," said

  • SOUTHCOM, partners prepare to respond to natural disasters

    Putting lessons learned from the 2010 earthquake response in Haiti into practice, U.S. Southern Command has entered this year's hurricane season ready to provide timely, effective aid should another disaster strike the region, command officials reported."We remain deliberately prepared," Southcom

  • Southern Beach boosts lethality, strengthens partnerships

    Exercise Southern Beach primarily focused on offensive and defensive counter air operations, personnel rescue and airdrop missions. This was the first time since the inception of Southern Beach in which the majority of the mission sets and a Japan-U.S. training program were conducted during night

  • Southern Command transformation promotes new approach to regional challenges

    Along with U.S. Africa Command going fully operational Oct. 1, the Defense Department will reach another milestone as U.S. Southern Command officials complete a major reorganization that also promotes joint, interagency and even private- and public-sector cooperation. The concept supports universal

  • Southern Command, AF South leaders visit deployed troops

    Senior leaders from Southern Command and Air Forces Southern kicked off a week-long tour Dec. 8 to visit forward-deployed personnel and assist nearby communities in seven Latin American countries during the holiday season. A C-21 from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., carried the group to Forward

  • Soviet kitsch gets 'Aggressors' into bad-guy role

    The walls are decorated with old Soviet Union propaganda, urging admirers of the art to note a "Glory to the Soviet People -- The Creator of Powerful Aviation", and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics flags with the infamous hammer and sickle graphic are spread throughout the building. However,

  • Space A allows dependent travel

    U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe policy now allows permanent party and their family members -- regardless of command sponsorship -- to fly Space-Available travel.  For everyone stationed in Turkey, eligible family members can now come visit at a much lower cost by using

  • Space aggressors jam AF, allies' systems

    The 26th Space Aggressor Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base is always gearing up for the next exercise in replicating enemy action against space-based and space-enabled systems.

  • Space and Missile Systems Center officials save energy, money

    Most people would agree that saving energy, especially when it saves money and resources, is a good thing. But developing concrete ways to conserve and actually produce tangible results can often be difficult to accomplish. Ed Wilson, the energy manager at Los Angeles Air Force Base, and his team

  • Space and STEM showcased at JB Charleston Air and Space Expo

    In conjunction with several partners, Joint Base Charleston showcased both STEM and space through various booths and interactive exhibits at the 2018 Air and Space Expo. Some of the booths included robotics demonstrations, electricity exhibits, moon rock samples and more.

  • 'Space as a contested environment' debuts

    A new special area of emphasis, or SAE, titled "Space as a Contested Environment," was introduced by U.S. military officials here March 30 at the 25th National Space Symposium. SAEs are established by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff  to address topics of great importance to the joint

  • Space assets critical to winning war on terrorism

    Space-based assets are proving critical to winning the war on terrorism, according to the commander of Air Force Space Command.“You cannot go to war and win without space,” Gen. Lance W. Lord said during a live appearance on “Fox and Friends” here Nov. 11.The command comprises about 40,000 space

  • Space brings invisible power to the fight

    When space professionals deploy, they learn how to better provide combat effects, and warfighters learn more about the invisible power space brings to the fight. "It's not good enough to fly satellites from afar," said Lt. Col. John Shaw, the 4th Space Operations Squadron commander. "We need to

  • Space Command boss talks of space, cyber connection

    Addressing the Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Symposium here Sept. 29, the leader of the Air Force Space community said space and cyberspace are integrally connected. "Think of space and cyber as circles on a Venn diagram," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler,

  • Space command cancels Guardian Challenge

    Air Force Space Command officials have canceled this year's Guardian Challenge, the annual space warfighter competition held at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.The competition, slated for May 5 to 9, was canceled because the command needs its resources focused on day-to-day operations. The

  • Space Command civilian volunteers to deploy down range

    In January, a civilian from Air Force Space Command will be going down range in support of the war on terrorism. The volunteer, assigned the Logistics and Warfighting Integration Directorate, stepped up to fill a base-level planner position for the Air Force. Michele Kantak, a wife and mother of

  • Space command creates one focal point for networks

    On June 1, Air Force Space Command stood up a major command coordination center, or MCCC, creating a single focal point for all network systems across the command. All major commands are required by headquarters Air Force to consolidate their network operations and systems under an MCCC. Air Force

  • Space Command focuses on tailoring mission with new triad

    Strategic deterrence, securing the space domain and recapitalizing on a lesser budget are among the priorities for the Air Force Space Command commander.In keeping with the theme, "Global missions... meeting the challenge," Gen. Kevin P. Chilton spoke on the future of Air Force space missions at the