HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Starlifters retire from active-duty service

    The last two active-duty C-141B Starlifter transport aircraft will retire Sept. 16 at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.During the past 40 years, the C-141 has proven versatile for troop and cargo transport, humanitarian- and disaster-relief operations and aeromedical evacuation. As such, the Starlifter

  • Star-powered kids' inaugural concert salutes military families

    From the opening notes of Grammy winner and multi-platinum recording star Usher to the final thanks of singer Katy Perry, military families all over the world were treated to a special thanks here last night.First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, hosted a

  • 'Starr' helps NORAD track Santa

    A “Starr” in the east will help guide North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Santa-tracking tradition Dec. 24. The Starr is none other than former Beatle, Ringo Starr, who will be NORAD’S honorary Santa tracker for Christmas 2003.“Santa and I are personal friends,” Starr said from his home in

  • Stars and Stripes offers free electronic newspapers

    Servicemembers who do not have access to the Stars and Stripes newspaper but do have access to a computer can now go online to read or download an exact replica of the paper at no charge.Stars and Stripes officials said the electronic version of the newspaper is an effort to reach readers in remote

  • Stars tour Iraq for holidays

    Airmen and soldiers crowded the only hangar here Dec. 17 in hopes of capturing a glimpse of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several entertainers who were traveling throughout Iraq.Gen. Richard Myers brought with him Academy Award winning actor and comedian Robin Williams, Olympic gold

  • Stars visible at, from LA observatory

    Senior Air Force leaders rubbed elbows with entertainment industry figures Nov. 18 during an Air Force Week reception at the Griffith Observatory here. Hosted by the Friends of the Observatory, a nonprofit organization which supports the world's most visited public observatory, the event honored

  • Start date for new personnel system pushed back three months

    Defense officials have scaled back the initial group of civilian employees to fall under the new National Security Personnel System to 11,000 from a previously scheduled 60,000, officials announced Jan. 17. The implementation date was also changed from Feb. 1 to April 30. Personnel officials have

  • State Department learns customer service from AFPC

    Seven members of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Human Resources visited the Air Force Personnel Center to learn the many technological initiatives the center members have undertaken to deliver personnel services to its customers Aug. 25 and 26 here. "We want to continue to enhance our human

  • State Department, DOD approve dependents’ departure from Turkey

    The secretary of defense, in coordination with the secretary of state, has authorized the ordered departure of all Defense Department dependents not assigned to chief of mission authority from Adana (to include Incirlik Air Base), Ismir and Mugla, Turkey.

  • State National Guards to combine headquarters

    Each state National Guard will combine its top three headquarters into one "joint force headquarters," said Army Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, the head of the National Guard Bureau.There are 162 headquarters units in the 54 state and territory National Guard entities and by Oct. 1, 108 of these will no

  • State of AF: Modernizing for next offset strategy

    Budget plans are poised to keep the Air Force atop of its game, with a new bomber and advanced technology to help Airmen execute a future offset strategy, the head of the service announced at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 26.

  • State of Air Force Reserve discussed at AFA

    Senior Department of Defense and industry leaders gathered at the Air Force Association’s 2014 Air and Space conference and technology exposition Sept. 15 to discuss the future of the Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

  • State of the AF is 'strong'

    The Air Force's top leaders said today the service has accomplished much while dealing with many challenges in the last year.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III briefed members of the media here on the state of the service and its focus on

  • State of the Air Force

    Senior Air Force officials will brief the press at 2 p.m. EST, Jan. 15. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III will discuss the current state of the Air Force, as well as, share their thoughts on the future of the Air Force.

  • State Partnership Program emphasizes building relationships

    A small, but innovative, program demonstrates the U.S. military's "very agile and flexible" capabilities in working with partners, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said recently.Meeting with reporters Jan. 5 after the announcement of President Barack Obama's new strategic guidance for

  • State-of-the-art battlefield system to integrate controllers

    Construction is scheduled to begin this month on a facility to house a state-of-the-art battlefield command and control system that will integrate air traffic management throughout Iraq. The $30 million Battlefield Command and Control CENTAF, or BC3, will house air traffic controllers from the

  • State-of-the-art carbon dioxide laser speeds up production

    A unique tool used to cut parts for all weapons systems supported here brings a whole new meaning to cutting edge technology at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center.“This (carbon dioxide) laser supports all weapon systems here … and the engine workload,” said Alan Casey, computer numerical control

  • State-of-the-art cardiovascular services available at Travis AFB

    With equipment that can only be found in four other hospitals in the nation, surgeons here recently performed the first operations while using a new state-of-the-art, hybrid cardiovascular operating room. It took a team of medical professionals here three years to bring the cardiovascular services

  • State-of-the-art equipment bridges the gap

    Army Corps of Engineers members along with members of the 84th Engineer Support Company, 6th Engineer Battalion, tested a new bridging system April 28, 2010, at Fort Richardson, Alaska, to help the military travel across a wide variety of terrain quickly. Testing of the Lightweight Modular Causeway

  • States let taxpayers donate refunds to military families

    Illinois led the charge last year when it began letting taxpayers check a box on their state tax returns to donate their tax refunds to families of deployed guardsmen and reservists.Illinois’ example -- which has paid out $2.7 million so far to more than 5,000 military families -- is quickly

  • Stateside donations give Kyrgyz students tools of art trade

    Members of the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group here delivered handmade art easels and art supply donations in May to children of the Atbashinskaya School in Manas Village, Kyrgyzstan.The art supplies came from care packages sent from American servicemembers' family and friends in the United States

  • Static displays provide up-close look at American airpower

    Fifteen minutes of fame, it's something many hope for in their lifetimes. For some U.S. military members participating in the 2008 Singapore Air Show Feb. 19 to 24, the wait is over. Whether flying an air demonstration or manning a static display, Airmen and Sailors were the stars of the show as

  • Static F-86 display dedicated to Korean War ace

    Pacific Air Forces and 15th Wing leaders dedicated a newly repainted static F-86E Sabre fighter aircraft to a former PACAF vice commander during a ceremony here Dec. 29.Gen. Gary North rededicated the aircraft here to retired Lt. Gen. Winton W. "Bones" Marshall, who was also a combat commander and

  • Statistics show command's fitness program needs to improve

    Since the new fitness program began in 2004, Air Force Reserve Command’s performance has stumbled. In 2003, 76 percent of unit reservists took the fitness test. Most of them -- 98.9 percent -- passed their assessments. Now, two years later, 68 percent of the reservists tested. But, this time 7

  • Statuette honors AF honor guard, core values

    A 30-inch replica of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard statue at the Air Force Memorial went on display at the Pentagon here April 13. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz accepted the replica on behalf of the service from Air Force Association leaders during a Pentagon ceremony. The AFA

  • Stavridis: National Guard State Partnership Program resources well-spent

    The National Guard's State Partnership Program is a good return on investment, the commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe said here last month.During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 29 on the topic of the Fiscal Year 2012 European

  • Stay connected with social media without sacrificing career

    Engaging in social media can be a positive experience that entertains, keeps people connected and allows opinions to be expressed on a wide variety of topics.In some cases though, social media can ruin personal reputations or careers, and create an open window for criminals to access personal

  • Stay safe this 4th of July

    The Fourth of July, a time for America to commemorate the passage of the Declaration of Independence, is often celebrated with parades, concerts, firework shows, family road trips, barbecues and parties where participants toast to the nation.

  • Stay TRICARE eligible: Keep DEERS up-to-date

    Beneficiaries who have recently experienced a life changing event, such as the birth or adoption of a child, or recent divorce or marriage should immediately record these changes in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS. If they wait, their TRICARE benefit coverage could be

  • Staying in the Reserve after separation can pay off

    Should I stay or should I go? For those in uniform, it is a question they face each time they come to the end of their enlistment. To many, deciding to stay on active duty or switch to the civilian sector seems to be their only options. Air Force Reserve officials beg to differ.Tech. Sgt. Michael

  • Staying involved key for parents, children

    Eight educators, health-care officials and family advocacy workers made presentations to parents during a "Let's Talk" conference here Jan. 18. The two-hour briefing served as a means to inform Yokota parents about a variety of resources readily available to them on base. Some of the forum's

  • Staying safe on two wheels

    With the worst of winter behind us, many folks are beginning to break out the hiking boots and sunscreen for some outdoor fun. Additionally, many motorcyclists who have been bound by snow and ice for the last several months are making their way onto the roads again. Lt. Col. Mark Guerber, the 16th

  • Staying safe, healthy all summer

    As the summer months wind down, leadership at all levels advocate for the continued health and safety of our Airmen and Space Professionals on and off duty.

  • Steady as she goes

    OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) -- Staff Sgt. Steven Holloway directs a crane operator in lifting a 3,000-pound diesel engine from a fire truck while Senior Airman Michael Jackson steadies it. Both airmen are assigned to the 458th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron at Mihail Kogalniceanu,

  • Stealth bomber joins team

    The B-2 Spirit multirole bomber has joined forces with the B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker at a forward-deployed location.As forces build up throughout the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, the B-2 adds another asset to the coalition team."Every airframe and every team

  • Stealth fighter honored at Wright-Patterson

    The Air Force-industry team responsible for providing program oversight to the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter aircraft said farewell during a ceremony March 11 here. More than 350 Airmen, base employees, industry partners and family members gathered for one last close-up look at the F-117, which

  • Stealth fighters use new munitions to hit Baghdad

    U.S. Air Force F-117 stealth fighters struck five strategic targets in Baghdad on March 21 using a new precision-guided munition, the EGBU-27, as coalition forces shifted the Operation Iraqi Freedom air campaign into high gear.Using the low-observable, stealth technology of the F-117 to penetrate

  • Stealth Guardian demonstrates rescue, 5th generation integration

    Two wings, one mission: to execute a local squadron-planned exercise between the 23d Wing and the 325th Fighter Wing during Exercise Stealth Guardian August 7-11, 2017.During months of planning between Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida and Moody AFB, Georgia., Exercise Stealth Guardian was conceived

  • Stealth Guardian: FARP increases Air Force capabilities

    Airmen from the 325th Fighter Wing and the 23rd Wing were put to the test in a simulated deployed environment at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, as part of exercise Stealth Guardian, Aug. 10, 2017. Two F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, were rearmed and

  • Steering committee wraps up discussions

    Officials from 13 international air forces welcomed a new chairman after completing week-long discussions at the 59th Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Steering Committee March 12. The discussions, hosted by members of the 80th Flying Training Wing, covered the current syllabus, funding for the

  • Steering group leads Reserve Command to energy cost-cutting

    As energy prices continue to increase, Air Force Reserve Command officials maintain their resolve to lead cost-cutting efforts in energy consumption through existing and new initiatives. The Energy Management Steering Group serves as the focal point providing strategic direction for the command's

  • STEM scholarships available to college students

    Eric Wineman completed both his undergraduate and master’s degrees with no student loan debt and now works for the Air Force as an electronics engineer, courtesy of the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation Scholarship for Service Program.

  • Stenner takes reins of Air Force Reserve

    Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. assumed command of the Air Force Reserve and its 68,000 members June 24 in a ceremony at the Air Force Memorial here. He succeeds Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, who held the post since 2004. "I'm excited to lead the finest group of warriors I have ever known," General

  • Step-by-Step Guide for how to Transfer GI Bill Benefits

    You must meet all eligibility requirements outlined in DoDI 1341.13, Change 1, Post-9/11 GI Bill and AFI 36-2649, Voluntary Education Program, Attachment 13, prior to applying for the Transfer of Education Benefits, or TEB.

  • Stepping out of the blue for Army green

    Change is good, as one Airman in the 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron here finds out as he changes from "Into the Blue" to "Army Strong." Senior Airman Mike Goldman, 16th EWS journeyman, will become Specialist Goldman Dec. 28, as he enlists into the Army through the "Operation Blue to Green"

  • Stepping stones: Airman's path to K-9 career

    Face-to-face with an energetic German Sheppard, Senior Airman Alyssa Stamps grabs a ball chucks it across the yard. The dog stampedes after it, but instead of returning, he sits with his back to her in the corner of the yard and refuses to cooperate.Stamps, a military working dog handler with the

  • Stepping up foreign language, cultural awareness for Airmen

    Air Force officials are broadening their vision of the expeditionary Airman. Armed with a wide range of combat skills, serving multiple deployments in wartime theaters, this leaner, more agile Airman must now learn to navigate the global cultural landscape. "Our Air Force needs Airmen who can

  • Steps for PCS: Making sure Fido is 'homeward bound'

    Although they are not flying business class, more than 100,000 pets travel by air each year, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Service members with animals know the importance of having their precious cargo with them every step of the move. Relocating half way around the world or

  • Stereolithography helps rebuild wounded warrior's jaw

    While towing a disabled vehicle through the streets of Bagdad in 2004, Army Staff Sgt. Terry Saffron's HUMVEE was struck by an improvised explosive device. When he came to, he had an injured arm and a shattered jaw. For years he suffered debilitating jaw pain and was unable to chew. Army doctors

  • Stick 'em up: Corrosion control shop develops decals for rapid recognition

    From the "bandit" nose at the tip to the "Box D" high on the tail, 100th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotankers are easy to distinguish from other bases' Stratotankers. Getting them that way, however, is no small task. It takes a crew of Airmen at the aircraft structural maintenance corrosion

  • Still a Raptor

    SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- The Air Force has changed the designation of the F/A-22 to the F-22A Raptor. The service designated it "F/A" three years ago to stress the stealth fighter's ability to provide close-air support and drop bombs. The "A" will now designate the variant of the aircraft. The fighter

  • Still time to leave active duty early

    Nearly 1,250 airmen have applied to leave the Air Force early under force shaping. As the March 12 application deadline draws near, officials looking to trim the force by more than 16,000 are encouraging all airmen to carefully look at options to retire or separate earlier than they might otherwise

  • Stimulus package to aid Airmen

    Improvements in dormitories, child development centers and energy conservation plans will come to fruition as the Air Force receives about $1.7 billion in Defense-related appropriations through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, military finance officials said. "The Air Force fully supports

  • Stolen VA laptop turned in to FBI

    The stolen Department of Veterans Affairs laptop computer and hard drive containing the personal information of more than 26 million veterans were turned in to the FBI June 29, the Veterans Affairs secretary said before Congress today. Reports indicate the FBI has made a preliminary determination

  • Stolen VA records: Airmen urged to be vigilant

    Air Force officials are asking Airmen to stay extra vigilant in protecting their credit and themselves from identity theft in light of the recent theft of 26.5 million veteran’s records from the home of a Department of Veterans Affairs employee in May. The VA announced over the weekend that the

  • STOMP brings together parents, educators of special needs children

    When Tech. Sgt. Emily Smith and Staff Sgt. Todge Smith were blessed with a baby girl nearly six months ago, they immediately recognized signs of Down syndrome and epilepsy in her. With early intervention and physical therapy, their daughter Renee is now meeting all developmental milestones.Sergeant

  • Stone promotes to senior airman, staff sergeant

    Spencer Stone, the airman first class who helped prevent a gunman’s attack on a French train in August, promoted to the rank of senior airman at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 30, 2015. Following this promotion, Stone was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant, effective Nov. 1, by order of Air

  • Stop loss Airmen eligible for compensation

    Current and former Airmen who were involuntarily held on active duty beyond an approved separation or retirement date as a direct result of stop loss between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, may be eligible for a Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay compensation of $500 for each month they were

  • Stop loss pay application window closing March 4

    The deadline for eligible members or legally designated beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is coming to a close March 4.Nearly 6,000 current and former Airmen have received a total of more than $19 million in special pay since Air Force Personnel Center officials here began

  • 'Stop Loss' special pay application deadline approaches

    Defense Department officials are working to remind veterans and current servicemembers who were involuntarily retained in the military under the "Stop Loss" program to apply for special pay before the Dec. 3 deadline.Servicemembers whose service was involuntarily extended or whose retirement was

  • Stop loss special pay deadline nears

    Time is running out for current and former Airmen previously affected by Stop Loss to apply for retroactive special pay as the Oct. 21 deadline approaches.Airmen eligible include active, retired and former members as well as Reserve component members, who served on active duty while their enlistment

  • Stop loss special pay extended

    Eligible Airmen, veterans and their beneficiaries now have until midnight Oct. 21 to apply for retroactive stop loss special pay following an extension in the continuing resolution authorized by Public Law 112-74. The new Oct. 21, 2012 deadline extends the original cutoff for applications and allows

  • Stop movement ends for Hurlburt, 366th TRS detachment

    Officials at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and the 366th Training Squadron’s Detachment 6 in Gulfport, Miss., have reinstated all permanent change of station and temporary duty travel to their respective locations.For more information, Airmen and Department of Defense civilians and their family members can

  • Stop Movement lifted for Tyndall; Keesler remains in effect

    Base officials have reinstated all permanent change of station and temporary duty travel to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Stop Movement is still in effect for the following areas: Keesler AFB, Miss.; 361st Training Squadron, Detachment 2, Pensacola, Fla.; and 366th Det. 6, Gulfport Naval Air

  • Stop movement order lifted for Keesler-bound colonels

    The 81st Training Wing commander has reinstated permanent change of station and temporary duty travel for all colonels and their family members bound for Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Affected colonels should call the Air Force Senior Leader Management Office at DSN 664-5039 before proceeding or for

  • Stop movement order lifted for Texas Naval Air stations

    The Air Force and Navy have reinstated permanent change of station and temporary duty travel for civilian and military personnel to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas; NAS Kingsville, Texas; and Naval Station Ingleside, Texas.People returning to these locations are reminded to pay close

  • Stop movement order updates for Florida, Mississippi

    Base officials at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and Keesler AFB, Miss., have reinstated all permanent change of station and temporary duty travel to their respective bases.Officials at Eglin AFB, Fla., will lift their stop movement July 13, officials said.For more information, Airmen and Department

  • Stop The Bleed

    Everybody has the capacity to help somebody. That singular concept is the launching point for the “Stop the Bleed” campaign, a joint effort between the federal agencies and civilian organizations in response to Presidential Policy Directive 8. It is designed to build national resilience by

  • Stop, check the tires

    "Foreign objects and debris" checkpoints are important to helping win the war against foreign object damage.FOD is anything that does not belong on the flightline. It could be as small as a pebble or as large as a steel pipe. Several "weapons" are used to help in the battle against FOD. One of the

  • Stop-Loss affects deployed airmen

    Even though Air Force officials have identified 99 career fields affected by Stop-Loss, all airmen currently deployed are affected as well.Responding to erroneous news reports and some confusion in the ranks, officials are re-emphasizing how Stop-Loss affects deployed airmen.Stop-Loss is keeping all

  • Stop-loss payments continue, but some no longer eligible

    The fiscal 2010 defense budget extends payments to servicemembers involuntarily extended on active duty under the so-called "Stop Loss" program, but those who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service no longer qualify for retroactive stop-loss pay. Defense Department

  • Stopping corrosion before it stops mission

    Like cancer, it grows and spreads, risking men, machines and missions.In the docks where E-3 Sentries are sidelined for programmed depot maintenance, workers are as skilled at eliminating corrosion and its risks as surgeons are at cutting out a cancer.The work consists largely of inspections, checks

  • Stopping Sexual Assault – Not Just in April

    The truth is, the vast majority of Airmen we serve alongside have never – and will never – sexually assault another person in their lifetime. Let me say it again for the people in the back – the vast majority of our Airmen HAVE NEVER and WILL NEVER harm another person. Hard stop.

  • Storied career of a flight engineer

    Everyone waits for his approval before the plane takes off.He is Master Sgt. Curtis Stark, the 7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron superintendent. In nearly three decades of service, Stark has flown more than 400 combat missions in the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar

  • Storied leaders have led mighty 1st

    The list of commanders of the 1st Pursuit Group and 1st Fighter Wing reads like a "Who's Who of the Air Force," and includes aviation pioneers, wartime heroes and future Air Force chiefs of staff.Group Commanders and Dates Assigned Maj. Bert M. Atkinson, May 5, 1918 Maj. Harold E. Hartney, Aug. 21,

  • Storm can't stop Air Force Marathon

    Wright-Patterson Air Force Base officials are ready for the 12th annual Air Force Marathon and related activities Sept. 18 through 20 despite widespread power outages and massive amounts of debris from the remnants of Hurricane Ike Sept. 14. Base officials said participants should be aware they may

  • Storm water management required for Air Force construction program

    Officials from the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment are working to enhance Air Force efforts to prevent water pollution caused by storm water runoff.They are providing installations, major commands and the civil engineering community the advice, technical expertise and tools they

  • Story time from thousands of miles away

    After years of deployments, some of the ideas Airmen come up with evolve. As the holidays approach, one of those simple ideas is making an impact on family members back home. The Story Time Video Program gives deployed troops here the opportunity to be a part of their children’s lives though they

  • Storytelling serves as favorite pastime

    In Africa, storytelling is a tradition and a favorite pastime. After a hard day's work and after dinner, elders and children sit around the fire to tell stories.Some are fables with fictional characters, but others are true stories of great warriors from long ago.When Africans were captured and

  • STPSat-5 successfully launched from Vandenberg AFB

    The Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched Space Test Program Satellite 5, or STPSat-5, into orbit via Spaceflight Industries’ fully dedicated smallsat rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle on Dec. 3 from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Air Force Base,

  • STRATCOM Airman on target for world title

    For three years, a space operations officer assigned at U.S. Strategic Command here has prepared for a chance to fulfill his dream of representing the red, white and blue at the world championship of practical shooting. His dream will become a reality Aug. 21 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.Maj. Roger