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U.S. Air Force News

  • Tech conference stresses 'partnerships'

    "Partnerships for War-Winning Capability" was the theme here May 13 to 15 as military and industry representatives discussed changes in military operations, requirements, challenges and solutions at the fourth annual National Aeronautical Systems and Technology Conference.Operation Iraqi Freedom's

  • Tech Report: A-29 Super Tucano

    The A-29 Super Tucano is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency and close air support. In January 2016, the U.S. Air Force delivered the first four of 20 A-29s to the Afghan Air Force. The Super Tucano will replace the Mi-35 attack helicopter providing a monumental leap

  • Tech Report: Aces II

    The ejection seat is the last option for fighter pilots to use when things go wrong in the cockpit and they’re unable to save their jet. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the seat works.

  • Tech Report: Adaptive optics

    Space will soon be contested, and the Air Force is taking steps to ensure it has the best possible observation and information about what is out there.

  • Tech Report: Adaptive optics

    Space will soon be a contested environment, and the U.S. Air Force is taking steps to ensure it has the best possible observation and information about what is out there. The Air Force Tech Report is a video series that gives viewers a quick look at current technology the Air Force uses to fly,

  • Tech Report: Air Force Prize

    The Air Force is energizing domestic research and development with a $2 million prize for a lightweight, fuel-efficient, small turbine engine. This innovative acquisition approach will advance the technologies needed to support the world's strongest Air Force.

  • Tech Report: Air Force Research Lab

    The Air Force Research Laboratory discovers, develops, and integrates affordable warfighting technologies for the Air Force in air, space and cyberspace. In this Air Force Tech Report, learn about the science and technology of AFRL.

  • Tech Report: Auto GCAS

    While in the air, losing track of the ground could lead to a bad thing. To help prevent a catastrophic incident from happening, the Air Force Research Lab developed the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System.

  • Tech Report: CV-22 Osprey

    The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. Its mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply

  • Tech Report: Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

    Never leave an Airman behind. In this Air Force Tech Report, we look at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency as they search far and wide for any remains of service members lost during conflicts to ensure closure is brought to their families.

  • Tech Report: Dropsonde

    The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron use a cool piece of tech called a “dropsonde” to help forecast hurricanes and other tropical storms.

  • Tech Report: E-3 Sentry (AWACS)

    The E-3 Sentry (AWACS) is a modified Boeing 707 commercial airframe with a rotating radar dome and serves as an integrated command and control battle management, surveillance, target detection, and tracking platform.

  • Tech Report: F-35A

    The F-35A Lightning II is the Air Force's latest fifth generation fighter. It's lethal, survivable and adaptive.

  • Tech Report: Flight simulators

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- Flight simulators help keep future pilots safe by giving them a realistic flying experience before getting into the cockpit of a real aircraft.

  • Tech Report: Fly by feel

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

  • Tech Report: GPS

    The Global Positioning System is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world. The system is operated and controlled by the 50th Space Wing, located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.

  • Tech Report: High-altitude pressure suits

    Maintaining the atmosphere the human body is accustomed to has been a challenge plaguing high-altitude flight, and the Air Force has spent years developing suits just for it.

  • Tech Report: Hurricane Hunters

    The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron use high-tech equipment called a “dropsonde” to aid in the forecasting of hurricanes and other tropical storms.

  • Tech Report: MC-12 Liberty

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- The MC-12W Liberty provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground forces all over the world. In this Air Force Tech Report, learn about the capabilities of the MC-12W.The Air Force Tech Report is a video series that gives viewers a quick look at

  • Tech Report: Orbital launch systems

    The Atlas V, Delta IV and Falcon 9 are three rockets used by the Air Force to launch national security payloads into space. For many years, the United Launch Alliance has been the exclusive manufacturer of rockets used by the Air Force for national security; however, in 2015 the Air Force certified

  • Tech Report: The F-16 Fighting Falcon

    The Air Force Tech Report is a video series that airs every other week and gives viewers a quick look at current technology the Air Force uses to fly, fight and win. This week's report focuses on the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has

  • Tech Report: The Global Hawk

    It seems the coolest new toys out there involve drones. Check out this week's Tech Report, which highlights one of the most prestigious of them all: the RQ-4 Global Hawk.

  • Tech Report: The KC-46A Pegasus

    For over 50 years the KC-135 Stratotanker has been the Air Force's premiere in-flight refueling tanker -- but that's all about to change.

  • Tech Training Transformation modernizes tech training with virtual reality

    Futuristic training, the kind of immersive simulations seen in sci-fi TV shows, is no longer a fictional dream. It’s almost here. With the Tech Training Transformation team’s creation of a virtual reality training system coordinated by artificial intelligence, Air Education and Training Command

  • Tech, master promotion rates announced

    The Air Force has selected 4,613 of 23,230 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant, a 19.85 percent selection rate; and 6,904 of 41,186 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant, a 16.76 percent selection rate. The master sergeant selection rate dropped 6.19

  • Tech, master promotion rates announced

    Air Force officials have selected 6,630 of 25,454 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant; and 9,116 of 43,379 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant.The master sergeant selection rate rose 0.10 percent from last year to 26.05 percent, while this year's

  • Tech, master promotion rates down

    Air Force officials have selected 4,832 of 18,903 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant, a 25.56 percent selection rate, and 7,116 of 32,501 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant, a 21.89 percent selection rate.A higher retention rate -- opening fewer

  • Tech. Sgt. John Chapman inducted into Hall of Heroes at Pentagon

    Nearly two decades after the gallant actions that cost him his life and earned him the nation's highest military award, Chapman’s name was unveiled by his widow, Valerie Nessel, Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the

  • Tech., master promotion rates nearly same as last year

    Air Force officials have selected 6,217 of 23,956 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant, a 25.95-percent selection rate; and 9,114 of 42,248 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant, a 21.57-percent selection rate.The final tally will increase as Air Force

  • Technical issues, more tests delay satellite's liftoff

    The Tactical Satellite-3 scheduled to launch in October from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility at Wallops Island, Va., is now scheduled for liftoff in January 2009 after the project team discovered and then fixed problems with the spacecraft's Star Tracker apparatus. The team subsequently required

  • Technical orders a mouse-click away

    Well-thumbed-through volumes of technical orders are going the way of quill pens and ink pots here as a growing number of workers are using a browser-based TO library.Two years in the making, the library puts the latest technical orders a mouse-click away from each of the 10,000 or so mechanics at

  • Technical review improves Minuteman III nozzle builds

    A team of scientists and engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, in collaboration with Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill AFB, Utah, and industry, have resolved a challenging technical issue confronting the nation's land-based Minuteman III

  • Technical sergeant in business of saving a life ... twice

    Being able to save a life is amazing, but having the opportunity to save the life of the same person twice, is remarkable. Tech. Sgt. Mari Navarro, NCO in charge of military personnel field activities for the manpower, personnel and services directorate at Air Force Space Command here, already saved

  • Technical sergeant promotion cycle correction

    Following the recent technical sergeant/18E6 promotion cycle release and Airmen expressing concerns about selection rates in the Refueling/Bomber Aircraft Maintenance (2A5X4) Air Force Specialty Code, the Air Force’s Personnel Center identified 57 Airmen in that AFSC with an ‘A’ shred-out

  • Technicians coengineer cost-saver with a spin

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

  • Technicians cut metal waste

    Airmen in the 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron's metals technology shop are maximizing value while minimizing waste by making what customers need from scratch. On a daily basis, they can produce two-dimensional "parts" for just about any aircraft here."With our computer design software, we can

  • Technicians ensure safe, clean, serviceable fuel

    The availability of safe and reliable petroleum is vital in safeguarding the lives of military forces.“Sediments in fuel are dangerous,” said Staff Sgt. Carmarius Johnson, a fuels laboratory technician with the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron here. “It causes fuel filters and injectors to clog.

  • Technicians safeguard fuel, oxygen

    Aircrew members depend on several moving parts to ensure an aircraft is properly maintained and prepped for a safe mission. A part of this preparation is ensuring that the fuel and oxygen within the aircraft are safe and free of contaminates that could negatively affect the mission.Airmen at the

  • Technicians use aircraft wreckage for testing

    After 11 years of service as a flight trainer, a T-1A Jayhawk aircraft is joining the Aeronautical Systems Center here.The aircraft, although damaged past the point of repair, still has its avionics and other subsystems intact, along with most of its fuselage. Technicians in the center’s training

  • Technologist a four-time Scientific Research of the Year Award winner

    Mr. David McGlasson, a medical technologist in the 59th Clinical Research Division at Wilford Hall Medical Center here, was notified Aug. 7 he won the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science peer-reviewed poster contest for his poster "Comparison of a Chromgenic Factor X Assay to the

  • Technology advances defense, protects F.E. Warren AFB Airmen

    Members of the 90th Missile Wing added another weapon to their arsenal to enhance their robust deterrence mission Feb. 17 here. The Remote Targeting Engagement System is made up of several parts, including six separate M-240 machine guns, controlled remotely from command consoles. The weapons are

  • Technology conference powers down

    More than 500 exhibitors set up various displays to show off their cutting-edge technology to American military members the last week of November at the Interservice Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference at the Orange County Convention Center here.The latest in simulation and

  • Technology connects sisters for promotion

    Ver and Josie Param were in for a surprise May 27 when they arrived at 3rd Air Force headquarters here to witness their youngest daughter’s promotion to captain. Moments before the ceremony began, 1st Lt. Joy Param, a 3rd Air Force intelligence officer, escorted her parents and brother, Vince, into

  • Technology convergence could prevent war, futurist says

    The convergence of "exponentially advancing technologies" will form a "super-intelligence" so formidable that it could avert war, according to one of the world's leading futurists. Dr. James Canton, CEO and chairman of the Institute for Global Futures, a San Francisco-based think tank, is author of

  • Technology drives new, better ways to educate Airmen

    Cell phones could soon be the ticket to keeping up with professional development requirements. That's just one concept being explored by officials at Air Education and Training Command, the Air Force's training and education component. Like their counterparts in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, AETC

  • Technology for war helps save lives in New Orleans

    Night-time flying through the darkened, flooded streets of New Orleans presented unique challenges to rescuers from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crews constantly had to look out for power lines, buildings and other rescue aircraft in the area,

  • Technology helps BRAC 2005 environmental efforts

    The Internet, new technology and other tools not available in previous Base Realignment and Closure rounds are helping the Defense Department meet its environmental responsibilities in the current round of closures, a top DOD official said. Alex Beehler, assistant deputy under secretary of defense

  • Technology helps locate shooters

    Military people in world hotspots might soon tell where people shooting at them are located by using technology Defense Department and Air Force researchers are developing.Network Embedded Systems Technology uses a system of sensor nodes that can be scattered throughout a given area, checkpoint,

  • Technology helps NORAD track Santa

    Improved technology helped make the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s 50th “Santa Tracker” season a success Dec. 24. NORAD officials said that a worldwide network of radar and space satellites was used to track Santa, who began his journey at 5 a.m. MST Dec. 24. With the help of this

  • Technology helps remember fallen, ensures memories live on

    It was a damp, foggy morning in October, amidst a sea of marble headstones; the sound of bells chiming out seemed to echo the air of somberness all around at Madingley American Cemetery, near Cambridge. The whole scene was humbling.

  • Technology improvements keep information flowing to warfighter

    During the recent Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the Air Force demonstrated new technology that provides warfighters with greater connectivity and more timely information. During the exercise, the Air Force tested the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node.

  • Technology improves rescue support for rocket launches

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a communications satellite onboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 4. As the rocket lit up the sky and was hurled into space, personnel from the 920th Rescue Wing stood by and watched, knowing their part of the mission had

  • Technology improving veterans' access to health, benefits information

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are launching a multi-year initiative called Veterans Relationship Management, or VRM, that will greatly improve veterans' access to health care and benefits information. "VRM will transform veterans' interactions with VA by using innovative 21st century

  • Technology of the Future

    Looking much like a handheld vacuum cleaner attached to an extra-large Shop-Vac, the technology that may revolutionize the aircraft structural maintenance shop does not scream “innovation” on first glance. Despite appearances, the capabilities of the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG)

  • Technology offers high-tech patient monitoring

    Wilford Hall Medical Center Critical Care Air Transport Team, or CCATT, members are testing technology designed to improve patient care in the air. The latest advancement in remote monitoring capability, the medical heads-up display, or MHUD, was brought here by technicians from the Air Warfare

  • Technology offers more ‘face time’ with commanders

    New advances in digital technology now allow commanders to speak directly to Airmen, despite geographical separation. The Global Content Delivery Service, or GCDS, is a real-time video moderated forum, which enables Airmen to ask questions, receive information and engage in face-to-face

  • Technology office tests synthetic fuel in ground vehicles

    The Air Force Advanced Power Technology Office here is now conducting research on synthetic fuel for use in a ground environment. The use of synthetic fuel is vital if the Air Force is to have the means of operating without relying on foreign oil supplies. The Sept. 19 test flight by a B-52H

  • Technology symposium highlights turbine engine successes

    Nearly 100 years after the Wright brothers changed the future with their first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., a new generation of American scientists and engineers gathered here to tackle the challenges of powering flight for the next century.Nearly 700 Defense Department, NASA and aerospace

  • Technology transfers benefit warfighter, first responders

    The Defense Department's technology transfer program, which shares newly developed DOD technologies with civilian first responders, benefits both communities in cost effectiveness and mission accomplishment, the DOD official in charge of the program said here Nov.21. Congress mandated the technology

  • Technology unites Airmen in matrimony

    Nearly 7,000 miles of desert and ocean could not keep two Airmen from tying the knot. Maj. Heather Villasenor, who is at a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia, married Lt. Col. Michael Bryant on April 26. The wedding was held in Southwest Asia -- and Virginia. Colonel Bryant, the Joint

  • Technology, AFWERX, helping SF Academy graduates become more lethal, ready

    Arguably the most critical skills a Defender must possess – how and when to employ the use of force – the 343rd Training Squadron schoolhouse recently acquired six Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives simulators or MILO, as well as a VR-based training system facilitated through an AFWERX

  • Technology, training force multiplier for security forces Airmen

    While security forces members receive training in technical school, the multiple threats faced by members today requires continual sharpening of their skills. Airmen from the 354th Security Forces Squadron here participate in daily flight-level exercises as well as mandatory squadron training. The

  • Teddy bears reach out to Solano County children

    Two dark teddy bear eyes surrounded by white fur peeked over the edge of a large brown paper bag making contact with the eyes of several curious kindergartners and first graders entering the classroom. The kids were smiling with anticipation. Several of Santa’s elves were waiting to greet the

  • Tee time brings military, NFL together

    Ten servicemembers got a chance to share a tee time Feb. 5 with National Football League Hall of Fame members in their annual golf tournament in Jacksonville, Fla.The servicemembers took to the greens with more than 26 hall-of-famers, including Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Lynn Swann, Bobby Mitchell and

  • Teen becomes 'Pilot for a Day' at Fairchild

    It isn't every day a 13-year-old boy gets to pilot a KC-135 Stratotanker destined from Washington for Hawaii, but one teen flew the mission May 3 as Fairchild Air Force Airmen helped one local youth become a Pilot for a Day. Dylan Nickerson experienced a day in the life of a pilot with the

  • Teen center provides family members a voice

    The deafening roar of an electric guitar, the crash of drums and accompanying vocals signaled the beginning of the teen center's monthly Battle of the Bands contest at Kadena Air Base. Kadena AB teenagers took the stage in one of the newest programs here to give military children an outlet for their

  • Teen center raises tilapia for Union Gospel Mission

    Teens attending the Fairchild Teen Center here are raising Tilapia -- a freshwater fish -- that will help feed homeless people year-round at the Spokane Union Gospel Mission.The youth program here is very active in supporting various efforts to improve quality of life for people on base and in the

  • Teen queen makes 'dream come true'

    One child stood out above the rest of the nearly 100 children from military families and their parents packed into the room here on Capitol Hill on June 10.They were here to meet teen actress and singer Hilary Duff. Alyssa Weishoff, 12, came as Ms. Duff's special guest. When the actress finally

  • Teen uses ‘wish’ to visit brother at Misawa AB

    Gatherings are commonplace for members of the military and their families, but the reason for the Skrove's reunion is far from ordinary. Jonah is a self-described nerdy, obnoxious 17-year-old senior at Zimmerman High School in Minnesota who is battling a life-threatening bone cancer. Diagnosed with

  • Teens gather for first AF Reserve Teen Leadership Council

    Teenagers from around the nation gathered at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command here for the first AFR Teen Leadership Council meeting Nov. 12. The 20 teens, selected to represent their peers as members of the council, received briefings on Air Force Reserve Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Programs

  • Teens learn to BOUNCE back in first AF teen resiliency course

    Twenty-four teenagers participated in the Air Force's first resiliency teen camp, named BOUNCE, from July 11-15 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. BOUNCE, which stands for Be optimistic, Observe thoughts, Use strengths, Never give up, Communicate effectively and Embrace you, is a weeklong

  • Teens soar at 11th-annual aviation camp

    Thirty-six teens from around the Air Force participated in the 11th-annual Teen Aviation Camp here June 4 through 8.All of the 16- and 17-year old campers come from Air Force families and have parents who are active duty, retirees, reservists, or members of the Air National Guard. Teens and their

  • Teets discusses national security space strategy

    Peter B. Teets, the undersecretary of the Air Force for space, spoke about the future of space during the National Defense Industrial Association symposium on space policy and architecture.Representatives from the secretary of defense’s office, unified combatant commands and service space components

  • Teets discusses recapitalization, death benefit, core values

    The acting secretary of the Air Force spoke on Capitol Hill March 2 about recapitalizing aging systems, the death gratuity and recent problems within the service.In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Peter B. Teets explained the importance of modernizing the service's fleet of

  • Teets submits resignation

    Peter B. Teets, acting secretary of the Air Force, announced his resignation March 18, to take effect March 25. “I'm honored to have served the president, the secretary of defense and with the dedicated Airmen of America’s Air Force and the men and women of the National Reconnaissance Office over

  • Teets tells Congress lasers-based communications coming

    The military's senior adviser on space testified before Congress on March 8.Peter B. Teets, who serves as both the acting secretary of the Air Force and the Department of Defense's executive agent for space, spoke to the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on strategic forces about the

  • Teets to build on core competencies

    Peter B. Teets will focus on core competencies to take the Air Force through a transitional period that includes the fiscal 2006 budget process and the quadrennial defense review.Mr. Teets has served as undersecretary of the Air Force since 2001 and became the acting secretary of the Air Force

  • Teets, Lord tell Senate the nation needs 'space cadre'

    The Air Force's top two space officials told lawmakers March 12 that development of a "space cadre" was one of their top agenda items for national security space programs in 2004.Undersecretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets and Gen. Lance W. Lord, commander of Air Force Space Command, also told

  • Teets: Air Force confident, strong, ready

    The acting secretary of the Air Force assured the Air Force Association here Feb. 17 the service is confident, strong and ready to face any threat.“And I know it will remain that way,” Peter B. Teets told about 1,000 attendees of the association’s annual Air Warfare Symposium. The association

  • Teets: Air Force's biggest challenge is recapitalizing the fleet

    During a roundtable discussion at the Pentagon March 22, the acting secretary of the Air Force discussed space, the F/A-22 Raptor and business ethics.Peter B. Teets retired from public service March 25. He held additional titles, including Department of Defense executive agent for space and

  • Teets: America must reach for space dominance

    On the anniversary of the first man-made object reaching the moon, the Department of Defense’s executive agent for space urged America to strive for dominance in space.Undersecretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets, who also serves as the director of the National Reconnaissance Office, used the

  • Teets: Space access vital to warfighting efforts

    America needs to redouble its efforts to make sure the nation has a vigorous and successful national security space program, the Defense Department's executive agent for space said.According to Peter B. Teets, undersecretary of the Air Force and director of the National Reconnaissance Office, access

  • Teleconferencing IDEA earns employee $10,000

    A suggestion to change the way in which video teleconferencing is provided has earned an Air Force Research Laboratory employee here a $10,000 award from the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program.Gregory J. Howe, a telecommunications specialist in the AFRL information

  • Telelconference held to improve Pacific medical care

    Thirteenth Air Force officials hosted an inaugural aeromedical evacuation quality system-wide teleconference here recently for more than 30 military members and civilians to improve aeromedical evacuations for patients throughout the Pacific. It was the first teleconference of its kind to be hosted

  • Telephone news line set up for 'non-wired' retirees

    A toll-free telephone news line has been set up for those retirees and surviving spouses who do not have computer access.  People reading this release are encouraged to pass the information to those who don't have Internet access.By calling (800) 558-1404, retirees and spouses can stay informed

  • Telephones to tanks: RPAT Airmen help fight two wars

    The 14 joint expeditionary tasking Airmen assigned to the redistribution property assistance team on Contingency Operation Base Speicher, Iraq, are working 24-hours-a-day to provide equipment for the Iraqi government and coalition forces in Afghanistan.The members of COB Speicher RPAT, one of eight

  • Television holiday greetings available online

    Too busy to sit in front of the television to catch a holiday greeting from a friend or family member stationed or deployed overseas? Don't worry, the video hellos are now available online. The holiday greetings program, videotaped and produced by the Army and Air Force Hometown News Service, is in

  • Television star visits troops in Southwest Asia

    It is a common refrain in the cut-throat world of stand-up comedy that the hungriest and most fearless performers will go anywhere and work any room to get their levity-rich message to the masses.Drew Carey, among the most recognizable comedians in the world, stretched the “have laughs, will travel”