NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Test Pilot School reaches new heights

    The increasing push for a military space force has led Department of Defense officials to expand the Air Force envelope to include space education, with an emphasis on military applications.The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here has followed suit, answering DOD’s call by creating the first

  • Test pilot school selection board date set

    Air Force officials plan to hold the next test pilot school selection board here Oct. 30 through Nov. 3. The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School trains pilots, navigators and engineers to test and evaluate the newest aircraft and weapons systems. Applicants from all aircraft types and backgrounds must

  • Test pilot school selection board date set

    The Air Force plans to hold its next test pilot school selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here Nov. 15.The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School trains pilots, navigators and engineers to test and evaluate the newest aircraft and weapons systems.Applicants from all aircraft types and

  • Test pilot school selection board date set

    Air Force officials plan to hold the next test pilot school selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 for classes beginning in July 2006 and January 2007.The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School trains pilots and navigators as well as civilian and military engineers to

  • Test Pilot School team proves how 'a dummy' can save money

    In an Air Force setting that is locked on being financially-conscious and proactive under the current financial challenges, the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, at the request of the 418th Flight Test Squadron, is working with the squadron through the implementation of the school's Test Management

  • Test Pilot School updates admission requirements

    Pilots, engineers and navigators applying for slots at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here are finding some of the school's requirements have changed recently.The biggest difference for applicants comes in the easing of experience requirements for pilots and navigators.Beginning with this

  • Test pilot school wins international award

    The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here received the 2003 Richard G. Cross Award on Nov. 19 in Lihue, Hawaii.Presented by the International Test and Evaluation Association, the award recognized the contributions the school’s short courses made to the training and education of test and evaluation

  • Test program recruit prepares Airmen at USAF Special Operations School

    The challenges of today's dynamic, global environment constantly require the Air Force to be prepared to engage with every region of the world. National security depends on the Air Force accomplishing its mission in each unique regional environment. Senior Airman Pawel Jarosz understands the ability

  • Test report: AFNet effective, suitable, mission-capable

    The effort to manage Air Force web and email operations as one, consolidated enterprise took a giant step forward March 18, with release of a testing report on Air Force Intranet Increment 1, referred to as AFNet Inc 1. The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center's evaluation showed that

  • Test results show Active Denial System as nonlethal weapon

    Air Force Research Laboratory officials here recently completed an extensive bioeffects research program for an invisible, counter personnel, directed-energy weapon known as the Active Denial System.Data showed that millimeter waves do not promote cancer or cause reproductive problems, and

  • Test satellite to provide warfighters eye in the sky

    Fans of the television show "24" often watch fictional counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer wipe out adversary cells even though he is often severely outnumbered. In his favor, he usually has real-time satellite locations of his enemies sent to his personal digital assistant so that he is always one

  • Test sets world land speed record

    A 192-pound, fully instrumented Missile Defense Agency payload traveled a little more than three miles in 6.04 seconds April 29, validating Holloman's high-speed test track hypersonic upgrades and setting a world land speed record.Air Force Materiel Command experts conducted the test in New Mexico's

  • Test squadron demonstrates Sniper pod capability

    Members of the 419th Flight Test Squadron here recently completed its initial developmental testing of the Sniper pod installed on a B-1B Lancer, designed to increase the aircraft's self-targeting capability. The Sniper pod, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is an advanced targeting pod with

  • Test team aims at new machine gun for Pave Hawk

    Arriving in the rain, an HH-60G Pave Hawk landed Jan. 5 at Edwards Air Force Base to begin testing the ballistic dispersion of a GAU-21 .50-caliber machine gun. The Pave Hawk will be at Edwards AFB until Jan. 22 where the 412th Test Wing and 418th Flight Test Squadron are providing the facilities,

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

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

  • Test track takes levitation to new speeds

    While Holloman Air Force Base's High Speed Test Track is best known for its record breaking speed capabilities, it's also known for its innovation when it comes to new and improved technology. The 846th Test Squadron, home of the HHSTT, conducted their fifth magnetic

  • Test uniforms hit the streets

    Airmen at two bases will get a first-hand look at the proposed new utility uniform Feb. 9 when the tiger-striped blue-, green- and gray-patterned ensemble begins its wear-test phase.Officials will deliver the distinctive uniforms to testers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and Langley AFB,

  • Test uniforms soon arriving at Elmendorf

    In early 2002, the Air Force chief of staff and the U.S. Air Force Uniform Board put together a uniform that met distinct criteria. It had to be better fitting, less expensive and easier to maintain, and specific to the Air Force.Elmendorf is one of the nine testing sites for this proposed utility

  • Test wing shadows test-firing of Tomahawk cruise missile

    Using both of Eglin Air Force Base’s water and land test ranges, a Navy Tomahawk cruise missile was launched in February from the USS Boise, a Los Angeles-class submarine under way in the Gulf of Mexico. Seconds after launch, the Tomahawk transitioned to cruise flight. It flew a fully guided

  • Testers set sights on joint strike fighter

    Allowing a pilot to turn in any direction but still have access to information on the heads-up display at the front of the cockpit is the aim of testing here. Members of the 412th Test Wing completed a project June 20 to help evaluate a helmet-mounted display system for the F-35 joint strike

  • Testimony details Pentagon, VA plans for wounded warriors

    The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are working together to address the needs of wounded warriors, defense officials told the House Armed Services Committee April 29. Gail H. McGinn, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, charted what she called the "lines of

  • Testimony shows congressmen science, technology highlights

    Air Force leaders showcased new technologies to members of the House Armed Services Committee at the Air Force Museum here July 19. The technologies would continue to be funded by $2.2 billion in fiscal 2004.Gen. Lester Lyles, the Air Force Materiel Command commander, and Maj. Gen. Paul Nielsen,

  • Testing center opens at Camp Bucca

    Air Force security forces members here will now be able to redeploy home with their career development courses completed as base officials opened a new testing center.With many Airmen arriving for duty in the middle of upgrade training, Air Force leadership at Camp Bucca decided a testing center was

  • Testing, one, two, three

    Tech. Sgt. Alexander Kokovidis, a laboratory technician assigned to the 819/219 Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron's materials testing lab, tests an asphalt sample Dec. 17 at a forward-deployed location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Kokovidis is conducting a specific gravity test by

  • Testing, tactics, training: Training squadron sets the bar

    The 505th Test Squadron provides testing, tactics development and training for the United States military and coalition forces. Their focus is on providing advanced air operations center training and AOC testing and tactics development at the operational level of war.

  • Tests to compare CCAF, civilian degrees

    Education offices at 60 Air Force and Air National Guard bases around the world will test Community College of the Air Force graduates to determine how they compare to counterparts in civilian institutions.The testing begins Oct. 14 and runs through Nov. 15.First-time CCAF degree recipients who have

  • Texas Air Guard prepares security forces Airmen for deployment

    On the desert ranges of Fort Bliss, Texas, there is a lot of open space for Soldiers to train and prepare for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Army operations are well-known here, but active-duty, guard and Reserve security forces Airmen are on the range too.Texas Air National Guard members trained

  • Texas ANG delivers water, aid after winter storm

    From Feb. 14-20, Winter Storm Uri ー the worst polar vortex to hit Texas since 1989 ー spread cataclysmic damage and sent temperatures plummeting into the teens and single digits for more than four million Texans.

  • Texas ANG unit recognized for top family readiness program

    Texas and Wisconsin National Guard units were among several from the reserve components recognized Friday at the 2012 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards ceremony here at the Pentagon.The 136th Airlift Wing, a part of the Texas National Guard, represented the Air National Guard.

  • Texas Guard prepares for season's first hurricane

    About 2,500 members of the Texas National Guard are on standby in anticipation of Tropical Storm Alex, which is expected to become a hurricane and hit the lower Texas coast late July 1 or early July 2.The deployment of troops and the locations where they will go depends on future weather predictions

  • Texas Guard team wins first NGB innovation competition

    The Texas Guard team, whose entry focused on development of 3D printer technology, beat out 110 submissions nationwide. Competitors pitched their ideas in rounds at the unit, state and regional levels. The winners advanced to the final round, held June 12.

  • Texas guardsmen provide back-to-back hurricane assistance

    Texas Air National Guardsmen returning home from Hurricane Katrina duty had just enough time to catch up on sleep before receiving the order to repack their bags.Now they are preparing to deal with the aftermath of another hurricane, but this time it will hit closer to home. Hurricane Rita is

  • Texas military forces ready for Hurricane Dolly landfall

    An approximately 500-member-strong joint task force is ready and waiting to help civil authorities save lives and support any evacuations for the Category 2 Hurricane Dolly hitting southern Texas July 23.Texas military forces -- a team made up of Texas Army and Air National Guard units  -- have set

  • Texas National Guard evacuates citizens for Hurricane Ike

    Nine Air National Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft from three states configured for medical air evacuation began transporting special-needs patients from the Corpus Christi, Texas, area the morning of Sept. 10 in preparation for Hurricane Ike's expected landfall Sept. 13. The mission falls under Texas

  • Texas National Guard ready for Hurricane Dean strike

    About 4,700 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, most of them from Texas, are making final preparations Aug. 20 for a rapid response should Hurricane Dean strike the Texas coast the end of August. Another 5,000 Texas Soldiers and Airmen are poised for activation should Texas Gov. Rick Perry deem it

  • Texas National Guard relief efforts move to rural areas

    As power is restored to smaller cities, Texas National Guardsmen are moving further into rural areas of Texas to assist Federal Emergency Management Agent officials with distribution of food, water and ice to Hurricane Rita victims. Task Force-Seguin, which comprises 300 Army and Air National

  • Texas National Guard relief mission begins drawing down

    With power coming on throughout the area, Texas National Guardsmen with Task Force-Seguin transferred food and water distribution duties to other task forces and local authorities Oct. 4. The team returned to their home units and families Oct. 5. “There are still a few rural areas requiring

  • Texas National Guard team responds to bird deaths

    In a scene reminiscent of emergency measures seen in cities across the country after 9/11, downtown Austin, Texas, was temporarily blocked to people and traffic so authorities could investigate the unexplained deaths of more than 60 birds Jan. 8. Together with local, state and federal responders,

  • Texas ROTC cadet is top in nation

    The Air Force Association named Cadet Dylan J. Meador of Angelo State University's Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 the Outstanding ROTC Cadet of the Year for 2014.

  • Texas students get taste of Air Force science, engineering

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here hope to whet the appetites of young science, math and engineering students, so they might later seek "blue chip" career paths, hopefully Air Force blue. Toward this end, AFPC's science and engineering career field management team have partnered with the

  • Texas team teaches expeditionary medical techniques in Hawaii

    The Republic of Moku is a fictitious Pacific island chain, but during exercise Pacific Lifeline it is home to real-world training as more than 90 medical Airmen assigned to Pacific Air Forces practice how to deploy and provide critical services following a natural disaster. Assisting them is a

  • Texas-based Airman's family takes steps to help tornado victims

    Efforts to help people who were injured or lost their homes began almost immediately after a deadly tornado struck Moore, Okla., May 20.One of those willing to help was Tech. Sgt. Shane Buss, the 47th Flying Training Wing's equal opportunity NCO-in-charge, along with his wife and four children."I

  • TF33 jet engine shop up and running at Tinker

    The Air Force's lone TF33 Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance shop here achieved full operational capability status in October. "This marks a shift of engine workload from field units to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, enabling the warfighter to focus more on expeditionary capabilities and

  • TFSC-SA, AFPC Web applications unavailable for system maintenance

    The Total Force Service Center-San Antonio, A1 Service Desk and Air Force Personnel Center Web applications will be unavailable from 6 p.m. Feb. 23 to 8 a.m. Feb. 24 CDT for system maintenance. The major personnel applications and systems affected by this maintenance event include all of AFPC's

  • TFSC-SA, myPers website unavailable during scheduled maintenance

    The Total Force Service Center-San Antonio, A1 Service Desk and myPers website will be unavailable from 6 p.m. Oct. 5 to 6 a.m. Oct. 8 CST for scheduled maintenance. AFPC's public website at http://www.afpc.af.mil will be online for general personnel news. The major personnel applications and

  • Thai air chief visit fosters strategic relationship

    The Royal Thai Air Force commander-in-chief met with his Pacific Air Forces counterpart during a visit here Sept. 7 through 10. Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong and Gen. Gary North, the PACAF commander, spent time together strengthening the long-standing relationship and paving the way for

  • Thai students visit air force base

    Royal Thai Air Force members opened their gates to the public for the first time March 10 for an open house featuring U.S. Air Force aircraft and people, here.Approximately 50 students from Ban Phaknam School, located about one hour away from the base, visited with Airmen participating in Cope Tiger

  • Thais, Americans join forces for Exercise Teak Torch training

    About 130 Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group from Kadena Air Base, Japan, traveled to Udon Thani AB, to join forces with the Royal Thai air force for Exercise Teak Torch. "The joint combined exercise training events are designed to enhance U.S. military training and are conducted in many

  • Thanking those who saluted America

    The U.S. Air Force performed this year’s “Salute to America” with a series of military flyovers at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota, July 3, and Washington, D.C., July 4, to celebrate Independence Day – the nation’s 244th birthday.

  • Thanksgiving at home away from home

    The streets were lined with hundreds of expatriates cheering, holding up welcome signs and even saluting as buses arrived. Based on the crowd's reaction it may have appeared the buses contained celebrities, but in fact, they carried hundreds of service members from various military installations

  • That new car smell

    The 48th Fighter Wing here received the first two of 10 new F-15E Strike Eagles bought under contract from the Boeing Co. They are the first new F-15s the wing has received since 1996. The E-model has two Pratt and Whitney F100-P&W-229 engines, each generating 29,000 pounds of thrust. The

  • 'That others may live' Air Force hero remembered

    April 11 was an important anniversary for all Airmen as it marked 41 years since Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger, pararescue crewmember, distinguished himself by extreme valor near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam. The slogan 'that others may live' is the foundation of everything Air Force

  • That others may live: Silver Star medal for fallen Airman, son

    Capt. Matthew Roland, of the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, posthumously received the Silver Star on June 1 for actions taken during an ambush Aug. 26, 2015, in Afghanistan. Roland's family accepted the decoration on behalf of the fallen special tactics officer.

  • The "almost" candy bombers of Iraq

    The U.S. government provided the container delivery system bundles and the military aircraft, but something just seemed to be missing on the airdrop packages. Master Sgt. Stephen Brown had something sweet for the kids in mind to make things just right.

  • The "Hog" drops in on history

    The A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the Warthog and known for its close-air support superiority and the ability to carry large and varied ordnance, is now on its way to delivering a new capability to the warfighter. A pilot from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with

  • The ‘Airmen We Need’: Air Force personnel update

    Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, outlined the Air Force’s strategy for the “Airmen We Need” campaign at the Air, Space, Cyber Conference, Sept. 17, 2018, in National Harbor.

  • The ‘Future Fight’ is here: Red Flag-Nellis 22-3

    More than 20 units and approximately 2,300 participants arrived at Nellis Air Force Base to take part in the final Red Flag of 2022. Greeting them were the pilots of the newly re-activated 65th Aggressor Squadron, and the 57th Operations Group’s dedicated multi-domain aggressor force.

  • The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

    In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation that changed the federal holiday’s name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. The name change aimed to pay tribute to all Americans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

  • The 2008 AF Climate Survey launches Oct. 1

    Have you ever wished you could tell your leaders what you think? That power will soon be at your fingertips with the launching of the 2008 Air Force Climate Survey Oct. 1-8. During that time, individual e-mail invitations will be sent out Air Force-wide that will include a survey link and

  • The 355th Wing flies toward the future

    Airmen from the 355th Wing, 621st Contingency Response Wing and AFWERX Agility Prime teamed up to move a LIFT Aircraft electronic vertical takeoff and landing aircraft using a military aircraft for the first time. The eVTOL vehicle was transported from Springfield, Ohio to Austin, Texas, March 23 –

  • The 736th SFS are defenders of the force

    The dictionary defines the word “defender” as a person who defends someone or something. It’s no coincidence security force members throughout the Air Force use this moniker. Defender is well-suited; however, just one word could not speak to their flexibility, warrior ethos or enormous

  • The ABCs of filling an Air Force civilian job

    Most civilian jobs in the Air Force begin with a request for personnel action, or RPA. They end with an entry on duty, or EOD, date. During the past 12 months, the entire process has taken an average of 136 days from the initial completion of the RPA to a person arriving for duty. Control of the

  • The ABCs of PRT

    The provincial reconstruction teams' efforts in Afghanistan are so successful Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice used them as a template to inaugurate the first U.S.-led PRT in Iraq in November. While addressing the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations last fall, Secretary Rice said, "To execute

  • The AC-130U Gunship program explores viper strike capability

    The AC-130U Gunship, managed by Aeronautical Systems Center's Special Operations Forces Systems Group here, is undergoing an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration for a standoff precision-guided munition called Viper Strike. Viper Strike is a small, precision-attack munition with guide/glide

  • The Air Commandos

    A sign over the doorway of a squat white building near the Hurlburt Field, Fla., runway of Eglin Air Force Base declares, "The Mission of the Air Force is to Fight." (Editor's note: This article is reprinted from Airman Magazine, September 1962.) The men wearing tennis shorts and sneakers, flying

  • The Air Force needs your feedback

    People still have time to take the 2005 Air Force Climate Survey, but the Nov. 23 deadline is rapidly approaching. Twenty-nine percent of the Air Force had taken the survey as of Oct. 27. The survey, which began Oct. 1, gives Air Force people an opportunity to provide honest and productive feedback

  • The Air Force We Need: 386 operational squadrons

     Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson announced the results of an in-depth analysis aimed at outlining what the Air Force needs to implement the National Defense Strategy while speaking at the Air Force Association's annual Air, Space and Cyber conference Sept. 17.“The analysis says what every Airmen

  • The Air Guard migrates to the Air Force Public Web

    The Air National Guard has joined the Air Force in consolidating its public Web sites under one network, the Air Force Public Web. The Air Guard's public Web site has a new look and feel similar to other Air Force Web sites currently using the Air Force Public Information Management System, or

  • The aircraft canaries: HAAMS technicians breathe life into missions

    Twenty thousand feet above the drop zone, a multinational group of special forces prepares for a tactical insertion behind “enemy lines.” The seasoned jumpmaster positions himself on the open ramp of the C-130 Hercules, peeking his head out to confirm that the airspace below is clear to the drop

  • The American Chopper of Aircraft Maintenance

    With the eight 13 hour flights the aircraft of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing have on a daily basis, some parts of the aircraft can wear down, crack or break over periods of time.The 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron fabrication flight, also known as “Fab Flight” or the “American Chopper”

  • The ART of training the total force

    In July, the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing’s ART held a Total Force Integration Conference at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, allowing ART members from throughout the geographically separated Wing to connect for three days with over 160 peers from other services and nations,

  • The backbeat of the band

    Have you ever been to a concert? Have you ever sat in the audience before the band took the stage and marveled at the lights, stage and speakers that pepper the venue and wonder how it all came together? Long before the first note comes barreling through the sound system of a concert hall, hundreds

  • 'The Bird' vies for mascot of the year

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's mascot, "The Bird," faces off against his furry colleagues for the third time in five years this football season in "Fur Factor," the Capital One Bowl Mascot of the Year competition. Already in its fifth week, the competition will continue throughout the college football

  • The birdmen of Baghdad

    Some airmen who routinely go into harm’s way to assist others, have taken another injured creature of the air under their wings.The New York Air National Guard’s 101st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron has adopted a pigeon that was injured during the Operation Iraqi Freedom conflict.According to Staff

  • The Blueprint: Roadmap to Enlisted Force Development

    The Blueprint serves as a foundational document to link enlisted development — from entry to departure. This new document is one of 28 Enlisted Force Development Action Plan (EFD-AP) objectives focused on developing tomorrow’s enlisted Airmen … today.

  • The business of people: Life as a first sergeant

    Dedication is defined as a feeling of very strong support for or loyalty to someone or something, or the quality or state of being dedicated to a person, group or cause.It is this definition which embodies the attitude of a first sergeant. Colloquially called a shirt or first shirt, unwavering