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  • Airmen learn to make leaner, more efficient Air Force

    Airmen first class to colonels and civilians from more than 10 Air Force specialties discussed ways to improve work center processes and remove waste during the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century Continuous Process Improvement Course here April 1-4.The four-day class, also referred to

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Crew chief keeps B-2s ready for long journeys

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story)His hands are glazed from spatters of grease and oil. His uniform reeks of hydraulic fluid after working a 12-hour shift maintaining a B-2 Spirit.Airman

  • New resources promote fitness culture

    To help improve Total Force fitness levels, Air Force Personnel Center officials are fielding new fitness resources accessible online, in person or on DVD.These resources, including the Operational Fitness Program, Xtreme Wednesday Workouts, the Air Force Fitness DVDs and the Fitness on Request

  • Nellis AFB pilots fly their first operational F-35 mission

    Two F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here conducted the aircraft's first operational flights from Nellis AFB. These historic flights came less than a month after the March 19 arrival ceremony for the aircraft, but members of the 57th Maintenance Group's

  • Operation 'Deep Freeze' wraps up for the season

    Following the arrival March 18 of SKIER 75 - the last LC-130 "Skibird" aircraft to depart the Operation Deep Freeze Joint Operating Area, the 2012-2013 ODF season completed another successful, yet challenging campaign.The Skibird's arrival at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam marks 55 years that

  • Air Force graduates first RPA armament course

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

  • Air Force Reserve celebrates 65 years of historic service

    President Harry S. Truman signed legislation on April 14, 1948, establishing the modern-day Air Force Reserve. The new organization reaffirmed the "Citizen Airmen" concept that reaches back to the Army Air Service reservists of the First World War. This came seven months after Truman established the

  • Air Combat Command stands down units due to budget cuts

    Air Force officials will begin to stand down active-duty combat units starting April 9 to ensure the remaining units supporting worldwide operations can maintain sufficient readiness through the remainder of the fiscal year.The stand down is the result of cuts to Air Combat Command's operations and

  • Sexual assault awareness 'begins at top'

    To combat and put an end to sexual assault in the military, the Defense Department has designed programs to boost victim medical care, increase assault reporting and hold offenders accountable for their crimes, the director of the Pentagon's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office said here

  • Navy recognizes Andersen firefighters

    Navy Fire and Emergency Services recently named two Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Airmen Firefighter of the Year and Fire Officer of the Year for 2012.The all-encompassing awards recognized Tech. Sgt. Arnold Castro, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Station captain, and

  • First B-2 surpasses 7,000 flight hours

    Since the first B-2 Spirit arrived here in July 1996, its stealthiness and massive firepower have been used in missions around the world. During its latest mission April 1, the "Spirit of Florida" and its crew became the first B-2 to surpass 7,000 flight hours."This achievement is a testament to the

  • New Airman magazine features life of military child

    The April issue of Airman magazine is now available to download. In this issue, our cover story, titled "Growing up Military," tells the story of military children living overseas, and provides an inside look at the unique challenges they face. There's also a feature that follows an Airman who is

  • AF announces Installation Excellence award recipient

    Air Force leaders announced the winners of the 2013 Air Force Installation Excellence awards and Special Recognition program March 27.Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., is the recipient of this year's award, with McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., receiving runner-up. "It is our distinct privilege to

  • Guard rescue center completes 5,000th mission

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

  • Tinker AFB squadron increases production of KC-135 engines

    Over the past four or five years, members of the 546th Propulsion Maintenance Squadron struggled to produce enough war-ready F108 engines to support the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. The requirement called for 120 available engines, but it was a goal that had never been met -- until now. By changing

  • Andrews communications Airmen have global mission

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

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: An immigrant's climb to the top

    For decades, America has been known around the world as a place of opportunity, a reputation that has drawn people from all corners of the world to inhabit there. It's this reputation that motivated a husband and wife to leave a former communist nation of Yugoslavia with their two boys in tow in

  • Anonymous crime tips possible with mobile app

    Suspicious or illegal activity can now be anonymously reported directly to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations using a mobile phone application or by texting 'AFOSI' and the tip to 274637 (CRIMES) in an SMS text message.AFOSI launched these methods to capitalize on cyberspace capabilities

  • AF nurse to serve in White House clinic

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

  • Luke AFB reaches millionth-hour milestone

    Translating a million hours into years equals 114 years and one month. Going that far back in time places a person in February of 1899.Luke Air Force Base reached an aircraft milestone March 13 when an F-16 Fighting Falcon took to the sky marking 1 million flying hours in this venerable jet at Luke

  • 'Geek Squad' saves AF millions

    As budget cuts affect the quality of life in the Air Force, military personnel are adapting to changes from the government's financial trouble.A group of Airmen from the 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program, or also known as the "base geek squad," are doing their part to bring

  • First woman to lead air campaign

    In early 2011, the world watched in horror as the aging dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi turned his weapons against his own people in what became a bloody civil war in the North African state of Libya. Soon, the Libyan army was bearing down on Benghazi, the second largest city in the country, threatening

  • Medic shows courage after rocket attack

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

  • SecDef says furlough days reduced for civilians

    The Defense Department has revised from 22 to 14 the number of days hundreds of thousands of civilian employees could be furloughed this year because of the budget sequester, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today.In addition, a senior Defense Department official speaking on background told

  • Joint Task Force builds skills, ties with RAF at unique exercise

    Units deploying to U.S. Transportation Command's Eagle Flag exercise here can expect to encounter austere field conditions, heated interaction with role players acting as difficult locals, and lots and lots of cargo. But when air mobility specialists from the British Royal air force arrived to

  • AF to implement force structure changes

    The Air Force released its plan Mar. 28 to implement force structure changes mandated by the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill authorized the service to complete actions approved in previous years, such as aircraft retirements, and directed execution of

  • Nominations accepted for Portraits in Courage

    Now through May 1, nominations are being accepted and reviewed for Portraits in Courage, Vol. 8. "Portraits in Courage is a Chief of Staff initiative designed to tell Airmen's stories of courage, valor, and heroism. Our Airmen do the impossible every day. These narratives embody our warrior ethos

  • Officials uphold commitment to suicide prevention solutions

     A panel of Defense Department and service officials told Congress March 21, their efforts to address military suicides will persist.Representing the Air Force, Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, the deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, spoke to the actions the Air Force is taking to

  • Air Force's top enlisted leader visits Spangdahlem AB

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader visited here March 25-26. As part of the tour, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody met with leaders of Spangdahlem Air Base's private organizations, held an Airmen's call and took briefings about fighter wing operations.First, he had lunch with the

  • Boots Blesse flies west

     An Air Force legend was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery March 22, officially "flying west."Retired Maj. Gen. Frederick "Boots" Blesse, a double ace pilot, passed away Oct. 31, 2012. He retired from the Air Force April 1, 1975, and into his final days, the Air Force was a consistent part

  • Moon landing jump starts general's own space legacy

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

  • Congress reviews reserve forces equipment needs

    Senior Army and Air Force leaders for the Reserve and National Guard were on Capitol Hill to testify March 19 and answer questions about updating and replacing their combat-worn equipment.Chairman Michael Turner, R-Ohio, and Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., led the hearing at the House Armed Services

  • Airmen fine-tune skills at Eagle Flag

    Approximately 120 members from the 621st Contingency Response Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and fifty 690th Rapid Port Opening Element Soldiers from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., sharpened their Joint Task Force-Port Opening skills during Exercise Eagle Flag 13-1 here March 8 through15.

  • Deployed weather Airmen keep birds out of stormy conditions

    Many may not think much of rain, fog or mostly sunny days here, but to a base that conducts 30 percent of U.S. Air Forces Central Command's air tasking order sorties, weather monitoring is no simple matter. The 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight conducts around-the-clock

  • Air Force rabbi 'one of her kind'

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

  • 16 specialties work together, build one clear picture

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

  • EOD Airman receives 5th Bronze Star

    A Bronze Star with Valor was presented to an explosive ordnance disposal technician here March 22, making him only the fifth Airman to receive five Bronze Star medals..Tech. Sgt. Ronnie Brickey, Air Force Special Operations School Force Protection Branch NCO-in-charge, said receiving this particular

  • Congress reviews reserve forces equipment needs

    Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve, joined other Reserve and National Guard senior leaders on Capitol Hill March 19 to testify and answer questions.The Air Force and Army reserve component flag officers went before the House Armed Services Committee's Tactical Air and Land Forces

  • Airmen, Japanese remember the past, honor the present

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

  • Cody testifies to quality of life in the Air Force

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody testified on quality-of-life issues in the Air Force before House Appropriations Committee members March 19.The biggest challenge currently facing the Air Force is the nation's fiscal situation, Cody said, citing the looming furlough of 180,000 civilian

  • Joint STARS improves warfighter communication

    Joint STARS recently became the first Air Force airborne system to fully retrofit new terminals that will improve warfighter communication.The Joint STARS Communications and Network Upgrade program successfully installed, tested and fielded the first of its Multifunctional Information Distribution

  • First international student pilot flies F-35

    The first international student aviator at the 33rd Fighter Wing, training to be an F-35B Lightning II instructor pilot, completed his first sortie in the joint strike fighter here March 19.United Kingdom Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler flew with Marine Fighter Attack Training

  • Barksdale AFB Reserve unit passes critical test

    The 307th Bomb Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit here, is now nuclear certified following an Initial Nuclear Surety Inspection March 14 - 18.The 343rd Bomb Squadron and 707th Maintenance Squadron, units under the 307th BW, are tasked to support the 2nd Bomb Wing's nuclear and conventional

  • Bombers show U.S. resolve to defend South Korea, spokesman says

    It isn't just American capabilities in South Korea that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has to consider -- capabilities based outside South Korea also figure in the strategic calculus, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.In a meeting with reporters, Little said B-52 Stratofortresses

  • Photo essay: Cope Tiger 2013

    More than 1,900 U.S., Thai and Singapore airmen are participating in the Exercise Cope Tiger 2013 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, and the surrounding area. The U.S. has participated in since 1994.The annual field training exercise, comprised of aviation and ground units, is designed to

  • Edwards AFB Airmen begin F-35 operational testing

    The F-35 Lightning II program here entered a new phase of testing with the arrival of the first two operational test aircraft March 6. Team members from the 53rd Wing's 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, a tenant unit here, will determine how to best tactically operate the F-35A conventional takeoff

  • Nellis pilot first reservist to fly F-35

    A reservist from the 706th Fighter Squadron here recently became the first to fly the F-35 Lightning II, Air Force's newest aircraft.Maj. Joseph Scholtz is an operational test pilot integrated into the active duty Air Force's 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, and currently Nellis AFB's only

  • One success inspires the next for today's women leaders

    "Things done are won; joy's soul is in the doing." This quote from one of Shakespeare's most ambiguous plays, Troilus and Cressida, appears to be the constant theme behind the careers of many of the Air Force's most accomplished women. Whether it was The Honorable Sheila E. Widnall, the 18th

  • US, Canadian airmen train for joint contingency operations

    Earlier this month, the Silver Flag exercise site here hosted 31 Royal Canadian Air Force construction engineers from the 19th Wing, Construction Engineering Flight, Canadian Forces Base Comox, British Columbia. The Canadians trained side-by-side with U.S. Airmen during a week-long training exercise

  • Same mission, new name for E-11A unit at Kandahar Airfield

    The 451st Tactical Airborne Gateway, the unit here that flies the E-11A, was designated as a squadron during a ceremony on March 13. It is now the 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron. The mission of the E-11A is to serve as a Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, a communications

  • Flight nurses revolutionize military medical care

    Before World War II, the U.S. military showed little interest in using aircraft and flight nurses to evacuate wounded soldiers to rear areas. The global war, however, forced the U.S. Army Air Forces to revolutionize military medical care through the development of air evacuation (later known as

  • F-35 production on track, program chief says

    The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program is a different program than it was four years ago, the F-35 program executive officer said here March 12.In a speech at the McAleese/Credit Suisse Defense Programs Conference at the Newseum, Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan told attendees that he and

  • AF to retain additional intratheater airlift aircraft through fiscal 2014

    The Air Force announced it will retain additional airlift aircraft through fiscal 2014 in response to a congressional mandate to retain an inventory of 358 intratheater airlift aircraft.The Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 3, 2013, included language directing

  • U.S, Japan refine integrated air and missile defense during exercise

    Members of the U.S. military and Japan Self Defense Forces teamed up here recently to conduct a week-long exercise focused on operational issues relating to missile defense in the Pacific theater.Japan Air Self Defense Force Maj. Gen. Masashi Yamada, the director of the Defense Plans and Operations

  • Oldest U.S. military flying unit celebrates centennial

    The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., celebrated its 100th anniversary March 7-9 as the oldest flying unit in U.S. military aviation.The squadron opened its doors to the base populace and special guests for tours, and two days of historical symposiums were held featuring

  • Air Force Honor Guard female pallbearer honored to serve

    When Staff Sgt. Jennifer Powell joined the Body Bearers team, she was one of two women to do so since 1972.As a U.S. Air Force Honor Guard pallbearer, Powell is part of an eight-person team responsible for carrying the remains of deceased service members, their dependents, senior and national

  • Medical Airmen move wounded warriors, provide closure

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

  • Andersen AFB saves $25 million with contamination cleanup concept

    Members of the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight are working on containing contamination to protect the environment at Site 14 here.The site, located in the southeastern corner of the base, was contaminated with harmful substances such as polychlorinated biphenyl and asbestos since

  • Okinawan native earns AF-level award

    An Okinawan native was recently recognized with the Air Force Information Dominance Outstanding Civilian Assistant award for his meritorious service October 2011-September 2012.The Air Force Information Dominance Outstanding Civilian Assistant award is an Air Force-level award that recognizes Air

  • 44th FS named Air Force's top air superiority squadron

    The 44th Fighter Squadron "was recently named as the winner of the Raytheon Trophy for 2012.Awarded annually since 1953, the Raytheon trophy is awarded to the top air superiority or air defense squadron in the Air Force. Units are not only evaluated on operational mission performance, training and

  • Cope Tiger 13 commences in Thailand

    Combined forces from the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai air force and Republic of Singapore air force joined forces today to execute Cope Tiger 13 here March 10.The annual field training exercise, comprised of aviation and ground units, is designed to enhance interoperability and relations amongst each

  • Women's roles evolve quickly following World War II

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

  • Airmen mentor cadets 8,000 miles a second

    The image was small, but the smiles were big as four deployed service members connected to a classroom full of Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets in North Carolina, more than 8,000 miles away.The cadets of Piedmont High School AFJROTC NC-955 in Monroe, N.C., video conferenced

  • Nellis pilots take first step toward F-35 operational testing

    Two officers from the operational test community are among the six pilots in the first F-35 Lightning II pilot training course after an Air Education and Training Command decision to start training here in January.Lt. Col. Benjamin Bishop, the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron director of

  • Sequestration impacts ripple across Air Force

    Air Force senior leaders issued updated guidance to leaders of Air Force major commands and addressed the service's Airmen last week on how the service will operate under sequestration and a continuing resolution for the remainder of the fiscal year.Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie

  • Seasoned Airman, young 'AF cop' early female casualties of war on terror

    A seasoned loadmaster assigned to special operations and a young security forces Airman, barely 21-years-of-age, have the distinction as the first female Airmen to die during the Global War on Terror in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom respectively.Staff Sgt. Anissa Shero was deployed

  • 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year nominations due

    Nominations for the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by April 2, AFPC officials said today.The three categories for award are Airman, Noncommissioned Officer and Senior NCO. Major commands and the Air Force District of Washington may each nominate one

  • First sergeant award nomination deadline nears

    Air Force officials reminded Airmen today that 2013 First Sergeant of the Year award nominations are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by April 2. Established by the Air Force, the award recognizes the important contributions and leadership qualities exhibited by Air Force members in the first

  • Women conquer heights and fights

    With women now allowed to pursue combat related career fields, the first notion is that women have not participated in combat related duties whatsoever. But in reality this isn't the first time women have been put in the line of fire. During an airborne training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., female

  • Hazel Ying Lee: Showcased Asian-American involvement in war effort

    The Asian and Pacific island influence for the Air Force began during the early days of World War II when Chinese-American women were recruited to serve in the "Air WACs," a special unit within the Army Air Corps where Asian-American women served in jobs that ranged from aerial photo interpretation,

  • New issue of Airman magazine hits newsstand

    The March issue of Airman magazine is now available to download. In this issue, our cover story, titled "100 Years of Flying," tells the story of the Air Force's oldest flying unit, the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, and follows the unit from its early days of Pancho Villa and the Wright brothers to a

  • ANG first female MTI named NCO of Year

    The first and only female military training instructor in the Air National Guard is also the first and only Air National Guard member to be named the Air University Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.Tech. Sgt. Leslie Cummings is an MTI for the Academy of Military Science, the Air Force Officer

  • Innovative teaching idea saves Air Force $1.1 million

    An idea by the 982nd Training Group to make formal military instructor training available at field training detachments has saved the Air Force more than $1.1 million in temporary duty expenditures so far in fiscal year 2013.The FTD version of the Principles of Instruction course, or POI, was

  • MilPDS upgrade begins

    Editor's note: This one of a series of articles to inform total force Airmen about personnel programs affected by the Military Personnel Data System upgrade occurring in March.The Military Personnel Data System will be offline for 23 days, as of this morning, to allow the Air Force Personnel

  • President nominates 1st female Air Force Academy superintendent

    The president of the United States nominated Maj. Gen. Michelle Johnson for the appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment to serve as Air Force Academy's 19th superintendent. If confirmed by the Senate, Johnson would become the first woman to hold the position.Currently

  • Air Force cuts aviation support at public events

    As the Air Force braces for potential sequester, leadership has cancelled all aviation support to public events for at least the remainder of the fiscal year and is standing down the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team to save flying hours to support readiness needs. Effective today, active-duty,

  • Reserve activates cyberspace operations group

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

  • AF personnel chief: 'sequestration sends wrong signal to workforce'

    The Air Force's top personnel chief testified to Congress on the impact to military end strength in a budget constrained environment on Capitol Hill Feb. 27 during a House Armed Services Subcommittee military personnel hearing.Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for

  • Pacific Air Forces wins highest AF safety award

    Pacific Air Forces earned the Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award, Feb. 12, recognizing the most effective safety program in the Air Force for fiscal 2012. "Receiving this top safety award is a testament to our professional Airmen, both on and off duty," said Lt. Gen. Stanley Kresge, the PACAF

  • Like Airman, like son: the Harper family legacy

    It's often said families fight, laugh and cry together, but it's not too often they deploy together.Father and son, Chief Master Sgt. Michael E. Harper and Capt. Michael J. Harper, are serving their third deployment together, or fourth depending on a person's definition of deploying together.In

  • Heroism award nominees sought

    The Air Force is accepting nominations for the 2013 USO Service Member of the Year Award, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.This award recognizes specific acts of heroism by enlisted members from each branch of the military who are E-5 or below. The award period is Jan. 1- Dec.

  • Nominations open for spirit of service award

    Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 2013 American Legion Spirit of Service Award.The award is sponsored by the American Legion national headquarters and is presented annually to one enlisted member from each of the military branches for outstanding volunteer service performed

  • CSAF discusses impact of sequester

    America's military superiority is founded on training and readiness, and the fiscal crisis facing the country threatens to strip away that edge, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Congress Feb. 26.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, along with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray

  • Accountability made easy with mobile support

     Events ranging from the catastrophic storms in the northeast to the tsunami in Japan have displaced many Airmen and civilians throughout the past few years resulting in numerous reasons to use the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System.The Air Force uses AFPAAS to account, access,

  • Senate confirms Hagel as next SecDef

    The Senate confirmed former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel to serve as secretary of defense, ending a protracted confirmation process.Hagel, a decorated Vietnam veteran, will be sworn in Feb. 27, succeeding Leon E. Panetta who is retiring.The vote in the Senate was 58-41.In a farewell message to the

  • SecAF visits 45th Space Wing

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited with 45th Space Wing Airmen here Feb. 21 as part of a weeklong visit to Florida. The secretary visited Patrick to not only thank Airmen, civilian and military alike, for their outstanding service, but also to discuss the potential impacts the service

  • Academy glider instructor named most active in nation

    For Mark Matticola, a civilian soaring instructor pilot assigned to the 94th Flying Training Squadron, being recognized as the most active glider instructor in the nation by the Soaring Society of America was easy. "I get paid to do my hobby every day," said Matticola, who was recognized earlier

  • Humanitarian award nominees sought

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations for the 2013 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award.The Fisher Award is presented annually to an individual or organization outside the Department of Defense that has demonstrated exceptional patriotism, generosity and

  • AF releases pay and allowances continuation program

    Air Force senior leaders recently released Air Force policy on the Pay and Allowance Continuation program for Airmen who become wounded or ill while supporting a combat contingency. With the release of the Air Force PAC program policy, AFGM 34-02, Airmen will now officially have their own policy,

  • Academy cadet's research could save AF $4.9 billion

    An Air Force Academy cadet's research into how the Air Force buys missiles could save the service as much as $4.9 billion over five years while increasing the Air Force's inventory.Cadet 1st Class Chris Kirk found that the Air Force can buy some of the missiles regularly used in combat operations

  • Transit Center maintainers keep C-17s mission-ready

    When two out of four of the Transit Center at Manas' mission pillars rely on the C-17 Globemaster III, it's important those aircraft are ready to fly. The Airmen assigned to the 728th Air Mobility Squadron Operating Location-Alpha are responsible for maintenance of the C-17, ensuring the aircraft

  • SecAF discusses sequestration impacts at AFA

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley addressed more than 500 men and women on the final day of the Air Force Association's 29th Air Warfare Symposium & Technology Exposition Feb. 22 here.During his address, Donley spoke about several issues that are on the Air Force's radar, including budget

  • AF releases criteria for new combat medal

    Air Force officials released nomination criteria for the new Distinguished Warfare Medal Feb. 15, following defense officials' announcement of the new decoration days prior. The DWM will be awarded to honor individuals for single acts of extraordinary achievement, not involving acts of valor, that

  • Sergeant continues family tradition with 'Sounds of Harmony'

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.) At the age of 10, his father asked him to be a part of something that would forever change his life.Blessed with a gift that had been genetically passed

  • Air Force unit to improve airfield security in Slovenia

    Airmen from the 435th Contingency Response Group here traveled to Cerklje Air Base, Slovenia, to conduct a security familiarization event Jan. 21 - 25.The 435th CRG is a uniquely suited organization for the mission of building partnership. With 42 different career fields, the unit members can engage

  • If sequestration triggers, furloughs begin in late April

    If sequestration is triggered next week, unpaid furloughs for civilian Defense Department employees will start in late April, Pentagon officials said here today.Sequestration is a provision in budget law that will trigger major across-the-board spending cuts March 1 unless Congress agrees on an

  • Air Force units help recover diverted Navy aircraft

    Airmen from units deployed in support of Cope North 13 transported an R-11 refueling truck on a C-130 Hercules aircraft from here to Rota Island Feb. 13, to recover a Navy F/A-18 Hornet that diverted there due to weather a day prior.With the combined effort of Airmen from the 374th Aircraft

  • Medical wing, San Antonio hospital collaborate to hone AF nursing skills

    The Air Force partnered with a community hospital to develop highly-skilled nurses who are trained for humanitarian and peacetime missions. These medical Airmen's skills are proven to increase patient survival rates in theater hospitals.Building the partnership was instrumental in meeting an