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  • Silent Sentry: Defending the final frontier

    Air, space and cyberspace - these are the three domains that the United States Air Force strives to defend. Of these domains, space has become one of the most crowded and competitive. At any given time, there are innumerable signals being transmitted to and from satellites, with each signal taking

  • Wright: Airmen need to be ‘well trained, well led, resilient’

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright addressed the areas in which he looks to focus on during his tenure as the 18th chief master sergeant of the Air Force at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, March 2, 2017.

  • AF initiates plan for CSAF Focus Area No. 2

    The Air Force is moving out on its top general’s number two focus area – Strengthening Joint Leaders and Teams.In the fall of 2016, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein announced three areas he considers foundational to the Air Force: Revitalizing Air Force squadrons, Strengthening Joint

  • Hanscom Airman finds happiness far from home

    Growing up in Ghana, Airman 1st Class Jude Baidoo had big dreams. Like many in the gold-mining community where he grew up kicking a soccer ball on dusty fields in the hot sun, Baidoo dreamed of playing soccer professionally.

  • Rescue warrior battles it out on prime time reality show

    For Tech. Sgt. Ben Domian, a survival, evasion, resistance, and escape specialist with the 920th Rescue Wing, saying yes turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Come March 9, 2017 at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time, television viewers across the nation can follow him and his partner, Juliana

  • Comprehensive Airman Fitness: Mental stability

    For a machine to function properly, the screws must be set, balance maintained and gaskets must be in good repair. Maybe that’s why mental instability is often characterized as having a loose screw, being out of balance or blowing a gasket. Recognized as one of the four domains of Comprehensive

  • AF seeks 2017 BIG Meritorious Service Award nominees

    The Air Force is seeking nominations for the 2017 Blacks in Government Meritorious Service Award.The BIG award honors military members and Defense Department civilian employees who have supported the DOD mission or overseas contingency operations, or whose attributes best epitomize the qualities and

  • 2017 AF Trials commence

    Dozens of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, Australian and Great Britain wounded warriors gathered here Feb. 24, 2017, to mark the opening ceremony of the fourth annual Air Force Warrior Game Trials competition at the Warrior Fitness Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.These trials are part of an

  • 903rd AEF to hold 50th anniversary

    Original members of the 903rd Aeromedical Evacuation Flight will gather at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in May, 2017, to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Established in February, 1967, the 903rd AEF was the first Air Force tactical aeromedical unit used in a combat area.

  • Seymour Johnson takes wheel on new AF process

    The Air Force selected Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, to test and evaluate a new certification program to turn government vehicle operator certifications into commercial driver’s licenses.

  • Goldfein’s revitalizing squadrons initiative base visits begins

    The Air Force District of Washington and Joint Base Andrews are on the leading edge of a chief of staff of the Air Force initiative that will impact the total force Air Force.The core project team tasked with overseeing a three-phase, full-time project to revitalize Air Force squadrons chose AFDW

  • AF to retire MQ-1, transition to MQ-9

    For the past 21 years, the Air Force has flown the MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft in combat, and for the last 10, the MQ-9 Reaper. Combined with a skilled aircrew, these aircraft provide consistent support in daily engagements making an impact downrange.

  • Goldfein speaks on the imperatives of airpower

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein addressed the budget, people as his number one readiness priority, a networked approach to warfare in the 21st Century, and the nuclear enterprise at a Military Strategy Forum event Feb. 23, 2017, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

  • Air liaison officers test cadets

    Cadets from the Air Force Academy attended an Air Liaison Officers Aptitude Assessment Feb. 13 – 17, 2017 at Camp Bullis, Texas. Current ALOs and enlisted tactical air control party members from the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing filled the roles of cadre and raters to assess if the cadets have

  • AF Selective Re-enlistment Bonus program updates released

    Air Force officials released details on the fiscal year 2017 Selective Re-enlistment Bonus program Feb. 23, 2017. This year’s program consists of 80 Air Force specialties and continues the practice of offering larger sums of money initially up front.

  • AF offers new 2-year degree program for civilians

    The Air Force is expanding development opportunities for the civilian workforce by offering an associate degree at little to no cost.Graduates of the online program will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science in Air Force leadership and management studies. The 60-credit hour program is

  • Robotic arm tool poised to save costly inspection time

    A common problem for aircraft maintainers may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to an Air Force Research Laboratory advanced inspection robotics research effort.AFRL researchers recently traveled to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to demonstrate the Remote Access Nondestructive Evaluation (RANDE)

  • Red Tail legacy comes full circle

    Airmen assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing take great pride in the heritage created for them by the Tuskegee Airmen. Today a key piece of the wing’s history has once again returned to its flightline.

  • Stronger through adversity: Airman rebounding after aneurysm

    (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.) Early on Dec. 9, 2015, Staff Sgt. Rasheed, a 7th Intelligence Squadron signals intelligence analyst, experienced a cerebral aneurysm. From what he can

  • Around the Air Force: Feb. 17

    On this look around the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody tells senators that Airmen earn their compensation and addresses the importance of the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program.

  • Alaskan Raptors arrive in Australia for training initiative

    The last wave of F-22 Raptors from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, arrived here Feb. 14 to launch bilateral exercise and training missions with the Royal Australian Air Force and further strengthen the military relationship the two nations share.

  • QF-16 takes flight at Holloman AFB

    The QF-16 drone took its first flight at Holloman Air Force Base Feb. 10, 2017. The manned sortie was the first for the QF-16 at Holloman AFB since the retirement of the QF-4 Phantom in 2016.

  • 18th CMSAF: The Airman behind the stripes

    Growing up with five other siblings, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright said he had a very loving home. However, living in poor neighborhoods and moving from place to place presented trials. In his own words, they were, ‘humble beginnings.’

  • Chaplain team builds faith with Airmen

    Engaging with Airmen is pinnacle to the success of the Chaplain Corps operations. Using occasions like exercise Patriot Wyvern to cultivate familiarity can increase an individual’s opportunity to express concern or discuss private issues with the Chaplain Corps.

  • Regional affairs program gets 54 new officers

    The Air Force has selected 54 line officers--51 captains and three majors--into the Regional Affairs Strategist program. The program, managed by the under secretary of the Air Force, international affairs, is a force development initiative intended to create a cadre of officers with in-depth

  • AF senior leaders invest in STEM future

    As the Air Force continues to develop and modernize its forces and equipment, the need for science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals within the service grows.In an effort to help develop the STEM professionals of the future, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and a

  • Space aggressors jam AF, allies' systems

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

  • Self-developed intelligence program strengthens coalition fight against ISIL

    As the air war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant expands, so does the amount of data and information collected: swathes of terrain, patterns of life, historical data and real-time discovery.Adapting to the speed of war – it’s the objective placed upon the Intelligence, Surveillance

  • Youngest maintainer at Red Flag launches America’s youngest jet

    The future belongs to the young. Airman 1st Class Nathan Kosters, the youngest F-35A Lightning II crew chief in the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, was born in 1996. “The Macerana” was No. 1 on the charts, “Independence Day” topped the box office and the F-16 Fighting Falcon had already been flying

  • Around the Air Force: Feb. 10

    On this look around the Air Force, the F-35A Lightning II makes its Red Flag debut, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein shares his goals for space, and the Air Force is committed to fostering civilian development.

  • AFCENT Airmen fight from ultimate high ground

    As adversaries and challenges evolve in dynamic battlefields across the globe, U.S. service members from U.S. Air Forces Central Command are using cutting-edge technology to support and defend joint and coalition warfighters.

  • Wilson testifies on current state of the AF

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson testified on the need for increased force structure and modernization before the House and Senate Armed Services committees Feb. 7 and 8 on Capitol Hill.

  • Combat runs on BACN

    The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node will reach 10,000 combat missions within the next month, hitting a significant milestone just as the program office here works to expand the current fleet to eight combat-ready platforms.

  • AF helps Airmen obtain CDL

    The Air Force is taking steps to turn government vehicle operator certifications into commercial driver’s licenses. By creating a course to mirror the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Commercial Driver’s License Test System model, the Air Force will enable examiners to certify

  • 185 Airmen to meet first enlisted RPA pilot selection board

    The first enlisted remotely piloted aircraft pilot selection board meets at the Air Force Personnel Center Feb. 6-9, 2017 to identify the next enlisted group to attend RPA pilot training as part of the deliberate approach to enhance the Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

  • Flexible service: Individual Reserve offers unique opportunities

    When Tech. Sgt. Mark Parker first enlisted in the Air Force as a security forces Airman in 2001, he already knew his long-term goal was to become a civilian law enforcement officer. After serving four years on active duty, which included a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was

  • Ellsworth ‘Rock Star’ wins AF Entertainer of the Year

    “Hi, I’m Senior Airman James Pratt, and I’m stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota,” he said, introducing himself to the crowd. “I competed in and won the Air Force Worldwide Talent Competition. Being a musician and in the Air Force has been a humbling experience for me, to say the

  • 9th AF commander sets priorities

    Maj. Gen. Scott J. Zobrist assumed command of Ninth Air Force in May 2016. Since then, Zobrist visited the wings under Ninth AF, gained impressions and set his commander’s priorities.

  • Portable Manned Interactive Cockpit goes on the road

    One of 2016’s quick-kill innovation projects, the Portable Manned Interactive Cockpit, was deployed to Orlando, Florida, to participate in the Operation Blended Warrior event in December. This was the second year of a four-year event. Mark Louton, an Experimentation Center for Ideas/Technology

  • Around the Air Force: Feb. 1

    On this look around the Air Force, a $2.1 billion contract is approved for the third Low Rate Initial Production lot of KC-46A Pegasus tankers, the military deputy of the assistant secretary of Air Force acquisition talks tech, and a repair network enhancement program has saved over $5 million.

  • AF responds to hiring freeze

    The Air Force is working with the Defense Department to provide additional guidance on the federal civilian hiring freeze implemented Jan. 23.

  • F-35A maintenance sparks Red Flag 17-1

    The debut of the F-35A Lightning II at Red Flag has afforded the pilots and maintainers of the aircraft a chance to be a part of the Air Force's premier air-to-air combat training exercise.

  • Program office celebrates T-38C mod completion

    Technicians from the 575th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, modified the last of 446 Air Force and 10 Navy T-38Cs with a video data transfer system (VDTS) and speed break indicator switch (SBIS) in December 2016.

  • Eye in the sky: MQ-1, MQ-9s provide increased awareness

    Situational awareness is the ability to know what is happening around a person at any given time. This is especially important for military members, more specifically, troops on the ground. For the men and women operating MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, their skills of

  • JB Charleston maintainers earn 3rd consecutive Daedalian Tophy

    C-17 Globemaster III maintainers of the 437th and 315th Maintenance Groups at Joint Base Charleston have once again demonstrated that they are the cream of the crop after earning the 2016 Clements McMullen Daedalian Trophy for the third consecutive year.

  • B-52 undergoes HERO testing at Edwards AFB

    A B-52 Stratofortress from the 96th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, is undergoing Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance testing in the Benefield Anechoic Facility (BAF) here.

  • AF names 2017 ROTC detachment commanders

    The Air Force has selected 38 active, Guard and Reserve officers as Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment commanders to fill requirements at universities across the nation starting summer 2017.

  • Red Flag evolves as ISR, cyber presence increases

    The silent warfighters of the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and cyber communities are honing their operational skills and testing new capabilities during Red Flag 17-1 at the Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas, Jan. 23 through Feb. 10.Red Flag is a realistic combat

  • Airmen, F-16s train in Souda Bay

    From Jan. 20-Feb. 3, the 31st Fighter Wing's 555th Fighter Squadron and Arizona Air National Guard's 161st Air Refueling Wing are participating in a flying training deployment to Souda Bay, Greece.

  • Cody visits AMC, speaks on modernization

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force discussed Air Mobility Command’s contributions to the Air Force mission and the need to modernize the fleet during a visit to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2017.

  • AETC’s 75th Anniversary and the birth of a professional Air Force

    On Jan. 23, 2017, Air Education and Training Command celebrated its 75th anniversary — a date much more important in our nation’s heritage than a simple mark in time. Jan. 23, 1942, proved to be the birth of a professional Air Force – men and women precisely selected and trained to fly, fight and

  • Disbrow to serve as acting AF secretary

    Under secretary of the Air Force Lisa S. Disbrow will serve as the acting secretary of the Air Force as of Jan. 20, until the President nominates and the Senate confirms a permanent replacement.

  • 1,000th RPA student graduates

    Lt. Col. Jason Thompson, the 558th Flying Training Squadron commander, presented 2nd Lt. Kevin a certificate commemorating the 1,000th graduate of the Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft training program at Joint Base San Antonio–Randolph, Jan. 20, 2017.

  • AETC loads, releases first live bombs from F-35A

    The 33rd Fighter Wing loaded and released the Air Education and Training Command’s first live bombs from an F-35A here, Jan. 17, 2017.In total, six aircraft were loaded with armed GBU-12s, and two bombs were released over the Eglin Air Force Base range.

  • Heroism recognized: Special tactics Airman receives medal upgrade

    A combat controller will receive the Air Force’s highest combat medal for extraordinary heroism, after a service-wide review of medals awarded since 9/11. The Air Force Cross will be presented to former Staff Sgt. Christopher Baradat, now separated, who had received the Silver Star medal for his

  • Air Force faces fighter pilot shortage

    The Air Force is in the midst of a pilot shortage. While most platforms are affected by the shortage, the fighter pilot community has been hit the hardest.

  • James awards Maxwell Airman two Silver Stars

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James spent her final day in office honoring an Airman here Jan. 19, 2017.Before a packed auditorium of base leadership, River Region community leaders and Air University students, James presented two Silver Star medals to Col. Christopher Barnett for his actions in

  • Goldfein addresses priorities for the 21st century

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein outlined his perspective on the future of American airpower and how Airmen “deployed in place” play a vital role in today’s Air Force during his discussion at the American Enterprise Institute Public Forum in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2017.

  • Citizen Airmen answer call to service

    “I thought it was going to be a normal drill weekend,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Tedford, a 407th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions systems specialist. “I was thinking about work on Monday and how I had plans with my wife and kids the next week.“Then everything changed.”As Tedford and

  • James awards medal upgrades to 8 Airmen

    The secretary of defense directed a review of medals, including the Air Force Cross and the Silver Star recommendations from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, to ensure service members are appropriately recognized for their actions. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James approved nine

  • Travis environmental restoration program is certified, sustainable

    Saving money, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing green and sustainable remediation (GSR) to clean up contaminated groundwater sites recently earned Travis Air Force Base the honor of becoming the first Defense Department installation to receive greener cleanup certification by ASTM

  • Airman becomes first resource officer to Eglin Elementary

    Students at Eglin Elementary School will have another friendly face to greet them each morning as they enter the school. Staff Sgt. Justin Hogg from the 96th Security Forces Squadron was recently hired as the elementary's school resource officer.

  • Utility of genetics clinical study seeks volunteers across AF

    In partnership with the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative, recruitment has begun for Phase II of the Air Force Medical Service Personalized Medicine Clinical Utility Study. The aim of the study is to evaluate the utility of genetics and genomics in clinical care.

  • Maintainer-turned-fighter pilot puts new skills to the test

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.) When Capt. David was a child, his father would take him out to the flightline at Canon Air Force Base, New Mexico, and sit him in the cockpit of an F-111

  • Deployed brother, sister reunite after 10 years apart

    U.S. service members ordinarily have to say goodbye to family as they head out for deployments, but one deployment brought a brother and sister together after 10 years of separation.Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mary Jane Palumbo and her brother, Army Staff Sgt. Quincy Mora, were able to meet outside a

  • 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

  • James bids farewell as SecAF

    The men and women of the Air Force bid farewell to the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James during a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Jan. 11.

  • Castaway Airman helped map the world

    For six months in 1956 Bob Cunningham, a former Air Force radar operator, lived on a remote knob approximately 2,000 feet long and 850 feet wide in the Spratly Islands group located midway between the Philippine Islands and Vietnam. His home was a canvas tent and he manned radio and radar equipment

  • Scott AFB celebrates century of service

    Located in the heartland of America, Scott Air Force Base marked the historic milestone with a kickoff celebration Jan. 7 that helped launch a yearlong effort to honor its heritage, thank its mission and community partners and posture the installation for the next 100 years.