HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • USAF shooting team aims for excellence at national competition

    Members of the U.S. Air Force Shooting Team are setting their sights on excellence as they compete in the 2009 National Rifle and Pistol Championships here. The championships, sponsored by the National Rifle Association, began July 14 and run through August 19. This competition is considered to be

  • USAF Special Tactics trains to lead, build partnership in Jordan

    Air Force Special Tactics teams, Jordanian Armed Forces Special Task Force and Italy's 17th Stormo Incursori special operations forces secure each building in the compound -- searching for a missing U.S. service member and rendering aid to casualties along the way.

  • USAF supports premier RAF exercise

    The U.S. Air Force’s 492nd Fighter Squadron sent several F-15E Strike Eagles to support the Royal Air Force’s premier air combat training exercise, Typhoon Warrior, Aug. 14-23, at RAF Coningsby, England.

  • USAF Total Force Band plays in Rose Parade

    The United States Air Force Total Force Band kicked off the Air Force’s 70th birthday celebrations by playing at several venues in Southern California, culminating in an appearance in the 128th Rose Parade Jan. 2.

  • USAF Warrant Officer Training School opens doors at Maxwell AFB

    WOTS is a 40-day training program, in-residence accessions program designed to educate and train candidates with specialized knowledge and technical skills on how to serve as technical advisors to command leadership in their future roles as warrant officers.

  • USAF Weapons School JTAC graduates to receive hallowed patches

    When the first five graduates of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School’s Joint Terminal Attack Controller Weapons Instructor Course receive their diplomas during the school’s class 15-A graduation June 27, they will also be awarded the coveted graduate patch of the USAFWS and enter into an elite group

  • USAF, allies accelerate logistics interoperability

    The forum focused on aligning with the National Defense Strategy to prioritize agile and responsive logistics and sustainment, while directly supporting DAF Operational Imperatives on resilient basing and readiness to deploy and fight.

  • USAF, JASDF strengthen Agile Combat Employment capabilities

    Led by Fifth Air Force, the training incorporated Airmen and aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, Pacific Air Forces Command's 35th Fighter Wing, 374th Airlift Wing and 18th Wing, alongside the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Defense Command's 2nd Air Wing and the Air Support Command's 1st Tactical

  • USAF, ROKAF put Max Thunder into full swing

    U.S. and Republic of Korea Air Force personnel began the second 7th Air Force-designed Max Thunder bilateral air training exercise here May 7. The training opportunity aims to test aircrews' warfighting skills in realistic combat situations that combine both ROKAF and USAF flying and maintenance

  • USAF, ROKAF, USN F-35s integrate during FS25

    The event highlighted the capability of U.S. and ROK forces to seamlessly integrate air, ground and maritime operations, reinforcing their enhanced combined defense posture.

  • USAF’s first HH-60W Jolly Green II arrives at Moody AFB

    The 23rd Wing and 347th Rescue Group leadership received the Air Force’s first two HH-60Ws. The delivery of the new model is significant to the personnel recovery mission as it begins the transition from the predecessor, the HH-60G Pave Hawk model, which has been flown for more than 26 years.

  • USAFA cadet honored as Cadet of the Year

    U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Dustin Hayhurst was honored as the 2011 U.S. Air Force Cadet of the Year on May 10 during a ceremony at the Pentagon here. During the ceremony, hosted by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Hayhurst received recognition for demonstrated excellence in

  • USAFA Cadet Summer Program returns to Tyndall AFB

    After a year-long hiatus due to COVID-19, the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Summer Program recently returned to the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Readiness Laboratory at Tyndall Air Force Base.

  • USAFA cadets train for future at 386th AEW

    Each summer, rising juniors at the U.S. Air Force Academy travel to military bases across the globe to get a first-hand look at how support and operational functions work together to accomplish a wing’s mission. This year, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted approximately twenty cadets as part

  • USAFCENT commander visits deployed Airmen on Christmas Eve

    Much like Santa Claus pays a visit to boys and girls around the world on Christmas Eve, U.S. Air Forces Central leaders visited deployed Airmen here Dec. 24. Instead of presents, Lt. Gen. Gary North, USAFCENT commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, USAFCENT command chief, handed out words

  • USAFE activates new wing at Mildenhall

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe activated a new wing here May 12 enhancing the command’s ability to provide support to its geographically separated units in the United Kingdom.The Airmen of the 501st Combat Support Wing will focus on units that, by their nature, are separated from main operating bases of

  • USAFE Airmen beat the heat, manage airshow crowd

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen are all smiles despite the heat and crowds of people wanting to tour of their aircraft at the 2008 Berlin Airshow here. USAFE has about 20 Airmen here, showcasing two F-16 Fighting Falcons, two F-15 Strike Eagles (models C and E) and one KC-135R Stratotanker here at

  • USAFE Airmen collect gifts for Afghan children

    Thousands of miles from the day-to-day bustle of holiday shopping and military missions, school children and orphans are receiving school supplies, toys and clothing -- from people they've never met. The children live in Afghanistan and they've been receiving these much-needed items through the

  • USAFE Airmen exchange ideas with Romanian counterparts

    The United States Air Forces in Europe command chief and three other Ramstein senior noncommissioned officers visited Romanian air force senior enlisted leaders at the Boboc Training Center, Romania, Sept. 22-27 as part of an ongoing USAFE theater security cooperation engagement. Chief Master Sgt.

  • USAFE Airmen integral in helping Americans departing Lebanon

    Smiles, handshakes and hugs were exchanged as 130 Americans and family members of American citizens transited through Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, today and July 21. The authorized departees from Lebanon disembarked a C-17 Globemaster III for a few hours at each of the

  • USAFE Airmen kick off Sniper Lance 2007

    More than 200 U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen arrived here April 20 to participate in Exercise Sniper Lance 2007. Sniper Lance aims to provide realistic combat flight training for Air Force F-15 Eagles, KC-135 Stratotankers and Romanian Air Force MiG-21s based out of the 86th Air Base near the town

  • USAFE Airmen killed, wounded in Frankfurt airport shooting

    The two Airmen killed and two Airmen wounded in the shooting March 2 in Frankfurt were assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe units.The shooting took place on a U.S. Air Force bus outside Terminal 2 of Frankfurt International Airport. The bus was transporting a security forces team assigned

  • USAFE Airmen lauded for efforts in Lebanon operations

    As approximately 1,800 U.S. citizens passed through here via Air Force aircraft, the U.S. ambassador to Germany paid a visit to meet the transient Americans and to give thanks to the Airmen providing support. "My hats off first of all to General Hobbins and all the people who work with him, but also

  • USAFE Airmen retool to enhance tradition of Building Partnerships

    The Airmen of U.S. Air Forces in Europe are charting new territory in tackling one of the Air Force's newest core functions: Building Partnerships.The lesson that international partnerships are essential to success in war and peace is not new. The Office of the Secretary of Defense directed U.S.

  • USAFE Airmen support Med Flag 2006 in Ghana

    More than 50 Airmen from United States Air Forces in Europe arrived in Tamale, Ghana, Sept. 9 to participate in a humanitarian exercise called Med Flag 2006.The group, composed of medical, support and security Airmen from Spangdahlem, Ramstein and Sembach Air Bases in Germany, will spend four days

  • USAFE Airmen to assist Israel with wildfires

    Aircrews and C-130J Super Hercules from here are standing by to fly 20 tons of fire retardant to to assist with wildfires Dec. 4 in the Carmel Forest of Israel. So far, the fires have killed 42 people and burned more than 7,000 acres of land. At least 15,000 residents have been evacuated.Follow the

  • USAFE answers call of wounded warriors

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials made a recent donation of two, four-story buildings, and the buildings have saved hours on the road for wounded U.S. forces. The former Air Force hotels, transformed by $2.5 million renovations, provide convenient lodging for 190 to 200 wounded warriors on the

  • USAFE assists Darfur mission

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command are providing contract airlift transport to Rwandan Defense Forces as part of the African Union's mission in the Darfur region of the Sudan. A small number of USAFE Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, are providing logistics support to the

  • USAFE band member discovers family history on Memorial Day

    Senior Airman Colby Fahrenbacher, a tuba player in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, grew up hearing stories about his great-uncle Merle Noffsinger, who served with the Army Air Force. Fahrenbacher's great-uncle, Tech. Sgt. Merle Noffsinger, was a gunner and bombardier on the B-24 Liberator, and

  • USAFE Band plays six concerts in Poland

    Forty-one Air Force musicians from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band played six concerts Oct. 20 to 25 in Poland to celebrate and commemorate 90 years of Polish-American cooperation. The concert series supported the USAFE international outreach program. A lot of effort and planning went into moving

  • USAFE Band sets stage for APF Senegal

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe six-person rock band "Afterburner" kicked off African Partnership Flight here June 13, with weekend performances and continues to reach new audiences.The band is in Senegal as part of APF Sengal, a week-long program featuring eight African nations meeting to discuss and

  • USAFE Band unites US, Ukrainian armed forces through music

    At the invitation of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, the 15-member team hosted master classes for local music students, jam sessions in the community and concerts in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, Desna Military Training Centre and Kyiv.

  • USAFE celebrates 65 years of airpower

    United States Air Forces in Europe celebrates its 65th anniversary as the oldest, continuously active Air Force major command.USAFE began Jan. 19, 1942, when the War Department established Headquarters 8th Air Force, and the command continues its forward presence in Europe and Africa -- from

  • USAFE civilian personnel servicing moves to AFPC

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe family members looking for employment will soon have a centralized site for handling civilian personnel servicing when civilian personnel operations move July 10.The move is part of the Air Force’s long-term plan to streamline operations by having the Air Force Personnel

  • USAFE command chief builds partnership in Bulgaria

    The top enlisted advisor to U.S. Air Forces in Europe visited Bulgaria Nov. 2-6 to explore cooperation opportunities for enlisted professional military education. Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE command chief, spent the week meeting with Bulgarian air force leaders and talking about how

  • USAFE commander assesses future strategy

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander focused on the way ahead during his address at the 2010 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Oxon HIll, Md., Sept 14."Our relationship with our European allies remains the cornerstone for U.S. engagement with the world

  • USAFE commander awards Air Medals to Danish pilots

    It's not often an American four-star general has the opportunity to present prestigious war medals to coalition partners, but Jan. 2 was a special occasion. Gen. William T. Hobbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, flew to Fighter Wing Skrydstrup, Denmark, to present U.S. Air Medals to 35 Danish

  • USAFE commander confirmed for NATO/EUCOM command

    Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove will assume responsibilities as commander of U.S. European Command and as NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe during change-of-command ceremonies slated for mid-May, EUCOM officials reported.The Senate confirmed Breedlove's nomination for the post that Navy

  • USAFE commander highlights US, NATO partnership

    The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe shared his views on the evolution of the partnership between U.S. and European Airmen during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Convention and Exposition here Sept. 20.Since World War I and the days of the Lafayette Escadrille, and even before,

  • USAFE commander honors German military

    By standing their ground for more than three years as sentinels of U.S. Air Forces in Europe installations, departing German servicemembers have not only kept Airmen and their families safe, but also enabled their American counterparts to more effectively engage in the war on terrorism. "Dear

  • USAFE commander reviews past year in command

    Allied and coalition relationships, operations south and east, Airmen's accomplishments and improving efficiency were at the forefront during the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander's Nov. 20 discussion of the past year in command. Since Gen. William T. Hobbins took command Dec. 5, he has traveled

  • USAFE commander visits Spanish base

    The U. S. Air Forces in Europe commander met with Spanish airmen and commanders of the 712th Air Base Group and observed firsthand how the Spanish and U.S. work together May 11 at Moron Air Base.Gen. William T. Hobbins toured Europe's en-route base for Air Force fighters and tankers while Spanish

  • USAFE commander visits units in England

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander visited the geographically separated units that make up the 501st Combat Support Wing in England Jan. 8 to 10.Gen. William T. Hobbins, accompanied by his wife, Robbin Hobbins, and Chief Master Sgt. Gary Coleman, the USAFE command chief, visited with the 501st

  • USAFE completes CJADC2 demonstration

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, in conjunction with the Department of the Air Force’s Chief Architect’s Office, conducted a Combined, Joint All-Domain Command and Control demonstration in international waters and airspace in and around the Baltic Sea. Participation included assets from

  • USAFE enlisted honor general with Order of the Sword

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe enlisted members surprised the USAFE commander July 14 when they invited him to receive the highest honor and tribute they can bestow upon an individual. Gen. Roger A. Brady was talking to students at the Kisling NCO Academy here about "leading in challenging times," when a

  • USAFE fighter squadron deploys to Kunsan

    Airmen of the 555th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, reunited with the 8th Fighter Wing June 19 here after being away for years during the squadron's deployment to Kunsan AB. The 555th FS has lineage to Kunsan AB dating back to 1966 when the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron moved to Ubon

  • USAFE fighter squadrons affected by sequestration

    Nearly half of the fighter squadrons in U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa halted flying operations three weeks ago.The action was a result of the reduction of flying hours Air Force-wide -- one impact of the current sequestration-related budget challenges affecting the Defense

  • USAFE football reunion to be held at Andrews

    Servicemembers who played for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe football team will gather together with their teammates at a reunion here Sept. 1 and 2. The reunion will be a celebration for the men who competed against each other on the football field while serving their country, said Tech. Sgt. Scott

  • USAFE gains two units under realignment plan

    A major command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, is gaining two new units with the implementation of the Unified Command Plan on Oct. 1.The 65th Air Base Wing at Lajes Air Base, Azores, and the 85th Group at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, will transition from Air Combat Command to USAFE as part of

  • USAFE helps Rwandan troops deploy to Darfur

    A C-17 Globemaster III departed here July 18 carrying 95 Rwandan troops deploying to help ease the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. The airlift started the 86th Aerospace Expeditionary Group’s involvement in NATO’s support to the African Union expanded mission in the region. The

  • USAFE hosts AFSO 21 Process Council

    The Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century Process Council was hosted by U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials Dec. 10 and 11 at Ramstein Air Base. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley kicked off the council with a round-table

  • USAFE initiative will increase energy efficiency

    With Energy Action Month underway, the 48th Fighter Wing is leading the way in a U.S. Air Forces in Europe-wide initiative to save energy by vastly reducing the amount of power transformers the base utilizes.The 120-volt Transformer Cut-Off Initiative, which the 48th FW created and is currently

  • USAFE leader honors fallen heroes at Flanders Field

    The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Airmen and Soldiers stationed in Europe paid tribute over the Memorial Day weekend to 368 U.S. servicemembers buried here who died on the battlefield while liberating Belgium during World War I. Gen. William T. Hobbins said no amount of time should ever

  • USAFE medics bring expertise to Liberia

    A team of eight medics from five U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases recently arrived in Liberia as part of a technical training initiative for the new Armed Forces of Liberia. The country, which was ravaged by nearly 15 years of civil war before it held a democratic election in November 2005, is

  • USAFE medics treat Ghanaians for Navy study

    A team of six U.S. Air Forces in Europe medics worked side by side with Ghanaian military doctors and saw 250 patients in seven hours April 10 in the jungle village of Taviefe, Ghana. The medics are in Ghana for a weeklong joint medical mission providing care to locals on Lake Volta as part of

  • USAFE members deploy to Eagle Flag

    More than 100 Airmen from U. S. Air Forces Europe deployed to a fictional country July 23 as part of the Air Mobility Warfare Center’s Eagle Flag exercise.The Airmen joined more than 200 others from bases worldwide for the 10-day exercise here.Eagle Flag is an Air Mobility Command program designed

  • USAFE members hone search, rescue skills

    A CH-47 Chinook helicopter is shot down and four survivors are stranded in a hostile location awaiting rescue. The scenario was part of a joint combat search and rescue exercise held here March 20 to April 2.Led by the 56th Rescue Squadron at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, the exercise

  • USAFE officials continue to build partnerships

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials joined representatives from seven countries in Bucharest, Romania, May 5 to 9 to participate in a Building Partnership Seminar.  The seminar was part of the Unified Engagement series, a transformation wargame designed to explore future joint warfighting concepts

  • USAFE officials forge relations with Russian air force

    Twenty years ago the idea of Russian and U.S. Air Force leaders flying together and exchanging ideas was almost implausible. That implausibility is now a reality -- one focused on cooperation and bilateral relations. Top Russian air force leaders visited U.S. Air Forces in Europe March 20 to 23 to

  • USAFE officials invest $240 million in housing

    The continuing investment in military family housing and dormitories is keeping U.S. Air Forces Europe in line with the Year of the Air Force Family theme of building a great place to live, work and play.During the year, USAFE officials completed the construction or renovation of numerous family

  • USAFE officials ramp up for improved PT program

    United States Air Forces in Europe Airmen will see major changes in the fitness program starting Jan. Some of the Air Force-level modifications include testing twice a year versus once and having fitness assessment cell representatives conduct the biannual testing at the main installations to

  • USAFE officials reactivate 3rd Air Force

    The 3rd Air Force was reactivated today during a ceremony here. Lt. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr. took command. General Bishop has been vice commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe."My last three job titles have begun with deputy, assistant or vice. I am personally delighted and humbled to be here this

  • USAFE officials stand up air ground operations wing

    The stand up of U.S. Air Forces in Europe's first wing solely dedicated to supporting battlefield Airmen took place during a July 16 ceremony at Ramstein Air Base. The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing takes over the mission previously performed by two 86th Airlift Wing units here -- the Contingency

  • USAFE officials visit command's newest wing

    Gen. Roger Brady, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE command chief master sergeant, visited the Airmen of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing March 16 to see the unique blend of capabilities the unit brings to USAFE.The visit allowed General Brady and

  • USAFE program builds working relationships

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe patches can be seen around the world because of the command's robust military-to-military program, which is one of several theater security cooperation components. USAFE works with more than 60 countries on three continents annually to share information and enhance

  • USAFE provides C-130J transport support to Italy

    The mission is the first in a planned series of U.S. Air Forces in Europe mobility support operations to Italy and helped redistribute more than 15,000 kilograms of COVID-19 relief supplies, including KN-95 masks, surgical gowns and COVID-19 test kits between Italian distribution hubs.

  • USAFE quintet helps educate children

    Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe recently visited the RAF Lakenheath Middle School to help further the students' education. The Airmen, members of “Headwinds,” USAFE's wind quintet ensemble, are visiting the school as part of Music in our Schools Month program, which affects schools all over

  • USAFE reaching out to establish security ties

    Airmen and their counterparts from other countries meeting to discuss ways to fix runways may not impact the war on terror like an airstrike against al Qaeda forces. But these face-to-face meetings could one day lead to a security accord that could help combat terrorism, said Mike McMullan, chief of

  • USAFE receives maintenance excellence award

    The Gen. Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award was presented to U.S. Air Forces in Europe by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley here Oct. 4.The Creech Award recognizes the major command demonstrating the most improved performance in the category of aircraft maintenance and

  • USAFE returns African Union troops to Rwanda

    Two U.S. Air Forces in Europe C-130 Hercules returned about 80 African Union peacekeepers from the Darfur region of the Sudan on Oct. 2. The AU troops are the first of 200 scheduled to be redeployed by the 86th Air Expeditionary Group from Sudan to Rwanda , following about six months providing

  • USAFE sets course with AFSO 21

    To best meet the challenges of the road ahead, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander assembled leaders throughout the command here to initiate USAFE-wide implementation of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century. "We're going to determine where we're going in the future, and AFSO 21 will

  • USAFE supports Italy COVID-19 response

    In response to the ongoing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, an 86th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, transported an En-Route Patient Staging System (ERPSS) to Aviano Air Base, Italy, for delivery to the Italian Ministry of Defense.

  • USAFE supports Royal International Air Tattoo

    More than 150,000 people attended the 2005 Royal International Air Tattoo here July 16 and 17, air show officials said. The air show has been officially named by the “Guinness Book of Records” as the world’s largest military air show with participation of more than 300 aircraft from more than 30

  • USAFE switchboard operators connect, assist globally

    "USAFE switchboard operator, how may I help you?" is a short phrase that many U.S. Air Forces in Europe consolidated switchboard users may be familiar with. The 40 members of the Telephone Operations Facility, located on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, work 24/7, 365 days a year to service not only

  • USAFE team supports nations contributing troops

    The most recent mission rotating Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian and Ukrainian combat forces to and from the Polish-led sector in Iraq landed at Strachowice Air Base here Aug. 12.A seven-person team from U.S. Air Forces in Europe converged in June to embark on a two-month mission supporting the rotation

  • USAFE team, senior NCO win national award

    The Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command Vehicles Branch and one of its senior NCOs recently proved the USAFE logistics program is among the best the U.S. has to offer by winning two Association of Equipment Management Professionals awards.The branch and Master Sgt. Jeremy Parks, the USAFE

  • USAFE unit debuts small diameter bomb in combat

    The Guided Bomb Unit-39/B small diameter bomb was flown into combat for the first time Oct. 5 by members of the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. The unit, deployed to the Southwest Asia area of operations, launched a two-ship formation of F-15E Strike Eagles at 1:30 a.m. EDT carrying the new

  • USAFE vice commander discusses Air Force operations

    More than 100 business and military professionals gathered here recently to hear the U.S. Air Forces in Europe vice commander's perspective on Air Force operations and what it means as Air Force communications and information Airmen transition from a support role to an operational cyberspace