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U.S. Air Force News

  • Airmen attend dive school

    Airmen attending the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center go through dive training with the goal of enabling the safe, timely and effective training of qualified candidates for combined operations in support of national military strategy and national security.

  • Keesler AFB medical team supports hurricane relief effort

    An Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Team, and a supporting logistics team, from Keesler Air Force Base arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Aug. 30, 2017, to support the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

  • Air Force keeps rescue operations fueled

    Airmen from 71st Rescue Squadron and 23d Logistics Readiness Squadron conducting forward area refueling point operations were the life blood to air search and rescue missions going Aug. 31, 2017 in Beaumont, Texas.

  • Special Tactics saves lives in Hurricane Harvey aftermath

    To assist in rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, 38 Special Tactics Airmen deployed to Southeast Texas to provide critical disaster relief.Special Tactics Airmen with the 123rd and 125th Special Tactics Squadrons exercised their personnel rescue and global access capabilities to

  • Dobbins ARB hosts EOD teams, tests new technology

    Dobbins Air Reserve Base hosted the Eastern National Robot Rodeo Aug. 21-25, 2017, which featured explosive ordnance disposal teams from the Air Force, Navy, Army, Cobb County Police Department and the Royal Air Force.

  • 48th RQS provides Hurricane Harvey rescue support

    Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron responded to recovery operations for Hurricane Harvey, arriving at Easterwood Airfield, College Station, Texas, with approximately 20 members, Aug. 29, 2017.The mission is to provide boat-based rescue support in addition to current efforts in southeast Texas.

  • Compass Call dominates OIR with electronic warfare

    Often times when we think about how air power is used in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, we think about cargo aircraft delivering critical supplies and personnel to the frontlines or bombs being dropped onto targets. What’s not often thought of is how the Air Force has the

  • Supercomputing weather with ‘Thor’

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hanscom Air Force Base acquired a supercomputer that is the latest step in a long-running weather prediction arms race.

  • Oklahoma ANG wing sends aid for Hurricane Harvey

    Approximately 40 Airmen from the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 137th Special Operations Wing departed Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, Aug. 29, 2017, to support the Texas Military Department and Texas Emergency Management in relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey.

  • Enlisted promotion advanced notification to squadron commanders extended

    Creating a quick win for squadron commanders, the Air Force’s Personnel Center now grants senior raters and senior rater trusted agents access to enlisted promotion selects lists via the virtual Enlisted Promotion Release system one full calendar week in advance of the public release date.

  • 774th EAS conducts first combat airdrop in more than two years

    Months of planning and weeks of preparing culminates to an airdrop lasting a few seconds. While the time and effort that goes into planning a combat airdrop may seem long for something that lasts less than a minute, for the ground troops, the equipment they received will have a lasting impact.

  • Moody AFB assets launch for rescue operations

    HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 41st Rescue Squadron launch sorties in support of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, Aug. 29, 2017, at Easterwood Airport, College Station, Texas. The 347th Rescue Group from Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, sent aircraft and personnel in support of the Federal Emergency

  • Rescue assets arrive in Fort Worth, Texas

    The 347th Rescue Group mobilized to Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Aug. 26, 2017, in support of relief efforts due to Hurricane Harvey. HC-130J Combat King II, HH60G Pave Hawks from the 41st Rescue Squadron, and numerous personnel continue to support ongoing rescue efforts.

  • JB Charleston provides aid to hurricane victims

    Two C-17 Globemaster III aircraftr left Joint base Charleston carrying 30.6 tons of relief supplies to Alexandria International Airport, Alexandria, Louisiana, in response to Hurricane Harvey Aug. 29, 2017.

  • Cyberspace critical to nuclear treaty monitoring

    The Air Force Technical Applications Center here is charged with ensuring each and every nation across the globe complies with the ban on nuclear weapons testing, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members of AFTAC answer that call without fail – monitoring nuclear treaty compliance is their

  • Accepting the challenge

    Airman 1st Class Colby Morin, a member of the 66th Security Forces Squadron, volunteered to attend the U.S. Marine Corps’ Lance Corporal Seminar during a deployment to Southeast Asia.

  • Revitalizing the squadron: Support Squadron enables airpower at KAF

    A successful air campaign requires more than just aviators and maintainers—it needs Airmen to support every facet of airpower.Within the 451st Air Expeditionary Group, at Kandahar Airfield, there is a squadron designed to organically provide necessary support to project airpower in the region.

  • It takes a village to deploy a warfighter

    Air Force Airmen prepare to deploy across the globe in support of national objectives every day. To make this possible, installation deployment readiness cells and the unit deployment managers prepare and process members for deployment to unified combatant commands.

  • Two-week summit takes aim at aircrew retention

    The Aircrew Crisis Task Force hosted a two-week aircrew retention summit here as part of a holistic approach to improve readiness and capacity by increasing retention of experienced aviators Aug. 14-25, 2017.

  • Hurricane Hunters track Harvey

    Harvey began as a scattered collection of clouds drifting across the Atlantic Ocean and in just over a week has developed into a category two hurricane.

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 25

    On this look Around the Air Force intercontinental ballistic missile contracts are awarded to Boeing and Northrop Grumman, Sailors receive Aerospace Ground Equipment training, and a look at Desert Defender Combat Readiness training.

  • From refugee to Airman

    In the country of Liberia, Africa, a good day and bad day are extreme opposites–a difference of children playing in the street and going to war. For locals like Christiana Katta, war zone experience came at an early age. She was just 2 years old when she and her family picked up all their belongings

  • CJTF-OIR mission brings twin brothers together during deployment

    Throughout the history of the military it has remained common for generations of men and women to follow in their family members’ footsteps and serve their country proudly. It’s also not unheard of for siblings to join together and serve together.

  • Paper or Plastic? CSAF returns to Ramstein roots

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein recently visited the Ramstein Air Base Commissary, but this was not his first time here. As a teenager, he worked as a bagger in the 1970s while his family was stationed at Ramstein Air Base.

  • Charleston C-17 flies on "dark side of the moon"

    An aircrew of reserve Airmen from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina had the opportunity Aug. 21, 2017 to fly a routine C-17 Globemaster III training mission under not so routine conditions–flying in the path of a total solar eclipse.

  • Airmen, Sailors prepare to support F-35 at sea

    Two Petty Officers 1st Class from the USS Abraham Lincoln received initial training from the Air Force’s 33rd Maintenance Squadron’s Aerospace Ground Equipment, or AGE, flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Aug. 7-11, 2017.

  • A picture worth 1,000 words: 30 years of heritage

    Glancing over a 1985 family portrait, a man is awestruck at the image of his younger self. The snapshot of his mother cradling him as his siblings welcomed back their father from a deployment captured a moment that was stronger than words.

  • SecAF, CSAF visit 386 AEW, talk top priorities with Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia Aug. 19-20, 2017, to talk top priorities with Airmen.

  • AFIT prepares nuclear enterprise to deal with any scenario

    With talk of nuclear weapons returning to Americans’ everyday conversations, it might be excusable for the average person to think that the technology somehow had left the mainstream; this couldn’t be further from the truth.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • AFNWC expert wins AFA Welch award

    The Air Force Association recently honored an Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center colonel with the 2017 Gen. Larry D. Welch-Officer Award.

  • New equipment gives Airmen time to breathe

    After a pilot completes their Initial Aerospace Physiology Training they occasionally go through a refresher course to maintain their flying status. In order to complete the course aircrew work with the 9th Physiological Support Squadron for a variety of reasons, including a hypoxia demonstration.

  • Iceman born abroad

    (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.)Driving in the dead of night, 5-year-old Ivan Alandzak remembers seeing soldiers laying in ditches, random check points and tanks everywhere.

  • 1st ASTS provides critical support for Minotaur launch at Cape

    The 1st Air and Space Test Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base will be assisting with the first ever Minotaur IV launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The 1st ASTS team coordinated the transport for the first three stages of the engine to Cape Canaveral AFS where they will provide

  • Stealth Guardian: FARP increases Air Force capabilities

    Airmen from the 325th Fighter Wing and the 23rd Wing were put to the test in a simulated deployed environment at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, as part of exercise Stealth Guardian, Aug. 10, 2017. Two F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, were rearmed and

  • ATOC works around the clock to keep cargo and personnel moving

    Maintaining the inbound and outbound movement of cargo and personnel in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve requires careful coordination between a multitude of entities. In order for the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing to effectively complete its mission and deliver

  • Stealth Guardian demonstrates rescue, 5th generation integration

    Two wings, one mission: to execute a local squadron-planned exercise between the 23d Wing and the 325th Fighter Wing during Exercise Stealth Guardian August 7-11, 2017.During months of planning between Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida and Moody AFB, Georgia., Exercise Stealth Guardian was conceived

  • Celebrating Air Force heritage: The “Great Centennial” squadrons

    This calendar year has marked many great anniversaries, including the 75th anniversary of Air Training Command and the 70th anniversary of the Air Force. August marks the 110th anniversary of the Aeronautical Division of the Sign Corps—an unbroken line of Airmen began with its creation on Aug. 1,

  • 182nd CES finishes construction rotation at Crow Reservation

    Thirty-five Airmen with the Illinois Air National Guard's 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron completed their two-week annual training constructing homes for Crow Tribe veterans Aug. 6, 2017 in Crow Agency, Montana.The Peoria-based squadron provided services including drywall, windows, doors, siding,

  • Service members, defense contractors contribute to national security

    While some may think the gap between the civilian and military sectors in national security has grown over the years, an inside look at Airmen and defense factory collaboration demonstrates just how valuable they are to one another.A team of aircrew and maintainers had the opportunity to discuss the

  • F-35As fly in weapons evaluation

    Airmen from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings supported and flew their F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Combat Hammer, the first operational air-to-ground weapons evaluation for the Air Force’s newest fighter jets.

  • Airman provides aid to Kent Island tornado victims

    More than 9,000 homes and businesses on Kent Island were affected when an EF-2 tornado tore across Maryland’s Eastern shore July 24, 2017. The tornado produced winds up to 125 mph and destroyed several homes, tore roofs from buildings and left thousands of people without power.When Airman 1st Class

  • Air Force Military Treatment Facilities pilot medical readiness

    Air Force Medicine has a non-stop global readiness mission. Medical Airmen must be prepared to deploy on short notice to provide life-saving and performance-enhancing healthcare in diverse, austere and isolated locations, and all Airmen must be medically ready to deploy. To achieve this readiness

  • Defender reunites with MWD

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.) After nearly a year apart, it was an emotional moment when Staff Sgt. Amanda Cubbage, a 355th Security Forces Squadron member and prior military working dog

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 11

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- On this look around the Air Force the Secretary of the Air Force discusses the importance of retention, the 8th Fighter Squadron is reactivated and Airmen surpass three years fighting the battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Hosted by Staff Sgt.

  • AF Reserve medics stay sharp with Exercise Avian

    Approximately 100 Reserve Airmen from the 413th Aeromedical Staging Squadron out of Robins Air Force Base, Ga., traveled to Dobbins Air Reserve Base Aug. 4-6, 2017, to participate in the first Exercise Avian.

  • AFRL tests high-efficiency engine for unmanned aircraft

    The Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Power Technology Office, along with Engineered Propulsion Systems and the Arnold Engineering and Development Center, recently concluded ground-based testing of an advanced diesel engine that promises to increase the utility and ease the logistics burden of

  • 62nd FS mate finally laid to rest

    Nearly 50 Airmen assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, attended the funeral of former 62nd FS pilot 2nd Lt. Charles E. Carlson at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania, Aug. 4, 2017.

  • Ellsworth AFB Airmen train with foreign allies

    Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Bombers, under the command of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces, joined their counterparts from South Korean and Japanese air forces in sequenced bilateral missions, Aug. 7, 2017.

  • CMSAF underscores leadership’s role in developing Airmen

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright visited Joint Base San Antonio July 31 to Aug. 4, 2017, during an immersion to view Air Education and Training Command’s role forging innovative Airmen to power the world’s greatest Air Force.

  • 8th Fighter Squadron reactivated after six years

    A pilot strides forward, his green flight suit a stark contrast to the pale blue of a desert morning sky. An insignia, circled in gold and donning a sheep with a wool coat black as night, is stitched atop his right breast. He hikes up a ladder, hands gripping steel and hops into the cockpit of an

  • 505th CCW hosts multi-domain C2 joint exercise

    The 505th Command and Control Wing hosted subject matter experts from around the world during a ground-breaking exercise here July 17-21, 2017, focused on developing the concept of multi-domain command and control.

  • Luke graduates first F-35A initial qualification course

    The 61st Fighter Squadron made history graduating the first F-35A Lightning II initial qualification course Aug. 5, 2017. After eight months of tremendous teamwork from across the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base produced six F-35A fighter pilots ready for the combat Air Force.

  • Stride-for-stride

    Second Lt. William Yau, 742nd Missile Squadron deputy missile combat crew commander, has been admiringly chasing his older brother James since they were young boys growing up in Troy, Michigan.

  • Mobility Guardian Phase 2 begins

    The second half of Exercise Mobility Guardian began Aug. 6, 2017, and will focus on training aircrew on advanced tactical air operations.

  • AF couple takes journey to US citizenship

    The Air Force affords its Airmen a plethora of opportunities and benefits; many advance their education and obtain degrees, skills are learned and can often be applied in future careers -- but for some, their service can grant them U.S. citizenship.

  • AF National Museum building earns environmental, energy award

    The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force announced its fourth building has achieved the rare distinction of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council during a ceremony Aug. 3, 2017.

  • SecAF visits JB Langley Eustis, discusses readiness, retention

    Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson visited Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Aug. 3, 2017, where she met with Gen. Mike Holmes, the commander of Air Combat Command, and visited the 1st Fighter Wing and 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing.

  • Enlisted Students Earn Advanced Degrees at AFIT

    In 2002, then Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. James Roche, championed an initiative to open Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management to senior enlisted personnel.  Secretary Roche truly believed in the importance of the enlisted force to military achievements

  • Airmen in developmental special duties epitomize leadership, core values

    Air Force officials filled 770 positions across nine developmental special duties, or DSDs, for spring 2017. The DSD nomination process occurs twice each year and is designed to fill specific special duties the Air Force has acknowledged as developmental due to their unique requirements. Commanders

  • Air Force Sergeants Association encourages, informs Airmen

    Servant leadership was the overarching theme at the 2017 Air Force Sergeants Association International Convention Professional Airmen’s Conference held July 22-27 in Reno, Nevada. Several guests of honor attended the annual event, including Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, former

  • F.E. Warren AFB tests Minuteman III missile with launch from Vandenberg

    A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single test reentry vehicle Aug. 2, 2017 at 2:10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Vandenberg AFB,

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 2

    On this look around the Air Force B-1B Lancers fly by the Korean peninsula in a show of force, F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots and maintainers finish a training deployment to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, and a Cold War POW is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Jasmine

  • EOD Airman finds balance on the ice

    A jolt of energy rushed through his veins. “Hold still, don’t move,” he screamed. A land mine had been dusted off by the impact of his team leader’s right boot. Instantly, training kicked in; Knelange and his team started the procedure to safely get their fellow Airman away from the land mine and

  • Mobility Guardian, AMC’s premier exercise

    Train like we fight is the focus of the inaugural iteration of the largest scale exercise in Air Mobility Command history.Mobility Guardian will feature more than 3,000 personnel, including 25 international countries, from July 31 to Aug. 11, 2017, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

  • Tuskegee Airman trail blazes through history

    In the early 20th century the military was a different experience for some.Among those members was U.S. Air Force retired Chief Master Sgt. James Cotten, a Tuskegee Airman, who was drafted at the age of 18 in 1945.

  • Cold War hero laid to rest

    His final journey began with the beat of a drum. The sky was clear. A light breeze was blowing as the hero’s family, friends and well-wishers followed the flag-draped coffin carried by the caisson pulled by six black horses.