HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Airmen march 450 miles to honor fallen

    Sixteen Airmen from Hurlburt Field, Fla., took part in a 450-mile, six day ruck-march, in honor of five fallen Air Commandos.Of the sixteen, were four teams which included members from the 319th Special Operations Squadron, the 34th SOS, the 18th Flight Test Squadron and the 25th Intelligence

  • Photo essay: Tuskegee Airmen

    The Tuskegee Airmen were an elite group of African-American pilots in the 1940s. They were pioneers in equality and integration of the armed forces. The term "Tuskegee Airmen" refers to all who were involved in the Army Air Corps program to train African-Americans to fly and maintain combat

  • Ramstein Airmen train with Israeli air force

    The 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Contingency Response Group conducted a Flying Training Deployment with the Israeli air force's 103rd Squadron Jan. 27 to Feb. 8 here. The FTD advanced the ability of both American and Israeli air and ground crews to perform in combat operations, as well as

  • African Americans in leadership

    The 1950s were a tumultuous time for the United States as the winds of changes blew across the country and the social landscape was transformed as the Civil Rights movement went into full swing. In 1954, the Supreme Court case ruling in Brown v. Board of Education overturned laws that permitted

  • Cannon debuts latest in moving target technology

    Explosions shook the air as the white truck, almost invisible through the dust and smoke, weaved its way across a training range towing a target being shot at by 40mm rounds from aircraft patrolling the sky. Special operations Airmen from here tested the remote-controlled truck, the latest in

  • AF leaders: Sequestration, more budget cuts will be devastating

    Sequestration would leave the Air Force with untrained people, a lack of equipment and be "devastating" to the service, officials said Feb. 7.The warning echoes what Department of Defense officials have stated for months about across-the-board defense cuts, in addition to an ongoing continuing

  • Fueling the high flyers - U-2 tube food calms cravings in the cockpit

    Pureed peach cobbler, chicken-a-la-king, key lime pie, or even the classic sloppy joe in a metallic tube don't compare to a home cooked meal, but U-2 pilots say the food they eat while flying long missions is delicious.While wearing a fully pressurized suit, pilots aren't able to open the visors on

  • Medic awarded Purple Heart for deployed actions

    An Air Force medic assigned to dangerous duty with an Army logistics convoy unit when deployed to Afghanistan two years ago was awarded the Purple Heart during a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.Staff Sgt. Jasmine Russell, 2nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Personnel Reliability Program

  • Leadership roundtable demonstrates solidified partnership

    While nearly 2,000 Airmen from three countries began two weeks of intense training at exercise Cope North 2013 Feb. 4, leaders from the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force discussed the invaluable impact the exercise has on the readiness of their forces. Gen.

  • Senior NCO used lifesaving skills during parade tragedy

    To some, Self-Aid and Buddy Care is just another training course but to others, it has meant life or death during their career. One Airman proves just how important this course was in last year's Hunt for Heroes parade tragic accident. Master Sgt. Christopher Doggett has served in the Air Force

  • 1,000 supporters pay respects during memorial service for fallen pilot

    Airmen, civilians, family and friends honored the life and memory of U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and combat veteran  during a memorial service today at Aviano Air Base.Maj. Lucas "Gaza" Gruenther, a pilot assigned 31st Fighter Wing, went missing during a nighttime training mission over the

  • Medical team achieves cutting-edge patient transfer

    Marking a first for military medical care in the United States, an Army and Air Force team successfully transported a critically ill woman using a special form of heart-lung bypass from San Antonio Military Medical Center to New York City in January 2013.This mission marked the military's first

  • Former CSAF inducted into AFSOC Order of the Sword

    More than 30 years after first arriving at Hurlburt Field as a young MC-130E Combat Talon pilot, the former chief of staff of the Air Force returned to receive the highest honor the enlisted force can bestow upon an individual. Nearly 700 enlisted Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen from

  • Red Flag 'rocks on'

    Airmen and aircraft from around the world as well as their coalition counterparts descended on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada for Exercise Red Flag 13-2 Jan. 21 through Feb. 1.Red Flag exercises are designed to help U.S. and international airmen prepare for real-world combat scenarios.Click the

  • AF selects primary, alternate test pilot school candidates

    More than 50 Air Force officers have been selected as primary or alternate Air Force and Navy test pilot school selectees, and one will attend the Epner Test Pilot School in France, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today."Selectees, identified during the 2012 selection board, will fill July

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Air Force sniper recalls brutal battle in Iraq

     (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.)With rockets exploding around him and the entry control point in complete chaos, a security forces Airman took decisive action to help quell the enemy

  • Air National Guard director retires

    Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Air National Guard director, retired after more than 40 years of military service during a ceremony Tuesday hosted by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin at Joint Base Andrews, Md.The Air Force Chief of Staff Air Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Army

  • Special Operations honors latest heroes

    One of the most combat-decorated Air Force units since the end of the Vietnam War named more heroes Jan. 23-24 during medal presentation ceremonies here and at Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore.The 24th Special Operations Wing gained one Silver Star and six Bronze Star medals with

  • Photo essay: 1st Combat Camera Squadron Ability to Survive and Operate

    Airmen from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron participated in their first Ability to Survive and Operate exercise in more than six years.The exercise was designed to prepare Airmen to do their jobs as combat documentation specialist in a potentially hostile environment.Click here to view the slideshow.

  • Training eases stress, strain of deployed duties for EOD Airmen

    On a bitter cold winter morning explosive ordnance disposal technicians conducted training exercises Jan. 10 at Fort Carson, Colo. designed to simulate the mental and physical fatigues experienced while deployed. The exercises included unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices, called

  • Pentagon to lift rule excluding women from combat

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are expected to announce the lifting of the direct combat exclusion rule for women in the military, a senior defense official said today.The policy change will begin a process in which the

  • ACC seeks air liaison officers

    Eligible officers interested in air liaison officer duty have until Feb. 7 to complete and submit their application package to Air Combat Command, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.ALO duty is open to men and women who are active-duty crossflow candidates, inter-service transfer applicants,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: The Airman and James Bond

    (Editor's Note: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.)Quartermaster "Q" supplied Skyfall's 50-year anniversary James Bond with a radio and a Walther PPK handgun, but Sean Connery's 007 relied

  • Air Force Space Command to bolster cyber force

    The Air Force Space Command expects to be directed to add 1,000 new people, mainly civilians, to its base of about 6,000 cyber professionals for fiscal 2014, the command's chief said here Jan. 17.Speaking with reporters at a meeting of the Defense Writers Group, Gen. William L. Shelton said

  • Airman chosen for Inaugural Ball first dance

    The Department of Defense has chosen four of its top men and women representing their respective service branches to join the Obamas and Bidens for the traditional first dance at the Presidential Inaugural Committee's Commander-in-Chief's Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Jan.

  • Air Force releases results of health and welfare inspection

    The Air Force released the results of the service-wide health and welfare inspections that were completed in an effort to emphasize an environment of respect, trust and professionalism in the workplace."Every Airman deserves to be treated with respect. They also deserve to work in a professional

  • Air Force names Lance P. Sijan Award winners

    Air Force officials recently announced the winners of the 2012 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award.The Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.The senior officer category winner is Lt. Col. Nathan C. Green, who is assigned to

  • Agency brings real intel to aerial combat exercise

    For the first time in 38 years, realistic intelligence will be an integral part of the Air Force's signature aerial combat training exercise.The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, via its 526th Intelligence Squadron, will be a key player at Red Flag 13-3, Feb. 25 to

  • Morin talks sequestration, near-term budget actions

    The acting under secretary of the Air Force described how the nation's fiscal challenges are affecting the service to a group of civic and industry leaders in Arlington, Va., Jan. 15.Dr. Jamie Morin spoke to members of industry, the Air Force, the Air Force Association and media as part of AFA's

  • Warfighters discuss mission accomplishment at WEPTAC

    Approximately 670 warfighters from across the Air Combat Command gathered Jan. 3 to 16 at the Weapons and Tactics conference here hosted by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. Attendees discussed ways to efficiently and effectively accomplish the Air Force mission with equipment they already possess

  • Airmen featured in upcoming documentary series

    A six-episode television documentary exploring Air Force combat rescue in Afghanistan through the stories of deployed Airmen slated to premiere Feb. 18, at 10 p.m. EST/PST.The show, "Inside Combat Rescue," provides a real-time look at the experiences of Airmen working to save the lives of NATO

  • Air Force advocate on House Armed Services Committee passes away

    A retired Air Force colonel and one-time Thunderbirds air demonstration team pilot, who was an important Air Force advocate as a staffer with the House Armed Services Committee, has passed away.Douglas C. Roach passed away Jan. 11 from complications due to cancer at the age of 70. "The Air Force

  • Reservists, local police team up for C-17 rescue training

    Airmen of the 446th Airlift Wing teamed up with a local police dive team to conduct familiarization training on the C-17 Globemaster here Jan. 10. Nate Condreay, Pierce County Metro deputy sheriff and rescue diver, reached out to the 446th AW for Air Force aircraft specialists to train the police

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: AF captain coaches ultra fitness while deployed

    (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.)Six days a week, her iPhone alarm - a soothing instrumental melody - goes off at 4:10 a.m.She puts on her PT uniform, stops by her office to check

  • State of the AF is 'strong'

    The Air Force's top leaders said today the service has accomplished much while dealing with many challenges in the last year.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III briefed members of the media here on the state of the service and its focus on

  • Misawa starts New Year double booked

    As Airmen with the 35th Fighter Wing engage in an initial readiness response exercise Jan. 10 to 12 at Misawa Air Base, it is hard to ignore the extraordinarily busy nature of the flightline.Despite the fact the flightline plays an integral role during an IRRE, which tests the wing's ability to

  • Panetta: Fiscal crisis poses biggest immediate threat to DOD

    The "perfect storm of budget uncertainty" howling around his department is the biggest immediate threat facing the U.S. military, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told reporters here today.Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stressed during a regular

  • New resource helps troops, families plan deployments

    The Defense Department launched a new resource to help troops and their families plan for the "before, during and after" of deploying.Barbara Thompson, director of DOD's office for family policy, explained "Plan My Deployment" during an interview with the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press

  • Air Force Academy parachute team wins 46 medals at national competition

    The Wings of Blue Air Force Parachute Team won 46 medals and set five national collegiate records at the National Collegiate Parachute Competition here Jan. 2.Wings of Blue skydivers took home 13 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze medals at the competition, held from Dec. 2 - Jan. 2. The Air Force Legacy

  • AF largest refueling squadron tops 50K combat hours in 2012

    Averaging more than 136 hours a day, the largest refueling squadron in the world flew more than 50,000 combat hours within 2012's 366 calendar days using the Total Force Integration model."Surpassing 50,000 hours is a significant milestone," said Lt. Col. Brian Gilpatrick, 340th Expeditionary Air

  • Hotaling named next Air National Guard Command Chief

    Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling from the Continental U.S. NORAD Region-1st Air Force here was named as the Air National Guard's next command chief today.As ANG command chief, Hotaling will serve as the senior adviser to Lt. Gen. Sid Clarke, the incoming director of the Air National Guard, on

  • Air Force to provide dedicated legal counsel to sexual assault victims

    A new Air Force pilot program designed to provide legal assistance to victims of sexual assault will begin later this month.The Special Victims' Counsel Program will give sexual assault victims legal assistance and help them navigate the criminal justice system with lawyers trained to handle their

  • AF opens new nuclear training center

    Almost 10 years of joint effort and cooperation culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Nuclear Security Tactics Training Center in Guernsey, Wyo., Dec. 13.The $4.2 million facility boasts 14,500 square feet of functional space for training classrooms and cadre offices, and has been

  • Lt. Gen. Clarke confirmed as Director, Air National Guard

    Lt. Gen. Stanley E. "Sid" Clarke III, commander of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and 1st Air Force, has been confirmed by the Senate to be the next director of the Air National Guard.Clarke will replace Lt. Gen. Harry "Bud" Wyatt, who is retiring this month.

  • Airmen and Soldier musicians play in unison

    Editor's Note: This is the first article in a series about the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, the only assigned Air Force Band to the Central Command Area of Responsibility. Based in Southwest Asia, the current band "Total Force" is comprised of deployed Airmen from the Band of the U.S. Air Force

  • DOD heightens training, prevention to target human trafficking

    To spark awareness and vigilance against a growing global human rights crisis, President Barack Obama has proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.Linda Dixon, the Defense Department's program manager for combating trafficking in persons, told the Pentagon

  • New training facility opens in Wyoming

    Almost ten years of joint effort and cooperation culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Nuclear Security Tactics Training Center in Guernsey, Wyo., in December.The $4.2 million facility boasts 14,500 square feet of functional space for training classrooms and cadre offices, and has been

  • Separate paths bring brothers together for Christmas

    Up until a few days ago, Staff Sgt. Derek Allen hadn't seen his brother, Army Cpl. Greg Allen, in a long time. However, an interesting twist of fate spurred their separate services to bring them together here for the Christmas holidays."Both of us being here in (Afghanistan) is the closest we have

  • Premier AF concert band 'wows' fellow musicians at Midwest Clinic

    The U.S. Air Force Premier Concert Band performed three heart-pounding concerts for musicians, mentors and fans gathered from across the world, Dec. 19, here at the 66th Annual Midwest Clinic.The U.S. Air Force Band became the talk of the conference on opening day following their morning performance

  • Pararescue, security forces Airmen train as one

    The afternoon sky was still and silent just before a thunderous HH-60G Pave Hawk landed thrusting 100 mph winds. Out jumped three pararescuemen assessing possible threats in all directions as they headed to aid an injured member of a friendly force.The 38th Rescue Squadron and 823rd Base Defense

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: High school reunion ... above Afghanistan

    (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.)In 2001, three students -- each in a different grade -- shared the halls and classrooms of DuBois Area High School in rural Pennsylvania.This month,

  • Academy firefighters recognized for Waldo Canyon Fire efforts

    More than 50 firefighters with the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron here received Air Force Achievement Medals and Air Force Civilian Achievement Awards in a pair of ceremonies Dec. 19-20 for their efforts in containing the Waldo Canyon Fire, which burned 12 acres on the Air Force Academy in June but

  • Special hiring program helps AF wounded warriors

    The Air Force's Wounded Warrior Civil Service Employment Program assists combat-related ill and injured Airmen secure Air Force civil service jobs, and since the program's inception in 2006 nearly 120 wounded warriors have joined the Air Force's civilian work force. This employment program assists

  • Acting Under Secretary presents AF small business achievement awards

     In a Dec. 17 ceremony held on the 109th anniversary of Wilbur and Orville Wright's first powered flight, the Air Force honored 15 Air Force employees and organizations for significant contributions to the Air Force Small Business Program.Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin was

  • Engineering research psychologist receives Harold Brown Award

    A senior engineering research psychologist received the 2012 Harold Brown research and development award from Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during a Pentagon ceremony Dec. 17. Dr. Mark H. Draper, from the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, received the

  • Airmen decrease response time with improved expeditionary medical team

    More than 60 medical Airmen from Andersen Air Force Base, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska and Yokota Air Base, Japan, joined trained on the new expeditionary medical support health response team here, Dec. 10-13. EMEDS is a team of expertly-trained medical professionals who utilize a mobile

  • Air Force Cross recipients honored at Pope Field

    Four bronze busts in the likeness of Air Force Cross recipients were unveiled during a ceremony here honoring the Airmen at the Combat Control School Dec. 6. The busts honor Capt. Barry Crawford, Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, Staff Sgts. Robert Gutierrez and Zach Rhyner. Crawford and Gutierrez were in

  • Air Force leaders issue holiday message

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy send the following holiday message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force:The holiday season is a perfect time to celebrate the many blessings that we enjoy in our

  • Retired Col. Ralph S. Parr Jr. dies, memorial service announced

    Col. Ralph S. Parr Jr., 88, who was the only American pilot to receive both the Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Force Cross, passed away Dec. 7 at an assisted living facility in New Braunfels, Texas. Joint Base San Antonio will honor the legacy of one of the Air Force's most celebrated

  • Lt. Gen. Clarke nominated as Director, Air National Guard

    Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, commander of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region - 1st Air Force, has been nominated by President Obama to be the next director of the Air National Guard.If confirmed by the Senate, Clarke will replace Lt. Gen. Harry "Bud" Wyatt III.,

  • President nominates 20 Reserve officers for promotion

    President Barack Obama has nominated 20 officers for Reserve of the Air Force Appointment to major general and brigadier general. The nominations move to the Senate for confirmation. Nominated for promotion to major general are:Brig. Gen. William B. "Blaze" Binger, 10th Air Force commander, Naval

  • Past, present SOWTs shape elite career field

    The Special Operations Weather Team is one of the newest career fields in the Air Force, officially created just three years ago. However, this grey beret-wearing unit has been around since 1963, originally known as the Commando Combat Weather Team stationed here at Hurlburt Field, Fla.To remember

  • Arc Light marked beginning of B-52 involvement in Vietnam

    Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of articles highlighting the B-52's involvement in the Vietnam Conflict up to Operation Linebacker II. The 40th Anniversary of Linebacker II takes place Dec. 18-29.By 1972, the war in Vietnam had persisted for more than eight years, characterized by a

  • Cadets soar to 8th straight national championship

    Air Force Academy cadets soared to their eighth straight national sailplane racing championship and their 14th in 18 years, the Soaring Society of America announced Dec. 5.This year's team posted more miles than any other in Academy history with more than 30,700 miles, nearly twice as many miles as

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: The Journey back to normal

    (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.)Between August 2009 and March 2010, I lost myself during my deployment to Afghanistan. I remember coming off the airplane and seeing my family and

  • Japanese aircrew learn advanced airlift tactics in Missouri

    A sky blue military aircraft with red Japanese flag markings is an odd sight in the Midwest.Yet, Airmen at the Missouri Air National Guard training center here are used to such foreign sights.The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center at the 139th Airlift Wing instructs service members from other

  • Pearl Harbor: Air Force legacy on day that would 'live in infamy'

    "It was the first time I had ever seen a plunging dive bomber and it was an awesome sight. Nothing in warfare is more frightening," said Pvt. Wilfred D. Burke, 72d Pursuit Squadron, Wheeler Field, whose experience in the attacks on Pearl Harbor are recorded in "7 December 1941: The Air Force Story"

  • 'Sir, tell the TACP thanks'

    On 13 May 2010, an Airman First Class taught me some lessons I'll never forget. I think of Airman 1st Class Corey Hughes almost every week. His actions on that particular day in May remind me to focus on others first, that heroic leaders exist among us all the time, and doing the right thing takes

  • Thrift savings plan contribution limits increase in 2013

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has announced the 2013 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions increased from $17,000 to $17,500 for 2013, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The TSP catch-up plan contribution limit will remain at $5,500. TSP is a

  • EOD Airmen earn 18 Bronze Stars

    After six months of clearing improvised explosive devices, providing blast analysis and clearing roadways, the nearly 40 explosive ordnance disposal Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force Paladin South 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron are headed home, but not before being recognized for their

  • DOD recognizes two Air Force members with disabilities

    The Department of Defense presented awards to two Air Force members during a ceremony here at the Pentagon, Dec. 4.Capt. Ryan McGuire, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot with the 4th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Christopher Randall, a civilian test director with the Air Force

  • Special Ops tryouts to test mettle for 'battlefield airmen' positions

    Since neutralizing Osama Bin Laden, America's special operations forces have remained in the spotlight as high-caliber leaders entrusted with operations vital to national security. As counter-terrorism operations continue throughout the globe, the Pentagon is currently busy defining irregular

  • Former Airman sentenced for distributing child pornography on the Web

    Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Jacobsen, Air Force Office of Special Investigations commander, announced today the sentencing of former Air Force member Craig Allen James, 24, of Laurel, Md., to six years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing child pornography. Additionally,

  • From NY streets to Afghan skies, FDNY crew saves lives

    Four New York City firefighters, four Airmen, four friends, one team, one HH-60 Pave Hawk -- one crew -- deployed together with the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, bringing a unique flavor of New York Fire Departments with them.Capt. Shaun Cullen, Capt. Tripp

  • General Paul Selva takes command of Air Mobility Command

    Gen. Paul J. Selva became commander of Air Mobility Command in a change-of-command ceremony here today, as the legacy of leading global mobility operations was passed to him from Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr.Selva comes to AMC from Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii,

  • Airmen conduct rescue off the Coast of Mexico

    Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing successfully completed a complex, overwater rescue of an injured ship hand from a Marshall Islands flagged merchant vessel approximately 300 miles off the coast of Mexico on Nov, 29. The 129th Rescue Wing received a call from the U.S. Coast Guard

  • Keen Sword: One team, one fight

    For four days, the U.S. and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots went through countless briefings and motivational speeches. On Nov. 8, 2012, more than 30 pilots sat in their jets, side-by-side, and waited for the crew chiefs to give them the signal to taxi-out. It was time to take to the skies.Keen

  • F-22's success more than 'skin deep'

    Many are surprised to discover that the largest organ the human body has is the skin. Skin provides a physical barrier against harmful, external factors. The F-22 Raptor, much like the human body, has a layer of skin called low observable. LO not only assists in retaining the jets' stealth

  • Every flight 'ultimate trip' for deployed aircrews

    A small group of people leave their office and pile into a vehicle.Twelve hours later, they've travelled more than 800 miles - roughly the distance from Seattle to San Francisco - stopped several times in the middle of nowhere, picked up a few passengers who speak very little English, overcome

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: 65 years later, WW II veteran returns to England

    (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.)On a typical day from 1942 to 1945, the flightline on Royal Air Force Alconbury, England, would be full of activity as aircrews, maintainers and weapons

  • QF-16 drone arrives for testing, prepares warfighters for tomorrow's threats

    The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group marked an important milestone in continuing to prepare the warfighter for tomorrow's threats as the first QF-16 drone arrived for developmental testing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 19."The work done prior to today and the test work that is forthcoming will

  • Multinational team of wingmen rescues downed pilot from Pacific Ocean

    On July 22, a U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan, had to eject from an F-16 Fighting Falcon over the turbulent and cold waters of the North Pacific. Over the next six hours, the pilot, JEST 73, focused on surviving in his small life raft - constantly using his helmet to bail

  • CSAF, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force visit Warren members

    Members of 20th Air Force and the "Mighty Ninety" 90th Missile Wing welcomed the Air Force chief of staff and chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Nov. 18 and 19, to F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., showcasing the nuclear deterrence mission.Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. James Roy

  • Nations unite to heighten allied air power

    Pilots from seven nations have been working together since November with a goal to increase effectiveness of allied air forces and strengthen multinational partnerships.This Tactical Leadership Program course, a NATO-based training exercise held Nov. 5 to 30, encourages interoperability by

  • Tyndall resumes F-22 flying operations

    The 325th Fighter Wing resumed normal flight operations as the Wing Commander, Col. David Graff, flew one of the first F-22 Raptor missions Nov. 19 approximately 7:45 a.m. A total of eight F-22 aircraft completed training missions in the morning and six others flew in the afternoon. The wing

  • 563rd Rescue Group receives first combat ready HC-130J Combat King II

    Making its Air Force debut, the first combat ready HC-130J Combat King II touched down on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., as the centerpiece of an induction ceremony presided by Col. Jason Hanover, 563rd Rescue Group commander Nov. 15.The 563rd Rescue Group directs flying operations for the

  • Academy firefighters claim medals at world championships

    U.S. Air Force Academy firefighters took gold, silver and bronze medals Nov. 17 at the World Firefighter Combat Challenge XXI here.The Air Force Academy teams competed in several categories in the event, which simulates the tasks a firefighter must perform at a working fire in full gear, on a timed

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Saving children, winning smiles

    (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.)With a mission to win hearts and minds through pediatrics, he deployed from the 509th Medical Operations Squadron to Afghanistan Dec. 2011 to June

  • Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force visits Alaska

    Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin visited with Airmen from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska,  Nov. 13 during his first trip to the region. "It's great to be here," Morin said. "It's great to have the opportunity to hear from some of the folks out in the wings and to

  • AF leaders target sexual assault in latest 'Letter to Airmen'

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy issued a tri-signature "Letter to Airmen" Nov. 16.As part of an effort to increase awareness of sexual assault, the Air Force's top three

  • EOD tech earns Silver Star

    An Air Commando from the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron received a Silver Star during a ceremony at the Pentagon Nov. 14. Tech. Sgt. Joseph Deslauriers, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, earned the medal for gallantry in action while serving in Afghanistan on Sep. 23, 2011.

  • 19 stories of heroism highlighted in 'Veterans in Blue'

    "Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived," said Gen. George S. Patton. For decades Airmen have answered the call to serve and protect the nation's interests, its people and the cherished freedoms that underpin it all, risking their