NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • CSAF letter to Airmen

    This paper is the second in a series to share my thinking behind three key CSAF focus areas over the next four years. As stated in the first paper, "Revitalizing Squadrons – the Heartbeat of the Air Force", these ideas are neither revolutionary nor a significant vector change. Each align with our

  • Around the Air Force: Oct. 12

    On this look around the Air Force, fitness courses are recertified; retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, spouse of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, talks about making dual military relationships work; and it's not too late to register to vote.

  • E-4Bs realign under 8th Air Force, 595th CACG stands up

    The 8th Air Force has another aircraft in its inventory, and it’s not a bomber. The E-4B, which serves as the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) and is a key component of the National Military Command System for the president, the secretary of defense, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently

  • Goldfein: Committed to joint warfighting

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein addressed a standing room only crowd during a multi-domain battle contemporary forum at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center here Oct. 4. He was one of a panel of presenters made up of

  • Remains of fighter pilot hero return home after 10 years

    This week, nearly 10 years after he was killed in combat operations in Iraq, U.S. forces brought home the remains of F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot Maj. Troy Gilbert, who died saving the lives of U.S. service members and coalition allies.

  • AF announces 2017 support squadron commander candidates

    Air Force officials have selected 921 officers from more than 20 career fields as the 2017 support, logistics and materiel leader commander candidates.“This is a highly competitive selection process,” said Sophia Barnard, of the Air Force Personnel Center special duty assignments branch. “Selected

  • 352nd SOW Delivers Combat Power Anytime, Anyplace

    Pre-flight briefs, heavy cargo loads, drop zone statistics, personnel guidance, aircraft and equipment inspections – a few of the many crucial steps it took Airmen from the 352nd Special Operations Wing to execute a Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System drop Sept. 27, 2016. As part of the combined,

  • Break the cycle of bullying

    Bullying is not just a part of life that stops in the schoolyard; it can have consequences that stretch into adulthood and impact people for the rest of their lives.

  • AMC consolidates with MAC

    The secretary of the Air Force announced recently that Headquarters Air Mobility Command will consolidate with Headquarters Military Airlift Command, effective Oct. 1, 2016. With this, AMC will add 51 years to its history, tracing its lineage back to May 29, 1941 and the Air Corps Ferry Command.

  • Joint emergency department sets the tone

    “Trauma team to the trauma room; trauma team to the trauma room,” were the words uttered over the public address system at the San Antonio Military Medical Center’s Emergency Department. Words letting medics know of a patient’s impending arrival. In less than 15 minutes, a team of Airmen, Soldiers,

  • DOD announces new hire probationary period

    The probationary period for many new civilian employees hired by the Defense Department on or after Nov. 26, 2015, has changed from one year to two years, the acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for civilian personnel policy said.

  • AF launches yearlong ‘Cyber Secure’ campaign

    The Air Force message is clear -- October may be National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but with the continuous advancement of technology and evolving cyber threats, one month of cybersecurity awareness is no longer enough.

  • Popular social media trend may violate DOD regulations

    A young woman paced herself as she ran around her neighborhood, her breath visible as the brisk morning air cycled through her lungs, the wind blowing her hair back, and her cheeks stinging from the elements. She dodged people walking their dogs, trash cans left out for pickup, and finally reached a

  • Eagle Eyes program encourages Airmen to watch, report, protect

    With acts of terrorism always a possibility, it’s every Airman’s duty to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity when they see it. That’s where the Eagle Eyes program plays a vital role in protecting personnel and Defense Department assets.

  • Competitive career opportunities exist via officer crossflow program

    One of today’s opportunities for officers to broaden career options comes from the nonrated line officer crossflow program, which currently has openings for officers on active duty in certain career fields to volunteer for retraining into undermanned career fields.

  • Iceland hosts Northern Challenge for EOD community

    Airmen from the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, participated in exercise Northern Challenge 2016, which began in Keflavik, Iceland, Sept. 12.

  • 4-star returns to 1st assignment for WiSE keynote address

    The Air Force’s third-ever female four-star general returned to her first assignment to deliver keynote remarks at the Air Force Technical Applications Center’s (AFTAC) Women in Science and Engineering Symposium (WiSE) Sept. 7.Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski, commander of Air Force Materiel Command,

  • AFA: From the eyes of an Airman

    Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Mobility Command, and Air Education and Training Command represented their major commands at the American Airman Booth during the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference here Sept. 19-21.

  • Cody: Committed to moving forward

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody conveyed his commitment to taking care of Airmen during the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 21.

  • Reserve commander discusses shaping the force for the future

    Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, the Air Force Reserve Command commander and chief of the Air Force Reserve, said the legacy of citizen Airmen of the past helped strengthen and shape the dynamic force that serves and defends the nation today during a session at the Air Force Association Air, Space and

  • Goldfein: Airpower crucial for joint warfighter

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein outlined his top three focus areas – revitalizing squadrons, strengthening joint leaders and teams, and advancing command and control – during his Air Force Update address at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference here Sept. 20.

  • Civil Air Patrol honored for 75 years of service

    The Civil Air Patrol received the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award during the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 20 in honor of their 75th anniversary.

  • Getting to know the 12 OAY

    In August, Air Force officials selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2016.

  • APF Ghana builds trust, relationships, interoperability

    Airmen and 12 African nations concluded an African Partnership Flight in Ghana Sept. 16.Co-hosted by U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa and the Ghanaian air force, the five-day event brought together air forces from around Africa."APF is really unique because it’s a military-to-military

  • Air Force leaders, spouses focus on family readiness

    During a panel session at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 19, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Dave Goldfein, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and their spouses focused on how the Air Force is supporting its members and

  • 20th Air Force Marathon a huge success

    After a 30-minute weather delay, over 15,000 runners, walkers and spectators from all 50 states and many foreign countries gathered Sept. 17 to take part in the 20th annual U.S. Air Force Marathon at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohioj.

  • New faces of the Air Force

    As the Air Force turns a year older Sept. 18, some of the newest members of the service were asked earlier this month on their basic training graduation day why they decided to be part of the world’s greatest airpower team. Here’s what they had to say.

  • DOD makes prescription drug disposal easy for beneficiaries

    Defense Department health care beneficiaries can now safely and easily dispose of expired and unused medications by bringing them to a military treatment facility or, in some cases, picking up a mailing envelope from the installation to send for destruction of the medications free of charge, Dr.

  • Standing vigilant from the top of the world

    Stretching from the confines of Thule Air Base, Greenland, the northernmost U.S. military installation hundreds of miles above the Arctic Circle, a dirt road trails steadily upward and to the northwest. Following the road for about a dozen miles across sparse, barren tundra resembling a moonscape

  • Airman follows dad’s lead, applies lesson to life, career

    Not every son gets a chance to live out his father’s legacy. For Senior Airman Christopher Martinez, an 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron crew chief, each day served in the Air Force is an opportunity to honor his father’s, Tech. Sgt. Gilbert Martinez, memory.

  • AFRL discovering what’s “bugging” military aircraft

    As any aircraft maintainer can attest, corrosion is a major factor affecting the overall health of military aircraft. Anything from changing temperatures to environmental factors can precipitate corrosion. One major contributor, however, is often overlooked -- microbes.

  • New course allows pararescuemen to develop as leaders, obtain certification

    It takes countless years of education, multiple deployments and temporary duty assignments to become a pararescue team leader. The 68th Rescue Flight recently implemented the Combat Leaders Course, a 65-day course for 10 pararescuemen in which they develop their leadership abilities while obtaining

  • Airmen, Marines seize airfield during training

    Standing at the edge of the open ramp on an MC-130J Commando II, 13,000 feet above their target with the cold wind whipping through the aircraft, they wait for the green light and the go sign from the aircraft’s loadmaster allowing them to jump and parachute in to take their target. The 353rd

  • Career Intermission Program provides hiatus from active-duty AF

    A year ago, Capt. Katie Evans, a personnel officer, had two choices: leave active duty to pursue full-time parenthood and hope to return some day, or apply for the new Career Intermission Program which would allow her to leave the service for a few years with a guaranteed return to active duty. CIP

  • WWII female pilot honored among brothers, sisters

    More than 70 years later, as the last of “the greatest generation” dwindles and the WASPs’ male counterparts are laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with befitting honors, a WASP is at last also being honored for her service. During a military funeral service Sept. 7, Elaine Danforth

  • Lost, found, repatriated

    In early May 2016, Andy Fuller, a groundsman from Royal Air Force Honington, England, swept his metal detector over the soil of what used to be known as RAF Knettishall. Once designated as U.S. Army Air Force Station 136, the base was home to the B-17 Flying Fortress, an aircraft utilized for

  • Nomination window open for 2017 Spirit of Hope Award

    The award, named after comedian and actor Bob Hope, recognizes a military member, former military member, civilian or organization that epitomizes his values of duty, honor, courage, loyalty, commitment, integrity and selfless dedication.

  • US, Philippine airmen talks aim to enhance interoperability

    The ability of multinational militaries to work, train and fight alongside each other is vital within the dynamic security environment of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the Philippine Air Force vice commander told U.S. military members during a recent conference at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam,

  • Misawa Airmen medically assist Sri Lankans during Pacific Angel

    Patient care is crucial in a country with minimal accessibility to hospitals due to lengthy commutes and no means to travel to these locations. Operation Pacific Angel 16-3 had two health services operation sites in Sri Lanka to better enable local nationals in remote areas the opportunity to

  • Every Airman plays a role in suicide prevention

    The Air Force is determined to prevent suicide, but an Airman doesn’t need to be a specialist or doctor to do that. Sometimes all it takes is starting a conversation. Everyone has a role to play. That’s a key part of the Defense Department’s #BeThere campaign, which encourages making a difference

  • Colorado stands in for Afghanistan during pilot training

    The 81st Fighter Squadron from Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, spent two weeks at Peterson AFB training six Afghan Air Force pilots to fly A-29 Super Tucano. The pilots are participating in a program that began in 2015 and will ultimately train 30 pilots and 90 maintainers through 2018. Most training

  • Don’t mess with mama bear

    Leadership is not an innate quality and there is no true recipe for success in regards to it. Leadership takes on many forms. Leadership has no preferred race, religion, ethnicity nor gender. Blind to any categorization, Lt. Col. Nicole Roberts, the 21st Security Forces Squadron commander,

  • Influenza vaccine update for Airmen, families

    This year's influenza vaccine will be different for service members due to a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to not use the live attenuated influenza vaccine, commonly known as FluMist.

  • Fueling the future: AF works to ‘home-grow’ biofuels for DOD, industry

    A need to address increases in petroleum costs with an environmentally friendly fuel source has led to a new way of looking at production—and the Defense Production Act Title III Program Office, part of the Air Force Research Laboratory, is playing a critical role in commercializing this technology.

  • AF opens enlisted RPA pilot program to all AFSCs

    Using a phased-application approach, Air Force senior leaders are casting a wider net to ensure more active-duty enlisted Airmen are eligible to apply for the service’s RQ-4 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft program, a Pentagon official said Aug. 29.

  • Former AFMC commander talks innovation, third offset

    Innovation and the nation’s third offset strategy were topics brought forth by retired Gen. Gregory S. Martin, a former commander of Air Force Materiel Command, as he spoke with service members at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 24.

  • Research analysts develop F-22 efficiency tool

    Operations research analysts assigned to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s operations research team at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, were recently recognized by the Military Operations Research Society for developing the F-22 master plan scheduling tool, which is credited with

  • FYI: Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer

    In this recent episode of FYI, Tech. Sgt. Holly Roberts-Davis discusses how to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to dependents.

  • Air Force, Army planners find ways to see greater jump in airdrops

    An arriving C-130 Hercules taxies to a large hangar where about 60 Army paratroopers wait to board. Lugging about 100 pounds of gear, the Soldiers quickly line up and load into the aircraft as its four idling engines blow hot gusts over the tarmac. Minutes later, the plane is flying at 150 mph and

  • Newly activated unit guides transient aircraft on joint missions

    Any aircraft that flies into Pope Army Airfield, Col. Kelly Holbert will know about it. But Holbert’s unit, the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group, has no aircraft of its own. As the only en route operations group in the continental U.S., the unit manages transient aircraft and the joint missions

  • Enhancing partnerships through joint education

    About 20 U.S. and international junior enlisted members participated in the first U.S.-led Pacific Rim Junior Enlisted Leadership Forum at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 8-12.

  • Airman teaches Marines combat survival skills

    It’s not every day that an Airman gets to experience firsthand what it means to “train like a Marine,” let alone teach them a few skills of his own. Senior Airman Ronnie Perez, a 460th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician, recently joined 35 Marines from Company A, Marine Cryptologic

  • Airmen assist in Arizona highway rescue

    High winds and dust whipped the uniforms of two Airmen as they attempted to rescue a woman trapped in the cab of her semitractor-trailer. One of them applied his might to the piece of metal that kept the woman confined to her vehicle while the other held the door while trying to guide her down the

  • STEM scholarships available to college students

    Eric Wineman completed both his undergraduate and master’s degrees with no student loan debt and now works for the Air Force as an electronics engineer, courtesy of the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation Scholarship for Service Program.

  • Air Force aims to hasten foreign military sales process

    In remarks at the State Department’s Foreign Press Center in New York Aug. 17, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James outlined the Air Force’s multifaceted approach to expedite the service’s portion of the foreign military sales process.

  • An AF first for aircraft research, development

    For the first time the Air Force has a means to conduct airworthiness assessments on non-Defense Department military type aircraft. This process enables the Air Force to gain a much deeper understanding of the state of civil aviation, while providing industry with an expert, independent evaluation

  • AF awards replacement firefighting foam contract

    The Air Force has awarded a $6.2 million contract to replace firefighting foam used in fire vehicles with an environmentally responsible foam to reduce the risk of possible contamination of soil and groundwater.

  • KC-46A approved for production

    The KC-46A Pegasus program received Milestone C approval from Frank Kendall, the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, signaling the aircraft is ready to enter into production.

  • RPA pilots set to receive $35,000 annual bonus

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James announced an increase to the service’s remotely piloted aircraft pilot bonus Aug. 10 in a multi-pronged approach to increase RPA manning and incentivize RPA pilots within a community that has operated at surge capacity for more than 10 years.

  • MacDill Airman competes in ultramarathons

    Inspiration for the modern marathon, a 26.2-mile race, stems from military origins. Legend tells of a Greek soldier who ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the defeated Persian army. More than two millennia later, one Airman at MacDill Air Force Base is writing his own story.

  • New AF violence prevention specialists training begins

    Representatives from the major commands and more than 30 Air Force installations attended training at Dobbins Air Reserve Base July 18-29 to become violence prevention specialists. The Specialists for the Primary Prevention of Violence is being set up as a new helping agency for Airmen and their

  • Leader training on Blended Retirement System available via mobile app

    The online Blended Retirement System leader course, released in June, is designed to educate leaders on the new retirement system. The training provides both military and civilian leaders of Airmen with a working knowledge of the BRS and the Defense Department plan to educate the force prior to

  • Flat Stanleys deploy from McConnell

    It was early in the morning when they got the call to deploy. Once aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker, they began their 8,000-mile expedition. It was 110 degrees when they landed in the hot and dusty country, and their journey had only just begun, the aircrew said. The paper dolls, also known as Flat

  • Airman trains to be better in the long run

    Staff Sgt. Benjamin Glenn is a 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron CV-22 Osprey crew chief and a dedicated runner. He’s running half and full marathons in elite-level times, and the Air Force Special Operations Command chose him to represent the command in this year’s Air Force Marathon in

  • AF duo key to Army medical aid in Honduras

    Medical readiness training exercises, military partnership engagements and mobile surgical team deployments have been the backbone of Joint Task Force-Bravo’s humanitarian mission in Central America for the past 23 years and have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, built partner