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U.S. Air Force News

  • Wings of Blue to jump into college football championship game

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue parachute demonstration team is scheduled to jump into the Rose Bowl as part of pregame activities during the Citi Bowl Championship Series National Championship football game Jan. 7, in Pasadena, Calif.Wings of Blue members will drop into the stadium with

  • Wings of Blue train, jump with reservists

    Citizen Airmen from the 701st Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, took to the sky in a C-17 Globemaster III over the Arizona desert early Saturday morning for mission critical training with the Air Force’s Wings of Blue parachute team.

  • Wings of Blue win national championship

    For the 28th time, the U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue Competition Parachute Team won the National Collegiate Parachuting Championships held Dec. 27 to Jan. 1 at Lake Wales, Fla.The team set a new national record with 116 points, winning 32 medals, including nine gold.Air Force swept the

  • Wings of Blue wins 1st national title

    The Wings of Blue Air Force Parachute Team soared to victory Sept. 11 through 12 at the U.S. Parachute Association National Skydiving Championships in Ottawa, Ill. Wings of Blue fielded two teams: Air Force Impulse and Air Force Eminence. Impulse took first place and Eminence took third in the

  • Wings of Blue wins gold

    Nov. 3 was a good day to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, as the Air Force Wings of Blue parachute competition team can attest.The squad's four-person "Air Force Inception" team won first place in the four-person intermediate free-flying competition at the U.S. Parachute Association's National

  • Wing's shield preserves long heritage

    The 17th Training Wing shield symbolizes the long heritage of the unit's lineage. The emblem was originally approved for the 17th Pursuit Group on Jan. 19, 1934. In 1993, the Goodfellow Technical Training Wing at San Angelo, Texas, was replaced with the 17th Training Wing to carry the lineage. The

  • Wing's shield preserves long heritage

    The shield of the 51st Fighter Wing symbolizes the unit's mission and retains a rich heritage that spans 65 years. The shield was was originally approved for the 51st Pursuit Group on Feb. 5, 1942. The reflex blue and gold represent Air Force colors. The shield is divided by a partition line called

  • Wing's shield symbolizes air mission

    The 31st Fighter Wing shield symbolizes the long heritage of the unit's lineage. The emblem was originally approved for the 31st Pursuit Group (U.S. Army) on June 28, 1941, and for the 31st Wing on Dec. 13, 1951. The shield is divided into the colors of Air Force ultramarine blue and yellow by a

  • Wing's shield symbolizes medical mission

    The 59th Medical Wing shield symbolizes the unit's mission and its present vision. In 1993, when the wing became a numbered medical wing, the shield of the 59th Fighter Wing, formerly the 59th Observation Wing, was acquired. Its use was approved for the 59th Medical Wing Feb. 3, 1995. Wilford Hall

  • Wings-level landing might have saved C-5 crash survivors

    A veteran C-5 Galaxy pilot said all 17 people survived the April 3 plane crash at Dover Air Force Base, Del., mainly because the pilot did his job. Col. Udo McGregor said the “100 percent reason” everyone aboard survived the crash was because the pilot did a wings-level landing. “The survivors are

  • Winners announced for Rodeo 2009 competitions

    Air Mobility Rodeo 2009 ended here July 24 with a closing ceremony and the announcement of 74 awards including the coveted "Best of the Best" Award. The competition is the Air Force's and Air Mobility Command's premier mobility competition and included seven international competitors and observers

  • Winners save Air Force millions

    Eight Air Force teams and three people recently received top honors for their money-saving improvements to the Air Force.The Air Force Productivity Excellence Award recognizes Airmen, Air Force civilians and small groups who have made substantial improvements in productivity. The winners' efforts

  • Winter 2007 quarterly issue of Airman available online

    Read about how Airmen are rebuilding hope by mentoring Iraqi soldiers, see how warfare is evolving thanks to valuable training in the field, discover how Balad hospital is thriving thanks to deployed servicemembers, and learn how one family is receiving much-needed support from the Air Force to care

  • Winter defense forum focused on BRAC, mission growth

    More than 500 attendees at the Association of Defense Communities Winter Forum conference held recently in San Antonio learned about issues impacting defense communities and the latest solutions to challenges resulting from Base Realignment and Closure and mission growth. Representatives from the

  • Winter flights to Antarctica wrap up

    Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., completed the Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 winter fly-in season when a final C-17 Globemaster III took off Aug. 25 from Pegasus White Ice Runway in Antarctica. Members of the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flew a total of 355 passengers and 119,953

  • Winter Olympics application window is open

    Guardian and Airmen athletes wanting to represent the Department of the Air Force in the next Winter Olympics have until Nov. 7 to apply for the DAF World Class Athlete Program.

  • Winter record set at Grand Forks

    A record was set here for the coldest day in January when temperatures reached minus 37 on Jan. 29 and 30, said officials at the 319th Operations Support Squadron weather flight here.The base is also experiencing one of the snowiest winters on record,From Jan. 24 to 26, the base received 21 inches

  • Winter rehabilitation clinic shows veterans potential

    More than 400 disabled veterans this year are pushing themselves to the limits by taking part in the Department of Veterans Affairs' 23rd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic at Snowmass Village, Colo. The clinic, a six-day event that began March 28, teaches veterans with disabilities

  • Winter sports clinic helps veterans

    The 22nd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, the largest disabled learn-to-ski clinic in the world, helped motivate and heal nearly 400 veterans this year at Snowmass Village, Colo. The six-day winter sports clinic hosted 64 Airmen, 182 Soldiers, 66 Seamen, 60 Marines, and five Coast

  • Winter sports clinic opens for disabled vets

    Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson and former Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz opened the 20th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic at Snowmass Village, Colo., April 3, praising participants for their sacrifices and their focus on their abilities, not their

  • Winter storm alerts Texas National Guard

    Governor Rick Perry has alerted the Texas National Guard to assist during the winter storm expected to sweep through Texas the evening of Jan. 14 and last through Jan. 15, according to officials in Austin, Texas.Two-hundred-and-fifty Guard members and 75 Humvees are standing by to support the

  • Winter: Time for sunscreen and sweaters

    Winter is here and that means it is time to pull out the sunscreen and sweaters! Yes, sunscreen. Outdoor fun activities such as skiing, ice skating and sledding can be fun, but it is important to protect your skin from the bitter cold, heavy winds and winter sun. When any of us think about winter we

  • Wisconsin ANG pilot safe following aircraft accident

    A pilot from the Wisconsin Air National Guard 115th Fighter Wing here is safe after ejecting from an F-16 Fighting Falcon over Adams County June 7 during a routine training flight. The pilot has been recovered south of Chester, Wisc., and is being medically evaluated. The aircraft has been located

  • Wise advisers help Air Force leaders navigate science

    Continuing a program started in 1944 by Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, Air Force leaders leverage the best minds in the nation to lasso innovation ahead of the curve. "It takes all of us to conceive, comprehend and take action on the ways and means of today and of tomorrow," said Air Force Chief of Staff

  • Wise Guy back in the sky

    A team of Reserve Citizen Airmen and active duty maintainers spent four months prepping Wise Guy, a B-52 Stratofortress for flight. The bomber had been at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group since 2008.

  • With new phone system, seeing is hearing

    Thanks to the installation of a new, technologically-advanced device called the Z-150, deaf/hearing impaired employees here now can speak to, and see, one another over the phone. The Z-150 is a video phone system with a camera and monitor that allows communications to travel over the network,

  • With precision stitching, Airman strengthens gear and career

    Senior Airman Devin Litton, a 22nd Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment, or AFE, journeyman, has spent hundreds of hours developing his sewing skills since he was first introduced to the needle and thread. He did not expect this to be a part of his job description when he was waiting

  • With the stroke of a pen, U.S. Space Force becomes a reality

    President Trump signed into law Dec. 20 the sprawling, $738 billion defense bill, making history by creating the Space Force as a stand-alone, sixth branch of the U.S. military and guaranteeing for the first time 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers.

  • With troops' freedom to choose beneficiaries comes greater responsibility

    Starting in July, servicemembers can choose to whom a $100,000 death gratuity will be disbursed if they are killed in action. Currently, troops can assign half the posthumous payment to recipients of their preference, with the remainder paid according to a hierarchy determined by the Defense

  • Wizards salute Andrews Airmen, service members

     More than 20 Airmen from Joint Base Andrews were served lunch by members of the NBA's Washington Wizards at a downtown steakhouse in Washington Oct. 22.The Airmen were invited as a part of the Wizards' 3rd Annual Salute to the Stars. This year, the focus was recognizing service and family members

  • WMD program available for officers, civilians

    Officials are seeking nominations to participate in the Program for Emerging Leaders and the study of weapons of mass destruction.Officials from the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the National Defense University recently announced the professional development opportunity that

  • Wolf Pack Defenders go virtual to train

    One might assume the term "gunship" would most likely be overheard on a documentary for 20th century naval engineering.It is, however, what Airmen from the 8th Security Forces Squadron and members from the Republic of Korea Army heard during "call for fire" training last week, which included

  • Wolf Pack family embraces Holloman Airmen

    Nearly 300 Airmen from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and several F-117 Nighthawks arrived at Kunsan AB in January to fulfill U.S. security responsibilities in the Western Pacific.The deployment brings 49th Fighter Wing pilots, maintainers and support Airmen from Holloman AFB to Kunsan AB for the

  • Wolf Pack soars at RED FLAG-Alaska 15-1

    Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, recently participated in Red Flag-Alaska (RF-A)15-1 from Oct. 6 to 17at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.

  • Wolfe assumes role as 21st CMSAF

    Chief Master Sgt. David R. Wolfe became the 21st Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force during an Assumption of Responsibility ceremony Dec. 8.

  • Wolfenbarger receives fourth star, assumes leadership of AFMC

    Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger became the first female four-star general in the Air Force and assumed the top position of Air Force Materiel Command during ceremonies here June 5, 2012.Wolfenbarger took the reins of the major command responsible for the technology, acquisition, test and sustainment of the

  • Wolfenbarger: AFMC 5-Center reorganization on track

    After some 18 months of planning and careful transition, Air Force Materiel Command officials are ready to declare initial operational capability of AFMC's 5-Center reorganization Oct. 1.In early July, the command began activating its new centers and consolidating others as it transitioned from

  • Wolfowitz addresses Guard, Reserve deployment concerns

    Though reserve-component forces are going through a stressful time, the Defense Department is working hard to improve the situation, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told Guard and Reserve leaders here.Secretary Wolfowitz, speaking at the Adjutants General Association of the United States

  • Wolfowitz defends coalition's plans for Iraqi recovery

    Pundits criticizing the coalition Iraq reconstruction effort are demonstrating "an incomplete understanding" of pre-conflict in-country conditions and "an unreasonable expectation" of the progress level, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said to the Senate May 22. "Much of what I read on this

  • Wolfowitz salutes military health-care providers

    Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz praised the worldwide efforts of military doctors, nurses, medics and other care providers Jan. 26, saying they are "maintaining the health and the effectiveness of America's defenders."President Bush, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and the entire

  • Woman reclaims her life after sexual assault

    Tricia Van Prooyen is an Air Force spouse, a mom, a college student -- and a rape survivor.Sharing such a personal story is not easy, she said, but it is a valuable part of the healing process for the 33-year-old wife of Staff Sgt. Tim Van Prooyen, who is assigned to the 81st Training Support

  • Woman's choice to drink, drive crushes captain's dream of flying

    Capt. Alan Yee had just finished pilot training and was out with friends celebrating. He and his friends realized they had one too many drinks to drive, and called a cab. As they were travelling down a 50 mph road, a truck slammed into their cab. Moments later, one friend in the cab was ejected out

  • Women aviators highlight flight progress

    In 1944, when the B-29 hit the flightline, Army Air Corps pilots were hesitant to fly the new bomber. It was bigger and more complicated than its predecessor, the B-17, and had a reputation for engine fires.Then-Lt. Col. Paul W. Tibbets, who was in charge of training the Army Air Forces' pilots,

  • Women conquer heights and fights

    With women now allowed to pursue combat related career fields, the first notion is that women have not participated in combat related duties whatsoever. But in reality this isn't the first time women have been put in the line of fire. During an airborne training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., female

  • Women Empowered seminar instills Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense strategies

    Hundreds of feet pounding the wrestling mats echoed in the fitness center here. A stern man instructed the students to not remove their hand from the ground before planting their feet on the floor.In an effort to reduce the frequency of sexual assaults in the armed forces, the Gracie Academy created

  • Women Falcons down Northern Colorado, 67-60

    The Air Force women’s basketball team -- fighting off a second-half rally -- made six free throws in the final 40 seconds of their season opener to beat Northern Colorado, 67-60. The Falcons' Nov. 18 win was their first opening-day win in three years. The Falcons won the game on the foul line,

  • Women in AF paved way, often through adversity

    In a quote from one of Shakespeare's plays, "Twelfth Night," the character Malvallo remarks that "some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."Women in the Air Force (WAF) produced many such women who did not set out to be trailblazers but whose

  • Women learn to fight stress from home front

    During a week in which White House officials pledged a whole-of-government approach to supporting military families, 11 women worked diligently a few miles away to learn to cope with the stresses of their husbands' multiple deployments and the post-traumatic stress that affects many of them when

  • Women of Weather: Hurricane Hunters make a difference

    Those goals became reality for Maj. Ashley Lundry, an aerial reconnaissance weather officer, and Maj. Devon Meister, a pilot, both members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, referred to as the Hurricane Hunters, a unit in the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.

  • Women pilots of World War II inspired generations

    Under a clear blue sky, beneath the spires of the U.S. Air Force Memorial here, military aviators gathered March 9 here to pay homage to the achievements of the first women to fly military aircraft during World War II. The memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony, with a reception afterward, was

  • Women pilots: A weapon to be used

    "This is not a time when women should be patient. We are in a war and we need to fight it with all our ability and every weapon possible. Women pilots, in this particular case, are a weapon waiting to be used," said Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady of the United States. These words, spoken in

  • Women play important role in military

    Throughout history, women have broken barriers to serve in the military, some legitimately and some not. Many women worked as nurses on battlefields, while others disguised themselves as men so they could join. Even though the contributions women made were recognized, Americans would not allow

  • Women prove they have the 'right stuff' to fly

    Throughout history, women have made a lasting impression on the fabric of the United States. In colonial times, women helped their husbands defend their farms from Indian attacks. During the American Revolution, women such as Mary Hays McCauly (better known as Molly Pitcher) took care of their

  • Women’s Health Transition Training offered virtually

    The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Women’s Health Services and the Department of the Air Force’s Women’s Initiative Team collaborated to establish training that provides information on health services available to women who are separating or retiring from the military.

  • Women’s health: Take time to get checked

    Each October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, women are reminded to put themselves first and make time for their health. Making health a priority helps people stay in optimum shape and keeps illnesses and disease at bay.

  • Women’s Leadership Symposium inspires growth, diversity

    The two-day event drew more than 250 attendees from across the command. The symposium featured keynote speakers, issue-focused panels and collaborative networking discussions designed to empower women to help foster workplace environments that embrace diversity and promote leadership growth

  • Women’s legacy parallels Air Force history

    As we celebrate the Air Force’s 67th birthday, we talk of how far we’ve come and look ahead to what the future holds, but it’s just as important to look at where we’ve been. The story of women in the military, specifically the Air Force, parallels that of the Air Force itself. In fact, for women

  • Women’s soccer loses 1-0 match at Colorado College

    Forward Stevie Kernan scored the only goal of the match with 13:58 left in the first half Sept. 25, lifting Colorado College to a 1-0 victory over Air Force in NCAA Division I women’s soccer at the college.The CC Tigers extended their undefeated streak to six games and improved to 5-3-1 for the

  • Women's basketball salutes troops, families

    The Women's National Basketball Association showed its support for the military by giving out 2,000 free tickets for U.S. servicemembers and military family members to attend this year's All-Star Game held July 15 at the Verizon Center here. To further honor women serving in the military, the WNBA

  • Women's Basketball: Bradley defeats Air Force, 62-45

    The Academy Falcons dropped a 62-45 women's basketball game to the Bradley Braves Dec. 19 at Clune Arena here. The loss dropped the Falcons to 2-8 on the season and lifted the Braves to 3-6. After starting the game out neck-and-neck, Bradley pulled away late in the first half and never looked back.

  • Women's contributions to Air Force honored

    In conjunction with the Air Force's 60th anniversary celebration this year, the country's youngest military service is paying tribute to women's contributions to its rich history and heritage. "Heritage to Horizons: Earning Our Wings and Reaching the Stars" is the theme of the 2007 Air Force

  • Women's leadership discussion: 'Why are women leaving the Air Force'

    Deployments, starting a family, bad mentorship and losing passion for the job are just a few reasons mentioned by uniformed and prior-service women during a panel discussion about why women are leaving the Air Force, at the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium here June 7.The Air Force panel

  • Women's roles evolve quickly following World War II

    Within the time span it took for women in television to transform from the female stereotypes portrayed on "I Love Lucy" to the more modern, late-century version found on "Murphy Brown," women in the U.S. Air Force were making strides that far outpaced their Hollywood counterparts.By the end of

  • Women's soccer falls 4-1 in exhibition match

    Lleane Grimditch scored two goals to propel defending Sun Belt Conference Champion Denver over the U.S. Air Force Academy team, 4-1, Aug. 20 in their soccer exhibition openers here. The Denver Pioneers scored the first goal 42 seconds into the match and never looked back. Holly Huppert took a pass

  • Women's symposium fosters networking, leadership development

    The Sea Services Leadership Association hosted the 27th Annual Joint Women's Leadership Symposium here June 12-13, to recognize the strengths and talents of women in the armed forces and discuss the unique aspects of being a female service member.

  • Woof! "Major" relief for PTSD

    Imagine a pet trained to understand the side effects that come with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Imagine a pet trained to understand your symptoms to aid a path to recovery. One such pet resides at Minot Air Force Base and is helping a member of Team Minot every day.Meet Major, an adopted

  • Work begins when boots hit the ground

    To move 35,000 troops in and out of Southwest Asia each month, Airmen and fellow servicemembers are called to action as soon as the crew door opens upon landing. "What separates us from all other air terminals is that here, passengers become troops as soon as the plane lands," said Maj. Charlene

  • Work continues at Osan crash site

    Base workers labored throughout the night surveying debris from the F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed near a gate at approximately 8 p.m. May 29. A pilot from the 36th Fighter Squadron was taking off on a training mission in the F-16 when the crash occurred. The aircraft was carrying inert bombs

  • Work continues to replace T-38 aileron levers

    To meet the challenge of building more than 1,000 aileron actuator levers for T-38 Talon aircraft, workers in the 532nd Commodities Maintenance Squadron's New Manufacturing and Repair Division literally had to start from scratch. The levers, which control moveable flaps on the T-38's wings, are

  • Work on 'LANs' proves airworthy

    A C-135C Speckled Trout crew recently tested an airborne local-area-network system designed to provide global broadband communications via satellite.A year in the making, the flight test launched a six-month initiative to prove this commercial off-the-shelf system can provide high-speed Internet,

  • Workforce cuts drive shift in personnel services delivery

    Personnel Services Delivery and Program Budget Decision 720 are two key programs that continue to push significant transformation in the Air Force. One of the newest changes making its way here is a product of both the streamlined personnel processes and increased manpower cuts resulting from PSD

  • Working dog handler receives Purple Heart

    "Today, you have an example of what a truly great NCO can be," said the 42nd Air Base Wing commander to those attending the January and February enlisted promotion ceremony at the Enlisted Club Jan. 31. Col. Pete Costello referred to Staff Sgt. Robert Brown, a 42nd Security Forces Squadron military

  • Working dog kennels receive massive renovation

    Military working dogs transitioning through a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility are receiving a "bone-a-fide" upgrade to their accommodations, courtesy of the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. The renovations, which included floor stripping and resealing, and the

  • Working dog teams search, patrol together

    Ensuring the safety of everyone at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here rests upon a group of Airmen and their highly trained four-legged partners. The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Section has several certified teams made up of handlers and their explosive

  • Working dog, EOD team partner to secure Alaska's interior

    The Department of Homeland Security teamed up with Eielson AFB Airmen here in an effort to keep the Fairbanks North Star Borough safer May 5. A military working dog team assigned to the 354th Security Forces Squadron, and an explosive ordnance disposal team from 354th Civil Engineer Squadron swept

  • Working dogs, handlers dynamic duo for base defense

    Deploying in pairs, military working dogs and their handlers share a bond exclusive to their career field; each directly dependent upon each other to accomplish the mission. This bond is strengthened in a deployed environment keeping the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working

  • Working group releases museum report

    Independent working group officials, tasked to review the Air Force Museum's operational procedures, released their findings Nov. 18. The working group was assembled after museum artifacts turned up lost or missing.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche chartered the working group Sept. 15

  • Working groups to present solutions at I-WEPTAC

    Hosted by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, the conference is the Air Force’s premiere innovation forum for members of the installation and mission support community. It draws experts from the various Air Force and Space Force support core functions who address mission