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  • 129th Rescue Wing continues fighting Rim Fire

    Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing have performed more than 400 bucket drops resulting in over 188,000 gallons of water dropped since they began fighting the Rim Fire August 20.

  • AF Heritage: Gen. Tinker still honored by native Indian tribe

    During the early days of World War II, an Army Air Corps major general, who was an Oklahoma native, and member of the Osage Indian tribe, was named to lead the air effort in Hawaii following Pearl Harbor. Maj. Gen. Clarence L. Tinker managed to stay close to his tribe during his 30 plus years as a

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Langley NCO's road to recovery

    In 2002, 1.4 million people were arrested nationally for driving under the influence, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Unfortunately, U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Randall Renaud was part of that statistic. On Oct. 2, 2002, six months after promotion to technical sergeant, he

  • USAFE-AFAFRICA commander talks challenges, change

    Gen. Frank Gorenc shared his enthusiasm for becoming the new U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander and spoke about challenges the command faces and how to overcome them, in an interview here Aug. 16.

  • AF leaders visit Kadena to thank Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and their spouses met with Airmen and families here Aug. 21-22.

  • Joint training helps readiness, saves dollars

    In an effort to save dollars and increase mission effectiveness, 41 students from across the Area of Responsibility, including enlisted, officers and chief warrant officers representing every service, attended two 10-day joint tactical data link courses in the Combined Air and Space Operations

  • Training system brings fight to F-16 pilots

    Groundbreaking advancements to F-16 Fighting Falcon warfare training here arrived during the week of Aug. 12 through 16 in the form of a Joint Deployable Electronic Warfare Range, or JDEWR.

  • AF physician honored for ground-breaking treatment

    59th Medical Specialty Squadron Dermatologist Lt. Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor was recently selected to receive the Air Force Association's Paul W. Myers Award for his work using lasers to improve skin texture and flexibility for wounded warriors.

  • Command and Control ... Total Flexibility

    Airmen employ the Air Force’s other four interdependent and enduring core missions through robust, adaptable, and survivable command and control systems. Using the specialized skills of over 53,000 command and control Airmen, the Air Force provides access to reliable communications and information

  • Regional African Air Chiefs Symposium begins

    The U.S. 3rd Air Force commander and the Ghanaian chief of air staff hosted opening ceremonies for the second Regional Air Chiefs Symposium at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center Aug. 20.

  • California National Guard battles wildfires

    Nearly a dozen aircraft and crews from the California Air and Army National Guard are battling wildfires across Northern California. Currently, nine California Army National Guard helicopters and two California Air National Guard air tankers are working in coordination with California's Department

  • Recruiter’s post-tornado effort has lasting impact

    As the massive 1.3-mile-wide tornado approached Moore, Okla., May 20, Staff Sgt. Tim Smith took shelter along with his family, neighbors and dogs."I arrived home 10 minutes before the tornado hit my neighborhood," said Smith, an Enlisted Accessions recruiter in Norman, Okla. "My wife, my son and I

  • Air guard director hosts first all-call

    Remaining operationally engaged, the fiscal climate, furloughs and serving with distinction were topics frankly discussed by the director of the Air National Guard, Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, at his first All-Call Aug 14 here.

  • Maintaining aircraft integrity one coat at a time

    With a new state-of-the-art Corrosion Control Facility on Aviano, aircrafts are now serviced in-house for a quarter of the cost.Up until last year, all F-16 Fighting Falcons on Aviano were sent to either Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, or a Belgian based aerospace company for repainting, costing the

  • Air Force Vision

    America is—and always will be—an aerospace nation. To fully realize the Nation’s aerospace potential, President Truman established an independent Air Force in 1947 to better protect America, its citizens, and its allies. From this beginning, we have grown airpower into the ability to project global

  • AF names DOD leadership program participants

    Six officers have been selected for the Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.This program is designed specifically for highly-motivated, active-duty officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership ability, commitment to

  • PHOTO ESSAY: One team, one fight

    Airmen assigned to the 64th Agressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., are charged with preparing the combat air forces, joint and allied aircrews for tomorrow's victories with challenging and realistic threat replication, training, academics and feedback.

  • Eglin AFB F-35 fleet exceeds 2K sorties, training presses on

    Airmen and Marines assigned to the F-35 Integrated Training Center at the 33rd Fighter Wing here have consistently flown successful training sorties and generated their 2,000th sortie Aug. 13 with an instructor pilot of the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501 (VMFAT-501), at the

  • Message from CSAF

    Since the Air Force was born in 1947, the core missions of the United States Air Force haven’t fundamentally changed.

  • Unique testing helps warfighter, saves lives

    When large transport or rotary-wing aircraft support a mission in a deployed location, there's always the threat of those wanting to harm to the lives and assets onboard. That includes risks from a range of shoulder-fired, vehicle-mounted and other infrared-guided missiles capable of following the

  • Former Air Force leader passes away

    A former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was also a chief of staff of the Air Force, passed away Saturday in Falcon’s Landing military retirement community in Potomac Falls, Va.

  • Security forces Airmen -- ready to roll

    The 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron's bike patrol make their rounds almost daily through base housing and other designated areas, making their presence known with the goal of community policing and mobility in mind.

  • Leaders discuss roles of reserve components

    Continuing to perform an operational role, while solving manpower costs and dealing with shrinking defense budgets, was one of the challenges discussed by military and civilian leaders at the Reserve Officers Association 2013 National Security Symposium here Aug. 7-10.

  • Innovative Airmen modify mobile A/C unit

    Performing in extreme temperatures is the norm for many deployed service members, and adjustments in operations tempos are necessary to complete the mission on time to accommodate heat stress conditions. Two innovative Airmen assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron here

  • Vehicles on the road, iron in the air

    With more than 45 different airframes in the Air Force's inventory totaling more than 5,500 aircraft, each one relies expert teams and equipment to keep them ready to fly at a moment's notice. The maintainers on the ground, on the other hand, also rely on a variety of vehicles and ground equipment

  • First ANG bomb wing certified for nuclear operations

    The Air National Guard celebrated a historic milestone this week as the 131st Bomb Wing, the nation’s only Guard unit to fly and maintain the B-2 Spirit, was certified to conduct the nuclear mission upon completion of their initial nuclear surety inspection.

  • 45th Space Wing launches satellite

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance-built Delta IV rocket carrying the sixth Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite at 8:29 p.m., Aug. 7 from Space Launch Complex 37B here.A combined team of military, government civilians and contractors from across the 45th SW

  • Changes to BE WELL mean more choices for Airmen

    The BE WELL program, an Air Force-wide program designed to provide Airmen and Air Force leaders with resources to optimize fitness and health, now offers more choices and increased flexibility, thanks to a revamp that went into effect July 1.The Balanced Eating, Work Out Effectively, Living Longer,

  • Military Spouse of the Year, committed to National Guard families

    The schedule of a military spouse is an arduous one. Appointments, dinners, and family time are vital to maintaining normalcy despite the strain of military life.Alicia Hinds Ward, the 2013 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year, is another in the long line of military mothers and

  • ANG contingency response, Army units test earthquake response

    Nearly 100 members of the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Contingency Response Group and the U.S. Army's 689th Rapid Port Opening Element deployed to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport on Aug. 5, to set up a logistics hub as part of exercise Gateway Relief, an earthquake-response scenario directed by

  • Minot Airmen eligible for humanitarian award

    Airmen at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. are eligible to receive recognition for their role in the relief and recovery efforts related to the historic flooding that devastated the area two years ago.On June 3, the Secretary of the Air Force approved the Humanitarian Service Medal for more than 5,600

  • Hagel announces reduction in civilian furlough days

    Hundreds of thousands of Defense Department civilian employees who have had to take a weekly unpaid day off from work since July 8 are getting some relief, as the total number of furlough days has been reduced from 11 to six, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today.

  • Spouse’s choir takes the stage on ‘America’s Got Talent’

    Thirty-seven military spouses from across the country are set to perform live on NBC’s hit reality show “America’s Got Talent” at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 in New York City. The American Military Spouse’s Choir auditioned in Chicago for the show’s judges and had a strong enough performance to be put through to

  • Top AF leaders visit Spangdahlem Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody and their spouses visited Spangdahlem Air Base to meet with Airmen and their families Aug. 1.During their visit to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Welsh and Cody received a mission brief, participated in an open

  • Gorenc assumes command of USAFE, AFAFRICA, Allied Air Command

    Three consecutive generations of U.S. Air Forces in Europe commanders and the U.S. Africa Command deputy commander took to the stage as Gen. Frank Gorenc assumed command of USAFE, U.S. Air Forces Africa and Allied Air Command during a ceremony here Aug. 2.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh

  • Emerald Coast pays tribute to Air Force legend

    Nearly 1,000 service members, veterans and citizens from across the nation paid their respects to the life and legacy of a retired Air Force colonel during a funeral service Aug. 1 on Okaloosa Island, Fla.

  • Healing deployed wounded warriors

    The 379th Expeditionary Medical Group's Intra-Theater Care Program here was established in 2008 to ensure no service member is sent home from the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility before having a chance to get back in the fight.

  • Department of Energy recognizes Air Force energy program

    It's the Oscars of the energy world and the Air Force has stolen the show again.Innovative ideas and procedures for saving facility energy and aviation fuel have earned the Air Force five Federal Energy Management Program awards in 2013, bringing the total to 21 winners in the last four years. A

  • Help is a good thing: colonel, sexual assault survivor recounts experience

    The first in a video series of survivor stories, an Air Force colonel shared her graphic, first-hand experience with sexual assault in 1988. After years of silence about the incident, Col. Pamela Lincoln voluntarily shared her experience with the hope that it might empower other survivors to come

  • A tribute to a warrior, patriot and hero to all Airmen

    I am the very proud son of an American fighter pilot, one of that treasured group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave it an enduring example of courage and mission success. My dad was a hero. As a young man, I asked him who his combat heroes were; he gave me only two names. One

  • AF accepting applications for medical commissioning programs

    Eligible Airmen interested in Biomedical Sciences Corps careers can apply for academic opportunities in the physical therapy, clinical psychology and physician assistant fields. In addition, eligible Airmen can apply for direct accession into one of three other BSC fields, Air Force Personnel Center

  • Memorial run unites tanker units around globe

    An idea to honor a friend, former co-worker and the members of his flight crew turned into an international outpouring of support from KC-135 Stratotanker units around the globe during the July 13 and 14 Unit Training Assembly weekend. The Shell 77 Memorial Runs united KC-135 tanker units around the

  • Academy ranks among US top colleges

    The U.S. Air Force Academy is ranked today as one of the top universities in the nation with the latest rankings from Forbes.Forbes released its annual best college rankings July 24, listing the Academy as the 31st best university in the nation. The U.S. Military Academy ranked 7th and the U.S Naval

  • Two Joint Base Langley-Eustis firefighters earn national designation

    Seventy plus pages, multiple character references, years of professional development, and six to nine months of grueling waiting while the application is reviewed, is what it takes for a firefighter to be awarded the national designation of Chief Fire Officer. Only 913 firefighters in the United

  • EOD: Defusing the situation

    One of the biggest defense mechanisms of any expeditionary air base is the ability to launch aircraft to neutralize threats. Several 380th Air Expeditionary Wing agencies are charged with getting air operations back up and running as soon as possible should the flightline or runway be attacked. The

  • Expeditionary wing transitions to commercial jet fuel

    The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing has joined the list of Air Force units making the switch from military-specification fuel to commercial fuel.Defense Logistics Agency Energy has been advocating for the military's move to commercial fuel for the last few years, touting the cost savings and fuel

  • Air Force takes swift action against sexual assault

    It's not an overstatement to say that the past many years have been challenging for those in the military working to prevent sexual assault and sexual trauma. However, for those who've been victimized it has been much worse, and we should never forget that. The harm in this crime is not just

  • Help is a good thing: colonel, sexual assault survivor recounts experience

    The first in a video series of survivor stories, an Air Force colonel shared her graphic, first-hand experience with sexual assault in 1988. After years of silence about the incident, Col. Pamela Lincoln voluntarily shared her experience with the hope that it might empower other survivors to come

  • One of AF most decorated heroes passes away

    One of the most decorated Airmen in Air Force history, whose career spanned three wars and four decades, has passed away. Retired Col. George Everett "Bud" Day, an Air Force pilot, shot down during the Vietnam War and imprisoned in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" along with Sen. John McCain, defiantly

  • Air Force names 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    Air Force officials announced the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2013.An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands; direct reporting units, field operating agencies and

  • Maintenance unit's helicopter attains excellence twice in one day

    For the first time since 2005, an HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Unit here achieved a perfect maintenance inspection rating. Aircraft 89-6205, a 24-year old HH-60, achieved the coveted black-letter initial exceptional release, or ER, July 23. After the ER

  • Born in the military: One family's legacy of service

    Military deployments are difficult for both the service member and the family members they leave behind. Being in a dual-military parent family doesn't make it easier, but after nearly 50 years of combined service, the current Wakefields are continuing their family's tradition."My great uncles

  • AF names primary, alternate DARPA participants

    Twelve captains, majors and lieutenant colonels have been selected as primary or alternate fiscal year 2014 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Service Chiefs Program participants.The program begins in September and is designed to immerse outstanding military officers into an imaginative,

  • Welsh meets with Wyoming's Total Force Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, visited with Airmen of 153rd Airlift Wing at the Wyoming Air National Guard Base here July 19.During an Airman's call, Welsh applauded the 153rd Airlift Wing's role in hosting the Air National Guard's first active-duty associate

  • Kehler lauds capability, credibility of nuclear enterprise

    Sweeping improvements across the U.S. nuclear enterprise since a 2007 incident have increased the focus on the nuclear mission and raised the bar in terms of standards and performance, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command told reporters July 24."In general, I feel much more comfortable today with

  • Air Force takes swift action against sexual assault

    It's not an overstatement to say that the past many years have been challenging for those in the military working to prevent sexual assault and sexual trauma. However, for those who've been victimized it has been much worse, and we should never forget that. The harm in this crime is not just

  • No more redundant inspections: AF implements new inspection system

    The Air Force recently implemented a new inspection system, aimed at giving more power to wing commanders.With the signing of Program Action Directive 13-01, Air Force inspection system Implementation Tiger Team transitions from the planning phase to the execution phase. The program, which was beta

  • Thunderbirds egress specialist finds fulfillment in service

    Many Airmen discover their paths early in life. Some join the Air Force after graduating high school, and others wait a few years before making the decision to enlist. For one Airman assigned to the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, deciding to join the Air Force took 11 years.Staff Sgt.

  • Two special operations Airmen earn Silver Stars

    Two Air Force Special Operations Command combat controllers stationed in San Antonio were each presented a Silver Star for gallantry in combat during a ceremony here July 22.The two combat controllers, Tech. Sgt. Ismael Villegas and Staff Sgt. Dale Young, were decorated by Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, the

  • Exercising to honor, inspire

    At the beginning of their deployment, a team of four Royal air force members from the No. 1 Air Control Center set out to exercise their way back to Lincoln, England, roughly 3,400 miles away, in honor of United Kingdom and U.S. service members who have been injured or killed in contingency

  • Air Force, Army effort saves government money

    In a joint effort between the firefighters of the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and a deployed Army battalion, more than 60 Soldiers have been trained in the handling of hazardous materials, enhancing their emergency response skills and saving government dollars. Army Capt. Eric

  • Civil engineers build medical facility, save AF thousands

    Consistent with fluctuating operations in deployed locations, the ability to quickly and efficiently build structures to house new missions is crucial. The 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group here has specialized teams of Airmen who support projects to fulfill construction requirements. "When a

  • Through Airmen's Ears: A journey into music resonates success

    (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.)Under the steel-grey wings of an MQ-1L Predator A on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum here, visitors took their

  • Airman earns "Service Member of the Year" award

    Master Sgt. William G. Janczewski II was honored July 18, on Capitol Hill, as "Service Members of the Year" by newspaper publisher Military Times, along with four other service members, one from each branch of service. "It's very, very humbling," Janczewski said of his being named the Airman of the

  • Kandahar remembers fallen heroes with memorial ceremony

    The men and women of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing came together during a remembrance ceremony here July 13 to honor the Airmen assigned to the wing's area of operations who paid the ultimate sacrifice.While deployed to Kandahar Airfield in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, 13 Airmen lost

  • Quality Assurance: Maintenance commander's 'eyes and ears'

    To ensure the safety of pilots and ground crews, aircraft maintainers are held to a high standard of proficiency and job knowledge in fulfilling their mission requirements.Their skills are monitored and inspected regularly by some of the career field's most knowledgeable maintainers."We cultivate a

  • CSAF says readiness harmed by steep cuts

    The rigid requirements of sequestration spending cuts have made it difficult for the Air Force to maintain readiness, the service's top officer said yesterday.Speaking to CNN's John King at the annual Aspen Institute Security Forum in Aspen, Colo., Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III

  • First B-52 departs to depot for communications upgrade

    The first B-52H Stratofortress departed Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 16 is enroute to the depot at Tinker AFB, Okla., for the Combat Network Communications Technology, or CONECT, upgrade.The CONECT upgrade will allow B-52 crews to receive and send real-time digital information such as updated

  • Officials seek 2013 Sijan award nominations

    Nominations for the 2013 Lance P. Sijan U.S. Air Force Leadership Award will be accepted through Sept. 20, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.The Sijan award recognizes the accomplishments of officers and enlisted members who have demonstrated the highest quality of leadership in the

  • Security Forces Airmen recall IDF attack, bringing members closer

    Members of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron had just finished dinner and were on the way back to their compound on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan June 18. Heading south on a perimeter road, they passed a bus stop located about 50 yards from their compound, where service members were

  • Joint team achieves historic trans-Atlantic medical mission

    A Brooke Army Medical Center team made medical history last week by completing the military's first trans-Atlantic movement of an adult on external lung support.A team of Army and Air Force doctors and nurses treated the patient with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, during a nonstop

  • F-35 aircrew flight equipment team named Air Force best

    One of the Air Force's newest aircrew flight equipment teams is now the Air Force's best.The 33rd Fighter Wing's aircrew flight equipment flight was chosen the best in the Air Force in the small program category for 2012. The wing is the only unit to fly and train on the F-35A Lightning II fifth

  • Gallantry earns pararescueman Silver Star

    An Airman assigned here earned the Silver Star medal for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan April 23, 2011. Maj. Gen. Frank Padilla awarded Staff Sgt. Zachary Kline the Silver Star in a ceremony here July 14, citing

  • Special duties require commander nomination

    The selection process for 10 special duty positions now requires unit commander nomination and hiring authority certification, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The process change implemented this month affects staff sergeant, technical sergeant and master sergeant positions in special

  • GEICO award nominees sought

    Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 2013 Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Awards.The annual awards recognize enlisted members from all military service branches, including active duty, Guard and Reserve, for their contributions to military and civilian

  • Sequestration impact looms despite resumed flying operations

    Air Force leaders announced July 15 that flying training would resume at numerous units, bringing an end to the three-month halt that resulted from the budget sequestration reductions. Congress approved a $1.8 billion reprogramming request that transferred money from several programs to pay for

  • Combat Air Forces to resume flying

    Combat Air Forces, or CAF, units from multiple commands began flying again today after many stopped flying in April of this year due to sequestration. The restored flying hour program represents Congressional action on the $1.8 billion overseas contingency operations reprogramming action made

  • Innovation extends ORS-1's life, mission

    The Operationally Responsive Space-1 satellite launched June 29, 2011, and has been a star Air Force performer since its first day on orbit. Members of the 1st and 7th Space Operations Squadrons celebrated the spacecraft's second birthday recently. "This is a great time to recognize all of ORS-1's

  • First Airman Resilience Center opens at Altus AFB

    A new Airman Resilience Center opened its doors during a ribbon cutting ceremony here July 11.The ARC is the first facility of its kind at the base. "The ARC includes five classrooms for training use, a theater room, a game room and an electronic gaming area," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Mathe, the

  • New commander takes lead in air campaign

    U.S. Air Forces Central Command has a new leader.In a change of command ceremony here July 11, Lt. Gen. John W. Hesterman III took command of USAFCENT from Lt. Gen. David Goldfein.Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the commander of U.S. Central Command, presided over the ceremony."The power of the

  • VA announces $300 million in grants to help veteran homeless

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today the award of nearly $300 million in grants that will help approximately 120,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The grants have been awarded to 319 community agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto

  • AF Reserve MAFFS C-130s, crews back in Colorado

    Aircrews, maintainers and two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 aircraft assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing returned  here July 7 after supporting aerial fire fighting operations for five days at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Ariz. The 302nd AW MAFFS

  • Principal military official stops moves to Egypt

    Military officials have temporarily halted movement of personnel, to include permanent change of station moves and most temporary duty assignments to Egypt, due to the Department of State's ordered departure of all dependents and non-mission essential personnel from Egypt.The stop movement order,

  • Hagel calls DOD education support a strategic priority

    The Defense Department's commitment to military families and to quality education for military children is a strategic imperative that leaders will maintain, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in remarks July 9.During closing remarks at the Military Child Education Coalition's 15th National Training

  • AF firefighting aircraft repositioned

    The U.S. Forest Service, through the National Interagency Fire Center here, has directed the repositioning of military Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System aircraft from Colorado Springs, Colo., to Mesa, Ariz. "The weather and progress on the ground have helped us in the Four Corners region," said