NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • SecAF implements additional security measures after attacks

    In response to the defense secretary’s call to improve the security and force protection of defense personnel after the tragic events in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James introduced more stringent security measures to reduce the possibility of violent acts directed toward

  • AF presents Fisher House award to TAPS

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James presented the 2014 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award to the founder and president of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors in a ceremony at the Pentagon Dec. 1.

  • Avoid paying more for prescription drugs

    This December, TRICARE beneficiaries can take action to avoid paying more for some prescription drugs. Beneficiaries filling a prescription for a select brand name maintenance drug at a retail pharmacy may need to move their prescription to either a military pharmacy or TRICARE Pharmacy Home

  • Overseas members entitled to stateside care

    Overseas military families may face a problem when they return home to the United States for the holidays. Service members and their families enrolled in the TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) or TOP Prime Remote are entitled to visit hospitals and clinics stateside and receive the same priority

  • Air Force revamping flight, operational medicine

    The Air Force Medical Service is restructuring flight and operational medicine by separating primary care and occupational medicine services into two distinct clinics, with the goal of improving care and creating more efficient and patient-centered workflows.

  • James discusses priorities with Stuttgart-area Airmen

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James met with senior leaders and Airmen during a visit to U.S. Africa Command Nov. 18. The visit to AFRICOM was the culmination of a weeklong trip where James made stops in Morocco, Egypt and Djibouti, among other locations.

  • Air University focused on deterrence

    The end of the Cold War, coupled with the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, caused American decision-makers to focus on present-day conflicts, but a resurgent Russia, the rise of new non-state actors and new threats in the cyber realm have brought about a renewed focus on the concept of deterrence,

  • Healing through music

    Former Maj. Frank Vassar pulled out his cellphone and played a song that he wrote and recorded as other wounded Airmen listened closely. Vassar, 46, explained to about a dozen Airmen at a music therapy session Nov. 19 on Joint Base Andrews that the song, “Evil,” described his post-traumatic stress

  • SecAF makes first visit to Djibouti

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James met with Airmen and senior leaders stationed at Camp Lemonnier and the U.S. Embassy, as well as senior members from the Djiboutian military, during her first visit to the country Nov. 12.

  • Airman achieves dream of U.S. citizenship

    Growing up in rural Tarlac province in the Philippines, Air Force Reserve Senior Airman Anne Venice Jalos, a finance manager with the 446th Airlift Wing here, never envisioned that at age 19 she would be serving in the U.S. military as a naturalized citizen.

  • Air Force acquisition lead moves to MITRE

    The Air Force announced Nov. 18 that Dr. William A. LaPlante, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, is transitioning from government service to a senior position at the MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates federally funded research and development

  • Strengthening alliances with music

    The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific performed at the 2015 Japan Self-Defense Force Marching Festival at the Nippon Budokan Arena in Tokyo Nov. 13-15.

  • EUCOM implements travel restrictions to France

    United States European Command has implemented travel restrictions to France that apply to all Defense Department personnel. Specifically, unofficial travel (leave, liberty and special pass) to France is prohibited.

  • The unstoppable Airman

    Airman 1st Class Tanya Brown was a fulltime everything three years ago -- beautician, livestock farmer, college student, wife and mother to four children. Then, not being one to shy away from a challenge, the 35 year old decided to join the Air National Guard.

  • Eglin crew chiefs advance with F-35

    As the Air Force continues to develop their newest fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II, the 33rd Fighter Wing ensures the Airmen tasked with taking care of it receive the training they need to advance with it.

  • PACAF hosts first visit of Korean cadets

    Pacific Air Forces hosted more than 70 Republic of Korea Air Force Academy cadets at its headquarters Nov. 10 for its first-ever visit by a ROKAFA cadet class.

  • Veterans in Blue: honoring those who served

    The Air Force maintains a special portrait display in the Pentagon as part of its commitment to honoring the devotion and service of veterans. Volume VI will replace volume V of the Veterans in Blue project this November.

  • Obama: U.S., allies will redouble efforts in wake of ISIL attacks

    The G-20 meeting in Antalya, Turkey, that ended Nov. 16 was supposed to address the economy. But the Nov. 13 terrorist attack on Paris changed that agenda, and President Barack Obama pledged to redouble efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

  • Mountain Home Airmen, guardsmen operate as team in medical training

    For the second time this year, Mountain Home Air Force Base hosted a Gunfighter Flag exercise to keep Airmen ready for possible real-world scenarios. Gunfighter Flag doesn't just keep the Mountain Home Airmen ready, but it also allows them to practice total force integration as it often has

  • Reflecting on Veterans Day

    Veterans and their families, both young and old, reflected on the sacrifices made by Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, who provide this nation with the best fighting force in the world, during a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at the Air Force Memorial, which overlooks the Pentagon and Potomac

  • Sharpening a resume with purpose, relevance

    Writing a resume for federal employment consideration doesn't have to be daunting. In fact, it's about providing an applicant's best qualities when it comes to showcasing workplace responsibilities, education and career accomplishments.

  • Art therapy helps close the wounds of Air Force vets

    As a mortuary affairs Airman, retired Master Sgt. Justin Jordan handled dozens of bodies of service members, many of whom were killed downrange. But one mission at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, finally made him crack.

  • Air Force International Affairs builds international Airmen

    The Air Force’s International Affairs deputy shared why building global air force partnerships through integrating political-military relationships, security assistance, technology and information disclosure issues ensures relationships endure during an Air Force Association monthly breakfast Nov.

  • ACC commander attends DWG breakfast

    Air Combat Command commander, Gen. Herbert Carlisle, hosted reporters from the Defense Writer’s Group during a breakfast at the Fairmont Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C., Nov. 10.

  • Denton Program delivers the goods

    A C-5 Galaxy delivered 23,415 pounds of humanitarian aid supplies to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, Nov. 9 through the Denton Program.

  • AF veterans reveal what Veterans Day means to them

    The day when nearly 70 bullets riddled his HH-3E Jolly Green Giant rescue helicopter as his crew tried to save two Airmen during the Vietnam War remains vivid for retired Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Richardson. It was March 14, 1968, and Richardson, a flight engineer at the time, and others were called

  • DOD VOLED to hold virtual education fair Nov. 19

    In an effort to expand the reach of military voluntary education and help make higher education accessible for all service members, veterans and family members, the Defense Department’s Voluntary Education Program will host its first virtual education fair Nov. 19.

  • AF strengthens ties with community through partnership program

    The Air Force Community Partnership Program (AFCP), one of the 13 Make Every Dollar Count initiatives launched by the Air Force, is currently working with 51 installations and local communities to improve and strengthen community and Air Force partnerships.

  • Buddies for life: Airmen maintain friendship throughout AF careers

    Seventeen years ago, a young Darko Desancic got on a school bus for his first day of sixth grade. While on his way, it didn't take long for one boy to make fun of his foreign accent. Little did they know that the friendly banter would be the start of a lasting friendship. Fast forward to 2015, Tech

  • Cadet earns top Civil Air Patrol honor

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presented the General Carl A. Spaatz Award to Cadet Col. Matthew Jackson, a Civil Air Patrol cadet, during a Nov. 9 ceremony at the Pentagon.

  • Planes by day, cars by night; Airman's passion brings balance

    By day, Tech. Sgt. Gabriel, a 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing sensor operator and junior executive officer, helps support global operations by flying eight-hour MQ-9 Reaper sorties from the comfort of a cushy, thick seat inside a ground control station. But by night, he finds himself

  • November is Warrior Care Month

    TRICARE is a health care program for uniformed service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, survivors and their families around the world. We ensure our beneficiaries receive care that is proven both safe and effective. This month, make time to learn about all the health care

  • ESPN SportsCenter to broadcast from Academy on Veterans Day

    The Air Force Academy is scheduled to host ESPN on Veterans Day for a live telecast of its flagship program, SportsCenter.The Academy visit will anchor a week of network programming as part of ESPN's seventh annual America's Heroes salute.

  • Global Strike Airmen support largest NATO exercise in 20 years

    Two B-52 Stratofortress aircrews assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a long-range bomber mission to the U.S. European Command area of operations Nov. 3-4 as part of Trident Juncture 2015 -- the largest NATO exercise in the past 20 years.

  • TRICARE young adult premiums to increase Jan. 1

    Premiums for the Military Health System’s benefit plan for adult children between 21 and 26 years old have been announced. The premiums for TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) program will increase on Jan. 1 to $306 per month for TYA Prime, and $228 per month for TYA Standard.

  • Airmen work hand-in-paw with four-legged wingmen

    The Andersen AFB kennels are one of the largest out of more than 70 facilities across the Air Force. While the military working dogs may remind many of the homebound pets of base housing, these trained workers are a force to be reckoned with at all times.

  • Retired general talks issues facing females in military

    Retired Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, a former 14th Air Force commander, spoke to servicewomen from Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever AFB and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station about issues facing females in the military during a women's brunch Oct. 29.

  • First lady visits, praises troops at Al Udeid AB

    The service members at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, are performing demanding duty without complaint as they represent the United States, first lady Michelle Obama told troops on the base Nov. 3.Joined by late night talk show host Conan O'Brien and other entertainers to perform a USO-style show, Obama

  • Securing the future by Bending the Cost Curve

    Bending the Cost Curve, one of the 13 Make Every Dollar Count cost initiatives launched by the Air Force, includes a growing and evolving set of more than 20 acquisition reform activities. These activities are focused on finding ways the Air Force can be more effective at how it spends money to get

  • 45th Space Wing supports GPS satellite launch aboard Atlas V

    The 45th Space Wing supported the Air Force's 11th launch of a Boeing-built Global Positioning System IIF satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on Oct. 31.

  • Travis doctor saves hero Airman's life

    By the 20th hour of her 30-hour shift, she had already managed two gunshot victims when the call came into the emergency room.Just 2 miles away, an ambulance rushed to transport a 23-year-old male suffering from multiple stab wounds to Sacramento's only Level 1 trauma center, located at UC Davis

  • A family affair: Gen. Warner Robins' grandchildren visit base, museum

    The namesake of the city of Warner Robins and Robins Air Force Base had three daughters. Brig. Gen. Augustine Warner Robins and his wife, Dorothy Gretchen, were the parents of Dorothy Robins Gray, Elizabeth "Betty" Warner Robins, and Helen Robins Guilfoyle. On Oct. 26, the three children of the

  • MiCARE provides faster care

    Capt. Jennifer Varney likes to come to work early. As a family nurse practitioner and family health flight commander at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, she arrives at the base’s Family Health Clinic around 5 a.m. and checks the MiCARE site for any overnight patient emails.

  • ACC intel officer shares new ISR perspective

    Air Combat Command’s senior intelligence officer shared her perspective on fusion warfare with the intelligence community, defense industry and media during an Oct. 22 assembly at the Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

  • US, Polish airmen build capabilities, partnership

    The 86th and 182nd Airlift Wings are participating in bilateral training with the Polish Air Force during Aviation Detachment 16-1 in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve at Powdiz Air Base, Poland.

  • Full-time Airman, part-time MMA fighter

    Mixed martial arts fighting is not for the faint hearted. It takes effort and full-time dedication to be the best of the best in the octagonal cage. For Senior Airman Mark Wirth, a 819th RED HORSE Squadron structural engineer, he believes he has the motivation and dedication to rise from amateur to

  • AF announces KC-46A preferred, reasonable alternatives

    Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, has been chosen as the preferred alternative for the first Reserve-led KC-46A Pegasus main operating base, Air Force officials announced Oct. 29. The KC-46As are expected to begin arriving in 2019.

  • Air Force set to launch next-to-last GPS IIF satellite

    Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center and its mission partners are scheduled to launch the 11th Boeing-built Global Positioning System IIF satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 launch vehicle Oct. 30 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force

  • Air Force awards LRS-B contract

    The Air Force announced today the contract award of Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) and early production for the Long Range Strike Bomber to Northrop Grumman Corporation.

  • Air Force releases new SAPR strategy

    Air Force leaders released a five-year Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Strategy that will guide the Air Force in developing a robust prevention model while continually honing response capabilities today.

  • Complex closes out productive year with 217 aircraft serviced

    A total of 217 aircraft -- including C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules and F-15 Eagle models -- were serviced in fiscal year 2015, which ended Sept. 30. That number includes 15 unscheduled depot-level maintenance aircraft, with two C-5s, three C-17s and 10 C-130s.

  • Military kids learn life lessons from NBA pros

    Seventy-five Defense Department youth from various military installations here learned life lessons and basketball skills from NBA legend Bruce Bowen and San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills during a Junior NBA clinic at Cole High School on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 19.

  • Family isn't always blood

    People like routines, schedules and structure, especially in the military. Change can sometimes be unwelcome and overwhelming, particularly if it's a sudden, drastic change due to an illness. For Tech. Sgt. Thomas Echelmeyer, of the 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, that's exactly what happened. His

  • U-2 brought to forefront with ‘Spies’ premiere

    The Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission areas were highlighted with the release of a major motion picture Oct. 16. The Air Force Entertainment Liaison Office teamed with movie producers to tell the story of Capt. Francis Gary Powers, an Air Force U-2 pilot who was shot

  • Selva: USO volunteers offer hope to service members

    The USO volunteer force brings hope to service members in every corner of the planet, said Gen. Paul J. Selva, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the 2015 USO Gala and awards ceremony Oct. 20.

  • Latin American cadets learn about airlift

    Dover Air Force Base officials hosted 26 cadets from 13 countries in Central and South America as they toured the base's transport aircraft types during a visit Oct. 15.

  • Cybersecurity, OPSEC vital to mission success

    Every day, Air Force organizations and personnel are reminded of the importance of operations security and cybersecurity, and how integrating them into day-to-day operations helps protect proprietary and sensitive information from disclosure, espionage and exploitation.

  • MQ-1B Predator crashes in Turkey

    An Air Force MQ-1B Predator, a remotely piloted aircraft, crashed in southern Turkey at approximately 9:36 p.m. local time, Oct. 19.

  • Pope Airman awarded DOD’s ‘Spirit of Hope’

    Tech. Sgt. Rebeca Martin, assigned to the U.S. Air Force Combat Control School, was honored by the Defense Department during a ceremony Oct. 16 at the Pentagon where she received the 2015 Spirit of Hope Award, named after the legendary entertainer Bob Hope to recognize selfless service and a

  • Airmen of New York's 109th AW begin Antarctic mission

    The takeoff of the New York Air National Guard's LC-130 Hercules ski-equipped aircraft here Oct. 16 marked the official start of the 109th Airlift Wing's 28th season of support to science research at the South Pole.

  • Spirituality holds Airman up

    "It puts things into perspective," said Master Sgt. Wendell Barnes, the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander support staff superintendent. "I love what I do in the military, but it is temporary and my faith is forever."

  • Moody honors fallen comrade

    Airmen, family and friends gathered at the Moody Air Force Base chapel to say their final goodbyes and honor the life of Tech. Sgt. Marissa Hartford during a memorial service Oct. 16.

  • Nellis Airman 'LEAPs' into language program

    Capt. Reni Angelova, the 99th Medical Group practice manager, speaks Russian, Bulgarian and English while possessing master’s degrees in economics, law, business administration as well as international relations. She has worked as a teacher and a border patrol agent at one of the busiest checkpoints