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U.S. Air Force News

  • Vandenberg AFB Airman appears on sitcom

    One Airman's journey from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to cameo appearance on a primetime situation comedy Feb. 22 was an enviable experience by most struggling actors' standards.Airman 1st Class Marcus McGinnis just couldn't resist taking a couple of photos as he waited in line with about 400

  • Photographer sees war first hand

    During her deployment with a provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan in 2010, Senior Airman Chanise Epps proved that a simple hand-held camera can be just as effective in war as the high-tech U-2 imagery she normally worked with back home."I think photography is important, because without

  • Air Force honors top recruiters for 2011

    Fifteen Air Force recruiters were named the top in their field for fiscal 2011 by the Air Force Recruiting Service in a ceremony here Feb. 8. Known as Operation Blue Suit, the AFRS program recognizes the best recruiters worldwide for their efforts in recruiting a diverse, high-performing volunteer

  • DOD seeks leadership program candidates

    Department of Defense officials are seeking active duty Air Force majors and major-selects to apply for the academic year 2012-2013 Executive Leadership Development Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Although civilians are also eligible for the program, the call for nominations

  • SecDef praises Global Strike Airmen

    The nation's top military advisor visited Barksdale Air Force Base, Feb. 17, getting a first-hand look at the Air Force's strategic deterrence capabilities.With more than 300 people in attendance, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta began his visit with a town-hall meeting, stressing the importance of

  • CSAF helps dedicate Alaska's first Fisher House

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz helped dedicate the new Alaska Fisher House in a ceremony here Feb. 17. The 56th Fisher House to be built, it is the only one of its kind in Alaska, and has already hosted a military family from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, whose newborn is in the

  • New IAAFA airfield facility consolidates aviation training

    Senior Air Force and Inter-American Air Forces Academy leaders, along with representatives from six Latin America partner nations, opened the new IAAFA Airfield Training Complex here in a ceremony Feb. 9.The new $19-million training complex combines all IAAFA aviation maintenance courses in one

  • AF identifies career fields eligible for crossflow

    Support officers in some overmanned career fields may be eligible to volunteer for retraining into an undermanned career field in support of the Air Force 2012 nonrated line officer crossflow program. Applications for the program will be accepted Feb. 17 through March16.Crossflow is one of various

  • AFAF names winners of video contest

    Air Force Assistance Fund officials named the AFAF 2012 fundraising campaign online video contest winners Feb. 15.The video contest was designed to motivate Airmen and their families to learn more about the annual AFAF campaign and the four AFAF affiliate charities -- Air Force Villages, Air Force

  • Mobile Web app makes personnel accountability easier

    Software developers have created a new mobile Web application that allows total force Airmen the ability to account for themselves and family members from their smartphone during a crisis or natural disaster.During a crisis, the Air Force uses the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment

  • Enrollment for free culture course ends Feb. 29

    Registration for the spring "Introduction to Culture" course, an online self-paced undergraduate course that helps enlisted Airmen improve their cross-cultural competence, ends Feb. 29. The course explores subjects such as elements of culture, family, gender, religion, belief systems, sports and

  • AFSPC commander addresses maturing cyberspace domain

    The Air Force Space Command commander highlighted space and cyberspace superiority, acquisition strategies and industry partnerships, and the need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education during a speech Feb. 7 in Colorado Springs, Colo.Gen. William Shelton kicked off the

  • Air Force kicks off ESOH Symposium

    The Air Force kicked off its 20th annual Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Symposium at the Colorado Convention Center here Feb. 13.The largest military training event of its kind features 525 course offerings for more than 1,200 attendees and runs through Feb. 17. Air Force senior leaders

  • OSI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service catch cyber criminal

    Criminals work their mischief where there is money to be gained, and in a world that relies heavily on the Internet, identity thieves are working overtime to find new and creative ways to steal.That was the case with Rene Quimby, who was able to get his virtual hands on the identities of more than

  • Troops, families to benefit from landmark settlement

    Service members and their families are among the Americans who will benefit from a "landmark" $25 billion foreclosure settlement between the government and banks, federal and state officials said today.The federal government and 49 state attorneys general reached the agreement with the nation's five

  • Joint Women's Leadership Symposium to be held March 5-6

    Women from all branches of the armed forces will have the opportunity to learn leadership skills and network at the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium here March 5-6.The symposium, themed "United in Service -- Our Global Impact," will offer women the opportunity to focus on their leadership

  • First lady samples Food Transformation Initiative at Little Rock

    Michelle Obama visited the Hercules Dining Facility here Feb. 9 to survey the food transformation initiative program on base. The visit was part of a three-day tour by the first lady, commemorating the second anniversary of her "Let's Move!" program designed to combat childhood obesity.In addition

  • AF 'Energy Horizons' paper

    The Air Force's Energy Horizons paper was released Feb. 9 and describes how the Service plans to increase energy supply, reduce demand and change the culture to meet mission requirements.Energy Horizons, which was signed Jan. 25, is the Air Force vision for energy science and technology focusing on

  • Airmen ensure interoperability with partner nation

    Two Airmen from the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, out of Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, are currently deployed here in support of a month-long Building Partner Capacity mission.Tech. Sgt. Ruben Sigala and Staff Sgt. Heric Llerena, both instructors at the IAAFA, joined forces with Airmen from

  • Stripes to bars: Tips on how to get commissioned

    Airmen looking to trade in their stripes for a set of bars can take advantage of five different commissioning programs offered by the Air Force. According to Melanie Mendez, 31st Force Support Squadron education and training specialist, enlisted Airmen have an advantage when applying for

  • Tuskegee Airman a success in both military and business

    A former Tuskegee Airman went on to have a career in the Air Force, as well as success in the business world.Lee A. Archer joined the Army in 1941 with high hopes of becoming a pilot, but was initially denied because of his race. When the Army's policy changed about a year later, Archer was accepted

  • CMSAF discusses current Air Force issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed top Air Force issues with more than 100 military members at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, Feb. 1.Roy spoke about budget issues, resiliency and future capabilities of the Air Force.The chief said he attempts to visit the advisers

  • Air Force works with Fish and Wildlife Service to manage wildfires

    The Air Force and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working to establish a national partnership aimed at managing wildfires.Officials with the USFWS, Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment, Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Air Combat Command and 4th Fighter Wing met Jan. 12 to

  • Air Force announces force structure overview for FY 13 and beyond

    Air Force officials announced proposed force structure changes which support the new DoD strategic guidance retiring 286 aircraft over the next five years, including 227 in fiscal year 13.According to Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, the Air Force is shaping itself for future challenges

  • SecAF: AF will continue to be ready, agile and flexible

    In the face of a changing strategic environment and constrained budgets, the Air Force will maintain its agility, flexibility and readiness to engage a full range of contingencies and threats, according to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.Donley spoke to approximately 160 Airmen, industry

  • AF officials update enlisted constrained jobs list

    Air Force Specialty Codes on the fiscal 2012 career job reservation constrained list were updated effective Feb. 1, Air Force officials announced. Four AFSCs were added to the constrained list, and three were removed.The career job reservations program enables the Air Force to control the number of

  • Medical officer sees other side of care after injury

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)In Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, where East meets West in a struggle to defeat the Taliban, lies an air base that's home to 30,000

  • Bagram Airmen work to deliver link to home

    The men and women of the 455th Expeditionary Communication Squadron Knowledge Operations Management Office dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to provide a valuable service to 455th Air Expeditionary Wing personnel and its Air Force tenant units...mail call. Although it is not within their

  • Civilian developmental education applications due beginning in March

    Air Force civilians interested in developmental education should work on their nomination packages now, Air Force Personnel Center officials advised.The official call for nominations will be in March, but some people may need more time to gather information and coordinate their package, said Joan

  • ESC working to upgrade the 'heart' of control, reporting center

    The Electronic Systems Center is working to modernize the U.S. Air Force Control and Reporting Center and has recently put out a request for information to upgrade the CRC Operations Module. The CRC is a mobile command, control and communications radar element which provides a comprehensive air

  • AF names support, training, recruiting, maintenance commanders

    More than 580 officers from various Air Force career fields have been selected for mission support, training and recruiting, and deputy maintenance group command, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Using squadron commander candidate lists released in November, wing hiring officials,

  • Acquisition board approves DEAMS next phase

    The Defense Acquisition Board on Jan. 10 approved the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System's entry into the engineering and manufacturing development phase, otherwise known in acquisition terms as Milestone B.The purpose of DEAMS, which was initiated in 2003 as a joint effort between

  • Obama praises DOD's energy leadership, stewardship

    President Barack Obama traveled to Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., Jan. 26 to praise the military for "doing its part" -- not just in the nation's defense, but also as leaders in energy conservation.Obama delivered his message at the home of the 460th Space Wing in Aurora, Colo., calling the "green"

  • Hiring from Bender list supports presidential disability hiring goals

    Hiring officials can use the Office of Personnel Management Shared List of People with Disabilities to help the Air Force meet presidential disability hiring expectations, and by doing so may also speed up the hiring process.According to Sonia Ybanez, of the Air Force Personnel Center program

  • AF officials announce Lance P. Sijan Award winners

    Air Force officials recently announced the winners of the 2011 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award.The Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award recognizes Airmen who have demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities.The senior officer category winner is Maj. Laura Dejong, who is assigned to

  • National database helps protect military from financial fraud

    Their presence outside military bases has become all too familiar: businesses peddling cars, electronics and other items with undisclosed conditions or sky-high interest rates that quickly become a financial nightmare for service members.Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced as

  • AF names mission support squadron commanders

    More than 580 officers from various Air Force career fields have been selected for mission support, training and recruiting, and deputy maintenance group command, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Using squadron commander candidate lists released in November, wing hiring officials,

  • AFAF video contest submissions due Jan. 31

    Air Force Assistance Fund officials reminded Airmen and YouTube fans that submissions for the AFAF 2012 fundraising campaign online video contest are due Jan. 31.The video contest was extended to allow participants more time to complete their video entries. "The contest is open to any individual or

  • Sather Memorial finds rest at JB San Antonio

    A memorial honoring the U.S. Air Force's first combat casualty during Operation Iraqi Freedom was unveiled Jan. 20 at Medina Annex, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Staff Sgt. Scott D. Sather, a combat controller, was killed in Iraq on April 8, 2003. Pararescuemen, combat controllers and Pararescue

  • Fitness NCO brings smiles to deployed Airmen

    This NCO is always there. If you're feeling down, she will comfort you. If you're eating by yourself, she will sit by you, and, if you're looking to improve your fitness, she'll whip your body into shape. She is ... the ultimate wingman.Meet Staff Sgt. Sokum Ouk, a 332nd Expeditionary Force Support

  • High-altitude fitness test rules reinstated

    Airmen undergoing their fitness tests at high-altitude bases can breathe easier during fitness testing thanks to the efforts of Air Force Academy leaders and the Human Performance Laboratory.Changes to the Air Force Fitness testing program in 2010 didn't include an altitude adjustment, as the

  • CSAF visits Moody Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife Suzie spent Jan. 18 visiting the Airmen of Moody Air Force Base.Schwartz, along with 23rd Wing Commander Col. Billy Thompson and 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing Commander Col. Scott Kindsvater, spent the day touring the base and meeting with

  • AF, Coast Guard team up in green sea turtle rescue operation

    The Air Force and Coast Guard teamed up Jan. 6 to rescue 29 green sea turtle hatchlings and give them a little help in their migration to the open ocean.The turtles, hatchlings from the last of 110 active green sea turtle nests here, may not have made it out of the nest without intervention by the

  • New AF camp renamed in honor of JTAC

    The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing's newly acquired Canada 9 compound will soon be renamed to honor a joint terminal attack controller who was posthumously awarded a Silver Star for his actions in January 2010.Recently approved by Kandahar Airfield officials, the compound was renamed Camp Bradley

  • AETC Airmen share lessons, vision at 2012 Symposium

    Thousands of Airmen from across Air Education and Training Command attended the 2012 AETC Symposium here Jan. 12-13 to learn about world-leading capabilities and technologies for educating, training, recruiting and innovating.More than 120 vendor booths, 70 seminars and panels, and a number of

  • Supervisor resource center moves to AF Portal

    Information, education and training critical to civilian supervisors is available at such online resources as the Supervisory Resource Center, which has moved to the Air Force Portal, SRC developers announced today.Formerly located on the Air Force Knowledge Now platform as a community of practice

  • Civil engineers recognized at annual gala

    The Air Force's focus on engineering and environmental projects in 2011 will be highlighted during the 50th Annual Civil Engineer Awards dinner at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Officers' Club Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. Military member award category winners will be able to wear the Air Force recognition

  • Air Force completes FY12 civilian workforce restructure

    Air Force officials announced 4,500 additional positions for elimination as a continuation of its FY12 Civilian Workforce Restructure Jan 11.This reduction builds on the realignments announced in November, including the elimination of 9000 positions and the addition of 5900 positions against the Air

  • State Partnership Program emphasizes building relationships

    A small, but innovative, program demonstrates the U.S. military's "very agile and flexible" capabilities in working with partners, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said recently.Meeting with reporters Jan. 5 after the announcement of President Barack Obama's new strategic guidance for

  • Quality assurance Airman turns hardship into strength

    (Editor's note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes". These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Tech. Sgt. Barry Armstrong grew up in a broken home, living with his mother and siblings moving from town to town looking for work just to make

  • CMSAF discusses top issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy addressed a capacity crowd of Airmen and civilians at the Langley Theater on Jan. 11, and covered a wide variety of key Air Force issues. Roy spoke on topics such as training, force management programs and how the current budget will affect operations,

  • Air Force completes Kabul shooting investigation

    The Air Force completed its investigation into the April 27, 2011 shooting incident at the Afghanistan air force Headquarters located in Kabul, Afghanistan, in which eight U.S. Air Force Airmen and one civilian contractor were killed in the line of duty while serving in a combat zone. The incident

  • McConnell Airman represents Reserve at 172 mph

    Calling an Airman "high speed" is a figure of speech that goes hand-in-hand with phrases like "sharp troop," "go-getter," and "on-the-ball," but when someone says Tech Sgt. John Fitzpatrick is high speed, the compliment is literal.Fitzpatrick, an aircraft structural craftsman with the 931st

  • Air Force officials announce enlisted constrained jobs list

    Air Force officials announced Jan. 10, the fiscal 2012 career job reservation program with 16 Air Force Specialty Codes placed on the constrained list.Career job reservations allows the Air Force to control the number of first-term Airmen re-enlisting in career fields where projected manning levels

  • F.E. Warren mourns loss of Airman

    Members of F.E. Warren Air Force Base here were informed Jan. 5 that one of their own, an explosives ordnance disposal technician, was killed in action during his deployment to southern Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Force operations."We all mourn the loss of Tech. Sgt.

  • Air Force leaders commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. birthday

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy issued the following message to the Airmen of the United States Air Force:As America commemorates the federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr., we call

  • Record long-range bomber flight turns 50

    Fifty years ago on Jan. 11, 1962, a crew of eight Airmen embarked on a historic feat that would take them half way across the globe and reaffirm to the world America's dominance in long-range aircraft strike capabilities.Piloting the newest model of long-range bombers, the B-52H Stratofortress,

  • DOD leaders: U.S. will remain world's strongest military

    The Defense Department's new, 10-year strategy will ensure the U.S. remains the world's strongest military power, DOD leaders emphasized in weekend interviews.In an interview with Bob Schieffer that aired Jan. 8 on the CBS news program "Face the Nation," Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Joint

  • First Transit Center commander reflects on decade of change

    Even in his wildest dreams, he never could have envisioned what he started 10 years ago would turn into what he sees now. But when the Transit Center's first commander, then-Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly, landed on Runway 08 at the Manas International Airport on Dec. 16, 2001, he saw potential of what this

  • Air Force maintenance icon dies

    Retired Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez died Dec. 30 in Albuquerque, N.M., at age 79.Throughout his 33-year career, Marquez is credited with revolutionizing the maintenance and logistics career field."In my many encounters with General Leo Marquez, he always lived up to his reputation as being one of those

  • Obama: Future force will be smaller, agile, ready

    At a moment of national transition, the U.S. is reshaping defense priorities and its military force to sustain U.S. global leadership and respond to changing security and fiscal needs, President Barack Obama said Jan. 5 at the Pentagon.Obama, the first president to address reporters in the Pentagon

  • Obama: Defense strategy will maintain U.S. military pre-eminence

    President Barack Obama announced a defense strategy Jan. 5 that he said will allow the military to defend the United States and its national interests while cutting military spending in a responsible, balanced manner.The president spoke about the conclusions of the defense strategy review at the

  • SecDef calls deployed Air Force NCO to ring in new year

    The NCO picked up the phone in his office at Kabul International Airport and on the other end was the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta who called Jan. 1, 2012, to wish him a happy New Year.Air Force Tech. Sgt. Charles Heathman, a rotary wing maintenance adviser with the 438th Air Expeditionary

  • Bulgarian doctors observe aeromedical evacuation at Ramstein AB

    Four doctors from the Bulgarian Military Medical Academy visited here for a week-long aeromedical evacuation orientation. The familiarization event took the doctors on a tour of the 86th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility where the primary function is safe transport and staging of patients

  • Air Force offering second round of VERA/VSIP

    The Air Force is offering a second round of voluntary early retirement authority and voluntary separation incentive pay beginning Jan. 9.The move is part of the Air Force's continuing effort to meet the Department of Defense requirement to maintain civilian funding at fiscal 2010 levels"The Air

  • American300 Warrior Tour brings 'never quit' message to 24th Air Force, JBSA

    No one complained about the rain during 24th Air Force's war fit physical training here Dec. 19. Complaining was not an option when two amputees from American300 Warrior Tours led the way.Chad Crittenden, a CBS' Survivor contestant, and Mike Schultz, an ESPN's X Games adaptive gold medalist, didn't

  • Saudi Arabia to purchase 84 F-15SA, upgrade current F-15 fleet

    Air Force officials announced the next chapter in a partnership with the Royal Saudi Air Force as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently signed a $29.4 billion Foreign Military Sales Letter of Offer and Acceptance solidifying their plans to purchase 84 F-15SA fighter aircraft and upgrade their current

  • DOD releases sexual assault report, announces new policies

    Defense Department officials released the "Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies" on Dec. 27, covering the academic year from June 1, 2010, to May 31, 2011.The report shows an increase in reports of sexual assault, with 65 reports of sexual assault

  • NASA space camp scholarship offered to children of military

    NASA Space Camp is a place of learning where children come together for a journey they will never forget. For many, it is a life-changing event - helping them make decisions about their educational and vocational careers. This extraordinary adventure teaches our youth about astronauts and space

  • SecAF thanks Airmen during Lajes visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Lajes Field Airmen Dec. 18-19 to thank them for their service and countless sacrifices this holiday season. "During the holidays, please know that all Americans are keeping you and your families in their thoughts and prayers," Secretary Donley said.

  • SecAF visits Incirlik Air Base

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited with Airmen during a visit to Turkey Dec. 19-21 here.Donley toured multiple units throughout the base, to include the medical group, logistics readiness squadron, operations squadron, and the Incirlik Unit School. The secretary also dined with

  • Air Force officials release high year tenure details

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 19, high year of tenure limit changes for the grades of senior airman, staff sergeant and technical sergeant that go into effect in 2013. The changes are a part of additional force management programs that are ongoing to continue to size and shape the force to

  • Air Force officials announce additional force management measures

    In on-going efforts to continue to size and shape the force to current and future requirements, Air Force officials announced additional force management programs. The Air Force ended fiscal year 2011 about 1,200 Airmen over endstrength.For enlisted Airmen, voluntary programs from last year will

  • Air Force provides interim report on Dover to Defense Secretary

    On Dec. 16, the Secretary of the Air Force provided the Secretary of Defense an interim report addressing the disciplinary actions taken in response to substandard management practices and procedures at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center at Dover Air Force Base, Del.The interim report

  • EO officials aim to set the standard for federal agencies

    Air Force equal opportunity officials have expanded a pilot program that reduces processing times for civilian equal employment opportunity complaints to five months versus the standard six months. The move is part of an Air Force effort to set the EO standard for federal agencies. In 2010, the Air

  • Deputy SECDEF releases memo to employees on possible government shutdown

    The Department of Defense could be affected by a possible government shutdown if an omnibus appropriations bill is not approved before the current appropriation expires Dec. 16 at midnight, wrote Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter in a memorandum Dec. 14.In the memo, which was addressed to

  • AF Wounded Warrior Program helps Airmen transition, become self-sufficient

    For wounded warriors who are being medically retired, the fear of leaving the service can be a frightening reality. Unfortunately, there are many more hurdles they must face during their transition.While the Air Force has many programs in place to help these Airmen, the Wounded Warrior Program care

  • Panetta concludes Iraq mission noting service, sacrifice

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta joined Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and other U.S. and Iraq leaders in honoring eight years of service and sacrifice as they commemorated the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq."No words, no ceremony can provide full

  • Thrift savings plan contribution limits increase in 2012

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has announced the 2012 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions has increased from $16,500 to $17,000 for 2012, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The TSP catch-up plan contribution limit will remain at $5,500. TSP

  • Air Force to lift hiring freeze Dec. 15

    The hiring freeze implemented in August will be fully lifted Dec. 15, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.The freeze, preceded by hiring controls, was one of several measures implemented in 2011 to bring manning down to mandated 2010 levels. In addition, voluntary separation incentives

  • New showerheads help conserve water at Andersen AFB

    The Air Force prides itself in conserving energy and resources, and Airmen here are doing their part with the recent installation of low-flow showerheads in base housing. Brig. Gen. John Doucette, the 36th Wing commander, was the first to install the energy efficient appliance Dec. 6."By lowering

  • AFIT seeks enlisted advanced degree applicants

    The Air Force Institute of Technology is offering enlisted applicants an opportunity to pursue advanced academic degrees in management or engineering, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.Nominations are due to AFPC by Dec. 31, with the selection board slated to convene Jan. 20.

  • Cadet killed in on-base car accident

    A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet was killed in a single-car accident Dec. 10 on the installation. Cadet 2nd Class Stephen E. Williams was a manager for the Air Force Falcons football team and a systems engineering management major."Our Air Force Academy family suffered a tragic loss over the weekend,"

  • First Afghan pilot class in 30 years kicks off at Shindand

    The Afghan air force marked the beginning of its first undergraduate pilot training held exclusively inside Afghanistan in more than 30 years during a ceremony Dec. 10 here. More than 200 Afghan and coalition service members attended the ceremony.The first class will consist of seven Afghan air

  • Blended e-learning courses mix accessibility, personal touch

    As part of the effort to modernize Air Force training programs, the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development here has taken to cyberspace recently with five new blended e-learning courses. Using a combination of online webinars and self-paced curriculum, the e-learning courses allow students

  • Priority placement program serves employee, DOD needs

    Civilian employees adversely affected by actions such as transfer of function or base realignment and closure may be eligible for assistance through the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program. "The priority placement program sometimes conjures concern when mentioned, but it is one of the

  • Air Force officials urge safe winter holiday season

    With the holidays around the corner, officials at the Air Force Safety Center here remind Airmen to use sound risk management during the upcoming festivities both on- and off-duty. "As we celebrate this holiday season, please be vigilant and remember to be a good wingman for all those in your family

  • Air Force expands FY12 officer voluntary force management measures

    Air Force leaders announced Dec. 6 the expansion of voluntary officer separation measures for fiscal 2012 as part of the service's ongoing force-management initiatives.The leaders implemented a tailored, multi-year program in 2010 to reduce the personnel numbers to meet the service's authorized

  • USO honors service members' leadership

    Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer, a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan in August, a Soldier and an Air Force search-and-rescue team member who repeatedly exposed themselves to enemy fire to save their wounded comrades, and a Coast Guardsman who led maritime security operations in the

  • U.S., Honduran partners help more than 1,100 flood victims

    More than 20 medical personnel from Joint Task Force-Bravo provided general medical care to more than 1,100 flood victims Nov. 29 and 30 here. The JTF-Bravo team, from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, collaborated with their Honduran medical partners, including the Honduran Ministry of Health, to

  • Recovery care program assists wounded, ill or injured Airmen

    When an Airman becomes seriously wounded, ill or injured, the little things have a tendency to fall through the cracks as they focus on recovery and rehabilitation. These little things, like paying the bills for instance, have the potential to turn into major problems for Airmen and their families

  • Muncy to Airmen: Tell your story

    The command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard spoke with members of  Maryland Air National Guard 175th Wing during a town hall meeting Dec. 4 here.Chief Master Sgt. Christopher E. Muncy represents the highest level of enlisted leadership for the Air National Guard. He told the audience

  • CAP marks 70th anniversary, honors World War II members

    Civil Air Patrol members observed the 70th anniversary of its founding with a ceremony Dec. 1 at its national headquarters here. During the ceremony, which celebrated the past, present and future of the official civilian auxiliary of the Air Force, CAP leaders presented Exceptional Service Awards to

  • Officials seek nonappropriated employees for career broadening opportunities

    Nonapproriated funds employees now have the opportunity to expand their careers and sharpen their leadership skills through the NAF Career Broadener Program. Applications for this program are part of the NAF Development Team call released Dec. 1.This Air Force initiative allows federal employees in

  • Last commander of Joint Base Balad departs

    What began 14 months ago will conclude, with the transitioning the second largest U.S. base in Iraq to the Iraqi government. Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander and the final commander of Joint Base Balad, relinquished command during a ceremony Dec. 4 here. "My first

  • Airman receives lifetime achievement award for alternative fuels

    A technical advisor at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award for his extensive work with alternative fuels.The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative awarded William E. Harrison III the Visionary

  • AFAF officials extend video contest to raise awareness for charities

    Air Force Assistance Fund officials announced Dec. 2 the extension to the AFAF's 2012 fundraising campaign online video contest to Jan. 31, 2012.The extension of the video contest is to allow participants more time to complete their video entries. "We received requests for extensions to the deadline

  • Air Force releases lieutenant colonel SERB results

    Commanders Air Force-wide were notified Nov. 30 of the results of the Calendar 2011 Lieutenant Colonel Selective Early Retirement Board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here in October.Lieutenant colonels in the Line of the Air Force competitive category who were twice deferred for promotion

  • Coalition maintenance team welcomes Afghan air force maintainers

    In an effort to build stronger relationships, members of Task Force Thunder at Kandahar Air Wing hosted Afghan air force maintainers for a visit recently.During a maintenance facility tour, Afghan air force members saw firsthand the processes and equipment TF Thunder teams employ into their aviation