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  • Dover AFB firefighters unveil 9/11 memorial

    The Eagle Firefighters' Association unveiled Delaware's first public 9/11 memorial on the 12th anniversary of the attacks at the Air Mobility Command museum at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Sept. 11.

  • Virtual fitness kiosks set up at 66 locations

    To help improve total force fitness levels, the Air Force is installing "Fitness on Request" kiosks at 66 locations by the end of September, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Part of the Operational Fitness Program, the kiosks are available to all Airmen, including retirees and family

  • Civilians must create eOPF account to access records

    Air Force Personnel Center officials are reminding Air Force civilian employees that they need to create their Office of Personnel Management electronic Official Personnel Folder account in order to access their personnel records.

  • AFMC to eliminate flu shots for some civilians due to budget

    As command officials make tough budget decisions with fewer dollars to spend, Air Force Materiel Command civilian employees who are not beneficiaries of the TRICARE health program will no longer receive AFMC-provided flu shots in advance of the upcoming flu season.

  • Airman makes a splash while giving back to community

    In 2011, Lance Thornton, then a Buffalo (N.Y.) State College student-athlete, hung up his goggles and swimwear to join the Air Force and eventually sharing his aquatic skills with the Montgomery YMCA Barracudas swim team.

  • Program gives Airman opportunity to attend Academy

    For most cadets, this represents their initial basic training experience and the beginning of their path to becoming an Air Force officer, but a few cadets in each class have taken the long road to Jacks Valley.

  • USAFE-AFAFRICA medical units conduct EMEDS

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa medical units participated in expeditionary medical support training to challenge their medical readiness skills Aug. 25 - 30 here. The EMEDS training included realistic scenarios for the Airmen, where they had to perform emergency medical treatments

  • Airman improves bio waste program on forward operation base

    Every day Staff Sgt. Chad Whitehead drives out to the edge of the Forward Operating Base Ghazni to dispose of biowaste. It's a necessary task to make sure that the health and sanitation of service members stationed here is maintained.

  • Official notes progress in suicide prevention effort

    Making sure people know where to turn for help during a time of crisis is the continuing goal of the Defense Department's suicide prevention program, the Pentagon official in charge of the effort said here Aug. 30.

  • Same-sex spouses eligible for join spouse, accompanied assignments

    Air Force military members with same-sex active duty spouses are now eligible for join spouse assignment consideration and those with a civilian same-sex spouse are now eligible for command sponsorship consideration, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

  • AF tuition assistance application window delayed for FY14

    Airmen applying for tuition assistance in fiscal 2014 will see several changes in both eligibility for and administration of the program.Due to these changes, the application window for classes beginning on or after Oct. 1 will not open until Sept. 9 to allow for system updates.

  • National commission reviews AF ‘life-cycle’ manpower costs

    The "National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force" interviewed senior defense leaders past and present on Aug. 27, to review the "fully-burdened life-cycle manpower costs" of active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen.

  • Air Force reminds Airmen to avoid hemp seed products

    Recent news reports on the Air Force’s prohibition of a popular yogurt brand spotlighted a regulation, in effect since the late 1990s, aimed at ensuring military readiness. Recently, military members were told to avoid a Chobani yogurt called “Blueberry Power Chobani Flip” because it contains hemp

  • Acting SecAF answers Airmen's concerns

    Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning came here Aug. 22 as part of his recent tour of bases to speak with Airmen about their concerns and to answer questions about the future of the Air Force.

  • Ambassador network launches to help military spouses find jobs

    The Defense Department has broadened its reach to military spouses looking for jobs through its new Spouse Ambassador Network, an arm of the department’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, the program’s director said here yesterday.

  • Air Force showcases hot technologies on 'cool' roof

    A year of data collection is nearly complete on the integrated roof system on the base's security forces building at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. The metal-over-metal retrofit integrates cool roofing, solar-power generation, solar thermal, above-sheathing ventilation and rainwater catchment

  • Aircraft deploy to California to aid firefighting effort

    The U.S. Forest Service, through the National Interagency Fire Center here, has ordered the three MAFFS aircraft operating at the Boise Air Tanker Base moved to McClellan Air Tanker base near Sacramento, Calif., to assist the wildland firefighting effort in the western United States.

  • Airmen train for contingency operations

    As part of the 36th Contingency Response Group, members of the 736th Security Forces Squadron provide an integrated force protection element that arrives first at operating locations. Without existing airfields, CRG members are sometimes required to arrive by parachute.

  • Curriculum policy changes mark start of new DODEA school year

    Department of Defense Education Activity students, parents and employees should expect quite a few changes in the upcoming school year, the DODEA director said in an Aug. 23 interview. Those changes will be both visible and behind the scenes, but they all are geared toward improving the quality of

  • Vigilant Eagle continues closer U.S.-Russian cooperation

    Vigilant Eagle 13 kicked off today, with scenarios that present the United States, Canada and Russia with a common enemy: terrorist hijackers, Joseph Bonnet, director of joint training and exercises for NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, said during a telephone interview with American Forces Press

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman strengthens Russian ties at Manas

    Not many Americans can say they are originally from Russia. Even fewer can say their military deployment has strengthened their family. For 2nd Lt. Liya Smolina, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Theater Security Cooperation chief host nation liaison, that's exactly the case.

  • AF releases nuclear enterprise’s future plan

    The Air Force recently announced a long-term vision for the service’s nuclear enterprise.The plan, signed by the chief of staff and secretary of the Air Force and approved by the 4-star-level Nuclear Oversight Board, provides a framework for advancing and monitoring the overall health of the Air

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Program puts Airman back in action

    Maj. Andrew Green, who works in plans and programs at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, has recently become active with the Air Force Wounded Warrior program, working to find a sport he can compete in despite an injury that has restricted his mobility and prevented him from participating in most

  • Former astronaut, AF test pilot dies

    C. Gordon Fullerton, who compiled a distinguished career as a NASA astronaut, research pilot and Air Force test pilot spanning almost 50 years, died Aug. 21. He was 76.

  • Air Force offers potential model for future MWR programs

    For a glimpse into how the military services might provide quality morale, welfare and recreation services and programs despite continuing budget pressures, the transformation program the Air Force Services directorate has been rolling out for the past two and a half years is worth a look.

  • 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.

  • Innovative programs keep MWR relevant

    Military fitness centers, swimming pools, lodging facilities and outdoor recreation offices might sound to some like a footnote among competing budget requirements. But Ed Miles, DOD’s MWR policy director, and his counterparts across the military services see a close connection to military

  • AF announces PT test enhancements to start Oct. 1

    Air Force senior leadership announced enhancements to the Air Force’s Physical Fitness Assessment program, to be implemented Oct. 1. In a letter to Airmen Aug. 20, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III explained the results of the comprehensive review, highlighting the strength of the

  • Love for Lamia: Retired general devotes life to help Afghans

    It was part of the international relationship building he spoke about to the graduating pilots from Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, Aug. 9., here that has propelled Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John Bradley into a post-military career passion.

  • DOD facilities gear up to issue ID cards to same-sex couples

    DOD facilities are gearing up to issue identification cards to same-sex spouses beginning Sept. 3, Pentagon officials said today. "All spousal and family benefits, including ID cards, will be made available no later than September 3, 2013," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen. The Supreme Court

  • Bulgarian students complete Air Force PME

    The Paul H. Lankford EPME Centergraduated its first Bulgarian students in a ceremony attended by Tennessee National Guard senior leaders and international guests. Two Bulgarian air force members completed leadership education here through the Tennessee National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

  • New ASVAB pretest available for applicants

    Applicants who hope to join the Air Force can now take the Armed Services Aptitude Battery pretest from any computer with internet access thanks to a new program.

  • 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

  • AF spouse sings her way into America’s hearts

    When Dawn McClure found out there were openings in the American Military Spouses Choir, she propped her smartphone on the mantel, recorded an audition piece and submitted it to the Center for American Military Music Opportunities for consideration. McClure, whose husband is the housing director at

  • 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

  • New tuition assistance process eliminates up-front fees

    Air Force Reserve Command officials will implement a new tuition assistance payment process Oct. 1 that will eliminate up-front fees reservists pay for classes by enabling tuition payments to go directly to a university or college.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Time is money at co-op childcare

    For stay-at-home parents, there are no such things as coffee breaks, overtime pay or weekends and holidays off. For them, the duty day never really ends. Safe and reliable childcare becomes a precious commodity for stay-at-home parents who seek the freedom to complete ordinary tasks such as grocery

  • Enlisted Airmen may be eligible for medical prep school

    Active-duty enlisted Airmen who qualify can now apply for a new pilot program designed to prepare them for medical school, but "intent to apply" emails must be submitted no later than Sept. 6, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Aug. 12. The Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program

  • 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

  • Early retirement application window closes Aug. 19

    Airmen interested in early retirement through the Temporary Early Retirement Authority Program must submit their application no later than Aug. 19, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.TERA, or the 15-year retirement program, is one of several force management programs the Air Force has

  • 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

  • Website teaches coping skills to military community

    As part of the Integrated Mental Health Strategy, the Defense Department's National Center for Telehealth and Technology and the Veterans Affairs Department's mental health informatics section have partnered to develop an interactive online educational and life-coaching program.

  • Academy accepts 1,150 into Class of 2017

    Approximately 1,150 basic cadets were accepted into the Class of 2017 during a ceremony at the Stillman Parade Field here Aug. 6.Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould conducted the pass in review, and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Greg Lengyel led the new cadets in reciting the Airman's

  • 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

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Academy coach to return to work after two strokes

    Every day Lt. Col. Dan Oosterhous is reminded to keep fighting when he glances at the bright green wristband on his right arm that reads: "Tough times don't last, tough people do." Oosterhous, the men's tennis coach here and only active-duty head coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy, wears the gift

  • 24/7 fitness center access coming to a base near you

    Getting fit to fight in the Air Force just became more convenient. As part of an Air Force Services Transformation Initiative test concept, Joint Base Andrews, Md., was one of six installations to implement unmanned hours at their fitness center, making it accessible 24/7.

  • 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

  • DOD praises service members' Civil Relief Act

    The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act has proven to be an effective tool to give troops and their families some financial peace of mind, Army Col. Paul E. Kantwill told the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee yesterday.Kantwill, the director of legal policy for the undersecretary of defense for

  • 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

  • PLAYpass gives Airmen up to $1,000 in discounts

    Airmen projected to deploy or have recently returned from a deployment can participate in the PLAYpass Get out and Play Program and save $500 to $1,000 on installation programs.The PLAYpass program is based upon discount cards which provide eligible Airmen and family members the opportunity to

  • Policy changes ease enlisting with families

    The Air Force announced changes to its accession policies on July 30 to make entering the Air Force easier for Airmen with families.The changes modified dependency and pregnancy policies for Airmen entering the Air Force, enabling Airmen with up to three children to enlist with a waiver and

  • Japanese kids get close-up look at American firefighters

    Two bright red fire trucks, American Airmen and children and an oversized fire dog stood by on a sunny and clear summer morning as buses made their way to the Kadena Air Base fire station headquarters where water arches and rainbows welcomed 49 sixth-graders and 11 escorts from a local Japanese

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Officers, enlisted members offered early retirement

    Technical and master sergeants, captains, majors and lieutenant colonels in certain Air Force specialties may apply to retire with fewer than 20 years of active service under the Temporary Early Retirement Authority, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Commonly referred to as the 15-year

  • Two combat controllers hike with USAF Seven Summits Team

    For some, hiking and climbing for days, and sometimes months, through some of the harshest environments known to man, would seem like an arduous task. Two Airmen from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., experienced just that as they summited Mount Rainier, Wash., July 19 through 22.Staff Sgt. Brian

  • 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,

  • AF to convene selective Lt Col, Col early retirement board

    The Air Force will convene a selective early retirement board Dec. 9 to consider eligible lieutenant colonels and colonels for retirement under the FY14 Force Management Program.SERB is one of several FM programs to be implemented in FY14 to help size and balance the force to meet authorized end

  • 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

  • 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

  • Pilot program enhances Autism care, treatment

    A congressionally mandated pilot program set to launch July 25 will enhance an existing Defense Department program that provides care and treatment for military children with autism, a senior DOD official said.Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs and director of

  • CMSAF speaks to Airmen at Minot AFB

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody heard directly from the enlisted force about issues important to them during two Airmen's calls here July 12. In discussing his vision for the Air Force, the chief said with the tough fiscal road ahead, the force is on the cusp of some dramatic changes

  • 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

  • Voluntary fiscal 2014 force management programs announced

    The Air Force will implement several officer and enlisted force management programs for fiscal 2014, officials said today.Force management programs enable the Air Force to both size and balance the force, with the goal of meeting mandated end strength numbers in the right career fields and at the

  • AF officials announce fiscal 2014 force management programs

    In ongoing efforts to size and shape the force to current and future requirements, Air Force officials announced the fiscal 2014 force management programs.The Air Force ended fiscal 2012 159 Airmen over end strength and anticipates ending fiscal 2013 at or marginally over end strength. The fiscal

  • KC-46 critical design review nearing completion

    The Air Force and Boeing successfully conducted the KC-46 critical design review, or CDR, from July 8-10 at the Boeing facility in Mukilteo, Wash. The KC-46 weapon system CDR was the culmination of nine months of component and sub-system design reviews, which blended the best practices of both the

  • Holding Airmen accountable: Mandatory discharge for sexual assault

    The Air Force recently adopted two new measures to eliminate sexual assault from within the ranks, including requiring discharge for Airmen who commit sexual assault, and requiring the Air Force's most senior commanders to review actions taken on these cases. According to Capt. Allison DeVito, chief

  • Mobile app helps iPhone users 'Be Ready'

    TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The "Be Ready" mobile application is now available for download on most Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad.Previously offered for Motorola Android products only, this app was developed by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Emergency Management Division

  • 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

  • 10 special duties become developmental opportunities

    Selection for 10 special duty fields is now a nominative rather than volunteer-based process, Air Force officials announced today. In the past, any qualified Airman who met eligibility criteria defined in the special duty catalog could apply for a special duty opportunity. However, as resources

  • 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

  • AF encourages Airmen to be key part of SAPR solution

     In an effort to address the growing concern of sexual assault in the Air Force, the service has kicked off an initiative to give Airmen the capability for their voice to be clearly heard called "Every Airman Counts." "I believe Airmen are a key part of the solution to this," said. Maj. Gen.