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U.S. Air Force News

  • Lieutenant continues legacy started by great uncle, Medal of Honor recipient

    Facing a wave of enemy Communist forces, and knowing that staying behind would likely lead to his capture, Army Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun disregarded the evacuation order and willingly risked his life to tend to the wounded.Kapaun, according to numerous battlefield accounts from the Korean

  • Fit to fight or fighting to get fit?

    March is typically focused on the madness of college basketball or growing a fabulous mustache. But it's also a time to watch both what's on the table during your favorite team's game or on the verge of getting caught in that carefully groomed crumb catcher.

  • Transportation official urges planning before PCS moves

    With warmer weather comes peak moving season, so when orders are in hand, people should plan ahead to ensure the most hassle-free relocation, a senior official who oversees personal property moves for military families said in a recent interview.

  • AF undersecretary headlines F-35 unveiling at Luke AFB

    Luke Air Force Base celebrated the arrival of its first F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter with an unveiling ceremony here March 14. The event was attended by approximately 500 people, including elected officials, community leaders, representatives from partner nation air forces and many Luke

  • AF releases SMSgt promotion list

    More than 900 master sergeants have been selected for promotion to senior master sergeant, Air Force officials announced today.

  • AF physician assistant named ‘PA of Year’

    It was her first year working as a physician assistant, and a patient had just left her exam room when she heard a burst of gunshots in the distance. Within seconds, screams filled the hospital as people scrambled for cover. In the midst of the chaos, a piercing silence fell over the clinic and her

  • Airman reveals personal resiliency amidst force shaping

    It was 1999 and a young weather officer appeared to have everything going for him: a wife, Linda, two handsome teenage sons whom he adored, J.R. and Ryan, and a promising Air Force career for this prior-enlisted officer.

  • AF recruiter helps build Afghan forces

    Deployed as an adviser with the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing/NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan Senior Master Sgt. Carmelo Vega Martinez, a Ponce, Puerto Rico native is the only Air Force recruiter deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

  • SecAF addresses budget challenges in Congress

    Newly-appointed Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James wanted to see the Air Force in action, so she spent her first 11 weeks on the job visiting 18 bases in 13 states, she told members of the House Armed Services Committee March

  • Cyber supports Red Flag for first time

    For the first time in Red Flag's nearly 40-year history, the 24th Air Force played a significant role in the Cyber Mission Force, or CMF, at the Air Combat Command-sponsored exercise held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Jan. 27 through Feb. 14.

  • Investigation board determines cause of KC-135 crash in May

    Air Mobility Command has released the results of an accident investigation that examined what caused the May 3, 2013, crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker in the Kyrgyz Republic. The crew of three, en route from the Transit Center at Manas to Afghanistan on a combat aerial refueling mission, perished in

  • Minot rescue crew saves two motorists

    Members of the 54th Helicopter Squadron responded to a search and rescue request involving two men trapped in the bed of their truck in Savage, Mont., when an ice flow caused the river to overrun its banks, March 10.

  • Air Force welcomes four-legged lieutenant

    Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force Chief of Staff, visited Walter Reed Bethesda to commission a four-legged second lieutenant into the Air Force dog therapy program on March 12.

  • Environmental cleanup status now a click away

    In the past, getting details on the environmental cleanup progress at an Air Force installation typically called for a drive to the base or local library to flip through pages of documentation. Today, with the help of a new online system, administrative record documents are now available

  • ‘Transition GPS’ helps troops re-enter civilian world

    Feedback on “Transition GPS,” which prepares service members to enter the civilian workforce, indicates it improves on the program it replaced, the director of the Defense Department’s Transition to Veterans Program office said here March 11.

  • Airman gets lifetime opportunity to brief Queen

    The Air Force prides itself on giving Airmen opportunities. For Capt. Brusle Sherburne IV of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, his special job afforded him the chance meeting of a lifetime. As the first U.S. Air Force exchange officer at Tactical

  • Deployed Airman handcrafts hockey rink

    A resourceful Airman’s idea has resulted in the first outdoor hockey rink in this theater of operations.Airman 1st Class Joshua Hanson of the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, developed a proposal to build a nearly arena-size hockey rink at his deployed location here.

  • DOD's top enlisted leader honors ACC Airmen, families

    Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke during Air Combat Command’s annual awards dinner, where he lauded troops for their service and their families for their unwavering commitment.

  • DOD's top doc outlines medical advances

    The Defense Department's top doctor says the innovations and technology in military medicine derived from more than a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have led to advances in caring for the sick and injured.

  • Enrollment for free CCAF-credit culture course now open

    The Air Force Culture and Language Center is now accepting applications for the spring 2014 session of "Introduction to Culture."The ITC course is entirely online, self-paced and is offered at no charge to enlisted active duty Airmen, Air Force reservists or Air National guardsmen enrolled in

  • Through his brothers’ eyes: A Paralympic journey

    In one moment Senior Airman Sean Halsted felt the rough texture of the rope in his hands, and in the next, it was gone. That millisecond was all it took to leave the young Airman with a debilitating injury that would cause him to reassess his entire future.

  • Program executive officer describes F-35 progress

    Progress remains steady in the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter’s operational testing, reprogramming, fueling, and stand-up training, the F-35 program executive officer told an audience at Aviation Week’s Defense Technologies and Requirements Conference here March 4.

  • AF nuclear enterprise: 'the way forward'

    The Senate Armed Service Committee’s Subcommittee on Strategic Forces heard testimonies from key defense and military leaders on nuclear forces and policies in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2015 and the Future Years Defense Program during a hearing, March 5.

  • SecAF discusses current, future challenges with ACC Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited here Feb. 27 to learn about the base mission and discuss the challenges facing the Air Force."This is my introduction to Air Combat Command," she said. "I have seen nothing but enormous energy from the Airmen here as they describe how excited they

  • Airmen honor former senior enlisted leaders

    Airmen gathered to honor the former chief master sergeants of the Air Force with a positional colors ceremony at the Air Force Senior NCO Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

  • Air Force focuses on sustainability for Earth Day 2014 observance

    Each year Air Force installations around the world observe Earth Day on April 22 by taking actions to support the Air Force's Earth Day theme of "Conserve Today - Secure Tomorrow."This year, Air Force activities will focus on sustainability, referring to the capacity to continue the mission without

  • Retention recommendation forms critical for ERB, QFRB eligibles

    Commanders and senior raters of enlisted Airmen slated to meet the quality force review board in May or an enlisted retention board in June must complete an AF Form 3538E, Enlisted Retention Recommendation Form, for each eligible Airman, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. Completed forms

  • Drug misuse, abuse: No excuse

    While picking up an over-the-counter medication at the local drug store or being prescribed medication by a healthcare provider are common practices for Airmen looking to get or remain healthy, misuse or abuse of any drug can be a serious problem with serious consequences.

  • Getting the word back home has never been easier

    The Joint Hometown News Service launched a new online submission system Feb. 17, making it easier for service members and Department of Defense civilians to publicize achievements such as promotions and decorations, to their local media outlets.

  • Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force visits 193rd Special Operations Wing

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, visited the 193rd Special Operations Wing Feb. 22 to 23 to get a firsthand look at the wing's missions at Middletown, Pa., and Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, Pa., and to speak with Airmen and their

  • Communications Airmen enable Greek, US flight training

    The success of a flying-training deployment involving U.S. and Hellenic air forces here hinges on an array of variables, and one quick-response communications force is ensuring tactical messages are delivered.

  • Hagel talks with troops about 2015 defense budget request

    In spotless aircraft hangars at two different military bases in southeastern Virginia yesterday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel stood before several hundred Airmen and Soldiers, highlighting priorities in the Defense Department’s fiscal 2015 budget request and taking questions.

  • Academy officer takes the LEAD

    More than six years ago, Airman Lelia Abdulrazaq realized during a combat dining-in that she wanted to become an officer.

  • Ramstein AB hosts first sergeant symposium

    More than 120 military members from nine nations took part in the Kaiserslautern Military Community First Sergeant Council's Annual First Sergeant Symposium here Feb. 18 through 21.

  • SecAF outlines top priorities during ‘State of AF’ address

    After her second month in office, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James laid out her top three priorities as part of a “state of the Air Force” address, during the final day of the 30th annual Air Force Association Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 21.

  • Shelton announces new space situational awareness satellite program

    The commander of Air Force Space Command announced a new satellite program during a speech about the importance of space and cyberspace at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology exposition, Feb. 21, here.General William Shelton told the audience about the new Geosynchronous

  • Ramstein makes history with first sergeant symposium

    More than 120 military members from nine nations took part in the Kaiserslautern Military Community First Sergeant Council's Annual First Sergeant Symposium here Feb. 18 - 21. The symposium featured 10 international attendees for the first time in its history, including representatives from Belgium,

  • CMSAF gives enlisted perspective at AFA symposium

    The Air Force’s top enlisted member took the stage Feb. 20 at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition here to highlight the advantage Airmen, past and present, give the Air Force.

  • CSAF: Taking care of Airmen, future roadmap key to AF success

    Getting top performing Airmen promoted sooner, changing the EPR system, streamlining the enlisted and officer professional education programs and developing a roadmap for the Air Force for the next three decades were some of the topics discussed by the Air Force’s top officer during the 30th annual

  • GPS IIF-5 successfully launched from Cape Canaveral

    The U. S. Air Force officials successfully launched the fifth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite carried aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV launch vehicle at 8:59 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Feb. 20.

  • MAFs become ‘home away from home’ for Airmen in missile fields

    The North Dakota plains are covered with patches of slushy snow and ice along stretches of long, winding gravel roads leading to local farms and other agricultural communities. Some of these rocky paths make their way to large buildings surrounded by tall steel fences topped with razor-sharp barbed

  • AF and Israeli Defense Force surgeons general sign agreement

    The surgeon general of the Air Force and his counterpart in the Israeli Defense Force signed an agreement Feb. 5 in Israel to reaffirm their mutual commitment to collaboration between the Air Force Medical Service and the IDF Medical Corps.

  • Former Marine military working dog finds new life in the AF

    The passion and love between military working dogs and handlers is part of the job, but not always evident. However, for Senior Airman Samantha Baker and her partner for the past four months, military working dog Penny, the two are often seen walking around the base together.

  • AF officer honored with space operations award

    Lt. Col. Samuel A. Little, director of operations, 45th Launch Support Squadron was recently named by the National Space Club as recipient of the prestigious General Bernard Schriever Award, honoring excellence in military space operations and acquisition.

  • SecAF outlines plan to address 'systemic problems'

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James shared her observations from her visit with airmen across the ICBM community following revelations of a proficiency-test cheating scandal at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., last month. Speaking to an audience at the Center for Strategic and International

  • 'Backbone' of Real Thaw 14 pushes through final week of exercise

    Whether loading training munitions by day or turning wrenches at night, maintainers from the 31st Fighter Wing are continuing to support the 555th Fighter Squadron during their inaugural participation in Real Thaw 14, an international exercise hosted by the Portuguese air force here.

  • From Cuba to America and beyond through music

    Esteban-Nunez emigrated to the U.S. from the Republic of Cuba with his mother when he was 15. His life has taken him on a journey from that island nation to America, and most recently to Europe as a member of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band. Throughout this transition, a constant has remained --

  • Detecting spice: research continues at the Academy

    The Navy has a promotional campaign warning against spice; the Army has allowed commanders to order mandatory drug-testing for the first time; and Airmen at the Air Force Drug Testing Laboratory are working to find ways to detect the substance in service members.

  • Top ANG enlisted chief embraces 'one Air Force' concept

    Emphasizing the importance of embracing a “one Air Force” concept, Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling, command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard, addressed newly minted Air Force chief master sergeants attending the Air Force District of Washington Chief’s Orientation and Recognition

  • Behind the scenes look shows AFGSC Airmen at work

    In the nearly six decades since the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system was first conceived in the late 1950s, the weapon system has evolved to meet new challenges and assume new missions. Staff Sgt. David Clark takes us to Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and introduces us to the

  • SSgt promotion test rescheduled for April 1-May 16

    To ensure senior airmen selected for promotion to staff sergeant do not meet the enlisted retention board, the Air Force will move the testing window up from May 1-June 15 to April 1-May 16, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.

  • Unmanned QF-4 crashes near Holloman

    An unmanned QF-4 Aerial Target assigned to the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron here, crashed Feb. 7. The crash site is located inside the White Sands National Monument, which was closed in advance of the test mission.

  • New AC-130J completes first test flight

    After more than a year of modification maintenance, the newly created AC-130J Ghostrider took to the sky for the first time as a gunship here Jan. 31.

  • Knowledge is power: Cadet, Academy works to end human trafficking

    In 2005, the Defense Department implemented a national initiative against human trafficking, requiring annual Combating Trafficking in Persons awareness training for all military members on how to combat labor trafficking, sex trafficking and child soldiering.

  • Senior civilians selected for strategic leadership program

    A dozen senior civilian leaders have been selected for the Air Force Civilian Strategic Leader Program following intense screening and assessment by a nine-member Air Force CSLP selection board, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.

  • Family care plans ease stress, boost readiness

    An up-to-date family care plan can help to ease stress and boost family resilience and readiness during a service member's absence. Family care plans are instructions developed by service members to identify caregivers who have agreed to take care of family members during the sponsor's absence.

  • DOD electronic health records help VA disability claims

    The Defense Department has made troops' health records electronically available to the Veterans Affairs Department to speed up the adjudication of disability claims, a DOD health information technology official said.

  • AF to replace aviator locator beacons

    The Air Force will replace thousands of unreliable aircraft personnel locator beacons across the fleet, a service official said Jan. 16, here.