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  • Arnold team wins AF analytics award

    The Arnold Engineering Development Complex’s Hypersonic Analysis and Evaluation Team recently received this year’s Air Force Analytic Team of the Year Award.

  • Eglin units save thousands with F-35 innovations

    Around 500 maintenance personnel are assigned to work with the F-35 at Eglin Air Force Base. These Airmen and Sailors are some of the first to maintain the fifth-generation jet which gives them the opportunity to assist manufacturers in developing tools, technology and data to maintain it.

  • Obama addresses Academy graduates

    President Barack Obama shared with the graduating cadets of the U.S. Air Force Academy some of the lessons he has learned in more than seven years as president and commander in chief during a June 2 commencement ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

  • Ready to receive: B-52s touch down in England

    With the sharp screech of rubber meeting asphalt, two B-52 Stratofortress bombers from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, touched down June 2 at Royal Air Force Fairford, England.

  • Total force integration significant in KC-46 support

    When the Air Force and Boeing launched the KC-46 Pegasus program, the 412th Test Wing was tagged as one of the prime players in testing and validation of the aircraft. To help with this, the wing is now relying on support from the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.

  • Tech Report: Hurricane Hunters

    The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron use high-tech equipment called a “dropsonde” to aid in the forecasting of hurricanes and other tropical storms.

  • Father-son duo comes full circle at BMT graduation, retirement

    In the Air Force, countless parents have proudly watched their child graduate from basic military training, and countless children have seen their parents retire from service. On May 27 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, a father and son did both on the same day, respectively.

  • That others may live: Silver Star medal for fallen Airman, son

    Capt. Matthew Roland, of the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, posthumously received the Silver Star on June 1 for actions taken during an ambush Aug. 26, 2015, in Afghanistan. Roland's family accepted the decoration on behalf of the fallen special tactics officer.

  • Nominations sought for 2016 Sijan Award

    The Air Force Personnel Center is currently accepting nominations through Aug. 31 for the 2016 Lance P. Sijan U.S. Air Force Leadership Award. The award recognizes the accomplishments of total force officers and enlisted leaders who demonstrate the highest qualities of leadership in the performance

  • AF seeks 2016 GEICO Military Service Awards nominations

    Air Force officials are accepting nominations through Sept. 12 for the 2016 Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) Military Service Awards. The GEICO Military Service Awards annually recognizes enlisted total force members from all branches of service for contributions to military or

  • Voices from the past, lessons for the future

    If walls could talk, and pictures are worth a thousand words, the Air Force’s Art Gallery’s new exhibit honoring the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War could tell the story of a generation of service men and women who served during the conflict.

  • Crew chief scores AF ‘hat trick’

    Master Sgt. Jeremy Michael Hord, the 379th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft section chief, recently scored an Air Force hat trick by finally launching every active bomber in the Air Force’s inventory into combat.

  • Luxembourg, US uphold Memorial Day significance

    Luxembourgers and Americans united to pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their freedoms, fulfilling a promise to never forget that price. More than 200 citizens of both countries paid their respects to the legacy and valor of fallen American service members as part of a

  • CHIEFchat: EPRs heading in the right direction

    The Air Force’s top enlisted leader addressed the new enlisted performance report and gave insight to feedback he’s received during his latest edition of CHIEFchat at the Defense Media Activity on Fort George G. Meade. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody encouraged Airmen to forget

  • Airman finds direction in aircraft maintenance

    Reasons for joining the Air Force are varied. For Staff Sgt. Terrell Cole, a 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communication/navigation mission system craftsman, joining the Air Force meant a future for himself and his future family.

  • Allergist educates military community about asthma

    Asthma is no disease to sneeze at. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 24 million Americans are affected by asthma, a chronic disease that causes airways to become inflamed and makes it hard to breathe. It’s estimated that 10 people die from it per day.

  • Barksdale B-52s drop bombs in exercise with Jordanian forces

    Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, returned May 24 from a 35-hour, 14,000-mile nonstop mission to Jordan as part of this year’s exercise Eager Lion with Jordanian Armed Forces.

  • Barksdale unit first to train with latest B-52 upgrade

    The last B-52 Stratofortress rolled off the assembly line in 1962, but while the airframe itself is well-seasoned, the internal components are continually upgraded to keep up with the demands of the modern battlespace. Efforts like the Military Standard 1760 Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade program aim

  • EOD craftsman balances family, mission

    Tech. Sgt. Kelly Badger, a 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal craftsman, continues to do what he does downrange not only for his immediate family, but also for his military family.

  • Exchange program works to retain Airmen

    In an effort to educate, retain and expand the views of Airmen at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, a civil engineer squadron member has recently started an Airmen exchange program.

  • Hurricane Hunters, NOAA stress hurricane preparedness

    An Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunter” aircrew with their WC-130J Super Hercules joined National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hurricane experts May 16-20 to promote preparedness at five Gulf Coast cities.

  • Airman finds voice in virtual world

    Some people attach a social stigma to video games and the people who play them -- when they picture a gamer, they don’t think of a well-lit room, socialization and a strong sense of community. Airman 1st Class Anthony Webb isn’t the stereotypical gamer. His dorm room is set up as a small studio,

  • Keeping the B-1 airborne

    The Air Force employs thousands of aircraft maintainers to perform the upkeep on all of its different airframes. It's up to maintainers like Senior Airman Jason Stach, a B-1B aircraft technician from the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, to keep the Lancer mission ready.

  • Reservist's book makes CSAF reading list

    The service’s top general has selected a biography written by an Air Force reservist for inclusion on this year’s Air Force Chief of Staff Reading List. “At All Costs” by Chief Master Sgt. Matt Proietti tells the life and death story of Medal of Honor recipient Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. “Dick”

  • James gains special ops insight at Cannon

    The 27th Special Operations Wing hosted Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James on May 17 and provided her with a deeper understanding of the Air Force Special Operations Command mission, and Cannon’s role in providing special operations forces to the warfighter.

  • A prescription for problems

    Making sure their medical records are up to date and accurate could save Airmen selected for a random drug test a lot of trouble.

  • Dover entomologists help curb spread of Zika

    After Italy issued aircraft guidelines to combat the Zika epidemic, the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Pest Management section is ensuring Air Force aircraft are able to fly in country.

  • Total force effort trains future KC-46 pilots

    A group of total force Airmen has been selected to participate in the initial operational test and evaluation of the KC-46 Pegasus as the Air Force prepares for the tanker’s arrival to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.

  • Ramstein airlift squadron kicks off exercise in Romania

    The 37th Airlift Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, kicked off exercise Carpathian Summer 2016 on May 9 at Otopeni AB, Romania. The 11-day, off-station training is a bilateral exercise to enhance interoperability and readiness with Romania by conducting combined air operations.

  • Raptors complete successful European deployment

    Twelve F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron and about 220 Airmen from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, completed on May 8 a month-long deployment to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

  • Cadaver training prepares AF medics for real-world encounters

    The study of human anatomy has helped further medical science since the third century. Often reserved for medical students or researchers, cadaver training at the 59th Medical Wing is helping medical technicians today build confidence and hone critical life-saving skills.

  • GPS registers most accurate signal yet

    On April 25, the Air Force’s GPS registered its most accurate signal yet, according to the Aerospace Corporation, which has been monitoring the data since 2002.

  • AF Ranger instructors prep Airmen for rigorous course

    About 50 to 60 Airmen a year volunteer to attend the bi-annual Air Force Security Forces Center Pre-Ranger Course at Fort Bliss, Texas. Passing the course, which mirrors the first two weeks of Ranger School, is a requirement to attend the school.

  • Welsh visits Patrick AFB, focuses on people, pride

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told Airman Keegan Atherton, "I would die for you and you would die for me too," during his closing remarks at an all call May 9 at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, driving home his point about what makes the Air Force unique and different to him.

  • AF defenders, SKorea soldiers train to fend off opposing forces

    Defending the men and women of Osan Air Base is one challenge to the 51st Security Forces Squadron, but defending an entire country is quite another. To bring a force multiplier to the table, the 51st SFS defenders trained with South Korean army special operations forces during a training scenario

  • AF Research Laboratory materials engineer receives prestigious award

    An engineer with the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate was honored with the American Society for Testing and Materials International Award of Merit at a ceremony May 3 in San Antonio for his work in the area of metals fatigue and fracture.

  • Assuring maintenance quality for the RPA mission

    Quality assurance Airmen in the maintenance world are known by many titles -- the “best of the best,” the “eyes and ears,” and even “sharks in the water” for their no nonsense attitudes toward maintenance. No matter how they’re viewed, Airmen of the 432nd Maintenance Group QA shop are accountable

  • A boxing savage

    Nine times out of 10, hitting someone in the face could land an assault charge. That isn't the case for Staff Sgt. Ryan Savage, a successful amateur boxer in his spare time.

  • Brothers share multiple deployments

    After spending their entire childhood together, some siblings go their separate ways as adults and keep in touch from a safe distance. For the De La Pena brothers, that’s not the case.

  • Hill F-35s form up for combat training

    F-35 Lightning II pilots from Hill Air Force Base began flying routine four-ship combat training missions at the Utah Test and Training Range in the west desert May 2.

  • WWII vets tour memorial, remember fallen brothers-in-arms

    Clouds lingered overhead, as young and old walked around the water fountain at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Couples took photos of one another while mothers and fathers tried to keep track of children attempting to run free. A leather-skinned gentleman, standing upright

  • Academy grad returns to the mat for chance at becoming a champion

    Coming from a small town in southern Pennsylvania, 1st Lt. Clayton Gable, a 2nd Space Warning Squadron supervisory statistician, grew up in a family that had a heritage in wrestling. He would excel in high school and at the Academy and now wrestles on the Air Force team.

  • 5 hours of work for 15 seconds of action

    A C-17 Globemaster III flies low, with its cargo door open. In 30 seconds it will drop 2 tons of food and water to a disaster-stricken country; the pallets will land safely, all due to the expertise of aerial delivery specialist riggers.

  • AF spouse receives spouse of the year accolades

    Michelle Aikman was named Military Spouse Magazine’s 2016 Air Force Military Spouse of the Year during a luncheon May 5 at Fort Myer. Surrounded by her family and previous Air Force military spouses of the year winners, Aikman was recognized for her lifetime of accomplishments.

  • Leaving a legacy, beginning a tradition

    The annual General and Mrs. Jerome F. O’Malley Award is given to the wing commander and spouse whose contributions to the nation, Air Force and local community best exemplify the selflessness displayed by the O’Malleys.

  • Air Force civic leaders visit USAFE

    The Air Force Civic Leader Program is an Air Staff-level program whose membership is comprised of community leaders selected by the Air Force major commands, National Guard Bureau and Headquarters Air Force.

  • Airmen, Soldiers save lives in local fire near Osan AB

    Service members from the 51st and 8th Fighter Wings, and the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade stepped in to help four members of the community and an Airman escape from a building fire in the Songtan shopping district outside Osan Air Base, South Korea, April 29.

  • Eglin’s environmental team named best in DOD

    Eglin's environmental team won the Defense Department's top environmental prize, earning the 2016 Secretary of Defense Environmental Quality Team award. The award recognizes individuals, teams and installations that support mission readiness through its environmental activities.

  • AMC Rodeo competition evolves into Mobility Guardian exercise

    Air Mobility Command's first Mobility Guardian readiness exercise is planned for 2017, from July 30 - Aug. 12, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The exercise will be one of the most realistic, real-world, scenario-driven exercises the command has ever undertaken, said Maj. Gen. Jerry

  • KC-10 serves 25 continuous years in CENTCOM

    For more than two decades, the KC-10 Extender has been refueling U.S. and coalition aircraft from an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. This year marked 25 years of continuous operation for the aircraft from this location, and it is a vital piece in accomplishing U.S. Air Forces Central Command

  • James gets welding lesson during Fairchild visit

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James visited Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, on April 27 to better understand the daily operations of the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wings and 336th Training Group.

  • Public service week honors civilian contributions to AF

    Public Service Recognition Week, which runs from May 1-7, provides an opportunity to recognize more than 2 million public employees who protect the nation through service in the armed forces. More than 176,000 of them are Air Force civilian full-time, part-time, term, temporary and non-appropriated

  • Goldfein nominated as 21st CSAF

    Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced April 26 that the president has nominated Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein to be the 21st chief of staff of the Air Force, succeeding Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, who has served in the position since 2012.

  • Air Force clubs to award $23,000 in scholarships

    May 20 is the deadline to apply for the 2016 Air Force Club Scholarship Program. During the past 17 years, the program has provided college tuition assistance to more than 440 Air Force Club members and their eligible family members.

  • Honor guard Airman pushes past her limits

    It’s noon on a Saturday, and Staff Sgt. April Spilde chalks up her hands in the gym at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, as she waits for her chance to lift during a powerlifting competition. Spilde isn’t thinking about how big the other competitors are or how much weight they can lift;

  • Airmen back up AF units with emergency materiel reserves

    Since the 49th Materiel Maintenance Support Squadron's Operating Location Alpha moved from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, to Holloman AFB, New Mexico, in 2015, traffic management Airmen have been loading excess materiel for bases in need.

  • F-35 program accelerating, at 'pivot point,' program chief tells Congress

    The program executive officer of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft program said the rapidly changing, growing and accelerating program is at a "pivot point" as officials address a number of challenges. The F-35 program, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter program, is of vital importance to U.S.

  • Leading the next generation of AF medics

    It’s a little after 7:30 a.m. and the stampede has finally cleared the hallways. There’s a moment of silence, the first since arriving to work three hours prior. The five-story building is nearly desolate now, but a multitude of paperwork and tasks remain to be done before the 800-plus military

  • Enlisted corps bestows highest honor upon Welsh

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III was inducted into the Air Force Order of the Sword during a ceremony April 22 in Montgomery, Alabama. An ancient tradition adopted by the Air Force in 1967, the Order of the Sword is the highest level of honor and tribute the enlisted corps can give

  • Mindfulness over matter

    At 10 a.m. on any given Wednesday, one could walk into the 305th Operations Support Squadron's leadership meeting and see a strange sight. Airmen sit around the conference room table and in chairs along the walls, variously clothed in a sea of green flight suits and Airman battle uniforms. Each has

  • US, Central American firefighters train together in Honduras

    Joint Task Force-Bravo hosted firefighters from Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama for the Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experience exercise April 18-22 at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.

  • Eglin Airman selected by Welsh for unique commissioning program

    An Airman’s cell phone rings, but he doesn’t answer because for him personal calls can wait until after work. It rings again; he lets it go to voicemail. On the third call he finally answers and is shocked to discover Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III on the line. During the call,

  • Lakenheath strengthens royal ties during Joint Warrior

    Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, recently completed three weeks of intense threat-reaction training missions during Joint Warrior 2016 in Scotland. Joint Warrior is a NATO exercise, which prepares rescue coalition force units for potential real-world scenarios that could be

  • McGuire hosts rapid response training with FEMA

    The 305th Aerial Port Squadron welcomed members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Pennsylvania Task Force 1 to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, for rapid air mobilization training April 21, as part of an ongoing partnership initiative.

  • Humanitarian aid delivered to Haiti through Denton Program

    Members from the 701st Airlift Squadron delivered humanitarian aid to Port-au-Prince on April 21 as part of ongoing Denton Program efforts. Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs were filled with 32 combined pallets as they transported more than 170,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to Haiti.

  • Filipino-American Airmen return home while serving PACAF air contingent

    Asian-Pacific Americans have fought and served with the U.S. military for more than two centuries. The legacy continues for three Filipino-American Airmen deployed with U.S. Pacific Command’s air contingent at Clark Air Base, where they fulfill a number of roles ranging from medical support to

  • F-22 Raptors arrive in Romania

    Two F-22 Raptors and one KC-135 Stratotanker arrived at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, on April 22. The F-22s and approximately 20 supporting Airmen are from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The KC-135 is from the 916th Air Refueling Wing deployed from Seymour

  • PACAF commander to senators: Homeland defense ‘sacred responsibility’

    Gen. Lori J. Robinson, who now commands Pacific Air Forces and is air component commander for U.S. Pacific Command, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, noting that the U.S. faces a rapidly evolving and growing threat environment in terms of the number of those who wish to harm the

  • KC-46 team wins DOD environmental award

    The KC-46A Pegasus program’s Environment, Safety and Occupational Health team was named the Defense Department’s top large program in environmental excellence in weapon system acquisition April 22.

  • Establishing a bond: AFCENT Band returns to Afghanistan

    The U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band, Galaxy, returned to Afghanistan for the first time in more than a year April 16 with three performances in front of audiences of Afghan, coalition and American troops at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

  • Airman seeks to rejoin pararescue team despite loss of leg

    In July 2011, Staff Sgt. August O’Neill, a pararescueman, was sent to rescue a group of Marines pinned down in Afghanistan when enemy insurgents opened fire on his team’s helicopter. A round bounced off the helicopter’s door, tearing through both of O’Neill’s lower legs and critically wounding his

  • B-52 integrates, trains with French allies

    A B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, conducted a long-range training sortie April 20, to train and integrate with the French air force.