NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • CMSgt Mary Cook

    Mary CookChief Master Sergeant Retired, ANGHometown: West Covina, CASport(s): Swimming and track and fieldInjury: Post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, migraines, fibromyalgia neuropathy, Reynolds syndrome, dizziness, sleep apnea, restrictive lung disease, asthma and a knee

  • SMSgt Jason Hoover

    Jason HooverSenior Master Sergeant Active DutyHometown: N/ASport(s): Cycling, swimming, and track and fieldInjury: Traumatic brain injuryHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?N/ADownload Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K | L-R | S-Z

  • SSgt Benjamin Seekell

    Benjamin SeekellStaff Sergeant Active DutyHometown: Charlestown, RISport(s): Cycling, shooting, track and field, and basketballInjury: Below-knee left leg amputationHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?It has given me a new set of goals and provided me with a

  • SSgt Seth Pena

    Seth PenaStaff Sergeant Active DutyHometown: N/ASport(s): Shooting and archeryInjury: Left leg injury, traumatic brain injury and torn aortaHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?New bionic prosthetics and helping me to be active with fun events.Download

  • MSgt Christopher Ramakka

    Christopher RamakkaMaster Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Richland, WASport(s): Volleyball, track and field, and basketballInjury: Below-knee amputation and missing fingertips on right handHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?I went through rehab with the

  • SSgt Rey Edenfield

    Rey EdenfieldStaff Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Guyton, GASport(s): Volleyball, shooting, archery, and track and fieldInjury: Left leg amputationHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?N/ADownload Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K |

  • TSgt Jason Caswell

    Jason CaswellTechnical Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Jacksonville, AZSport(s): Volleyball, swimming, and track and fieldInjury: right leg amputationHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?It brought a drive and determination that I was missing, due to my leg

  • SSgt Jeffrey Harper

    Jeffrey HarperStaff Sergeant (Retired)Hometown: Ashington Court House, OHSport(s): Volleyball, cycling and shootingInjury: Traumatic brain injury, fused right ankle, pelvis fracture and nerve damageHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?They helped me with

  • SSgt Edward Newbern

    Edward NewbernStaff Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Navarre, FLSport(s): Volleyball, cycling, shooting, swimming, archery, track and field, and ultimate championInjury: Traumatic brain injuryHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?The health care and recovery

  • SSgt Zachary Burnash

    Zachary BurnashStaff Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Schenectady, NYSport(s): Volleyball, cycling, swimming, track and field, and basketballInjury: Shrapnel from a rocket blastHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?N/ADownload Printable Player CardsSee more

  • CMSgt T. Scott Addington

    Terry AddingtonChief Master Sergeant (Retired)Hometown : Amory, MSSport(s) : ShootingInjury : Cancer SurvivorHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?It has allowed me to focus and concentrate to a whole new level. AFW2 has increased my mental and physical

  • SrA Trent Smith

    Trent SmithSenior Airman (Retired)Hometown: Portland, ORSport(s): Volleyball, shooting, and track and fieldInjury: Post-traumatic stress disorderHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Provided the opportunity and equipment for me to overcome barriers within my

  • SrA Haley Gilbraith

    Haley GilbraithSenior Airman (Retired)Hometown: Rock Island, ILSport(s): Cycling, track and field, and basketballInjury: Spinal cord injury, T-12 paralysisHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Meeting other wounded warriors and building a support network.

  • MSgt Craig Zaleski

    Craig ZaleskiMaster Sergeant (Retired)Hometown: Stratford, WISport(s): Cycling, shooting, archery, and track and fieldInjury: Brain tumor and seizuresHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Increased my morale. Provided an opportunity to increase my physical

  • TSgt Jesse Graham

    Jesse GrahamTechnical Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Yelm, WASport(s): Shooting, swimming, and track and fieldInjury: C6 broken neck/C6 level spinal cord injuryHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?N/ADownload Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles:

  • Capt Michael Gentry

    Michael GentryCaptain (Active Duty)Hometown: West Jordan, UTSport(s): Volleyball, cycling, swimming, track and field, and basketballInjury: Testicular cancerHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Referred me to off-base radiation oncologist immediately. Gave me

  • SSgt Timothy Babb

    Timothy BabbStaff Sergeant (Retired)Hometown: Selma, ALSport(s): Cycling, shooting, swimming, and track and fieldInjury: Depression, back injuryHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Yes, indeed.Download Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D |

  • SSgt Jason Ellis

    Jason EllisStaff Sergeant (Retired)Hometown: Chicago, Illinois & Midwest City, OklahomaSport(s): Shooting, Track & Field, BasketballInjury: Spinal cord injury with lumbar fusion and moderate sciatic nerve damage, traumatic brain injury with minor balance and memory issues, bilateral total knee

  • 2ndLt Rachel Francis

    Rachel FrancisSecond Lieutenant (Active Duty)Hometown: Huntington Beach, CASport(s): Injury: Multiple sclerosisHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?They have given me the strength, support and perseverance to keep fighting the appeal process and served as a

  • Capt Christy Wise

    Christy WiseCapt (Active Duty)Hometown: Sport(s): Injury: How has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Download Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K | L-R | S-Z

  • MSgt Lisa Hodgden

    Lisa HodgdenMaster Sergeant (Retired)Hometown: Oklahoma City, OKSport(s): Cycling and track and fieldInjury: N/AHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?I have finally found people that understand my injuries and found others with a common bond. I am finally

  • SrA Slone La Fountain

    Slone La FountainSenior Airman Active DutyHometown: Colstrip, MTSport(s): Cycling, swimming, and track and fieldInjury: Post-traumatic stress disorderHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Military health services has helped me receive any help recovering that I

  • TSgt Benjamin Koren

    Benjamin KorenTechnical Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Spartansburg, PASport(s): Volleyball, archery, and track and fieldInjury: Cancer recurrenceHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?They have referred me to civilian specialistDownload Printable Player

  • SrA Jeremiah Means

    Jeremiah MeansSenior Airman RetiredHometown: Columbus, GASport(s): Cycling, shooting, swimming and basketballInjury: Brain Injury (Susac's syndrome)How has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?N/ADownload Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K |

  • SrA Kevin O'Brien

    Kevin O'BrienSenior Airman Air National GuardHometown: Chicopee, MASport(s): Cycling, shooting, and track and fieldInjury: Brain tumorHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?N/ADownload Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K | L-R | S-Z

  • SSgt Sven (Christian) Perryman

    Sven (Christian) PerrymanStaff Sergeant Active DutyHometown: Sport(s): Injury: How has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Download Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K | L-R | S-Z

  • TSgt Patrick Roberts

    Patrick RobertsTechnical Sergeant RetiredHometown: Sport(s): Injury: How has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Download Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K | L-R | S-Z

  • Capt Rafael Sanchez-Romero

    Rafael Sanchez-RomeroCapt (Retired)Hometown: Carolina, Puerto RicoSport(s): Track & FieldInjury: Traumatic brain injury.How has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?I lost everything after my injury. WW2 gave me the chance to be part of something again.Download

  • SrA Ryan Largeman

    Ryan LargemanSenior Airman RetiredHometown: Covington, GASport(s): ArcheryInjury: N/AHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Reintegration into social groups. Brought me back into athletics.

  • Men’s Health Month

    Each June, a congressional health education program is promoted to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

  • DOD launches Integrated Lodging Program Pilot

    The Defense Department will launch an Integrated Lodging Program Pilot June 15, which will provide quality government and commercial lodging, with greater safety and security and better services at reduced rates.

  • Lt. Gen. Hesterman III: ISIL fears coalition airpower

    “We know from our intelligence that (ISIL) fears coalition airpower,” said Lt. Gen. John Hesterman III, the Combined Forces Air Component commander. “Since Aug. 8, coalition airpower has significantly degraded (ISIL’s) ability to organize, project and sustain combat power while taking exceptional

  • PACANGEL efforts end in Papua New Guinea

    Pacific Angel 15-4 officially ended June 8 after seven days of civic assistance projects that provided medical care for 3,859 patients, refurbished three schools for 3,000 students and helped two local hospitals overhaul their ability to respond to emergencies.

  • AF takes to the skies for Baltops 2015

    The Air Force, along with its Polish counterparts, officially kicked off Powidz Air Base's portion of Baltic Operations 2015 with the first KC-135 Stratotanker flight from the 507th Air Refueling Wing here June 8.

  • SBIRS awards technical refresh modification

    The Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) recently completed negotiations on the Lockheed Martin Space Systems’ Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Technical Refresh proposal and awarded the contract modification June 9.

  • 15 nations assemble to improve force development

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa hosted 14 allied and partner nations June 2-4, for the inaugural International Professional Military Development (PMD) Symposium in Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

  • 2015 DOD Warrior Games to begin June 19

    The opening ceremony for the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games is scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT, June 19, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.

  • Take me out to the ballgame, warrior style

    Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team members and athletes from the NFL joined forces to compete in the 3rd annual Amputee Warrior Softball Classic June 6 at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, Maryland.

  • Pawlikowski assumes leadership of AF Materiel Command

    Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski assumed the top position of the major command responsible for installation support and the technology, acquisition, test and sustainment of the Air Force's current and future weapon systems during ceremonies at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 8.

  • AF welcomes new surgeon general

    Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Mark A. Ediger was promoted by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry O. Spencer, as the 22nd Air Force surgeon general, in a ceremony June 8, at the Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.

  • Chief EPRs to be accomplished on new Form 912

    Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard chief master sergeant enlisted performance reports, which close out annually on May 31, are now accomplished on the new Air Force Form 912, Enlisted Performance Report (CMSgt).

  • Gaming research laboratory debuts new website

    The Gaming Research Integration for Learning Laboratory (GRILL) team recently relaunched an updated version of their website with more information on the program. The site has information about GRILL research projects along with information regarding opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and

  • Silent Sentry meets a decade of interstellar combat support

    Operation Silent Sentry was part of a proof of concept system in 2005. Back then, several Airmen were deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, for 120 days. The mission was to test the capabilities of a new defensive counter-space system in support of joint warfighters in the area of responsibility and

  • Alcohol consumption slow road to nowhere

    The long warm days of summer invite celebration, recreation and relaxation as residents hurry to cram in all their outdoor activities before the cold, dark winter arrives and drives everyone back inside.One familiar attendee to outdoor social gatherings is alcohol. While many choose not to partake

  • Olympic hopeful takes 1st at top US 10K

    In the crisp air and with a stunning view of Colorado’s Front Range, Maj. Benjamin Payne was first to cross the finish line at this year’s Bolder Boulder 10K race. It was just one of many wins he hopes to achieve on his road to the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February 2016 in Los Angeles, but it

  • Inter-American SOS candidate applications due in July

    Active-duty line of the Air Force captains proficient in the Spanish language may be eligible to attend the Inter-American Squadron Officer School (ISOS) at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

  • Eagle Eyes vital to spotting danger

    The Air Force Office of Special Investigation administers an Air Force-wide program called Eagle Eyes. It's an anti-terrorism initiative that teaches individuals how to identify and report possible terrorist activity. The program provides a 24-hour hotline, allowing information to be reported as

  • Djibouti, Kentucky National Guard sign partnership agreement

    In a historic first for East Africa, representatives from the Kentucky National Guard (KNG) and the Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) ratified a state partnership agreement in a signing ceremony held at the Kempinski Hotel in Djibouti City, June 2.

  • Countries converge for PACANGEL Papua New Guinea

    A six-nation Pacific Angel 15-4 team arrived June 1 in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea. The PACANGEL team – made up of doctors, dentists, plumbers and planners from Papua New Guinea, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Indonesia -- tumbled out of trucks in

  • Fairchild, McConnell tankers fuel NORAD exercise

    A tanker task force assembled from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, and the 22nd ARW from McConnell AFB, Kansas, joined approximately 300 military personnel and 15 aircraft in exercise Amalgam Dart 15-2 May 26-June 1.

  • New program prepares Airmen, families to bounce back after deployments

    Air Force services recently added a new tool to encourage service members and their families who are affected by deployments to participate in morale, welfare, and recreation programs and activities. The “Recharge for Resiliency” (R4R) initiative was designed to help Airmen readjust to life at home

  • Special Operations Forces commemorate liberation of France

    In the first events commemorating the 71st anniversary of the liberation of France, Special Operations Command Europe operators performed military free falls into U.N. designated world heritage site in Mont Saint-Michel, and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Pontorson

  • Kendall cites progress on F-35 performance, schedule, cost

    The F-35 Lightning II program (also known as the Joint Strike Fighter program) is making progress on performance, schedule and cost, Frank Kendall, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told U.S. reporters last week during a teleconference from Norway.

  • Programs provide opportunities for internships, jobs

    Recent college graduates interested in federal employment can take advantage of current open recruiting for the Recent Graduates Program as well as three other programs offered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to make becoming a federal employee easier.

  • French air force visit strengthens partnership

    Since its standup in 2009, Air Force Global Strike Command has worked to build and maintain a strong relationship with its allies in the French air forces.In continuing that partnership, Lt. Gen. Philippe Steininger, the commander of the French air force's Strategic Air Forces Command, along with a

  • BLUE: Human Performance

    Air Force TV here released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE.

  • Diamond in the rough: An Airman’s recovery from his haunted past

    Growing up, many of his childhood nights were spent staring through a gaping hole in his bedroom ceiling. He didn't know how it got there, but sometimes it served as a pleasant escape from the surrounding chaos. It gave access to the wide open Oklahoma sky and he positioned his mattress in the

  • SecAF to cadets: ‘Lead Us Into The Future’

    Cadets graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy as second lieutenants are entering the profession of arms at a time of unprecedented change and challenges, said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James to the Class of 2015 May 28, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

  • TAPS families honored at Pentagon event

    Defense Secretary Ash Carter hosted a family night for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors families at the Pentagon, May 22, as part of the Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors.

  • Tech Report: GPS

    The Global Positioning System is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world. The system is operated and controlled by the 50th Space Wing, located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.

  • Kazakhstan native selected for officer training

    Senior Airman Aigerim Akhmetova, a C-17 Globemaster III supply clerk from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron at Al Udied Air Base, Qatar, said she remembers waking up early to stand in line with her mother for loaves of bread while growing up in Kazakhstan when it was a Soviet republic.

  • Aviano F-16s take on Arctic Challenge 2015

    At the invitation of the government of Sweden, More than 150 Airmen and 12 F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, arrived at Norbotten Wing here in support of Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015.

  • AF recognizes a lifetime of service

    Air Force Assistant Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog presented the Air Force Exceptional Service Award to retired Col. Arnald D. Gabriel during an Air Force Symphony performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, May 24.

  • Frankenphone: Creech Airman improves RPA communications

    n a crowded room of remotely piloted aircraft sensor operators, it would be easy to overlook him, yet his accomplishments scream for attention. His peers have labeled him a 'jack-of-all-trades' and after getting past his quiet first impression, it's easy to see why.

  • AF assigns new chief scientist

    The Air Force announced the service’s new chief scientist to serve as a science and technology advisor to the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff of the Air Force, May 21. Dr. Greg Zacharias will be the 35th chief scientist and is ready to “dive in” to his new role.

  • Deli-bakery contract awarded for 44 commissaries

    A new contractor will start taking over deli-bakery operations next month at 44 Midwest commissaries that were impacted when a contractor-provided service ceased at the end of February, due to performance issues.

  • Luke's 56th Fighter Wing has new mission

    Luke Air Force Base's 56th Fighter Wing conducted a change of mission ceremony May 21, formally including the F-35 Lightning II as part of the wing's new mission statement.

  • Air Force leaders’ Memorial Day message

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III sent a Memorial Day message to the Airmen of the Air Force and their families.

  • AF successfully launches the AFSPC-5 mission

    The Air Force and its mission partners successfully launched the AFSPC-5 mission aboard the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) procured United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, May 20, at 11:05 a.m. EST. There were no issues reported with the

  • Joint Task Force 505 begins drawdown in Nepal

    Joint Task Force 505 is drawing down its earthquake relief operations as the Nepalese government and international aid agencies have postured for long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts.

  • Air Force moves to bring about RPA mission relief

    The Air Force is pursuing a range of options that will, in combination with a reset in the number of sustainable combat air patrols, help alleviate long-term stress on Remotely Piloted Aircraft crews.

  • Barksdale B-52s participates in CENTCOM exercise Eager Lion

    Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing in Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, returned May 18, from a 30-plus hour, 14,000 mile nonstop mission to the U.S. Central Command area of operations, where they participated alongside Jordanian and other multinational forces in

  • Increased mission requirements open doors for continued service

    The Air Force is introducing several personnel and manpower initiatives to meet increased mission requirements outlined in the fiscal year 2016 President’s Budget. The Air Force is undergoing a concerted effort to stabilize and grow the force by fiscal 2017, to include addressing key gaps in the

  • Initiatives to improve Air Force acquisition

    Addressing an audience of industry and government employees in Lexington, Massachusetts, May 13, the Air Force’s Service Acquisition Executive spoke about acquisition priorities, challenges and initiatives.

  • The business of people: Life as a first sergeant

    Dedication is defined as a feeling of very strong support for or loyalty to someone or something, or the quality or state of being dedicated to a person, group or cause.It is this definition which embodies the attitude of a first sergeant. Colloquially called a shirt or first shirt, unwavering

  • Dispelling remotely piloted aircraft myths

    Public interest in remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) continues to grow thanks to increasing non-military uses and portrayal in popular culture. For the Air Force, remotely piloted aircraft are and will continue to be a vital mission set delivering vital airpower to combatant commanders throughout the