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U.S. Air Force News

  • Airman chosen for Inaugural Ball first dance

    The Department of Defense has chosen four of its top men and women representing their respective service branches to join the Obamas and Bidens for the traditional first dance at the Presidential Inaugural Committee's Commander-in-Chief's Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Jan.

  • DOD focuses on financial health of military families

    Since it can directly affect force readiness, the financial health of service members and their families is a high priority for the Defense Department, and a senior DOD official emphasized that January is a great time for military families to take stock of their financial situation.As part of a

  • Air Force releases results of health and welfare inspection

    The Air Force released the results of the service-wide health and welfare inspections that were completed in an effort to emphasize an environment of respect, trust and professionalism in the workplace."Every Airman deserves to be treated with respect. They also deserve to work in a professional

  • Air Force duo design smart phone application for Inauguration Day

    Two Airmen with the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region Public Affairs created a free, public cellphone application that allows users to stay informed about the 57th Presidential Inauguration.The program, called "Inauguration," was released Jan. 14 and compiles news and other material related

  • Air Force names Lance P. Sijan Award winners

    Air Force officials recently announced the winners of the 2012 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award.The Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.The senior officer category winner is Lt. Col. Nathan C. Green, who is assigned to

  • Morin talks sequestration, near-term budget actions

    The acting under secretary of the Air Force described how the nation's fiscal challenges are affecting the service to a group of civic and industry leaders in Arlington, Va., Jan. 15.Dr. Jamie Morin spoke to members of industry, the Air Force, the Air Force Association and media as part of AFA's

  • Airmen featured in upcoming documentary series

    A six-episode television documentary exploring Air Force combat rescue in Afghanistan through the stories of deployed Airmen slated to premiere Feb. 18, at 10 p.m. EST/PST.The show, "Inside Combat Rescue," provides a real-time look at the experiences of Airmen working to save the lives of NATO

  • Civil engineers meet with industry to develop partnerships

    The newly established Air Force Civil Engineer Center hosted its first industry day Jan. 15 in San Antonio.Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers, the Air Force civil engineer, and Joe Sciabica, Air Force Civil Engineer Center director, addressed more than 350 industry professionals about the future of Air Force

  • Schriever plays part in new Smithsonian exhibit

    The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum here is slated to open an exhibit March 2013 entitled, "Time and Navigation: The untold story of getting from here to there." The exhibit will explore how timekeeping has evolved over three centuries and how it influences navigation. Whether on the high

  • Tops in Blue gets boost from Air Force licensing program

    Tops in Blue, the Air Force's premier traveling entertainment troupe, was selected to receive $100,000 from the Air Force's Trademark and Licensing Office.The Trademark and Licensing Office, which operates with the Air Force Public Affairs Agency here, processes requests from around the world

  • 75 day leave carryover extended

    Airmen with more than 60 days of leave at the beginning of next fiscal year may be able to carry it into the next fiscal year thanks to a provision in the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The provision extends the maximum leave carryover of 75 days through Sept. 30, 2015, according to

  • Gunship guru saves $14 million

    Bill Walter, an Air Force Special Operation Command Strike Requirements Branch program analyst, has a long history of brainstorming money-saving ideas and seeing them to fruition. A tip from the U.S. Army Ammunition Program Office led Walter to a valuable supply of modified 40 mm  M2 A1 gun parts

  • Humanitarian award presented to Florida businessman

    The military services chose a longtime Air Force volunteer from Florida as this year's recipient of the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented the award to Chris Sehman, a local businessman from Okaloosa County,

  • AF officials reschedule MilPDS upgrade

    Originally slated for December 2012, Air Force officials will perform a major upgrade to the Military Personnel Data System, or MilPDS, March 2013.The Air Force Personnel Operations Agency here will upgrade and transfer MilPDS to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise Computing

  • GI Bill education transfer incurs 4 years for all Airmen

    When initially implemented, the Post-9/11 GI Bill education transfer program was phased in to enable Airmen nearing retirement to accept a 1-, 2-, or 3-year active-duty service commitment. That phase-in period expired July 31, 2012 and all active-duty Airmen now incur a 4-year ADSC, said Bruce

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman takes pride in building future leaders

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)It is a simple word to describe a powerful human trait or action; the ability to influence or guide a group of people to complete an act greater than

  • Panetta: Fiscal crisis poses biggest immediate threat to DOD

    The "perfect storm of budget uncertainty" howling around his department is the biggest immediate threat facing the U.S. military, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told reporters here today.Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stressed during a regular

  • AF officials reschedule MilPDS upgrade

    Originally slated for December of last year, Air Force officials will perform a major upgrade to the Military Personnel Data System, or MilPDS, in March.The Air Force Personnel Operations Agency here will upgrade and transfer MilPDS to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise

  • Air Force Academy parachute team wins 46 medals at national competition

    The Wings of Blue Air Force Parachute Team won 46 medals and set five national collegiate records at the National Collegiate Parachute Competition here Jan. 2.Wings of Blue skydivers took home 13 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze medals at the competition, held from Dec. 2 - Jan. 2. The Air Force Legacy

  • The most fearsome weapon is evolving

    The first MC-130J Commando II to be converted into Air Force Special Operations Command's newest variant of the gunship, the AC-130J Ghostrider arrived at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Modifications to the airframe will be completed in 10 months and will be a milestone in the recapitalization of the

  • Academy reports show increased trust in system, better reporting

    An increase in reports of sexual assault at the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy reflect more trust in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program -- a silver lining and proof that the system is working, the Academy's sexual assault response

  • Air Force chapel communities help Hurricane Sandy survivors

    More than 50 Air Force chapel communities raised approximately $151,000 dollars to provide help and comfort to those affected by Hurricane Sandy."As the extent of the Hurricane Sandy damage began to be reported, Chaplain Corps leadership requested the collection of a special offering for the people

  • Deadline nears to nominate employers for recognition

    Reserve-component service members have until Jan. 21 to nominate their employers for a 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, according to a Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve news release.Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, manages

  • Military OneSource provides tax assistance service

    As tax season nears, Military OneSource and H&R Block have joined forces again to provide a free online tax preparation service for service members.During an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Tony Jackson, a program analyst for the Military OneSource program

  • AF legal team advises Afghans

    Members of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing here are helping the Afghan air force Kandahar air wing leadership and legal office implement military justice and hold the wing's servicemembers accountable to military standards. Maj. Deanna Daly, Staff Judge Advocate for the 451st AEW, and her

  • Air Force to provide dedicated legal counsel to sexual assault victims

    A new Air Force pilot program designed to provide legal assistance to victims of sexual assault will begin later this month.The Special Victims' Counsel Program will give sexual assault victims legal assistance and help them navigate the criminal justice system with lawyers trained to handle their

  • From Tennessee to S. Korea - a woodworker's selfless act of love

    When Ed Wares heard about Airmen from the Air Force Technical Applications Center who were sponsoring an orphanage in South Korea, he knew he had to reach out and offer his support.That support, however, didn't come in the way of clothes, food, or even money. Instead, his donation came from his

  • AFTAC Airman wins Air Staff-level award

    An Airman assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center here was selected as the Air Force's Outstanding Scientific Applications Specialist-Technician of the Year Award for 2012.Senior Airman Jacob Caron, a systems control shift leader at AFTAC, learned of his selection when he opened his

  • Obama Signs $633 Billion Defense Authorization Act

    President Barack Obama signed the $633 billion fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act into law yesterday.The legislation, which cleared Congress last month, authorizes the department to act in any number of instances. "There are certain things that cannot be done without [the authorization

  • Lt. Gen. Clarke confirmed as Director, Air National Guard

    Lt. Gen. Stanley E. "Sid" Clarke III, commander of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and 1st Air Force, has been confirmed by the Senate to be the next director of the Air National Guard.Clarke will replace Lt. Gen. Harry "Bud" Wyatt, who is retiring this month.

  • DOD heightens training, prevention to target human trafficking

    To spark awareness and vigilance against a growing global human rights crisis, President Barack Obama has proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.Linda Dixon, the Defense Department's program manager for combating trafficking in persons, told the Pentagon

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman shows skills as F-22 demo pilot

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The serenity of a sleepy, morning sky broke as a dark form rose from the ground and blotted out the sun. An F-22 Raptor maneuvered through the dawn,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman engineers musical masterpieces

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)On the Christopher Newport University campus, in Newport News, Va., Ferguson Hall teemed with activity as spectators found their seats. The din of

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman blogger aims high

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Coming back to a new school year was difficult, even for an experienced teacher. Her new special education math class was crowded. Twenty students

  • AF releases selective reenlistment bonus list

    Three Air Force specialty codes have been added to the selective reenlistment bonus list, and two have seen an increase in bonus amounts, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. In addition, one career field has been removed from the SRB list and one will see a bonus decrease effective Jan.

  • Falcons visit Fort Worth children's hospital

    Air Force Academy cheerleaders and football players helped spread some holiday cheer with patients and their families at Cooks Children's Medical Center Dec. 27 here.The Academy cadets, in town for the Armed Forces Bowl, took time out of their bowl game preparations and holiday vacations to visit

  • Solar power lights up Southwest Asia

    Air Force leaders are continually looking for means to do things leaner and cleaner, even in deployed locations.It probably goes unnoticed by most people here, but solar-powered light carts are paving the road to an environmentally friendlier future in Southwest Asia. These new light carts save the

  • Deployed Airman receives Christmas phone call from President Obama

    "Hello, President Obama? ... I'm great, how are you?" So began the most memorable phone call of a six-month deployment for Senior Airman Keshia Shutts with the 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here, who received a Christmas morning phone call from President Barack Obama.The

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: High school reunion ... above Afghanistan

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)In 2001, three students -- each in a different grade -- shared the halls and classrooms of DuBois Area High School in rural Pennsylvania.This month,

  • Space Fence program moves forward

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center here recently put out a request for proposal to move the Space Fence program forward.Space Fence will be a system of up to two land-based radars, the first site located at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, to track objects entering Earth's orbit.

  • Special hiring program helps AF wounded warriors

    The Air Force's Wounded Warrior Civil Service Employment Program assists combat-related ill and injured Airmen secure Air Force civil service jobs, and since the program's inception in 2006 nearly 120 wounded warriors have joined the Air Force's civilian work force. This employment program assists

  • Acting Under Secretary presents AF small business achievement awards

     In a Dec. 17 ceremony held on the 109th anniversary of Wilbur and Orville Wright's first powered flight, the Air Force honored 15 Air Force employees and organizations for significant contributions to the Air Force Small Business Program.Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin was

  • AF Reservists deliver humanitarian supplies to the Caribbean

    Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing delivered more than 38,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to the island nations of St. Lucia and Haiti Dec. 15 and 16.The missions involved two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft delivering humanitarian aid, medical and school supplies, food and construction equipment

  • New F-16 software platform to be tested by 40th, 85th

    Developmental testing for an F-16 operational flight program will be accomplished at the 40th Flight Test Squadron and 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron here for the first time.The testing for Block 40 and 50 model F-16s is scheduled to begin in 2014 and will also be the first time developmental

  • AF tests 24/7 fitness centers

    Six installations will implement 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week fitness center access this and next month as part of an Air Force Services Transformation Initiative test concept, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.The Office of the Secretary of Defense Military Communities and Family

  • AETC declares Eglin ready for F-35 training

    Following an independent evaluation of Eglin's capability to conduct F-35A Lightning II pilot training, Air Education and Training Command announced Dec. 17 that the 33rd Fighter Wing can do so starting January 2013. "The preliminary results provided by the Joint Operational Test Team show the F-35A

  • Air Force NCO training takes on international flavor

    The NCO course at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland helps to fulfill a key U.S. Air Force priority of partnering with joint and coalition teams to win today's fight.The Inter-American Noncommissioned Officer Academy course integrates U.S. Air Force NCOs into

  • Iraqi Air Force receives three C130J aircraft

    The Iraqi Air Force celebrated an important milestone when they received a third C-130J aircraft at a rollout ceremony held at Lockheed Martin's factory here Dec. 12, 2012.The ceremony is a culmination of many activities to reinforce a long-term partnership between the United States and Iraq and

  • PACAF Airmen share best practices with ROK space team

    Members of Pacific Air Forces' space forces met with visiting members of the Republic of Korea, Deputy Chief of Staff Planning team, to discuss space successes and challenges, Dec. 7, 2012.Maj. Gen. Kyeong-Doo Jeong, DCS for Planning Republic of Korea Air Force headquarters, led the group during the

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Enlisted Airman receives scholarship to Harvard

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)It has been said that nothing in life worth having comes easy. For some, it's getting promoted to staff sergeant and for others; it's getting a full

  • Air Force officials complete environmental restoration

    The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a closure letter Nov. 1, for the environmental restoration of a site located 4.5 miles southwest of the flightline here, where a B-47 plane crashed in 1958.On Nov. 4, 1958, a B-47 carrying one nuclear bomb caught fire while taking off from Dyess

  • Employment Website Teams With Joining Forces

    Employment website Monster.com is collaborating with the White House's Joining Forces campaign and will contribute to the initiative's goal of hiring or training an additional 250,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014, Acting Commerce Department Secretary Rebecca M. Blank announced

  • Retired Col. Ralph S. Parr Jr. dies, memorial service announced

    Col. Ralph S. Parr Jr., 88, who was the only American pilot to receive both the Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Force Cross, passed away Dec. 7 at an assisted living facility in New Braunfels, Texas. Joint Base San Antonio will honor the legacy of one of the Air Force's most celebrated

  • Lt. Gen. Clarke nominated as Director, Air National Guard

    Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, commander of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region - 1st Air Force, has been nominated by President Obama to be the next director of the Air National Guard.If confirmed by the Senate, Clarke will replace Lt. Gen. Harry "Bud" Wyatt III.,

  • Recruiting reorganization creates three new squadrons

    A reorganization within Air Force Recruiting Service is resulting in three new squadrons solely dedicated to health professions recruiting and as a result, a more appropriate focus on the HP mission.The newly activated squadrons are:360th Recruiting Group: The 318th Recruiting Squadron, based in

  • Air Force launches 3rd X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

    In the next installment to improve space capability and further develop an affordable, reusable space vehicle, the Air Force conducted its third X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle launch here on December 11, officials said.The launch comes on the heels of the successful flight of OTV-2, which made an

  • Transition GPS gives Airmen roadmap to success

    A new roadmap to help ease Airmen into civilian life is in full swing, providing assistance that will help those separating be as competitive in the civilian world as they are in the military, according to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs.Mr. Daniel B.

  • Q&A: AF chief information officer on Cyber Summit

    Air Force leaders held a Cyber Summit in November at Joint Base Andrews, Md., to discuss the Air Force's role in cyberspace and to ensure the mission needs of the Air Force and joint warfighter are being met going forward.More than 30 senior leaders, including the secretary and chief of staff of the

  • Defenders and good will ambassadors

    The sun rises on an empty field outside an entry control point as a few defenders prepare their gear and equipment for the day. By mid-morning the field becomes filled with nearly 400 Afghan locals all waiting to process through that ECP at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. For the bravo sector entry

  • New process improves household goods shipments

    A system being implemented at U.S. Transportation Command is making permanent-change-of-station moves more convenient, while reducing lost and damaged shipments and saving the government money.The Defense Personal Property System, introduced in 2009 as a pilot program at 17 installations, now

  • President nominates 20 Reserve officers for promotion

    President Barack Obama has nominated 20 officers for Reserve of the Air Force Appointment to major general and brigadier general. The nominations move to the Senate for confirmation. Nominated for promotion to major general are:Brig. Gen. William B. "Blaze" Binger, 10th Air Force commander, Naval

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: The Journey back to normal

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Between August 2009 and March 2010, I lost myself during my deployment to Afghanistan. I remember coming off the airplane and seeing my family and

  • New program helps develop holdover Airmen at BMT

    Airmen placed on hold in the 324th Training Squadron here are benefiting from a new program established earlier this year.Typically, Airmen in a hold status have already completed basic training and are awaiting orders or assignment to technical school. There may be medical reasons for a hold status

  • Thrift savings plan contribution limits increase in 2013

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has announced the 2013 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions increased from $17,000 to $17,500 for 2013, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The TSP catch-up plan contribution limit will remain at $5,500. TSP is a

  • Revamped program aids separating service members

    Major changes announced today to the Transition Assistance Program will revolutionize the way the military prepares people leaving the services, with mandatory participation in programs throughout their military careers to help set them up for a successful transition.The redesigned program, called

  • DOD recognizes two Air Force members with disabilities

    The Department of Defense presented awards to two Air Force members during a ceremony here at the Pentagon, Dec. 4.Capt. Ryan McGuire, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot with the 4th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Christopher Randall, a civilian test director with the Air Force

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman creates important database program

    When an expensive contract on an Air Force aircrew flight equipment database program was not renewed, bases across the world had to find local solutions to fill the void. Some had to turn to time consuming spreadsheets or paper records. At Dover Air Force Base, Del., one Airman created a solution to

  • AF receives space award

    Space and Missile Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski accepted the donation of the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy from Dr. Bradford Parkinson on behalf of SMC and the GPS Directorate at a special ceremony held at Los Angeles Air Force Base on Nov. 30.Dr. Parkinson and the "GPS

  • AF names PhD program participants

    Six Air Force company grade officers have been selected for the Chief of Staff's prestigious PhD program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Nov. 4.Three captains have been named primary selectees and are expected to begin their education program this fall, said Master Sgt. Teresa Dixon,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Reservist to headline MMA event

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Danny Ruiz is a fighter. He is a staff sergeant in the Air Force Reserve, a husband, father and coach. But above all, he's a fighter.Ruiz is a week away

  • Special Ops tryouts to test mettle for 'battlefield airmen' positions

    Since neutralizing Osama Bin Laden, America's special operations forces have remained in the spotlight as high-caliber leaders entrusted with operations vital to national security. As counter-terrorism operations continue throughout the globe, the Pentagon is currently busy defining irregular

  • Former Airman sentenced for distributing child pornography on the Web

    Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Jacobsen, Air Force Office of Special Investigations commander, announced today the sentencing of former Air Force member Craig Allen James, 24, of Laurel, Md., to six years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing child pornography. Additionally,

  • NORAD provides website, apps to track Santa

    Children of all ages will be able to track Santa Claus on his annual journey, thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command.The "NORAD Tracks Santa" website at http://www.noradsanta.org is up and running. The site features a holiday countdown, games and daily activities, video messages from

  • 290-plus selected for academic, career broadening opportunities

    More than 290 officers have been selected for advanced academic degree and career broadening opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.Selection for an advanced academic degree or special experience exchange duty slot is an important step in an officer's career, said Angel

  • Three Airmen win 'Best in Show' photography contest

    Defense Department leaders honored three Airmen Nov. 30, for their participation in the Arts in Embassies program. The Airmen were part of a group of 12 photography winners, selected from over 3,000 photo submissions.Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the

  • SecAF declares 'Modernization can't wait'

    The Air Force's senior civilian addressed the importance of modernization and the challenges ahead for the Air Force at the 2012 Aerospace and Defense Investor Conference here Nov. 29."Among the most difficult challenges facing the Air Force is the need to modernize our aging aircraft inventory as

  • Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee brings strategic issues to SecAF

    Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs, permanent-change-of-station lodging inconsistencies and TRICARE inequities within the Reserve Component were some of the issues addressed by the Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee during their meeting in the National Capital Region Nov. 5-7.Current

  • 2013 Scholarships for military children opens Dec. 3

    In 2012, the Scholarships for Military Children Program celebrated a major milestone as it reached more than $10 million in scholarships awarded to 6,742 students from around the globe.Applications for the 2013 Scholarships for Military Children Program will be available starting Dec. 3 at

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman swears allegiance, attains dream

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)An 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron airman assigned here was full of nerves on the morning of Nov. 16, as he was about to become a U.S. citizen in a New

  • Language Enabled Airman Program announces selections

    Foreign language experts from around the Air Force recently met at the Air Force Culture and Language Center at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., part of Air University's Spaatz Center for Officer Education, to select the latest participants for the Air Force's Language Enabled Airman Program. More than

  • Security forces work with troubled teens

    The 325th Security Forces Squadron continued its mission to mentor teenagers that are trying to make a positive pivot in their lives."Cops, at this point to them, have been the enemy, but we are not judging them, we are here to help and mentor," said Staff Sgt. Hannah Havenar, 325th SFS Resource

  • Military OneSource connects troops, families to resources

    As the Information Age continues to shape modern communication, the Defense Department has revitalized and consolidated the Military OneSource website to better serve military members and their families, a Pentagon official said in a recent interview.Zona Lewis, military community outreach online

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman returns 'home' to help recover MIAs

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)An officer stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base traveled thousands of miles earlier this year to return to his birth country of Vietnam for the first

  • CSAF, CMSAF visit Malmstrom AFB

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy visited Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., Nov. 19 and 20 to meet with Airmen and see the base's nuclear deterrence mission.Welsh and Roy spoke at an Airman's Call where they emphasized that Airmen,

  • SecAF addresses rebalance to the Pacific

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley spoke about the Air Force's role in the U.S. defense strategy to rebalance to the Asia-Pacific during the Air Force Association's Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles, Calif., Nov. 16. Donley closed the symposium, which gathered more than 320 Airmen,

  • Nations unite to heighten allied air power

    Pilots from seven nations have been working together since November with a goal to increase effectiveness of allied air forces and strengthen multinational partnerships.This Tactical Leadership Program course, a NATO-based training exercise held Nov. 5 to 30, encourages interoperability by

  • F-35 begins integration phase of weapons testing

    The F-35 Lighting II, Joint Strike Fighter began the integration phase of weapons testing Oct. 26, when the F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing aircraft successfully completed the first in-flight test with an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile. It was the first time a weapon

  • Airman awarded $6K through IDEA program

    A $6,275 check was presented to Staff Sgt. Jared Weddle, a 2nd Maintenance Squadron communications navigations mission system craftsman, by Col. Alexis Mezynski, 2nd Bomb Wing vice commander, Nov. 14 for a submission to the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program that net the Air

  • Woof! "Major" relief for PTSD

    Imagine a pet trained to understand the side effects that come with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Imagine a pet trained to understand your symptoms to aid a path to recovery. One such pet resides at Minot Air Force Base and is helping a member of Team Minot every day.Meet Major, an adopted

  • Air Force announces 2012 Design Award winners

    Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Byers, The Air Force Civil Engineer, announced the winners of the 2012 Air Force Design Awards Nov. 13."These winning projects represent the Air Force's continued commitment to providing quality facilities that are truly 'resource efficient' and built to last," Byers said in his

  • Kadena Special Olympics allows kids to be heros

    Thousands of volunteers, supporters and special-needs athletes and artists from all over Japan, came to Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17 to participate in or support the 13th annual Kadena Special Olympics."This is an opportunity for the two communities to meet in joint service to the athletes and

  • Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force visits Alaska

    Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin visited with Airmen from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska,  Nov. 13 during his first trip to the region. "It's great to be here," Morin said. "It's great to have the opportunity to hear from some of the folks out in the wings and to

  • Hero Summit panel encourages support for military families

    A panel of military family members gathered here Nov. 15,  with many of the nation's most influential journalists, civil servants and decorated service members to discuss the challenges of being a military family member and the ways that American citizens can support them.The inaugural Hero Summit,

  • AF leaders target sexual assault in latest 'Letter to Airmen'

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy issued a tri-signature "Letter to Airmen" Nov. 16.As part of an effort to increase awareness of sexual assault, the Air Force's top three