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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force conducts test of new officer assignment system

    The Air Force will conduct a test of a continuous officer assignment system for a select group of career fields beginning in September.The test system, designed as the result of a Lean process review, seeks to eliminate the vulnerable-to-move list and facilitate deliberate career moves through force

  • Air Force conference focuses on test and evaluation

    The 2009 U.S. Air Force Test and Evaluation Days Conference brought more than 400 professionals from the acquisition and warfighter communities together in Albuquerque, N.M., Feb. 10-12 with a primary focus on operationalizing the Air Force test and evaluation enterprise across the domains air,

  • Air Force conservation programs score widespread victories

    The Air Force is trustee to more than eight million acres of land, water and air assets, and is home to more than 70 threatened and endangered species. Stewardship of these resources, in conjunction with sustainment of critical military mission activities, is a key priority for conservation programs

  • Air Force consolidates three field operating agencies

    Three San Antonio-based field operating agencies officially consolidated with the June 1 initial operational capability announcement, Air Force officials said June 4. The Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force Services Agency and Air Force Manpower Agency, FOAs under the Air Force Deputy Chief of

  • Air Force continues aid in Sri Lanka

    Three weeks after the most devastating tsunamis on record slammed into this island south of India and killed an estimated 38,000 people, Airmen continue to help people here.More than a million were left homeless. Children without parents, or grandparents. Parents without children. In some cases, a

  • Air Force continues aid to Pakistan

    Oct. 12 marked the fourth straight day the Air Force airlifted aid into the devastated region of Pakistan. Four U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and two C-130 Hercules aircraft transported more than 408,000 pounds, including more than 60 pallets loaded with supplies like tents, cots and

  • Air Force continues attacks on Iraqi regime, military

    A wide variety of Air Force aircraft played key roles in weekend missions designed to destroy Iraqi regime and military targets.The latest -- the obliteration of an enemy aircraft on a desert airfield by AC-130 gunships -- was displayed via video for reporters at a U.S. Central Command press

  • Air Force continues earthquake support

    As the United States enters its second week of humanitarian operations here, Airmen from all over the world continue working to deliver thousands of pounds of humanitarian cargo a day. In the second week following the earthquake in Pakistan, the group handled almost 700 tons of cargo intended for

  • Air Force continues efforts to locate POWs, MIAs

    People of the missing persons branch at the Air Force Personnel Center here continue their efforts to account for Air Force prisoners of war and those missing in action. Their work goes on even after the annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day commemoratives have ended.Master Sgt. Cheryl Wells and

  • Air Force continues emphasis on DADT repeal training

    Air Force leaders want to ensure all Airmen are prepared for the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law Sept. 20.Airmen can access the DADT Repeal training through the Advanced Distributed Learning Service link on the Air Force Portal, said Col. Jeff White, Air Force Directorate of Force

  • Air Force continues giving 100 percent

    Strong Air Force recruiting numbers in 2007 show that "crossing into the blue" remains a popular avenue for Americans to serve their nation, gain technical skills and continue their education. In February, 2,277 people joined the Air Force while another 2,552 signed on to "Do Something Amazing" in

  • Air Force continues Hurricane Rita support

    In response to Hurricane Rita, the Air Force has flown 82 missions supporting evacuation, relief and recovery operations. Additionally, Air Force search and rescue crews began combing the Gulf Coast Sept. 24, and the Air Force's auxiliary volunteer force continues to assist in aerial damage

  • Air Force continues on path toward sustainability

    On its journey toward sustainable installations, the Air Force recently released new rules for sustainable design and development.The policy, released by Air Force Civil Engineer Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers, further emphasizes the Air Force's continued focus on installation and environmental

  • Air Force continues Pakistan aid

    The Air Force continues to provide humanitarian aid to Pakistan after it suffered a 7.6 magnitude earthquake Oct. 8. Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs, KC-10 Extenders and C-130 Hercules aircraft have transported more than 630,000 pounds of humanitarian relief, including food, tents, cots, medical

  • Air Force continues Pakistan aid support

    The Air Force continues to support Pakistani-led earthquake recovery operations by airlifting much-needed supplies into the devastated region Nov. 11 to 18. Five C-130 Hercules, four C-17 Globemaster IIIs, two contracted B-747s, one contracted B-757 and one contracted AN-124 Condor flew in more than

  • Air Force continues partnership with Professional Bull Riders

    Air Force Recruiting Service officials here announced May 11, the continuation of the Air Force partnership with the Professional Bull Riders, Inc., making it the official armed services branch of PBR. "The Air Force is extremely excited about partnering with the Professional Bull Riders again this

  • Air Force continues PII protection education

    The Air Force continues to train military members and Department of Defense and contract civilians alike to avoid releasing personally identifiable information about themselves or others.A letter from the secretary of defense defined PII as information that can be used to distinguish or trace an

  • Air Force continues pollution prevention efforts

    The Air Force joins the nation for Pollution Prevention Week on Sept. 17-24.The service continues its efforts to educate the public about pollution prevention and reducing the contamination of air, soil and water by eliminating pollution at its source.Observed during the third full week in

  • Air Force continues search for Junior ROTC instructors

    Officials continue to search for qualified instructors to serve in rapidly expanding Air Force Junior ROTC programs, said Jo Alice Talley, chief of instructor management for Air Force Junior ROTC here.The Air Force is opening 48 new Junior ROTC units in high schools in 21 states, with more to

  • Air Force continues search for missing adventurer

    Air Force Rescue Coordination Center officials here continue to provide critical search and rescue support in the multistate effort to find Steve Fossett, an adventurer missing since Sept. 3. The extensive coordination and support effort includes coordination with officials from across the United

  • Air Force continues support to communities affected by BRAC

    Across the nation, communities are being reshaped by the military's transformation due to Base Realignment and Closure changes. At a conference for these communities, mayors, engineers, construction companies and others met to discuss the best way for their neighborhoods faced with base closure or

  • Air Force continues support to France in Mali

    The U.S. Air Force continues to back French air operations in Mali through refueling efforts, logistical movements, troop transport and information sharing, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Jan. 29."Since French operations began Jan. 11, the U.S. has been sharing intelligence with the

  • Air Force continues support, donates homes

    Base officials here plan to donate more than 20 housing units to American Indian tribes in North Dakota this summer as part of the decade-old Operation Walking Shield program.So far, more than 460 excess housing units here have been donated to 11 tribes in North Dakota, South Dakota and

  • Air Force continues to improve care in the air

    The Air Mobility Command Surgeon General’s office and researchers across the Air Force, to include the 711th Human Resource Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, have been working together to improve how the Air Force provides care in the air. The AMC/SG is responsible for clinical

  • Air Force continues to pursue total force integration

    The Air Force continues to make strides toward total force integration, according to an annual report submitted to Congress March 4. The report is based on recommendations from the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force and focuses on how the force structure should be modified to best

  • Air Force continues vital missions at NATO-run Kandahar

    Even though NATO took operational control of Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, last August, the Air Force still maintains a presence at the base. After Kandahar was turned over to NATO, the Air Force continues to play an important role in the war on terrorism and the joint environment. The biggest

  • Air Force contractor defies odds to complete Marine Corps marathon

    With what appeared to be an acute panic attack, Andrea D'Amore arrived at the hospital in February 2009 flush, short of breath and in pain.But little did she realize these symptoms would ultimately tip her doctors off to a much more serious condition. And now, Ms. D'Amore, a Secretary of the Air

  • Air Force contractor rebuilds Iraqi dry dock

    The rebuilding of the ship lift in Umm Qasr, Iraq, finished another crucial step in the country's reconstruction. A ship lift is a mechanism used for transporting boats between sea and land, and is used to dry dock and launch ships. "In short, it's an elevator for ships, lifting them out of the

  • Air Force convenes AFSO 21 summit

    The secretary of the Air Force, chief of staff and the heads of all Air Force major commands gathered here Aug. 22 to increase the capability of the individual warfighter through Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, commonly known as AFSO 21. AFSO 21 is a dedicated effort to maximize

  • Air Force converts largest group of civilian employees to NSPS

    The Air Force converted the largest group of civilian employees to the National Security Personnel System in its recent spiral. NSPS is implemented in stages call "Spirals." Spiral 1.2H conversion began Jan. 21. Approximately 26,000 employees converted, bringing the number of Air Force employees

  • Air Force convoy attacked

    One 586th Air Expeditionary Group Airman was killed and another injured during convoy operations in southern Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated and struck their vehicle June 10. The injured Airman was last listed in good condition and is expected to return to duty. The deceased

  • Air Force convoys end in Iraq

    With the closure of the Tallil Tavern Dining Facility, the dangerous 150-mile convoy trip from here to Kuwait has ended for the Air Force convoy team.“Most of the convoys were for food supplies,” said Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron superintendent.

  • Air Force COOL program kicks off

    The Community College of the Air Force officially launched the Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line program March 16.

  • Air Force coordination team joins Joint Task Force-Haiti

    The 12th Air Force Southern vice commander, and the 612th Air Operations Center deputy commander arrived in Haiti to act as lead members of the Air Component Coordination Element supporting Joint Task Force-Haiti Jan. 12 here. Brig. Gen. Darryl W. Burke, the 12th Air Force Southern vice commander,

  • Air Force Core Missions

    Airmen bring to the Nation’s military portfolio five interdependent and integrated core missions that have endured sincePresident Truman originally assigned airpower roles and missions to the Air Force in 1947. Although the way we do themwill constantly evolve, the Air Force will continue to perform

  • Air Force could save millions through recovery program

    A two-year proof of concept project to demanufacture and disassemble condemned jet engine parts for reuse is under way here and Air Force officials are praising initial results. About 200,000 pounds of material from the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center has already been introduced into the

  • Air Force counter-biological warfare reaches milestone

    The Air Force counter-biological warfare concept of operations recently reached a critical milestone, achieving initial operational capability across the service. "It results from six years of analysis and testing," said Col. Steve Lucky, chief of the Air Force Strategic Plans & Policy Division at

  • Air Force countersnipers go offensive

    Two Air Force security forces airmen deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, got what they called, “the chance of a lifetime,” June 1 when they embarked on a combat patrol in eastern Afghanistan with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Senior Airmen Luke Allen and Rusty Youngblood, both 820th

  • Air Force couple experiences dream wedding

    Cancer seemed as far away as a San Francisco seagull could fly as an Air Force captain danced his first dance with his new bride. Capt. Mike and Vanessa Hawkins married in a ceremony on the San Francisco waterfront May 14, and for a few weeks, they could push aside her stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma

  • Air Force courts tech startups

    An idea that sprang from the minds of four captains at Squadron Officer School led to 10 startup companies pitching their ideas to Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson, April 20, 2018 in Boston.

  • Air Force creates Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center

    The Air Force is centralizing its installation support management within a newly created Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Air Force officials announced July 11. The change resulted from a comprehensive effort to reduce overhead costs; increase efficiencies; eliminate redundant

  • Air Force creates futuristic fighters

    The 7th Security Forces Squadron is implementing the newly-improved Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives training simulator as part of their regular training curriculum.

  • Air Force crews deliver critical cargo to outposts

    A cold, isolated outpost high in the mountains of Afghanistan was running low on fuel, which provides all the power and heating for forces there. Within six hours, the fuel tank would be empty, with no way to keep warm as temperatures drop below freezing.Within five hours of receiving notification

  • Air Force Cross Airman honors Intelligence Squadron legacy

    Heritage. It doesn’t have to be something tangible handed down, it can also be something that gives a sense of pride and belonging. In September 1944, the 11th Photographic Technical Unit was constituted, and on May 18, 2018, an Air Force Cross recipient, Master Sgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr., assisted

  • Air Force cross country teams win Armed Forces title

    The Air Force men's and women's cross country teams won the Armed Forces Cross Country Championship Feb. 13 at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex, Spokane Valley, Wash."This was the most talented men's and women's team I've been a part of in seven years," said Capt. Levi Severson, the team captain for the

  • Air Force Cross recipient soars among 'eagles'

    Next to the signatures of the "Candy Bomber," a Tuskegee Airman, the sixth chief master sergeant of the Air Force and a Vietnam prisoner of war, Air Force Cross recipient Tech. Sgt. Robert Gutierrez placed his name as the only current active-duty enlisted Airmen to be named an "Eagle."Two members of

  • Air Force Cross recipient: 3 minutes to change the world

    As the only qualified joint terminal attack controller in an operation Oct. 5, 2009, an Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller knew the ground situation would be dire if he died. As an armor-piercing round entered his left shoulder and wreaked havoc throughout his chest, he said his

  • Air Force crushes Army, 31-3

    Three Marchello Graddy fumble recoveries and three Joey Ashcroft field goals helped lead the Air Force Academy Falcons to its seventh victory of the season, beating the Army team 31-3.“It’s a win we desperately needed. We hadn’t won a game in 28 days,” said Fisher DeBerry, Falcons head coach. “The

  • Air Force CTCS’s win DoD combat camera titles

    Teams from Joint Base Charleston’s Combat Camera Total Force Initiative squadrons took two of the top three placings at the 2018 Specialist Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition. Four teams of two from the active duty 1st Combat Camera Squadron and the reserve 4 CTCS participated in the

  • Air Force Culture and Language Center launches new field guides for Airmen

    The Air Force Culture and Language Center, located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., is currently developing a series of Expeditionary Culture Field Guides on key countries to where U.S. forces are deploying.The ECFGs provide deploying forces of all U.S. military branches with language, region and

  • Air Force cuts aviation support at public events

    As the Air Force braces for potential sequester, leadership has cancelled all aviation support to public events for at least the remainder of the fiscal year and is standing down the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team to save flying hours to support readiness needs. Effective today, active-duty,

  • Air Force Cyber Command online for future operations

    The Air Force's soon-to-be newest major command, Air Force Cyber Command, is still on track, or rather still online. Air Force Cyber Command is creating a foundation now for the combat Airmen of today and tomorrow, said Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr., commander of 8th Air Force here and the joint

  • Air Force Cyber numbered Air Force achieves initial operational capability

    The commander of Air Force Space Command certified 24th Air Force for its initial operational capability Jan. 22 here. This milestone designation means that 24th Air Force Airmen are capable of performing critical elements of their mission.As a part of reaching IOC, the 24th Air Force staff and its

  • Air Force Cycling Team pedals across Iowa

    Come rain, wind or an average temperature of 90 degrees, 94 Airman began pedaling across Iowa as part of the Registers Annual Bicycle Ride across Iowa, better known as RAGBRAI, July 21.The Air Force Cycling Team, under the leadership of Senior Master Sgt. Larry Gallo, assigned to 433rd Airlift Wing,

  • Air Force Cycling Team rides across Iowa

    More than 160 men and women of the U.S. Air Force joined thousands of bicyclists for the 38th Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, better known by the cyclists as RAGBRAI. The Air Force Cycling Team, or AFCT, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Joseph Robinson, donned their team

  • Air Force cycling team wraps up RAGBRAI

    One hundred Air Force cycling team members finished in two columns of 50 in Muscatine, Iowa, on July 29, dipping their front wheel in the Mississippi River, the traditional end to the ride across the state. The Air Force team participated in the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across

  • Air Force cyclist overcomes injuries

    On July 20, 2002, Capt. Matt Stanley was hit by a vehicle while cycling down highway near Del Rio, Texas. One year later, Stanley will celebrate recovering from serious injuries by cycling 500 miles across Iowa.Stanley, a T-6 Texan II instructor pilot here, is taking part in the Register’s Annual

  • Air Force cyclists continue cycling legacy for 10th year

    For the 10th year, Air Force cyclists will take to their bikes for the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. The RAGBRAI XXXII ride takes place July 25 to 31, covering about 500 miles through the middle of the state.The “Team Air Force” legacy began in 1995 when a group of 28

  • Air Force cyclists join annual bike ride across Iowa

    Several riders representing the Air Force are taking part in the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI, July 23 to 29.The annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state, in its 33rd year, has been attracting Air Force cyclists since 1995. What began as a small group

  • Air Force daughter wins art contest

    Sixth-grader Karen Nicholson drew her family surrounding the head of a bald eagle in an entry that won her first place in the 2003 Armed Services YMCA Art Contest. She beat out a record 3,000-plus entries to win this year's contest.Karen is the daughter of Lt. Col. Philip and Dori Nicholson of

  • Air Force debuts pilot enlisted developmental team

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader addressed the service's first pilot enlisted development team March 31 for senior noncommissioned officers in the nuclear weapons career field. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy met with Air Force Personnel Center assignments representatives and EDT

  • Air Force declassifies elite aggressor program

    After decades of secrecy, Air Force officials acknowledged Nov. 13 that Communist-built fighters were flown at the Tonopah Test Range northwest of Las Vegas, Nev. From 1977 through 1988, the program, known as Constant Peg, saw Air Force, Navy and Marine aircrews flying against Soviet-designed MiG

  • Air Force defeats Army, secures Commander-in-Chief's trophy

    The Air Force Academy Falcons defeated the Black Knights of West Point 42-22 Nov. 6 at Michie Field here. The teams have now battled on the gridiron 45 times with the Falcons leading the series 31-13 with one tie. This is the fifth-straight Air Force victory against Army."Fine victory," said Falcon

  • Air Force defeats Montana, 6-1, in women's tennis

    The Air Force women's tennis team won its second consecutive match with a 6-1 victory April 2 over the University of Montana. Air Force swept the three doubles matches and won five of six singles as the Falcons improved their record to 12-5.Air Force took the doubles point with wins at all three

  • Air Force defeats Navy 14-6 in ground battle

    In a game filled with flyovers, it was ground pounding that dominated as the Air Force Falcons sunk the Navy Midshipmen 14-6 Oct. 2 at Falcon Stadium here.The Falcons showed why they have the number one rushing offense in the country after racking up 292 yards on the ground. Their season average

  • Air Force defeats Saint Mary's at SMC Fall Classic

    The U.S. Air Force Academy women's soccer team earned its first win of the season, defeating Saint Mary's 2-1 Sept. 9 at the Saint Mary's College Fall Classic here. The win boosts the Falcons to 1-4-1 on the season and drops the Gaels to 1-5-0. Falcons sophomore Corbin Sanford's goal in the 65th

  • Air Force defeats Simon Fraser 72-70

    The Air Force Academy women's basketball team wrapped up its four-game Canadian tour with a 72-70 win over Simon Fraser Sunday afternoon at SFU's West Gym. With just 2.1 seconds remaining in regulation, junior Pamela Findlay of Glenview, Ill., drained a pair of free throws to give the Falcons the

  • Air Force defends Alpha Warrior Inter-Service title

    The grueling competition saw three, six-person teams tackling more than 30 obstacles at the Alpha Warrior Proving Ground, the same place where just two days earlier, they competed in service-specific competitions to earn a spot in the inter-service finals.

  • Air Force delays some PCSs, bonuses

    Higher-than-projected personnel costs are driving a shortfall in FY23 military personnel appropriation. This will have temporary consequences for PCSs, SRBs, and aviation bonuses.

  • Air Force delivers 400,000 short tons of relief to Burma

    A total of six Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft have delivered more than 400,000 short tons of relief supplies to Burma as part of the ongoing U.S. relief efforts following Cyclone Nargis which devastated the coast of the Irrawaddy Division in Burma, May 2. As of May 14, Air Force aircrews have

  • Air Force delivers doctors, aid to Florida

    Three C-17s from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina and Dover Air Force Base, Delaware flew more than 300 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to Orlando, Florida, Sept. 9, 2017, in anticipation of Hurricane Irma’s landfall Sept. 10.

  • Air Force delivers E-4B simulator

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Simulator Division delivered the first ever high fidelity, full motion simulator designed to replicate E-4B flying operations and aerial refueling capability April 1.

  • Air Force delivers humanitarian aid to Georgia

    An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft will touch down today in Tbilisi, Georgia, delivering the first of what may turn into many planeloads of humanitarian relief to the nation, Defense Department officials said today. The C-17 is from the 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force

  • Air Force delivers humanitarian supplies to China

    After returning a salute, Major General Lihua Qian, People's Liberation Army, gives a thumbs-up sign to U.S. Air Force Capt. Dave Ericson, 535th Airlift Squadron, 15th Airlift Wing, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Thirteenth Air Force's 613th Air and Space Operations Center Air Mobility Division at

  • Air Force delivers much needed supplies to Kenya

    After weeks of a deluge that seemingly had no end in sight, something besides rain finally fell from the Eastern Kenya sky -- compliments of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing based in Southwest Asia. What began as a normal storm in late October in the

  • Air Force delivers precision resupply to the joint warfighter

    The 317th Airlift Group successfully completed a precision airdrop capability demonstration to a distinguished panel of visitors at Fort Hood, Texas, during the U.S. Transportation Command Component Commander's Conference on April 24.The mission objective was to display combat aerial resupply by way

  • Air Force demilitarizes big backlog of nuclear weapons-related components

    Air Force officials here have undertaken a massive effort to demilitarize more than 100,000 nuclear weapons-related legacy assets from its intercontinental ballistic missile, aircraft and space test programs. Under a $35 million, five-year plan funded by the Air Force chief of staff, Air Force