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  • TRICARE shines a light on suicide prevention awareness

    Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for Americans, and military veterans make up 20 percent of suicide deaths each year. TRICARE works with the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, the Department of Defense’s oversight authority to reduce the impact of suicide on Service members and their

  • Pediatricians care for young patients of Operation PACANGEL-Nepal

    More than an hour's drive along uneven, dirt roads outside the nearest major city is the rural village of Manahari, Nepal, where the Shree Rastriya Rotary Secondary School can be found. Hundreds of Nepalese people line up outside the gate of the compound, now a temporary a site for health services

  • Critical Days of Summer ends; focus on risk management heightens

    During the last holiday weekend of CDS, the Air Force lost two Airmen, one in a private aircraft mishap and the other in a motor vehicle-pedestrian mishap. There were 17 fatalities during the entire CDS period, May 23 through Labor Day weekend, down from 20 for the same period last year.

  • AF taps a dozen captains for Inter-American SOS

    A dozen active-duty captains have been selected to attend the 2015 Inter-American Squadron Officer School at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland here, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Sept. 10.

  • Reserve firefighters pay tribute to 9/11 comrades

    Firefighters from the 507th Civil Engineer Squadron participated in their 5th Annual Fire climb on Sept. 7 to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Inspired by firefighter cadets in Austin, Texas, members of the 507th Air Refueling Wing climbed the equivalent of 110 stories to commemorate the 343

  • Air Force selects 16 weather squadron commander candidates

    The 15W Weather Officer Squadron Commander Candidate Selection Board held here July 23-24 selected 16 weather officers as candidates for nine projected calendar year 2015 weather squadron command vacancies, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Sept. 10.

  • Academy instructor duty applications due to AFPC by Sept. 24

    Eligible active-duty officers interested in U.S. Air Force Academy or U.S. Naval Academy instructor opportunities have until Sept. 24 to update their Airman Development Plan and submit their application memorandum to the Air Force Personnel Center.

  • Sept. 10 – Pulse on AF force management

    Featured in this force management update are details regarding changes to the reduction in force board eligibility, force shaping board results and ongoing civilian force management programs.

  • The sun shines on Ironman

    Staff Sgt. Joshua Hull, the NCO in charge of the Minot Air Force Base Honor Guard here recently accepted the challenge to compete at the IRONMAN Sept. 21, in Lake Tahoe, California.

  • SOS reduces course length, increases classes in FY 15

    To align with the chief of staff of the Air Force's vision to give more company grade officers the opportunity to attend Squadron Officer School, Squadron Officer College is changing the school's course term length from eight to five weeks starting in fiscal year 2015.

  • Annual African Air Chiefs Symposium begins

    Military leaders of 17 African nations and the U.S. gathered for the fourth annual African Air Chiefs Symposium to discuss air force capabilities and important regional issues.

  • AF Academy ranks high in Best Colleges Ranking report

    The U.S. Air Force Academy ranks high among the nation's top universities in engineering and liberal arts courses, according to the 2015 Best Colleges Ranking report released Sept. 9, by U.S. News & World Report.

  • British pilot soars among Yankees

    As they gather for a routine flight briefing they appear the same: same flight suit, same gear, same mission. Upon further inspection it becomes clear that one of these pilots is not exactly like the others.

  • USA Team wraps up second day of Invictus Games training

    Members of the Invictus Games U.S. Team finished their second day of training by practicing road cycling at Lee Valley VeloPark here Sept. 9. Competitors on both upright solo and recumbent bikes tested out the one-mile road circuit to familiarize themselves with the track before the Invictus Games

  • Airmen operate America's fortress

    Known as America's Fortress, Cheyenne Mountain is portrayed in movies, books and documentaries as a top secret base similar to that of Area 51.

  • C-17 crew gets Army Strykers into the 'fight'

    Air Mobility Command's mission is to provide rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America's armed forces, a capability demonstrated during Steadfast Javelin II, a large-scale, joint, multinational exercise held on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, from Aug. 31 through Sept. 11.The exercise further

  • Following in her father's flight plan

    Some families have a history of military service, whether it be cross-service or within the same branch. It is somewhat less common however, to have two consecutive generations not only serve in the same branch of the military, but to pursue the same career field.

  • Letter to Airmen: RAND study

    Many of you have recently been invited to participate in the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Study. This web-based survey assesses your recent experiences with military workplace relations, professionalism and personal safety.

  • AFMC commander: Tough decisions create opportunities

    Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, told members of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, the biggest challenge the Air Force faces is doing business in a constrained budget environment.

  • Texas ROTC cadet is top in nation

    The Air Force Association named Cadet Dylan J. Meador of Angelo State University's Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 the Outstanding ROTC Cadet of the Year for 2014.

  • Sudan 'Lost Boy' serves as Kadena NCO

    "At the age of 10, I have seen death; I have buried other kids -- at the age of 10," he said, a sadness moving into his eyes. "But at the same time, I've rebounded. If I have to stay in that hole and think of those horrible situations I've been in, then I would not be here today."Labeled a "Lost Boy

  • Yokota Airmen strengthen bilateral, joint disaster response exercises

    As the C-130 Hercules dove through the clouds toward its target 300 feet off the deck, the crew began its drop zone entry checklist. In the back of the aircraft, two loadmasters readied the cargo and eyed the amber light, awaiting its turn to green. Suddenly, the navigator's voice alerted over the

  • Airman's service helps unite his family

    Being away from family is nothing new to Airman 1st Class Nana Sefa, who is currently deployed to Afghanistan on a six-month tour; after all, it's only a quarter of the time he has spent away from his wife.Sefa, a 455th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management analysis craftsman, deployed

  • Air Force uses lasers to preserve space history

    Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 14 is best known as the launch site for NASA's "Friendship 7," the flight that brought John Glenn fame as the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962. Now, more than 50 years later, the complex and other National Historic Landmarks are rapidly falling into decay.

  • A resilient rebel on eight wheels

    At nearly twice their ages and half their sizes, Lt. Col. Melanie Friedman stands out among those wearing the same uniform. The deputy director of intelligence at the Curtis E. Lemay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, known to her teammates and competitors as "BustHer Bunny," joins the

  • Suicide prevention takes courage, communication, official says

    The Veterans Affairs Department has named September National Suicide Prevention Month, but the Defense Department continues its year-round, comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to address the issue of suicide in the military, a Pentagon official said Aug. 21.

  • AFSOUTH partnership brings illicit air drug trafficking to a halt

    In 2010, illegal drugs were being flown into the Dominican Republic at an alarming rate. The continual issue of drug trafficking led the Dominican government to seek new aircraft and tactics to deal with the problem. They turned to the U.S. Southern Command, which is responsible for U.S. military

  • The "almost" candy bombers of Iraq

    The U.S. government provided the container delivery system bundles and the military aircraft, but something just seemed to be missing on the airdrop packages. Master Sgt. Stephen Brown had something sweet for the kids in mind to make things just right.

  • Suicide prevention more than a month-long campaign

    All Airmen have a responsibility that last much longer than a one-month campaign. This responsibility extends beyond ourselves and includes our work environment, our families, friends, fellow Airmen and our communities. While Suicide Prevention Month is observed across the United States in

  • Know your POV shipping entitlements

    Many service members may not know of their entitlements when shipping personal vehicles as they move overseas or return stateside, according to U.S. Transportation Command officials.

  • Pistol champion shoots to the top

    When at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Jackson is an aircraft metals technology craftsman with the 23d Equipment Maintenance Squadron, but during his off time, he's an avid pistol shooter and member of the Air Force National Pistol Team.

  • ANG engineers help Coast Guard

    More than 30 Airmen from the 134th Civil Engineer Squadron in Knoxville, Tennessee, traveled to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London Jun 1 to assist the Coast Guard in a joint effort to complete multiple projects on the USCGA campus.

  • Be disaster aware, take action to prepare

    Devastating earthquakes, floods, wildfires and tornadoes never announce a time or place – that’s why it’s important to be prepared! Air Force Emergency Management is using National Preparedness Month this September to encourage Airmen and their families to “Be Ready!”

  • President pledges support to veterans

    The administration is moving ahead with changes to the VA. Obama signed the Veterans Access Choice and Accountability Act, which provides money to hire staff and allows veterans who live more than 40 miles from VA care to see doctors outside the VA.

  • U.S., Latvian TACPs sharpen special ops skills

    Tactical air control party specialists with the 169th Air Support Operations Squadron and the Latvian military joined forces August 2014 to sharpen their special operations skills at the 3rd-annual Operation Northern Strike in Grayling, Michigan.

  • Airman takes positive spin after selected for separation

    At 27 years old and after nearly five years of being in uniform, Senior Airman Lee Owens is rejoining the civilian workforce in September. Like more than 3,500 Airmen Air Force-wide, the 42nd Air Base Wing-assigned broadcast engineer was selected for separation after being identified by the Air

  • Third time’s a charm, a chaplain's journey

    "I had to preach in body armor while everyone was told to stay low, but instead of staying low, I chose to stand and preach because I said to myself, 'If something struck me right now, I know I was doing what I was called to do...

  • C-130 celebrates 60 years, still going strong

    In 1954, the song "Rock Around the Clock" was playing on the radio, Oprah Winfrey was born and the first issue of Sports Illustrated appeared on newsstands. The same year, on August 23, the YC-130 Hercules made its maiden flight...

  • Former CMSAF discuss hot topics of today

    With more than 250 years of combined Air Force experience, eight former chief master sergeants of the Air Force answered questions facing Airmen today during the 2014 Air Force Sergeants Association Professional Airmen’s conference here Aug. 20.

  • Kunsan Airmen prowl sky over Alaska

    Airmen assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, arrived at Eielson Air Force base here a few days late, but wasted no time in catching up with the rest of Red Flag-Alaska 14-3.

  • Travis AFB makes boy superhero for a day

    As he puts on the uniform that resembles military desert camouflage, he is no longer a child -- he is a superhero. His mission is to use his extremely advanced fighting skills developed during his 11 years on earth to defeat the bad guys and rescue the good guys. His superhero instincts lead him to

  • Romania air base replaces Transit Center Manas

    Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, located 25 miles northwest of the Black Sea city of Constanta, started operations in February 2014 and has already processed more than 85,000 troops.

  • Airman, Actor, Nerd

    After hours of shopping, stitching and crafting, a piece of work comes together for former Tech Sgt. Randolph Sena, a civilian Airman and a recreational cosplayer.

  • ACC loans Global Hawk to Global Vigilance Combined Test Force

    The 412th Test Wing's Global Vigilance Combined Test Force received a Global Hawk Block 40 Aug. 6, on loan from Air Combat Command. The aircraft, from Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, is joining the Block 20 and 40 aircraft at Edwards AFB to offer an additional platform for

  • Improvement program keeps officer engaged in missile mission

    Capt. Billy Terry, a 341st Operational Support Squadron intercontinental ballistic missile senior combat crew instructor, was given the opportunity to chase a dream he had for most of his life - to change career fields and work as a space systems operator.

  • Air Force, Army Aviation come together to complete vital mission in Egypt

    Weighing more than 17,000 pounds the a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter -- when not being carried by its own rotors -- is not the easiest piece of Army equipment to move from one point to another. So what happens when one of these military chariots becomes non-mission capable in the desert and needs

  • CMSAF discusses ‘way ahead’ for Airmen

    The Air Force’s top enlisted leader focused on the future force, the new enlisted evaluation system and professional development during the Air Force Sergeants Association Professional Airmen’s Conference here Aug. 19.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody addressed an audience of Airmen,

  • AFSOUTH strengthens space ties with partner nations

    Three officers from the Dominican Republic, Peruvian and Brazilian militaries partnered with active-duty and guard Airmen at Davis-Monthan for a rare opportunity to work collectively on the space component of PANAMAX 2014, Aug. 8-15.

  • Two cent difference saves AF, Travis AFB millions

    Travis Air Force Base has jumped on board an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative set in place in 2008 that will eventually save the Air Force and Department of Defense millions of dollars each year.

  • Changes to academic degree and developmental education expectations

    Air Force officials announced actions designed to set clear expectations, restore Airmen's time and refocus officer promotions on job performance.The Air Force has addressed long-standing perceptions that to be promoted, officers must complete an advanced academic degree, and those officers selected

  • Medical experts train counterparts in Mongolia

    The sounds of agony filled the air near the wooded back lot of the Central Armed Forces Hospital, or CAFH, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as an interpreter encouraged accident victims to ‘ham up’ their performances during mass casualty response training, as part of Operation Pacific Angel 14-4 Mongolia.

  • CMSAF, Congressional representatives discuss military family life

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody participated in a Congressional Military Family Caucus at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Aug. 14, affording more than one hundred military family members the opportunity to discuss various issues with congressional representatives and Air Force

  • Goodwill through the language of civil engineering

    U.S. Air Force civil engineers communicated with Mongolian contractors and worked with MAF engineers to help improve the quality of life in local schools and clinics, said Senior Master Sgt. Sandon Miller, lead civil engineer for PACANGEL 14-4 assigned to the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron.

  • First pipeline F-35 crew chiefs graduate

    Nine Airmen became the first Air Force recruits to graduate initial skills technical training as F-35 Lightning II crew chiefs after completing Mission-Ready Airmen training here Aug. 7."The opportunity to be the first of something so important means a lot. I know many people are looking at us to be

  • AWACS upgrade achieves initial operational capability

    The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Mike Hostage, declared initial operational capability for the 552nd Air Control Wing's E-3G Sentry, an Airborne Warning and Control System Block 40/45 aircraft, July 28, here.

  • New rotation takes reigns at Powidz AB, Poland

    With a shrill squeal, rubber met road as two C-130J Super Hercules' touched down Aug. 14, at Powidz Air Base, Poland -- their crews ready to begin a flying training deployment in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, or OAR.

  • CSAF Call to Airmen: 2015 Reading List

    The Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III has issued a call to all Airmen, to help create the 2015 CSAF Professional Reading Program, asking for submissions that center on the profession of arms and more specifically the Air Force core values: Integrity first, service before self

  • Obama praises success of humanitarian operations in Iraq

    President Barack Obama has announced an end to the siege of Iraq's Mount Sinjar where Iraqi Yezidis had fled to escape Sunni terrorists, and that U.S. airdrops to those who were trapped there will likely end. But he said airstrikes will continue to protect Americans in the country.

  • Greece, US plan for successful air training

    They had been in the room for nearly six hours. The planners scoured the map of Greece, searching for just the right area to place an enemy missile defense system, or an enemy airfield, or one of hundreds of other highly defended military targets

  • Nominations open for 66th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award

    Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 64th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award. The award is sponsored by George Washington University in conjunction with the Arthur S. Flemming Awards Commission. It honors outstanding federal employees who have made significant and extraordinary

  • 2015 AFA Aerospace Award nominees sought

    Nominations for the 2015 Air Force Association Aerospace Awards for outstanding contributions to national defense in a variety of fields are being sought, Air Force officials said.

  • Kunsan sexual assault prevention, response team brings home AF-level award

    The 8th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Maj. Daniel Giannavola, and Deputy SARC, Capt. Poonsak Kajonpong, were announced as the Air Force-level winners for the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention Innovation Award for the timeframe of Oct. 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.

  • U.S. provides aid to Yezidis, strikes ISIL mortar position

    The U.S. military conducted a sixth airdrop last night of food and water for thousands of Iraqi citizens threatened by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on Mount Sinjar, Iraq, U.S. Central Command officials said. This airdrop was conducted from multiple air bases in the CENTCOM area of

  • Defense Health Agency makes progress

    As the Defense Health Agency approaches its one-year anniversary Oct. 1, it has already saved money and standardized health care in the Defense Department, said Dr. Jonathan Woodson, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.

  • Tobacco use harms military readiness, official says

    Because tobacco use is harmful to military readiness, the Defense Department has an added responsibility to curb its use, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs said today, noting that service members are more likely to use tobacco products than civilians.