NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force Global Strike Command welcomes new commander

    Gen. Anthony Cotton took command of Air Force Global Strike Command from Gen. Tim Ray, outgoing AFGSC commander, during a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Aug. 27. Cotton is the newest leader of the U.S. Air Force’s portion of the nuclear enterprise, which maintains the nation's only force of

  • Air Force Global Strike Command will stress nuclear mission

    A key step in reinvigorating the Air Force's nuclear deterrence mission will be made Aug. 7 with the activation of the Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said the new command will bring together the Air Force bomber force and

  • Air Force goes back-to-back, claims third title in four years

    The leader of the All-Air Force Men’s Softball Team knew it was going to take more than talent alone to claim the 2005 Armed Forces Men’s Softball Championship.But after claiming the title with a 7-2 record during the three-day round-robin tournament held here Sept. 7 to 9, the four-time head coach

  • Air Force goes digital with disciplinary training

    When a person signs up for the military, he also signs up for a new system of justice.Although there are many similarities between the civilian and military justice systems, Congress wants to make sure you understand the differences and that's what the Air Force's new military justice training video

  • Air Force goes 'wild' on GMA

    Wild Blue Country performed live on ABC's "Good Morning America" Nov. 24, as part of the U.S. Air Force Academy Band's week-long tour here celebrating the Air Force's 60th Anniversary.A component of the academy band, Wild Blue Country showcased their talent and played for Ronan Tynan, a world-renown

  • Air Force goes winless on Day 2 of Aggie shootout

    The 17th-ranked Air Force Academy water polo team was again unable to pick up a victory against a conference opponent, dropping both games Oct. 31 at the University of California-Davis’ Aggie Shootout here. The Falcons lost a close game, 4-3, to UC-Santa Cruz, before falling to 14th-ranked

  • Air Force golfers finish 17th at Tucker Invitational

    Despite a solid showing by Tyler Goulding, the Air Force golf team struggled Oct. 2 to finish 17th at the William H. Tucker Invitational, held by University of New Mexico at their 7,354-yard, par-72 course here. Arizona won the tournament with a 9-under-par 855, while University of Nevada-Las

  • Air Force golfers finish eighth at Shangri La Shootout

    The Air Force Academy golf team fired a team-best round of 300 on Oct. 24 to finish eighth at the Shangri La Shootout, held by Oral Roberts University at the 7,102-yard, par-72 Shangri La Blue Course.Oklahoma City University took home the team title with a three-round total of 882. Fifteen teams

  • Air Force golfers take third at Troy Invitational

    Tyler Goulding led the Air Force Academy golf team to a third-place finish at the Troy Invitational, which ended here Nov. 9. The Falcons finished six strokes behind the University of West Florida, which posted a three-round total of 879, and three strokes behind Tennessee Tech University, the only

  • Air Force Good Conduct Medal reinstated

    Air Force officials announced Feb. 11 the reinstatement of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal for enlisted members, effective immediately and retroactive to Feb. 6, 2006, when the medal was discontinued. Airmen who are eligible should see an update automatically in their records on the virtual

  • Air Force GPS program receives international award

    The Air Force Global Positioning System program was recognized Oct. 4 by officials at the International Astronautical Federation with a special award during the 62nd International Astronautical Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. The IAF, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, established

  • Air Force graduates first network warfare class

    The first Undergraduate Network Warfare Training Class graduated Dec. 7 here representing the Air Force's expansion into the domain of cyberspace. The course, developed and taught by members of the 39th Information Operations Squadron, represents the most comprehensive network warfare training

  • Air Force graduates first RPA armament course

    Five Airmen from the 363rd Training Squadron graduated from the Air Force's first Remotely-Piloted Aircraft armament apprentice course during a graduation ceremony here April 8.Prior to the RPA armament apprentice course coming on-line, Airmen who were headed to an RPA armament assignment received

  • Air Force guitar made to honor fallen Airmen

    An Air Force guitar is making its rounds across the U.S. with rock band Lillian Axe after an Airman and the band's lead guitarist collaborated on a way to honor nine Airmen who were killed April 27, 2011, at the Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan. Maj. Henry Cecil, an Air Force

  • Air Force gun trucks deliver the goods

    As Airmen saddle up for one of the most notorious jobs in Iraq, the mood is not dread, but drive and determination. There's confidence in every move as members of the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here at Forward Operating Base Speicher prepare to escort truck convoys on some of

  • Air Force halts wing reorganization

    Air Force leaders halted plans to perform a global wing restructure which was designed to realign fighter, bomber and rescue airlift maintenance units into flying squadrons. Maintenance and flying squadrons will remain separate and will continue doing business "as they have for the past four or five

  • Air Force HARRT arrives in Indonesia

    An Air Force humanitarian assistance rapid response team arrived at the Bandar Udara International Airport Oct. 5 with approximately 200,000 pounds of medical and contingency response equipment. The 69-member team set up a mobile field hospital near the M. Jamil hospital here to work closely with

  • Air Force has HART for its war wounded

    As Airmen continue to serve on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Air Force continues to serve its wounded warriors and their families, even after their combat duty. This service comes from the Palace HART program, or Helping Airmen Recover Together. "The Air Force will provide the same

  • Air Force has new weapon in fight against Spice

    Air Force officials began drug testing Airmen Feb. 22 to determine whether they are using Spice -- the street term for a range of designer synthetic-cannabinoid products. With the implementation of testing, officials intend to send a very clear message: use Spice, and you may lose your career, end

  • Air Force has new Web site for retirees

    The Air Force has a new Web site just for its retiree community that is full of news and information, plus it is easy to access and navigate. The Air Force Retiree Services site is located at www.retirees.af.mil. This public Web site offers the retiree family in-depth information on the Survivor

  • Air Force has role in Mars Rover success

    As news broke of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) "Curiosity" rover's successful landing on the "Red Planet" Aug. 6, Arnold Engineering Development Complex's (AEDC) Hypervelocity Tunnel 9 Director Dan Marren was watching the live TV broadcast of the event."Last night, after eight months of

  • Air Force has solid future capabilities, Secretary Gates says

    The foundation of America's airpower rests on a broad and versatile mix of capabilities, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here Sept. 16. Speaking at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference, Secretary Gates addressed the range of things the Air Force must be able to do in the

  • Air Force helicopter crew rescues Korean woman

    The crew of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from Detachment 1, 33rd Rescue Squadron here, rescued a 74-year old Korean woman from Yeong Pyeong Do Island in the West Sea April 19.The helicopter, flown by Capts. Chris Spindler and James Humphrey, began its life-saving mission at approximately 3 p.m.

  • Air Force helicopter crew rescues man injured in wilderness

    A helicopter crew dispatched from the 36th Rescue Flight here successfully rescued a 77-year-old man critically injured Oct. 2 in the Selway Wilderness near Mink Peak, Idaho. At approximately 5 p.m. Oct. 1, members of the 36th RQF dispatched a UH-1N Huey to the coordinates provided via satellite

  • Air Force helps Army with airdrops

    Two aircrews from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and two from the 774th EAS conducted a heavy equipment combat airdrop in south central Afghanistan Feb. 17, and a container delivery system airdrop Feb. 23.The crews, both assigned to the 320th Air Expeditionary Wing at a forward-deployed

  • Air Force helps foster American, Russian relations

    Stressing the importance of fostering good relations between America and Russia, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander spoke to media at a press conference Aug. 21 at the Moscow International Air Show. With the aid of a Russian translator, Gen. William T. Hobbins expressed what an honor it was for

  • Air Force helps Iraqi dog immigrate

    A German shepherd of Iraqi descent arrived here May 30 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III after putting his life on the line to guard U.S. special forces.Fluffy, a dog from northern Iraq with visible scars, will retire at Fort Bragg, N.C., as an honorary military working dog.When Fluffy first joined Sgt.

  • Air Force helps rescue Army private

    Air Force pilots and combat controllers played a part in the rescue of Army Pfc. Jessica D. Lynch from the hands of her Iraqi captors during a mission into the town of Nasiriyah, U.S. Central Command officials said April 2.Coalition special operations forces rescued Lynch who was held at the Saddam

  • Air Force Heritage Week soars in Ohio

    Ohio officials honored the Air Force when the lieutenant governor proclaimed Sept. 24 to 30 as Air Force Heritage Week in a ceremony held Sept. 24 at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher thanked Ohio's men and women currently serving in the Air Force, and extended his

  • Air Force Heritage Week wraps up in Columbus

    Approximately 250,000 spectators gathered at Rickenbacker International Airport Sept. 29 and 30 as the Columbus airport hosted the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends Air Show in conjunction with Air Force Heritage Week. Visitors saw aircraft ranging from vintage P-51 Mustangs to state-of-the-art F-22

  • Air Force heroes: 20 fallen Airmen honored in Afghanistan

    The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing here held a formal retreat March 4 to honor the 20 Air Force members who have died in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began in 2001. Route 56, the wing's NCO advisory council, planned the retreat. The council wanted "to remind everyone of the pride and

  • Air Force hiring more small businesses

    As Air Force officials focused on acquisition of weapon systems and related hardware, Air Force Materiel Command stands to make a noticeable contribution to a stepped-up effort by the federal government to increase awards of contracts to small businesses.In summer 2009, Department of Commerce and

  • Air Force history award winners announced

    Air Force History and Museums Program officials annually recognize excellence in history programs, historical publications and heritage projects, and award commendable work by military and civilian personnel for outstanding performance or achievement, both as individuals or teams. Two Excellence in

  • Air Force hits key milestones with commercial IT

    In June, the Enterprise IT-as-a-Service Integrated Program Office, headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., began migrating users at a number of military installations to commercially available networks provided by both AT&T and Microsoft.

  • Air Force hockey team blanks American International, 2-0

    Peter Foster recorded his fifth shutout of the season to lead the Air Force Academy Falcons to a 2-0 win over American International College in a nonconference college hockey game here Dec. 11. The Falcons swept the two-game series and improved to 9-5-2 overall. AIC fell to 1-9-1. Air Force has

  • Air Force hockey team defeats Robert Morris, 2-1 in overtime

    Brooks Turnquist scored a goal late in overtime as the Air Force Academy beat Robert Morris University, 2-1, in a College Hockey America game here Nov. 20.The Falcons swept the Colonials in the two-game series and improved to 4-4-2 overall this season and 2-2 in the conference. Robert Morris fell

  • Air Force hockey team sweeps Army

    The Air Force Academy hockey team swept a two-game series with the Army, defeating them 5-2 on Jan. 14 and 2-1 on Jan. 15. The Falcons now have won three straight over the Black Knights, dating back to a 3-0 win last season at West Point, N.Y. Air Force improved to 11-9-2 overall while Army fell

  • Air Force holds 100th uniform board meeting

    The 100th meeting of the Air Force Uniform Board convened this month to review ideas and recommendations submitted by Airmen in order to improve or change Air Force uniforms, wear policy and grooming standards.

  • Air Force holds multinational ACE conference

    The multinational conference highlighted ACE doctrine outlining operational schemes of maneuver to increase asset survivability while generating airpower in a high-threat environment.

  • Air Force holds off Cal Baptist, 10-9, in water polo

    Despite a late rally by No. 18 California Baptist University, the 17th-ranked Air Force Academy water polo team was able to hang on for a 10-9 victory as Eric Swenson scored the winning goal in the final game of the Rocky Mountain Showdown here Oct. 17.Early on, it looked as if the Falcons (4-14)

  • Air Force holds worldwide talent search

    In one room, a man held his guitar close to him, while his foot tapped nervously on the ground. Six judges watched him intently as he answered their questions about his instrumental background. Across the hall, a man was given a sombrero and a feather boa to wear, as judges asked him to do his

  • Air Force Honor Guard beefs up 2007 routine

    Throw, flip, twist, turn, roll, swing, catch. As the routine drives home and the final rifle hits, the team is welcomed back with an overwhelming reception. Only when their nerves settle do they see the people and hear the applause, they can finally relax and appreciate the reception. After a month

  • Air Force Honor Guard demonstrate team esprit

    The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team is typically very critical of their drill performance, analyzing and reviewing every move checking for the tiniest flaws. During a national drill championship here, all eyes were on the team, seeking to learn and expecting only the best from the team. The drill

  • Air Force Honor Guard female pallbearer honored to serve

    When Staff Sgt. Jennifer Powell joined the Body Bearers team, she was one of two women to do so since 1972.As a U.S. Air Force Honor Guard pallbearer, Powell is part of an eight-person team responsible for carrying the remains of deceased service members, their dependents, senior and national

  • Air Force Honor Guard holds annual training at Maxwell

    Maxwell Air Force Base is now the new home for annual training of the Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team. The team spent the past month learning its 2008 routine here. The team is a branch of the Air Force Honor Guard based out of Bolling Air Force Base, D.C. For the past 12 years, the group learned

  • Air Force Honor Guard performs at 2006 Air and Sea Show

    After the roar of the aircraft was silenced, the steady clicking of heels could be heard marching closer and closer. Suddenly, a group of Airmen, weapons contrasting starkly against their white gloves, formed up to begin their own performance: rhythmic weapon-slapping and heel-clicking mixed with

  • Air Force Honor Guard visits Air Force Enlisted Village

    Residents at the Air Force Enlisted Village here were treated to a special visit from the Air Force Honor Guard drill team July 13. The team was in Florida for a recruitment tour, and during their visit to nearby Hurlburt Field, the Airmen asked about the possibility of performing at the Air Force

  • Air Force honored during national parade

    Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was first officially proclaimed by Gen. John Logan, Grand Army of the Republic national commander, with the issuance of General Order 11 May 5, 1868.The order says "The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or

  • Air Force honored with environmental awards

    The Air Force was recently honored with several environmental awards for its efforts in ecological responsibility. The recipients of the 2007 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards were: - Hill Air Force Base, Utah, -- Environmental Quality Individual/Team category - Robins AFB, Ga., -- Pollution

  • Air Force honorees to attend AETC Symposium Ball

    The 2010 Air Education and Training Command Symposium will honor five special Airmen at a formal ball Jan. 15 in San Antonio."The remaining five Air Force Medal of Honor recipients who were honored for valor during the Vietnam War will be recognized for their heroic actions and the sacrifices they

  • Air Force honors 2010 Sijan award winners

    For demonstrating outstanding leadership, four Airmen received the 2010 Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award during a ceremony May 11 in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.Named in honor of the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor, the award annually recognizes officer and

  • Air Force honors cadet of the year

    The Air Force honored its 2005 Cadet of the Year at a ceremony in the Pentagon April 17. The honoree, 2nd Lt. Janelle Jenniges, is a graduate of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 465. “She’s the top graduate out of all our commissioning

  • Air Force honors its youth of the year in Pentagon ceremony

    Fifty-three teenagers received recognition at the 2010 Air Force Youth of the Year Award ceremony June 24 in the Pentagon auditorium.Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, hosted the event and presented trophies to the major command honorees and plaques

  • Air Force honors Marquez award winners

    Air Force officials announced the winners of the 2003 Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Maintenance Awards.Winners for aircraft maintenance are:-- Field Grade Manager: Lt. Col. James Weber from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.-- Company Grade Manager: Capt. Earl Williams III from Travis AFB, Calif.--

  • Air Force honors spouses with pin

    Air Force officials have expanded the pin program to recognize and thank those who support the efforts of Airmen around the world by introducing the Air Force spouse pin. This pin joins the Air Force employer pin and parent pin as one of the service’s most visible public outreach programs.Peter B.

  • Air Force honors top recruiters for 2011

    Fifteen Air Force recruiters were named the top in their field for fiscal 2011 by the Air Force Recruiting Service in a ceremony here Feb. 8. Known as Operation Blue Suit, the AFRS program recognizes the best recruiters worldwide for their efforts in recruiting a diverse, high-performing volunteer

  • Air Force honors units for maintenance effectiveness

    The Air Force honored the winners of the 2003 Maintenance Effectiveness Awards at a banquet here.The 2003 Maintenance Effectiveness Award winners include:-- Munitions/Missile Category: 509th Munitions Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.-- Maintenance/Component Repair/Equipment Maintenance

  • Air Force honors Youth of the Year

    A ceremony at the Pentagon on June 23 honored Air Force youth representing bases worldwide.This year’s master of ceremonies was both the Air Force Materiel Command Youth of the Year and the Oklahoma State Youth of the Year. Michael Goodman, son of retired Master Sgt. Randall and Donna Goodman from

  • Air Force Hoops promotion tips off March 1

    Air Force bowling centers and golf courses will host an Air Force Hoops promotion during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 Men's Basketball Championship Tournament from March 1 to April 8.Air Force Hoops, a free scratch-off game, gives participants the opportunity to win

  • Air Force hoopsters fall short against Utah State

    Despite a furious rally in the final four and a half minutes of the game, the Air Force Academy women’s basketball team fell to Utah State University, 72-68, here Dec. 4. The loss drops the Falcons to 2-4 overall, while the Aggies improve to 3-2.After a free throw at the 4:22 mark in the second

  • Air Force hospital saves lives of Iraqi terrorist attack victims

    Shortly after terrorists set off a string of car bombs in the nearby town of Balad on Sept. 29, medical professionals at the Air Force Theater Hospital here prepared for an influx of severely injured patients."When we started unloading the first Army helicopter, I realized that everyone who came in

  • Air Force hosts 36th annual National Image Conference

    Air Force officials recently hosted the National Image Conference in Las Vegas.  The theme was "From Heritage to New Horizons." National Image Inc. was founded in 1972 to address the needs of Hispanic employees in the federal government and later was expanded to increase its impact on employment,

  • Air Force hosts collaborative Software Development Forum

    The Air Force Network Integration Center hosted the first Software Development Forum here Feb. 7.The forum brought together nearly 100 people from industry and the Air Force to discuss future software standards for integration onto the Air Force Network."We need to save time and money by

  • Air Force hosts national civic leader conference

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz met with prominent civic leaders from 32 states and Guam here Jan. 31.Schwartz began the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program's annual winter conference by discussing the hard choices the Air Force

  • Air Force hosts service chiefs to discuss JADC2

    The meeting focused on the DoD’s progress and projections for JADC2 in order to identify opportunities for the services to align their developmental efforts and to identify the obstacles that may frustrate moving forward to achieve the objectives of JADC2 in support of the joint force.

  • Air Force hub uncovers insider threats

    As the Air Force’s defense against insider threats, identifying indicators of potential risk is the hub’s primary mission, but not all indicators they detect are symptoms of espionage or intentional wrongdoing. According to Barron, most indicators are unintended exposures, or the result of policy

  • Air Force humanitarian team arrives on Chuuk

    The Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team, or HARRT, validation exercise officially began Sept. 2 with the arrival of a C-17 Globemaster III transporting 54 Air Force medical and contingency response experts to the Micronesian island state of Chuuk. The team will provide medical assistance to

  • Air Force humanitarian team set to depart for Indonesia

    An Air Force humanitarian assistance rapid response team is preparing to depart on two C-17 Globemaster IIIs out of Japan and Guam to provide disaster relief to Indonesia. Seventy-one Airmen, along with associated supplies and equipment, are scheduled to fly from Yokota Air Base, Japan; and Andersen

  • Air Force identifies new race categories

    Airmen are now able to identify more than one race in their official personnel files because of a change in how the Air Force records racial information.Some race designations will automatically change to fit the new categories as part of the data conversion. The new categories are part of a

  • Air Force identifies nickel-free material for F-35 aircraft systems

    Through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with the Air Force, Triton Systems, Inc., located in Massachusetts, developed a nickel-free material technology that is positioned for transition to several F-35 Joint Strike Fighter applications. Transition of this technology is

  • Air Force identifies non-vol candidates for first sergeant duty

    Air Force officials have identified Airmen as candidates for first sergeant duty for the second time in two years through a nonvolunteer process. Historically, first sergeants were chosen from a pool of volunteers. But in recent years, there has not been a sufficient number of volunteers to keep

  • Air Force identifies pilots killed in Sheppard T-38 crash

    Sheppard officials have identified the pilots killed when their T-38C Talon crashed during a May 1 training mission. Maj. Brad Funk, 35, a 90th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, and 2nd Lt. Alec Littler, 23, a student pilot in the 80th Flying Training Wing's Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot

  • Air Force implements additional security measures

    In response to tragic events that have taken place on and off installations over the past few years, Air Force commanders can take additional measures to secure personnel and property on their installations through three programs that allow service members to carry weapons.

  • Air Force implements BRAC decisions

    This Base Realignment and Closure Commission affects the Air Force like no other, given the war on terrorism, the Quadrennial Defense Review, Air Force transformation and force structure changes, said William C. Anderson.The assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and

  • Air Force implements changes to joint matters, joint tour credit

    The definition of “joint matters” and the authorized length of joint tours, two major joint officer management laws affecting active and reserve component Air Force officers, have recently changed following publication of guidance from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

  • Air Force implements civilian hiring freeze

    Air Force senior leaders directed a force-wide hiring freeze among other workforce actions in a memorandum sent to senior commanders Jan. 16.The actions are part of the Air Force's efforts to pursue reversible or recoverable steps to avoid impacts to core readiness caused by the looming possibility