HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • AF personnel news delivered via email

    For accurate, up to date news on Air Force personnel programs such as force management, retirements, education and development opportunities, special duty assignments, civilian careers and more, look to the Air Force Personnel Center public web, social media and news service.

  • DOD values civilian employees’ contributions

    The Defense Department greatly appreciates the contributions of its civilian employees as it works toward achieving more efficiency across the workforce, a senior personnel official told a Senate homeland security and governmental affairs panel May 6.

  • Eligible officers can request assignment with foreign allied AF

    Active duty officers interested in expanding their horizons by building, sustaining, and expanding international relationships while embedded in another country's air force have until May 22 to indicate their interest on their Airman Development Plan in time for the next assignment cycle, Air Force

  • AF medic earns Heroes of Military Medicine award

    A medic from McConnell Air Force Base received the 2014 Heroes of Military Medicine award, May 1, in Washington, D.C., for his work advancing and impacting military medicine. Senior Master Sgt. David Smith, now a career advisor with the 22nd Force Support Squadron, provided medical care for more

  • Academy beats Army, Navy as most innovative

    An Air Force Academy team bested the two other service academies in the first competition to design the most innovative project to address warfighter challenges. Sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the research-driven competition featured three teams from USAFA, the U.S.

  • Comprehensive Airman Fitness gains official AFI

    Comprehensive Airman Fitness is not a new term; however, Air Force Instruction 90-506 was released April 2 and further defines requirements for CAF in an effort to enhance the resilience of individuals, families, and communities.

  • Hagel: Numbers reflect victim confidence in reporting assaults

    A 50-percent increase in sexual assaults in the armed forces reflected in the Defense Department’s latest annual report indicates growing willingness among victims to report the crime and increasing confidence the military is providing them with support and taking action against perpetrators,

  • AF implements DOS rollback phase II

    The Air Force has implemented the 2014 Enlisted Date of Separation Rollback Program Phase II, Air Force Personnel Center officials said May 1.

  • Wounded warrior finds new place in the AF family

    Words of acceptance are etched on retired Staff Sgt. Daniel Crane's skin, right above a scar that, by itself, embodies the journey he has undertaken. The spider web of pink lines starts midway up the inside of his right arm and continues nearly to his wrist, following the path doctors took as they

  • Airmen advise Afghan air force

    Airmen from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing/NATO Air Training Command - Afghanistan, are playing a vital role in Operation Enduring Freedom as advisers tasked with aiding the Afghan government in establishing an operational and sustainable Afghan air force.

  • JET Airmen making joint missions successful

    About 1,200 Airmen are deployed in joint expeditionary tasked and individual augmentee assignments conducting Operation Enduring Freedom missions alongside joint-service and coalition partners throughout Afghanistan.

  • Trial by fire, SecAF marks first 100 days in office

    In late March, the Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James dusted off her desert boots after her first troop visit to Europe and Afghanistan. While the trip allowed her to get a feel for the global reach of the force under her command, James also celebrated a tacit career milestone, when she

  • All in the family: California ANG brothers serve together

    "I really feel blessed to have both of them here with me during my first deployment overseas. I love the fact that we hang out, enjoy meals together, workout, and even joined the base Honor Guard together," said Senior Airman Walter Morales Talento.

  • Introducing the ‘unnamed conspirator’

    As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a briefing was held April 18 here, to help educate Airmen on the impact of sexual assault across the service and the nation, and how they can get involved in the fight to change the culture that supports it.

  • A legacy of sacrifice for fallen Airman

    Marine Corps Cpl. Jake Balcom had a unique opportunity to spend time with the 421st Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The 421st FS was formerly known as the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron during the war in Vietnam and was the squadron his grandfather, Col. Ralph Balcom, flew in.

  • POV shipping program undergoes changes

    The Department of Defense’s privately owned vehicle shipping program will undergo several changes starting May 1. Several vehicle processing centers will relocate.

  • AF Families Forever: Serving families when and where help is needed

    Air Force Families Forever relocated in November to the Air Force Personnel Center in Joint Base San Antonio- Randolph. This reorganization now helps provide support to families of Airmen killed on active duty where families need it most -- at Air Force bases closest to where they live.

  • AF receives top honors for Special Victims’ Counsel Program

    The Air Force Special Victims’ Counsel Program received the Federal Service Award April 9 at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. The Federal Service Award honors individuals for their direct service to victims of federal crime.

  • AF opens additional TERA, VSP windows

    The Air Force will open two new fiscal year 2014 force management temporary early retirement authority application windows and a new voluntary separation pay application window.

  • Airmen prep Marines for CENTCOM customs mission

    Airmen from the 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron have been preparing the Marine Corps' 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion to assume control of the U.S. Central Command’s customs mission in Southwest Asia. The 387th AES was responsible for clearing more than 5,000 tactical vehicles, 5,500 shipping

  • Warrior athletes gear up during cycling competition

    Athletes with bikes of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the standard upright bike to the handcycle, took their turn at the starting line April 9, 2014, during the Air Force Trials at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

  • Exchange officer learns to use heart, mind to win friendships abroad

    When then-Capt. Paul Morris stepped off the aircraft in Lima, Peru, to report for his first assignment as a foreign exchange officer, he faced three years away from family and friends in an unfamiliar country. Ahead lay uncertainty, accompanied by the tempting sense of adventure and intrigue of the

  • Airmen: Our greatest strength

    The Air Force’s top enlisted Airman, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, along with top enlisted members of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on personnel, about the impact budget decisions have on the enlisted force,

  • AF dependent recognized as 2014 Military Child of Year

    An 18-year-old Air Force dependent from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, was recognized for his achievements and dedication to service at the Operation Homefront’s Military Child of the Year Awards gala at the Crystal Gateway Marriot here, April 10.

  • Readiness key to Air Force responsiveness

    Air Force readiness is critical, especially as the time or place of the next crisis is never certain and is rarely what was expected, the Air Force vice chief of staff told a House panel April 10.

  • F-35 on time to replace previous tactical aircraft

    The F-35 Lightning II will enhance combat capabilities, project U.S. power and deter potential adversaries, Air Force officials told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on tactical air and land forces in a hearing on tactical aircraft programs there, April 8.

  • Air Force Wounded Warrior Trials begin

    Wounded warriors joined together here April 7 to celebrate the opening ceremonies of the first Air Force trials competition at the Warrior Fitness Center.

  • Space superiority remains vital to national security

    Gen. William Shelton, Air Force Space Command commander, highlighted a successful satellite launch to the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on strategic forces during a budget hearing for national security space activities, April 3.

  • Acting Deputy Defense Secretary talks budget, urges innovation

    Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine H. Fox spoke at Air University's Air War College about budget constraints and sequestration in relation to the Air Force's role in the Department of Defense, the importance of technology and innovation April 3.

  • April 3 - Pulse on AF force management

    Beginning April 3, regular force management updates will be published at www.af.mil, including program updates, reports on voluntary program applications received at AFPC and changes to program eligibility.

  • Air Force improving its energy security

    The Air Force is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government, with 86 percent of its energy costs dedicated to aviation fuel, according to Kathleen Ferguson, the principal deputy assistant secretary performing duties as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment

  • Air Force leaders lay out budget priorities, concerns

    Air Force leaders testified April 2, before the Senate Appropriations Committee on their service’s top priorities now and for the future.Joined by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and National Guard leaders and Air Force Reserve leadership, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James

  • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Flight 19 launch

    The Air Force successfully launched the 19th Defense Meteorological Satellite Program or, DMSP, spacecraft at 7:46 a.m. PDT, April 3, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The satellite was carried aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle.

  • I will no longer be a victim

    A first-person account of a victim of sexual and physical abuse as a child and sexual harrassment and misconduct while working for the military.

  • Bombers train on long-range capabilities

    The mission, which spanned nearly 8,000 miles from home station to the drop site and back to the home installation, tested the ability for planners to coordinate operations between combatant commands and amongst multiple Air Force wings. The 20-plus hour training missions also demonstrated the U.S.'

  • 2014 Hennessy Award winners announced

    Air Force Personnel Center officials recently announced the best food service programs in the Air Force with the selection of the 2014 John L. Hennessy Award for food service excellence.

  • Aviation detachment keeps US-Polish training running smoothly

    "All the expectations you have for a normal assignment -- throw those out the window," said Maj. Micah Chollar, the director of operations for the Detachment of the 52nd Operations Group. "We have to analyze who we have, what our guys bring to the table and what we can do to overcome any challenges

  • Air Force Military Athlete of the Year selections due April 30

    Nominations for the Air Force Military Athlete of the Year are due April 30, said Air Force Personnel Center officials. The program allows the Air Force to recognize outstanding male and female athletes and highlight their athletic performance and accomplishments throughout the last year.

  • Sesame Street friends help military children move

    Children in military families move six to nine times between kindergarten and high school. A mobile app launched in December aims to help them cope with leaving a familiar place for the unknown.

  • myPers is one-stop shop for civilian personnel support

    myPers, the Air Force official online source for personnel policy, information and day-to-day transactions, empowers civilian employees to manage their careers."This resource can save employees an infinite amount of time by providing direct online access to answers and valuable information about

  • Air Force officials stress balance in face of budget constraints

    While testifying on Capitol Hill March 25, DoD’s top personnel leaders all agreed that in light of likely future budget reductions, slowing compensation and benefits growth is a difficult but necessary step to balance the rising cost of personnel with readiness and modernization requirements.

  • Initial phase of Joint STARS effort begins

    The Air Force's Joint STARS recapitalization effort is taking off as a Hanscom AFB-led team moves toward replacing the aging fleet and beefing up its ability to detect threats, process data and distribute information.

  • CSAF: Budget cuts affect combatant commands

    Painful budget reductions will reduce the future capabilities of combatant commanders, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told Congress here March 26. Testifying alongside Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James at a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee's defense

  • Alaska National Guard participates in statewide disaster exercise

    Approximately 1,150 Air and Army National Guardsmen from Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Arizona, California, Nevada, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota and Utah are set to participate in exercise Alaska Shield 2014 across the state, March 27 through April 2.

  • From Chinese citizen to American Airman

    After spending the first 20 years of his life in the capital of one of the largest cities in the Fujian province in China, U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Xing Zheng is now a 633rd Civil Engineering Squadron engineer technician

  • Airmen destroy BLAC ICE

    The 435th Contingency Response Group recently joined security forces from Turkey, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany for a training course on tactical leadership.

  • Maintenance Airmen encompass Forward, Ready, Now

    With a designated flightline office space, the self-proclaimed "quiet professionals" from the 31st Fighter Wing are continuing to support the 555th Fighter Squadron, both of Aviano Air Base, Italy, during their participation in an international training mission hosted by the Polish air force here.

  • New tool provides Offutt AFB maintainers with just the right blend

    A new tool, no bigger than a yard stick, is making work a lot easier for maintenance professionals of the 55th Wing who are responsible for keeping Offutt Air Force Base aircraft flying. The tool stands to save the Air Force hundreds of thousands of dollars.