NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • US commemorates Serbian support during WWII

    The U.S. State Department, U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, Serbian Armed Forces and local government officials attended a commemoration event in Pranjani, Serbia, Nov. 18, which honored the villagers who welcomed the downed Airmen with open arms.

  • Intel training streamlined

    When it comes to having the leading edge in air, space and cyberspace, non-commissioned officers from the 70th Operations Support Squadron have taken it to a new level, training Airmen on the importance of Air Force National Tactical Integration (AF NTI).

  • AF hosts Warrior Care Sitting Volleyball Tournament

    The volleyball courts were clear as athletes made their way into the Pentagon Athletic Center. Some arrived in wheelchairs. Some were missing limbs. Many had wounds which couldn’t be seen. As they sat down on the court for warm-ups, they all had something in common…they were all wounded warriors.

  • Wounded warriors given avenues during CARE event

    Nearly 130 Air Force wounded warriors and caregivers attending the latest Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program’s CARE event at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, from Nov. 14-18 received tools and resources to help them deal with their individual challenges.

  • SecDef ensures future military readiness during JBSA visit

     Secretary of Defense Ash Carter traveled to Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 16, during a trip focused on ensuring the readiness of the U.S. military and the effectiveness of the training and equipment provided to today’s warfighters. While at JBSA, Carter spoke with Airmen who had just

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Combat controller continues Special Tactics legacy of valor

    During a ceremony Nov. 16, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Maj. Gen. Eugene Haase the Air Force Special Operations Command vice commander, presented the nation’s third highest medal for gallantry against an armed enemy of the U.S. in combat to Thiem. Thiem's actions occurred when he was

  • Around the Air Force: Nov. 18

    On this look around the Air Force the next chief master sergeant of the Air Force is announced by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, Airmen work together with their Japanese counterparts in Keen Sword 2017, and the current policy for Air Force records management requires records

  • 2016 Federal Benefits Open Season runs through Dec. 12

    The Office of Personnel Management has set the dates for the 2016 Federal Benefits Open Season from Nov. 14 through Dec 12, which includes the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Air Force promotions eliminates time-in-grade, time-in-service points

    Time-in-grade and time-in-service points in active duty enlisted promotion consideration will be eliminated beginning with the 17E7 master sergeant promotion cycle, and all future promotion cycles, the Air Force recently announced. This is the final step in a gradual reduction of points for TIG/TIS

  • Air Force looking to boost acquisition, cyber career fields

    Job seekers with in-demand technical skills may want to give the Air Force Civilian Service a look. The Air Force hopes to fill about 1,400 cyber and 2,200 acquisition positions Air Force-wide by the end of 2017.    The Air Force employs approximately 27,000 acquisition and 9,500 cyber civilian

  • Unique rehab center gets injured Airmen back on duty

    Not long after receiving innovative care for serious combat-related injuries, 2nd Lt. Marc Esposito gave his future wife a tour of the unique rehabilitation center that helped the Air Force special operator get back to jumping out of planes. The state-of-the-art setting cast with advanced technology

  • Around the Air Force: Nov. 15

    On this look around the Air Force the 301st Fighter Wing returns home from Afghanistan, Airmen participate in exercise Tonnerre Lightning, and Airmen and firefighters attend an emergency medical technician course.

  • Licking their wounds: Trained dogs assist, comfort wounded Airmen

    Constant back pain from an injury suffered years ago in combat still troubles Staff Sgt. Ryan Garrison. It wakes him up at night when his medication wears off. It triggers his depression and anxiety, leading to angry outbursts. Several prescriptions and mental health visits didn’t effectively assist

  • Around the Air Force: Nov. 11

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) - On this look around the Air Force a retired staff sergeant is awarded the Silver Star, exercise Invincible Shield enhances trilateral interoperability, and Kadena Air Base, Japan hosted its 17th annual Special Olympics. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Jasmine

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • AF unveils latest ‘Veterans in Blue’ exhibit

    The seventh volume of “Veterans in Blue” is now available online. The exhibit captures 28 stories of heroism and service by Air Force veterans. Each veteran’s portrait is also displayed at the Pentagon.

  • 305 make next cut for enlisted RPA pilot selection

    Air Force officials have chosen 305 active-duty enlisted Airmen for the next phase of the Enlisted Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot Selection Board process as part of a deliberate approach to enhance the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission.

  • Around the Air Force: Nov. 8

    On this look around the Air Force enlisted pilots take their first solo flight and a World War II bomber pilot is awarded the Silver Star.

  • Airman beats cancer, completes 22nd marathon

    His cancer diagnosis came as a complete surprise. After all, he had just run his 21st marathon. Other than a recent cold, he was a picture of perfect health. Chief Master Sgt. Todd Kirkwood, the 167th Maintenance Group superintendent, received the news of his diagnosis the day after Thanksgiving in

  • Report released for 2015 MQ-1B crash

    An MQ-1B Predator was destroyed in a Oct. 17, 2015, crash after experiencing electronic systems failure and loss of control due to a lightning strike, according to an Air Combat Command Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board report released Nov. 2.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Around the Air Force: Nov. 4

    On this look around the Air Force Airmen help fight fires in Iraq; the 48th annual Airlift Tanker Association Convention took place in Nashville, Tennessee; Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the Air Combat Command commander, is inducted into the Order of the Sword; and a hospital on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada,

  • Adversaries’ ever-changing tactics require quick responses

    In the ongoing fight between coalition forces and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, U.S. adversaries have added explosives-laden drones to their weapons arsenal, according to recent stories in the news. In October, adversaries used a drone, intended for surveillance use, to injure troops on

  • FY 2017 NCO retraining program application window now open

    The Air Force has released fiscal year 2017 retraining quotas for eligible NCOs via the NCO Retraining Program.The retraining program is a complimentary tool used to help balance and sustain the enlisted force as the Air Force continues to grow. While the Air Force is still undermanned across the

  • Around the Air Force: Nov. 1

    On this look around the Air Force a reduction in ancillary training is announced, cyberattacks are the leading strategic threat and a preview of the latest episode of BLUE features Air Force tankers.

  • Around the Air Force: Oct. 28

    On this look around the Air Force Airmen bring supplies to a newly liberated and repaired airfield in Iraq, and a memorial honors the life on an Air Force Office of Special Investigations agent.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Overcoming cancer, embracing life

    She placed a pillow under her right shoulder and put her right arm behind her head on the bed. Using her left hand, she pressed the pads of her fingers around her right breast gently in small circular motions, covering the entire breast area and armpit.

  • Health Profession Education Program candidates selected for 2017

    Air Force officials have selected more than 200 officers for the Air Force Medical Service Health Profession Education Program.Development team boards held this summer for the Biomedical Sciences Corps, Medical Service Corps and Nurse Corps selected 216 officers from 20 career fields for the

  • AF selects 720 civilians for developmental education

    More than 700 Air Force civilian employees were selected for basic, intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities during the 2016 Civilian Developmental Education Board held at the Air Force Personnel Center in September.

  • QF-4 mission nearly complete

    The QF-4 Aerial Target mission is winding down and two of the aircraft visited here Oct. 25 so that those who have supported F-4 Phantom IIs over the years could see them one last time.

  • James focused on diversity, emerging threats, space

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James joined the secretaries of the Army and Navy for a “conversation with the service secretaries” panel hosted by the Center for a New American Security here Oct. 24.

  • Around the Air Force: Oct. 25

    On this look around the Air Force special tactics Airmen are honored with a memorial and Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visits the first enlisted RQ-4 Global Hawk pilot class.

  • Air Force’s first robotic surgery training course established at Keesler

    The Keesler Medical Center recently acquired two da Vinci Xi robotic surgical systems, one for surgeries and the other for training, which is one of the newest systems out there and the first of its kind for the Air Force. Also, Keesler’s Clinical Research Laboratory has set up a training facility,

  • AF engineers repair runway in Iraq

    The 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group arrived in northern Iraq to conduct a reconnaissance mission for what would become a historic undertaking. Their mission: mitigate runway damage caused by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

  • Around the Air Force: Oct. 21

    On this look around the Air Force the first Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35 rolls out in Fort Worth, Texas, the Quest For Zero initiative aims to prevent death and injuries in the work place, and Airmen from New York set out for Operation Deep Freeze.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Air traffic controller began life as Italian Air Force pilot's daughter

    Airman 1st Class Giorgia Repici grew up hearing her father tell stories about his adventures as a C-130J pilot in the Italian Air Force. She dreamed of becoming a pilot until she was told she was one centimeter too short. So she became an air traffic controller in the U.S. Air Force instead.

  • DARPA transfers advanced space debris Telescope to AF

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has worked with the Air Force to develop an advanced telescope that already is revolutionizing space situational awareness and helping prevent potential collisions with satellites or planet Earth.

  • Around the Air Force: Oct. 18

    On this look around the Air Force the secretary of the Air Force approves incentive pay for assignments to Turkey and the 480th Fighter Squadron is welcomed home.

  • Airman LEAPs into translator role

    She grew up in Russia and moved to the United States when she was 16. Her mother was an English teacher; her grandmother was a German teacher and her step-father was an American. She learned English at a young age and could speak it well, but she quickly realized there was a disconnect when talking

  • AFOSI: Play it safe with cyber security

    In this day and age, hackers and scammers are finding new ways to exploit unsuspecting victims using various illegal cyber techniques. Internet crimes like phishing, spamming, cyber terrorism, cyber bullying, online identity theft and cyber stalking have been constant concerns on the Defense

  • Pilot carries on four generations of tradition

    Some people say flying is in their DNA. That couldn’t be truer for Capt. John Lockheed, an Air Force Reserve pilot assigned to the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base. He’s a fourth-generation pilot -- continuing a family tradition that encompasses more than a century of flight.

  • Past, present, future: AF Memorial 10th anniversary

    For the last decade, the Air Force Memorial stood boldly in the skyline of the nation’s capital, inciting pride and honor, and recognizing the dedication and sacrifices of Airmen who have served. Members of industry, Airmen and media attended a ceremony in celebration of the monument’s 10th

  • James named honorary Tuskegee Airman

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James was named an honorary Tuskegee Airman and was presented the Tuskegee Airman red jacket during the Air Force Memorial’s 10th anniversary ceremony in Arlington, Va., Oct. 14.

  • Air Force approves Turkey incentive pay

    Active-duty Airmen assigned to Turkey between Aug. 29, 2016, and Dec. 31, 2018, may be eligible for the secretary of the Air Force-approved Turkey Assignment Incentive Pay.Airmen may apply for TAIP at three points in time: prior to departing their losing station, within 30 days of arrival in Turkey,

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Around the Air Force: Oct. 14

    On this look around the Air Force the Air Force Research Laboratory has developed a new flexible lithium-ion battery, Airmen bring humanitarian aid to Hurricane Matthew victims in Haiti and the Air Force is looking to develop new anti-icing technology.

  • James to host spouse, family forum

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James will host a spouse and family forum from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Smart Center Auditorium on Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

  • CSAF letter to Airmen

    This paper is the second in a series to share my thinking behind three key CSAF focus areas over the next four years. As stated in the first paper, "Revitalizing Squadrons – the Heartbeat of the Air Force", these ideas are neither revolutionary nor a significant vector change. Each align with our

  • Around the Air Force: Oct. 12

    On this look around the Air Force, fitness courses are recertified; retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, spouse of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, talks about making dual military relationships work; and it's not too late to register to vote.

  • Maintainers' ingenuity saves AF money, time

    Nowhere in the 439th Airlift Wing’s mission statement does it say anything about Yankee ingenuity, but it should because when Westover Air Reserve Base maintainers recently needed a part for a C-5A Galaxy, they made it themselves.Members of the 439th Maintenance Squadron discovered they needed an

  • Around the Air Force: Oct. 7

    On this look around the Air Force, promotion statistics are released, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander emphasizes the importance of a well-trained force, and a F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter pilot’s remains are returned home. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Cory Kuttler.

  • AF selects 1,931 for promotion to major

    The Air Force selected 1,931 captains for promotion to major during the calendar year 2016C major chaplain and line of the Air Force central selection boards.

  • AF heads to Haiti for Matthew relief

    A C-17 Globemaster III with personnel and equipment from the 621st Contingency Response Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, left for for Haiti Oct. 6 in response to Hurricane Matthew. The 621st CRW has units continuously on alert and ready to deploy anywhere in the world in support

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • AF announces 2017 support squadron commander candidates

    Air Force officials have selected 921 officers from more than 20 career fields as the 2017 support, logistics and materiel leader commander candidates.“This is a highly competitive selection process,” said Sophia Barnard, of the Air Force Personnel Center special duty assignments branch. “Selected

  • Around the Air Force: Oct. 4

    On this look around the Air Force, senior leaders release a memorandum for diversity initiatives, assignments to Turkey become unaccompanied tours and the Air Force raises awareness for cybersecurity.

  • New commander takes reins of 12th AF, AFSOUTH

    The president of the United States nominated Maj. Gen. Mark D. Kelly for promotion to lieutenant general, and command of 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern.During a change of command ceremony here Oct. 3, Kelly replaced Lt. Gen. Chris Nowland who was selected to become the next Air Force deputy

  • Break the cycle of bullying

    Bullying is not just a part of life that stops in the schoolyard; it can have consequences that stretch into adulthood and impact people for the rest of their lives.

  • Reserve Recruiters reach goal for 16th straight year

    Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service has met the command’s accession goal for the 16th consecutive year.Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, the AFRC commander, sent a congratulatory message to recruiters praising them for meeting their fiscal year 2016 goal.“You and your team are amazing,” Miller

  • Tech Report: Adaptive optics

    Space will soon be a contested environment, and the U.S. Air Force is taking steps to ensure it has the best possible observation and information about what is out there. The Air Force Tech Report is a video series that gives viewers a quick look at current technology the Air Force uses to fly,

  • AF selects 1,855 for promotion to captain

    The Air Force selected 1,855 first lieutenants for promotion to captain during the Calendar Year 2016B Captain Line of the Air Force, Chaplain, Line of the Air Force-Judge Advocate, Nurse Corps, Medical Service Corps and Biomedical Service Corps quarterly selection process. To view the lists, go to

  • AF launches yearlong ‘Cyber Secure’ campaign

    The Air Force message is clear -- October may be National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but with the continuous advancement of technology and evolving cyber threats, one month of cybersecurity awareness is no longer enough.

  • AF releases 2016 promotion statistics by AFSC

    Air Force officials have released the 2016 staff sergeant, technical sergeant and master sergeant promotion statistics, broken down by Air Force specialty code and promotion recommendation.

  • Around the Air Force: Sept. 30

    On this look around the Air Force pararescuemen save a pilot off the coast of Okinawa and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein shares his priorities.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • AF announces 2017 public service award nominee

    Air Force officials are pleased to announce Maj. Michael R. Couchman, a member of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, as the Air Force nominee for the 2017 National Public Service Award.

  • Eagle Eyes program encourages Airmen to watch, report, protect

    With acts of terrorism always a possibility, it’s every Airman’s duty to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity when they see it. That’s where the Eagle Eyes program plays a vital role in protecting personnel and Defense Department assets.

  • Competitive career opportunities exist via officer crossflow program

    One of today’s opportunities for officers to broaden career options comes from the nonrated line officer crossflow program, which currently has openings for officers on active duty in certain career fields to volunteer for retraining into undermanned career fields.

  • Around the Air Force: Sept. 27

    On this look around the Air Force, U-2 flying operations have not been impacted after a recent crash and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody reflects on his years of service. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Traci Keller.

  • Around the Air Force: Sept. 23

    On this look around the Air Force, Secretary of Air Force Deborah Lee James shares news about expanding the force and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein delivers his first Air Force Update.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Goldfein: Airpower crucial for joint warfighter

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein outlined his top three focus areas – revitalizing squadrons, strengthening joint leaders and teams, and advancing command and control – during his Air Force Update address at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference here Sept. 20.