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  • Aviano augments search for missing pilot

    The 31st Fighter Wing launched several of its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft Jan. 30 to join the ongoing search effort for a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who was declared missing during a nighttime training mission Jan. 28.The fighter jets will provide further assistance to the robust rescue

  • Academy grad, reservist suits up for Super Bowl

    An Air Force Academy graduate and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver arrived in New Orleans Jan. 27 for Super Bowl XLVII.Chad Hall, an Air Force reservist, was signed to the 49ers practice squad Nov. 27 for scout team duty, wearing No. 14. He was released Dec. 14 as the team juggled its active and

  • Special Operations honors latest heroes

    One of the most combat-decorated Air Force units since the end of the Vietnam War named more heroes Jan. 23-24 during medal presentation ceremonies here and at Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore.The 24th Special Operations Wing gained one Silver Star and six Bronze Star medals with

  • Afghan airmen lead mission to deliver school supplies

    Afghan air force security forces troops with the Kandahar Air Wing here led a mission Jan. 24 to deliver supplies, including backpacks and soccer balls, to children at a local school. Force protection personnel assigned to Kandahar Airfield headquarters and security forces Airmen with the 738th Air

  • NORAD jets ready to protect Super Bowl skies

    Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region fighter jets, along with interagency partners, have been busy well before Super Bowl Sunday preparing to protect the skies around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.Just like the teams in the Super Bowl, the Continental U.S.

  • Recovered debris thought to be wreckage of missing aircraft

    Italian search teams have recovered debris in the Adriatic Sea believed to belong to an F-16 Fighting Falcon that went missing during a nighttime training mission Jan. 28.The fighter jet, assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, was performing a training mission when the base lost contact with the pilot

  • Search and rescue effort continues for missing aircraft

    U.S. military officials are coordinating search and rescue efforts with Italian military and civilian teams following the loss of communication with an Aviano F-16 Fighting Falcon jet the evening on Jan. 28.The aircraft, assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, was performing a training mission over the

  • Getting Airmen back in the 'Games'

    Many Airmen have served honorably in the Air Force, but due to wounds, illnesses or injuries are no longer able to serve in the capacities they did before. The Warrior Games gives those Airmen a chance to serve again.The games, scheduled for May 11-17 in Colorado Springs, are designed to introduce

  • Former 'dirt boy' retires as Air Force's top enlisted Airman

    "Dirt Boy Did Good" would be a great working title for a movie about former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy's 30-year career. His first Air Force job, after he joined in 1982, was in civil engineering as a heavy equipment operator, a "dirt boy." His last, the one he retired from Jan.

  • New runway rubber removal system debuts in Southwest Asia

    The Air Force Civil Engineer Center in conjunction with the Air Force Research Laboratory recently introduced a first-of-its-kind runway rubber removal system for use at remote airfields.The device, which uses a retrofitted Unimog designed for transport to airfields in austere areas of Southwest

  • Afghan air force advances battlefield support tactics

    The commanders of the Afghan air force and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan signed two operational decrees Jan. 23, implementing procedures to improve air response to Afghan battlefield casualties by the AAF's new Cessna C-208 Caravan fleet and its Mi-17 helicopters. The decrees address the

  • 400-plus selected for squadron, group command

    More than 400 officers from various Air Force career fields have been selected for mission support, training, recruiting, air base squadron and deputy maintenance group command, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Using squadron commander candidate lists released in November, wing hiring

  • CMSAF transition: Airmen say goodbye to Roy, welcome Cody

    The Air Force appointed its 17th chief master sergeant of the Air Force during a transition and retirement ceremony here Jan. 24.In his last official act before retiring, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy relinquished the duties and responsibilities of the Air Force's highest enlisted

  • Training eases stress, strain of deployed duties for EOD Airmen

    On a bitter cold winter morning explosive ordnance disposal technicians conducted training exercises Jan. 10 at Fort Carson, Colo. designed to simulate the mental and physical fatigues experienced while deployed. The exercises included unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices, called

  • Air Force Officials Aim to Eliminate Sexual Assault

    Following a nine-month investigation into sexual misconduct at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, the Air Force has implemented a comprehensive program aimed at eliminating sexual assault, senior Air Force leaders told Congress today.Air Force Chief Of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and

  • ACC seeks air liaison officers

    Eligible officers interested in air liaison officer duty have until Feb. 7 to complete and submit their application package to Air Combat Command, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.ALO duty is open to men and women who are active-duty crossflow candidates, inter-service transfer applicants,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: The Airman and James Bond

    (Editor's Note:This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Quartermaster "Q" supplied Skyfall's 50-year anniversary James Bond with a radio and a Walther PPK handgun, but Sean Connery's 007 relied

  • Multi-national leadership program to improve mission planning

    Airmen with the 493rd Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, are participating in the Tactical Leadership Program here Jan. 16 to Feb. 7.The TLP is a multi-national program that enhances key leadership and mission planning skills needed for NATO operations. "It's a 10-nation

  • Team of Airmen to attempt Mount Everest climb

    Four Air Force Academy graduates may be busy preparing to climb the world's highest peak in May, but they haven't forgotten where mountaineering first began for them: here, climbing Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks as cadets. A team of six seasoned Air Force mountaineers; currently stationed in

  • A walk to remember: Airmen say goodbye to enlisted leader

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy walked through lines of Airmen as he stepped out of his office for the last time, as the senior enlisted leader of the Air Force, Jan. 17, at the Pentagon.More than 200 Airmen lined the hallways of the Pentagon to show support during this farewell to

  • CJCS enlisted advisor shares joint vision with Airmen

    Once a person dons the uniform of their branch of service it can be easy to let their identity as an Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine cloud the fact that they are a member of a larger U.S. military. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of

  • Air Force releases results of health and welfare inspection

    The Air Force released the results of the service-wide health and welfare inspections that were completed in an effort to emphasize an environment of respect, trust and professionalism in the workplace."Every Airman deserves to be treated with respect. They also deserve to work in a professional

  • AF medical team trains for important inauguration role

    The 56th Presidential Inauguration, held Jan. 20, 2009, set a record attendance for any event held in Washington D.C., and was one of the most-observed events ever by the global audience. With more than 1 million attendees just four years ago, preparations for the 57th Presidential Inauguration have

  • Agency brings real intel to aerial combat exercise

    For the first time in 38 years, realistic intelligence will be an integral part of the Air Force's signature aerial combat training exercise.The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, via its 526th Intelligence Squadron, will be a key player at Red Flag 13-3, Feb. 25 to

  • Air Force leaders deliver budget guidance to force

    Air Force leaders delivered guidance to the force recently, telling them to begin planning for the uncertain budget environment ahead, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said Jan. 11 in a press briefing."Even though we're not presuming this worst case will occur, prudent planning for the

  • CSAF gets firsthand look at RPA operations

    Airmen of the 432nd Wing and 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing welcomed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III during a visit here Jan. 14.The visit gave the chief of staff an opportunity to meet the Airmen who perform the Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission.Welsh

  • Warfighters discuss mission accomplishment at WEPTAC

    Approximately 670 warfighters from across the Air Combat Command gathered Jan. 3 to 16 at the Weapons and Tactics conference here hosted by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. Attendees discussed ways to efficiently and effectively accomplish the Air Force mission with equipment they already possess

  • Airmen featured in upcoming documentary series

    A six-episode television documentary exploring Air Force combat rescue in Afghanistan through the stories of deployed Airmen slated to premiere Feb. 18, at 10 p.m. EST/PST.The show, "Inside Combat Rescue," provides a real-time look at the experiences of Airmen working to save the lives of NATO

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman journeys to top of the world

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The Tibetans call it "Chomolungma," meaning "mother goddess of the world." Global Positioning System satellite equipment measures its peak at 29,035

  • Reservists, local police team up for C-17 rescue training

    Airmen of the 446th Airlift Wing teamed up with a local police dive team to conduct familiarization training on the C-17 Globemaster here Jan. 10. Nate Condreay, Pierce County Metro deputy sheriff and rescue diver, reached out to the 446th AW for Air Force aircraft specialists to train the police

  • DOD official lauds veterans commercial license effort

    Maryland has joined 33 other states in agreeing to waive the skills test for veterans and service members who have military training that would entitle them to a commercial driver's license, a senior Defense Department official said today.Frank C. DiGiovanni, director of training, readiness and

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: AF captain coaches ultra fitness while deployed

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Six days a week, her iPhone alarm - a soothing instrumental melody - goes off at 4:10 a.m.She puts on her PT uniform, stops by her office to check

  • Brothers have reunion at 23,000 feet

    There are many predictable things about deployments, but for one Airman, the unpredictable happened. He didn't expect a family reunion, but got one - at 23,000 feet in the air two days before Christmas. The day started like any other for 1st Lt. Michael Ellsworth, 963rd Expeditionary Airborne Air

  • AF officials reschedule MilPDS upgrade

    Originally slated for December 2012, Air Force officials will perform a major upgrade to the Military Personnel Data System, or MilPDS, March 2013.The Air Force Personnel Operations Agency here will upgrade and transfer MilPDS to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise Computing

  • Air Force leaders will deliver budget guidance to force in days

    Air Force leaders will deliver guidance to the force in a few days to begin prudent planning for the uncertain budget environment ahead, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said here Jan. 11.Donley and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Air Force chief of staff, briefed Pentagon reporters Jan. 11, on the

  • State of the AF is 'strong'

    The Air Force's top leaders said today the service has accomplished much while dealing with many challenges in the last year.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III briefed members of the media here on the state of the service and its focus on

  • AF implements non-volunteer MTI selection process

    Technical sergeants and master sergeants who meet qualification requirements may be non-voluntarily selected for military training instructor duty, Air Force Personnel Center officials said."Low MTI manning levels in 2003 resulted in non-volunteer selections, so this decision is not without

  • Misawa starts New Year double booked

    As Airmen with the 35th Fighter Wing engage in an initial readiness response exercise Jan. 10 to 12 at Misawa Air Base, it is hard to ignore the extraordinarily busy nature of the flightline.Despite the fact the flightline plays an integral role during an IRRE, which tests the wing's ability to

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman takes pride in building future leaders

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)It is a simple word to describe a powerful human trait or action; the ability to influence or guide a group of people to complete an act greater than

  • Airman awarded National Defense Space Award

    The first Forrest S. McCartney National Defense Space Award was presented to Maj. Kenneth Holmes, the Air Force Special Operations Command chief of space training, at the National Space Club luncheon here Jan. 8.The award recognizes significant contributions of Department of Defense personnel on

  • Panetta: Fiscal crisis poses biggest immediate threat to DOD

    The "perfect storm of budget uncertainty" howling around his department is the biggest immediate threat facing the U.S. military, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told reporters here today.Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stressed during a regular

  • AF officials reschedule MilPDS upgrade

    Originally slated for December of last year, Air Force officials will perform a major upgrade to the Military Personnel Data System, or MilPDS, in March.The Air Force Personnel Operations Agency here will upgrade and transfer MilPDS to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise

  • New resource helps troops, families plan deployments

    The Defense Department launched a new resource to help troops and their families plan for the "before, during and after" of deploying.Barbara Thompson, director of DOD's office for family policy, explained "Plan My Deployment" during an interview with the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press

  • Air Force announces KC-46A candidate bases

    The Air Force announced Altus Air Force Base, Okla. and McConnell AFB, Kan., as candidate bases for the KC-46A formal training unit (FTU) today. Altus AFB, Fairchild AFB, Wash., Grand Forks AFB, N.D., and McConnell AFB, are candidate bases for the first active-duty led KC-46A main operating base

  • Air Force Academy parachute team wins 46 medals at national competition

    The Wings of Blue Air Force Parachute Team won 46 medals and set five national collegiate records at the National Collegiate Parachute Competition here Jan. 2.Wings of Blue skydivers took home 13 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze medals at the competition, held from Dec. 2 - Jan. 2. The Air Force Legacy

  • Academy reports show increased trust in system, better reporting

    An increase in reports of sexual assault at the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy reflect more trust in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program -- a silver lining and proof that the system is working, the Academy's sexual assault response

  • Airmen bring wealth of experience to PRT nerve center

    What do you get when you put an Air Force vehicle operator, water fuels system maintainer, bioenvironmental engineer technician, and airfield systems technician together? According to the leadership at the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team, you get one of the most efficiently run tactical

  • Flying crew chiefs 'know everything'

    When a $200 million aircraft breaks down in a dangerous place like Afghanistan or Colombia, pilots just can't call "triple A" but they can call on their flying crew chief who, as most aircrew members know, knows everything.Flying crew chiefs are the mechanics of the sky, flying missions all over the

  • Military OneSource provides tax assistance service

    As tax season nears, Military OneSource and H&R Block have joined forces again to provide a free online tax preparation service for service members.During an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Tony Jackson, a program analyst for the Military OneSource program

  • AF legal team advises Afghans

    Members of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing here are helping the Afghan air force Kandahar air wing leadership and legal office implement military justice and hold the wing's servicemembers accountable to military standards. Maj. Deanna Daly, Staff Judge Advocate for the 451st AEW, and her

  • Air Force to provide dedicated legal counsel to sexual assault victims

    A new Air Force pilot program designed to provide legal assistance to victims of sexual assault will begin later this month.The Special Victims' Counsel Program will give sexual assault victims legal assistance and help them navigate the criminal justice system with lawyers trained to handle their

  • Fiscal cliff legislation affects military, civilian paychecks

    The legislation President Barack Obama signed Jan. 2 postponed the fiscal cliff and means changes to military and civilian paychecks, Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials said today.The legislation increases Social Security withholding taxes to 6.2 percent. For the past two years during

  • AF opens new nuclear training center

    Almost 10 years of joint effort and cooperation culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Nuclear Security Tactics Training Center in Guernsey, Wyo., Dec. 13.The $4.2 million facility boasts 14,500 square feet of functional space for training classrooms and cadre offices, and has been

  • Obama Signs $633 Billion Defense Authorization Act

    President Barack Obama signed the $633 billion fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act into law yesterday.The legislation, which cleared Congress last month, authorizes the department to act in any number of instances. "There are certain things that cannot be done without [the authorization

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman strives to become pro fighter

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Most people dream of getting rich, or houses with white picket fences, but one Airman's dream is to be locked in a blood-stained steel cage with a

  • SecAF, CMSAF visit Southwest Asia

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy visited the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Dec. 29 and 30, as part of an overall trip to U.S. Air Forces Central Command's area of responsibility to thank Airmen for their service during the holidays."It's been

  • DOD heightens training, prevention to target human trafficking

    To spark awareness and vigilance against a growing global human rights crisis, President Barack Obama has proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.Linda Dixon, the Defense Department's program manager for combating trafficking in persons, told the Pentagon

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman shows skills as F-22 demo pilot

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The serenity of a sleepy, morning sky broke as a dark form rose from the ground and blotted out the sun. An F-22 Raptor maneuvered through the dawn,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman engineers musical masterpieces

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)On the Christopher Newport University campus, in Newport News, Va., Ferguson Hall teemed with activity as spectators found their seats. The din of

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman blogger aims high

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Coming back to a new school year was difficult, even for an experienced teacher. Her new special education math class was crowded. Twenty students

  • Air Force Fire Chief leaves legacy of service

    After 46 years of service, the Air Force's top firefighter stepped down.Donald Warner, chief of the Fire Emergency Services Division in the Air Force Civil Engineer Center Readiness Directorate at Tyndall AFB, Fla., retired  Dec. 29, ending a career in firefighting that has spanned six decades."When

  • New training facility opens in Wyoming

    Almost ten years of joint effort and cooperation culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Nuclear Security Tactics Training Center in Guernsey, Wyo., in December.The $4.2 million facility boasts 14,500 square feet of functional space for training classrooms and cadre offices, and has been

  • Pararescue, security forces Airmen train as one

    The afternoon sky was still and silent just before a thunderous HH-60G Pave Hawk landed thrusting 100 mph winds. Out jumped three pararescuemen assessing possible threats in all directions as they headed to aid an injured member of a friendly force.The 38th Rescue Squadron and 823rd Base Defense

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: High school reunion ... above Afghanistan

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)In 2001, three students -- each in a different grade -- shared the halls and classrooms of DuBois Area High School in rural Pennsylvania.This month,

  • Academy firefighters recognized for Waldo Canyon Fire efforts

    More than 50 firefighters with the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron here received Air Force Achievement Medals and Air Force Civilian Achievement Awards in a pair of ceremonies Dec. 19-20 for their efforts in containing the Waldo Canyon Fire, which burned 12 acres on the Air Force Academy in June but

  • Special hiring program helps AF wounded warriors

    The Air Force's Wounded Warrior Civil Service Employment Program assists combat-related ill and injured Airmen secure Air Force civil service jobs, and since the program's inception in 2006 nearly 120 wounded warriors have joined the Air Force's civilian work force. This employment program assists

  • 5th AF intergrates with joint partners for exercise

    U.S. Army and Air Force service members united with Japan Ground and Air Self Defense Forces members here to bilaterally coordinate ground operations and control airspace in support of Exercise Yama Sakura 63 in Sendai Dec. 6 through 13.For the first time, 5th Battlefield Coordination Detachment,

  • AF Reservists deliver humanitarian supplies to the Caribbean

    Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing delivered more than 38,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to the island nations of St. Lucia and Haiti Dec. 15 and 16.The missions involved two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft delivering humanitarian aid, medical and school supplies, food and construction equipment

  • Airmen decrease response time with improved expeditionary medical team

    More than 60 medical Airmen from Andersen Air Force Base, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska and Yokota Air Base, Japan, joined trained on the new expeditionary medical support health response team here, Dec. 10-13. EMEDS is a team of expertly-trained medical professionals who utilize a mobile

  • New F-16 software platform to be tested by 40th, 85th

    Developmental testing for an F-16 operational flight program will be accomplished at the 40th Flight Test Squadron and 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron here for the first time.The testing for Block 40 and 50 model F-16s is scheduled to begin in 2014 and will also be the first time developmental

  • Air Force Cross recipients honored at Pope Field

    Four bronze busts in the likeness of Air Force Cross recipients were unveiled during a ceremony here honoring the Airmen at the Combat Control School Dec. 6. The busts honor Capt. Barry Crawford, Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, Staff Sgts. Robert Gutierrez and Zach Rhyner. Crawford and Gutierrez were in

  • AETC declares Eglin ready for F-35 training

    Following an independent evaluation of Eglin's capability to conduct F-35A Lightning II pilot training, Air Education and Training Command announced Dec. 17 that the 33rd Fighter Wing can do so starting January 2013. "The preliminary results provided by the Joint Operational Test Team show the F-35A

  • Air Force NCO training takes on international flavor

    The NCO course at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland helps to fulfill a key U.S. Air Force priority of partnering with joint and coalition teams to win today's fight.The Inter-American Noncommissioned Officer Academy course integrates U.S. Air Force NCOs into

  • Iraqi Air Force receives three C130J aircraft

    The Iraqi Air Force celebrated an important milestone when they received a third C-130J aircraft at a rollout ceremony held at Lockheed Martin's factory here Dec. 12, 2012.The ceremony is a culmination of many activities to reinforce a long-term partnership between the United States and Iraq and

  • Department of Defense releases 2013 BAH Rates

    The Department of Defense released today the 2013 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates, which take effect Jan. 1, 2013. Overall rates will increase an average of 3.8 percent this year. For members with dependents, average increases in BAH are approximately $60 per month. A typical E-6 with

  • Employment Website Teams With Joining Forces

    Employment website Monster.com is collaborating with the White House's Joining Forces campaign and will contribute to the initiative's goal of hiring or training an additional 250,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014, Acting Commerce Department Secretary Rebecca M. Blank announced

  • OTS selection board results announced

    A total of 245 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced today. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 717 applications as part of the Officer Training School

  • Recruiting reorganization creates three new squadrons

    A reorganization within Air Force Recruiting Service is resulting in three new squadrons solely dedicated to health professions recruiting and as a result, a more appropriate focus on the HP mission.The newly activated squadrons are:360th Recruiting Group: The 318th Recruiting Squadron, based in

  • Transition GPS gives Airmen roadmap to success

    A new roadmap to help ease Airmen into civilian life is in full swing, providing assistance that will help those separating be as competitive in the civilian world as they are in the military, according to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs.Mr. Daniel B.

  • Air Force Academy, Colo. Springs to host 2013 Warrior Games

    The 2013 Warrior Games will be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and the Air Force Academy May 11-17, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced Monday.More than 200 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans are expected to participate in 2013, comprising five U.S. teams representing

  • Q&A: AF chief information officer on Cyber Summit

    Air Force leaders held a Cyber Summit in November at Joint Base Andrews, Md., to discuss the Air Force's role in cyberspace and to ensure the mission needs of the Air Force and joint warfighter are being met going forward.More than 30 senior leaders, including the secretary and chief of staff of the

  • Defenders and good will ambassadors

    The sun rises on an empty field outside an entry control point as a few defenders prepare their gear and equipment for the day. By mid-morning the field becomes filled with nearly 400 Afghan locals all waiting to process through that ECP at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. For the bravo sector entry

  • President nominates 20 Reserve officers for promotion

    President Barack Obama has nominated 20 officers for Reserve of the Air Force Appointment to major general and brigadier general. The nominations move to the Senate for confirmation. Nominated for promotion to major general are:Brig. Gen. William B. "Blaze" Binger, 10th Air Force commander, Naval

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Plumber's plan to become pilot is no pipe dream

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)With a lot of hard work and a little patience, the dream of becoming a pilot with the Air Force Reserve is beginning to become a reality for a plumber

  • Past, present SOWTs shape elite career field

    The Special Operations Weather Team is one of the newest career fields in the Air Force, officially created just three years ago. However, this grey beret-wearing unit has been around since 1963, originally known as the Commando Combat Weather Team stationed here at Hurlburt Field, Fla.To remember

  • Afghan AF, NATO Air Training Command sign joint strategic flightplan

    Maj. Gen. Abdul Wahab Wardak, commander of the Afghan air force, and Brig. Gen. Steven Shepro, commander of NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan, signed the first-ever combined strategy into effect at a Nov. 28 ceremony at the NATC-A headquarters at the Kabul International Airport here. All three

  • Cadets soar to 8th straight national championship

    Air Force Academy cadets soared to their eighth straight national sailplane racing championship and their 14th in 18 years, the Soaring Society of America announced Dec. 5.This year's team posted more miles than any other in Academy history with more than 30,700 miles, nearly twice as many miles as

  • Japanese aircrew learn advanced airlift tactics in Missouri

    A sky blue military aircraft with red Japanese flag markings is an odd sight in the Midwest.Yet, Airmen at the Missouri Air National Guard training center here are used to such foreign sights.The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center at the 139th Airlift Wing instructs service members from other

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' journey

    Leave is something military members typically earn, with hard work, dedication and long hours. Those members usually use their precious time off to recharge their batteries and relax, not Airman 1st Class Jessica Tharp.Tharp, an aerospace propulsion journeyman assigned to the 18th Component

  • 'Sir, tell the TACP thanks'

    On 13 May 2010, an Airman First Class taught me some lessons I'll never forget. I think of Airman 1st Class Corey Hughes almost every week. His actions on that particular day in May remind me to focus on others first, that heroic leaders exist among us all the time, and doing the right thing takes

  • New program helps develop holdover Airmen at BMT

    Airmen placed on hold in the 324th Training Squadron here are benefiting from a new program established earlier this year.Typically, Airmen in a hold status have already completed basic training and are awaiting orders or assignment to technical school. There may be medical reasons for a hold status