HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force Academy earns NCAA athletics certification

    The Air Force Academy is one of 26 Division I institutions to have met its requirements for athletics certification, officials said. A designation of certified means that an institution operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I

  • Land-based precision approach system program resumes

    The land-based Joint Precision Approach and Landing System is getting back on track after the deputy secretary of defense issued the Resource Management Directive-700 in January that restored full funding to the program.JPALS is a family of systems that will provide precision approach and landing

  • Web-based tool improves civilian career development planning

    This month, civilian employees will be able to use the updated version of the Airmen Development Plan to create career development plans.In addition to providing civilians with easier access to career guidance and mentorship, the ADP is an online collaborative tool that enables supervisors,

  • Department makes 'great strides' in brain-injury care

    The Defense Department is making great strides in the field of traumatic brain injury that will benefit not only the department, but also its global and civilian partners, a TBI expert said March 11."The department is committed to fast-tracking promising research and to improving the diagnosis and

  • Deadline near for public administration award

    The deadline for submitting nominations for the 7th Annual Department of Defense David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration Award to the Air Force Personnel Center is May 1. This award was created to recognize the contributions similar to those of David O. Cooke during his nearly five

  • DOD, State Department officials present budgets to Senate

    Concepts of security are changing, and it is just as important to invest in diplomacy and development as it is to invest in service members and their equipment, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III told the Senate Budget Committee March 10.Mr. Lynn and Deputy Secretary of State for

  • Officials release officer cross-flow board results

    As part of the Air Force's ongoing efforts to balance the force, Air Force Personnel Center officials convened a panel Feb. 15 through 16 to select eligible nonrated line officers for cross-flow into critically manned career fields."The officer cross-flow program was implemented in 2011 as a

  • Schools encouraged to join VA's Yellow Ribbon Program

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki is encouraging interested colleges and universities to participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program for the upcoming 2011-2012 academic year. "Through shared responsibility, VA and our nation's colleges and

  • Space team improves GPS capability for warfighters

    Joint force warfighters around the globe will soon be able to assess real-time and future GPS accuracy, both where they are and where they're going, with a new capability developed by the 2nd Space Operations Squadron's Global Positioning System User Operations team here.The new capability uses the

  • Official looks to define best balance of live flight, simulation

    Headquarters Air Force Director of Operations personnel plan to work closely with those in the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation and the MAJCOMs to define the right balance of live flight hours and Distributed Mission Operations-Live, Virtual and Constructive, or DMO-LVC, to train

  • Air Force official announces acquisition award winners

    Air Force Service Acquisition Executive David Van Buren announced the winners of the 2010 Acquisition Leadership and Transformation Awards March 9 at the Acquisition Leadership Forum here. The awards recognize Air Force individuals and organizations that have exhibited outstanding performance in

  • Air Force civil engineer visits Academy

    The Air Force civil engineer visited the U.S. Air Force Academy March 4 to speak to civil engineer officers and cadets about the state of civil engineer operations in Afghanistan and the effects of force management on the civil engineer officer corps.Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers and his staff looked at

  • Officials announce reduction-in-force eligibility criteria

    Air Force officials announced they will convene a quality-based reduction-in-force board Sept. 19 for mid-grade officers as part of their measures to reduce the number of Airmen to meet the service's congressionally authorized military end-strength levels.Officials said retaining the highest quality

  • CSAF visits Whiteman AFB, addresses changes

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited here March 8 to meet with Airmen and local civic leaders, and review the capabilities and readiness of this Air Force Global Strike Command base.During an all-call with total force Airmen and civilians, the general said the men and women of

  • Platform provides collaboration behind firewall

    The Defense Department's secure collaborative platform has expanded beyond the Army to include more members of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, providing behind-the-firewall access to a collection of secure knowledge management tools mirroring popular social media platforms.DOD

  • Secretary Gates sees progress in Afghanistan

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said March 8 that he finds conditions here "very encouraging," as he ended his second full day of high-level meetings, troop visits and commander briefings in Afghanistan.Secretary Gates spoke to reporters at this outpost in the Arghandab district of southern

  • Mullen urges communities to assist returning troops

    As the men and women who serve in today's military leave active duty, communities around the country should tap their potential as employees for the benefit of the nation, the top U.S. military officer said March 7.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed hundreds

  • Course readies civilians for overseas deployments

    An incoming rocket explodes, shaking the earth and setting off a shockwave of activity."Keep your heads down!" a soldier shouts back to a group of civilians standing by a doorway as he scans a half-blown-up parking garage ahead for suspicious activity.A few soldiers, M-16s in hand, surround the

  • Gates urges new Air Force leaders to think creatively

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates urged Air Force Academy cadets here March 4  to have the courage to speak up as they move forward as the next generation of military leaders."As officers, you will need to show great flexibility, agility, resourcefulness and imagination," Secretary Gates said.

  • Officials take unique approach to clean up Tyndall AFB

    Air Force officials will continue the cleanup of about 25 problem sites identified as potential threats to human health and the environment at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., officials said here March 7.Senior leaders determined the best approach for the cleanup would include evaluating each location

  • Airmen deliver weather gear to Iraqi air force

    Members of an Air Force weather team set up a new tactical weather radar and tactical meteorological observation system for the Iraqi air force at Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, March 2.The job, which took about four hours, is part of an ongoing process to set up a stable weather program for the

  • Air Force Reserve legislative goals presented on Capitol Hill

    "Force readiness, force rebalance, and force support" are the three top legislative priorities unveiled by Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. to more than 60 congressional staffers and military liaison officers at the Senate and House Feb. 25."The new priorities are designed to focus congressional

  • Air Force conservation programs score widespread victories

    The Air Force is trustee to more than eight million acres of land, water and air assets, and is home to more than 70 threatened and endangered species. Stewardship of these resources, in conjunction with sustainment of critical military mission activities, is a key priority for conservation programs

  • Air Force mentor-protégé team wins Nunn-Perry award for cyber applications

    A mentor-protégé team earned the Nunn-Perry award March 2 for achievements in cyber applications for the Air Force, officials from the service's office of small business said here March 4. Ball Aerospace, Colorado Engineering, Inc. and Florida International University were recognized at the annual

  • Air Force technicians launch second unmanned spacecraft

    In the latest step to improve space capability and further develop an affordable, reusable space vehicle, Air Force technicians launched the second X-37B here March 5, officials said.The Orbital Test Vehicle-2 launch comes on the heels of the successful flight of OTV-1, which made an autonomous

  • Airmen deliver aid to Libyan evacuees

    Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, delivered humanitarian aid March 4 to Libyan evacuees and foreign nationals, who have fled here due to recent political uprising in Libya.The Airmen, assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, piloted two C-130J Super Hercules and received 2,000 wool blankets, 40

  • Some prior service officers eligible to retire early

    Air Force officials announced plans recently to allow some prior service officers the opportunity to retire earlier than expected.As a result of the Fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, eligible officers with prior enlisted service who have completed 20 years of total active federal

  • Guard's Youth ChalleNGe program celebrates 100,000th graduate during gala

    Military leaders, members of Congress and celebrities gathered for the National Guard Youth Foundation's 2011 ChalleNGe Champions Gala March 1 here.This year, the gala celebrated the program's 100,000th graduate."I am proud to be representing 100,000 other cadets, each of us with our own story of

  • Progress continues toward Academy training facility groundbreaking

    Preliminaries to the construction of a training facility for the Air Force Academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development are moving along briskly, and construction is expected to begin in late summer.The building will occupy much of the space on the Honor Court between Harmon Hall and

  • Contractor delivers first new E-8C Joint STARS production engine

    The U.S. Air Force E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, achieved a significant objective March 3 as part of the ongoing System Design and Development Re-engining effort. A First Engine Delivery Ceremony was held at the Pratt & Whitney production facility in Middletown,

  • President signs continuing resolution extension

    President Barack Obama signed legislation March 2 that will keep the government funded and running through March 18.The new continuing resolution cuts $4 billion from the previous continuing resolution funding. None of the $4 billion is taken from Defense Department programs. Extending the

  • DOD improves troops' access to quality education

    Defense Department officials are taking extensive measures -- from education reviews to agency partnerships -- to ensure service members have access to quality education and learning opportunities in their off-duty hours, a Defense Department official said.Robert L. Gordon III, the deputy assistant

  • CSAF talks cooperation, efficiency at defense conference

    The Air Force and the private sector must focus their collective efforts to ensure America's defense needs are met in the face of declining purchasing power, according to the Air Force chief of staff.Gen. Norton Schwartz made the remarks during a speech to defense industry leaders, service members

  • Civilian employees should start education applications early

    Hundreds of professional development opportunities are available annually for civilian employees. Many of those slots go unfilled, in part because eligible candidates wait until the last minute to prepare and staff their application packages.For example, annually, 280 Civilian Acculturation and

  • Ellsworth B1s get new braking system

    It can generate more than 30,000 pounds of thrust and reach speeds greater than 900 MPH, but can it stop safely after reaching such speeds?Thanks to an ongoing brake modification of the B-1B Lancer, the aircraft has a new, more effective means of coming to a stop.The modification, which costs

  • Gates, Mullen urge swift action on budget

    Congress needs to take steps now to ensure troops in harm's way in Afghanistan get the gear and capabilities they need to face the Taliban, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told a congressional panel March 2 here.Secretary Gates told

  • Officials announce team bound for 2011 Warrior Games

    Twenty-five Air Force athletes are one step closer to gold after being chosen to represent the service at the 2011 Warrior Games.Warrior Games is an Olympic-style event open to all wounded, ill and injured military members and veterans. This year's event takes place May 16 through 21 in Colorado

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Air Force officials implement some cost-cutting measures in the wake of federal budget constraints. Plus, Airmen train with their host nation counterparts to make sure that when lives are on line, everyone's on the same page. And, get a look at some

  • First MC-130J training program takes flight

    As the first MC-130J Combat Shadow II rolled off the Lockheed Martin factory line, a training flight class recently conducted sorties in preparation for transition to the new airframe.The Air Force Special Operations Training Center's first MC-130J training program flight class practiced air drops,

  • General Schwartz: Austerity, strategic challenges call for true total force

    Austerity and the strategic environment make communicating and collaborating as a total force paramount for the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, the Air Force chief of staff said here Feb. 28.Efficiency and zero tolerance of fraud, waste and abuse are also critical priorities,

  • Officials release new environmental restoration policy

    Changes to the Air Force's environmental cleanup program will focus on cleaning up more sites more quickly, officials said here Feb. 25. The intention is to shift emphasis from partial cleanup solutions that often require decades of expensive follow-up to complete cleanups that free up property more

  • Program cuts sustain health care, maintain quality

    Defense Department officials have recommended a number of ways to cut costs in the military health system, while still providing high-quality care and protecting the wallets of active duty service members and their families, a senior defense official said Feb. 28."We're trying to create a balanced

  • First female CV-22 pilot completes training

    After nearly three years of flight training with the Air Force, she recently became the first qualified female pilot of the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. It started with pictures of aircraft in her grandfather's home. Then it was on to starting lessons to earn her private pilot's license as a

  • Government shutdown could affect commissaries

    In the event of a government shutdown, commissary customers are asked to check their local military installation news outlets before, during and after the event to determine if stores serving their area are open."As a matter of course, the Defense Commissary Agency plans for any event that could

  • Lynn: Continuing budget resolution puts security at risk

    The Defense Department is losing billions of dollars by Congress' failure to pass the department's fiscal 2011 budget, putting readiness, modernization and efficiency initiatives at risk, the deputy defense secretary said March 1.The department has gone five months into the fiscal year under a

  • Key Resolve exercise begins at Osan AB

    Service members from the U.S. and South Korea kicked off Exercise Key Resolve Feb. 28 here.Key Resolve is a combined exercise that involves more than 2,300 U.S. forces and nearly 10,000 South Korean forces and is geared towards maintaining the readiness of the Combined Forces Command staff and

  • VA's caregiver support program expanding

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are expanding support nationally to caregivers of veterans with Alzheimer's disease.A pilot program of the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health in VA program, or REACH VA, showed great success in reducing stress on caregivers while improving

  • National Guard, U.S. Southern Command members build partnership capacity

    The National Guard State Partnership Program is a key element to building relationships within the U.S. Southern Command region, the combatant commander said recently during the 27th annual Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition here."(SOUTHCOM has) 28 different state

  • CMSAF strengthens ties with Colombian partners

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Colombian military sites here Feb. 1 to 4.He said the purpose of the visit was to reaffirm U.S. Southern Command officials' commitment to a strong nation-to-nation partnership and to explore professional military education exchange

  • First class graduates from aviation school at former George Air Force Base

    Forty-three student aircraft mechanics attending the Southern California Logistics Airport School of Aviation Technology, located at the former George Air Force Base, recently graduated with full certification in general aviation, powerplant and airframe maintenance. And their diplomas are paying

  • Vice CSAF emphasizes modeling, simulation integration during AFAMS visit

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove emphasized the need to standardize live, virtual and constructive modeling and simulation across the Air Force and the joint team during a recent visit to the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation here."We must build to a modeling and

  • Loadmasters hone skills during training, humanitarian mission

    When one C-17 Globemaster III left here Feb. 25, there were a few more loadmasters aboard than usual. A training mission was in the works, but the extra hands were put to use for a humanitarian mission that coincided with the training.The aircrew made stops at Langley Air Force Base, Va., MacDill

  • Developmental education deadline set for officers, civilians

    Officers considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2011 have until March 31 to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board, officials announced. Civilians have until May 1 to submit applications.Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians

  • Officials extend community assessment

    Officials are extending the opportunity to participate in the 2011 Air Force Community Assessment through April 3. More than 350,000 active-duty members, reservists and spouses as well as all appropriated fund civilian employees were randomly selected to participate in the anonymous survey. Those

  • NAF employees eligible for new health incentive credit

    Nonappropriated fund federal employees who participate in the NAF Department of Defense Health Benefits Program are now eligible to earn a health incentive credit.Beginning Jan. 1, health plan participants may earn a $100 health incentive credit when they complete the Simple Steps to a Healthier

  • Air Force leads the way as Green Power Partner

    The Air Force is one of the nation's top purchasers of green power, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Top 25 list of Green Power Partners released this month.The Air Force is being recognized for its purchase and on-site production of 243.9 million kilowatt-hours of green power

  • Japanese, American NCOs work together to gain insight

    Kadena Air Base officials began a NCO exchange program Feb. 18, giving eight Japanese Air Self Defense Force airmen the chance to see how their U.S. Air Force counterparts operate."The JASDF airmen did an ice-breaker with the chiefs, flew the KC-135 (Stratotanker) flight simulator and worked with

  • Historic firsts for AFNORTH sergeants lead to distinguished honors

    It had all the markings of a historic event with firsts on several fronts.  As well it should; it was a historic event.At a ceremony held Jan. 28, two Air Forces Northern technical sergeants were the first U.S. Airmen to graduate from the Canadian Intermediate Leadership Program at the Canadian

  • Air Force announces next tanker aircraft

    Air Force and Defense Department officials announced the award of an engineering and manufacturing development contract valued at more than $3.5 billion for the KC-46A aerial refueler to The Boeing Company Feb. 24.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said in the briefing that many factors were

  • USAFWS takes new approach to generating leaders

    U.S. Air Force Weapons School officials recently modified their syllabus to reflect that it is not only the Air Force's most challenging tactical training, but also a program designed to produce the Air Force's next generation of great leaders.The USAFWS has commonly been thought of as a leadership

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Air Force officials tighten their belts as they find ways to save $33 billion dollars.  And, motivational speaker Andy Christiansen gives Airmen a lesson in mentorship. Plus, an Airman and his canine companion team up to keep their base safe from

  • Thunderbirds host the Blue Angels

    The Thunderbirds hosted three members of the Navy Blue Angels team here Feb. 23 as part of a traditional exchange program between the two units. Blue Angel No. 2, Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski, right wing; and Blue Angel No. 4, Lt. Rob Kurrle, slot; had the chance to fly in the back seat of a

  • McChord Airmen survive New Zealand earthquake unscathed

    About 35 McChord Airmen, 15 of them from the Air Force Reserve Command's 446th Airlift Wing, are in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Feb. 22. The remaining McChord Airmen in Christchurch belong to the active-duty 62nd Airlift Wing here.Based in Christchurch with their

  • Three Academy graduates to fly STS-133 shuttle mission

    Three Air Force Academy graduates are leading Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-133 mission, which is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Feb. 24. Retired Col. Steven Lindsey, Class of 1982, is mission commander, while 1987 graduate Col. Eric Boe is the pilot and

  • 'Military Saves Week' spotlights importance of saving

    Service members and their families should "start small and think big" when kick-starting a savings plan, a financial expert said Feb. 23."It's not what you make, it's what you keep," said Pam McClelland, a senior program analyst in the Pentagon's office of family policy and children and youth. "A

  • ROTC bonuses 'beef up' services' language capacity

    A Defense Department pilot program to add foreign language proficiency to its officer corps is growing dramatically, the department's head of foreign languages said.The department began the ROTC Skill Proficiency Bonus in 2008, at the request of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, to encourage the

  • Agency chief outlines threat reduction strategy

    Defense Threat Reduction Agency people are at work around the clock to protect American forces and citizens from nuclear, chemical and biological threats, the agency's director said Feb. 23.Speaking to the Defense Writers Group, Kenneth A. Myers III, who also is director of the U.S. Strategic

  • Air Force Network Integration Center officials launch IA education tools

    Air Force Network Integration Center officials recently introduced new information assurance education tools to help Airmen stay up to speed in the constantly evolving cyberspace environment. The initiatives, which include a robust community of practice, webinars and computer-based training, are

  • 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

  • Guard, Reserve family readiness groups honored at Pentagon

    Unit family readiness group members, representing all of the military reserve components, were recognized for their outstanding family support programs Feb. 18 during a ceremony in the Pentagon.Dennis M. McCarthy, the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, hosted the 2011 Department of

  • Air traffic advisers aim high for Iraq's future

    As U.S. forces continue to draw down to meet the Dec. 31 deadline, Air Force air traffic control advisers have their eyes fixed on the sky above Iraq.Maj. Rudolf Kuehne and Capt. Maureen Trujillo, senior ATC advisers for Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air, are tasked with ensuring their Iraqi

  • Officials announce military service awards nominees

    Air Force officials recently announced its four nominees for the 2010 Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Awards.The annual GEICO Military Service Awards recognize enlisted service members from all military service branches, active duty, National Guard and Reserve, for their

  • SecAF takes stock of progress, future challenges

    During remarks to the Air Force Association's 27th Annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition here Feb. 18, the Air Force's senior ranking official reviewed the service' s priorities and underscored Air Force commitment to making the most of available resources in a challenging fiscal

  • DOD officials honor top Guard, Reserve family programs

    Defense Department officials lauded the top National Guard and Reserve family programs here Feb. 18 calling family support a vital component of mission readiness."Whether it is the basics of building military communities or taking care of military children or supporting military spouses, all of

  • DOD leaders outline health care, family services improvements

    The Defense Department has taken a number of recent steps to improve health care and family support services for military members and their families, the department's two top leaders told a Senate panel Feb. 17.Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs

  • TRICARE autism demonstration proving positive

    During the recent 2011 Military Health System Conference, Michael O'Bar, deputy director for TRICARE policy and operations, reported on the Department of Defense Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration. "We have begun the process to determine how best to make the board-certified behavior

  • Vice CSAF: Air Force must prepare for more complex, varied ops

    The Air Force is working to balance today's needs and tomorrow's challenges while operating under intense fiscal pressures, the service's vice chief of staff said here Feb. 17.During remarks at the Air Force Association's 2011 Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove

  • Luke AFB medical group named best in Air Force

    The 56th Medical Group clinic from here was named the Air Force's best clinic for Fiscal 10 during the Military Healthcare Symposium in Washington Jan. 24 through Jan. 27.The award was presented to Col. Mark Holland, the 56th MDG commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Monica Hill, the 56th MDG

  • DOD officials strive to strengthen, empower military families

    From educational opportunities to spouse employment, Defense Department officials are expanding military family support programs to better meet families' current needs, as well as to empower them for the challenges that lie ahead, the DOD official who oversees military family programs said Feb.

  • New deployable air traffic control system program taking shape

    Electronic Systems Center officials intend to call for proposals within the next few months for development and production of a new deployable air traffic control system. Referred to as the Deployable Radar Approach Control the system could be used at forward operating locations, however austere,

  • SecAF, CSAF provide FY12 budget details

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz provided details on the service's fiscal 2012 national defense authorization budget request during a House Armed Services Committee hearing here Feb. 17.Air Force officials are requesting $150 billion in the

  • Space-A travel: Did you know?

    Every day hundreds of military and military-contracted commercial aircraft travel the world delivering troops and cargo. These missions allow hundreds of thousands of military personnel, retirees, family members and other Department of Defense-eligible travelers to fly at almost no cost, courtesy of

  • Eagle Vision program garners key award for keen Earth observation

    An Electronic Systems Center program has been named the winner of a prestigious award presented by officials from NASA and the U.S. Department of the Interior.The agencies honored the Eagle Vision program with the 2010 William T. Pecora award during a Pentagon ceremony Feb. 15. Eagle Vision was

  • AFSO21 makes improvements for AF

    With the help of the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program, Airmen all around the globe have been coming up with ways to work smarter, not harder. And saving big bucks in the process.The AFSO21 program is the Air Force's process improvement program to help make its mission run as

  • Stop loss pay application window closing March 4

    The deadline for eligible members or legally designated beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is coming to a close March 4.Nearly 6,000 current and former Airmen have received a total of more than $19 million in special pay since Air Force Personnel Center officials here began

  • Airmen, Soldiers team up to train Iraqi airmen

    Nearly a dozen Iraqi airmen graduated from a week-long security forces training session Feb. 12, organized by Airmen from the 321st Expeditionary Mission Support Advisory Group's base transition team and Army military policemen stationed at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. The training session, spearheaded

  • Adjustments put F-35 on track, program director says

    The Defense Department's joint strike fighter program is on track to field the F-35 Lightning II in fiscal 2016, the program's director said here Feb. 15.In remarks to the National Aeronautics Association, Navy Vice Adm. David Venlet said that although changes made to the program in January extended

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," meet a tech. sergeant who's teaching future officers at the Air Force Academy. Plus, it's Military Saves Week, and you'll get a few helpful hints on how to get your finances on track. And, Airmen in Japan get the PT session of a lifetime with the creator of

  • DOD program offers leadership development opportunities

    Department of Defense officials seek active-duty officers to participate in the 2012 Executive Leadership Development Program beginning in September.This DOD program is designed for officers who have demonstrated strong leadership, commitment to public service, integrity and who have an interest in

  • Gates welcomes House vote against extra F-35 engine

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Feb. 15 welcomed the full House of Representatives vote to kill the extra engine for the F-35 Lighting II, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.The House voted 233-199 to strip funds for the engine from the fiscal 2011 defense spending bill."Secretary Gates

  • Exhibit features work of Tuskegee Airman turned artist

    In the 1930s, a teenage boy paid 50 cents for a "barnstormer" flight aboard a Ford Trimotor plane that carried him across the sky of rural Pine Bluff, Ark.That boy was Roy LaGrone, and the flight sparked his passion for aviation. Mr. LaGrone would go on to serve as one of the original Tuskegee

  • Programs will suffer without adequate funding, Mullen says

    Military programs will suffer if the Defense Department's budget for fiscal 2011 isn't passed immediately, the nation's top military officer told the House Armed Services Committee here Feb. 16.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, echoed the warning issued by Defense

  • Airmen assist in Air Force-wide missile modification

    Members of the 86th Munitions Squadron here recently assisted a joint air to surface standoff missile team in a weeklong project of modifying several missiles as part of an Air Force-wide initiative.Officials from Lockheed Martin Corporation, the developer of the missiles, dispatched a team to work

  • New fuel savings concept evaluated at JB McGuire

    As the Air Force's largest consumer of aviation fuel, Air Mobility Command officials are taking a leadership role in efforts to reduce fuel consumption across all mobility Air Force missions. Members of AMC's Test and Evaluation Squadron here recently completed an operational evaluation of a new

  • Top gloves to meet in interservice bouts

    With national champions, world military champions and 2012 Olympic Team hopefuls stacking the upcoming 2011 Armed Forces Boxing Championships at Lackland Air Force Base Feb. 15 to 18, the interservice event is truly an elite competition.Foremost among the military teams, the Army team enters as the

  • Defense communities cope with uncertain times

    Representatives from around the country have gathered here Feb. 14 through 16 for a three-day Winter Forum sponsored by the Association of Defense Communities to discuss the challenges faced by U.S. military installations, both those which are active and those which were closed over the years during

  • Fuel savings officials plan to broaden impact with AF-wide summit

    Members of the Air Force's Fuel Efficiency Office plan to host their first service-wide Aviation Operations Energy Steering Group summit here Feb. 16 and 17.Representatives from all Air Force major commands were invited to attend the summit. The event will be the first major meeting across the