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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force sets plan to integrate women in combat jobs by 2016

    The Air Force released details of the service's plan to fully integrate women into previously closed career fields June 18.The implementation plan was recently submitted to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel for review.More than 99 percent of Air Force positions are currently already open to female

  • Ramstein Airmen build capability with Polish air force

    The 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 435th Contingency Response Group continuously train to meet sustainable medical readiness throughout the European theater here.Training not only benefits Ramstein Airmen, but also other allies like the Polish air force who have consistently engaged in AE

  • Joint strike fighter on track, costs coming down, Kendall says

    Indications are that the F-35 joint strike fighter program -- the most expensive aviation program in Defense Department history -- is on track, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics told a Senate panel here June 19.Testifying before the Senate Appropriations

  • Program fights mosquitoes, trains Airmen

    Air Force Reserve Command is expanding its Innovative Readiness Training, or IRT, program this summer to help communities control mosquitoes.C-130 Hercules aircrews will spray Williston and Minot in North Dakota June 30-July 3, and York County and the City of Poquoson in Virginia July 22-26. These

  • Fighter squadron inactivation signals end of A-10s in Europe

    The Air Force inactivated the 81st Fighter Squadron June 18, here, in support of force-shaping procedures across the service.The squadron employed the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the closure signals the end of A-10 operations in Europe."For 71 years, the men and women of this fine squadron have ensured

  • B-1B Lancer: More than meets the eye

    Carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1B Lancer is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force, and is flown here by the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron."We have a lot of coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan,"

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Student pilot survives lymphoma, continues 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.)Capt. Dakota Olsen, a 310th Fighter Squadron student here, envisioned becoming a pilot starting at age 5. As Olsen looked into careers in high school,

  • Joint readiness training wraps up in Hawaii

    Reserve component medical personnel from the Air Force, Navy, Army and Air National Guard came together for medical innovative readiness training June 2-15, on the islands of Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii.The medics provided free health care clinics and performed community service projects for

  • New Professional Development Guide available

    The new Professional Development Guide, or PDG, AFPAM 36-2241, is now available at www.e-publishing.af.mil. Printed guides will be distributed to all promotion-eligible active duty Airmen in the grades of E-4 through E-8 and airmen first class with at least two years in service. Base and unit

  • Website allows units to claim repurposed supplies, save money

    Units in U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa now have the ability to obtain equipment and supplies for free through the command's Business Transformation Office Airmen's List SharePoint site. The site, accessible through the USAFE Portal, allows unit representatives to post equipment or

  • Pope Field building 'green' control tower

    Construction crews here are putting finishing touches on a new air traffic control tower with improved environmental controls and a smaller ecological footprint. Many of the tower's improvements stem from its "green" roots as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certified

  • AF stops moves to Colorado

    The Air Force has temporarily halted permanent change of station moves and most temporary duty assignments to Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever AFB, Cheyenne Mountain Air Station and the U.S. Air Force Academy for military members and civilians as the result of wildfires burning in the Black Forest

  • Skies to conquer: Langley Airman scales Mount Everest

    In the early hours of May 19, Capt. Kyle Martin battled cutting winds gusting at 100 mph as he fought to summit the highest point on earth. After nine hours of technical climbing, he and the rest of the Air Force 7 Summits team stood atop 29,029 feet of rock and ice. Martin, an F-16 Fighting Falcon

  • Anatomy of a hurricane hunter: When storms get personal

    During Maj. Sean Cross' first flight into what became Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, he and his WC-130J Hercules crew joked and asked themselves why they were even tasked for the mission. "There was absolutely nothing to it at that point," he said.By his second flight, the jokes stopped and were

  • As Nellis AFB grounds aircraft, training goes virtual

    The sky over southern Nevada is quieter than they have been in quite some time due to the June 1 Air Combat Command directed stand down of flying operations.Despite the stand down, the 64th Aggressor Squadron remains committed to accomplishing their mission, said Lt. Col. Michael Shepherd, the 64th

  • Tinker AFB, community develop cost-saving initiatives

    In light of defense budget constraints, officials from Tinker Air Force Base and the local community partnered to develop and implement cost-saving initiatives expected to save the base more than $4,000 annually.In November 2012, Tinker AFB and local community members from Del City, Midwest City and

  • Making the trip: Airmen tackle life at missile facilities

    Senior Airman Jacob Petersen is packing for the "trip." Extra uniforms, underwear, socks, some special snacks. He kneels to give his 18-month-old daughter an extra hug and kiss before heading out the door. But Petersen isn't going on a deployment or an extended TDY or school. On this morning,

  • Reservists to deploy in support of fires in Colorado

    Two Air Force Reserve Command Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130s Hercules and aircrews from the 302nd Airlift Wing are supporting the firefighting efforts for southern Colorado fires.Air Force Reserve officials here received official word from the U.S. Forest Service on the night

  • Airman gets unusual gift along with dental cleaning

    When Air Force 2nd Lt. Jennifer Szatkowski came to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a dental exam, she discovered an unusual coincidence that made her visit not-so-routine.While having her teeth cleaned May 3, she noticed two brown paper bags hanging on a bulletin board in the exam

  • Fleet grows, training increases for F-35

     The largest fleet of F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighters grew to 25 aircraft as the F-35 Integrated Training Center here welcomed two new Air Force F-35A variants of the multi-role fighter to the Emerald Coast, June 5.The expansion gives the 58th Fighter Squadron the ability to fly an expanded

  • Andrews Airmen powered by innovation

    Airmen with the 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron here answered the call to innovate as the Air Force faces a slashed budget this year.The four-member logistics team realized JB Andrews could save more than $10,000 per year by changing the way they acquired cars used to transport distinguished

  • Doors open at first AF collocated sexual assault victim support facility

    A collocated Special Victims' Council and sexual assault response coordinator office began operations here June 3, marking an Air Force first and the arrival of a revolutionary Air Force pilot program, providing specialized legal assistance to victims of sexual assault throughout the United

  • Siblings reunite for brother's retirement

    Being part of a large family is not that unusual, but the Maldonado siblings take being part of a larger family -- the Air Force family -- to new heights.That family got a chance to travel from around the world for Senior Master Sgt. David Maldonado's retirement from Det. 1, 552nd Air Control

  • Maintainers apply innovative protection to C-130s

    Rocks kicked up when landing a C-130 Hercules on unimproved runways can damage the fuselage of the aircraft. To combat this problem, maintainers in the 302nd Maintenance Group here began putting tape on the plane's belly. In January, they took another step by applying protective tape to the forward

  • Academy cadets operate small unmanned aircraft systems

    Eleven U.S. Air Force Academy cadets learned to operate RQ-11B Raven small unmanned aircraft systems, or SUAS, during an initial qualification training course at Choctaw Airfield, Fla., June 3-14.The RQ-11B Raven is a lightweight and low-altitude, remotely piloted system that provides real-time

  • DOD Announces 2013 REPI Buffer Program Challenge Award winners

    Defense Department officials announced June 10 the selection of two winning partnership projects, in the states of Florida and Washington as part of its "Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Challenge." The REPI Challenge will provide projects at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and

  • Airmen assist organization to help homeless vets

    Members of Luke Air Force Base joined to help homeless veterans in the state during the 12th annual Arizona StandDown.The Arizona StandDown is a nonprofit organization and is the largest homeless outreach event in Arizona. In 2012 more than 1,290 at-risk veterans benefitted from the event. This year

  • Missile officer recertification program makes great strides

    Ten of the 19 missile crew members from the 91st Operations Group at Minot AFB, N.D., have been recertified and are able to fully perform their alert duties.The remaining officers continue to progress through the retraining program with the remaining decertified crew members expected to return to

  • PyroLance: Water with firepower

    Today's aircraft rescue and firefighting emergencies require a quick response and the ability to access complex composite structures such as the many Air Force airframes protected by the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters here.To do this, firefighters require top-notch tools

  • Logistics Airmen own the night during joint-service training

    A joint-coalition team led by the 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron peers into a dark, moonless sky in preparation for a nighttime helicopter sling load mission. All of their other senses are heightened to compensate for the reduced visibility as a UH-60 Black Hawk flown by Soldiers

  • F-35A completes 1st in-flight missile launch

    An F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft completed the first in-flight missile launch of an AIM-120 over the Point Mugu Sea Test Range, June 5. It was the first launch where the F-35 and AIM-120 demonstrated a successful launch-to-eject communications sequence and fired the rocket motor

  • Air Force changes military funeral honors requirements

    Due to the impact sequestration has on resources, Air Force Services is adjusting requirements for military funeral honors of retirees. Air Force policy will revert to requiring a minimum of two personnel for retiree MFH details, consistent with statute and DoD policy. The Air Force historically

  • T-1 Jayhawk modifications take electronic warfare training airborne

    The 451st Flying Training Squadron completed the final step of a long journey when a T-1A Jayhawk modified for electronic warfare training took flight on a training sortie June 4. This is the first time in Air Force history an undergraduate aviation program has formally incorporated the fundamentals

  • Green Flag-West readies B-1 aircrews for future deployments

    Airmen from the 9th Bomb Squadron participated in a Green Flag-West exercise May 17-31, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in order to prepare for future deployments.Green Flag-West is an exercise that provides units training on a scale not available near their home stations. It replicates irregular

  • Cheating Death: A story about second chances

    May 27, 2012, is a day that Tech. Sgt. Mark Hopkins will never forget -- even though it's a day he can barely remember.It was the day he made a choice that drastically altered his life forever, and almost ended it in the process."All I remember is hopping on my motorcycle around noon on my way to

  • Combat communications group and wing inactivate

    Air Force Space Command and 24th Air Force officials announced inactivation of the 689th Combat Communications Wing at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and the 3rd Combat Communications Group at Tinker AFB, Okla. Inactivation of both units is scheduled for September. The inactivations are part of overall

  • Airmen must understand business of cyber, general says

    As U.S. Cyber Command gains strength and steadily extends its range across the newest warfare domain, it has called on all the services over the next five years to contribute trained-up teams of cyber operators to ensure U.S. military freedom of action, defensively and offensively, in cyberspace.For

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Following the footsteps of a life cut short

    (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.)They shared the same name. They flew and fought the same types of Wild Weasel fighter jet missions. They looked alike and the family says they even

  • Airmen experience NASCAR first hand

    Some people dream of being able to experience NASCAR up close, but how many can actually say they got the chance to do it? That is exactly what the Airmen from Dover Air Force Base, Del., got to do as honorary pit crew members during NASCAR race events at Dover International Speedway May 31- June

  • Leaders urge care in changing commanders' UCMJ responsibilities

    Commanders must be a part of any solution to the crisis of sexual assault in the military, service leaders told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.Commanders are responsible not only for the health and welfare of those in their commands, but also for good order and discipline, they

  • Airmen, Sailors tested at Marine leadership course

    The U.S. Marine Corps Corporals Leadership Course opened its door to service members from the Air Force and Navy here May 11-25.The two-week course is designed to equip new, or soon-to-be NCOs with the tools and knowledge to effectively lead their troops, no matter the service.Being able to do joint

  • After 3 decades, maintainers keep B-1 on top

    With a career that spans across three decades and a warfighting reputation that rivals nearly every aircraft in the Air Force's arsenal, the B-1 Bomber has established itself as one of the United States' most crucial assets to maintaining air and ground superiority. This achievement was built on the

  • Obama: Nation pours resources into mental health care for vets

    The Veterans Affairs Department is improving access for veterans to mental health services, President Barack Obama said today in remarks that opened the National Conference on Mental Health.Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are hosting the conference at the White House as part of the

  • Tyndall Airmen reach out to Tinker tornado victims

    "I will never leave an Airman behind," is a part of the Airman's Creed and the spirit behind this creed was demonstrated by Tyndall Airmen May 28 as they rallied to support wingmen living in Oklahoma.Service Before Self motivated Tyndall to take action to help fellow wingmen affected by the

  • Families to join Airmen in Southwest Asia

    Fifteen Airmen assigned to U.S. Air Forces Central Command, the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing are taking advantage of a two-year accompanied tour opportunity -- and numbers continue to grow. In the next few years a total of 60 families will be here.

  • Elite Afghan soldiers complete training

    Fourteen Afghan air force members of the Kabul Air Wing Quick Reaction Force Company graduated from Ground Combat Skills Course in a ceremony May 29 at Kabul International Airport here.The graduation marked the completion of 50 hours of advanced upgrade training for the newest members of the QRF

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Dog Handler brings her values to career

    (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's 6 p.m., and Chrach, a military working dog whose name is pronounced "Crash," is anticipating his evening meal.His handler has been feeding him twice

  • Qualified captains sought for Inter-American SOS program

    Active-duty captains proficient in Spanish may be eligible to attend the Inter-American Squadron Officer School at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland here, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. "The ISOS program is designed to develop dynamic Airmen ready to

  • Afghan airmen gain new airpower capability

    As the 2013 fighting season continues in Afghanistan, the Afghan National Security Forces can add yet another airpower capability to their ever increasing list: air attack from an Afghan air force Mi-35 HIND attack helicopter.Members of the 377th Rotary Wing Squadron from the Kabul Air Wing fired 23

  • Air Force establishes F-35 IOC target

    The Air Force announced today it expects to declare F-35A Lightning II initial operation capability in December 2016. The announcement was included in a joint report detailing service-specific IOC requirements and dates for each of the F-35 variants that was delivered to Congress today."The Air

  • Officials reaffirm DOD's commitment to fighting sexual assault

    At an open house marking the Defense Department's launch of a new peer-support service for sexual assault victims, senior Pentagon officials today reaffirmed the department's commitment to eradicating sexual assault in the military.The Defense Department has joined with a private organization to

  • Hagel, in Hawaii, praises 'value added' force integration

    The tight integration in Hawaii between active-duty service members, civilian defense employees and National Guardsmen points to the future of the overall force, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told troops at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam here May 30."That's as much value added as I think we can get

  • Air Force to consolidate F-22 depot maintenance at Hill AFB

    Air Force officials announced May 29  they are consolidating depot maintenance for the F-22 Raptor at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The depot maintenance work is currently split between the Ogden ALC and the Lockheed facility in Palmdale, Calif. "Palmdale has made a

  • President surveys Oklahoma tornado damage

    President Barack Obama landed here on his way to Moore, Okla. to survey the tornado devastation and meet with victims and first responders May 26.The president shook hands and spoke with Tinker AFB employees' families and first responders on the flightline here before traveling to Moore. The

  • 3 Okla. bases continue help to tornado victims

    In addition to federal and state workers, more than 600 airmen from three Oklahoma Air Force bases volunteered to assist residents in recovering some of their effects, May 24. Much of the Air Force had the day off to spend time with their families, but for volunteers in the greater Oklahoma area,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Capturing history one brush stroke at a time

    (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.)Armed with his Nikon D90 camera, Warren Neary, Air Force Reservist, civilian and artist stands in 22-degree weather to capture and witness the history of

  • F-35B celebrates 1 year at Eglin

    The Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501 celebrated the one-year anniversary of flying the F-35B Lightning II here Wednesday, May 22, by continuing to train up the pilots and maintainers on the nation's newest fifth-generation fighter."This is a once in a lifetime chance to get to write the

  • Today's students compete using ancient skills

    "Add 6, add 9, subtract 10..."As the announcer read off his numbers, all that could be heard in the large hall was the sound of wooden abacus beads tapping and the scribbling of pencils from students rushing to find a solution.The event was the 31st Kanto Plains Department of Defense School Soroban

  • Volunteer aviators salute Academy grads with vintage flyover

    Historic World War II aircraft performed flyovers for the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2013 graduation events here May 27-29.Traditionally, the Air Force Academy's graduation ceremony flyover is conducted by the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team, while other Air Force aircraft

  • Predator passes 20,000-hour mark in Afghanistan

    An MQ-1 Predator assigned here recently became the first Predator to pass 20,000 flying hours over Afghanistan, a feat equivalent to flying 15 hours every other day, for 2,667 days.While the Predator remotely piloted aircraft program surpassed one million hours of total development, test, training

  • F-15 crashes in Pacific, pilot safe

    Japan Air Self Defense Force rescue squadron crews safely recovered the pilot who ejected from a Kadena-based F-15 aircraft over the Pacific Ocean approximately 70 miles east of Okinawa at around 9 a.m. May 27. The pilot is in stable condition and is being evaluated at a military medical facility.

  • Deployed medical experts learn skills to identify sexual assault

    From across Afghanistan, 22 U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy medical professionals gathered here for the Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations training.Collecting forensic evidence from patients reporting sexual assault is essential. It can be used to identify an assailant, recent sexual contact and

  • Airmen picking up the pieces

    Members of the base here are picking up the pieces after one of the largest and most costly tornadoes in history ripped through Moore, Okla., May 20. In the 507th Air Refueling Wing alone, more than 20 Airmen and their families were affected by the deadly storm. Master Sgt. John Prokup, an air

  • Tinker AFB reservist survives monster tornado

    What started out as a sunny, routine day for one member of the 507th Force Support Squadron and the estimated 250 staff and patients at the Moore Medical Center took a sudden turn for the worse on Monday, May 20, as a mammoth 1.3 mile-wide tornado bore down on them. Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Nikki

  • SecAF: Sequestration hits AF readiness, modernization

    Sequestration has hit the Air Force particularly hard, impacting its force structure, readiness and modernization, senior Air Force leaders said here today.Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the chief of staff, said Congress must provide a solid budget number so the

  • Airman aids victim of Oklahoma tornado

    As a community shatters in the wake of a deadly EF-5 tornado, ordinary citizens become heroes as they give selflessly to those directly affected. Many who answer the call to help are volunteers or first responders, but others are reacting to the Moore tornado as citizen Soldiers and Airmen serving

  • Rescue Group Airmen pull hiker from Arizona mountain range

    Airmen from the 943rd Rescue Group here set out in a HH-60G Pave Hawk for a training mission May 22, when they were notified that a hiker was unconscious from a fall and needed help . The aircrew flew back to base, offloaded their weapons, fueled up, and picked up a Guardian Angel team, special

  • Afghan air force improves casualty evacuation capability

    While the Afghan air force continues to take the lead and ownership of combat operations, they have also rapidly risen to the challenge of improving casualty evacuation, or CASEVAC, procedures by using both the Mi-17 helicopter and Cessna 208 aircraft. Between December 2012 and April 2013, CASEVAC

  • Commissaries plan for Mondays furlough

    When furloughs are implemented, most military commissaries will close one day a week on Mondays, the Defense Commissary Agency's top official said. The closures will be for up to 11 days between July 8 and Sept. 30."We know that any disruption in commissary operations will impact our patrons. "Also,

  • New under secretary visits Joint Base San Antonio

    Eric Fanning visited with Airmen at Joint Base San Antonio May 16 and 17 during his first base trip as the under secretary of the Air Force.   His two-day visit to JBSA included stops at Randolph, Lackland and Fort Sam Houston, where he met with Airmen and got an overview of the military

  • Hagel emphasizes summer safety in message to Department

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urged service members, civilian employees and their families May 23 to enjoy the upcoming summer, but to do so safely.In a message to all Defense Department activities, Hagel emphasized the need to make good decisions during a time of year that resulted in more than 80

  • KC-46A training, operational bases, alternatives selected

    Air Force officials announced today Altus Air Force Base, Okla., as the preferred alternative for the KC-46A formal training unit (FTU).McConnell AFB, Kan., was selected as the preferred alternative for the first active duty led KC-46A main operating base (MOB 1) and Fairchild AFB, Wash., and Grand

  • Tinker AFB aircraft return to Oklahoma after diverting to Arizona

    Six Air Force E-3 Sentries and two Navy E-6B Mercuries returned to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., May 21 after diverting here in advance of severe weather in Oklahoma.The E-6Bs and one E-3 arrived May 17, while the other five E-3s arrived May 20 with less than eight hours notice. The inclement

  • First enlisted Airmen graduate from new Weapons School course

    The first class of six enlisted students graduated the Advanced Enlisted Mission Planning Course, the first course for enlisted intelligence professionals, at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School here May 17.When these Airmen return to their home units, they will work closely with their intelligence

  • Hannah Dake wins Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship award

    Senior Hannah Dake was named the recipient of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's National Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the 2012-13 academic year, May 21.After winning the Mountain Region award last week, Dake was on the national ballot with 11 other regional winners.The

  • Minuteman III test missile launches from Vandenberg AFB

    Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile here during an operational test at 6:27 a.m. PST, today.Col. Brent McArthur, the 30th Space Wing's Vice Wing Commander, was the launch decision authority.The launch team, under the direction of the 576th Flight Test

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Chaplain overcomes adversity, delivers hope

    (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.)As the proud owner of three master's degrees and a doctorate, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Tillery has dedicated his life to service in the U.S. Air Force.

  • Texas-based Airman's family takes steps to help tornado victims

    Efforts to help people who were injured or lost their homes began almost immediately after a deadly tornado struck Moore, Okla., May 20.One of those willing to help was Tech. Sgt. Shane Buss, the 47th Flying Training Wing's equal opportunity NCO-in-charge, along with his wife and four children."I

  • Arizona base houses Oklahoma aircraft during tornado

    Six U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry and two U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft arrived here from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. during the weekend of May 17 due to severe weather in Oklahoma.The inclement weather that caused the aircraft to divert included a tornado that touched down, destroying Moore, Okla.,

  • Vance pilot makes AF rugby team

    An instructor pilot with the 8th Flying Training Squadron was selected for the Air Force Rugby team and will compete in the 2013 Collegiate Rugby Championship May 29 through June 3 in Philadelphia.Capt. John Lockard has been playing rugby since 2002 when he picked up the game during his time at the

  • F-35A instructor pilots qualify in aerial refueling

    The initial cadre of F-35A Lightning II instructor pilots qualified in aerial refueling last week, adding another capability for student pilot training at the 33rd Fighter Wing's F-35 Integrated Training Center here."Eleven pilots had flown 14 refueling missions across the boom with the help of a

  • Accountability site activated for Tinker AFB Airmen

    Air Force Personnel Center officials activated the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System to ensure Airmen and their families in the Moore and Oklahoma City, Okla., are accounted for and have access to assistance, AFPC officials said today.AFPAAS is a web-based application used to

  • Massive tornado hits near Tinker AFB

    Nearly 250 members of the Oklahoma National Guard, as well as members of Tinker Air Force Base are assisting with victim search and security in Moore, Okla., where a tornado left at least 24 dead, including nine children, authorities said.The twister hit Monday, May 20, about 3:15 p.m. CDT, just

  • Memorial Day: Remember our veterans

    The Civil War ended nearly 150 years ago on May 9, 1865, marking the beginning to a new era. However, many lives were lost during the more than four-year war; and, as a result, the Grand Army of the Republic established what was then called "Decoration Day" three years later on May 5, 1868.It wasn't

  • Keesler picked as one of five top installations in DOD

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today announced Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., as one of five of the 2013 recipients of the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence.The award recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military

  • Chief nurse candidates must submit applications by May 31

    Statements of intent for officers interested in chief nurse positions are due May 31, Air Force Personnel Center officials said May 20. The nurse corps development team will convene in June to select candidates for projected calendar year 2014 openings."There are 86 chief nurses -- one in each

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Guard service leads Airman to extremes

    (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.)Staff Sgt. Sophia Mantzouris of the 386th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron said she knew she wanted to enlist on active duty from the time she was a little

  • Remembering Tech. Sgt. Larry Bunn

    Tech. Sgt. Larry Bunn, age 43, died March 7, 2013, from a heart attack on an undisclosed base in Southwest Asia, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom.Bunn, a native of Bossier City, Louisiana, was assigned to the 307th Maintenance Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base.(This profile is part

  • AF surgeon helps Belizean boy get 'new hand'

    An Air Force surgeon deployed here performed surgery on a 4-year-old Belizean boy May 2, to improve the usability of the boy's hand.The boy, Isai Carrillo, underwent surgery May 2 to correct syndactyly, otherwise known as hand fusion, in his right hand. The surgery took three hours and consisted of

  • DOD seeks leadership program candidates

    Department of Defense officials are seeking active duty Air Force majors and major-selects for the academic year 2013-2014 Executive Leadership Development Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Applications are due to AFPC by June 10. Program orientation is slated for August and the

  • Unit deployment manager now special duty position

    Unit deployment manager is now a two-year-controlled special duty assignment (identifier 8U000); a change Air Force officials say will help professionalize the position and improve deployment program continuity. In past the UDM retained his or her Air Force specialty code, and even though UDMs were

  • Cadets earn praise for cyclogyro project

    Aeronautical Engineering cadets have presented their award-winning design of a search and rescue and medical evacuation aircraft for the year 2045 to Academy and industry leaders at the Aero Lab here May 13.Nine cadets collaboratively designed "The Night Owl," a futuristic cyclogyro that can direct

  • Air Force Reserve submits construction plans to Senate

    The top leaders from the Air Force's active and reserve components went to Capitol Hill May 15 to provide statements and answer questions about their plans for new construction projects in fiscal 2014.Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., chairman, and Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., the ranking member of the

  • Airmen train with Polish air force

    Nearly 100 Airmen assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, here to train in a joint theater security cooperation event with the Polish air force. This event, hosted by the U.S. Aviation Detachment 1, is geared toward enhancing the skills of U.S. and Polish F-16 Fighting

  • 2 Airmen earn spots to compete on world stage of soccer

    Two Airmen from Lajes Field have earned the opportunity to participate in the 2013 International Military Sports Council (CISM) 1st World Football Trophy July 2 to 14.According to its official website, the International Military Sports Council is one of the largest multidisciplinary organizations in

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Following dream as American, Academy cadet

    (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.)When Senior Airmen Shujie Yan immigrated to the United States from China in 2006, she was a freshman in high school. One year later, she had big dreams