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U.S. Air Force News

  • Keeping our military safe on social media

    Social media. It incorporates several platforms that allow military members to stay in touch with friends and loved ones around the world, however, sometimes what is shared comes with a hefty price tag; loss of operational security.

  • AF holds Medal of Honor recognition event

    In observance of National Medal of Honor Day, Air Force senior leaders hosted a Q-and-A session with two of the Air Force's living Medal of Honor recipients, retired Col. Joe M. Jackson and retired Col. Leo K. Thorsness at the Pentagon, March 24.

  • March issue of Airman magazine now available

    In this issue or Airman, our cover story tells the story of Master Sgt. Randy Rollins and his journey as a child who tinkers on Volkswagen Beetles with his uncle, to an Airman who tinkers on the C-5 Galaxy.

  • vESD 2.0 rolls out Air Force wide

    A brand new version of the Virtual Enterprise Service Desk (version 2.0) is now available on unclassified computer desktops on the Air Force network.

  • DISA rolls out DOD online communication tool

    The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is rolling out a new online collaboration tool that offers Defense Department employees anywhere in the world secure web conferencing and secure instant messaging and chat capabilities.

  • ‘Super’ Airman becomes professional bodybuilder

    After a heavy weight workout, Senior Airman Terrence Ruffin walks over to a row of mirrors in the gym posing and flexing his muscles for more than half an hour. This behavior isn't an overabundance of ego or vanity, but a critical part of the training routine for Ruffin, a professional bodybuilder.

  • DUI through a Defender’s eyes

    One quiet night while on shift, a security forces patrol leader and her partner witness a car rolling through the stop sign at a nearby intersection. With vehicle lights flashing, they initiate a traffic stop.After approaching the vehicle and requesting the required documentation – government I.D.,

  • AF government travel cards receive tech upgrade

    Beginning this month, Citibank is issuing chip and PIN-enabled government travel cards (GTC) to new card applicants, individuals whose cards will expire in 2015 and individuals who have reported lost or stolen cards.

  • ‘NORAD Tracks Santa’: Bringing him to a home near you

    Santa will be traveling around the world Dec. 24, delivering presents to all the girls and boys. To help keep tabs on Santa, North American Aerospace Defense Command, including Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR), Continental U.S. NORAD Region and Canadian NORAD Region, will track him across the globe to

  • An Air Force dynamic duo

    The shop is full of constant howling, bones and bouncy balls scattered on the floor, and a pungent smell. The king of this domain is a four-legged creature that lies on a couch and greets people with a slobbery lick.It's just another day for Staff Sgt. Andre Hernandez, a 7th Security Forces Squadron

  • A $2 solution to a $3,000 problem

    A brand new circuit board for a rescue fire truck can cost more than $3,000 to replace, regardless of why it has malfunctioned, but fire truck maintainers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington dug a little deeper into the issue and discovered a $2 solution. Recently, the shop was faced with

  • Tool to safeguard PII scheduled for AF-wide December rollout

    The Digital Signature Enforcement Tool is scheduled for Air Force-wide integration Dec. 5, providing Microsoft Outlook email users with an interactive, automated virtual assistant to help ensure the security of personally identifiable information

  • Benefits claim process for voluntary separatees

    Records for all Airmen separated or retired under the fiscal year 2014 Voluntary Separation Pay program were updated Nov. 5 to reflect eligibility for transitional medical benefits.

  • Wingman now a part of BMT culture

    Glamorized during the ‘80s movie ‘Top Gun,’ the concept of a wingman was to always keep the lead pilot safe, even at the cost of veering off to fight the enemy. For the past few years, “wingman” has become a pledge, promise and commitment between Airmen to take care of themselves and those around

  • ISR: A critical capability for 21st century warfare

    The progressive adaptations and breakthroughs made in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance arena have changed the way wars are fought, and the way commanders think about the battlespace.

  • Travel regulation changes affect PCS moves, travelers

    Big changes are happening with the Joint Travel Regulations, and they could affect your next permanent-change-of-station move or how you are reimbursed for temporary duty assignments. As of July 25, Army uniformed and civilian travelers are directed to use their government travel credit cards for

  • Former CSAF Fogleman honored for contributions to airpower

    Rainy weather couldn't dampen the spirits of those who attended the unveiling of a bronze bust of former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, who was recognized Oct. 9, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois for his contributions to the air mobility community.

  • Love proves stronger than adversity

    Seven months before their wedding date, most brides are picking out invitations, booking musicians and florists and sending out save-the-date cards, however, Meagan Pinney was driving as fast as possible from Pheonix, Arizona, to Las Vegas to see her then-fiance, Ryan, in the hospital after a

  • For Dyess maintainers, little shop pays big dividends

    For most maintainers, the answer to a broken part is easy: replace the part, continue the mission. For the Air Force Repair Enhancement Program shop, the broken part is the mission. AFREP Airmen are responsible for repairing especially costly pieces of equipment or equipment essential to the

  • Latest Airman magazine now available

    The cover story for the October edition of Airman magazine is titled “Going Beyond,” and tells the story of several Air Force wounded warriors learning how to go beyond what others would call limits as they prepared for the Warrior Games. The October issue is now available to download...

  • Investigation report findings released

    The U.S. Central Command recently completed its commander-directed investigation on causes surrounding a fratricide incident which resulted in the death of five U.S. Army soldiers and an Afghan National Army soldier, June 9, 2014, in the vicinity of Arghandab, Afghanistan.

  • Airman's service helps unite his family

    Being away from family is nothing new to Airman 1st Class Nana Sefa, who is currently deployed to Afghanistan on a six-month tour; after all, it's only a quarter of the time he has spent away from his wife.Sefa, a 455th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management analysis craftsman, deployed

  • Joint trauma system vital link to saving lives

    A loud explosion hits close, shaking the dust from the walls. Sirens start going off and servicemembers run to check on everyone near the impact site. The 9-line report comes across the net. Helicopter rotors start spinning. The wounded receive their first care from a medic who also completes a

  • Military mail changes to save $4 million annually

    Changes to military postal operations will save the Defense Department $4 million annually while providing services comparable to those of any U.S. Postal Service office, a senior Military Postal Service Agency said.

  • Airman's remains returned home 62 years after his death

    The remains of 17 service members were recovered by the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command and Joint Task Force team from a 1952 aircraft crash site. Among the casualties was Airman 3rd Class Howard Martin, of Elwood, Indiana, whose remains returned home to rest July 10.

  • Kardashians attend shower for military moms

    "Keeping up with the Kardashians" stars Kim, Kourtney and Khloé gave back to the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community during an Operation Shower event for 64 new mothers July 7, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

  • USAFE-AFAFRICA releases investigation results on HH-60 accident

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa officials released the results of the investigation into the January 7 crash of an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter near Cley next the Sea, United Kingdom, resulting in the death of the four crew members on board.

  • Latest Airman magazine issue now available

    The July/August issue of Airman magazine is now available to download and viewable through a Web browser.Our cover story, titled “The Perfect Edge” takes you into the forests of Washington state to learn how survival, evasion, resistance and escape students learn to survive in austere environments

  • SecAF, VCSAF outline top priority in memo to Airmen

    In a memo sent to Airmen across the service today, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer challenged Airmen to take responsibility for creating cost saving initiatives within their areas of expertise.

  • Accountability made easy with mobile support

    To keep leadership better informed in the event of an evacuation or disaster the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System is now accessible on a smartphone in a mobile format.

  • JET Airmen making joint missions successful

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

  • SecAF: AF committed to preventing sexual assault

    In observation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James released a video charging all Airmen to join senior leaders and take action against sexual assault.

  • USO offers support to grieving families

    In line with their long-standing tradition of supporting the troops and their families, the USO provides care for families of the fallen who travel to Dover Air Force Base, Del.

  • Developmental education application windows open in March

    Eligible active duty officers and Department of the Air Force appropriated fund civilian employees can apply beginning in March for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials said March 24.

  • Dogs help vets cope with PTSD, trauma

    Though she was home, Capt. Mary McGriff felt no comfort. She was alone but anxious, quiet but uneasy. She felt no safety behind locked doors. The doctor's words rang fresh in her mind, behind splintered memories of her 2005 deployment to Iraq.

  • Family care plans ease stress, boost readiness

    An up-to-date family care plan can help to ease stress and boost family resilience and readiness during a service member's absence. Family care plans are instructions developed by service members to identify caregivers who have agreed to take care of family members during the sponsor's absence.

  • Force shaping board to convene in July

    The Air Force will convene a fiscal 2014 Force Shaping Board here July 14 to consider eligible officers within competitive categories for continued retention, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Jan. 27.

  • Enlisted retention board to convene in June

    An enlisted retention board will convene here in June to consider eligible senior airmen through senior master sergeants for retention, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

  • AF to convene CMSgt retention board in June

    The Air Force will convene a chief master sergeant retention board in June to select chief master sergeants for retirement no later than Nov. 1, 2014, officials announced today.

  • New year is a perfect time to update contact information, records

    One way Airmen can support that need is by providing alternate email addresses, which will ensure they receive important messages, on or off duty.Military Airmen can update their official email address via the AFPC secure site and civilian Airmen can update theirs via myBiz. Both sites are

  • VA warns of marketing scam

    The Department of Veterans Affairs recently posted an alert on its Facebook page warning of a marketing scam targeting veterans.

  • Veterans in Blue Volume IV out now

    For decades, Airmen have answered the call to serve and protect the nation’s interests, people and cherished freedoms that underpin it all, risking their lives for others, and thus, becoming heroes in the eyes of those they protected.

  • AF Portal goes mobile, gets face-lift

    Expected to launch by the end of 2013, the Global Combat Support System-Air Force, or GCSS-AF, is rolling out a revamped portal, which simplifies navigation, improves performance on low bandwidth connections and works from mobile devices.

  • Commissaries to start scanning IDs

    Commissaries will soon begin scanning customers’ Department of Defense ID cards at checkouts as the Defense Commissary Agency continues its efforts to deliver a 21st century benefit.

  • Official describes 'life skill' of financial readiness

    The Defense Department wants service members to have the life skills to successfully manage their finances and create good credit ratings, the director of the Pentagon's office of family policy, children and youth said.

  • Hagel: States refusing same-sex family benefits must comply

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel directed the chief of the National Guard Bureau to meet with the adjutants general of nine states to resolve the issue of those states denying ID cards to same-sex spouses at National Guard facilities.

  • RPAs reach 2 million hours

    The U.S. Air Force's MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft accumulated 2 million flight hours Oct. 22, 2013, not only marking a significant milestone, but also demonstrating the evolution of the program.

  • Leaders continue to tap “innovative” Airmen for energy savings

    Air Force leadership calls upon Airmen to continue coming up with innovative ideas to provide the Air Force an assured energy advantage in air, space and cyberspace. In fiscal year 2012, the Air Force spent $9.2 billion on energy, almost 10 percent of the total budget. In a time of fiscal

  • Voting deadline for Teen Council video contest is Oct. 21

    The final date to vote for the 2013 Air Force Teen Council video contest is Oct. 21.More than 20 videos were submitted for the fifth annual teen video contest and entries have been posted on the Air Force Teen Council Facebook

  • Government Shutdown: Frequently Asked Questions

    Below are frequently asked questions about the current government shutdown (Updated: Oct. 17, 2013). If you don’t find the answer to a question you have about the government shutdown and its impact on the Air Force, post your question as a comment below. We will research and try to find the

  • Civilian retiree identification card to be replaced

    Retired Air Force civilians who use the Air Force Form 354, Civilian Identification Card, to access USAF installations have until early 2014 - when the AF354 will be rescinded - to get a Department of Defense Civilian Retiree ID Card or other access credentials, Air Force Personnel Center officials

  • Air Force Aid Society provides services during government shutdown

    Due to the government shut down we are being told many Airman & Family Readiness Centers to include their Air Force Aid sections will be closed. We have compiled a list of FAQs to help you understand what we can do and how you can request assistance if needed.

  • Luke AGE gets 'lean,' increases production

    The 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment flight held a "lean" event recently in an effort to operate more efficiently, saving the Air Force money and man hours. The event is designed to look at current processes to see if there are ways to do things smarter.A team of AGE

  • CMSAF emphasizes power of Airmen

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody discussed why the strength of the Air Force lies in its Airmen at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here today.

  • Airman receives International Affairs Excellence Award

    During the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here today, an Air Force lieutenant colonel accepted the 2013 International Affairs Excellence Award for his leadership efforts downrange.

  • Same-sex spouses can get ID cards Sept. 3

    Same-sex spouses of Air Force military members, eligible civilian employees and military retirees may be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System by their sponsors and get their dependent identification card beginning Sept. 3, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.

  • Air Force offers potential model for future MWR programs

    For a glimpse into how the military services might provide quality morale, welfare and recreation services and programs despite continuing budget pressures, the transformation program the Air Force Services directorate has been rolling out for the past two and a half years is worth a look.

  • Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance

    Since the beginnings of armed conflict, superior knowledge has been one of the keys to effective combat power. For over 100 years, Airmen have exploited the vertical dimension to gain a decisive information advantage over our foes. The evolution of globally integrated ISR has fundamentally changed

  • Rapid Global Mobility ... Delivery on demand

    American power can be projected quickly to anywhere on the face of the earth as a result of the Air Force’s capability for rapid mobility. The Air Force’s 122,000 air mobility Airmen provide swift deployment and the ability to sustain operations by delivering essential equipment and personnel for

  • DOD facilities gear up to issue ID cards to same-sex couples

    DOD facilities are gearing up to issue identification cards to same-sex spouses beginning Sept. 3, Pentagon officials said today. "All spousal and family benefits, including ID cards, will be made available no later than September 3, 2013," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen. The Supreme Court

  • Airmen + Core Missions = Global Vigilance, Global Reach, Global Power

    No single core mission offers only one of the three effects of airpower—Global Vigilance, Global Reach, or Global Power—because all five core missions are necessary to provide the integrated global airpower effects that only the Air Force cansupply. And each Airman, regardless of their

  • Air Force Vision

    America is—and always will be—an aerospace nation. To fully realize the Nation’s aerospace potential, President Truman established an independent Air Force in 1947 to better protect America, its citizens, and its allies. From this beginning, we have grown airpower into the ability to project global

  • Historic airpower database now online

    More than eight years in the making, a new database containing information from U.S. military and coalition aerial bombing campaigns over the last century is now publicly available online.

  • 24/7 fitness center access coming to a base near you

    Getting fit to fight in the Air Force just became more convenient. As part of an Air Force Services Transformation Initiative test concept, Joint Base Andrews, Md., was one of six installations to implement unmanned hours at their fitness center, making it accessible 24/7.

  • PLAYpass gives Airmen up to $1,000 in discounts

    Airmen projected to deploy or have recently returned from a deployment can participate in the PLAYpass Get out and Play Program and save $500 to $1,000 on installation programs.The PLAYpass program is based upon discount cards which provide eligible Airmen and family members the opportunity to