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  • Best little repair shop in Afghanistan

    There are no Web ads, gorilla-suit wearers standing on the corner flipping arrow signs or even a simple "Open for Business" sign; there is just a makeshift, plywood plaque that describes exactly what it is -- "Tan Box Bike Repair."For service members at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, with bicycle

  • Military spouse boards ‘Restaurant Express’

    Seonkyoung Longest, wife of Master Sgt. Jacob Longest, is one of nine contestants in a new television show, "Restaurant Express" that aired for the first time on the Food Network, Nov. 3. Born and raised in South Korea, Seonkyoung said that while cooking is a passion of hers now, it hasn't always

  • AF leaders says vets to thank for nation's success

    The United States of America’s success is rooted in the sacrifice of millions of veterans who have served it, an senior Air Force leader said Nov. 11 at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va.

  • AF student pilot wins Ms. Fitness bodybuilding competition

    Since March of this year, a student pilot with the 47th Student Squadron has worked to train her body to peak fitness. 2nd Lt. Colby Chaput's efforts culminated in her competing at the Ms. Fitness bodybuilding competition in San Antonio this past October.

  • President, VA Secretary pledge support for Veterans

    President Barack Obama commemorated Veterans Day today here at Arlington National Cemetery, calling the holiday a reminder of the nation’s “sacred obligation” to those who have “fought for our freedom and stood sentry for our security” throughout America’s history.

  • AF Leaders send Veterans Day message

    Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody issued the following message to the Airmen of the United States Air Force.

  • U.S. Military to aid typhoon-devastated Philippines

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel directed U.S. Pacific Command yesterday to support U.S. government humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines in the wake of a deadly typhoon that has left more than 1,000 dead, defense officials announced yesterday.

  • Acting SecAF honors longest-serving AF civilian

    Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning visited Luke Air Force Base on Nov. 5 to speak to Luke Airmen and preside over the retirement ceremony of a civil servant in the 56th Comptroller Squadron, Dorothy Rowe, who retired after serving 70 years - the longest tenure of any civilian in the Air

  • 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.

  • DOD, VA collaborate to serve nation’s veterans

    The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs reaffirmed their commitment to serve and care for the nation’s military veterans in a joint message issued by Acting Undersecretary of Defense Jessica L. Wright and Undersecretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.

  • AF units join air defense mission in Iceland

    The final members of the 48th Air Expeditionary Group arrived at Keflavik International Airport, Iceland, Nov. 4, 2013, to conduct air surveillance and policing missions.

  • From aerodromes to Reaper, RPAs push limits of technology

    The RPA actually got its start as early as 1896, when something called aerodromes at the time, were used to test the capabilities of new flying devices and to test if it was even possible for a heavier-than-air craft to achieve sustained flight. In May 1896, Dr. Samuel Langley proved that mechanical

  • Military's top officer stresses character, trust, faith to cadets

    It's not every day Airmen get the chance to ask the highest ranking officer in the U.S. Armed Forces just about anything -- including what concerns keep him up at night - but first- and second-class cadets were able to do just that when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E.

  • Service chiefs testify on risks of sequestration

    As they face the prospect of another year of deep cuts to their budgets, the military's service chiefs testified today before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the impact sequestration is having on the ability to organize, train and equip their service members.

  • Technology helps remember fallen, ensures memories live on

    It was a damp, foggy morning in October, amidst a sea of marble headstones; the sound of bells chiming out seemed to echo the air of somberness all around at Madingley American Cemetery, near Cambridge. The whole scene was humbling.

  • Airmen watch Carolina Panthers from 'Row of Honor'

    For the first time in National Football League history, a special "Row of Honor" was created to pay tribute to American Service members, including a blacked-out POW/MIA chair, which will remain empty. The other seven seats feature a digital camouflage pattern with all service insignias emblazoned on

  • 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.

  • AF selects 6 captains for prestigious PhD program

    Three primary and three alternate program participants were selected for the 2014 Chief of Staff of the Air Force Captains Prestigious PhD Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.

  • Strong families key to military’s strength, top NCO says

    Healthy military families are essential to guaranteeing the health of the overall force, the country’s senior noncommissioned officer said here today.Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Lisa, addressed

  • Twin defenders share same military story

    When a young Airman joins the Air Force, saying goodbye to family is inevitable. But for two brothers, saying goodbye is one thing that they have yet to experience. Woo and Ja Lee, 20 year-old identical twins from Fresno, Calif., have shared not only their civilian life, but to their surprise, a

  • Airmen arrive for air exercise in Brazil

    The U.S. Air Force is taking part in Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise, a Brazilian air exercise that officially kicked off Nov. 4 and is scheduled to complete Nov. 15 here.

  • Airman's passion for art leaves mark on unit

    Senior Airman Patrick Corcoran, a 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron propulsion technician, is a passionate artist who is leaving his mark in the squadron's hangar. Corcoran has always had an interest for art. He draws and does watercolors, but his favorite medium is airbrushing. Growing up, a

  • Hagel: Six priorities shape future defense institutions

    In the months since the 2012 defense strategic guidance first reflected a new budget reality, Pentagon officials and military leaders have been working on the department's longer-term budget and strategy, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said here this morning.

  • Sexual assault 'trial' gives Airmen real life perspective

    It started off as a typical Friday night for many Airmen with their wallets full of money to burn, their stomachs ready to chug the best German beers and their minds ready to explore the undefined possibilities of "hooking up." But for two of them, their alcohol-fueled night would end in a shattered

  • Maintenance makes RPA history possible

    During the morning of Oct. 22, the aircraft parking ramps at a deployed location roared to life. Checklists were run, hatches checked, and missions briefed as the crew chiefs, support units and air crew carefully prepared an MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft for flight, just as they would on

  • Legal officer's commitment to service gives back to U.S.

    The United States gave Capt. Dimple Nolly's parents a chance to provide a better life for their family once they immigrated from India to America."Although my parents faced adversity, they remained focused on their goal, which ultimately inspired me to always pursue the best, do my best and push for

  • 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.

  • AF takes home 4 DOD Best Disability Program awards

    The Air Force received the Secretary of Defense trophy for the best disability program among large military components and three civilian Airmen were also recognized for their work Oct. 30, during a small ceremony in the Pentagon.

  • 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.

  • Welsh focuses on pride, people, respect during Academy visit

    Air Force Academy cadets get so fired-up about their chief of staff; they show up 15 minutes early and sit in the front row of Arnold Hall -- voluntarily.When Gen. Mark Welsh III comes to talk, "people want to sit up front," said one cadet, who, with a group of friends from Cadet Squadron 22, turned

  • Polish help USAFE Airmen with important JPADS drop

    Airmen successfully completed the first Joint Precision Air Drop System, or JPADS, delivery in the U.S. European Command region during the bilateral theater security cooperation event, Aviation Detachment Rotation 14-1, Oct. 14-25.

  • Safety NCO named national 'rising star'

    Less than a decade ago, Joshua Franklin found himself cross-training from the aircraft maintenance field into the safety arena. Now, nine years later, the senior master sergeant has been thrust into the national spotlight as one of the "rising stars" of the National Safety Council.

  • Diagnosis fails to stop Airman in her tracks

    Tech. Sgt. Ashley Bean spent her summer prepping for an upcoming marathon, one of two she planned to run this year. The reservist had even made a goal to beat her fastest time, until an MRI scan changed her plans.

  • Deployed husband, wife meet-- as replacements

    The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing finance management office not only provides financial customer service, it also plays an important role in the accomplishment of the 455 AEW mission by executing the wing budget to fund all mission requirements.

  • Royal and U.S. airmen train for real world

    Moody AFB security forces Airmen and No. 1 Royal Air Force Regiment allies learned tactics, techniques and procedures from each other during exercise Global Eagle Oct. 7-18 here.

  • Leaders advise against merging Guard, Reserve

    Air Force Reserve leaders told members of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force that merging the Air Force Reserve with the Air National Guard would create little value and cause numerous adverse impacts - detracting from the broader goal of improving the Air Force structure.

  • Cody testifies to commission on total force

    The Air Force’s senior enlisted Airman testified in front of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force Oct. 25 in Arlington, Va., giving his perspective of the total force and the challenges to building the best balance for the future.

  • Ninth CSAF laid to rest

    A former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Force Chief of Staff was laid to rest Oct. 25 in Arlington National Cemetery. Retired Gen. David C. Jones served as the ninth chief of staff from 1974 to 1978 until he was appointed as the ninth chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he

  • Fighting Irish take down Falcons, 45-10

    For the first 10 minutes, it seemed like the Falcons had finally found their mojo, against the imposing Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, no less. That feeling quickly subsided when Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees aired the ball out, hitting his receivers for 331 yards and five touchdowns to hand the

  • Reservist's amateur radio skills lynch pin for emergency responders

    He flips the switch on his radio, dialing into a local emergency channel and listens in. Focused, he concentrates, listening for the slight crackle of radio traffic.With just dead air floating through the invisible radio waves, he leans into the microphone, pressing down on the mic's element, and

  • 3,000-mile bike trek sparks Air Force career

    In 1968, a 16-year-old Oklahoma native and veteran Boy Scout traversed more than 3,000 miles of Europe on a bicycle, changing his life forever.Recently, Mike Nishimuta celebrated the 45th anniversary of his historic trip by revisiting part of his journey through Europe and biking along the same

  • Extending shelf life saves big bucks

    Extending the service life of this equipment reduces waste and saves money, so logistics experts in the Air Force Civil Engineer Center Readiness Directorate's Emergency Management Division here are finding ways to do just that. In fiscal 2013, they created more than $33 million in cost avoidance

  • Holloman tests new warhead on high-speed track

    The Defense Department announced yesterday the successful testing of an advanced conventional precision effects warhead, a critical part of a national effort to establish a conventional prompt strike capability. This capability will contribute to the country to defend its interests with precision

  • AF energy leader touts Airmen success stories

    The Air Force’s top energy expert said people are the key to success in driving down energy use, saving money and improving mission performance during the Air Force Association’s monthly breakfast in Arlington, Va., Oct 23.

  • Civilian Airman wins key energy award

    The Air Force's Energy Action Month is drawing to a close, but Laughlin continues to lead the way in energy efficiency and water conservation with the recent announcement that a Laughlin civilian won the 2013 Department of Energy Individual Federal Energy and Water Management Award.

  • Forging iron: A triathlete's legacy

    Nine hours and 38 minutes of nonstop physical endurance requires commitment, motivation and the will to push the human body beyond the realm of what many consider to be possible. Ironman competitions, which are three-part races consisting of a swim, bike and run, are one of the world's most

  • C-17 flight nostalgic for father-son Airmen

    Any father would be proud to watch their son be a part of the arrival of the last C-17 Globemaster III to Joint Base Charleston. However, for retired Chief Master Sgt. Bob Morris, felt more than pride knowing his son, Tech. Sgt. Mike Morris, 437th Airlift Wing Operations Group standards and

  • A true airpower giant

    We lost another Air Force hero this week. Brig. Gen. James Robinson “Robbie” Risner was part of that legendary group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave us an enduring example of courage and mission success.

  • Celebrated pilot and Vietnam POW dies at 88

    Retired Brig. Gen. Robinson “Robbie” Risner, a celebrated Korean War jet fighter ace and Vietnam prisoner of war, died Oct. 22 at Bridgewater Retirement Community, Bridgewater, Va. He was 88 years old.

  • Wilson takes command of Global Strike Command

    Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson took command of Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony here Oct. 23, becoming the newest leader of the organization responsible for the nation's force of ICBMs and nuclear-capable bombers.

  • 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

  • Harvesting the wind at Cape Cod Air Force Station

    It's not just the leaves that are changing at Cape Cod Air Force Station. The Air Force station is also changing the way it gets electricity as two new giant wind turbines are being installed at the 6th Space Warning Squadron.

  • Artist's brush memorializes fallen combat controller

    Susan Servais gently pressed her forehead against the portrait of her son. His green eyes smiled out at her and the audience of about 200 that gathered to pay respects to a hero, and see his portrait unveiled Oct. 19 here.The man with the green eyes and kind smile is Senior Airman Adam Servais, an

  • Military parenting website assists communication

    Service members who deploy or are otherwise separated from their families due to mission needs now have an online resource allowing them to hone their parenting skills as they reconnect with their children.

  • 21 selected for training, recruiting squadron command

    Twenty-one officers from various Air Force career fields have been selected for Air Education and Training Command training and recruiting squadron command opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.

  • Aviano captain fulfills life-long dream on Jeopardy

    With a love of trivial knowledge, one Aviano Airman's dream came true this fall with one simple sentence -- "Can you phrase your answer in the form of a question?" On Sept. 10, 2013, Capt. Stuart Anderson, 31st Judge Advocate chief of military justice, fulfilled a life-long goal of being a

  • Daughter helps Dad wrap up 28-year career

    Approximately 100,000 military service members are currently deployed and fighting the war against terrorism. Most of whom, will not see their families for at least six months. However, there is the rare occasion where family members have the opportunity to serve side by side. Senior Master Sgt.

  • DOD begins the transfer of airbase in Kyrgyzstan

    The Defense Department released the following statement Oct. 18 about the future of the Transit Center at Manas International Airport in Kyrgyzstan: The Department of Defense (DOD) has begun the process of relocating from the Transit Center at Manas International Airport (TCM) and plans to complete

  • Wounded warrior makes final jump

    One by one, Airmen from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron lined up at the back of a C-130, paused, then stepped off the aircraft Oct. 16, completing their free fall training jump into the picturesque water of Florida's Emerald Coast.

  • 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

  • New virtual curriculum assists separating troops

    The Defense Department continues to assist service members and their families in preparing for the transition to civilian life with a new virtual curriculum, a Defense Department official said here.

  • Maxwell AFB civil engineers use construction technology to cut energy costs

    During a time when "government shutdown, furlough and recapitalization" are a part of the military landscape, Airmen are constantly looking for ways to save money for the service. The 42nd Civil Engineer Squadron is doing more than just recycling and trading out incandescent light bulbs to save

  • 20th Air Force commander relieved of command

    Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, relieved Maj. Gen. Michael Carey from command of 20th Air Force today due to a loss of trust and confidence in his leadership and judgment.

  • National Guard faces the shutdown

    National Guard personnel are feeling the effects of the government shutdown and leaders are worried about the readiness of the component, Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau said today.

  • Unemployment benefits may help some furloughed DOD civilians

    On the 10th day of the partial government shutdown, DOD civilians excluded by law from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's Oct. 7 recall to work of thousands of fellow employees still await an end to the political standoff that sent them home and stopped their paychecks Oct. 1.

  • Public engagement once again affected

    Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has issued The Contingency Plan Guidance for Continuation of Essential Operations, which outlines missions and functions that may continue and/or must cease during the lapse in appropriations. The Department can legally only support those functions that

  • Acting SecAF addresses furloughed workforce

    The Acting Secretary of the Air Force, Eric Fanning, released a statement Oct. 9, about the approximately 800 civilian Airmen who remain furloughed due to the government shutdown.

  • Communication key in protecting security clearance during financial hardships

    As the government shutdown continues, Air Force leadership wants their civilian workforce to communicate well and often as possible financial challenges arise -- something that could impact one’s security clearance. With such a large number of civilians possessing security clearances, including many

  • New Defense Health Agency to streamline functions

    The government shutdown did not stop the official opening Oct. 1 of the Defense Health Agency, a major streamlining of military medicine that has been in the works for three decades and signed into law earlier this year.

  • Last cargo mission out of FOB Sharana

    The aircrew of "Growler 51" set out a few hours before sunrise Sept. 28 to fly the last of the U.S. cargo out of Forward Operating Base Sharana before the base was officially transferred to the Afghan government. Twelve hours and three round-trip flights later, the 774th Expeditionary Airlift

  • Most AF civilians to return to work

    In accordance with a memo Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel released Oct. 5, the Air Force will recall most of the nearly 104,000 Air Force civilian Airmen placed on emergency furlough due to government shutdown. However, a significant number will not yet be able to return.

  • PCS orders on hold until shutdown ends

    Permanent change of station orders processing is on hold until fiscal 2014 funds are available, but Airmen who already have their orders in hand are authorized to move, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.