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U.S. Air Force News

  • Mobility Airmen ready and responsive anytime, anywhere

    As the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela drew the world's attention to the African continent, mobility Airmen raced against the clock to ensure President Obama's security, communications, and mission support was in place. Within days those would become part of an international

  • AF band spreads holiday cheer

    Dressed in holiday style the U.S. Air Force Band performed Dec. 15 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Va., as part of their holiday concert series.Visitors lined the railings and the floor around the stage as the band performed holiday classics along with

  • Operation Christmas Drop delivers relief to typhoon-stricken island

    Airmen participating in Operation Christmas Drop here, coordinated with non-governmental organizations and State Department officials in the region to airdrop critical shipments of water and food for 30 workers recovering from damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan on Kayangel Island, part of the Republic

  • Top NCO debuts new NCO, Petty Officer book

    The military's top enlisted service member debuted a new noncommissioned officer and petty officer book here today in what he called a significant moment for all enlisted leaders. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was

  • Mission complete: Reapers finish base security role in Afghanistan

    After a five-hour vehicle and foot patrol outside of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Tech. Sgt. Gary Rand sets his gear down and talks to his fellow Airmen about the mission.The Reapers have just pulled into their compound after the final “outside the wire” mission patrolling an area around the

  • Close-air support key to strategic success

    Known as CAS, close air support uses military aircraft in an attack against enemy ground forces that are in close proximity to friendly forces. This requires detailed coordination with ground troops and is typically conducted by joint terminal attack controllers. The use of CAS during wartime can be

  • NATO advisers provide clean water to Afghan village

    Members of the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group Commander's Emergency Response Program conducted a site visit to a project at the Old Russian Village, a village near Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan on Dec. 2.

  • C-17 crew supports Africa-led peacekeeping support mission

    The Defense Department sent another Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport jet from Burundi to the Central African Republic today in support of the African Union-led International Support Mission in that beleaguered nation.

  • 'Hurricane Hunters' end one of calmest seasons on record

    Nov. 30 marked the end of hurricane season, and the 403rd Wing's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron closed up shop at their forward operating location at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands.Known as the "Roll Up," 403rd Wing reservists spent Dec. 9 through

  • DOD adds synthetic marijuana to random drug testing

    The Defense Department has expanded its zero tolerance for the use of illicit drugs to include synthetic marijuana, also known as "spice," the director of DOD's drug testing and program policy said here today.In an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Army Lt. Col.

  • CSAF outlines joint strike fighter’s value

    On the day that Lockheed-Martin delivered its 100th F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter to the Air Force, the service’s leaders today marked the milestone and outlined the aircraft’s value. The F-35 will be delivered to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., where it will serve as the first training

  • Academy cyber team showcases international prowess

    The Air Force Academy's Cyber Competition team placed first out of 47 teams in the western hemisphere, and fifth among 123 teams overall in the University of California Santa Barbara International Capture the Flag cyber competition Dec. 6.

  • Air Force major named top tactician

    For the first time in 23 years, an Air Force officer has won the General S. Patton Jr. Distinguished Master Tactician Award as a student in the Command and General Staff Officer Course, or CGSOC, Dec. 12.

  • AFDW host developmental seminar with key Air Force leaders

    Airmen representing the National Capital Region enlisted, officer and civilian force attended the annual Air Force District of Washington Capital Airmen Development Seminar to enhance their leadership skills Dec. 2 through 5.

  • Tyndall Airmen coordinate Nevada rescue

    Military and civilian members inside the gate at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., played an integral role in the rescue of a family stranded in the snow for more than two days in sub-zero temperatures after a day of sledding at a Nevada mountain range.

  • Airmen support peacekeeping efforts in Central African Republic

    Two U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and a small command and support team are on the ground in Uganda, preparing to conduct airlift operations in support of ongoing peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic, Army Col. Steve Warren, a Defense Department spokesman, said

  • AF officials announce FY14 civilian workforce shaping

    The Air Force will reduce the size of its civilian workforce by about 900 positions in addition to maintaining approximately 7,000 vacancies across the force to meet the demands of a constrained fiscal 2014 budget, officials announced.

  • Multinational training improves defenses

    (Editor’s note: The following scenario is from a multinational training and does not depict a real world event.) On the northern tip of Japan, foreign ground forces are slowly pushing south. The Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, or JGSDF, are trying their best to hold the foreign forces off.

  • Airman missing from Vietnam war accounted for

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, or DPMO, announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, has been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

  • Afghanistan air vet earns prestigious award

    A C-130 Hercules aircraft loadmaster with the 169th Airlift Squadron received the Staff Sgt. Henry E. "Red" Erwin Outstanding Enlisted Aircrew Member Airman of the Year Award during a Dec. 8 ceremony here.

  • Injured Airman returns to duty, celebrates promotion

    Staff Sgt. Brian Williams of the 87th Security Forces Squadron is just like any other Airman. He has been in the Air Force for 13 years, has deployed six times and served as a military working dog handler at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., since 2011.

  • Small shop spreads cool savings

    During the summer months at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing a properly working air conditioner is a priority for Airmen and for aircraft assigned here supporting decisive combat air power and 30 percent of U.S. Air Forces Central Command's daily air tasking order sorties.

  • Maintainers shine during Israeli Blue Flag exercise

    Maintainers from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, used innovation and flexibility to ensure mission success during the first Israeli Blue Flag exercise. Blue Flag, which took place Nov. 24-28, was a multinational aerial warfare training exercise hosted by the Israeli air force and included

  • AF participates in first Israeli Blue Flag exercise

    The Air Force participated in the first Israeli Blue Flag exercise at Uvda Air Force Base, Israel, Nov. 24-28.Blue Flag is the largest multinational aerial warfare training exercise hosted by the Israeli air force. The exercise included forces from the U.S., Israel, Italy and Greece. Its objectives

  • Aero repair keeps ‘birds’ in the air

    With the highest volume of flying missions in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, aircraft at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing rely on a team of professional maintainers to keep them in top shape to accomplish the air tasking order.

  • Yokota Airmen share airdrop techniques with Japanese counterparts

    Yokota Airmen from the 374th Airlift Wing showcased their low-cost, low-altitude airdrop methods and capabilities with Japan Air Self-Defense Force members, showing their counterparts how to provide affordable, reliable, safe and accurate airdrops for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

  • Last 'new' Phantom returns to service

    The 82nd Aerial Target Squadron received the last of the "new" QF-4 aerial targets as the Vietnam-era aircraft landed here Nov. 19. The QF-4, Aircraft 68-0599, spent more than 20 years in the Air Force "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., before being brought back to life for one last

  • KC-135 brings force extension to Iceland

    The 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron and the KC-135 Stratotanker deployed from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, make up an important part of the 48th Air Expeditionary Group here in Iceland.

  • President, deployed Airman talk football on Thanksgiving

    “One hundred and twenty years ago, in the midst of a great and terrible civil conflict, President Lincoln formally proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to remind those ‘insensible to the ever watchful providence of almighty God’ of this nation’s bounty and greatness. Several days after the

  • Dover AFB Airmen deliver NASA equipment

    Even with all the advancements mankind has made, storms like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy have proven just how vulnerable we can be to the wrath of Mother Nature. Advanced and accurate information about the path of these storms can be the difference between life and death.

  • Alaska ANG Airmen aid Philippine relief efforts

    Nine Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing’s 249th Airlift Squadron are working in the Philippines in support of Operation Damayan, the relief effort to assist citizens affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

  • 2 AF teams earn DOD's top acquisition award

    Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter presented four acquisition teams with the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award, the highest Defense Department-bestowed honor for acquisitions, Nov. 25.

  • Air Force wins top honors at international film festival

    Two Air Force video productions won awards at the 23rd International Defence Film Festival in Rome last week, including the "Grand Prix - Plaque of the President of the Italian Republic” award for best overall production, according to a festival press release.

  • Air Force accepts CENTCOM's customs mission

    For the first time the Air Force is solely responsible for the U.S. Central Command's customs mission in Southwest Asia. In a recent transfer of authority ceremony, the 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron, undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, accepted responsibility for the customs mission from the

  • Retired ACC ops chief lauded by acting SecAF

    A retired Air Force officer who brought the F-22 Raptor fleet back to full operational status following an indefinite grounding, received the 2012 Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award, at the Pentagon, Nov. 18.

  • AF officials build partnerships in UAE

    The deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs is at the Dubai Airshow here this week to build partnerships that strengthen peace and stability.

  • Airmen return from Brazilian-led CRUZEX exercise

    U.S. Air Force Airmen and Air National Guardsmen participated in Cruzeiro do Sul, a Brazilian-hosted air force exercise testing air-to-air maneuvers, mission planning, airdrop operations, and search and rescue skills, Nov. 4-15 in Brazil.

  • Two B-52 crews help save disoriented pilot

    During a routine exercise over Alaska, a seven-man B-52H Stratofortress crew from here, call sign HAIL13, and a B-52H crew from Barksdale Air Force Base, call sign HAIL14, received a call for help from the Anchorage Air Traffic Control Center Nov. 13. The whereabouts of a small Cessna aircraft had

  • Guard firefighters assist after deadly tornado strikes

    Ten firefighters and three vehicles assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing responded to Washington, Ill., Nov. 17, after at least six people died and 54 others were injured by a series of tornadoes that battered central Illinois.

  • Airmen shift from exercise to real-world relief efforts

    Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, shifted gears from exercise to real-world humanitarian relief operations as they arrived at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, to provide tactical airlift support for Operation Damayan, Nov. 16, 2013.

  • Airmen deploy to Philippines in support of Operation Damayan

    The 374th Airlift Wing here deployed a C-130 Hercules aircraft Nov. 13, in support of Operation Damayan. Operation Damayan is a U.S. humanitarian aid and disaster relief effort in the Philippines, in the wake of the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan.

  • Major wins highest aviation safety award

    An Air Force pilot who maintained control of his aircraft despite losing 80 percent of his left wing during a mid-air collision, is the recipient of the 2013 Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy, Nov. 14, at the Pentagon.

  • Re-tread pilot completes 100th combat sortie

    A 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron pilot deployed to Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, recently flew his 100th combat sortie during an air refueling mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

  • New contracting agency stand up increases AF flexibility

    The Air Force Installation Contracting Agency officially stood up during a transition ceremony here Nov. 13.Following manpower cuts last year, Air Force leaders designed AFICA, a field operating agency that reports directly to the deputy assistant secretary for contracting, to ensure bases around

  • Innovative tool streamlines requirements process

    Air Mobility Command officials recently introduced an innovative tool that is transforming the command's process for gathering and prioritizing Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) requirements, and will soon be expanded to include other requirements.

  • 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.

  • 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 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.

  • Afghan air force graduates first fire instructors

    Firefighters from both the Afghan Air Force and the Afghan National Army completed and graduated from the first-ever Fire Instructor Course offered in Afghanistan during a ceremony Oct. 31 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan.

  • 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.

  • F-16 accident investigation complete

    Air Force officials announced the results of an F-16D Fighting Falcon accident investigation today. The investigation into the June 26, F-16 mishap at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., determined the mishap was due to the pilot’s decision-making error after the aircraft suffered low-altitude bird strikes

  • 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.

  • 2014 civilian benefits open season slated

    Open season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program will run Nov. 11 through Dec. 9, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Recruit earns coveted scarlet beret

    Staff Sgt. Rene Ochoa is one happy recruiter, thanks to the achievements of Airman 1st Class Michael Guzman.Guzman earned the coveted scarlet beret of a combat controller Sept.12 at Fort Bragg, N.C., after 16 months of intense military training.

  • 'Today's Air Force' highlights maintenance Airmen, honors veterans

    This week on Today's Air Force, a group of F-16's get a new paint job, Airmen get a chance to "drive it like they stole it," and we honor the service and dedication of our veterans. This 30-minute, bi-weekly news show can be seen every day on The Pentagon Channel and American Forces Television

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Shutdown endangers reserve component readiness

    Reserve component personnel continue to be affected by the government shutdown, and officials are concerned about readiness. Within DOD, the reserve components are the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, the Army Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Navy Reserve and the Marine Corps Reserve.

  • Upgrade gives B-52 more teeth

    The B-52 Stratofortress is set to receive an upgrade that will significantly increase its weapons payload, officials said.

  • Missing Airmen from Vietnam War identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, or DPMO, announced today that the remains of Air Force pilots Maj. James E. Sizemore of Lawrenceville, Ill., and Maj. Howard V. Andre Jr., of Memphis, Tenn., have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full

  • ISR official urges looking to history to face future challenges

    At the Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17, Lt. Gen. Robert P. Otto discussed the current state and way ahead for Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, and the role Airmen play in its planning and impact.

  • B-2 pilot surpasses 1,000 hours mark

    A routine flying mission became a major achievement for the Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Bomb Wing when Maj. Luke Jayne surpassed 1,000 flying hours in the B-2 Spirit Sept. 14.

  • Deployed Airmen trailblazers of Reaper world

    At Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, the men and women of the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are building the heritage of Reaper Airmen as they develop the institutional knowledge for one of the nation's newer air warfare assets.

  • Acting SecAF talks future of special ops

    Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning spoke with more than 500 Air Commandos about the future of special operations at an all-call during his two-day visit here, Sept. 9-10.

  • DOD officials announce missile defense siting study

    Pursuant to the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, the Defense Department has initiated a study to evaluate five candidate sites in the continental United States for the potential future deployment of additional ground-based interceptors, Pentagon officials announced Sept. 12

  • 'Be Ready' to be a hero

    September is National Preparedness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness on the importance of emergency preparedness.

  • $20 solution solves 14K problem

    12th Flying Training Wing T-38C pilots and maintainers will begin using multi-function display, or MFD, covers this month, saving the wing $182,000 a year in broken MFDs all for only $3,600 - just a little more than a quarter of the price for a repaired MFD.

  • Deployed Airmen remember Dominguez, serve on 9/11 anniversary

    Sept. 11 is never too far from the hearts and minds of the 105th Security Forces Squadron deployed here from Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York. Through mementos and each other, they remember one unit member who was killed during the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.Nearly 3,000 people