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U.S. Air Force News

  • Doolittle Raiders share Congressional Gold Medal with the world

    On April 18, 1942, 80 men inspired a nation by flying 16 B-25 bombers off the deck of the USS Hornet and dropping ordnance on Tokyo. Now, 73 years later, Congress honored these men with the Congressional Gold Medal, presented to the Raiders in Washington D.C., April 15.

  • SecAF delivers message of confidence

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James spoke to an audience of military and commercial space professionals, and space enthusiasts at the 31st Annual Space Symposium here, adding to an already familiar message.

  • AF Reserve celebrates 67 years of service

    For many Airmen, April 14 will be just another Tuesday, but to members of the Air Force Reserve it will be a day to reflect on how each and every one contributes to the Air Force mission.

  • Q&A with the CMSAF

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, visited Laughlin Air Force Base from March 31 to April 2. During his visit, Cody met with Airmen to discuss morale, welfare, and the future of the Air Force. Before his departure, the 47th Flying

  • AF Nuclear Weapons Center reorganizes

    The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) reorganized its structure March 30, realigning responsibilities, authorities and accountability to better serve the nuclear enterprise.

  • Doolittle Tokyo Raiders to receive Congressional Gold Medal

    Seventy-three years ago, 80 men achieved the unimaginable when they took off from an aircraft carrier on a top secret mission to bomb Japan. These men, led by Lt. Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, came to be known as the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders.

  • AF announces OTS rated selection board results

    A total of 228 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials announced March 20.

  • Air Force COOL program kicks off

    The Community College of the Air Force officially launched the Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line program March 16.

  • First AF female general paves way for military women

    Jeanne M. Holm was the first woman in the armed forces to be promoted to the rank of major general in 1973, and is credited as single driving force in achieving parity for military women and making them a viable part of the mainstream military.

  • Blake paved way for thousands of Air Force women

    At the first available opportunity to return to her roots, Staff Sgt. Esther Blake transferred from the Army to the Air Force on July 8, 1948, minutes after the start of the first duty day for the WAF, along with 11 other women at Fort McPherson, near Atlanta. She remained on active duty with the

  • SecAF introduces diversity initiatives

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James kicked off Women’s History Month by speaking to attendees during the Center for a New American Security “Women and Leadership in National Security” conference in Washington, D.C., March 4, 2015.  “There’s simply no country in the world as widely diverse

  • AF responds to National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force

    The Air Force responded to the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force’s recommendations in a report to Congress March 4. Of the Commission’s 42 recommendations, Air Force officials disagreed with only one and are already in the process of implementing 25, as well as developing plans

  • 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.

  • Vietnam War veterans honored during ceremony at AF Memorial

    More than 100 service members, civilians and veterans braved the cold and icy weather to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action during the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War commemoration ceremony and wreath-laying March 2, at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Top AF senior enlisted leader testifies on AF quality of life

    The top enlisted leaders representing each service testified about quality of life issues in the military during a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteran's Affairs, Feb. 25, in Washington, D.C.

  • AF holds 50th anniversary Vietnam War commemoration ceremony

    The Air Force is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War by honoring prisoners of war and missing in action, veterans and their families during a wreath-laying ceremony at 10:30 a.m. EST, March 2, at the Air Force Memorial in Washington D.C.

  • SecAF, AFGSC commander visit Malmstrom

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Global Strike Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson visited Malmstrom Air Force Base Feb. 19, to meet with Airmen, specifically those who deploy to the missile fields, and see benefits of the grass-roots feedback program known as the Force

  • Airmen are the key to air power

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James talked about the importance of a healthy budget, innovation and developing Airmen as key pieces to remaining the world’s greatest air power, during the Air Force Association’s annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 13, in Orlando,

  • Avoid online dangers, unfriendly users on social media

    The internet instantaneously allows you to reach out across the internet superhighway to share information or connect with loved ones. Despite how innocuous this may seem, without taking the proper precautions, your personal information can inadvertently fall into the wrong hands.

  • Key defense suppliers recognized for stellar delivery to warfighters

    Getting top-notch materiel to the warfighters in the most cost-effective and efficient manner is what the American public expects of defense contractors. One of the things the military services are now doing to incentivize industry to improve is by recognizing their top performers. This is

  • Maintaining the technological edge

    Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Larry O. Spencer urged members of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to help the service maintain their technological edge at their winter board meeting Jan. 27.

  • AF introduces Volume 9 of Portraits in Courage

    The Air Force released its ninth volume of Portraits in Courage, highlighting five teams and seven individual Airman for their honor, valor, devotion and selfless sacrifice in the face of extreme danger to themselves and others.

  • CMSAF visits Airmen, stresses importance of USAFE mission

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, met with Airmen from bases around U.S. Air Forces in Europe during visits, Jan. 25-31, to thank them and their families for their service, and to discuss the future of USAFE.

  • SecAF, CSAF discuss future of the Air Force

    Senior leadership addressed the key issues, priorities, initiatives and challenges facing the Air Force during the State of the Air Force press briefing, Jan. 15 at the Pentagon.

  • Dempsey praises Scowcroft during dedication ceremony

    Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised the career of retired Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft during a dedication ceremony in honor of Scowcroft’s achievements Jan. 13, held at the National War College on Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C.

  • Air Force, DOD switch HOMES

    Air Force members now have access to HOMES.mil, a new official Defense Department website designed to modernize the way all service members search for housing when relocating.

  • US Air Force's European consolidation results announced

    The Office of the Secretary of Defense announced the results of the European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) review Jan. 8, which will realign several missions in U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) within seven years.Under the EIC, the Defense Department will divest

  • Kabul Afghan Airmen complete FAST training

    As American security forces transition to Resolute Support, it is important that Afghan security forces can secure their own country. Recently another step was taken in this direction when eight Afghan air force security forces airmen graduated the first Kabul Air Wing Fly-Away Security Team

  • DOD Spirit of Hope Award ceremony

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James presented the Department of Defense Spirit of Hope Award to military and civilian honorees during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Dec. 12.

  • AF closes FY14 force management programs

    Airmen who met the service’s reduction in force board were notified of the board’s results Nov. 19, bringing the fiscal year 2014 force management programs to an end.

  • TACP receives second Silver Star medal

    Master Sgt. Thomas Case, a tactical air control party Airman in the 18th Air Support Operations Group here, received his second Silver Star medal Nov. 13, for heroic actions during a 2009 deployment to Afghanistan.

  • Air Force updates AF Instruction 1-1

    Air Force officials approved Air Force Instruction 1-1, Air Force Standards, on Nov. 7, 2014 to clarify guidance on Airmen’s religious rights and commanders’ authority and responsibility to protect those rights.

  • Health Benefits Program open season dates set

    Open season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and the Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program will run Nov. 10 through Dec. 8, officials announced recently.

  • Veterans in Blue Volume V 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.

  • Air Combat Command salutes new leader

    Gen. Hawk Carlisle assumed command of Air Combat Command from Gen. Mike Hostage during a ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, Nov. 4.

  • Enlisted promotion system changes continue with weighted factor adjustments

    This January, changes to the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) will continue with adjustments to the scoring model for promotions to technical sergeant and below, all designed to help ensure job performance is the most important factor when evaluating and identifying Airmen for promotion.

  • Air Force completes historic fuel conversion

    The Air Force took an important step in fiscal responsibility and supply chain efficiency as it converted its final stateside installation from Jet Propellant 8 (JP-8) fuel to the more common and commercially available Jet A fuel, Oct. 29 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

  • Defense Department officials establish Ebola medical support team

    When Capt. Stacey Morgan’s squadron commander sent her a text message saying that she needed to immediately call him, her first thought was, “Uh-oh. What did I do?” But after a minute or two of talking to her commander, her apprehension was quickly replaced by anxious excitement, as he asked her to

  • 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.

  • Scientific Advisory Board begins 2015 studies

    The U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board 2015 season officially kicked off at an event here in September that brought together new and returning members to discuss the Secretary of the Air Force’s approved studies.

  • Robinson takes command of PACAF

    Gen. Lori Robinson took command of Pacific Air Forces from Gen. Hawk Carlisle Oct. 16 during a change of command ceremony.

  • Undergrad flying training applications due in December

    The 2015 undergraduate flying training selection board originally scheduled for Jan. 20-23 will now convene Feb. 17-20 and associated application suspenses have shifted by approximately one month, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Oct. 10.

  • Cyber expansions create security considerations

    Technological advances have put the world at the fingertips of anyone with connection to the Internet and during cyber security awareness month, Airmen and their families are reminded to remain vigilant when posting personal information.

  • Oct. 1 – Pulse on AF force management

    Featured in this force management update are details regarding changes to the reduction in force board eligibility and ongoing civilian force management programs.

  • AF integrates TAP into new Military Lifecycle Model

    The redesigned Transition Assistance Program is in its third and final stage and will be integrated into the new Defense Department Military Lifecycle Model, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The MLC, which will be implemented Oct. 1, is the latest in a series of improvements to the

  • A love story: healing the wounded warrior

    He was a young Air Force officer healing from a recent trauma and she was a dedicated single mother of two. Whether it was friends or fate that first brought them together, neither would have suspected that their chance meeting in Florida would be the key to his recovery. Their introduction to each

  • Global Strike provides deterrence for the modern era

    The Air Force recently demonstrated its nuclear deterrence and power projection capabilities through a coordinated display of strategic combat power.Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen -- responsible for two legs of the nation's nuclear triad -- conducted the demonstrations, which included

  • Weathering the storm: AF eyes in the sky provide global weather data

    Detachment 1, 50th Operations Group, a small contingent of four Air Force officers, is responsible for seven satellites that comprise the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, or DMSP. The team coordinates with the space experts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, contractor

  • 'Day in the Life' project showcases right Airman, right job, right time

    The 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, spent months of pre-planning, coordination and post-production efforts to create a multimedia project titled, "Day in the Life of the 86th Airlift Wing" showing how the wing supports multiple Air Force, joint and international missions daily.

  • Hill AFB in midst of robust F-35 preparation

    Hill AFB’s preparations for the F-35A Lightning II, totaling more than $100 million, with 23 projects to be completed between September 2014 and July 2015, and 36 total projects will be finished once construction concludes in 2019.

  • AF recruiting software gets overhaul

    A new system has revolutionized the recruiting process for more than 5,000 recruiters and interface partners within the Air Force Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve components.

  • Women’s legacy parallels Air Force history

    As we celebrate the Air Force’s 67th birthday, we talk of how far we’ve come and look ahead to what the future holds, but it’s just as important to look at where we’ve been. The story of women in the military, specifically the Air Force, parallels that of the Air Force itself. In fact, for women

  • CMSAF outlines future force improvements

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody discussed the force’s way forward at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17.

  • 67 plus years of airpower

    "We didn't become the world's greatest Air Force by accident," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody. "We got here through 67 years of American Airmen breaking new terrain and lifting us to a higher level. We should celebrate that innovation this year...

  • State of Air Force Reserve discussed at AFA

    Senior Department of Defense and industry leaders gathered at the Air Force Association’s 2014 Air and Space conference and technology exposition Sept. 15 to discuss the future of the Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

  • Critical Days of Summer ends; focus on risk management heightens

    During the last holiday weekend of CDS, the Air Force lost two Airmen, one in a private aircraft mishap and the other in a motor vehicle-pedestrian mishap. There were 17 fatalities during the entire CDS period, May 23 through Labor Day weekend, down from 20 for the same period last year.

  • Sept. 10 – Pulse on AF force management

    Featured in this force management update are details regarding changes to the reduction in force board eligibility, force shaping board results and ongoing civilian force management programs.

  • Changes to academic degree and developmental education expectations

    Air Force officials announced actions designed to set clear expectations, restore Airmen's time and refocus officer promotions on job performance.The Air Force has addressed long-standing perceptions that to be promoted, officers must complete an advanced academic degree, and those officers selected

  • Aug. 15 – Pulse on AF force management

    Featured in this force management update are details regarding changes to the reduction in force board eligibility, enlisted retention and force shaping board results and the ongoing civilian force management programs.



  • CSAF Call to Airmen: 2015 Reading List

    The Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III has issued a call to all Airmen, to help create the 2015 CSAF Professional Reading Program, asking for submissions that center on the profession of arms and more specifically the Air Force core values: Integrity first, service before self

  • USecAF visits with Spangdahlem Airmen

    Under Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning recently visited Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and spoke with Airmen during an all call, which he kicked off by complimenting their attention to detail.

  • Aug. 1 – Pulse on AF force management

    Featured in this force management update are details regarding civilian force management program expansions, ongoing officer force shaping boards and the upcoming reduction in force board.

  • James: Air Force grapples with Congress to fund readiness

    To balance readiness today and modernization tomorrow, the Air Force’s fiscal year 2015 budget request is shrinking like today’s defense budget thanks to Congress’s own priorities and the approaching threat of sequestration in 2016, Air Force leaders said July 30.

  • AF launches successful satellite mission

    The 45th Space Wing supported a successful United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle carrying Air Force Space Command mission assets for the Air Force July 28.

  • AF implements career intermission pilot program

    Up to 40 active-duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard officers and enlisted members who meet eligibility requirements will be offered between one and three years of partially-paid time out of uniform to focus on personal and professional pursuits under the Career Intermission Pilot Program,

  • Pacific Angel-Tonga wraps up

    More than 4,300 patients received care and five schools obtained much needed upgrades as Operation Pacific Angel 14-3, a joint and combined humanitarian mission, closed July 25.

  • ACC, PACAF commanders confirmed

    Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Herbert Carlisle will be the next commander of Air Combat Command and ACC Vice Commander Lt. Gen. Lori Robinson will be the next commander of Pacific Air Forces, according to a Senate confirmation vote July 23.

  • AF satellites to contribute to space neighborhood watch

    The Air Force plans to launch two operational satellites and one experimental satellite into near-geosynchronous Earth orbit July 23. According to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, "these operational and experimental systems will enhance the nation’s ability to monitor and assess events