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  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Risky cliff dive saves friend, earns Airman's Medal

    (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. Matt Adams looked up, encouraging his friend and co-worker, Capt. John Barbour, as he clung precariously to a waterfall's cliff, some 25 feet above

  • Women in AF paved way, often through adversity

    In a quote from one of Shakespeare's plays, "Twelfth Night," the character Malvallo remarks that "some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."Women in the Air Force (WAF) produced many such women who did not set out to be trailblazers but whose

  • Water resource management announced as focus of Air Force Earth Day 2013

    Each year Air Force installations around the world observe Earth Day on April 22 by taking actions to enhance sustainability and support the Air Force's Earth Day theme of "Conserve Today - Secure Tomorrow."This year, the Air Force is highlighting water resource management programs, including

  • One success inspires the next for today's women leaders

    "Things done are won; joy's soul is in the doing." This quote from one of Shakespeare's most ambiguous plays, Troilus and Cressida, appears to be the constant theme behind the careers of many of the Air Force's most accomplished women. Whether it was The Honorable Sheila E. Widnall, the 18th

  • Photo essay: Reaching over the fence

    Members of the 755th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Reaper teams operate missions "outside the wire" providing security during key leader engagements and meetings with the local community.The Reaper teams also conduct patrols near Bagram Airfield to counter improvised explosive devices and

  • US, Canadian airmen train for joint contingency operations

    Earlier this month, the Silver Flag exercise site here hosted 31 Royal Canadian Air Force construction engineers from the 19th Wing, Construction Engineering Flight, Canadian Forces Base Comox, British Columbia. The Canadians trained side-by-side with U.S. Airmen during a week-long training exercise

  • Fly-By-Wire F-15SA makes first flight

    The U.S. Air Force and its prime contractor Boeing have completed a successful first flight of the new F-15SA advanced fighter aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force. The F-15SA's maiden voyage took place Feb. 20  at the Boeing facilities in St. Louis. The flight went as planned, meeting all test

  • Same mission, new name for E-11A unit at Kandahar Airfield

    The 451st Tactical Airborne Gateway, the unit here that flies the E-11A, was designated as a squadron during a ceremony on March 13. It is now the 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron. The mission of the E-11A is to serve as a Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, a communications

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • PACANGEL-Philippines team treats nearly 7,000 patients

    The Operation Pacific Angel-Philippines medical mission officially ended March 9 here with 6,885 patients treated at two medical sites nearby, far exceeding the projected 4,500 mark.Hundreds of patients waited outside a sports and cultural center in Dumaguete seeking treatment on the final day of

  • AF personnel chief talks family programs, tuition assistance

    A senior Air Force leader testified in front of Congress Mar. 13 on the impact sequestration has had on Airmen and family programs, to include military tuition assistance. Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, informed members of the House Armed

  • Young girl's love of flying leads to history-making missions in space

    As a young child, Eileen Collins loved to sit with her dad in the family car and watch airplanes take off and land. The roar of the powerful engines and the grace of the aircraft as they seemed to float in the air always held excitement and enchantment for the young daughter of Irish immigrants.That

  • ISR warriors raise bar at Red Flag

    Armed with some of the military's latest technologies and defined objectives in mind, Airmen in the intelligence career field begin to process, exploit and disseminate intelligence to an extent and level never achieved before. They do this as part of a continuing campaign that prepares fighters for

  • AF extends Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit transfer phase-in period

    Some Airmen will be able to transfer all or a portion of their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their family members without incurring a four-year active duty service commitment thanks to a program phase-in extension implemented this month.When initially implemented, the Post-9/11 GI Bill education

  • Medics share training with British Army

    Airmen shared U.S. methods for treating special combat injuries with British Army special forces during a combat medical refresher training here March 5 - 6.The training enabled Airmen from the 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron medical element and participants from the U.K.'s 19th Regiment

  • College grants available for children of deceased combat vets

    Maj. Kevin Wilkins died of an illness that resulted from his military service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.This left his wife, Jill, wondering how she was going to handle being a single parent and how she was going to pay for her son and daughter's college education. Then she found out about the "Iraq

  • Flight nurses revolutionize military medical care

    Before World War II, the U.S. military showed little interest in using aircraft and flight nurses to evacuate wounded soldiers to rear areas. The global war, however, forced the U.S. Army Air Forces to revolutionize military medical care through the development of air evacuation (later known as

  • Furlough to affect thrift savings plan contributions

    Federal civilian employees could see their Thrift Savings Plan contributions reduced if furloughs take effect.The Thrift Savings Plan is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the uniformed services, including the Ready Reserve."Employees who have selected

  • F-35 production on track, program chief says

    The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program is a different program than it was four years ago, the F-35 program executive officer said here March 12.In a speech at the McAleese/Credit Suisse Defense Programs Conference at the Newseum, Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan told attendees that he and

  • Defense secretary orders review of UCMJ, AF courts-martial outcome

    Defense officials announced March 12 that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed two separate reviews to ensure that the U.S. military justice system is appropriately protecting victims of sexual assault as well as dispensing justice to the accused, said Pentagon Press Secretary George Little

  • AF to retain additional intratheater airlift aircraft through fiscal 2014

    The Air Force announced it will retain additional airlift aircraft through fiscal 2014 in response to a congressional mandate to retain an inventory of 358 intratheater airlift aircraft.The Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 3, 2013, included language directing

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: AF firefighter is part of the family

    (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.)"If something happens and you're in a fire, it doesn't matter who's next to you, as long as you can trust they can get you out," said Airman 1st Class

  • Airmen bike, run 465 miles in 48 hours

    A team of students, faculty and staff members from Air Command and Staff College hit the ground running and riding March 7 to raise money for the children of fallen special operations members. The team of 63 left Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., on a 465-mile, 48-hour run and bike relay to the finish

  • Former WAC interviewed as one of oldest living Airmen

    After Mildred McDowell left the Air Force in 1949, she had one regret - that she no longer had her Women's Army Corps uniform. Fortunately, the year before she died, someone read a story about her life and sent her a replacement. When McDowell died at the age of 104 on Nov. 15, 2012, she was buried

  • U.S, Japan refine integrated air and missile defense during exercise

    Members of the U.S. military and Japan Self Defense Forces teamed up here recently to conduct a week-long exercise focused on operational issues relating to missile defense in the Pacific theater.Japan Air Self Defense Force Maj. Gen. Masashi Yamada, the director of the Defense Plans and Operations

  • Air Force suspends military tuition assistance

    In the wake of sequestration, the Air Force officially suspended military tuition assistance March 11.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley announced the Air Force has officially suspended military TA for the remainder of fiscal 2013. The program will continue to be evaluated to determine the

  • Oldest U.S. military flying unit celebrates centennial

    The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., celebrated its 100th anniversary March 7-9 as the oldest flying unit in U.S. military aviation.The squadron opened its doors to the base populace and special guests for tours, and two days of historical symposiums were held featuring

  • Air Force Honor Guard female pallbearer honored to serve

    When Staff Sgt. Jennifer Powell joined the Body Bearers team, she was one of two women to do so since 1972.As a U.S. Air Force Honor Guard pallbearer, Powell is part of an eight-person team responsible for carrying the remains of deceased service members, their dependents, senior and national

  • SecDef directs review of Distinguished Warfare Medal

    In light of recent discussions concerning the new Distinguished Warfare Medal and its order of precedence relative to other military decorations, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the award, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.Little said Hagel directed Army

  • Medical Airmen move wounded warriors, provide closure

    Usually when a wounded Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine or Airman leaves the combat theater, they leave on a stretcher, surrounded by the beeps and hum of machines reading and reporting vital signs. Sometimes they are conscious, but all too often they are not -- suddenly waking in a hospital

  • US, Philippine service members work together during PACANGEL

    A joint team of U.S. service members traveled to the Philippines to participate in Operation Pacific Angel March 4 through 11.Operation Pacific Angel is a U.S. Pacific Command humanitarian mission that sends primary care, dental, optometry and civil engineer experts to different countries each year

  • Andersen AFB saves $25 million with contamination cleanup concept

    Members of the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight are working on containing contamination to protect the environment at Site 14 here.The site, located in the southeastern corner of the base, was contaminated with harmful substances such as polychlorinated biphenyl and asbestos since

  • Military substance abuse research progresses, doctor says

    Defense Department officials are developing research-based methods to curb substance abuse among service members, their families and veterans, a senior DOD medical official said here March 11.Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick -- the deputy director for force health protection and readiness programs in the

  • Thrift Savings Plan officials warn against unsanctioned app

    A free iPhone app for the Thrift Savings Plan available at the Apple App Store could pose a security risk, program officials warned.A notice on the Thrift Savings Plan website says the "TSP Funds" app, which asks participants for their account login information, is not sanctioned."This app is not

  • Okinawan native earns AF-level award

    An Okinawan native was recently recognized with the Air Force Information Dominance Outstanding Civilian Assistant award for his meritorious service October 2011-September 2012.The Air Force Information Dominance Outstanding Civilian Assistant award is an Air Force-level award that recognizes Air

  • Two AF nurses heroes of 'Operation Babylift'

    No matter how far women were kept away from combat roles, they were never far from harm and the opportunity to rise above and beyond the call of duty.An explosion blew out a pressure door of a C-5A Galaxy as it took off from Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, April 4, 1975, forcing it to make an

  • 44th FS named Air Force's top air superiority squadron

    The 44th Fighter Squadron "was recently named as the winner of the Raytheon Trophy for 2012.Awarded annually since 1953, the Raytheon trophy is awarded to the top air superiority or air defense squadron in the Air Force. Units are not only evaluated on operational mission performance, training and

  • DOD identifies Air Force casualty

    The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Tech. Sgt. Larry D. Bunn, 43, of Bossier City, La., died March 7 as a result of a non-combat incident at an undisclosed base in Southwest Asia. He was assigned to the 307th Maintenance

  • Cope Tiger 13 commences in Thailand

    Combined forces from the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai air force and Republic of Singapore air force joined forces today to execute Cope Tiger 13 here March 10.The annual field training exercise, comprised of aviation and ground units, is designed to enhance interoperability and relations amongst each

  • Furloughs can begin April 26, DOD comptroller says

    Unless Congress acts to end sequestration, furloughs for Defense Department civilian employees can begin April 26, the department's comptroller said here March 11.Robert F. Hale discussed the furlough planning process with a Pentagon audience. The comptroller also took questions sent in via Facebook

  • PACOM promotes regional cyber capabilities, defenses

    Two years ago, U.S. Pacific Command set out on a big experiment during its Terminal Fury exercise, subjecting participants for the first time to simulated cyber intrusions and network access denials, among other unexpected curve balls the exercise planners threw their way.PACOM's cyber cell, serving

  • Walking with the Reapers

    With the sun rising over the mountains, Reaper Team 5 pointed their vehicles north and shifted gears mentally as they moved on to their next mission.The team left Bagram Airfield in the dark of night, and wouldn't return until midday. "At night our objective is primarily (to counter improvised

  • First shirts find value in ANG 'warrior network'

    When Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kennedy wanted to communicate to more than 800 first sergeants across the Air National Guard as their functional manager this week he turned to the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center.The Center told him, no problem.Its Media Engagement Division and "Warrior

  • First AF woman 4-star comes full circle

    Young Janet Libby was definitely someone going places at Beavercreek High School near Dayton, Ohio. She was in the National Honor Society, on both the German and Ski clubs and a soccer athlete as well. But even those friends and well-wishers who would have signed her senior yearbook with words like

  • Exercise brings joint team together for 'demanding' mission

    Hundreds of total-force Airmen and nearly 20 aircraft participated in a Joint Operation Access Exercise alongside U.S. Army Soldiers and Canadian Forces service members at Pope Air Field, N.C., Feb. 22 through March 1.The JOAX prepared air mobility forces along with Army and Canadian paratroopers,

  • Betty 'Tack' Blake: Only surviving member of 1st WASP class

    Last year, a young female pilot recently showed her 91-year-old guest the F-16 Fighting Falcon she flies at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. She thanked Betty "Tack" Blake several times as she talked about her job, so Blake finally asked the young captain why she was thanking her."Because you started it,"

  • Academy honored for community service

    The U.S. Air Force Academy was placed on the 2013 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll March 4 in recognition of its community support. One of several institutions honored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Academy was cited for its achievements in

  • Airmen improve Global Strike Command one click at a time

    Airmen across Air Force Global Strike Command can now submit their innovative ideas to a recently upgraded 'Strike Now' website."The revised website gives Airmen the ability to participate from any electronic device," said Pete Ellis, the director of AFGSC Smart Operations Division. "Airmen can

  • Women's roles evolve quickly following World War II

    Within the time span it took for women in television to transform from the female stereotypes portrayed on "I Love Lucy" to the more modern, late-century version found on "Murphy Brown," women in the U.S. Air Force were making strides that far outpaced their Hollywood counterparts.By the end of

  • Airman saves life, earns city's recognition

    In the early morning, you're driving through the city when you see two men pushing a stalled vehicle. You stop to see if they need help, and another vehicle strikes the two men against their car, fracturing one man's leg and severing the other's below the knee. The victim with the severed leg is

  • Airmen mentor cadets 8,000 miles a second

    The image was small, but the smiles were big as four deployed service members connected to a classroom full of Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets in North Carolina, more than 8,000 miles away.The cadets of Piedmont High School AFJROTC NC-955 in Monroe, N.C., video conferenced

  • 700-plus captains, majors, lieutenant colonels selected for promotion

    More than 700 captains, majors and lieutenant colonels have been selected for promotion, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.Promotion-selects were considered during the November CY12B Colonel Line of the Air Force and Nurse Corps, CY12C Lieutenant Colonel Nurse Corps, and CY12B

  • Dempsey: Education provides foundation of democracy

    Describing himself as both a student and a teacher, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed the importance of education in remarks March 7, at the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C.-hosted annual education gala.There's nothing more important in democracy than education," Army Gen.

  • Nellis pilots take first step toward F-35 operational testing

    Two officers from the operational test community are among the six pilots in the first F-35 Lightning II pilot training course after an Air Education and Training Command decision to start training here in January.Lt. Col. Benjamin Bishop, the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron director of

  • F-35 Lightning IIs arrive at Nellis AFB

    The F-35 Lightning II is one of the newest aircraft about to enter the Air Force inventory. The F-35 is designed to be an affordable strike option that will be used throughout the Defense Department and by its allies.The jet is currently still being flight tested at Edwards Air Force Base,

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Sequestration impacts ripple across Air Force

    Air Force senior leaders issued updated guidance to leaders of Air Force major commands and addressed the service's Airmen last week on how the service will operate under sequestration and a continuing resolution for the remainder of the fiscal year.Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie

  • Seasoned Airman, young 'AF cop' early female casualties of war on terror

    A seasoned loadmaster assigned to special operations and a young security forces Airman, barely 21-years-of-age, have the distinction as the first female Airmen to die during the Global War on Terror in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom respectively.Staff Sgt. Anissa Shero was deployed

  • 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year nominations due

    Nominations for the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by April 2, AFPC officials said today.The three categories for award are Airman, Noncommissioned Officer and Senior NCO. Major commands and the Air Force District of Washington may each nominate one

  • First sergeant award nomination deadline nears

    Air Force officials reminded Airmen today that 2013 First Sergeant of the Year award nominations are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by April 2. Established by the Air Force, the award recognizes the important contributions and leadership qualities exhibited by Air Force members in the first

  • Afghan air force conducts air assault with Afghan special ops

    The Afghan air force's 379th Rotary Wing Squadron, which is advised by NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan, coordinated its first air assault mission with the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command Feb. 20.During the operation, 60 special operations commandos were inserted into a location

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Sister before self

    (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.) The day he found out about his sister's condition, he knew he would go to any lengths necessary to help her.In December 2012, Tech. Sgt. Simon Garcia,

  • Air Commandos remember STRAY 59

    No matter how painful it is to remember or how easy it is to forget, one special operations squadron makes it a priority each year to remember its heritage and to honor those before its members now who paid the ultimate sacrifice. As an annual salute to their fallen comrades, a crew from the 1st

  • AF announces OTS selection results

    A total of 247 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced today. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 417 applications as part of the Officer Training School

  • Airmen build key Africa partnerships

    Eight U.S. Air Force members of the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron recently deployed to Cameroon to take part in Central Accord 13, February 20 - March 1. The mission of the 621st Contingency Response Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.-based air advisors took them to the

  • AF officer named tops in her field

    A Lajes Field officer was recently awarded the 2012 Armed Forces Optometric Society Junior Officer of the Year.Maj. Tara Jayne, 65th Medical Operations Squadron optometrist, was surprised with the news when Col. Lorn Heyne, 65th Medical Group commander, and his wife visited her home Feb. 17 with a

  • Women conquer heights and fights

    With women now allowed to pursue combat related career fields, the first notion is that women have not participated in combat related duties whatsoever. But in reality this isn't the first time women have been put in the line of fire. During an airborne training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., female

  • Hazel Ying Lee: Showcased Asian-American involvement in war effort

    The Asian and Pacific island influence for the Air Force began during the early days of World War II when Chinese-American women were recruited to serve in the "Air WACs," a special unit within the Army Air Corps where Asian-American women served in jobs that ranged from aerial photo interpretation,

  • Troop financial readiness important to force, official says

    "It's never too early to start saving for retirement no matter how young you are," said a top Pentagon official, reminding those in uniform of how important it is to act now to ensure long-term financial readiness.The message from Barbara Thompson, director of the Pentagon's office of Family

  • Service chiefs ask congress for fiscal help

    The senior officers from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps asked Congress March 5 for more spending flexibility so they can maintain military readiness as the sequester's across-the-board budget cuts take effect.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Army Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Strategic Command: Cuts could erode capabilities

    The U.S. Strategic Command can execute its full mission responsibilities today, but the impacts of fiscal uncertainty and declining resources in the next six months or a year could change that, Air Force Gen. C. Robert Kehler said today.Testifying here before the House Armed Services Committee,

  • New issue of Airman magazine hits newsstand

    The March issue of Airman magazine is now available to download. In this issue, our cover story, titled "100 Years of Flying," tells the story of the Air Force's oldest flying unit, the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, and follows the unit from its early days of Pancho Villa and the Wright brothers to a

  • Time now to get smart on sequestration, furlough

    Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta notified Congress recently that should sequestration occur, the Department of Defense will initiate furlough for its 800,000-plus civilian employees. Congressional notification is required at least 45 days from a planned furlough, with implementation anticipated

  • USO brings Peyton Manning to Airmen

    Super Bowl champion and current Denver Broncos' quarterback, Peyton Manning, along with other professional athletes and performers visited 380th Expeditionary Airmen here Feb. 28 as part of United Service Organizations-hosted tour. Navy Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., the vice chairman of the Joint

  • ANG first female MTI named NCO of Year

    The first and only female military training instructor in the Air National Guard is also the first and only Air National Guard member to be named the Air University Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.Tech. Sgt. Leslie Cummings is an MTI for the Academy of Military Science, the Air Force Officer

  • Innovative teaching idea saves Air Force $1.1 million

    An idea by the 982nd Training Group to make formal military instructor training available at field training detachments has saved the Air Force more than $1.1 million in temporary duty expenditures so far in fiscal year 2013.The FTD version of the Principles of Instruction course, or POI, was

  • MilPDS upgrade begins

    Editor's note: This one of a series of articles to inform total force Airmen about personnel programs affected by the Military Personnel Data System upgrade occurring in March.The Military Personnel Data System will be offline for 23 days, as of this morning, to allow the Air Force Personnel

  • Sequestration to affect DOD schools, commissaries

    Civilian personnel at Department of Defense Education Activity schools and the Defense Commissary Agency will be affected by sequestration, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.The department will struggle to ensure DODEA -- which serves 84,000 students at 194 schools -- maintains

  • F-35s cleared to resume flight

    F-35 Lightning IIs were cleared for flight Feb. 28 following a temporary suspension after a cracked engine blade was found in a test aircraft earlier in the month. A .06-inch crack was discovered in a third-stage turbine blade in a test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Feb. 19.

  • Airmen adapt aerial port procedures to be more effective, efficient

    The 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron members recently re-evaluated their processes and procedures and decided it was time to fine tune the way they operate and move cargo here.Maj. Philip Shields, the former 451st ELRS Aerial Port Flight commander and Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Spain,

  • Arlington museum showcases military women's contributions

    A living legacy to women who served in all branches of the U.S. military honors their service and sacrifice inside the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.The museum in the memorial depicts the "duty, honor and pride" of the 2 million women who served to defend the United States, from

  • Esther Blake: First enlisted woman in the Air Force

    Staff Sgt. Esther McGowin Blake has the distinction of being the "first woman in the Air Force." She enlisted in the first minute of the first hour of the first day regular Air Force duty was authorized for women on July 8, 1948. Blake originally enlisted in March 1944, in Miami in the Army Air

  • President nominates 1st female Air Force Academy superintendent

    The president of the United States nominated Maj. Gen. Michelle Johnson for the appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment to serve as Air Force Academy's 19th superintendent. If confirmed by the Senate, Johnson would become the first woman to hold the position.Currently

  • Two women, different backgrounds, one goal

    Two women, from opposite economic, social and cultural backgrounds, earned common ground during the early days of World War II and set a path in aviation that would steamroll into women's boundless roles today. Jacqueline Cochran was born in 1906 in a cotton-fields-and-sawmill small town in western

  • Air Force cuts aviation support at public events

    As the Air Force braces for potential sequester, leadership has cancelled all aviation support to public events for at least the remainder of the fiscal year and is standing down the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team to save flying hours to support readiness needs. Effective today, active-duty,

  • Task force established to close gaps between active, Guard, Reserve

    Air Force senior leaders recently constructed a task force to develop the best ways to bring the active, Reserve, and Guard closer together to achieve the most capable force possible. To meet the challenges of the future, the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force directed the stand-up of the

  • Pentagon lifts F-35 grounding following inspections

    The Defense Department lifted its grounding of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter after analysis concluded that a cracked turbine blade in an engine on a single plane resulted from overuse in test operations, according to an official with the F-35 Joint Program Office.In an email statement,

  • Reserve activates cyberspace operations group

    Air Force Reserve Command activated the first cyberspace operations group in the Air Force March 1. Col. Lloyd Terry Jr., the 960th Cyberspace Operations Group commander, is charged with providing combat-ready forces with specialized expertise in the operation and defense of Air Force and Defense

  • AF personnel chief: 'sequestration sends wrong signal to workforce'

    The Air Force's top personnel chief testified to Congress on the impact to military end strength in a budget constrained environment on Capitol Hill Feb. 27 during a House Armed Services Subcommittee military personnel hearing.Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for

  • AF leaders warn of sequester impacts on replacing an aging fleet

    Two senior Air Force leaders here this week warned of the impacts sequestration and a continuing resolution will have on the service's acquisitions and programs. Lt. Gens. Michael Moeller, the deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs, and Charles Davis, the military deputy, office of

  • USecAF nominee testifies before Senate committee

    Eric Fanning testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 28 during his confirmation hearing to be the next under secretary of the Air Force. "I come from a family with a long history of service in uniform -- two uncles graduated from West Point and made careers in the Army, another

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Pacific Air Forces wins highest AF safety award

    Pacific Air Forces earned the Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award, Feb. 12, recognizing the most effective safety program in the Air Force for fiscal 2012. "Receiving this top safety award is a testament to our professional Airmen, both on and off duty," said Lt. Gen. Stanley Kresge, the PACAF

  • Like Airman, like son: the Harper family legacy

    It's often said families fight, laugh and cry together, but it's not too often they deploy together.Father and son, Chief Master Sgt. Michael E. Harper and Capt. Michael J. Harper, are serving their third deployment together, or fourth depending on a person's definition of deploying together.In

  • Valor website now includes pre-9/11 Medal of Honor recipients

    The names of Medal of Honor recipients recognized for their battlefield valor before Sept. 11, 2001, now are listed on the Defense Department's valor website, Pentagon officials announced today."Recognizing our brave men and women for their heroic actions is one of the most important things we can

  • Original part from B-17F Memphis Belle® returns home

    Young Airman Ralph Barrett had no idea what that strange looking part he had found in Memphis was, but it looked interesting so he picked it up and decided to hang onto it.The part eventually made it to his tool box at home and remained there unseen for more than 40 years. But according to Barrett,

  • Series showcases daily examples of women's accomplishments

    On Friday, March 1, we begin a month-long recognition of women's contributions to our Air Force, putting a blue perspective to the 2013 National Women's Project theme of "women inspiring innovation through imagination." The 31-day www.af.mil series will showcase a profile each day of a woman or