HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • AFPC works to improve unemployment compensation process

    Half-a-dozen personnelists here recently completed a rapid improvement event to review Air Force management of the nonappropriated fund, appropriated fund and military unemployment compensation programs, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Last year, AFPC requested an official audit of the

  • SecAF highlights 'state of force' at AFA conference

    In his keynote address at the 2012 Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley discussed major service accomplishments over the last 12 months and the Air Force's strategic way ahead.Donley said the Air Force's

  • Air Force leaders welcome attendees to annual conference

    In a ceremony steeped in military tradition, Air Force senior leaders welcomed thousands to the 2012 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17, a day before the service's 65th birthday."Being here gives us a chance to step away from the daily thrash and

  • AFRI hosts cyber conference, next step in new school

    "Cyber Power: The Quest Toward a Common Ground" is the theme of the second annual Air Force Research Institute conference Oct. 9-11 in the Officer Training School here. The conference will act as another step toward the completion of the new Cyber Air Corps Tactical School, or C-ACTS.Focusing on

  • Forest Service deactivates C-130 firefighting operations

    The U.S. Forest Service has deactivated the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped military C-130 Hercules as fire conditions in the West have improved.The 153rd Air Expeditionary Group received the notification late Sept. 14, releasing the two MAFFS planes and crews that were still

  • Public trust requires apolitical military, Dempsey says

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wants service members and veterans to consider what using the uniform for partisan politics does to the trust Americans have in their military.Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey has maintained throughout his 38-year career that the American military, as a whole,

  • Leaders to committee: Air Force on track for 2014 auditability deadline

    Leaders from each armed service and the Defense Department testified Sept. 14 to the House Armed Services Committee about the DOD's efforts to become auditable by 2014.The original auditable date was 2017, but Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta accelerated that goal in late 2011 by setting a DOD-wide

  • Live streaming of AFA's annual conference available

    The Air Force Association's Annual Air and Space Conference is set to take place at National Harbor, Md., Sept. 17-19.Select conference events will be streamed live online at the Pentagon Channel's live stream site (here) and Air Force Link's live video page (here). No video will be available at

  • Total force effort brings people home after Libyan attack

    A C-17 Globemaster III answered the urgent call to fly 36 passengers to safety out of Libya following the attack on the U.S. consulate Sept. 12 that had resulted in the death of the U.S. ambassador and three others. The aircraft was under the command and control of the 618th Air and Space Operations

  • Air Force Marathon breaks another attendance record

    The 2012 running of the Air Force Marathon was the largest ever and sold out in record time. The race has grown to a field of more than 15,000 runners, doubling in size since 2008, representing all 50 states, 15 countries, all military services, and a diversity that included world-class marathoners,

  • Top U.S. officials honor Americans who died in Libya

    Joint Base Andrews was the chosen site for a ceremony Sept. 14 honoring the four Americans killed in an attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, Sept. 11.President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Ambassador

  • 'Today's Air Force' goes from New Mexico to near space

    Air Force Television News released a new edition of "Today's Air Force" on Sept. 14.In the first block, Tech. Sgt. Anthony Gomez introduces viewers to college football players who got a taste of basic military training. Later, Airman 1st Class Mari Moxley gives an update on Holloman Air Force Base's

  • Air Force announces OTS selection board results

    A total of 398 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 Sept. 14.Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 507 applications as part of the Officer Training School

  • Wounded warriors discuss transitions to new lives

    Caregivers, National Guard and Reserve support and sports for the wounded are the top Defense Department priorities for wounded warriors and their families, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for warrior care said here Sept. 13.John R. Campbell made the comments after listening to wounded

  • Air Force begins testing newest AEHF satellite

    Following a four-month journey, the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite reached geosynchronous orbit Aug. 27. The event is significant to the 4th Space Operations Squadron here because nearly 100 squadron members are now heavily involved in testing the vehicle.The Space and Missile

  • Atlas V lifts off from Vandenberg AFB

    Team Vandenberg launched a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-3 here Sept. 13 at 2:39 p.m.It was the fifth Atlas V processed at Vandenberg and the 606th Atlas mission in U.S. history."It's an honor to work alongside the men and women of Team Vandenberg, United Launch

  • AFPC officials automate ADSC process

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here are developing new procedures for leveraging information technology to automatically transfer completed Active Duty Service Commitment acknowledgement statements into the Automated Records Management System.The current ADSC processing method includes a few

  • Wind energy at Cape Cod to save $1 million a year

    The wind in Cape Cod, Mass., is about to be called into action once again to reduce energy costs and air pollution at the Massachusetts Military Reservation. Air Force Space Command is preparing to install two 1.6 megawatt utility-scale wind turbines at the station' s early warning radar site,

  • 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.

  • Leaders issue Air Force birthday message

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy issued the following message to the Airmen of the United States Air Force:As we celebrate the United States Air Force's 65th birthday, we salute all of the

  • Alaska Reserve F-22 unit becomes fully operational

    The 477th Fighter Group here reached a readiness milestone Sept. 9 when Col. Bryan Radliff, 477th FG commander, announced that the group had achieved fully operational capable status."Fully operation capable means that we are ready and able to execute our wartime tasking," said Radliff. "With our

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: NCO finds restorative hobby

    (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 you ask, most men will tell you that their "man-cave" is their sanctuary. The man-cave is mostly a place to hang out with friends or simply "be boys."

  • Vandenberg launch unit 'small squadron with big responsibilities'

    3...2...1... and we have lift off. Members of the 4th Space Launch Squadron know the feeling of launch day excitement and stress and are currently preparing to get revved up again for the Atlas V launch scheduled for Sept. 13."We are a small squadron," said Maj. Joseph Howerton, 4th SLS Atlas V

  • F-35A maintenance training on track

    As the Air Force begins its Operational Utility Evaluation of the F-35A Lightning II, maintenance training to support the joint strike fighter is also preparing for key program milestones.Though the first "pipeline" students -- basic military training graduates -- don't begin training until January

  • Intelligence collaboration focus of net-centric operations conference

    The 10th annual Net-Centric Operations conference held here Sept. 10 featured a diverse array of speakers who extolled the value of collaboration in acquiring, supporting and operating intelligence-gathering systems and cyber tools.The conference was sponsored by the Patriots' Roost Chapter of the

  • Deployed Airmen build Azerbaijan partnership through mutual respect

    A traveling contact team consisting of 10 435th Contingency Response Group Airmen and the U.S. Air Force Europe Country Desk Officer journeyed to Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2-8. The team led an exchange event focusing on airfield management, airspace management and base communication architecture to

  • AF joins NATO partners in Ramstein Rover 2012

    The U.S. Air Force joins 15 other nations in Ramstein Rover 2012 here from Sept. 5-22. RARO 12 is a NATO exercise focusing on forward air control and close air support capabilities. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 81st Fighter Squadron, out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, are flying throughout the

  • National Guard vital to Africa Command mission

    "We in Africa Command rely on members of the Army and Air National Guard every day to accomplish our mission," Army Gen. Carter Ham told attendees at the 134th National Guard Association of the United States General Conference."The National Guard -- its Soldiers and Airmen -- are essential

  • Airmen wrap up Winfly on the 'ice'

    Despite operating in harsh conditions and experiencing multiple weather delays, the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, comprised of Airmen from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings at McChord Field, completed its winter flying period into McMurdo Station, Antarctica Aug. 29, in support of the U.S.

  • ACSC launches new distance learning program

    The Air Command and Staff College is launching a new version of the non-master's "correspondence" program during the last week of September. This comprehensive distance learning transformation is designed to enhance critical thinking skills and improve the educational value of professional military

  • Commanders share wing missions, kidney donation

    While total force integration has spawned many resource-sharing initiatives, two wing commanders at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, have taken it to a whole new, and very personal, level. When Air Force Reserve Col. Keith Knudson, 419th Fighter Wing commander, was diagnosed with kidney failure last year,

  • Air Force continues pollution prevention efforts

    The Air Force joins the nation for Pollution Prevention Week on Sept. 17-24.The service continues its efforts to educate the public about pollution prevention and reducing the contamination of air, soil and water by eliminating pollution at its source.Observed during the third full week in

  • First F-35 training commander: 'This jet is our future'

    Five months of flying the Air Force's newest fighter jet has left one Airman convinced of the aircraft's substantial combat capability.Lt. Col. Lee Kloos is the commander of the 58th Fighter Squadron, the Defense Department's first F-35 Lightning II training squadron, located at Eglin Air Force

  • Security forces Airmen train with British counterparts

    Airmen from the 100th Security Forces Squadron joined ranks with British counterparts from 15 Squadron, RAF Honington; No. 2 Tactical Police Squadron, RAF Henlow; and No. 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters, RAF Coningsby Aug. 28 to Sept. 6 at Stanford Training Area, more commonly known as STANTA,

  • Safety at center of growing RPA requirement

    Gen. Hap Arnold may have startled even his most visionary contemporaries when he said on V-J Day, "The next war may be fought by airplanes with no men in them at all. Take everything you've learned about aviation in war, throw it out of the window, and let's go to work on tomorrow's aviation."No one

  • Academy solar panels save taxpayers $800K in first year

    After a year of operation, the data is in. The Academy has received roughly seven and half percent more power than anticipated from the 6-megawatt solar array project that began production last summer.A total of 18,888 solar panels were installed along 41 acres on the Academy's southeast corner and

  • Airmen urged to reenlist, extend before MilPDS upgrade

    Air Force officials are urging Regular Air Force Airmen who are eligible to reenlist or extend their current enlistment in December and early Jan. 2013 to complete these personnel actions through the myPers website and their base military personnel sections or force support squadrons by Nov. 15 to

  • Air Evac Airmen test capabilities on new airframe

    Airmen from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron tested their aeromedical evacuation capabilities on a new airframe here Sept. 3.The civilian Gulfstream III, or G3, provides the range and speed needed to reach different parts of Africa and Eurasia in a day, something the C-21 and some of the

  • 731st AMS completes MRAP mission

    Airmen from the 731st Air Mobility Squadron were key players recently in the first delivery of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to U.S. Forces in Korea. The squadron helped deliver the first five MRAP vehicles to U.S. Army units stationed on the peninsula in early July 2012 for use in

  • New AFSC coming for AFSOC enlisted aircrew

    Almost 470 flight engineers, aerial gunners and loadmasters who fly Air Force Special Operations Command's CV-22, AC-130 and Non-Standard Aviation aircraft are transitioning to one Air Force specialty code, 1A9X1 Special Mission Aviation starting in November. Master Sgt. Ben Lerman, AFSOC's aerial

  • Silver Star presented for fallen Airman's 'gallantry in action'

    Dressed in a silver and black dress, 3-year-old Chloe Smith stood beside her mother, Tiffany, as they accepted a Silver Star award today in honor of Senior Airman Bradley R. Smith who was killed in action at the age of 24 in Afghanistan Jan. 3, 2010.Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, 9th Air Force commander,

  • F-35A reaches 'huge milestone' in program development

    Air Force officials begin their F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation Sept. 10, an instrumental step in beginning Joint Strike Fighter pilot and maintenance training for the service. Two 33rd Fighter Wing pilots at Eglin AFB, Fla., along with two Air Force test pilots, will conduct the

  • AF finishes strong at end of 'critical days of summer'

    The Air Force 2012 Critical Days of Summer campaign ended Sept. 4 with zero fatalities for the Labor Day weekend for the first time in five years. "We at the Safety Center always have a Quest for Zero mission," said Bill Parsons, Air Force Chief of Ground Safety. "It is, and always should be, our

  • Deployed firefighters train Kyrgyz counterparts

    Fairchild firefighters deployed with the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, conducted a capabilities demonstration with their Kyrgyz Republic counterparts Aug. 29. The exercise was part of a continuing informational exchange program familiarizing

  • Fighting birds with birds

    The 22nd Air Refueling Wing Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard program is being overhauled with new contractors employing the use of a falcon to keep skies clear from avian adversaries.The BASH program is in place to reduce bird strikes by introducing a natural predator into the area to ward off smaller

  • AF Expeditionary Center wraps up wargame

    Approximately 65 air mobility experts wrapped up participation in Air Mobility Command's Global Mobility Wargame 2012 at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here. Subject-matter experts throughout the Air Force, AMC and many other organizations involved in defense planning conduct GLOMO

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: AF pilot helps Iraqis earn their wings

    (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.)Mounted aboard an armored suburban with a pistol at his side, one of Laughlin's own begins his days in Iraq checking in on classes miles apart, filled

  • Wolf Pack Defenders go virtual to train

    One might assume the term "gunship" would most likely be overheard on a documentary for 20th century naval engineering.It is, however, what Airmen from the 8th Security Forces Squadron and members from the Republic of Korea Army heard during "call for fire" training last week, which included

  • 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.

  • ANG, Coast Guard complete joint rescue mission

    California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing, in a joint mission with the U.S. Coast Guard, successfully completed the rescue of two distressed fishermen aboard a fishing vessel about 1,400 miles off the coast of Acapulco, Mexico. On Sunday, Sept. 2, the Air Force Rescue Coordination

  • AF releases September supplemental promotion list

    Air Force officials notified hundreds of Airmen today that they have been selected for promotion as part of the September enlisted supplemental promotion process, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.To see the list, go to

  • Warner Robins C-130 team earns DoD top maintenance honor

    When the Department of Defense announced its top maintenance awards for depot and field-level units, recognizing outstanding achievement in weapon system and military equipment maintenance, it was a Robins Air Force Base, Ga., unit earning top honors.The 2012 Robert T. Mason Depot Maintenance

  • 'Preparedness Month' a year-round responsibility

    With September designated as National Preparedness Month, Air Force Emergency Management experts are emphasizing the tools available to help Airmen and their families "Be Ready."National Preparedness Month is an annual campaign to raise awareness on the importance of disaster preparedness. The event

  • Intelligence developmental team to convene

    Intelligence officers interested in leadership, command and developmental opportunities have until the second week of October to prepare an application and statement of intent, which are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by Oct. 12, AFPC officials said.The Intelligence Officer Fall Developmental

  • Let myPers help you manage your civilian career

    Whether you are a civilian employee, hoping to become one or planning to hire one, the myPers website has information to help you find opportunities and manage your career, said Pat Stokes, Air Force Personnel Center marketing specialist."The Air Force is a great place to work," said Stokes.

  • DOD launches Tomodachi registry website

    The Department of Defense launched the Operation Tomodachi Registry website,  Aug.5. The website provides location-based radiation dose estimate reports for adults and children comprising the DOD-affiliated population on or near mainland Japan following the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami of

  • Largest exercise wraps up in South Korea

    Airmen, along with 30,000 participants from South Korea and other nations, took part in one of the largest Joint Staff exercises in the world here date to Aug. 30. Exercise Ulchi Freedom-Guardian is an annual computer-simulated, U.S. Combined Forces Command defense-oriented exercise, designed to

  • Andersen and Australian EOD work together in Tri-Crab 2012

    Team Andersen's Explosive Ordnance Disposal participated in the biennial multinational EOD exercise Tri-Crab 2012 from Aug. 20-31 on and around Guam.Tri-Crab is a combined engagement that focuses on strengthening relationships within the Asia-Pacific region through training and information

  • White House Fellows Class Includes Current, Former Officers

    Six current or former military officers have been appointed to the 2012-2013 class of White House Fellows, the President's Commission on White House Fellowships announced Sept. 4 here.Then-President Lyndon B. Johnson created the White House Fellows Program in 1964 to give promising American leaders

  • JB Elmendorf - Richardson turns landfill gas into energy

    During an especially cold December afternoon, a swirling formation of obsidian ravens hovered over a gray chimney, the structure pushing out hot air in the form of burned methane gas and oxygen combusted into water and carbon dioxide. Perhaps the black birds liked the heat. Perhaps they liked the

  • Medical squadron command candidates named

    More than 100 officers were named to the medical squadron command candidate list during the 2012 summer developmental teams, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Command matches are expected to be released in mid- to late-December, said Lt. Col. Mary Ann Behan, medical force management branch

  • AF veteran shares wisdom with young paralympians

    The camaraderie of being part of a team is a draw to many athletes and can be traced to the origins of why many embarked on lengthy careers, staying the course even when things are not always going their way.Mario Rodriguez, a member of the U.S. Paralympic fencing team and former Air Force staff

  • Mentorship program offers support to recovering Airmen

    The Recovering Airmen Mentorship Program connects wounded, injured or ill Airmen who are well along in their recovery with those who are just beginning the journey.The program is one of several implemented to help care for wounded warriors during their recovery, said Air Force Wounded Warrior

  • Two firefighting C-130s head home

    Two C-130 Hercules from the Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing were deactivated Sept. 2, and returned here from Boise, Idaho.Four other Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System units remain activated. The Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing out of Colorado Springs, Colo., has

  • New DOD policy for TDY and PCS cancellations

    Beginning October 1, 2012, any travel authorization that includes air travel must be approved and ticketed at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled flight departure to avoid airline reservations from being cancelled. This is due to a new policy being instituted by the airlines under the FY13

  • Airmen, Kyrgyz students ring in "First Bell"

    The first day of school across the Kyrgyz Republic is a welcome celebration known as "First Bell" and is deeply rooted in a Russian tradition that takes place each year on Sept. 1st.First Bell marks a rite of passage where seniors, in their last year of studies, escort first-year students in a

  • Modern-day builders protect ancient treasure

    It's an interesting dichotomy of sorts -- a huge, 4-story state-of-the art, steel-and-concrete structure under construction just yards away from delicate, precarious, protected sea turtle nests that grace the seashore here.The Air Force Technical Applications Center's new headquarters is taking

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Unconventional repairs

    (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.)While on a deployment, everyone on base comes to realize how important every other job is because you can't do your job without the other shops doing

  • Iraqi air force F-16 training takes off in Arizona

    While the Republic of Iraq anticipates an initial deliveryof F-16 Fighting Falcons in September 2014, the pilots who will fly themembark on a historic partnership with the Arizona Air National Guard's 162ndFighter Wing here to learn how to fly the multipurpose fighter.Already, two Iraqis have joined

  • Afghan airmen learn language of flight

    Whether an Afghan airmen needs to fly an aircraft safely, communicate with air traffic controllers, or maintain and fix equipment, he must first learn the language of flight.English is the language of flight used around the world, and Afghan airmen are learning to speak it fluently at the Kandahar

  • 2012 Air Force BIG winners named

    Capt. Trevoron L. Jones of Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., and Mr. Terrence Williams of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio are the Air Force 2012 Blacks in Government Meritorious Service Award winners, said Air Force Personnel Center officials.Jones' leadership was instrumental in establishing the Los

  • Dignified transfer OIC honored to serve fallen

    At his home base of Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Capt. Bernard Harper is the chief of the Military Personnel Section. His job there varies greatly from the range of duties he oversees as the officer in charge of dignified transfers here with Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations."The jobs are like

  • First Family Readiness Center opens doors in AOR

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is now home to the first Airman and Family Readiness Center in the Southwest Asia area of responsibility. The center opened its doors and added family members to those they serve, following the ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 29, 2012.Daniel Ginsberg, the Assistant

  • Operational F-22's employ small diameter bombs during WSEP

    During a Combat Hammer exercise Alaska F-22 Raptors became the first operational F-22 unit to drop GBU-39 small diameter bombs.Although small diameter bombs have been employed by test pilots, Combat Hammer, a weapons system evaluation program sponsored by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, provided

  • African air chiefs pledge cooperation, trust, solutions

    The 2012 Regional Air Chief Conference wrapped up here Aug. 30, leaving military leaders from multiple North and Western African nations excited about progress and resolutions involving an increase in regional coordination.One of the main points was, "The need to share information," said Ghana air

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Pushing through pain like a Spartan

    (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.)Airman 1st Class Adam Orton is far from the ultra-endurance athletes, military special operators and seasoned adventure athletes typically found at the

  • One month remains for NCOs to volunteer for retraining

    Noncommissioned officers in unrestricted career fields affected by the fiscal year 2013 NCO Retraining Program have a month to volunteer for retraining, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Aug. 30. Affected Airmen in restricted fields, however, have until today to volunteer.NCOs who volunteer

  • Weather command candidates named

    The Weather Officer Squadron Commander Candidate Selection Board, which convened here in July, named 21 lieutenant colonels, lieutenant colonel-selects and majors as command candidates, said Air Force Personnel Center officials."Those selected will compete for 12 projected weather squadron command

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: A coin to remember

    (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.)It was just past 11 o'clock at night, July 30, and Airman 1st Class Mariah Alexander was beginning to fall asleep in her dorm room. Suddenly, the phone

  • 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.

  • Air Force restores moves to Keesler AFB

    Permanent change of station and temporary duty reporting has been restored for Airmen and civilians traveling to Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Air Force Personnel Center officials said.The 81st Training Wing commander implemented the stop movement order in response to Hurricane Isaac. The stop

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: HVAC Airman's legacy

     (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.)Master Sgt. John Anderson likes The Beatles. However, unlike most who serve in today's military, Anderson remembers The Beatles from his youth."Yeah,

  • Academy helps community heal from Waldo Canyon fire

    Nearly 345 cadets, faculty and staff members helped residentsof Mountain Shadows, Colo., cut, gather, haul and stack organic slash, branches, deadfall and some burned trees and limbs during the community's semi-annual "Chipper Event" for fire mitigation on Aug. 26, 2012.Academy volunteers worked

  • Coincidence sparks memories of storm's past

    On this date in 2005, aircrews with the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, better known as the "Hurricane Hunters," evacuated aircraft and personnel from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., only to turn around,  flying into Hurricane Katrina as it barreled down on the Gulf Coast.

  • Northern Command Assists With Hurricane Isaac Efforts

    U.S. Northern Command is coordinating Defense Department support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state and local response activities in response to Hurricane Isaac.Northcom has deployed four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Fort Campbell, Ky., and two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters from

  • 'Today's Air Force' reviews Air Force Week 2012

    Air Force Television News released a new edition of "Today's Air Force" on Aug. 29; taking a look back at Air Force Week 2012 - New York City.On this episode's "Straight from the Top,"  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy talks about the importance of showcasing Air Force capabilities to

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman becomes 'pin up' girl for charity

     (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.)Military members often help their local communities with volunteer work, but one Nellis Air Force Base Airman is aiding her favorite charities as an

  • Academy holds panel honoring women's suffrage

    A Colorado state representative, the state's League of Women Voters president and the co-founder of a political polling firm came to the Air Force Academy on Monday to discuss the importance of women's suffrage and the need for informed voters as election season approaches.The panel, comprising

  • World War II vet awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

    Family, friends, senior leaders and pilots gathered Aug. 24 to honor a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress pilot during an award ceremony at Randolph's famed Taj Mahal where he was award the Distinguished Flying Cross medal.Second Lt. Samuel Smith was assigned to the 360th Bombardment Squadron at RAF

  • Hurricane Hunters provide critical data during major storms

    As the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, better known as the "Hurricane Hunters," wrap up their mission flying through Hurricane Isaac, one of the unit's pilots provided an insight into who they are and some facts and figures about how they perform during their dangerous

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman receives Bronze Star with Valor

    In August of 2011, exactly two days after celebrating his birthday, Master Sgt. Gene Jameson, III, found his combat communications training put to use inside a compound at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.One year later, he was recognized for his heroism with a Bronze Star Medal with Valor during a

  • Typhoon Bolaven can't stop Osan Airmen

    Osan Air Base weathered Typhoon Bolaven relatively unscathed Aug. 28, 2012, in part due to robust planning and preventative measures ahead of the storm. The base entered Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) 1 in the morning, with maximum gusts of winds at 50 knots during the day. All

  • Americans, British long-time partners united in Operation Enduring Freedom

    The 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron has a unique role where Airmen from the British Royal Air Force and the U.S. work together to support the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. The primary mission of the 62nd is to launch and recover

  • Keesler takes preventative measures as Isaac approaches

    Darlene Gnuschke, Air Force retired and Biloxi resident, receives help from Maria Ainaga, head bagger at the base commissary with loading cases of water and other hurricane supplies into her trunk Aug. 27, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Keesler personnel are taking preventative measures to

  • Maxwell, FEMA prepare relief supplies for Tropical Storm Isaac

    As residents along the Gulf Coast of the United States prepare for Tropical Storm Isaac, Airmen and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are busy setting up an emergency staging site on Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Beginning Saturday, more than 120 semi-trucks filled with

  • 7 Inter-American Air Forces Academy SOS slots available

    Seven slots are available for eligible captains interested in attending the Inter-American Air Forces Academy Squadron Officer School Program, with applications due to the Air Force Personnel Center the last week of October, AFPC officials said.The school mirrors the SOS at Maxwell Air Force Base,