HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • C-130 pilot receives 60th Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson presented the 2016 Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy to Maj. John Hourigan, a 123rd Operations Support Squadron C-130 Hercules pilot, at the Pentagon, May 17, 2017, for not only saving the lives of five crewmembers, but also identifying a worldwide C-130

  • Largest African Air Chiefs Symposium to date kicks off

    The seventh annual African Air Chiefs Symposium began in Kasane May 16, 2017. The African Air Chiefs Symposium is an annual forum for air chiefs from across the African continent to come together with the U.S. to discuss important regional and continental issues, and how African air forces can best

  • Quality of life to improve for 386th AEW Airmen

    In the upcoming months, the Airmen of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing will see some changes beginning that will affect their long-term quality of life in Southwest Asia. The slated removal of the 114 war reserve material tents and generator power infrastructure will not only improve the quality of

  • Around the Air Force: May 16

    On this look around the Air Force, Dr. Heather Wilson is sworn in as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force, Airmen are being encouraged to share their ideas for revitalizing squadrons, and Air University has cancelled Squadron Officer School Class 17G.

  • Mattis welcomes new SecAF home

    Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ceremoniously swore in Heather Wilson as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon May 16, 2017.

  • Special Operations Command aircrew recognized for meritorious flight

    Every year, an aircrew is selected for the Clarence Mackay Trophy for accomplishing the most meritorious flight of the year. This year, an AC-130U aircrew from Air Force Special Operations Command, which included one of 25th Air Force’s outstanding Airmen, was recognized with the honor.

  • Birds of a feather: brother promotes sister via VTC

    The video stream stuttered, lagged and occasionally froze, but it ended with Col. Theresa Goodman looking into a webcam and rendering a perfectly clear salute to her brother stationed 5,296 miles away from her location, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Col. Joseph McFall, the 52nd Fighter Wing

  • AF Repair Enhancement Program saves millions of dollars

    The Air Force Repair Enhancement Program here performs marvels all the time. Recently, the four-person shop repaired a $20,000 power supply headed for the trash by replacing a $5 resistor, the equivalent of fixing a $300 phone with an eight-cent paper clip.

  • AFOSI spouse earns Military Spouse of the Year

    Brittany Boccher, the spouse of Master Sgt. Adam Boccher, an Air Force Office of Special Investigations special agent, from Detachment 327 at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, had a memorable year in 2016. Boccher was selected as the 2016 Little Rock AFB Military Spouse of the Year and the AFOSI

  • Air Force to Release F-35 Weight Restrictions

    Air Force leaders recently removed the restriction that kept pilots weighing less than 136 pounds from flying the F-35A. The restriction was imposed in 2015 due to concerns about the risk during ejections in a portion of the flight envelope.

  • Civilians gain leadership, warfighter support skills through program

    The Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program has been molding leaders for more than 30 years. In keeping with that tradition, the ELDP class of 2017 gained valuable knowledge of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber missions and capabilities while visiting

  • Airman beats leukemia into remission

    (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.)In January 2012, Staff Sgt. Nicholas Worley, a 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems craftsman, was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous

  • Around the Air Force: May 12

    On this look around the Air Force, the Senate confirms Dr. Heather Wilson to be the next secretary of the Air Force, the Air Force is accepting test pilot applications, and the Air Force Research Lab has developed sensory technology inspired by the fine hairs of crickets and bats. Hosted by Staff

  • MQ-1 squadron celebrates 100 years

    The 15th Attack Squadron patch depicting a pigeon clutching a telescope harkens to the squadron’s long history of reconnaissance missions. On May 9, 2017, the 15th ATKS celebrated their 100-year anniversary and reflected on the unit’s extensive and honorable heritage, which coincidentally includes

  • AFLCMC awards major long range radar contract

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center here awarded the Raytheon Company a $52.6 million contract May 11, 2017, for the three-dimensional expeditionary long-range radar system.

  • Be thankful for contributions of military spouses

    In my nearly 20 years of military service, I have moved 12 times. It is more frequent than most service members, but yet not that unusual. Along the way in my career, I picked up a spouse. She has moved a total of nine times in our 13 years of marriage. Our children are just breaking into double

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • Surviving the storm: My journey to recovery

    Last fall, I felt like I was losing my foundation. Within a short time frame, my best friend got a new assignment to California, and my supervisor, who had become my biggest mentor, left for a deployment. Soon after, I found myself significantly struggling to find my place as a new Airman, and

  • Air National Guard senior NCO breaks barriers

    (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.)With multiple deployments and unique assignments during her 29 plus years of military experience as a munitions system specialist, Chief Master Sgt.

  • Nevada ANG chaplain: 'I want people to know Islam is not evil'

    Laura Magee remembers asking her father about religion when she was 8 while innocently combing her hair in front of a large vanity mirror. It was the first time she can remember asking one of her parents about the existence of a God — which she said her father quickly repudiated. Her parents

  • Holloman surges RPA operations

    The 49th Wing’s remotely piloted aircraft squadrons at Holloman Air Force Base completed a five-day surge May 5, 2017, to measure the full capabilities of the Airmen and civilians involved in the RPA mission.

  • Deployed Airmen, Marines conquer U.S. Marine Corps Corporal’s Course

    Deployed Airmen at the 407th Air Expeditionary Group were given the opportunity to attend the U.S. Marine Corps’ Corporal’s Course to gain vital skills to be successful as enlisted leaders. Attending alongside their Marine brothers-in-arms, Airmen embarked on the two-week training, which is designed

  • Endpoint cybersecurity technology deployed through AF agreement

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center electronic systems development division here and Carbon Black, a locally-based security company, signed a cooperative research and development agreement to improve cybersecurity for the Hanscom Air Force Base Collaboration and Innovation Center.

  • Around the Air Force: May 9

    On this look around the Air Force, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-4 returns from its 718-day mission and the U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent testifies before Congress on the Academy’s sexual assault prevention and response programs.

  • Accelerating hypersonics development

    On May 3, 2017, Air Force senior leaders met to consider options to accelerate hypersonics research and development to break even more speed barriers and ensure continued technological superiority.Hypersonics refers to flying at five times the speed of sound, also known as “Mach 5,” or higher.

  • Airmen transport dolphins to San Diego NMMP

    Airmen from the 301st Airlift Squadron transported four Bottlenose Dolphins and their handlers from Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, to the U.S. Naval Marine Mammal Program, San Diego April 29, 2017.

  • Focus on fall prevention can reduce serious injuries

    Air Force Occupational Safety will focus on the importance of life-saving fall prevention measures during Fall Prevention Focus, May 8 – 19, 2017, marking the fourth year the Air Force has partnered with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute of Occupation

  • F-35 complete first European training deployment

    Eight F-35A Lightning IIs from the 34th Fighter Squadron, along with supporting units and equipment from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, completed the first F-35A training deployment to Europe, May 7, 2017.

  • MQ-9 Reapers add to arsenal with first GBU-38 drop

    Airmen from the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, here, and the 26th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, made history earlier this week, by employing the first GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition from an MQ-9 Reaper.

  • Aircrew training device saves AMC time, money

    Members of Joint Base Charleston celebrated the standup of the Total Force Aerospace and Operational Physiology Team along with the unveiling of the reduced oxygen breathing device (ROBD) and hypoxia familiarization trainer during a ceremony here May 2, 2017.

  • Academy cadets compete in UAS competition

    The Air Force Academy took second place to the Naval Academy at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency sponsored unmanned aerial systems Swarm Competition, April 23-25 at Camp Roberts, California.

  • First combat MQ-1, MQ-9 wing celebrates 10 years at Creech AFB

    The 432nd Wing celebrated their 10th anniversary at Creech Air Force Base as a combat remotely piloted aircraft wing May 1, 2017. In attendance was Gen. Mike Holmes, the Air Combat Command commander, Col. Case Cunningham, the 432nd WG/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and 400 Airmen of the

  • Algerian triplets join Air Force for better future

    Their journey has carried them over thousands of miles, from a barren region in Africa to California’s Simi Valley where eventually the Harchaoui triplets — Myriam, Rabah and Warda — would join the U.S. Air Force. Scott Air Force Base is now home to Myriam, who recently reflected on her unique

  • TRICARE changes to Nexium coverage

    Starting June 28, the drug Nexium will no longer be a TRICARE preferred, or formulary, drug. This means it will no longer be available in military pharmacies, and you will pay more if you get it through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or a retail network pharmacy.

  • Around the Air Force: May 5

    On this look around the Air Force, female Airmen have 12 months after childbirth to decide if they will separate from service, Course 15 is replaced by a new NCO distance learning course, and the Air Force sponsors a cyber security hacking contest.

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • New program delivers emergency-ready masks to Airmen

    Talk to any Air Force emergency manager and they’ll probably tell you a clean and serviceable M50 mask is the most important piece of equipment Airmen can have in a war-time environment. Now, thanks to a small joint service team in Albany, Georgia, that equipment will have more reliability after

  • AFOSI Academy, basic course earn re-accreditation

    The Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board announced April 27, 2017, it granted reaccreditation status to the U.S. Air Force Special Investigations Academy and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Basic Special Investigators Course at a meeting in Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

  • Medal of Honor recipient passes away at 85

    Col. Leo K. Thorsness, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away May 2, 2017, in St. Augustine, Florida, at the age of 85, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

  • Hurricane Hunters prepare the Caribbean

    More than 20,000 people attended the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour hosted April 24-29, 2017 by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters” and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

  • Airman provides family, haven for orphans

    As an Air Force first sergeant, Chief Master Sgt. Henry Hayes’ job is to take care of others, and whether or not they are in his chain of command, he provides support to those in need. As a first sergeant for Air Combat Command and an ordained minister, Henry Hayes not only shapes the lives of

  • Total force development services now in a single-point center

    The Air Force has consolidated all total force development services and resources to a single-point center. All Airmen (active duty, Reserve, Guard and civilian) will now be able to fully utilize all force development resources through the virtual force development center.

  • AF Academy superintendent testifies on SAPR

    The results of the 2016 Service Academy Gender Relations Survey and Sexual Assault and Violence Report indicate the U.S. Air Force Academy is moving in the right direction but still has work to do in its combat against sexual assault, according to the Academy’s superintendent.On May 2, Lt. Gen.

  • Malmstrom tests Minuteman III missile with launch from Vandenberg

    A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single test reentry vehicle May 3, 2017, at 12:02 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Vandenberg AFB,

  • Trump presents CINC Trophy to USAFA

    The U.S. Air Force Academy football team received the Commander in Chief’s Trophy from President Donald Trump during a visit to the White House May 2, 2017.

  • Around the Air Force: May 2

    On this look around the Air Force, the Air Force Research Lab helps reduce the C-5M Super Galaxy’s energy footprint, the Alpha Warrior fitness program is on tour and the first three enlisted RPA Airmen complete their training.

  • Air Force implements changes to joint matters, joint tour credit

    The definition of “joint matters” and the authorized length of joint tours, two major joint officer management laws affecting active and reserve component Air Force officers, have recently changed following publication of guidance from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

  • Airman balanced through bodybuilding

    As Staff Sgt. Semaj’s alarm screeches throughout her bedroom at 2:30 a.m., she wakes for her morning cardio session, checks on her 6-year-old son, Jamel, and then laces up her running shoes. Semaj, a 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron supply craftsman, does this every morning to keep her body in

  • Hill F-16s train in NATO exercise

    Eight F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and more than 200 Airmen from the active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th FW from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, are currently at Albacete Air Base, Spain, to participate in the NATO Tactical Leadership Program through May 19, 2017.

  • Weather flight critical to coalition mission

    Dropping bombs on target in Syria and Iraq during combat missions supporting Operation Inherent Resolve requires a complex array of information, including intelligence gathered well in advance of the combat sortie. Often times, this intelligence is gathered by coalition partners flying out of the

  • F-35s forward deploy to Bulgaria

    Two F-35A Lightning IIs and about 20 supporting Airmen arrived at Graf Ignatievo Air Base April 28 from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

  • Around the Air Force: April 28

    On this look around the Air Force, two F-35As deploy to Estonia for the first time, Global Strike Command Airmen test launch a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, and the 500,000th person has graduated from the Community College of the Air Force. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Traci Keller.

  • Air Force holds 100th uniform board meeting

    The 100th meeting of the Air Force Uniform Board convened this month to review ideas and recommendations submitted by Airmen in order to improve or change Air Force uniforms, wear policy and grooming standards.

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • AF family navigates autism together

    Michael Christi is a three year old who loves animals, enjoys playing outside and adores school. He is like any other child who learns new subjects and socializes, but he performs differently due to having autism spectrum disorder, a developmental condition that is characterized by difficulty with

  • Art of War: fifth-gen, allies train to defeat future adversaries

    Imagine an enemy who knows how you operate. They know your game plans, have been in your position and used your gear. On top of that, they outnumber your team and have the ability to regenerate. The 27th Fighter Training Squadron's T-38 Talon red air pilots were that opposing force during the allied

  • EOD Airmen first to graduate Army air assault school

    Two Airmen from the 386th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal unit graduated from the U.S. Army Air Assault School held at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 14, 2017. The unprecedented graduation was the first time in history that Airmen, while serving on a contingency operation

  • Do you have what it takes to ‘Hack the Air Force’?

    The Air Force is inviting vetted computer security specialists from across the U.S. and select partner nations to do their best to hack some of its key public websites.The initiative is part of the Cyber Secure campaign sponsored by the Air Force’s Chief Information Office as a measure to further

  • Around the Air Force: April 26

    On this look around the Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein awards two Airmen the Air Force Cross and President Donald Trump speaks with astronauts who are onboard the International Space Station.

  • Flight of the Thunderbirds

    Retired Lt. Col. Dale Cooke, a former Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds pilot from 1979 to 1982, walked into the 2nd FTS to prepare for something that would go down in the history books.He would fly with the original Slot Machine (now known as Aircraft #177), the last operational

  • Technology of the Future

    Looking much like a handheld vacuum cleaner attached to an extra-large Shop-Vac, the technology that may revolutionize the aircraft structural maintenance shop does not scream “innovation” on first glance. Despite appearances, the capabilities of the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG)

  • Molding yesterday’s trainees into tomorrow’s Airmen

    For Staff Sgt. Jessica Fairchild, a former MTI at JB San Antonio-Lackland, those long hours were worth it.Six years into her career, Fairchild applied to be an MTI. She had dreams to be a teacher and chose to focus that drive into shaping the next generation of Airmen.

  • F-35As deploy to Estonia for the first time

    Two F-35A Lightning II aircraft and about 20 supporting Airmen arrived at Ämari Air Base April 25, 2017, from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. The F-35As are participating in their first training deployment to Europe. The aircraft and total force Airmen are from the 34th Fighter Squadron and the

  • MacDill first in AF to host Alpha Warrior tour

    MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, hosted the Air Force’s first stop for the Air Force Alpha Warrior Tour, April 18-19, 2017. The Air Force Services Activity partnered with the Alpha Warrior team to continue building Comprehensive Airman Fitness through the newly initiated Air Force Alpha Warrior

  • Travis AFB earns DOD environmental restoration award

    Dedication to using green and sustainable remediation technologies and biological processes that breakdown contaminates in groundwater has earned Travis Air Force Base, California, its first Defense Secretary Environmental Restoration Award for Installations.

  • DoD celebrates Month of the Military Child

    April is designated as the Month of the Military Child by the Department of Defense Education Activity. This awareness month was established to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community.

  • McConnell tankers enable first F-35 European deployment

    When the F-35A Lightning II deployed to Europe for the first time April 15, it was made possible by the backbone of the aerial refueling fleet, the KC-135 Stratotanker. “The mission of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing is to refuel the fight,” said Col. Albert Miller, the 22nd Air Refueling Wing

  • Airmen earn Gen. Lew Allen Jr. Award

    Four Airmen received the Gen. Lew Allen Jr. Award on April 21, 2017, during a ceremony at the Pentagon. Lt. Gen. Jerry Harris, the deputy chief of staff for Air Force strategic plans, programs and requirements, presented the awards on behalf of the chief of staff of the Air Force.

  • Goldfein presents two Air Force Crosses

    A 7-foot bronze statue stood prominently over a sea of multicolored berets, flanked by the 21st chief of staff of the Air Force and the Air Force’s newest Air Force Cross recipients.Two Airmen, whose heroics were separated by 11 years and 100 miles in the same war zone, solidified a special tactics

  • Air Force senior enlisted leaders conduct full EPME review

    More than 40 Air Force senior enlisted leaders and subject matter experts met at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, April 4-5 to perform an extensive review of all facets of enlisted professional military education during the 2017 EPME Triennial Review.

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • Around the Air Force: April 21

    On this look around the Air Force, a U.S. Air Force Academy grad treks to space, the 10th African Partnership Flight kicks off and the 2017 Air Force photo contest opens soon.

  • Astronaut Airman launched to International Space Station

    On April 20, 2017, Col. Jack D. Fischer became the most recent American Airman to travel to space in support of the International Space Station mission. He was joined in flight by Fyodor Yurchikin, a Russian cosmonaut.