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  • Squadrons 'beating heart' of Air Force

    In the Air Force, squadrons are the basic level of operations, its “beating heart” as Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Goldfein calls them.To better understand how significant the squadron is to the Air Force, it’s also important to know what a squadron is.

  • Solo mission

    Standing proudly in front of a B-25 Mitchell on display for a recent airshow in the central Texas town of Burnet, retired Lt. Col. Richard Cole slowly walked up to the antique bomber and clutched one of its propeller blades.

  • 'Candy Bomber' delivered chocolate, hope to Berlin

    Seventy years ago, with Adolf Hitler’s crumbled Third Reich still fresh in their memories and Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union having a choke hold on their future, Berlin’s children were starving.

  • PACAF wins Air Force Defender Challenge

    The U.S. Pacific Air Forces Command came out on top among 14 international security forces teams to win the Air Force Defender Challenge Championship Sept. 10-13 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas.

  • JB Charleston evacuates aircraft, maintains airlift capabilities

    Joint Base Charleston personnel assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing and 628th Air Base Wing began evacuation flights for 24 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft Sept. 11, 2018, in anticipation of Hurricane Florence making landfall. The aircraft and supporting personnel planned and executed flights from

  • 188th Wing activates UPAD for Hurricane Florence Response

    The Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Wing activated its Unclassified Processing, Assessment and Dissemination capability in response to Hurricane Florence September 13, providing imagery, geospatial, and assessment support to incident commanders in affected areas.

  • 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.

  • Air Force Tech Report

    Getting help to the right location for land rescues in the aftermath of a major hurricane falls to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. They’re the single agency responsible for coordinating on-land federal search and rescue activities in the 48 contiguous United States while providing

  • Yesterday’s Air Force

    The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center has been coordinating inland search and rescue missions in the United States since its creation. Today, the AFRCC works with local and federal search and rescue assets and is credited with saving more than 17,000 lives.

  • Alaska ANG mobilizes in advance of Hurricane Florence

    Thirty-six Alaska Air National Guardsmen from the 176th Wing, and approximately three short tons of Alaska Air Guard equipment, departed Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Sept. 12 to assist with emergency response efforts for Hurricane Florence.

  • XPX team innovates solar power comm system

    With the help of 3-D printing and community partnerships, the Plans and Programs innovation team at McConnell Air Force Base created a portable, solar-powered communications system.

  • Around the Air Force: Sept. 13

    On this look Around the Air Force, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flies missions into Hurricane Florence, Carpathian Summer 2018 comes to a close, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base welcomes runners to the 22nd Air Force Marathon. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Angelo Rosario.

  • Guard Soldiers, Airmen gearing up for Hurricane Florence

    WASHINGTON (AFNS) — The governors of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland declared states of emergency Monday as Hurricane Florence approaches the East Coast. Additionally, the mayor of Washington, D.C., declared a state of emergency due to anticipated torrential rainfall. The storm

  • Hurricane Hunters fly Florence, conduct search and rescue

    Members of the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron assisted the U.S. Coast Guard with a search and rescue mission Sept. 11, locating a white 41-foot Bali sailing catamaran after completing their mission for Hurricane Florence.The vessel was making a trans-Atlantic voyage

  • Air Force, Navy announce their Joint Physiological Episodes Action Team

    The Air Force and Navy announce their Joint Physiological Episodes Action Team, or J-PEAT, Sept. 11 at the Pentagon, Arlington. In a collaborative effort of Force Integration, the Air Force will also rename their Unexplained Physiological Events Integration Team to the AF-PEAT.

  • Passing the torch: Ex-commando inspires youth for special operations

    While most people spend their off time catching up on their favorite shows, playing video games, or catching up on social media, one Reserve Airman and clinical nurse with the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, spends his evenings training the future men and women of special operations.

  • Moody A-10 engine maintainers make history

    For the first time, Moody’s 23rd Maintenance Squadron’s propulsion flight accomplished an unprecedented feat by ensuring every TF34 engine in their fleet is repaired to serviceable status.

  • Around the Air Force: Sept. 10

    On this look Around the Air Force, senior leaders implement a plan to strengthen joint leaders, the first Invisible Wounds Center opens, and an Air National Guard general heads the Unexplained Physiological Events integration team. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Koetz.

  • Yesterday’s Air Force: Hurricane Hunters

    What started as a dare more than 70 years ago turned into the way we predict hurricanes today. Find out how the Air Force got started in a critical mission that saves lives by flying through hurricanes.

  • Augmenting the AOR: Cable Dawgs connect service members to the fight

    Communications, in some shape or form, touch every single part of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve mission. From advanced air-strike capabilities to a simple phone call home; a simple fiber cable, often less than .05 millimeters in diameter, can change a missed opportunity

  • Hurricane Hunters fly Hurricanes Florence, Olivia

    The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is flying missions into Hurricane Florence over the Atlantic Ocean and Hurricane Olivia over the Pacific Ocean this week. The 53rd WRS is the only Defense Department unit that flies reconnaissance missions into severe tropical weather

  • Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force meet to discuss future, force

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright, joined by six of the previous Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force, participated in the 2018 Senior Enlisted Statesman Forum Sept. 6 on Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.The forum, the first of its kind since Wright’s tenure began, was an

  • 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.

  • UPE Integration Team lead visits Wright-Patt

    Brig. Gen. Edward L. Vaughan, the new Air Force Unexplained Physiological Events Integration Team lead, visited Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Aug. 27 to tour the 711th Human Performance Wing’s Onboard Oxygen Generating System lab and learn how 711HPW is collaborating with Air Force Life Cycle

  • Around the Air Force: Sept. 6

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- On this look Around the Air Force, U.S. Air Forces Central Command held their change of command ceremony at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and the Air Force is launching the newest generation of GPS satellites. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Koetz.For previous episodes,

  • History office plays key role in OCP emblem-to-patch conversion

    Since early recorded history, warring tribes often carried banners or flags marked with emblems to represent factions and motivate their warriors to fight for the cause. It is to this historical tradition that we can trace the evolution of military emblems and patches, said AFMC historian Jack Waid,

  • Phantom of Takur Ghar: The Predator above Roberts Ridge

    A once quiet landscape turned battlefield, the clash of gunfire and shouts ripped through the Shahi-Kot Valley in the early hours of March 4, 2002. As part of an early war effort that targeted al Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan, the Battle of Roberts Ridge is still known as one of the

  • ANG general to lead UPE Integration Team

    What do unexplained physiological events and a recent promotion have in common? The answer is Edward Vaughan who recently promoted to brigadier general and named by the active-duty component to lead a UPE integration team.

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 31

    On this look Around the Air Force, Air Force leadership provides an update on the Publication Reduction Initiative, and Airmen provide support to the Royal Air Force during exercise Typhoon Warrior. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Angelo Rosario.

  • 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.

  • AFCENT changes command in historic ceremony

    Lt. Gen. Joseph T. Guastella Jr. assumed command of U.S. Air Forces Central Command from Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian Aug. 30, 2018. Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, U.S. Central Command commander, presided over the ceremony, which was held at AFCENT’s forward headquarters at Al Udeid Air Base for the

  • Why I serve: The Kalkbrenner family

    As of 2017, approximately two million people currently serve in the U.S. military with millions of veterans serving before them in the several hundred year history of the country’s armed forces. All of these service members chose to don their respective service’s uniform for varying reasons. Many

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 29

    On this look around the Air Force, Medal of Honor recipient Tech. Sgt. John Chapman's name is unveiled at the Air Force Memorial, Gen. Timothy Ray takes command of Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Forces Cyber joins Air Combat Command. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Miguel Rosario.

  • AF officials launch 2018 Total Force Climate Survey

    Air Force leaders at all levels want to know, “How is my organization doing?” The 2018 Total Force Climate Survey, which runs from Aug. 27 to Oct. 30, helps answer that question and more with the help of Air Force active duty, Reserve, Guard and civilian personnel (appropriated and non-appropriated

  • Chill, cryogenics has what you need

    Providing the base and various other units on the island with cryogenic products – whether it be in a liquid or gaseous form – is the plant’s priority.

  • EOD tech draws inspiration from family members

    While many would consider the lifestyle of an EOD Airman a stressful and arduous task to undertake, to Tech. Sgt. Jaqueline Risley, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron EOD equipment non-commissioned officer in charge, this is everything she has ever dreamed of.

  • AFTAC helps break the 'STEM mold'

    In 1976, esteemed historian and author Laurel Thatcher Ulrich wrote a book entitled, “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History.” The premise of her work was to shine a light on famous women throughout history who challenged the way things were done. While the title may seem to be a modern-day rallying

  • USAF supports premier RAF exercise

    The U.S. Air Force’s 492nd Fighter Squadron sent several F-15E Strike Eagles to support the Royal Air Force’s premier air combat training exercise, Typhoon Warrior, Aug. 14-23, at RAF Coningsby, England.

  • Major LAF promotion board scheduled for December

    The calendar year 2018D major Line of the Air Force promotion board is scheduled to begin Dec. 3, 2018, at the Air Force’s Personnel Center and will review records for all captains meeting the board to determine whether or not the captain is fully qualified for promotion and meets the exemplary

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 24

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – On this look Around the Air Force, President Donald Trump posthumously awards Tech. Sgt. John Chapman the Medal of Honor and an Air Force Reservist is nominated for promotion to four-star general. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Jevon Smith.For previous episodes, click here

  • 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.

  • Tech. Sgt. John Chapman inducted into Hall of Heroes at Pentagon

    Nearly two decades after the gallant actions that cost him his life and earned him the nation's highest military award, Chapman’s name was unveiled by his widow, Valerie Nessel, Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the

  • Hurricane Hunters fly Hurricane Lane as storm targets Hawaiian Islands

    The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters are continuing to monitor Hurricane Lane which is projected to hit the main Hawaiian Islands the afternoon of Aug. 23. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squdron, based out of Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, began flying into Hurricane Lane out of the

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 23

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – On this look Around the Air Force Airmen participate in Engines Running On-load and Offload training, and a rare total force airborne training mission was conducted at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Jevon Smith.

  • Advanced training prepares boom operators for future

    Within the past year, KC-10 Extender boom operators have been receiving cutting-edge, three-dimensional simulator training and life-size cargo load training that benefits the boom operator career field around the world.

  • Passing the guidon: Ray takes command of AFGSC

    Gen. Timothy Ray took command of Air Force Global Strike Command from Gen. Robin Rand, outgoing AFGSC commander, during a ceremony, Aug. 21. He is the newest leader of the Air Force’s portion of the nuclear enterprise, which maintains the nation's only force of Minuteman III intercontinental

  • Breaking barriers: Miller nominated as AF Reserve's first 4-star

    Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for promotion to the rank of general Aug. 20. Miller will become the first Airman in the history of the Air Force Reserve to pin on a fourth star. In 2016, she became the first female chief of the Air

  • USDA net system reduces aviation bird strikes

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture works with safety teams around the Air Force to limit the presence of birds on and around airfields to protect aircraft from bird strikes, an issue that costs the Air Force millions of dollars every year in damages.

  • Big Brother finds enrichment in giving back

    He was only 3 years old when he unexpectedly lost his father to a heart attack in 1986. Although too young to understand how to grieve for his dad, Richard Cooper’s life changed in an instant.

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 17

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – On this look Around the Air Force, a second contract is awarded to construct a prototype hypersonic weapon and Colombian Airmen refuel USAF aircraft for the first time. Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Samantha Ducker.

  • 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.

  • Aircraft parts store: No one flies without supplies

    The 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron is one of the largest squadrons at RAF Mildenhall, and is the beating heart that keeps the Bloody Hundredth’s mission going.RAF Mildenhall is one of the few bases with an aircraft parts store open 24 hours; leaving no room for a pause in the mission with a

  • Exercise Pitch Black 2018 strengthens alliances

    Exercise Pitch Black 2018 is a Royal Australian Air Force-hosted biennial multinational large force employment exercise held from July 27 through Aug. 17. This year’s event, the largest since its inception, involves 16 nations, 140 aircraft and more than 4,000 personnel – approximately 150 of which

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 15

    On this look Around the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Goldfein keeps his focus on revitalizing squadrons, and the Air Force trains students in a three-week pilot training camp. Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Samantha Ducker.

  • Load crews train for deployment operations

    Imagine mission success laying on the shoulders of the individuals to your right and left. For one team of Airmen, the shortcomings of one can be catastrophic to the task at hand. These groups of professionals assigned to the 20th Maintenance Group, spanning three fighter squadrons, work in unison

  • Air Force awards hypersonic weapon contract

    Today the Air Force has awarded a contract not to exceed $480,000,000 to Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control to begin designing a second hypersonic weapon prototype.