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U.S. Air Force News

  • Patriot Wyvern hones Reserve wing’s readiness skills

    Airmen from the 349th Air Mobility Wing took part in a Patriot Wyvern exercise here Feb. 10 – 12. Patriot Wyvern, which takes place twice a year, brings together organizations across the unit for the common purpose of ensuring mission-ready Airmen for worldwide contingency operations. Over the

  • Chaplain team builds faith with Airmen

    Engaging with Airmen is pinnacle to the success of the Chaplain Corps operations. Using occasions like exercise Patriot Wyvern to cultivate familiarity can increase an individual’s opportunity to express concern or discuss private issues with the Chaplain Corps.

  • Around the Air Force: Feb. 14

    On this look around the Air Force, Airmen at Beale Air Force Base, California, assist evacuees displaced by Oroville Dam spillage and security forces advisors train Afghan airmen.

  • NASA astronauts at survival school highlights capabilities, needs

    Four NASA astronauts trained with U.S. Air Force Survival School instructors in water survival and recovery Feb. 10, at the base fitness center pool here.The astronauts underwent the training in preparation for anticipated test flights of the new commercially made American rockets, the Boeing

  • Regional affairs program gets 54 new officers

    The Air Force has selected 54 line officers--51 captains and three majors--into the Regional Affairs Strategist program. The program, managed by the under secretary of the Air Force, international affairs, is a force development initiative intended to create a cadre of officers with in-depth

  • AF senior leaders invest in STEM future

    As the Air Force continues to develop and modernize its forces and equipment, the need for science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals within the service grows.In an effort to help develop the STEM professionals of the future, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and a

  • Self-developed intelligence program strengthens coalition fight against ISIL

    As the air war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant expands, so does the amount of data and information collected: swathes of terrain, patterns of life, historical data and real-time discovery.Adapting to the speed of war – it’s the objective placed upon the Intelligence, Surveillance

  • Youngest maintainer at Red Flag launches America’s youngest jet

    The future belongs to the young. Airman 1st Class Nathan Kosters, the youngest F-35A Lightning II crew chief in the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, was born in 1996. “The Macerana” was No. 1 on the charts, “Independence Day” topped the box office and the F-16 Fighting Falcon had already been flying

  • AMC commander: Mobility Airmen play vital role in joint operations

    The commander of Air Mobility Command presented AMC’s role in joint operations as a vital part of national security and as an example of the ‘wingman concept’ in a presentation during the AMC Headquarters staff Wingman Day event at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Feb. 8, 2017.

  • 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 Airmen fight from ultimate high ground

    As adversaries and challenges evolve in dynamic battlefields across the globe, U.S. service members from U.S. Air Forces Central Command are using cutting-edge technology to support and defend joint and coalition warfighters.

  • Deployment provides reservist teacher valuable experience for classroom

    Master Sgt. Jason Paseur, currently deployed in Southwest Asia as the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing historian, is always on the hunt for creative lessons for the classroom where he teaches as a civilian. Paseur is a reservist deployed from the 94th Airlift Wing out of Dobbins Air Reserve Base,

  • Wilson testifies on current state of the AF

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson testified on the need for increased force structure and modernization before the House and Senate Armed Services committees Feb. 7 and 8 on Capitol Hill.

  • Combat runs on BACN

    The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node will reach 10,000 combat missions within the next month, hitting a significant milestone just as the program office here works to expand the current fleet to eight combat-ready platforms.

  • AF helps Airmen obtain CDL

    The Air Force is taking steps to turn government vehicle operator certifications into commercial driver’s licenses. By creating a course to mirror the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Commercial Driver’s License Test System model, the Air Force will enable examiners to certify

  • Around the Air Force: Feb. 7

    On this look around the Air Force theU-2 surpasses the 30,000 flight-hour barrier, this month’s edition of Airman magazine covers the Joint Communications Support Element, and the USO is looking for service member of the year nominees.

  • 185 Airmen to meet first enlisted RPA pilot selection board

    The first enlisted remotely piloted aircraft pilot selection board meets at the Air Force Personnel Center Feb. 6-9, 2017 to identify the next enlisted group to attend RPA pilot training as part of the deliberate approach to enhance the Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

  • Little Rock Airmen test first C-130J with Block 8.1 upgrades

    Airmen conducted a training flight using the first C-130J Super Hercules with a Block 8.1 upgrade at Little Rock Air Force Base Feb. 3, 2017. The Block 8.1 upgrade enhances GPS capabilities, communications systems, updated friend-or-foe identification and allows the C-130J to comply with worldwide

  • Flexible service: Individual Reserve offers unique opportunities

    When Tech. Sgt. Mark Parker first enlisted in the Air Force as a security forces Airman in 2001, he already knew his long-term goal was to become a civilian law enforcement officer. After serving four years on active duty, which included a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was

  • Ellsworth ‘Rock Star’ wins AF Entertainer of the Year

    “Hi, I’m Senior Airman James Pratt, and I’m stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota,” he said, introducing himself to the crowd. “I competed in and won the Air Force Worldwide Talent Competition. Being a musician and in the Air Force has been a humbling experience for me, to say the

  • 9th AF commander sets priorities

    Maj. Gen. Scott J. Zobrist assumed command of Ninth Air Force in May 2016. Since then, Zobrist visited the wings under Ninth AF, gained impressions and set his commander’s priorities.

  • Around the Air Force: Feb. 3

    On this look around the Air Force, three B-2 bombers return to Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, after a deployment, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, has begun construction of a next generation 9-1-1 call center, U. S. Air Force in Europe and Air Forces Africa has a new command chief, and February is

  • Goldfein shares space focus

    During the Mitchell Institute’s Space Power Breakfast Feb. 3 at the Capitol Hill Club, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein described space as a warfighting domain, and said the Air Force is responsible for 90 percent of the Department of Defense’s space assets. The Airmen responsible for

  • Warrior exercise integrates Air Force, Marine search and rescue mission

    Exercise Coronet Warrior 17-01 was a two-day event that tested the abilities of the 4th Fighter Wing members to complete contingency operations at an overseas location in our current area of responsibility. Members of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina and Marine Corps Air Station New

  • U-2 breaks 30,000-hour barrier in fight against ISIL

    A U-2 Dragon Lady, serving in the U.S. Air Force Central Command, reached 30,000 hours of flight time, Feb. 2, while supporting theater operations in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.The high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft launched from the 380th Air

  • 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.

  • Second chance to fly: Pilot, cancer survivor reunite after 28 years

    Marcus Foiles beamed with excitement as he piloted an A-10 in the skies over a virtual southern Arizona landscape. Foiles had been in a flight simulator before, but today was a whole new experience. The odds of him sitting where he was at that moment in time were immeasurable.

  • Goldfein visits Vandenberg AFB

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, recently visited Vandenberg Air Force Base to meet with base personnel and visit a portion of the Air Force Space Enterprise, from Jan. 29-30.

  • Moody consolidated maintenance squadron aims to raise the bar

    The 23rd Component Maintenance Squadron, here, utilized the week of Jan. 23-27 to begin assessing ways to better support the A-10C Thunderbolt II’s increased flying mission. The goal was to decrease the scheduled 28 days it currently takes to disassemble, repair and reassemble the TF-34 engine used

  • F-35A maintenance sparks Red Flag 17-1

    The debut of the F-35A Lightning II at Red Flag has afforded the pilots and maintainers of the aircraft a chance to be a part of the Air Force's premier air-to-air combat training exercise.

  • New repair process offers success

    With the mission of the U.S. Air Force constantly evolving, the aircraft which keep that mission alive need to evolve as well.

  • Eye in the sky: MQ-1, MQ-9s provide increased awareness

    Situational awareness is the ability to know what is happening around a person at any given time. This is especially important for military members, more specifically, troops on the ground. For the men and women operating MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, their skills of

  • JB Charleston maintainers earn 3rd consecutive Daedalian Tophy

    C-17 Globemaster III maintainers of the 437th and 315th Maintenance Groups at Joint Base Charleston have once again demonstrated that they are the cream of the crop after earning the 2016 Clements McMullen Daedalian Trophy for the third consecutive year.

  • 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: Jan 27

    On this look around the Air Force the preferred Reserve led F-35 base is announced, Airmen aid Kurdish refugees, and the Air Force is focusing on cost-effective, cleaner energy solutions. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Jevon Smith.

  • Pioneer of tactical airlift visits MacDill AFB

    He began his visit with a speech at U.S. Special Operations Command.“I was a part of the 492nd Bombardment Group, also known as the ‘Carpetbaggers,’ during World War II,” Cole said. “We started as an anti-submarine squadron, but instead began working with the Office of Special Services to drop

  • Squadron serves as strong link in OIR supply chain

    Aerial porters from the 870th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron worked steadily alongside loadmasters to load and offload aircraft around the flightline of Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, during a busy January afternoon; as they moved cargo and prepared it for its final destination. This constant loading

  • Red Flag's heartbeat: Core unit arrives at Nellis AFB

    The 1st Fighter Wing’s aircrews and support personnel out of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, arrived at Nellis Air Force Base Jan.17 and 18, to participate in Red Flag 17-1, as the exercise’s core unit.

  • Tech Report: Air Force Research Lab

    The Air Force Research Laboratory discovers, develops, and integrates affordable warfighting technologies for the Air Force in air, space and cyberspace. In this Air Force Tech Report, learn about the science and technology of AFRL.

  • Airmen, F-16s train in Souda Bay

    From Jan. 20-Feb. 3, the 31st Fighter Wing's 555th Fighter Squadron and Arizona Air National Guard's 161st Air Refueling Wing are participating in a flying training deployment to Souda Bay, Greece.

  • Airmen, Soldiers test their fighting skills

    Deployed Soldiers and Airmen put this mantra to the test in a friendly combatives tournament at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia Jan. 22. The event was hosted by the 368th Engineering Battalion and tried deployed service member’s abilities in mixed martial arts including wrestling,

  • Cody visits AMC, speaks on modernization

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force discussed Air Mobility Command’s contributions to the Air Force mission and the need to modernize the fleet during a visit to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2017.

  • Power pros vital to Iraqi rescue missions

    Imagine a work day without electricity; not being able to send emails or use radars; living in a tent with no heat or air conditioning. Luckily, this isn’t a reality for most bases, thanks largely to the Airmen who maintain the electrical systems. At forward-deployed locations such as Al Asad Air

  • USAFE: Yesterday, today, tomorrow

    From the creation of Eighth Air Force in 1942, to Operation Atlantic Resolve in 2017, U.S. Air Forces in Europe has answered the call to service for 75 years.USAFE’s 75th anniversary is Jan. 19, but the command will celebrate the diamond anniversary of the U.S. Air Force presence in Europe on Jan.

  • AETC’s 75th Anniversary and the birth of a professional Air Force

    On Jan. 23, 2017, Air Education and Training Command celebrated its 75th anniversary — a date much more important in our nation’s heritage than a simple mark in time. Jan. 23, 1942, proved to be the birth of a professional Air Force – men and women precisely selected and trained to fly, fight and

  • Disbrow to serve as acting AF secretary

    Under secretary of the Air Force Lisa S. Disbrow will serve as the acting secretary of the Air Force as of Jan. 20, until the President nominates and the Senate confirms a permanent replacement.

  • Hill AFB fighter wings bring first F-35A to Red Flag

    Pilots and maintainers from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings deployed the F-35A Lightning II to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 20, 2017 for exercise Red Flag.This is the first deployment to Red Flag for the F-35A and the first large movement since the Air Force declared the jet combat ready in

  • EC-130s maintain constant presence in Afghanistan 15 years later

    All around the dimly-lit tent are enduring symbols of a constant presence. A name scrawled across a wooden wall, a lengthy list of deployment dates written underneath, updated year after year. A library stacked with books and games to pass the time. A built-in couch labeled “Snooze Town.”

  • AETC loads, releases first live bombs from F-35A

    The 33rd Fighter Wing loaded and released the Air Education and Training Command’s first live bombs from an F-35A here, Jan. 17, 2017.In total, six aircraft were loaded with armed GBU-12s, and two bombs were released over the Eglin Air Force Base range.

  • Heroism recognized: Special tactics Airman receives medal upgrade

    A combat controller will receive the Air Force’s highest combat medal for extraordinary heroism, after a service-wide review of medals awarded since 9/11. The Air Force Cross will be presented to former Staff Sgt. Christopher Baradat, now separated, who had received the Silver Star medal for his

  • Around the Air Force: Jan. 20

    On this look around the Air Force, Airmen lend a helping hand to support the inauguration and service members conduct subject matter expert exchanges at Clark AB, Philippines.

  • AF refuelers enable B-2 strike against ISIL in Libya

    KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender crews from five bases on three continents provided aerial refueling support during the B-2 Spirit bomber mission which struck two Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant training camps in Libya Jan. 18, 2017.

  • Air Force faces fighter pilot shortage

    The Air Force is in the midst of a pilot shortage. While most platforms are affected by the shortage, the fighter pilot community has been hit the hardest.

  • 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.

  • James awards Maxwell Airman two Silver Stars

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James spent her final day in office honoring an Airman here Jan. 19, 2017.Before a packed auditorium of base leadership, River Region community leaders and Air University students, James presented two Silver Star medals to Col. Christopher Barnett for his actions in

  • AF fighter jets practice for inauguration flyover

    Four Air Force fighter jets practiced for the inauguration flyover at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Jan. 19, 2017.Two generations of fighter aircraft are scheduled to fly in a close formation during the inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump at the capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan.

  • Goldfein addresses priorities for the 21st century

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein outlined his perspective on the future of American airpower and how Airmen “deployed in place” play a vital role in today’s Air Force during his discussion at the American Enterprise Institute Public Forum in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2017.

  • Citizen Airmen answer call to service

    “I thought it was going to be a normal drill weekend,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Tedford, a 407th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions systems specialist. “I was thinking about work on Monday and how I had plans with my wife and kids the next week.“Then everything changed.”As Tedford and

  • James awards medal upgrades to 8 Airmen

    The secretary of defense directed a review of medals, including the Air Force Cross and the Silver Star recommendations from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, to ensure service members are appropriately recognized for their actions. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James approved nine

  • Around the Air Force: Jan. 18

    On this look around the Air Force, Airmen at Edwards Air Force Base, California, developed a new way to reduce the cost of testing fire suppression systems, a satellite launched from Vandenberg AFB, California, and Civilian Health Promotion Services is helping people quit smoking.

  • Air mobility squadron keeps C-17s ready for fight

    Winning the fight against an adversary requires much more than just dropping bombs on targets and taking out key leaders. It requires coordinating the precise movement of necessary supplies to arrive at the right location at the right time; which is why logistics plays such an important role in the

  • Airmen deliver aid to refugees in northern Iraq

    Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing delivered humanitarian aid here Jan. 13 while also conducting a multifaceted training mission; the aid is bound for refugee camps in northern Iraq.

  • Airmen perform bodywork, ensure capable aircraft

    Sandpaper scrapes along the wing of an MQ-9 Reaper, as debris drifts to the ground and the smell of chemical agents saturate the air. Squeals from an F-16 Fighting Falcon engine fill the temperature-controlled back shop. The Airmen are focused; there’s a job to be done, and it has to be done

  • Airman becomes first resource officer to Eglin Elementary

    Students at Eglin Elementary School will have another friendly face to greet them each morning as they enter the school. Staff Sgt. Justin Hogg from the 96th Security Forces Squadron was recently hired as the elementary's school resource officer.

  • Maintainer-turned-fighter pilot puts new skills to the test

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.) When Capt. David was a child, his father would take him out to the flightline at Canon Air Force Base, New Mexico, and sit him in the cockpit of an F-111

  • Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg AFB

    Members of Vandenberg Air Force Base, alongside SpaceX and Iridium partners, recently launched the Iridium NEXT satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4, here, Jan. 14.

  • The aircraft canaries: HAAMS technicians breathe life into missions

    Twenty thousand feet above the drop zone, a multinational group of special forces prepares for a tactical insertion behind “enemy lines.” The seasoned jumpmaster positions himself on the open ramp of the C-130 Hercules, peeking his head out to confirm that the airspace below is clear to the drop

  • 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.

  • James bids farewell as SecAF

    The men and women of the Air Force bid farewell to the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James during a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Jan. 11.

  • Castaway Airman helped map the world

    For six months in 1956 Bob Cunningham, a former Air Force radar operator, lived on a remote knob approximately 2,000 feet long and 850 feet wide in the Spratly Islands group located midway between the Philippine Islands and Vietnam. His home was a canvas tent and he manned radio and radar equipment