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  • Cyber warriors: Cadets shine in NSA competition

    Air Force cadet cyber warriors swept the virtual floor with the competition in the 12th annual Cyber Defense Exercise here April 16-20.The Cyber Defense Exercise is a network security competition during which service academy cadets and Defense Department post-graduate students manage and defend

  • SAIGE award winners named

    An Air Force NCO and civilian were selected as the Air Force's 2012 Society of American Indian Government Employees Meritorious Service Award winners, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced April 27.Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Timpany, with Air Force Special Operations Command, and Gayle C.

  • SecAF visits Wolf Pack

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited the Wolf Pack here April 27 to talk to Airmen about their role in the region and get a firsthand glimpse at Kunsan's mission to defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight north.During Donley's visit, he met with Airmen in the 8th

  • Air Force officials to launch myPers

    Air Force officials are launching a new name for online personnel services and human resources knowledge: myPers.Rebranding the Air Force Personnel Services website, previously known as AFPERS, requires more than just a flip of the switch. Members of the Air Force Personnel Center are in the process

  • DJ Jazzy Jeff spins up deployed Airmen

    Airmen deployed to Southwest Asia aren't allowed to go to dance clubs."So we brought the club to you."DJ Jazzy Jeff, the famous disc jockey who gained popularity in the '90s alongside Will "Fresh Prince" Smith, visited the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing April 25 to entertain the troops with a mix of

  • Airmen, Marines share training, culture

    Recently a few 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron members enjoyed a cultural exchange of a somewhat different kind. It wasn't between Air Force service members and coalition forces, but an inter-service training exchange between the 451st EAMXS C-130J maintenance Airmen and the Marine

  • U.S., Bangladesh airmen switch seats during exercise Cope South 12

    U.S. and Bangladesh air force flight engineers traded seats in a U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules cockpit for a subject matter expert exchange here, April 25, as part of exercise Cope South, a bilateral tactical airlift exercise conducted between the two air forces. Cope Cope South participants

  • Air Force strategy legend dies at age 96

    A retired Air Force general who was known as the father of "strategy to task," and was instrumental in the development and implementation of new weapon systems during the last half of the 20th Century passed away April 25, at the age of 96.Retired Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent spent more than three decades

  • SecAF discusses force structure, 35 FW contributions during Misawa visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with Airmen and toured several 35th Fighter Wing units April 23 during a trip to Misawa Air Base.During his visit, Donley held an Airman's Call where topics of discussion included the 35th FW's contributions to Misawa, the new Department of Defense

  • Planning continues for new Airman Heritage Museum

    Efforts are underway to expand the Air Force's enlisted heritage museum here. The Lackland Gateway Heritage Foundation plans to modernize the USAF Airman Heritage Museum with a new facility to be located on what is becoming Lackland AFB's Heritage Campus. The site location, at the North end of the

  • F-16s, MiGs engage over Bulgarian skies

    U.S. pilots from the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, have been given a rare opportunity to train and share experiences with Bulgarian air force MiG-21 and MiG-29 pilots during their deployment here in support of Thracian Star 2012.Since the start of the

  • SecAF addresses Airmen at Yokota, discusses future challenges

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley addressed more than 300 Airmen April 24 during an all call at the Taiyo Community Center here. Donley thanked the Airmen for their work during Operation Tomodachi and also discussed the future of the Air Force in the Pacific region during the call. "All of

  • Officials explain new sexual assault policies

    Senior Defense Department officials today said they hope more service members who are victims of sexual assault report the crimes as a result of a policy change Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced last week.Panetta issued guidance April 20 withholding "initial disposition authority" from any

  • Air Force guitar made to honor fallen Airmen

    An Air Force guitar is making its rounds across the U.S. with rock band Lillian Axe after an Airman and the band's lead guitarist collaborated on a way to honor nine Airmen who were killed April 27, 2011, at the Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan. Maj. Henry Cecil, an Air Force

  • Airmen partner with TSA for working-dog training

    Loud barks could be heard yards away as military and Transportation Security Administration dog handlers prepared their assigned K-9 for the weekly joint working dog training. Staff Sgt. Matthew Byrnes, 673d Security Forces Squadron military dog handler led the training for TSA personnel to

  • New simulator pushes Afghan pilots' capabilities

    Afghan pilots now have a state-of-the-art MI-17 simulator here to hone their aviation skills in a safe environment.Air Force Lt. Col. Chas Tacheny, the deputy commander of the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, said he has been involved with bringing the MI-17V5 No-Motion Level 5 Simulator to

  • ISR chief outlines future programs

    While visiting deployed Airmen April 15-18, Brig. Gen. John Horner addressed the future of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission programs.As Air Force Director of ISR Capabilities, Horner spent a few days with Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing to view the work of the many

  • Officials implement flexibilities for third round of VERA/VSIP

    As the Air Force continues a civilian workforce restructure through voluntary retirement and separation initiatives, officials have instituted new flexibilities to help minimize the impact of downsizing and workforce shaping.Unlike the previous two rounds, the third round of Voluntary Early

  • DFAS warns service members of scam emails

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service recently released a statement warning of email scams targeting military members, military retirees, and civilian employees.According to the statement, the most recent email scam indicates that individuals who are receiving disability compensation from the

  • AF officials plan for scheduled downtime to upgrade MilPDS

    The Air Force Personnel Operations Agency here is upgrading and transferring the Military Personnel Data System to the Defense Information Systems Agency's Defense Enterprise Computing Center later this year. During the scheduled 23-day upgrade project, MilPDS will not be available.Upgrades to

  • CSAF discusses national security space at symposium

    The Air Force chief of staff spoke to leaders from industry, academia and the government about the current state of national security space and the U.S. aerospace industrial base at the 28th National Space Symposium here April 19.In his remarks, Gen. Norton Schwartz also recognized the efforts and

  • Robotics offer greener aircraft paint stripping

    The assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics got a close up look at a new, cutting-edge technology here April 4 that's expected to reduce pollution and the exposure of Airmen to hazardous compounds.Terry Yonkers' visit to the headquarters of Concurrent

  • U.S. missile defense counters growing threat

    Six days after North Korea's failed long-range rocket launch, the head of the Defense Department's Missile Defense Agency testified on Capitol Hill about bolstering U.S. defenses against a growing ballistic missile threat.Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Patrick J. O'Reilly appeared yesterday before

  • AF to rely more on renewable energy -- 1 gigawatt by 2016

    The Air Force is on target to generate 1 gigawatt of renewable energy by 2016, and expects to have enough renewable energy to supply 25 percent of all installation electricity use by 2025, according to Air Force officials. The announcement supports the Department of Defense's plans to roll out new

  • Officials implement flexibilities for third round of VERA/VSIP

    As the Air Force continues a fiscal 2012 civilian workforce restructure through voluntary retirement and separation initiatives, officials have instituted new flexibilities to help minimize the impact of downsizing and workforce shaping.Unlike the previous two rounds, the third round of Voluntary

  • New SIPRNet smart card protects secure networks

    Barksdale Air Force Base is evaluating a new smart card, known as a hardware token, on the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, or SIPRNet."As we learned through the events of Wiki Leaks, we had a blind spot in protecting our classified networks," said Robert S. Jack II, Air Force Global Strike

  • Career opportunities available for those up to the challenge

    Interesting career opportunities exist for enlisted Airmen who are ready for new challenges and have a desire to take their careers in a whole new direction.Airmen who want to stay in their career field but want to try something outside their comfort zone can apply for various joint, Department of

  • 48 officers selected for career field change

    Air Force officials selected 48 company and field grade officers to crossflow into the intelligence and public affairs career fields during a selection board held last month at the Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force officials announced today.The nonrated line officer crossflow program is one of

  • USAF Honor Guard Drill Team recognized as 'best of the best'

    The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team outperformed the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Merchant Marines and Coast Guard teams in the fourth annual Joint Service Drill Team Competition here April 14.In a symphony of discipline and precision, the U.S. armed forces' most elite drill teams gathered at the

  • New housing website prepares Airmen for moving

    With the summer moving season just around the corner thousands of Airmen and their families can now use a new housing website to help prepare for their move. The website,www.housing.af.mil, provides dormitory information for unaccompanied Airmen while detailing housing options and support services

  • Discovery flies for last time, ends chapter in aerospace history

    After almost 27 years and 39 flights in Earth's orbit, the space shuttle Discovery arrived at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., April 17 on its way to its final resting place. The last moments in the air for Discovery began at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., mounted on top of a modified Boeing 747.

  • U.S., Maylasia air forces conclude exercise Cope Taufan 2012

    After completing more than 140 sorties and several hundred flying hours, the U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force concluded exercise Cope Taufan 2012 at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base here, April 13. The Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, live-flying exercise, that included F-15 Eagles from

  • Earth Day calls for broader focus at all levels

    Each year when Earth Day rolls around, I make a commitment to pay greater attention to our natural environment, to shift focus from seemingly inconsequential daily activities to the greater task of preserving and improving our natural environment. But this way of thinking misses the mark.Earth Day

  • Barksdale Airmen test alternative jet fuel

    Airmen here assisted the Air Force's Alternative Fuels Certification Program staff in evaluating a new jet fuel blend known as alcohol-to-jet, March 26-30, 2012 here. Specialists from the Alternative Fuels Certification Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the TF34 Engine Program

  • F-35 training center begins formal training

    While celebrating each F-35 Lightning II arrival, the integrated joint strike fighter training team also recently opened the doors for the first Air Force certification courses on the logistical support behind the nation's newest weapons platform.The 33rd Fighter Wing has eight basic familiarization

  • Air Force seeks Earth Day innovations

    In its 42nd year, Earth Day provides an international opportunity every April 22 to voice appreciation for the planet and unite for a sustainable future. Across the Air Force, installations are taking measures to enhance sustainability in support of the Earth Day theme "Conserve Today. Secure

  • Overcoming sexual assault: A victim's candid story

    Living has always been a challenge for Senior Airman Jane Smith. Seemingly born into an uphill world, physically and emotionally tested at every step, spirituality had continually strengthened her and still propels her forward in life, she said.Smith was nearly driven to suicide after being sexually

  • 3 enlisted Airmen selected for advanced degree program

    Three Air Force master sergeants will pursue master's degrees through the Air Force Institute of Technology Enlisted to AFIT Graduate Degree Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Master Sgts. Yared M Abegaz, Air Mobility Command; Corey J. Perkins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; and

  • CSAF: Total force integration key to increased effectiveness

    "Total Force Integration allows us to leverage Air Reserve Component experience, improve access to aircraft, encourage retention, and increase total force effectiveness," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during opening remarks at the 18th Air Force TFI Summit here April 3-4.The

  • Major continues family's service tradition

    People join the military for any number of reasons. For Maj. Mark Melin, the son of a soldier, grandson of a World War II sailor and the third of three military brothers, commissioning in the Air Force was like joining the family business."It was definitely my father's example of service as a

  • From Cuban refugee to U.S. Airman

    The year - 1995. The setting - Communist Cuba. Times were tough and chances for prosperity were depleting.In a make-shift boat built by her grandfather, a four-year old Cuban refugee and a dozen or so of her family members began their journey to America in hopes of a better life."Shortly after

  • U.S., Malaysian Airmen team up to build brighter future for orphans

    More than 50 U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force members teamed up for a humanitarian construction project at a Malaysian orphanage here as part of exercise Cope Taufan 2012 on April 8.The combined team spent nearly five hours mixing and pouring concrete for a multi-use sports court at

  • CMSAF Roy visits JB Charleston

    The 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force spoke with Charleston Airmen about current and future Air Force operations April 9 during a brief visit here.During his visit, which included an "All Call" held at the base theater, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy touched on topics such as

  • Four Airmen honored with 2011 Sijan award

    For demonstrating outstanding leadership, four Airmen received the 2011 Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award during a ceremony April 6 in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.Named in honor of the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor, the award annually recognizes officer and

  • Reserve, active duty F-22 pilots fly long-range strike exercise

    A mix of personnel from the 477th Fighter Group, 3rd Wing, and 673rd Air Base Wing left Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, to participate in a long range strike exercise on April 4.F-22 Raptors and E-3's assigned to the 3rd Wing along with F-16s from Misawa Air Base, Japan, B-1's from

  • AF accepting test pilot school applications

    Eligible pilots, combat systems officers and engineers have an opportunity to join the ranks of airpower pioneers like Jimmy Doolittle and Chuck Yeager, but they have to apply for U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School to do so.The 2012 U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School selection board will convene in July

  • General Flowers presented with Order of the Sword

    The enlisted men and women of Air Education and Training Command presented retired Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers with the Order of the Sword during a ceremony April 6 here.Before his retirement in November, Flowers served as the deputy assistant for Budget at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of

  • Official Provides Tax Tips for Troops

    As service members begin preparing for the annual tax season, they may want to consider a new savings plan designed for young people, a Defense Department tax official said today.Service members and their dependents who earn less income today than they expect to earn in the future, such as those in

  • AF participates in Exercise Kiwi Flag

    Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs and 70 Airmen from the U.S. Air Force participated in the Royal New Zealand Air Force's Exercise Kiwi Flag from March 26 through April 4 at RNZAF Base Whenuapa, New Zealand. Exercise Kiwi Flag is a multilateral, tactical air mobility exercise that aims to improve the

  • Food transformation program adds seven bases

    Airmen at seven installations will see a new era in food service operations in October as the Air Force Food Transformation Initiative expands.FTI is a pilot program designed to provide Airmen with improved food quality, variety and availability, while maintaining home station and warfighting

  • Air Force names 2011 top athletes

    Air Force officials recently named the service's 2011 top male and female athletes of the year. Capt. Weston S. Kelsey, a force support officer from the 310th Mission Support Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., is the 2011 male athlete of the year. Airman 1st Class Emily J. Shertzer, an

  • Air Force staff sergeant creates tracking program

    There's a new computer-based program designed to track the training status for pilots. It's called "iFly," invented by Air Force Staff Sgt. Jose Castillo, 3rd Wing aviation resource management. It may become the new standard for the Pacific Air Forces.The path that led to this program shines with

  • Laughlin fitness center goes green

    The Losano Fitness Center here recently began harnessing power by using elliptical machines and a new state-of-the-art technology called ReRev.After the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron converted five of the machines, each creates electricity while people use them during a workout.During a 30-minute

  • Air Force to continue legacy of innovation, Donley says

    More than any other military service, people have viewed the U.S. Air Force as an innovative and "leap ahead" organization, the service's top civilian leader said here today.The pieces are in place to continue that legacy, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley told the Defense Writers Group.Even

  • SecAF: In downsizing AF trades 'size for quality'

    In the current economic environment, the best course of action for the U.S. Air Force is to "trade size for quality," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley March 30 in a keynote address to attendees of the 39th Tinker and Community Dining Out at the Tinker Club.The secretary said that

  • Air Force boxer one of best in U.S.

    Senior Airman Adam Hassan, 375th Communications Squadron, fought through two weeks of try-outs and three months of intense training to be announced the best boxer in the Air Force and one of the top 10 boxers in the U.S.He had to compete against everyone who submitted a package to even get into the

  • First lady unveils new military spouse hiring effort

    First lady Michelle Obama today announced a new hiring effort intended to deliver thousands of portable, flexible job opportunities to military spouses and veterans in the coming years.Eleven companies have pledged more than 15,000 jobs for military spouses and veterans, the first lady said, noting

  • Mission to McMurdo: Helping science in Antarctica

    A recent mission for U.S. Transportation Command proves its service members can get just about anything, anywhere.Members of the command stepped to the fore by building a pier in the southernmost harbor in the world: McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. This enabled the National Science Foundation staff to

  • Virtual wingman makes smart choices easy

    Air Education and Training Command unveiled a new website accessible by smart phones and tablets that is designed to provide resiliency and safety information to Airmen. The website was shown at the Air Force Community Action Information Board meeting March 29.Among the highlights of the website are

  • Officials complete new tuition assistance policy memo

    When a new policy takes effect, probably this summer, schools will need to have a signed memorandum of understanding to participate in the Defense Department's Tuition Assistance Program, Pentagon officials said.A 90-day extension that expired March 30 allowed DOD officials to work with stakeholders

  • PACANGEL unbound by numbers, helps 3,000 more

    Operation Pacific Angel, an ongoing humanitarian assistance mission conducted throughout the Pacific theater, was recently completed at the first location, Legazpi City, Philippines, for 2012. U.S. forces provided medical and engineering assistance, as well as forums for subject matter expert

  • SecAF visits F-35 test program at Edwards AFB

    "You continue to make history - literally every day - with the work you do here." These words of affirmation were given by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during his visit to the Edwards F-35 Integrated Test Force March 28 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Donley, who was at Edwards March

  • New talent and old friend part of April AIRMAN

    One of the hottest new singers on the reality TV circuit shares the stage with an old friend turning 50 in the April issue of AIRMAN magazine.Following her appearance on the popular NBC reality talent show, the "Voice," singer Angie Johnson is the subject of a feature by writer Randy Roughton and

  • AF officials complete IT consolidation across manpower, personnel, services

    Air Force officials have completed consolidating information technology assets and resources in the Air Force's manpower, personnel and services community into the Air Force Personnel Operations Agency.About 450 positions from IT divisions across the Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force Manpower

  • Advisory team engages on Afghan irrigation

    Advisors with the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group recently conducted a humanitarian site survey mission centered on repairing spillways that deliver water to multiple villages located directly outside Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, March 22.The focus of the ongoing mission is to reroute

  • New tool helps process new civilian employees

    Air Force civilian hires will soon have access to a new virtual tool that provides more efficient and timely processing for job placement.The USA Staffing Onboarding Manager tool will help reduce the average amount of time it takes to inprocess new civilians before they enter on duty. The tool is

  • Wounded warriors continue service through employment program

    The Air Force's goal is to retain injured Airmen on active duty. But when this is no longer an option, wounded warriors may explore new opportunities to serve through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Civil Service Employment Program.The program helps all combat or hostile-related ill, injured and

  • DOD implements new changes to sexual assault response

    The Defense Department has refined new methods to aid sexual assault victims whether reporting a crime or seeking assistance as they transition from service, the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office said here March 30."We have several new options for victims of sexual

  • Transit Center moves nearly 20K people--in one week

    Service members at the Transit Center at Manas work side-by-side with Kyrgyz partners every day to support international efforts in Afghanistan by moving fuel, cargo and people. Last week, the team moved a record 19,827 coalition troops--the most since the installation opened 10 years ago.Between

  • CyberPatriot: Preparing for tomorrow's battles today

    Today, just about every aspect of our lives is somehow connected to the Internet. Our personnel records can be found online as well as our financial records, employment information -- just about everything that identifies who and what we are.On the job, the Internet is even more pervasive.

  • Warrior Games selection camp concludes for AF

    More than 25 active-duty, retired and separated Airmen competed for a spot on the Air Force team in the 2012 Warrior Games during a selection camp March 25-30 here.The Warrior Games, now in its third year, was designed to introduce disabled veterans to Paralympic sports. The Airmen selected for the

  • C-27 program cut explained, budget aligned with strategy

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs discussed the reasoning behind the C-27J Spartan program cut from the fiscal 2013 budget request during the Air Force Association's monthly breakfast seminar here March 27."It's not because it isn't a good aircraft, and it's not

  • Officials reaffirm Pentagon's commitment to F-35

    Estimated costs for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter have increased over the life of the program, but the Defense Department is working to contain cost growth and remains committed to the fifth-generation fighter, defense officials said March 29.Frank Kendall III said during confirmation

  • Air Force installations host 'Cook It Up' events

    Air Force installations worldwide are organizing local cooking contests to foster and instill a sense of community and promote a healthy lifestyle.Known as 'Cook It Up', Air Force community centers are hosting food challenges to draw participants from the entire community and highlight culinary

  • Air Defense Command commences operations at Yokota AB

    A crowd of senior-ranking U.S. and Japanese military leaders gathered here March 26 to celebrate the beginning of Air Defense Command operations at Yokota Air Base.The Air Defense Command headquarters, which conducts command and control operations to defend Japanese airspace, was relocated from

  • Combat controller recognized for leadership on, off battlefield

    A combat controller with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron recently received Air Force recognition for his leadership in his personal and professional life. Technical Sgt. Nathaniel Hoag was awarded the Lance P. Sijan Junior Enlisted of the Year Award for 2011. "I was honored to be nominated," Hoag

  • Olmsted scholars named

    Six Air Force captains will spend their next tour of duty in Russia, the Ukraine, Brazil, China or India pursuing an academic mission as Olmsted Foundation Scholarship winners, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.The Olmsted Scholar Program, sponsored by the George and Carol Olmsted

  • New radar helps Airmen defend Arabian Gulf

    Airmen defending the Arabian Gulf have another arrow in their quiver thanks to a new radar system installed at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here March 18.The TPS-75, or "Tipsy-75" as the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron calls it, is a powerful air surveillance radar capable of providing

  • Senior leaders discuss future of Air Force Reserve

    Senior leaders from Air Force Reserve Command assembled here March 26-27 during the 2012 Senior Leader Conference to discuss the future of the command. The theme of this year's conference was "Full Operational Capability: Full Spectrum Combat Capability with Unparalleled Efficiency" and how the Air

  • Air Force officials expand electronic ADSC notifications

    Air Force Personnel Center officials are expanding automated notifications to Airmen of personnel actions requiring them to sign active duty service commitment acknowledgement statements.The automated ADSC notifications were successfully tested in November 2011 for more than 800 Airmen selected for

  • General: Space capability integral to all military operations

    Space capabilities have become integral to all military operations, the commander of Air Force Space Command told reporters here during a Defense Writers Group breakfast March 22."It's hard to imagine what life was like before we had ... GPS providing very accurate targeting capability, military

  • U.S., African nations share techniques in partnership exercise

    Ghanaian, Benin, Togolese, Senegalese, Nigerian and U.S. air force members hit the flightline loading, guarding and marshaling aircraft March 21 during the African Partnership Flight 12-2 capstone event here. The capstone gave all nations involved in the partnership-building flight the opportunity

  • Bataan Death March Memorial marks 70th anniversary of deadly march

    Frank Hewlett once wrote: We're the battling bastards of Bataan;No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam.No aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no nieces,No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces.And nobody gives a damn.Nobody gives a damn.This poem has been spoken year after year to those in attendance at the

  • Air Force ends pilot travel card program

    The Air Force recently decided to transition existing Controlled Spend Account travel cards to an enhanced Government Travel Card by the end of fiscal 2012. "The CSA, a pilot travel card program, provided some enhancements for travelers, but also brought about significant challenges for our most

  • SecAF: Cyberspace is an Air Force priority

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley highlighted cyberspace as an important Air Force priority and joint force enabler during remarks to Airmen, industry officials and Air Force Association members March 23 at the Air Force Association's 2012 CyberFutures Conference and Technology Exposition

  • AFTN releases newest 'Today's Air Force'

    Air Force Television News released a new edition of Today's Air Force on March 23. After a "Straight from the Top" segment, the show kicks off with a feature by Staff Sgt. Chris Pyles on the 50th anniversary of the B-52 Stratofortress. Later, Michelle Michael takes viewers to Dayton, Ohio, for a

  • White House official honors ANG unit with rare award

    One of President Barack Obama's top advisors praised the Kentucky Air National Guard for superior achievement March 18, calling the organization "second to none" during a ceremony honoring the 123rd Airlift Wing for winning a nearly unprecedented 15th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.Also recognized

  • AAF achieves first fixed-wing UPT flights in 30 years

    Afghan maintenance crews marshaled a team of three U.S. instructors paired with three Afghan students as they took to the morning skies in three separate Cessna 182 aircraft, marking the first undergraduate pilot training sorties in over 30 years in Afghanistan, March 24, 2012Advisors with the 838th

  • AF leaders discuss planned force structure changes

    The Air Force secretary and chief of staff discussed planned force structure changes, and efforts to balance service active-duty and reserve components, during congressional testimony here March 20. During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air

  • JB McChord Airmen set Operation Deep Freeze record

    Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing and active-duty Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing completed a record-setting season for Operation Deep Freeze. As the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron aircrews and maintainers, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., conducted 74 missions in support of ODF,

  • AEFIs ensure Airmen know deployment window

    Do you know your Air and Space Expeditionary Force Indicator, or AEFI? The two-digit code identifies when your deployment period occurs within an AEF Cycle. All Airmen should know their AEFI and be prepared to deploy during that time period.AEFIs also give the Air Force Personnel Center's AEF and

  • Air Force Culture and Language Center launches new field guides for Airmen

    The Air Force Culture and Language Center, located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., is currently developing a series of Expeditionary Culture Field Guides on key countries to where U.S. forces are deploying.The ECFGs provide deploying forces of all U.S. military branches with language, region and

  • Florida high school student named Military Child of the Year for AF

    Operation Homefront's 2012 Military Child of the Year for the Air Force was recently awarded to Chelsea Rutherford, daughter of Technical Sgt. Kelly Herndon, 325th Medical Group education and training manager, and Technical Sgt. Charles Herndon, 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit F-22 avionics

  • History-making Op Deep Freeze 2011-2012 season concluded

    Following the redeployment of the last two C-17 Globemaster IIIs to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., the personnel participating in the 2011-2012 edition of Operation Deep Freeze can lay claim to yet another successful and history-making season.ODF is the

  • Archaeologists unearth artifacts at Luke AFB

    Archaeologists here recently unearthed an ancient dwelling -- just one of thousands of artifacts found here that date back as far as 3,000 B.C.The excavation was part of the site preparation, including mitigation of surface archaeology and testing for subsurface archaeology, for a large solar array

  • Air Force launches tool kit aimed at pollution prevention

    The Air Force launched a new tool kit March 21 to promote pollution prevention across the service. As part of the planned Air Force Earth Day 2012 commemoration, the tool kit provides new, customizable products for use at installations Air Force-wide in creating local Earth Day campaigns.Although

  • F-35 reaches critical juncture after strong year, official says

    The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program -- the centerpiece of future tactical aviation and a key to implementing new military strategic guidance -- made strong progress in its development last year, a defense official said today.Frank Kendall, the acting undersecretary of defense for

  • U.S. Airman increases Afghan AF capability

    Aircraft are useless without proper maintenance, pilots and the fuel needed to feed the beast.One senior NCO is working to improve the capabilities of the Afghan air force one fuel sample at a time.U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeremiah Fentress, a fuels flight advisor with the 439th Air Expeditionary

  • CMSAF visits Incirlik AB, talks Air Force changes

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy visited here March 15-16 to meet Airmen performing 39th Air Base Wing missions and discuss current and future Air Force changes. Roy spoke to Airmen about topics such as education and training, Air Force budget cuts and resiliency.At one point he