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U.S. Air Force News

  • 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.

  • Nellis AFB and RAAF team up to support Australia wildfire relief

    Members of the Royal Australian Air Force and Nellis Air Force Base teamed up to load more than 50 bundles of fire suppressant and other critical firefighting equipment onto three RAAF C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for delivery to the Australian Emergency authorities and Rural Fire Service.

  • 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.

  • US, Japan forces welcome new year with bilateral jump

    This is the first year the Air Force participated in the event featuring the bilateral collaboration between U.S. and Japanese forces, utilizing aircraft from both the Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force and jumpers from the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

  • DRAGON simulator to augment AWACS training

    DRAGON, replaces 1970s analog technology with digital, automated aircraft navigation functions, and it ensures E-3 aircraft are compliant with current and future air traffic control requirements.

  • 18th Wing, joint partners execute first WestPac Rumrunner exercise

    With the evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific and to further support a safe and secure region, the 18th Wing spent months designing WestPac Rumrunner as an exercise to train counter-air capabilities and strengthen joint interoperability. In addition to air tactics and joint

  • AFIMSC announces 2020 Innovation Rodeo finalists

    Eight finalists for the 2020 AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo were selected out of 143 submissions and nearly 2,000 online votes to compete for a share of $1 million in funding and resources to implement their ideas.

  • Air Force announces Spark Tank 2020 selectees

    Spark Tank also offers Airmen the opportunity to get their ideas in front of key enabling agencies that can share expertise and resources such as funding or personnel for the projects being presented and demonstrate pathways for intrapreneurs to make their initiatives successful.

  • HH-60W enters soundproof chamber for defense systems testing

    Testing the HH-60W in J-PRIMES will characterize the performance of the helicopter’s systems before electronic warfare flight-testing. The tests ensure it is capable of defeating hostile threats while performing its designated combat search and rescue mission.

  • New weapons system completes first live mission

    The ground-based weapons system allows squadron members at Tinker AFB to provide command and control to both live and simulated aircraft from around the country. Only 18 of these weapons systems exist in Air Force inventory and Tinker AFB is now one of only four active-duty bases to have this

  • Air Force sets foundation for energy optimization, lethality

    As 2020 approaches and the Air Force prepares to take on the challenges of the next decade, we must also review our successes and lessons learned from the last year. For Air Force Operational Energy, 2019 was a year for laying the foundation to build a more optimized and lethal force in the years to

  • F-16 downs drone during cruise missile defense testing

    The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron shot down a subscale drone using an AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser-guided rocket Dec. 19, providing a proof of concept for using rockets queued from an F-16 Fighting Falcon targeting pod as viable munitions to perform cruise missile defense.

  • KC-46A Pegasus completes first around-the-world flight

    The first global circumnavigation for the KC-46A Pegasus provided extensive training opportunities for maintainers and aircrew at multiple locations on a seven-leg, 13-day journey that included its debut at the 2019 Dubai Air Show, or DAS. The first global circumnavigation for the KC-46A Pegasus

  • 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 names newest helicopter ‘Grey Wolf’

    The Grey Wolf is the command's first major acquisition in its 10-year history. The name Grey Wolf is derived from the wild species that roams the northern tier of North America, which also encompasses the intercontinental ballistic missile bases in AFGSC.

  • Hill AFB fighter wings receive final F-35A Lightning II

    The first operational F-35As arrived at Hill Air Force Base in September 2015, and since then, the active duty 388th and Air Force Reserve 419th Fighter Wings have flown more than 17,500 sorties and more than 33,000 flying hours.

  • AFGSC names 2020 Spark Tank finalists

    Air Force Spark Tank is an open call for Airmen to bring forward their best ideas that build upon senior leader priorities to restore readiness, cost-effectively modernize and drive innovation.

  • Dyess AFB Airmen complete BACE exercise

    During the exercise, three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 317th Airlift Wing and the 19th Airlift Wing transported the equipment and personnel needed to successfully maintain and support flying operations for two B-1B Lancers from the 7th Bomb Wing’s 9th Bomb Squadron.

  • Massive funding influx expedites Tyndall AFB rebuild

    Under the June 2019 Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, Operations and Maintenance funding assigned $56 million to sustain regular base operations with an additional $358.4 million allotted for Hurricane Michael recovery.

  • AFRL completes initial Ultra LEAP flight tests

    The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation has successfully completed initial flight tests for the revolutionary unmanned aerial system with a customizable suite of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools that supports extended missions.

  • VCSAF meets with nuclear scientists, engineers about future operations

    The visit gave the leaders an opportunity to discuss future operations and algorithmic warfare – the method by which battles are fought using artificial intelligence and machine learning as a weapon system – with members of the Defense Department’s sole nuclear treaty monitoring center and the

  • 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.

  • Travis AFB Airmen train for arctic weather

    The purpose of the training was to gain qualification and certification on aircraft de-icing, de-ice vehicle operations and an opportunity to perform aircraft maintenance during cold weather conditions.

  • NCO Bilateral Exchange: Growth through connection

    The NCO Bilateral Exchange program consists of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and Japan Self-Defense Force members coming together to learn and grow. The program pairs members from similar career fields, so they can learn how their counterparts operate to accomplish the missions of peaceful development,

  • MacDill AFB supports joint force exercise

    Using a C-5M Super Galaxy and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in a show of Total Force mobility, the 512th Airlift Wing from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, and the 445th Airlift Wing from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, transported the assets needed by the 305th Rescue Squadron from

  • 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.

  • B-52 bomber crews complete live-fire training with Army in Hawaii

    During two separate days, two B-52 bomber crews coordinated with members of the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron and U.S. Army Pacific 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team joint terminal attack controllers, also known as JTACs, to deliver a mixed payload of unguided,

  • VCSAF visits Nigerien Air Base 201

    Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Stephen W. Wilson met with Airmen from Nigerien Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger, Sept. 23. The stop was one of eight bases included in the vice chief's tour focused on the initiatives of Airmen in deployed locations.

  • AF releases FY20 Selective Retention Bonus program

    The SRB is a tool used to retain Airmen in undermanned specialties. The program is designed to improve readiness and capacity by targeting retention of experienced Airmen in stressed career fields or those with high training costs.

  • SecAF, CSAF visit Bagram Airfield to thank Airmen

    As part of their first trip together to the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein stopped by Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to meet with and thank Airmen assigned to the 455th Air

  • NOAA, NHC visit 53rd WRS Hurricane Hunters

    On Nov. 13 and 14, the Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters hosted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Hunters and representatives from the NHC, National Center for Atmospheric Research and the Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination

  • Project NEXUS: Empowering the USAF’s digital talent

    Designed by the AETC technology integration detachment and hosted by the AFWERX-Austin hub, the beta test program was designed to fuel organic technology problem solving efforts for Airmen in their day-to-day workplaces.

  • MacDill AFB fuels the fight

    Through precise training, the Airmen of the 927th and 6th Air Refueling Wings stationed at MacDill Air Force Base remain ready to deter near-peer adversaries.

  • Fit to fight: one fighter wing at a time

    To ensure pilots are ready at a moment’s notice, the 1st Fighter Wing has embedded Capt. Michelle Jilek, a physical therapist with the 633rd Medical Operations Squadron, to help increase mission effectiveness.

  • Craftsmen keep world’s largest wind tunnels running at peak conditions

    Those at the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex at Moffett Field in Mountain View, California, who observe their contributions every day agree the craftsmen employed there are not only integral to the work at NFAC but play a vital role to the Arnold Engineering Development Complex mission as a

  • Aspiring Air Force pilots: Don’t let height standards get in the way

    The current height requirement to become an Air Force pilot is a standing height of 5 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 5 inches and a sitting height of 34-40 inches. These standard height requirements have been used for years to ensure candidates will safely fit into an operational aircraft and each of the

  • Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation honors Berlin Airlift veterans

    The Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation celebrated the 70th anniversary of the end of Berlin Airlift at their annual “Spirit of the Battle of Britain” banquet last month to honor these veterans for their contributions to the alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.

  • Vandenberg AFB awarded best DoD fire department for 7th time

    As a space wing, Vandenberg Air Force Base lacks the aircraft and heavy use of its runway that would reflect greatly on a fire department during award season. Even in the lack of these two arenas, the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department has been awarded not only the “Best Fire Department in

  • Airmen train to transport infectious patients

    The TIS is a device used to transport Ebola patients, either by C-17 Globemaster III or C-130 Hercules aircraft, while preventing the spread of disease to medical personnel and aircrews en route to a U.S. hospital equipped to treat them.

  • 16th Air Force to streamline cyber weapon systems

    Launched on July 1, 12N12 aims to replace, reduce and consolidate the tools, systems and applications operators and analysts employ within the cyberspace security and defense mission area by July 1, 2020.

  • 52nd FW conducts CFE treaty exercise

    Airmen escorted an exercise inspection team from Romania, members of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and members of the German Verification Agency for an inspection of facilities throughout the installation.

  • US Air Force exchange officer soars with partners down under

    U.S. Air Force Maj. Thomas Larner is serving with the Royal Australian Air Force No. 1 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Amberley, Australia, as part of the U.S. Air Force military personnel exchange program. The program allows service members the opportunity to integrate into military units of foreign

  • 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 releases findings of civil airport, aircrew lodging policy review

    The review, led by AMC’s deputy commander, focused on existing guidance and policies and how they are applied. Specifically, the review looked at aircrew lodging, the associated processes and procedures and the application of those policies to the use of civil airports and the advisability and

  • 117th ARW receives Omaha Trophy

    The 117th Air Refueling Wing won the award in the strategic aircraft category in recognition of the outstanding mission performance with the U.S. Strategic Command.

  • Air Force requests proposals for light attack aircraft

    The Air Force plans to purchase two to three light attack aircraft from each manufacturer to help support the National Defense Strategy’s focus on building allies and partner capacity, capability and interoperability via training and experimentation.

  • 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.

  • AFMC successfully executes $66 billion portfolio in FY19

    Organizationally, AFMC manages 34% of the overall budget for the Air Force; executing funds across six centers, multiple platforms and Air Force installations, with missions ranging from, but not limited to, installation support and readiness to research and development, sustainment and technology

  • SERE: Teaching how to survive

    The responsibility of ensuring these pilots are safe and have the knowledge and skills to make it home safe in any situation they might endure lies heavily on the shoulders of survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists.

  • Senate confirms Barrett to be Air Force secretary

    The 85 to 7 vote makes Barbara Barrett the third consecutive woman confirmed to lead the Air Force and its 685,000 total force Airmen. Barrett replaces Heather Wilson who resigned in May. Undersecretary Matthew Donovan served as acting secretary in the interim.

  • Eielson AFB reactivates 356th Fighter Squadron

    Eielson Air Force Base reactivated the 356th Fighter Squadron and named a new commander on Oct. 10, in preparation for the arrival of the Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs to interior Alaska. Air Force Lt. Col. James Christensen will lead the 356th FS, which is the first of two combat fighter squadrons

  • Exercise Polar Force tests Agile Combat Employment

    Exercise Polar Force 20-1 allowed Soldiers and Airmen from units across Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, to develop and strengthen the skills required to operate in austere environments and in adverse situations.

  • ENJJPT molds international guardians of freedom

    Since 1981, the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program has played a significant role in NATO-wide pilot production. Comprised of 14 signatory nations, 13 of which are currently participating, it is one of four undergraduate pilot training programs in the Air Force.

  • 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 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 stands up new Advanced Aircraft PEO

    The new office was created to transform the Next Generation Air Dominance program into the Air Force’s Digital Century Series initiative, using digital engineering, modular open systems architecture, and agile software development to design advanced airplanes faster and enter production with a

  • DoD, industry collaboration part of Spark Collider 2.0

    The event, dubbed Spark Collider 2.0, invited representatives from Silicon Valley-based tech firms onto Travis AFB with the interest of gleaning firsthand accounts of specific problems facing the base and finding ways in which their companies’ resources could help to solve the problems.

  • No effort spared to bring wounded Soldier home

    In mid-August, Air Mobility Command’s 618th Air Operations Center was notified of an injured Soldier in need of urgent aeromedical evacuation out of Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Immediately, AOC Airmen started to build a mission – REACH 797 – to help save one Soldier whose survival was in question

  • The sky's the limit: Sheppard AFB innovation goes from ground up

    Mixed reality used by the 80th Flying Training Wing is a flying environment in a controlled setting that enables students to learn and make mistakes with a safety net. It was created through the use of 360-degree cameras, skilled pilots and actual images from flights over north Texas and southern