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U.S. Air Force News

  • F-35A combat power exercise conducted at Hill AFB

    The active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th Fighter Wing conducted a combat power exercise Nov. 19, launching dozens of F-35A Lightning IIs within a condensed period of time.

  • Foreign Naval officers dive into Air Mobility

    Approximately 56 foreign and joint military officers from 52 foreign naval services from around the world visited Joint Base Charleston Nov. 13, 2018, to learn about the mission and capabilities of Air Mobility Command as well as JB Charleston’s role as the gateway to the Atlantic.

  • JB Charleston hosts new leadership course

    Company grade officers and senior noncommissioned officers at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., hosted Flight Commander’s edge, a new flight leadership training program, Nov. 6 to 8, 2018.

  • Air Force announces bases to support B-21 Raider mission

    The Air Force has selected Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, to coordinate maintenance and sustainment of the B-21 Raider and Edwards AFB, California, to lead testing and evaluation of the next generation long-range strike bomber.

  • F-35s begin Auto GCAS test flights

    The 461st Flight Test Squadron recently began test flight missions with the F-35 Lightning II and the Auto GCAS at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

  • 388th FW drops GBU-49 in combat training

    The 388th Fighter Wing’s 34th Fighter Squadron recently returned from a weapons evaluation exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where they employed the GBU-49 for the first time in F-35A Lightning II combat training.

  • US, Aussie partnership thriving at Luke AFB

    Since the arrival of Australia’s first F-35A at Luke Air Force Base in December 2014, Australian pilots and maintainers have trained side by side with members from the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin in preparation for the day when Australian F-35s would travel home to Australia.

  • Deployed security forces Airmen ensure safety of DoD assets at Bagram

    In a deployed environment, security forces Airmen perform a unique mission that differs from their traditional roles at home station. From patrolling the flightline in armored tactical vehicles to providing security for all personnel and Department of Defense assets going to austere locations in

  • F-35 maintainers at Hill AFB shaping future with BOLT

    After several months, an innovative program in the 388th Fighter Wing is proving it has the potential to deliver combat power more efficiently and may shape how the Air Force determines future requirements to sustain F-35A Lightning II operations.

  • Falcons undergo facelift

    Upon entering a room lined with panels and LED lights, described solely as something out of a science fiction movie, people in polar white suits are ready to re-skin a new beast. The Airmen working across two shifts in the work center, paint and renovate the aircraft and equipment assigned to the

  • SUPT evolves, molds next generation of military aviators

    Pilot training is ever evolving around new aircraft, new equipment, new procedures and faster production. With this, the syllabus in Phase II of training has recently changed, helping build a new type of military aviator.

  • C-130 crew chief course gets rolling with new GITA

    The Air Force and Air Education and Training Command seeks to improve the quality, speed and relevance of the training enterprise by introducing virtual and augmented reality technology with new ground instructional training aircraft, or GITA.

  • 388th Fighter Wing completes combat exercise

    The 388th Fighter Wing’s 4th Fighter Squadron and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit recently completed a combat exercise where they tested and evaluated their capabilities to operate the F-35A Lightning II in a deployed environment.

  • 2nd CWSS helps restore operations after Hurricane Michael

    Just four days after Hurricane Michael’s landfall, Tech. Sgts. Jacob Reinhardt and Thomas Heath, 2nd Combat Weather Systems Squadron weather systems support cadre members from Hurlburt Field, Florida, jumped into the squadron’s pickup truck.

  • AMC’s Phoenix Spark Tank competition recognizes innovation

    Air Mobility Command held its first-ever Phoenix Spark Tank competition at the Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium in Grapevine, Texas, where four finalists proposed their innovation ideas to top Air Force leaders and the president of VOX Space Oct. 26.

  • AFIMSC helps Tyndall get back in the fight

    As Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, recovers from Hurricane Michael Oct. 10, members and teams from across the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center are helping the base get back in the fight.

  • 325th LRS: Helping shape a new Tyndall AFB

    The 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron is a multi-faceted unit working diligently on Hurricane Michael recovery efforts. Two of their five sections are vehicle operations and vehicle maintenance.

  • Air Force Reserve Command activates first ISR Wing

    Born out of necessity in 2012, the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group embraced its destiny to restructure as a wing during a ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Oct. 20.

  • Reserve maintainers take part in Air Force light attack experiment

    Senior Master Sgt. Scott Lopez, 476th Maintenance Squadron maintenance superintendent at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, and Tech. Sgt. Lauren Camarena, an electrical and environmental systems craftsman with the 476th MXS, traveled to Holloman AFB, New Mexico, for two months earlier this year to take

  • JCAT Airman uses combat forensics to evolve the AFCENT mission

    The ideal outcome of any conflict is to achieve victory and come out the other side unscathed. However, an undesired outcome does not mean lessons cannot be learned and applied for future conflicts. The United States military has used this mentality since its inception and applies it today in the

  • Chapman honored with aircraft dedication

    The Air Force dedicated a Boeing C-32 Master Sgt. John Chapman, during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Oct. 26. Chapman was a special tactics combat controller who was posthumously presented the Medal of Honor in August.

  • 920th RQW Airmen prepare for human spaceflight

    To prepare for the arrival of human space flight tests next year, the 920th Rescue Wing along with the DoD Human Space Flight Support Office, NASA and SpaceX personnel joined forces to plan and execute a realistic medical evacuation exercise at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Oct. 25.

  • 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.

  • Enlisted Heritage and Training Complex uses the past to teach the present

    Located mainly on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the Enlisted Heritage and Training Complex uses heritage to train, educate, inspire and recruit Airmen to fly, fight and win the nation’s wars through an extensive array of artifacts and exhibits spanning more than 111 years of aeronautic history.

  • CMSAF shares purpose, pride with Creech AFB Airmen

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright visited Creech Air Force Base for an in-depth look at the Remotely Piloted Aircraft enterprise and the Airmen who ensure the nation’s security.

  • Pilot instructor training embraces change through virtual reality

    Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, has empowered Airmen across the recruiting, training and education enterprise to "be bold, take risks and embrace change" as they make changes to their training curriculum and processes to find the best way to inspire and develop

  • Physiological Episodes – Feedback from the pilot community is critical

    A rise in the number of physiological episodes with primary pilot training aircraft, known as the T-6, is getting a lot of attention from students, instructors and leadership. Air Force Physiological Episodes Action Team leader Brig. Gen. Edward “Hertz” Vaughan recently visited Joint Base San

  • Air Force responds to Hurricane Michael

    Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4 hurricane Oct. 10, with Tyndall Air Force Base directly in its path. Active-duty and National Guard service members were pre-positioned to provide assistance during the storm. And within hours after the hurricane ended, additional Airmen

  • U.S. and NATO firefighters forge through the flames

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe Fire Academy members, assigned to the 435th Construction and Training Squadron, hosted a burn training during a USAFE NATO Firefighter Partnership course, Oct. 5, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

  • Travis AFB poised to deliver after Hurricane Michael

    Within hours of Hurricane Michael’s landfall on the Florida Panhandle, a Travis Air Force Base, California, C-17 Globemaster III, with a crew from the 21st Airlift Squadron and the 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, took off to support civil authorities in humanitarian relief operations.

  • Air Force, Hollywood partner during making of “First Man”

    Since the inception of the Air Force in 1947, film makers, novelists and even creators of video games have wanted to tell the tales of Airmen. The Air Force Public Affairs Entertainment Liaison office works to project and protect the image of the U.S. Air Force within the global entertainment

  • Air Force leaders say increased funding is improving readiness

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein thanked Congress for providing the resources necessary to restore the service’s readiness while testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness and Management

  • 418th FLTS completes 10-year support of NASA Orion parachute tests

    For a decade the 418th Flight Test Squadron has supported NASA by supplying C-17 Globemaster IIIs and personnel to assist with the testing and qualifying of the Orion spacecraft’s parachute system. That support ended Sept. 12 with the success of the final parachute system test over the Army’s Yuma

  • Brothers carry on family legacy in aviation

    Decades ago, a father took his two young sons to the aviation museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Although the father might have known it would be a great vacation for his family, he had no way of knowing the impact the trip would have on his sons’ future decision to join the Air Force.

  • New tech to ease F-35A flight line maintenance

    Maintainers on Hill Air Force Base’s flight line are beginning to utilize new high-tech, hand-held tablets to work on the F-35A Lightning II, the United States’ most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft.

  • Around the Air Force: Non-deployable review / Energy Action Month

    On this look Around the Air Force, the Air Force is finalizing details on how to determine retention for non-deployable Airmen, October is Energy Action Month, and the Air Force expands use of express licensing. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Angelo Rosario.

  • Demonstration results in policy update and optimized operations

    Thanks to an optimization initiative led by Air Force Operational Energy (SAF/IEN), F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor fighter sorties are now requested to fly closer to the fighters' maximum range airspeed, while still within tanker boom limits, during Coronet missions. The faster speed decreases

  • Combat Support Wing exercise showcases agile lethality

    More than 150 Airmen from seven major commands participated in a combat support wing proof-of-concept exercise Sept. 5 to 19 that tested a small team’s capability to conduct agile downrange operations. The exercise, conducted at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, with forward deployments to Moody Air

  • McChord AFB represents USAF in Ample Strike, NATO Days

    Exercise Ample Strike and NATO Days Air Show in the Czech Republic offered an opportunity for 62nd Airlift Wing Airmen from the 4th Airlift Squadron to integrate with NATO forces during a multinational exercise and outreach effort Sept. 8 to 18. This combined exercise directly supports 2018 National

  • Strengthening Ties with Bilateral Exchange

    For over 20 years, Yokota Air Base, Japan has participated in the Bilateral Exchange Program, in which Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airmen experience what it’s like to work as U.S. Air Force Airmen.

  • Rapid Antarctic airlift saves lives

    Just after completing the final flight of the Southern Hemisphere winter Antarctic season, the 304th Expeditionary Air Squadron was alerted there was a medical emergency at the National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station Aug. 25.

  • Edwards AFB creates aerial refueling test tool to save time, money

    Leadership across the Air Force want their workforce to focus on innovation every day, whether it is making things better, more efficient, or saving money. A small team at Edwards Air Force Base can now check off all those boxes with their custom-built test tool designed to cut down test costs and

  • Multi-domain command and control is coming

    In his remarks during this year’s Air Force Association’s Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in National Harber, Maryland, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein explained the importance of Multi-Domain Command and Control in executing the nation’s next fight.

  • Indo-Pacom Wraps Up Valiant Shield 2018

    U.S. military forces from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command wrapped up exercise Valiant Shield 2018, Sept. 23rd, around the Marianas Island Range Complex and on Guam.

  • Reserve Airmen save life in-flight

    A reserve aeromedical evacuation crew from the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron with the 433rd Airlift Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, was flying to support patient transport missions out of Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland when they came together to save the life of a man

  • The Flying First

    That young pilot, Capt. Benjamin Foulois, was in one of eight Curtis JN-3 “Jenny” biplanes participating in the search. The planes were powered with 90-horsepower engines that had a rough time just staying airborne, but they led a reconnaissance mission to kick off Gen. John J. Pershing’s punitive

  • AFCENT command and control operations weather the storm

    The force smashed into their northern and western flank, but still, the Airmen stayed focused on the U.S. Central Command mission, a fight thousands of miles away. The opposing force was no enemy, however. These Airmen of the 609th Air Operations Center, Detachment 1, Shaw Air Force Base, South

  • US Naval Academy tests waters with Hurricane Hunters

    When the subject of summer internships comes up, thoughts of fetching coffee and doing paperwork or answering phone calls come to mind.What does not come to mind is working 10,000 feet in the air in an Air Force Reserve WC-130J Hercules flying through a hurricane for the sake of research.

  • 22nd annual USAF Marathon hosts international field

    This year marks the 22nd annual running of the U.S. Air Force Marathon. The warm and humid weather didn’t stop over 15,000 runners, walkers and spectators from all 50 states and more than ten foreign countries, from taking part at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air

  • “Memphis Belle” exhibit opens at National Museum of the USAF

    Through the cockpit windscreen, Capt. Robert Morgan saw flashes of light from the wings and engine cowling of a German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 at his 12 o’clock and closing at an incredible rate. Each wink of light from the fighter’s wing root meant another 20mm cannon shell was heading directly at his

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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