NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Delivering MRAPs safely downrange

    Delivering mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles downrange to U.S. troops is vital to their safety and overall mission success. Logistics Airmen at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing show their commitment to making this happen safely every day.

  • Year-end review: 386th AEW remembers banner year

    As the world celebrated the passing of another year, and looked to the future with optimistic hope, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, and its leadership, reflected on its accomplishments.

  • Is there a medic onboard?

    While returning from leave, an Osan Air Base Airman sprang into action, saving the life of a fellow passenger mid-flight, Nov. 11, 2017.

  • Air Force selects 63 officers, civilians for test pilot school

    The Air Force has selected 63 primary and alternate students to attend training at the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Naval, British and French test pilot schools, with classes starting next summer.The selection board met in July and considered total force officer and civilian candidates for test pilot, test

  • Helping Haiti’s children: 315th AW delivers school buses

    Reserve Airmen of Joint Base Charleston’s 317th Airlift Squadron, with support from three additional Reserve Airmen of the 514th Air Mobility Wing from JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, transported school buses in a C-17 Globemaster III from JB Charleston to Port-au-Prince, where they were

  • Military branches come together for combat training

    The 366th Fighter Wing is located in the middle of nowhere in southern Idaho, nearly an hour away from a large city. Not exactly the description of a place one would expect military forces from every U.S. service and foreign allies would be excited to visit. In reality, Mountain Home AFB’s

  • Edwards AFB members win top DoD maintenance award

    Members of the 412th Test Wing’s Emerging Technologies Combined Test Force and the 412th Maintenance Group won the Department of Defense 2017 Maintenance Innovation Challenge People's Choice Award for using small unmanned aircraft systems to conduct exterior maintenance inspections on large

  • Finding the way: Special tactics chief awarded Silver Star

    Chief Master Sgt. Michael West, 24th Special Operations Wing special tactics operator, utilized 58 coalition aircraft delivering 24,000 pounds of munitions, turning the tide of battle, and now he’s receiving the Silver Star Medal.

  • Viper Patrol first layer of defense downrange

    Defenders of the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron stand ready to protect lives and secure the installation in a deployed environment by going outside the wire each day as part of Viper Patrol.

  • ANG provides aerial imagery support for Southern California fires

    Air National Guard members from the 195th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group at Beale Air Force Base are providing aerial imagery support to fire departments battling fires in Southern California. The 163rd Air Attack Wing is providing video of the Thomas Fire to the 195th ISRG by

  • Total force medical team transports Sailor home

    When a 34-year-old Navy Ssailor suffered multiple traumatic injuries during a mission in Syria, a Total Force team of medical professionals and mMobility Airmen sprung into action, intent on saving the life of a fellow service member.

  • Operation Christmas Drop launches

    The 66th iteration of Operation Christmas Drop took to the sky Dec. 11, 2017 as military leaders ceremoniously pushed the first pallet of donated toys, food, supplies and educational materials into a C-130J Super Hercules at Andersen Air Force Base.

  • JTACs, aircrews participate in joint exercise over PRTC

    Aircrews from Ellsworth Air Force Base worked side-by-side with members of the 582nd Helicopter Group out of F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming and joint terminal attack controllers from the England’s Royal Air Force during a joint-training exercise over the Powder River Training Complex in western South

  • Columbus AFB AFE keeps pilot production going

    The Air Force is known for its air supremacy around the globe, and pilots are recognized for their ability to keep the skies safe from America’s enemies. But who keeps the pilots safe?

  • Hill AFB F-35A maintainers passing the Pacific TSP test

    Five weeks into the first F-35A Pacific Theater Security Package deployment the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit team is at full stride.Maintainers in the Pacific location and in Utah, home of the 34th AMU under the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings are coming together to make the first TSP a success and

  • 386th AEW MOC gatekeeper of a broader scope

    The Airmen of the maintenance operations center are responsible for recording the mission capabilities of all aircraft under the 386th AEW purview. The information gathered helps analysts determine trends in aircraft maintenance needs, creating opportunities to preclude long-term problems. The

  • AF awards recognize pilot excellence

    With a continued focus on solving the pilot retention problem and maintaining air dominance, Air Force senior leaders look to celebrate the culture and flying expertise of their pilots.

  • 35th FW relocates for Vigilant Ace 18

    The 35th Fighter Wing relocated 18 F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 280 personnel to participate in Vigilant Ace 18, an annual flying exercise at Osan Air Base, South Korea, occurring Dec. 4 - 8, 2017.

  • Combat RPAs integral in defeating ISIS

    U.S. forces, coalition partners and Syrian Democratic Forces liberated Raqqah, Syria from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s control in early October 2017. ISIS used the city as its capital for terrorist operations since January 2014.

  • Could flying faster save the Air Force fuel?

    On a Sunday morning just outside of Anchorage, Alaska, a group of Hawaii Air National Guard fighter pilots gathered around a desk at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to hear the day's operational briefing after three weeks of training at Red Flag Alaska.

  • First Afghan UH-60 pilots graduate

    Six Afghan Air Force members became the first ever AAF UH-60 Black Hawk pilots, after graduation from Aircraft Qualification Training during a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 20, 2017.

  • 386th AEW celebrates 75 years of history

    On Dec. 1, 2017, the 386th BG, now the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, celebrates its 75th birthday; a journey that started at MacDill Air Field, Tampa, Florida, in 1942 and continues to this day at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

  • Around the Air Force: Dec. 1

    On this look around the Air Force the preferred location for a new MQ-9 Reaper wing is selected, continuation pay rates are announced for the Blended Retirement System (BRS), and Exercise Lightning Focus is taking place in Australia. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Anastasia Tompkins.

  • Special Tactics Airmen survey airfields to gain an operational advantage

    Special Tactics Airmen from Air Force Special Operations Command conducted multiple airfield surveys with their Afghan Air Force counterparts in Faryab province this week. Airfield surveys are executed prior to the arrival of special operations and conventional aircraft to traditional airfields and

  • Hurricane Hunters close intense 2017 season

    As massive spirals of lightning, wind and rain, hurricanes are some of the most dangerous and destructive forces in nature. And the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters fly directly into the center of them.

  • Airman brings Reaper, ISR capabilities closer together

    Among the exceptional Airmen of the 25th Air Force are many inspirational leaders, motivators and innovators. Staff Sgt. Nick, 526th Intelligence Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of Distributed Mission Site Flight Operations, is one of those unique Airmen.

  • Hill AFB’s F-35A, Airmen mastering first Pacific deployment

    More than 300 men and women of the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah and 12 F-35A Lightning IIs are conducting business for the next six months on the subtropical Japanese island of Okinawa during a deployment known as a Theater Security Package.

  • Guardsmen deploy at home and abroad

    The Wyoming Air National Guard stands faithfully in support of both domestic and federal missions assisting victims in need throughout the world by providing aid when called upon.

  • Air Guard dual mission: helping at home and abroad

    Not long ago, Airmen from the 158th Airlift Squadron, Savannah, Georgia, were delivering supplies with their fleet of C-130H Hercules to hurricane victims in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. But just a few weeks later, they find themselves on the other side of the world in Southwest Asia

  • Airmen conduct long-range rescue of cruise passenger

    Within two hours of the call, Airmen with the 920th Rescue Wing took to the skies bound for a cruise ship roughly 500 miles off the Florida coastline carrying an elderly passenger suffering an acute condition and in need of medical evacuation Nov. 7, 2017.

  • ART of the mission: the air reserve technician

    The Air Force has a full complement of people working to accomplish the Air Force mission of fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. The Air Force Reserve plays a vital role in this mission, supplying combat-ready forces to work alongside their active-duty counterparts in both wartime and

  • Speed drives Air Force, DoD innovation, improvements

    Speed is the crux of innovation and improvements the Defense Department will make to ensure the force is ready for any contingency, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson said at the Defense One Summit Nov. 9, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

  • Airman shares story of family, service in wake of natural disasters

    Growing up in Puerto Rico five miles from Roosevelt Roads, one Airman from Travis Air Force Base, California knows all too well the dangers due to the location of the island.“Since I was a child, my family would always stock pile food and water in preparation for the hurricane season,” said Capt.

  • Air Force recognizes veterans in blue

    Veterans in Blue 2017 is now available online. First launched in 2010, Veterans in Blue is a portrait collection showcasing men and women who have contributed to the security of our nation and the legacy of the Air Force.

  • Repair facility saves AFGSC $13 million

    The nuclear mission cannot be stopped by old or non-functioning aircraft components. The solution to this is a trip to a bomber hydraulic Centralized Repair Facility which saves time and money.

  • AMC commander hosts fireside chat with Airmen at A/TA symposium

    Reminiscing on heritage, taking a mission tour around the world and ending with a personal fireside chat were a few of the ways Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, Air Mobility Command commander, addressed Airmen during the closing remarks at the 2017 Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium Oct. 28, 2017, in

  • Flying Jennies ready for combat airlift mission

    In Greek mythology, a phoenix is a bird that obtains new life by rising from the ashes. Many members of the 815th Airlift Squadron might be able to relate to this tale of renewal or resurrection, except their symbol isn’t a legendary bird, but a hard-working and practical pack mule—a Flying Jenny.In

  • USAFE WPC introduces new domed simulator

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Warrior Preparation Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony highlighting the delivery and operational status of the new Joint Terminal Attack Controller domed simulator Nov. 2, 2017.

  • Brother’s in life, brother’s in-arms reunite downrange

    Saying goodbye to family members before a deployment can be stressful. But rarely does a service member cross paths with a sibling while deployed downrange; this recent uplifting experience was the case for two brothers, both serving in the military on separate paths.

  • F-35 mission data programmers recognized by AF

    The 53rd Wing’s 513th Electronic Warfare Squadron was awarded the Outstanding Scientist/Engineer Team of 2017 for their work on the F-35A Lightning II Initial Operational Capability delivery at Eglin Air Force Base, Oct. 25, 2017.

  • C-130Js resupply U.S. SOUTHCOM Honduras mission

    A 317th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules crew at Dyess AFB completed a routine global channel mission to provide sustainment and supplies to Airmen supporting U.S. Southern Command Joint Task Force-Bravo in Honduras Oct. 18, 2017.

  • Airfield systems Airmen prepare for AFSC merge

    Airmen assigned to the 20th Operations Support Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base are getting ahead of the curve by preparing for an Air Force specialty code merger scheduled for November 2017.

  • ACC commander engages Airmen, discusses priorities

    Gen. Mike Holmes, Air Combat Command commander, visited the men and women of Moody Air Force Base, Oct. 17-18, 2017.While gaining an in-depth exposure of the installation’s unique assets, Holmes used this visit as an opportunity to explain to Airmen their role in the fight and how it contributes to

  • F-35A scheduled for first operational deployment to Indo-Asia-Pacific

    Approximately 300 Airmen and 12 F-35A Lightning IIs from Hill Air Force Base, Utah’s 34th Fighter Squadron are set to deploy to Kadena Air Base, Japan for a six month rotation. The aircraft and supporting personnel are scheduled to arrive at Kadena AB in early November 2017.

  • B-1Bs conduct flyover during Seoul ADEX 17

    Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers conducted a flyover during the 2017 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, also known as Seoul ADEX 17, at Seoul Airport, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2017.

  • AETC leaders learn from Airmen who celebrate life

    Twenty-two Airmen, most from Air Education and Training Command and several from around the Air Force, presented their stories of resiliency and their ideas about how to celebrate life at AETC’s annual Senior Leaders' Conference at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Oct. 19, 2017.

  • 386th AEW completes first flight of Block 5 MQ-9

    The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing successfully completed its first combat mission with the latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.The wing’s remotely piloted aircraft unit, the 46th Expeditionary Attack Squadron, transitioned its attack and reconnaissance airframes

  • Airmen complete Hurricane Maria mission, return from Puerto Rico

    Thirty-five members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group returned Oct. 17, 2017, completing a three-week deployment to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they processed more than 7.2 million pounds of humanitarian aid for recovery operations following Hurricane Maria.

  • Airman counters life's jabs

    God. Family. Boxing. That’s all that matters to Airman 1st Class Isaiah Randall, 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice.Life’s unpredictable ups and downs often test people in ways that shake the foundations that give them peace though.

  • US forces to participate in Seoul ADEX 2017

    The U.S. military will be represented at the 2017 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, or Seoul ADEX 17, at Seoul Airport, South Korea, Oct. 17-22, 2017.

  • 386th ESFS trains for high risk response

    At any given moment, the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron stands ready to protect, defend and fight against all threats to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. Among those men and women who guard the wing’s high valued assets and people, is a newly formed group of defenders who dedicate

  • A/TA honors air mobility pioneer

    The Airlift/Tanker Association honored Sir Alan Cobham as their 28th Hall of Fame inductee Oct. 5, 2017, as they held an unveiling ceremony of his bust now located in Scott Air Force Base’s Walk of Fame area.

  • ACS Internal Medicine keeping pilots flying, improves research

    The Aeromedical Consultation Service here at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base reviews more than 2,000 waiver recommendation requests for Air Force pilots, navigators and other air crew annually. A staff of approximately 80 Airmen at the ACS ensures aviators get back in the sky as soon as possible.

  • Afghan president welcomes first Afghan AF Black Hawks

    The first two UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters arrived at Kandahar Airfield Oct. 7, 2017, welcomed by top Afghan and Resolute Support officials.Led by President Ashraf Ghani, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the landmark progress of the Afghan Air Force’s modernization effort and inaugurated

  • Dutch C-130’s supply coalition fight

    The Royal Netherlands Air Force completed its first C-130 Hercules supply mission from Southwest Asia in support of coalition forces operating throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct. 3, 2017.

  • AF team fuels aerial fight to defeat ISIS

    Comprised of active-duty, Guard and Reserve aircrew service members, the men and women of the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron help project combat power by providing agile, effective air refueling in line with the objectives of the Combined Forces Air Component Command and Combined Joint

  • AF recognizes 2016 Sijan award winners

    Four Airmen received the 2016 Lance P. Sijan U.S. Air Force Leadership Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 5, 2017.

  • 500th F-35 pilot takes to the sky

    The Air Force trained and graduated the 500th F-35 Lightning II pilot across the joint and international enterprise Sept. 19, 2017, at Eglin Air Force Base.

  • 821st CRG deploys throughout the Caribbean

    The 821st Contingency Response Group stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California, deployed four teams throughout the Caribbean to support Hurricane Maria disaster relief efforts.

  • POL troops fuel the fight against ISIS

    Much like day-to-day life in modern society, the military relies on fuels to power its ground and air operations. The fuels management section of the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron is tasked with the control, distribution and testing of the mission essential fuels that keep the

  • AF awards contracts for next-generation ICBM airborne launch control system

    The Air Force awarded two contracts Oct. 3, 2017, for upgrading the system that enables an aircraft to control an intercontinental ballistic missile’s launch from a silo in the ground.The three-year contracts of about $81 million each were awarded to Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Littleton,

  • Dover AFB Airmen lifeline to hurricane survivors

    Dover Air Force Base Airmen have a proud history of delivering help in dire situations all across the world. No matter the circumstance, these men and women can be on site in a short amount of time providing hope for those in need. The 3rd Airlift Squadron from the 436th Airlift Wing supported

  • Innovation saves AMC $2 million annually

    The 437th Airlift Wing began modifying the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft with new mounts for the Electronic Flight Bag Sept. 25, 2017. The new mounts will increase flight safety in C-17s and are estimated to save Air Mobility Command $2 million in repairs annually.

  • Joint effort delivers relief cargo to Puerto Rico

    Members of the 15th Airlift Squadron and 437th Airlift Wing, flew a C-17 Globemaster III to Fort Drum, New York, Sept. 28, 2017, to pick up aid supplies before flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, battered the U.S. territory.

  • Air National Guard restores FAA capabilities for Puerto Rico

    A week and a half post Hurricane Maria, it is hard to tell the Federal Aviation Administration was at “ground zero” and in the dark with no power or communication capabilities. Now, the air traffic flow at San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport is back to normal thanks to the Air National

  • Retired AF pilots welcomed back on active duty

    Retired Air Force pilots holding Air Force Specialty Code 11X are encouraged to apply for the Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty Program in order to fill rated staff positions to help alleviate the existing manning shortages within the Air Force rated pilot community.

  • Reserve first sergeants hit ground running, adapt to active duty tempo

    Every Airman serving has to meet the same training, education and proficiency standards of their career field, regardless of whether or not they are active duty, Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve. Here at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, total force integration is exemplified in the first

  • BEEliners bring humanitarian aid to St. Croix

    As Army and Marine Corps helicopters delivered humanitarian aid throughout St. Croix, an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Travis Air Force Base, California, landed Sept. 23, 2017 at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, bringing humanitarian aid to residents affected by Hurricanes Irma and