NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Kentucky ANG establishes air hub for Hurricane Maria relief

    Thirty-two members of the 123rd Contingency Response Group departed the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 23, 2017, to establish an air cargo hub that will support Hurricane Maria relief operations across the Caribbean.

  • 437th AW crew provides quick-response relief following Hurricane Maria

    Members of the 14th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency completed a humanitarian mission in support of Hurricane Maria to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Sept. 23, 2017.

  • ANG Airmen provide contingency response in USVI

    Air National Guard units from three U.S. states combined assets, manpower and expertise to provide critical control of military airlift to the heavily battered island of St. Thomas in the wake of Hurricane Irma.Airmen from the 133rd Airlift Wing in Minneapolis, Minnesota; 146th AW in Camarillo,

  • Joint team delivers relief in Hurricane Maria aftermath

    Members of the 14th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina delivered 17 pallets containing more than 129,000 pounds of food and water to St. Croix, Virgin Islands in support of relief efforts after Hurricane Maria, Sept. 24, 2017.

  • 55th HMU: Ready to repair at a moment’s notice

    High above the desert mountains, an HH-60G Pave Hawk glided through the evening air. What was supposed to be a standard maneuvering exercise turned into an inflight emergency when the helicopter suffered a detrimental bird strike.

  • Air Force, Army partnership feeds the warfighter

    The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing plays a major logistical role in delivering critical supplies to the frontlines in the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. One of the ways the 386th AEW supports the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve mission is by conducting airdrops

  • Travis AFB C-17 delivers response team to Mexico

    A C-17 Globemaster III from Travis Air Force Base arrived at Mexico City International Airport in support of earthquake relief efforts Sept. 21, 2017. The crew delivered 67 U.S. Agency for International Development elite disaster team members and five canines, along with equipment and medical

  • Air Force leaders address aircrew crisis

    More than 60 Air Force senior leaders discussed the Air Force’s aircrew crisis which has left the service more than 1,500 pilots short of its requirements Sept. 22, 2017, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

  • Operator recognized for exceptional service with aircrew

    Tech. Sgt. Nathan, 25th Intelligence Squadron direct support operator, along with his fellow aircrew members were recently selected as the recipients of the Air Force Association's 2017 Lt. Gen. William H. Tunner Award..

  • 621st CRW Airmen deploy in response to Hurricane Irma

    The 821st Contingency Response Group from Travis Air Force Base, California, alerted a 64-person contingency response element to Marathon Regional Airport, located in the Florida Keys, where they arrived in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Sept. 11, 2017.

  • Mobility Airmen enhance partnerships during Pacific Airlift Rally

    The destructive power of Mother Nature has made headlines around the world, and every country is fighting its own war when it comes to natural disasters and humanitarian relief. To prepare for such events in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. Pacific Air Force and Sri Lanka Air Force co-hosted

  • Civil engineers make critical runway repairs, keep missions moving

    Maintaining an airfield is never an easy task, especially when it’s one of the busiest in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility. Responsible for making critical runway repairs, the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s heavy equipment operator team ensures that the 386th

  • AFMC commander: Agility, innovation to fuel future of AF logistics

    The future of Air Force logistics will find Airmen tapping into a secure digital network of archived additive manufacturing specifications, allowing for the 3D-printed creation of a weapons system component whenever and wherever needed.This agile manufacturing approach is just one way Air Force

  • 601st AOC's AMD provides critical link during hurricane relief

    In the throes of a hurricane, emerging requirements for military air assets throughout the affected area can create a chaotic web of demand signals with varying levels of priority. When those demands require the use of U.S. Transportation Command or Air National Guard assets, it is the job of the

  • CSAF hosts POTUS during airpower demo

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein hosted President Donald J. Trump for an airpower demo during the 2017 Joint Base Andrews Air Show: America’s Air and Space Expo at JB Andrews, Maryland, Sept. 15, 2017.

  • Around the Air Force: Sept. 15

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – On this look around the Air Force, Airmen conduct search and rescue missions in the Florida Keys, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., provides truckloads of supplies for Hurricane Irma victims and Boeing will design the next Air Force One. Hosted by Airman 1st Class

  • JET/IA Airmen connect blue line back to AF

    The 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron is a small unit. With about 10 assigned staff, and 20 quick-response aerial port Airmen, they have a small footprint. Their reach, however, is far more expansive than meets the eye. They have the responsibility of providing all levels of administrative support to

  • DoD, academia test systems for GPS denial

    Navigating the globe was once done using the sun, moon and stars as references, but modern times bring modern methods, and the majority of the world now relies on GPS for its navigation needs.

  • McConnell AFB innovation saves $40K, increases safety

    The 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron’s vehicle management flight recently constructed and installed a modification on a vehicle to enhance the safety of McConnell Air Force Base Airmen while saving the Air Force thousands of dollars.

  • Nellis AFB to support Hurricane Irma rescue operations

    In mid-afternoon Sept. 8, 2017, the 66th Rescue Squadron and 823rd Maintenance Squadron assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, received a call from U.S. Northern Command to ready teams to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency search and rescue efforts in the Florida Keys following the

  • Ops Airmen, key to mission success

    Before an F-22 Raptor takes off for training or a combat mission, maintainers and weapons Airmen are seen on the flight line preparing, servicing and readying the jet to contest any airspace. However, it takes more than fifth generation machinery and flight line crews to accomplish the mission. A

  • Air Force delivers doctors, aid to Florida

    Three C-17s from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina and Dover Air Force Base, Delaware flew more than 300 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to Orlando, Florida, Sept. 9, 2017, in anticipation of Hurricane Irma’s landfall Sept. 10.

  • Rescue assets preposition for Hurricane Irma relief

    Moody Air Force Base aircraft and rescue assets relocated to Columbus AFB, Mississippi, Sept. 9, 2017, before Hurricane Irma’s arrival.The aircraft and rescue assets will remain at Columbus AFB before re-engaging with other Moody AFB assets to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and

  • E-8C JSTARS evacuate to Tinker AFB

    Five E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft from the 116th Air Control Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, evacuated to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, to escape the path of Hurricane Irma Sept. 9, 2017.

  • Kentucky Air Guardsmen evacuate personnel following Hurricane Irma

    For the second time in two weeks, special operators and aircrews from the Kentucky Air National Guard have deployed to support hurricane rescue operations, evacuating more than 170 U.S. citizens from the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Maarten Sept. 9, 2017.

  • Dobbins ARB provides hurricane evacuation support

    Late on the evening of Sept. 6, 2017, the first of several KC-130 Super Hercules carrying evacuees landed at the Dobbins Air Reserve Base flightline. What began as a typical aircraft arrival scene with airfield managers guiding the planes in, became a bit more unique as Marine Corps aircrews

  • Reserve wing continues fire fighting efforts

    Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing sent a second Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 to Fresno Air Tanker Base, California Sept. 6, 2017, to support ongoing aerial fire fighting efforts in the Western U.S.

  • Civil Air Patrol links 300 stranded people to needed help

    A Civil Air Patrol aircraft taking photos along the rain-swollen Colorado River near Wharton, Texas, received a radio call for help and observed a group of people gathered at Holy Families Catholic Church. Three hundred people sought shelter from the floodwaters that cut-off access to the town of

  • EPLOs provide critical coordination to FEMA disaster relief efforts

    As three CH-47 Chinooks flew into Joint Base San Antonio-Seguin Auxiliary Airfield from the west, , Col. Harry Hughes, an emergency preparedness liaison officer, quickly worked through how to alleviate a back-up of overflow truck traffic onto the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Incident

  • AFNORTH wraps up Hurricane Harvey ops, looks East to Irma

    As Hurricane Harvey slammed into coastal Texas the last week of August, Houston and the surrounding area were pounded with unprecedented amounts of rain – experiencing 50 inches of rain in a matter of days. That is more than the annual average for the region.

  • Time Tested: Airman serves 21 years on same aircraft

    Since entering active military service in 1956, the C-130 Hercules has earned its place in the storied history of air power, time and time again. From Vietnam all the way up through Operation Inherent Resolve, the C-130 has always made a name for itself by providing critical airlift.For Master Sgt.

  • Keesler AFB medical team supports hurricane relief effort

    An Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Team, and a supporting logistics team, from Keesler Air Force Base arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Aug. 30, 2017, to support the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

  • 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 keeps rescue operations fueled

    Airmen from 71st Rescue Squadron and 23d Logistics Readiness Squadron conducting forward area refueling point operations were the life blood to air search and rescue missions going Aug. 31, 2017 in Beaumont, Texas.

  • Special Tactics saves lives in Hurricane Harvey aftermath

    To assist in rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, 38 Special Tactics Airmen deployed to Southeast Texas to provide critical disaster relief.Special Tactics Airmen with the 123rd and 125th Special Tactics Squadrons exercised their personnel rescue and global access capabilities to

  • Compass Call dominates OIR with electronic warfare

    Often times when we think about how air power is used in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, we think about cargo aircraft delivering critical supplies and personnel to the frontlines or bombs being dropped onto targets. What’s not often thought of is how the Air Force has the

  • 774th EAS conducts first combat airdrop in more than two years

    Months of planning and weeks of preparing culminates to an airdrop lasting a few seconds. While the time and effort that goes into planning a combat airdrop may seem long for something that lasts less than a minute, for the ground troops, the equipment they received will have a lasting impact.

  • Moody AFB assets launch for rescue operations

    HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 41st Rescue Squadron launch sorties in support of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, Aug. 29, 2017, at Easterwood Airport, College Station, Texas. The 347th Rescue Group from Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, sent aircraft and personnel in support of the Federal Emergency

  • JB Charleston provides aid to hurricane victims

    Two C-17 Globemaster III aircraftr left Joint base Charleston carrying 30.6 tons of relief supplies to Alexandria International Airport, Alexandria, Louisiana, in response to Hurricane Harvey Aug. 29, 2017.

  • Rescue assets preposition for Hurricane Harvey response

    Airmen from the 23rd Wing launched HC-130J Combat King IIs, HH-60G Pavehawks and their aircrews to preposition assets to potentially respond to recovery operations in the wake of Hurricane Harvey at Moody Air Force Base, Aug. 26, 2017.The 23rd Wing received a prepare to deploy order to support

  • Two-week summit takes aim at aircrew retention

    The Aircrew Crisis Task Force hosted a two-week aircrew retention summit here as part of a holistic approach to improve readiness and capacity by increasing retention of experienced aviators Aug. 14-25, 2017.

  • Hurricane Hunters track Harvey

    Harvey began as a scattered collection of clouds drifting across the Atlantic Ocean and in just over a week has developed into a category two hurricane.

  • Charleston C-17 flies on "dark side of the moon"

    An aircrew of reserve Airmen from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina had the opportunity Aug. 21, 2017 to fly a routine C-17 Globemaster III training mission under not so routine conditions–flying in the path of a total solar eclipse.

  • Airmen, Sailors prepare to support F-35 at sea

    Two Petty Officers 1st Class from the USS Abraham Lincoln received initial training from the Air Force’s 33rd Maintenance Squadron’s Aerospace Ground Equipment, or AGE, flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Aug. 7-11, 2017.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • ATOC works around the clock to keep cargo and personnel moving

    Maintaining the inbound and outbound movement of cargo and personnel in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve requires careful coordination between a multitude of entities. In order for the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing to effectively complete its mission and deliver

  • Stealth Guardian demonstrates rescue, 5th generation integration

    Two wings, one mission: to execute a local squadron-planned exercise between the 23d Wing and the 325th Fighter Wing during Exercise Stealth Guardian August 7-11, 2017.During months of planning between Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida and Moody AFB, Georgia., Exercise Stealth Guardian was conceived

  • Celebrating Air Force heritage: The “Great Centennial” squadrons

    This calendar year has marked many great anniversaries, including the 75th anniversary of Air Training Command and the 70th anniversary of the Air Force. August marks the 110th anniversary of the Aeronautical Division of the Sign Corps—an unbroken line of Airmen began with its creation on Aug. 1,

  • Mobility Guardian draws to an end

    Crews flew approximately 1,200 hours in eight days, executing almost 650 sorties during Exercise Mobility Guardian, July 31 to Aug. 12, 2017.

  • F-35As fly in weapons evaluation

    Airmen from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings supported and flew their F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Combat Hammer, the first operational air-to-ground weapons evaluation for the Air Force’s newest fighter jets.

  • AFRL tests high-efficiency engine for unmanned aircraft

    The Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Power Technology Office, along with Engineered Propulsion Systems and the Arnold Engineering and Development Center, recently concluded ground-based testing of an advanced diesel engine that promises to increase the utility and ease the logistics burden of

  • BLUE: The Cyber Shield

    Air Force TV has released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE.

  • 62nd FS mate finally laid to rest

    Nearly 50 Airmen assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, attended the funeral of former 62nd FS pilot 2nd Lt. Charles E. Carlson at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania, Aug. 4, 2017.

  • Ellsworth AFB Airmen train with foreign allies

    Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Bombers, under the command of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces, joined their counterparts from South Korean and Japanese air forces in sequenced bilateral missions, Aug. 7, 2017.

  • 8th Fighter Squadron reactivated after six years

    A pilot strides forward, his green flight suit a stark contrast to the pale blue of a desert morning sky. An insignia, circled in gold and donning a sheep with a wool coat black as night, is stitched atop his right breast. He hikes up a ladder, hands gripping steel and hops into the cockpit of an

  • Luke graduates first F-35A initial qualification course

    The 61st Fighter Squadron made history graduating the first F-35A Lightning II initial qualification course Aug. 5, 2017. After eight months of tremendous teamwork from across the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base produced six F-35A fighter pilots ready for the combat Air Force.

  • Mobility Guardian Phase 2 begins

    The second half of Exercise Mobility Guardian began Aug. 6, 2017, and will focus on training aircrew on advanced tactical air operations.

  • Search for our fallen continues

    Drenched in sweat from the hot, humid Vietnam weather, our shovels breached the earth’s surface excavating the ground and placing it into buckets to be screened as we searched for one of our own.

  • SECAF talks Light Attack Experiment, innovation at AFA dinner

    While speaking at an Air Force Association event in Arlington, Va., Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson highlighted the four aircraft that Air Force pilots will fly through a range of combat mission scenarios in the Light Attack Experimentation Campaign at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico

  • Mobility Guardian, AMC’s premier exercise

    Train like we fight is the focus of the inaugural iteration of the largest scale exercise in Air Mobility Command history.Mobility Guardian will feature more than 3,000 personnel, including 25 international countries, from July 31 to Aug. 11, 2017, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

  • Cold War hero laid to rest

    His final journey began with the beat of a drum. The sky was clear. A light breeze was blowing as the hero’s family, friends and well-wishers followed the flag-draped coffin carried by the caisson pulled by six black horses.