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  • Cherish every moment

    It’s 4 a.m., and a car parks outside the family home. Inside, a proud father of two takes one last look at his daughter and son before hugging his wife and walking out the door.As the car drives off, he stares out the window, hoping his wife and children will be all right for the next six months.

  • Air advisor teamwork enhances expeditionary Air Force compound

    Over the past four months, a small team of air advisors, deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve to Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, combined its efforts to enhance and improve the U.S. Air Force’s compound, changing the working conditions for the airmen assigned

  • Colonel promotes wife, then retires

    When military members hold their promotion ceremonies, many times their families enjoy the occasion alongside them. Spouses, children, parents, siblings and other relatives witness the time-honored ceremony and take part in the tradition of pinning or tacking on the next rank.

  • A-10 pilot spits fire in fight against ISIS

    Originally tasked to deploy as an A-10 pilot in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Lt. Col. Ben Rudolphi saw his mission change before even leaving the U.S.Instead of manning his aircraft, he was given the opportunity to lead others as the commander of the 407th Expeditionary Operation Support

  • Innovation challenge brings possible advancement in F-22 test capabilities

    The 412th Test Wing’s Experimentation Center for Ideas/Technology Exploration team, known as XCITE, hosted a one-day innovation challenge July 10, 2017.Several engineers from around Edwards Air Force Base partnered with members of the Desert High School Robotics team to come up with a solution to a

  • Top AF analysis leader recognized

    Gen. Mike Holmes, the commander of Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis received the Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent Leadership Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon July 11, 2017.

  • RED HORSE Airmen battle heat, darkness to shape future

    On a construction site at the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, all five senses are constantly bombarded. The sun scorches every inch of uncovered skin. Gusting winds kick up sand and dirt, making it difficult to see. Deafening machines saturate the air with the smell and taste of fumes.

  • Bonded through service, linked by fate

    Thousands gathered to witness an extraordinary display of resilience and strength by the nation’s wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans representing all branches of the military during the 2017 Defense Department Warrior Games in Chicago. The lives of two master sergeants became

  • Commanders to have more say in developmental education opportunities

    Air Force officials recently announced changes to the nomination process for officer developmental education beginning with the results of the March 2017 Line of Air Force Major Board. The March 2017 LAF Major’s Board results will be released publicly July 18, 2017, and will not include

  • Chaplain candidates participate in internship

    About 20 years ago, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor placed his hands on a 7-year-old boy’s forehead. After a moment of reflection, he prophesied the boy would be a man of God. Today, that boy is now 2nd Lt. William Hammond, an Air Force chaplain candidate completing his Master of Divinity. The

  • USAFA cadets train for future at 386th AEW

    Each summer, rising juniors at the U.S. Air Force Academy travel to military bases across the globe to get a first-hand look at how support and operational functions work together to accomplish a wing’s mission. This year, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted approximately twenty cadets as part

  • Robins AFB finishes Global Hawk work

    A special ribbon-cutting ceremony, signaling the early completion of work on the first RQ-4 Global Hawk at Robins Air Force Base, was held on the base flight line here June 29, 2017.

  • Foreign-born Airmen deploy, live their American dream

    The Air Force is proud of its diversity, providing Airmen the opportunity to live and visit places they never would imagine going and working with people from all walks of life. Two Airmen, who are deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, as part of the 451st Expeditionary Support Squadron, are

  • Holloman AFB Airman named Fighter Instructor Pilot of the Year

    One of Holloman’s Airmen, Maj. John R. Widmer, 314th Fighter Squadron flight commander and an F-16 instructor pilot, was named the Air Force’s Fighter Instructor Pilot of the Year. The award is designed to recognize fighter pilots and weapon systems officers’ commitment, performance, leadership and

  • Block 5 MQ-9 debuts in combat

    The latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper, the Block 5 variant, flew its first successful combat mission June 23, 2017, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

  • ICBM Country: Hill AFB workers play key role in future of strategic defense

    The Air Force is responsible for two legs of the U.S. strategic nuclear triad, intercontinental ballistic missiles and bombers. Airmen, civilian employees and contractors at Hill AFB are working hard to provide that strategic ICBM need by overseeing the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, the

  • Air Force offers tuition assistance for civil service Ph.D. candidates

    Air Force officials recently approved tuition assistance funding for eligible Ph.D. candidates through the Civilian Tuition Assistance Program. Applications are due July 2, 2017 for academic programs this fall and need to include a strong justification statement explaining how the course work

  • Wright-Patterson AFB goes to the bees

    Hundreds of base personnel and members of the public were buzzing about the same thing at the Wright Brothers Memorial June 21, 2017 – Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s status as the first military installation nationwide to be declared a “Bee City USA.”

  • Thunderbird aircraft mishap at air show

    The United States Air Force Thunderbirds were conducting a single-ship familiarization flight on Friday June 23, 2017. Upon landing there was a mishap at the Dayton International Airport with an F-16D Fighting Falcon at approximately 12:20 p.m. Emergency services are on the scene. We will provide

  • Magazine Day at Pentagon showcases Airmen, innovation

    In the three years since its inception, the Air Force’s Magazine Day has cultivated relationships and strengthened interaction with media outlets to help spark future story ideas highlighting the innovation, courage and dedication of Airmen.

  • U.S., NATO wrap up Saber Strike 17

    Saber Strike 17, a month-long exercise including 11,000 U.S. and NATO military members from 20 countries, wraps up June 24.The exercise took place in various regions in the Baltics and Poland beginning May 28.

  • Luke AFB to resume local F-35A flying operations

    The 56th Fighter Wing will resume local F-35A Lightning II flight operations June 21, 2017, following an 11-day pause after five physiological events occurred during flights from May 2-June 8, 2017.

  • Honoring a legacy of 100 years

    ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFNS)--Bringing the past to the present, honoring 100 years of heritage, the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons and associated aircraft maintenance units have always played a significant role in the nation’s defense - a heritage stemming from World War I that has only

  • Air Force Stands Up New Headquarters Space Directorate

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson has approved the reorganization of the Air Force headquarters to establish a Deputy Chief of Staff for Space Operations, who will be a three-star Air Force general officer.

  • Fighter wings successfully field test F-35A ammunition loader

    The 388th Fighter Wing, the Air Force’s first F-35 Lightning II operational wing, recently received five F-35A bulk ammunition loaders for field use.Airmen extensively tested one of the loaders June 6-9, 2017, during an engineering validation and verification evaluation here.

  • Tech Report: Flight simulators

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- Flight simulators help keep future pilots safe by giving them a realistic flying experience before getting into the cockpit of a real aircraft.

  • Around the Air Force: June 12

    On this look around the Air Force, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. David Goldfein, testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Cory Kuttler.

  • 68th Rescue Flight transitions to 68th Rescue Squadron

    As one of the only human based weapon systems in the Air Force, Guardian Angel must have highly trained personnel dedicated to the Air Force core function of personnel recovery. Guardian Angel is comprised of combat rescue officers, pararescuemen, and survival, evasion, resistance, and escape

  • 68th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award winners announced

    Air Force officials are pleased to announce the three recipients of the 68th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award. The three distinguished winners are scheduled to be honored by the award commission at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

  • Arctic Challenge exercise aims to increase interoperability

    Twelve F-15C Eagles and about 200 personnel from the 493rd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and two KC-135 Stratotankers and over 30 personnel from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England, deployed to bases in Finland and Sweden for exercise Arctic

  • Dunford urges new AF officers to lead in Academy graduation address

    While the new officers of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2017 must never stop learning, it's time to lead, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at graduation ceremonies in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford thanked the 979 graduates for answering the call to

  • AF rolls out fiscal 2018 space budget

    Air Force leaders met with media to discuss specifics of the service’s fiscal 2018 space investment budget at the Pentagon May 24, 2017. The request totals $7.75 billion, an approximately 20 percent increase from fiscal year 2017.

  • AF presents fiscal year 2018 budget

    The Air Force presented its fiscal year 2018 president's budget request May 23, 2017, following the Defense Department and sister services’ budget briefings.

  • AF showcases game-changing technologies at DOD Lab Day

    Scientists and engineers from the Air Force Research Laboratory presented 16 technology research projects in various stages of maturity during the second biennial Department of Defense Lab Day May 18, 2017, in the Pentagon center courtyard.

  • Dragon Lady makes historic appearance at Northern Edge

    Looking across the flightline at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson during previous Northern Edge exercises you would have seen a mass of gray and white aircraft, but this year the distinctly black U-2S Dragon Lady from Beale Air Force Base, California, made its presence known for the first time at

  • Senior leaders discuss US space posture

    On May 17, 2017, Air Force senior leaders testified before the Senate Armed Service Committee Strategic Forces subcommittee on military space, organization, policy and programs.

  • 45th Space Wing enables nation's space mission

    Space launches may soon be an almost weekly sight on Florida's Space Coast. As the need for space lift grows globally, partnerships between the Air Force, other government agencies and the commercial space industry are enhancing the 45th Space Wing's vision of remaining the world's premier gateway

  • USAF Special Tactics trains to lead, build partnership in Jordan

    Air Force Special Tactics teams, Jordanian Armed Forces Special Task Force and Italy's 17th Stormo Incursori special operations forces secure each building in the compound -- searching for a missing U.S. service member and rendering aid to casualties along the way.

  • Largest African Air Chiefs Symposium to date kicks off

    The seventh annual African Air Chiefs Symposium began in Kasane May 16, 2017. The African Air Chiefs Symposium is an annual forum for air chiefs from across the African continent to come together with the U.S. to discuss important regional and continental issues, and how African air forces can best

  • Mattis welcomes new SecAF home

    Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ceremoniously swore in Heather Wilson as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon May 16, 2017.

  • Civilians gain leadership, warfighter support skills through program

    The Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program has been molding leaders for more than 30 years. In keeping with that tradition, the ELDP class of 2017 gained valuable knowledge of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber missions and capabilities while visiting

  • MQ-1 squadron celebrates 100 years

    The 15th Attack Squadron patch depicting a pigeon clutching a telescope harkens to the squadron’s long history of reconnaissance missions. On May 9, 2017, the 15th ATKS celebrated their 100-year anniversary and reflected on the unit’s extensive and honorable heritage, which coincidentally includes

  • AFLCMC awards major long range radar contract

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center here awarded the Raytheon Company a $52.6 million contract May 11, 2017, for the three-dimensional expeditionary long-range radar system.

  • Be thankful for contributions of military spouses

    In my nearly 20 years of military service, I have moved 12 times. It is more frequent than most service members, but yet not that unusual. Along the way in my career, I picked up a spouse. She has moved a total of nine times in our 13 years of marriage. Our children are just breaking into double

  • Holloman surges RPA operations

    The 49th Wing’s remotely piloted aircraft squadrons at Holloman Air Force Base completed a five-day surge May 5, 2017, to measure the full capabilities of the Airmen and civilians involved in the RPA mission.

  • Endpoint cybersecurity technology deployed through AF agreement

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center electronic systems development division here and Carbon Black, a locally-based security company, signed a cooperative research and development agreement to improve cybersecurity for the Hanscom Air Force Base Collaboration and Innovation Center.

  • Accelerating hypersonics development

    On May 3, 2017, Air Force senior leaders met to consider options to accelerate hypersonics research and development to break even more speed barriers and ensure continued technological superiority.Hypersonics refers to flying at five times the speed of sound, also known as “Mach 5,” or higher.

  • MQ-9 Reapers add to arsenal with first GBU-38 drop

    Airmen from the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, here, and the 26th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, made history earlier this week, by employing the first GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition from an MQ-9 Reaper.

  • Algerian triplets join Air Force for better future

    Their journey has carried them over thousands of miles, from a barren region in Africa to California’s Simi Valley where eventually the Harchaoui triplets — Myriam, Rabah and Warda — would join the U.S. Air Force. Scott Air Force Base is now home to Myriam, who recently reflected on her unique

  • Airman provides family, haven for orphans

    As an Air Force first sergeant, Chief Master Sgt. Henry Hayes’ job is to take care of others, and whether or not they are in his chain of command, he provides support to those in need. As a first sergeant for Air Combat Command and an ordained minister, Henry Hayes not only shapes the lives of

  • Total force development services now in a single-point center

    The Air Force has consolidated all total force development services and resources to a single-point center. All Airmen (active duty, Reserve, Guard and civilian) will now be able to fully utilize all force development resources through the virtual force development center.

  • AF Academy superintendent testifies on SAPR

    The results of the 2016 Service Academy Gender Relations Survey and Sexual Assault and Violence Report indicate the U.S. Air Force Academy is moving in the right direction but still has work to do in its combat against sexual assault, according to the Academy’s superintendent.On May 2, Lt. Gen.

  • F-35s forward deploy to Bulgaria

    Two F-35A Lightning IIs and about 20 supporting Airmen arrived at Graf Ignatievo Air Base April 28 from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

  • Art of War: fifth-gen, allies train to defeat future adversaries

    Imagine an enemy who knows how you operate. They know your game plans, have been in your position and used your gear. On top of that, they outnumber your team and have the ability to regenerate. The 27th Fighter Training Squadron's T-38 Talon red air pilots were that opposing force during the allied

  • Flight of the Thunderbirds

    Retired Lt. Col. Dale Cooke, a former Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds pilot from 1979 to 1982, walked into the 2nd FTS to prepare for something that would go down in the history books.He would fly with the original Slot Machine (now known as Aircraft #177), the last operational

  • Technology of the Future

    Looking much like a handheld vacuum cleaner attached to an extra-large Shop-Vac, the technology that may revolutionize the aircraft structural maintenance shop does not scream “innovation” on first glance. Despite appearances, the capabilities of the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG)

  • Molding yesterday’s trainees into tomorrow’s Airmen

    For Staff Sgt. Jessica Fairchild, a former MTI at JB San Antonio-Lackland, those long hours were worth it.Six years into her career, Fairchild applied to be an MTI. She had dreams to be a teacher and chose to focus that drive into shaping the next generation of Airmen.

  • Air Force senior enlisted leaders conduct full EPME review

    More than 40 Air Force senior enlisted leaders and subject matter experts met at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, April 4-5 to perform an extensive review of all facets of enlisted professional military education during the 2017 EPME Triennial Review.

  • Rechristening honors Doolittle Raiders’ 75th anniversary

    The 75th anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders was commemorated April 17, 2017, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as a B-1 Lancer bomber from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, was rechristened the “Ruptured Duck”. New nose art was also unveiled on the B-1 in tribute to a B-25 Mitchell bomber flown

  • America’s cryptologic wing develops cyberspace warriors

    As one of Air Combat Command’s integral assets, the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing is home to several types of cyberspace warriors, including the exploitation analysts (EA) of the 41st Intelligence Squadron.

  • F-35A deployment brings advanced airpower capability to Europe

    This weekend’s deployment of an initial six F-35A Lightning II fighters and several hundred Airmen to Europe demonstrates the aircraft’s readiness to conduct operations with America’s European partners, according to Air Force leaders.

  • Resilience: One Airman’s story of faith, service

    Senior Master Sgt. Jon Rousseaux was like many children who grew up in a military family. The self-described man of faith and service followed his father, a retired chief, into the Air Force -- and after 19 years, he is still at it. In fact, he just re-enlisted for four more years. Rousseaux’s years

  • AMC civic leaders learn about global reach execution

    Headquarters Air Mobility Command hosted 30 civic leaders at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, from April 10-12, 2017, to provide an interactive look into what it takes to execute the rapid global mobility mission every day.

  • Vice Chief, CMSAF visit 386th AEW

    The Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, April 9, 2017.

  • Cadets learn about AF through Pathways to Blue

    The third annual Pathways to Blue event, designed to help ROTC cadets make their Air Force career choices, was April 7-8, 2017.The diversity and inclusion event, attended by more than 175 ROTC cadets from seven universities, is a 2nd Air Force initiative aimed to help build future leaders in the Air

  • 480th ISRG fills training gap

    The transition from technical school to duty station created issues within the intelligence community that couldn’t be addressed with on-the-job training alone.

  • Operation Homefront recognizes 2017 AF Military Child of the Year

    Eighteen-year-old Jamal Braxton has a busy schedule. The high school senior holds various leadership positions with the Red Cross, participates in multiple varsity sport programs and is a lifeguard. He accomplishes all this as a military child and the challenges inherent in military family life.

  • ANG units fly first, last C-130 deployments

    Big changes are in the works for two Air National Guard units deployed to the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. The Connecticut ANG has transitioned from the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the C-21 Cougar to the C-130H Hercules, which it is

  • Airmen’s Week: Changing the culture of Airmen

    After the completion of Basic Military Training, but before Airmen depart for their various technical training locations, lies a relatively new, yet crucial program geared toward the betterment of the Air Force: Airmen’s Week. Airmen’s Week is a 31-hour, values-based course with a mission to

  • Innovation enhances safety, leads to international recognition

    Air traffic control is serious business. Every day thousands of flights take off and land all across the U.S. Dedicated professionals known as air traffic controllers are responsible for monitoring every flight and coordinating with aircrews and people on the ground.