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U.S. Air Force News

  • Space ops unit takes over newest GPS satellite

    The 2nd Space Operations Squadron accepted satellite control authority of its third Global Positioning System Block IIF satellite during a ceremony here Oct. 26.Following its launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., Oct. 4, acquirers from the Space and Missile Systems Center and operators from the 50th and

  • Reservists can carry leave balance after training tours

    In a "one-step-at-a-time" approach, Air Force officials have a new program for reservists to save and carryover leave time from year to year beginning Nov. 1.Reservists performing duty under the Reserve Personnel Appropriation or RPA orders may now "save" their leave for future use. Prior to this

  • Cadet places 3rd among her age group at Ironman World Championship

    The first cadet to qualify in the Ironman World Championship, Cadet 1st Class Samantha Morrison, placed third in the 18-24 age competition Oct. 13 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.Morrison, a behavioral science major from Fredericksburg, Va., finished a 2.4-mile swim race, 112-mile bike race and 26.2-mile

  • Former Little Rock AFB commander and spouse receive 2012 O'Malley award

    Col. Michael Minihan and his wife, Ashley, received the 2012 General Jerome F. O'Malley and Diane O'Malley Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon Oct. 24. Minihan, who led the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., now commands the 89th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Md.Named

  • CSAF shares perspective during AETC Senior Leader Conference

    The Air Force's top general discussed topics such as telling the Air Force story and innovation during the Air Education and Training Command Senior Leader Conference here Oct. 18."Telling the Air Force story is a big deal to me," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III during his speech to

  • Contingency Response Airmen battle elements at JRTC

    Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response wing participated in combat exercise "Decisive Action" Oct. 10 through 22 as part of a Joint Task Force here to prepare for future deployments. Approximately 100 Airmen from the 570th Contingency Response Group, based at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and

  • CMSAF to Keesler: 'Motivation is contagious'

    Memories burn themselves into the places they were made. For Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., holds several fond memories including the birth of his sons and earning the honor to be called "chief."Roy spent Oct. 16 reacquainting himself with the base at

  • Bases 'REAP' awards for energy and water savings

    The Air Force Civil Engineer Center recognized three installations with Reduce Energy Appreciation Program  awards for renewable energy use and energy and water reduction. This year's winners are Charlotte Air National Guard Base, N.C.; Fairchild AFB, Wash.; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Living a dream, one note at a time

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Staff Sgt. Abigail Foster sings in her car. She also used to live in it. The NCO assigned to the 92nd Maintenance Squadron, began her music career

  • Academy cadets to conduct 'Flightline of the Future' research

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's Dean of the Faculty Brig. Gen. Dana H. Born signed a cooperative research and development agreement with officials from Lockheed Martin recently for a "Flightline of the Future" initiative and three other research-related projects.The Flightline of the Future program, a

  • Academy cyber competition team takes 1st at NYU event

    The Air Force Academy's cyber competition team placed first out of 331 undergraduate teams from the U.S. and Canada in the New York Polytechnic Cyber Security Awareness Week Capture the Flag competition held Sept. 28-30, NYU Poly announced Oct. 10.The Academy's team placed eighth among all teams

  • Brig. Gen. Witham nominated as ANG deputy director

    Brig. Gen. James C. "JC" Witham has been named the next deputy director of the Air National Guard. Witham had served as the chief of staff of the California National Guard and the commander of that state's Air National Guard."I am thrilled and humbled for the opportunity to lead the best Air

  • 'Vortex surfing' could be revolutionary

    Migrating birds, NASCAR drivers and Tour de France bicyclists already get it. And now the Air Force is thinking about flying gas-guzzling cargo aircraft in formation -- 'dragging' off one another -- on long-haul flights across the oceans.Flight tests with C-17s "vortex surfing" at Edwards Air Force

  • AF officials reestablish squadron commander support staffs

    Air Force officials reestablished squadron commander support staffs on Oct. 1 to help commanders manage administrative duties and other personnel and knowledge operations functions.The decision to recreate squadron CSSs was made by Air Force senior leaders during a Corona South conference in

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Cadet candidate overcomes adversity

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Home has never been where 18-year old William Roe's heart is. A cadet candidate at the Academy's Preparatory School, Roe hopes to one day be an officer

  • Solve problems like an Air Force pilot

    The Air Force is known for their innovation in air, space and cyberspace. When an Air Force pilot has to make decisions, he relies on a specific decision-making process that helps win wars and save lives. If you want to problem-solve like an Air Force pilot, follow these steps:1. Clarify and

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Building partnerships by building a school

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The driver pulled down a small side street busy with activity and I realized my finger was already set on the shutter release button of my camera. I was

  • Airmen showcase C-17 to New Zealanders

    Thousands of New Zealanders visited the Christchurch International Airport for a chance to get a glimpse inside the cockpit of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, which deployed to Christchurch from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Sep. 29 in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2012.Airmen from the 62nd

  • Air Force stands up single unit to execute global CE operations

    Air Force leaders activated a single unit that will execute the civil engineering mission worldwide during a ceremony here Oct. 1.The Air Force Civil Engineer Center, a new CE field operating agency, merges the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment and Air Force Real Property Agency,

  • First shuttle trainer introduced by NASA astronauts

    NASA Astronauts Michael Good and Michael Foreman visited the National Museum of the Air Force during a private event to formally introduce the first shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer (CCT-1) to military and community officials and preview the next steps for the exhibit. The event marked the debut of

  • DADT repeal study reveals no loss in readiness, retention

    Two professors with the Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Department here contributed to a study released by the Palm Center Sept. 20 that reaffirmed findings in the Defense Department's 2010 comprehensive working review group prior to the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.Col. Gary Packard Jr., the

  • OSD visit provides joint basing perspective

    Often, when the words "joint-basing" are spoken in conversations between service members, they invoke myriad responses. This was certainly the case as the Joint Base Langley-Eustis concept was discussed in depth between senior leaders from both Langley Air Force Base and Fort Eustis, Va., and the

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Hero's story comes to life

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)He was 13 years old when he received a copy of the book "Into the Mouth of the Cat" from his father. Capt. Jason Powell didn't know it then, but the

  • Space shuttle arrives home for one last 'endeavor'

    For the Edwards community who has been actively involved in NASA's Space Shuttle program since flight testing began in the 1970's, it was a bittersweet day when Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived one last time Sept. 20, piggy-backed on NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.When the SCA departed

  • Natick Center strives to improve combat ration quality, taste

    The Meal, Ready to Eat could go the way of the World War II-era C-ration and spinoffs of it that the MRE replaced almost 30 years ago. Jeannette Kennedy and her team at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center here relentlessly pursue the tastier, more universally acceptable

  • Air Force's top scientist unveils Cyber Vision 2025

    The Air Force's top scientist presented the service's science, technology, engineering and mathematics developments here Sept. 18 at the Air Force Association's 2012 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition.Dr. Mark T. Maybury, the Air Force's 33rd chief scientist, also pointed to the Air

  • Comptroller outlines continuing resolution, sequestration

    The continuing resolution the Senate approved Sept. 22 and the president is expected to sign this week will affect short- and long-term Defense Department spending in coming months, a senior defense official said today.Pentagon Comptroller Robert F. Hale spoke on "Financing Defense: Strategies for

  • U.S. military inspires South African youth

    The sun was shining almost as brightly as the smiles on the faces of hundreds of children stepping onto a C-17 Globemaster III for the first time, Sept. 20.The children arrived at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition, here to participate in a Youth Development Program. The program partners

  • AF officials to migrate civilian personnel records to OPM

    Officials at the Air Force Personnel Center project the migration of the Air Force version of each employee's electronic Official Personnel Folder to the Office of Personnel Management's government-wide eOPF version will take place in November.The eOPF is a digitized version of a hardcopy personnel

  • High retention leads to promotion board delay

    Air Force officials announced they will delay the Line of the Air Force promotion board for captains commissioned in 2005 from its anticipated December 2013 date. Air Force officials made the announcement Sept. 25 as they released the 2013 Selection Board Schedule. Record retention rates coupled

  • OWLS inspires women to ignite power within

    AcademyWomen sponsored its 9th annual Officer Women Leadership Symposium Sept. 21-22 at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington, Va.To go along with this year's theme: Igniting the power and passion within, the two-day symposium was designed to inspire, inform and connect

  • Comptroller: Sequestration Would Devastate Defense Spending

    Sequestration will devastate every aspect of Defense Department spending, from fighting the war in Afghanistan and supporting troop health and morale to training, maintenance and modernization, and carrying out the defense strategic guidance, Pentagon Comptroller Robert F. Hale said here Sept.

  • IDS agencies team up to teach life skills to new Airmen

    The opportunity for approximately 150 Airmen to learn more about personal finance, team building, stress management and relationships was made possible by a new pilot program aimed at providing Airmen with tools to enhance their overall life-skills knowledge base.Through collaboration between the

  • ANG director discusses way forward

    Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the director of the Air National Guard, spoke about mission readiness and other challenges facing the ANG in future years to attendees of the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technical Exposition here Tuesday, Sept. 18.Wyatt discussed how the ANG

  • CMSAF: 'Be the best, know your Airmen, tell your story'

    Reflecting on more than 30 years of Air Force service, the chief master sergeant of the Air Force said the future lies with our Airmen. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy made the comments in a speech focusing on the "Enlisted Perspective" at the conclusion of the three-day Air Force

  • Carter urges stepped up progress on cyber defense

    Even as the Defense Department increases investments in cyber capabilities, officials are working to reduce vulnerabilities in their own networks and in those of contractors who build sensitive defense systems, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said today.Speaking at the Air Force

  • 'Teammates wanted' to deliver future

    Killer apps, unprecedented success and a budget-requirements conundrum lead U.S. Air Force Space Command commander, Gen. William L. Shelton, to announce 'teammates wanted' during his remarks at the Annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 18.The Air Force Association, an

  • Personnel chief: Road ahead for Airmen tough, but bright

    Adapting to a joint environment along with a changing world of a younger force, budget cuts and manpower drawdowns was the focus of the Air Force's personnel chief during the Air Force Association's Air and Space Exhibition and Conference here Sept. 17.Lt. Gen. Darrell Jones, deputy chief of staff

  • Air Force officials describe ICBM way-ahead

    As intercontinental ballistic missiles gain prominence in the Air Force's nuclear enterprise, service officials related the importance of maintaining the system during the 2012 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 18.Panelists included Maj. Gen. William

  • Secretary of Defense visits Yokota

    U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta addressed more than 300 joint service members at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 17, 2012. Panetta visited the base to personally thank service members and to discuss a variety of issues that the U.S. military faces."We're a country that continues to face threats

  • AF Reserve commander praises total force

    The Air Force Reserve Command's highest ranking officer discussed the virtues of total force integration in remarks at the 2012 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 18. Lt. Gen. James Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve and the Air Force Reserve Command

  • Multinational communication exercise evolves through years

    During the last 18 years Combined Endeavor has evolved from a workshop consisting of 10 nations working together to conduct point-to-point radio testing to more than 40 countries analyzing fully converged networks with command and control systems integration. "Every year we've come back together,

  • Welsh: 'The only way to move forward is together'

    The active-duty Air Force, its Reserve and the Air National Guard must work together to move forward, the chief of staff of the Air Force said here last week."I have trouble seeing lines between components of services, because I believe on the air side we have an Air Force -- it has three

  • New DOD Safe Helpline Mobile App now available

    The Department of Defense announced its new DOD Safe Helpline Mobile Application. With this new app, service members transitioning to civilian life will have access to critical resources that assist in managing the short- and long-term effects of sexual assault. This new app is the latest in a

  • SecAF highlights 'state of force' at AFA conference

    In his keynote address at the 2012 Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley discussed major service accomplishments over the last 12 months and the Air Force's strategic way ahead.Donley said the Air Force's

  • AFRI hosts cyber conference, next step in new school

    "Cyber Power: The Quest Toward a Common Ground" is the theme of the second annual Air Force Research Institute conference Oct. 9-11 in the Officer Training School here. The conference will act as another step toward the completion of the new Cyber Air Corps Tactical School, or C-ACTS.Focusing on

  • Air Force announces OTS selection board results

    A total of 398 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced Sept. 14.Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 507 applications as part of the Officer Training School

  • First F-35 training commander: 'This jet is our future'

    Five months of flying the Air Force's newest fighter jet has left one Airman convinced of the aircraft's substantial combat capability.Lt. Col. Lee Kloos is the commander of the 58th Fighter Squadron, the Defense Department's first F-35 Lightning II training squadron, located at Eglin Air Force

  • Security forces Airmen train with British counterparts

    Airmen from the 100th Security Forces Squadron joined ranks with British counterparts from 15 Squadron, RAF Honington; No. 2 Tactical Police Squadron, RAF Henlow; and No. 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters, RAF Coningsby Aug. 28 to Sept. 6 at Stanford Training Area, more commonly known as STANTA,

  • AF Expeditionary Center wraps up wargame

    Approximately 65 air mobility experts wrapped up participation in Air Mobility Command's Global Mobility Wargame 2012 at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here. Subject-matter experts throughout the Air Force, AMC and many other organizations involved in defense planning conduct GLOMO

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: AF pilot helps Iraqis earn their wings

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Mounted aboard an armored suburban with a pistol at his side, one of Laughlin's own begins his days in Iraq checking in on classes miles apart, filled

  • Largest exercise wraps up in South Korea

    Airmen, along with 30,000 participants from South Korea and other nations, took part in one of the largest Joint Staff exercises in the world here date to Aug. 30. Exercise Ulchi Freedom-Guardian is an annual computer-simulated, U.S. Combined Forces Command defense-oriented exercise, designed to

  • Andersen and Australian EOD work together in Tri-Crab 2012

    Team Andersen's Explosive Ordnance Disposal participated in the biennial multinational EOD exercise Tri-Crab 2012 from Aug. 20-31 on and around Guam.Tri-Crab is a combined engagement that focuses on strengthening relationships within the Asia-Pacific region through training and information

  • JB Elmendorf - Richardson turns landfill gas into energy

    During an especially cold December afternoon, a swirling formation of obsidian ravens hovered over a gray chimney, the structure pushing out hot air in the form of burned methane gas and oxygen combusted into water and carbon dioxide. Perhaps the black birds liked the heat. Perhaps they liked the

  • Modern-day builders protect ancient treasure

    It's an interesting dichotomy of sorts -- a huge, 4-story state-of-the art, steel-and-concrete structure under construction just yards away from delicate, precarious, protected sea turtle nests that grace the seashore here.The Air Force Technical Applications Center's new headquarters is taking

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: HVAC Airman's legacy

     (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Master Sgt. John Anderson likes The Beatles. However, unlike most who serve in today's military, Anderson remembers The Beatles from his youth."Yeah,

  • Academy holds panel honoring women's suffrage

    A Colorado state representative, the state's League of Women Voters president and the co-founder of a political polling firm came to the Air Force Academy on Monday to discuss the importance of women's suffrage and the need for informed voters as election season approaches.The panel, comprising

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Academy cadet selected as a USA Rugby All-American

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Cadet 2nd Class Jackson Bristol has kept his passion for rugby alive with a simple approach: he never stops playing the game. January through December,

  • Air Force's newest air advisor publication leverages 'best practices'

    The Air Force's newest tactics, techniques and procedures publication, AFTTP 3-4.5 Air Advising, became an official document after being signed by Maj. Gen. Brett Williams, Headquarters Air Force director of operations, and Maj. Gen. Bill Bender, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander,

  • B-52 takes part in joint training 'down under'

    The Air Force will send a B-52 and KC-135, operating from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin later this week to take part in short term joint training with the RAAF. The B-52 is assigned to Andersen AFB as part of U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Air Force

  • AF trauma chief cites sweeping changes in critical care

    From battlefield innovations to revamped health care systems, the military has radically transformed its trauma care over the past decade, a trauma expert here said.These advances have led not only to the nation's highest combat survivability rate in history, but also to countless saved civilian

  • SecAF discusses East Africa mission during Djibouti visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley made his first trip here as secretary Aug. 22 to visit service members and civilians, and discuss operations in East Africa with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa leaders.Donley conducted an all call during his visit here, in which he discussed the

  • Expeditionary Center hosts Air Mobility Command wargame

    Approximately 65 air mobility experts recently wrapped up participation in Air Mobility Command's Global Mobility (GLOMO) Wargame 2012 at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here recently. GLOMO is conducted biannually at the Expeditionary Center by subject-matter experts from across the Air

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Maxwell officer builds historical database

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)What started as a solution to an information collection problem six years ago has grown into a substantial database that documents air power through

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman inspires through music

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Born and raised in Newton, Miss., a real life "small town," he had watched many of his family members join the military and knew he would soon follow."My

  • High year of tenure changes take effect in 2013

    High year of tenure changes announced in December will go into effect in September 2013, Air Force Personnel Center officials reminded affected Airmen on Aug. 16. Changes will affect senior airmen, staff sergeants and technical sergeants, said Lt. Col. Tara White, AFPC retirements and separations

  • USFJ commander focuses on bilateral operations

    With the Department of Defense's rebalance of military forces to the Asia Pacific region, the focus on bilateral operations is more critical now than ever, said the new U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander."We plan to increase our bilateral and multilateral cooperation throughout the

  • Combat training supports 21st century strategy

    As the nation winds down from a decade of combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Department of Defense is shifting its focus to the future and recently introduced new strategic guidance describing the projected security environment and key military missions for which the department will

  • Marilyn Monroe and the general

    Plastered across the pages of many magazines, blogs and newspapers last week were photos and stories about the untimely death of actress Marilyn Monroe 50 years ago. Some authors went beyond just simply discussing her beauty or sexual exploits and opined she was actually quite brilliant. Sources

  • EOD tech school puts 'battlefield' into PT

    Physical fitness workouts for Air Force explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) candidates now have a battlefield twist at Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD), as the 366th Training Squadron Field Training Detachment 3 here has revamped their fitness program to turn Airmen into

  • Tinker's Green Infrastructure Plan harvesting big returns

    Most people would associate hay baling operations with agriculture and not grounds-keeping at one of the busiest aerospace maintenance, overhaul and repair complexes in the Air Force. At Tinker Air Force Base, baling hay is yielding a harvest designed to "green" the base while cutting

  • Program to improve IT core services achieves key milestone

    An Air Force program that will save money, save energy and improve core information technology services, such as email, has recently met a significant milestone.Hardware to consolidate four regional data processing centers into one area processing center has been delivered, installed and tested at

  • Welsh 'humbled' to serve as Air Force chief of staff

    The Air Force chief of staff flag passed to the service's 20th chief in a ceremony here Aug. 10.Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, a 36-year Airman, stepped into the position, taking over for Gen. Norton Schwartz, who also retired from the Air Force during the ceremony."Mark is respected throughout the Air

  • Pilot becomes Guard's first F-35 instructor pilot

    An Airman became the Guard's first F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot recently at Eglin's multi-service, multi-national F-35 Integrated Training Center.Maj. Jay Spohn, assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing here as the assistant director of operations for the 58th Fighter Squadron and the chief of

  • General Carlisle takes command of Pacific Air Forces

    Gen. Herbert Carlisle took command of Pacific Air Forces from Gen. Gary North in a change of command ceremony here Aug. 3.Presiding over the ceremony, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz praised North's past accomplishments and Carlisle's future potential as the commander of PACAF.Schwartz

  • 2nd Bomb Wing delegation visits Russia

    A delegation of five people from the 2nd Bomb Wing visited Engels Air Base in Saratov, Russia, last month on a goodwill mission with a dual purpose. Team members evaluated the suitability of the airfield at Engels Air Base for B-52H operations. The outing also established initial relationships for a

  • CMSAF Roy: 'Future is now'

    During recent visits to Air Force bases across the nation, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed issues ranging from AEF Next to resiliency to developing 21st century Airmen. Air Force leaders must ensure future enlisted leaders are skilled in things like leadership and

  • AF teens participate in Joint Services Teen Council

    Air Force Teen Council representatives attended the first Joint Services Teen Council meeting July 13 to network and discuss common issues affecting military youth and teens worldwide here.From July 9-13, members of the Air Force Teen Council, Army Teen Panel and Navy Teen Council participated in

  • Service leaders weigh in on BRAC, renewable energy

    Air Force, Army and Navy officials discussed renewable energy milestones, force structure changes, and the impact on military and surrounding communities affected by base realignment and closure here Aug. 6.Terry A. Yonkers, assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and

  • New AFSC merges certain gunners, engineers, loadmasters

    Some 924 enlisted aviators will find themselves with a new Air Force specialty code Oct. 31.The new career field, 1A9X1 Special Missions Aviation, will merge aerial gunners with flight engineers on vertical lift aircraft, such as the HH-60 Pave Hawk and CV-22 Osprey, with loadmasters on AC-130

  • Rescue Airmen partner with Canadians for search-and-rescue training

    Approximately 30 Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., traveled to Canada July 15-22 to train alongside and strengthen partnerships with Royal Canadian Air Force search-and-rescue technicians, known as SAR techs, and their support personnel. The SAR techs from our

  • AF CSA travel card transitions to GTC

    The terms and conditions for the Air Force's travel charge card are changing, but Airmen can hang on to their blue cards. From Aug. 7 through the end of September, the Air Force Banking Office will e-mail some 300,000 Airmen, informing them that their controlled spend account card will convert back

  • Maxwell medics return from Peru

    Nine members of the 42nd Medical Group recently returned from New Horizons, an ongoing joint humanitarian training exercise in Peru. An annual series of free medical clinics and infrastructure development projects, New Horizons is a U.S. Southern Command-led exercise conducted with Latin American

  • Airmen train with Polish counterparts

    Ramstein Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and 86th Airlift Wing continue to train together along with Polish military members in exercise Screaming Eagle IV, here July 24th through August 3rd."Poland is one of our strongest and closest allies in the world and is a leader in Europe,"

  • Leading by example: Academy cadets develop leadership skills at BMT

    U.S. Air Force Academy cadets learned first-hand over the past seven weeks how military training instructors develop the Air Force's newest warrior Airmen in basic military training.The 27 cadets in the Summer Leadership Program developed leadership skills by shadowing MTIs in seven BMT squadrons at

  • Through Airmen's eyes: Samoa native puts bombs on target

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)His father always told him, "Whatever job you are doing, always do your best." This is something the 6-foot Samoan took to heart and lives by to this

  • Luke AFB selected for F-35 pilot training

    It's official, the F-35 is coming to Luke. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley announced today that Luke AFB has been chosen as the location of the Air Force's F-35A Lightning II pilot training center. The base will receive 72 aircraft for a total of three fighter squadrons."This is a great day for

  • US, Poland develop partnership through Screaming Eagle

    Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and 86th Airlift Wing continue to train with Polish military members in Exercise Screaming Eagle IV here July 24 through Aug. 3."Poland is one of our strongest and closest allies in the world and is a leader in Europe," said President Barack Obama.

  • Air Force assures F-22 readiness following extensive testing

    Following months of life support systems components testing in the F-22 Raptor, officials have "determined with confidence" the source of previously unexplained physiological incidents, the director of operations for the Air Force's Air Combat Command said July 31 at a Pentagon news

  • Gen. Breedlove becomes 35th USAFE commander

    Gen. Philip M. Breedlove took command of U.S. Air Forces in Europe from Gen. Mark A. Welsh III today in a change of command ceremony here.Presiding over the ceremony, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz praised Welsh's past accomplishments and Breedlove's future potential as the commander

  • Pacom weighs pre-prepositioning logistics for disaster response

    Along with more rotational deployments, U.S. Pacific Command is eyeing opportunities to pre-position some of the logistics assets being drawn down in Afghanistan to support a future disaster response or other contingency in the Asia-Pacific region.U.S. Marines began serving six-month rotational

  • Service members successfully work themselves out of job

    Most people wouldn't define success as working themselves out of a job, but for the Joint Medical Operations Cell located in western Afghanistan, that was exactly their goal.What began as a 20-person-strong medical team in 2006 has now dwindled down to six people as medical advisors and mentors

  • Training exercises enhance international relations

    Central Colombia and southern Nevada are vastly different locations. The terrain, weather and operational environments between each location vary to the extremes. So what drives an air force to briefly trade the jungles of South America for the desert of the American southwest? The answer is

  • AF partners with schools, universities to promote STEM

    Teachers from across the U.S. became students for a week during an Air Force-sponsored ASM International Materials Camp July 13 at Howard University, Washington, D.C.ASM started the camps for students in 2000 to make science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fun. After much success, two years

  • Randolph to save money by planting perennials

    To anyone who has ever visited Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, it should be clear why the location is often called, "the Showplace of the Air Force." With unique architecture like building 100, nicknamed the "Taj Mahal," the flags that line Harmon Drive and outstanding landscaping are just a few

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman returns to Afghanistan as mentor

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Assigned to the Pentagon after a successful tour in Afghanistan, he soon volunteered to return. Too much work was left to do."My first tour involved

  • AFRL scientist recognized by White House

    The White House announced Monday an Air Force Research Laboratory space vehicles directorate scientist has received a Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. Each year, the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President presents the PECASE

  • DoD approves plan to lift F-22 restrictions

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said here July 24 the Air Force has data indicating the cause of the F-22 Raptor's hypoxia-related incidents stem from the quantity, not the quality, of oxygen available in the cockpit."Given tests in the altitude chamber and the centrifuge, we have

  • Schwartz: Air Force will thrive despite fiscal challenges

    The Air Force has reinvigorated the service's nuclear mission, incorporated unmanned aerial capabilities and made progress in acquisition, the service's chief of staff told reporters here July 24.Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, who finishes a four-year term in office shortly, said he believes the Air Force