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  • Not Forgotten

    When you walk into many dining facilities in the Air Force, you see it in the corner or off to the side: the lone chair and place setting. In the hurries of our day, we become numb to the sight of it: the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action table with a setting for someone who has never returned.

  • Hurricane Hunters fly Hurricanes Florence, Olivia

    The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is flying missions into Hurricane Florence over the Atlantic Ocean and Hurricane Olivia over the Pacific Ocean this week. The 53rd WRS is the only Defense Department unit that flies reconnaissance missions into severe tropical weather

  • Ga. cadets rescue man from sinking vehicle after wreck

    A late-night drive home from a squadron meeting quickly turned into a rescue scenario recently when two Georgia Wing Civil Air Patrol cadets swam to a rapidly sinking SUV in the middle of a rural pond and extracted the dazed driver.

  • F-22 pilots fire live missiles at Combat Archer

    More than 200 pilots, maintainers and operations support staff from the 1st Fighter Wing are gaining firsthand experience in loading and firing live missiles at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, from July 6-20, 2018.

  • Sisters in service: Closing the joint warfighter’s diversity gap

    The Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium at the San Diego Convention Center June 20-22, 2018, included attendees from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and other service members from 20 different countries. As the largest gathering of military women in the nation, it marked the

  • Education opportunities in Air Force IT

    Two 53rd Computer Systems Squadron Airmen recently shared how the Air Force opened wide the doors of educational opportunity, and how they set themselves up for success in both the military and civilian worlds.

  • NATO provides "eye in the sky" for Red Flag

    The air war is underway at Red Flag-Alaska 18-1. But fifty miles southwest and ten thousand feet above the dog fighting, a NATO E-3A Component jet circles in its flight pattern, soaking up signals and squawks about the fluid battle space below and providing friendly forces a watchful "eye in the

  • Air Guard, Reserve wings kick off annual MAFFS training

    As temperatures heated up in northern California, aerial firefighters from four C-130 airlift wings operating the U.S.D.A. Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, started a weeklong training April 23, 2018, in anticipation of summer blazes.

  • Revitalizing squadrons: A commander's perspective

    Over the course of a 20 year career, I have experienced some challenges at the squadron level due to decisions made by higher headquarters staff personnel that have negatively impacted squadrons or go against what a commander might think is best for their squadron.

  • Air Force officer integrates with carrier operations

    Air Force 1st Lt. Sean Duval, 33rd Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer, participated in a maintenance officer exchange program March 16-22, 2018 aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72).

  • Air University aims to spark innovation, collaboration with MGMWERX

    Air University has long been considered the leadership-development center for the Air Force, and it continues its 72-year-long legacy with a new joint venture, named MGMWERX, in collaboration with the City of Montgomery, Montgomery County and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, to encourage

  • 19th Air Force experts transform flying training syllabi

    Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 19th Air Force commander, asked his team to deliver a redesigned Undergraduate Pilot Training syllabi “that embraced common sense and held ideas from the leaders and instructor corps to produce more pilots, higher quality pilots with agility and speed.” The homework

  • Test pilot briefs T-6 nation

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon’s sustained 9 g-force break turn is no small matter on a normal day. Imagine yourself there. Your head weighs 180 pounds and your arms are pinned to the stick and throttle; let go of your breath the wrong way, and you watch the world fade from gray to black in an instant. Now

  • Airman wins on and off the court

    The Airman’s Creed is a promise to the United States and a rallying cry for Airmen to remain the world’s greatest Air Force. The words, “My mission is to fly, fight and win,” hold true for 20th Air Force’s Tech. Sgt. Corey Rucker, a world champion who embodies the creed both professionally and

  • An Airman’s fight for terminally ill son

    November, Military Family Month, as designated by the Department of Defense, is a time to thank those who support service members for sacrifices that come with serving our country. For one Joint Base Charleston family, having a terminally ill child has required even more sacrifice, teamwork and

  • AFPC offers follow-on option to Airmen taking short tours

    Airmen selected for a dependent-restricted short tour for their second or later assignments can voluntarily apply to participate in the Follow-On assignment program, providing them greater flexibility in the assignment process and greater stability for their families.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kentucky ANG deploy to Caribbean for Hurricane Maria relief operations

    Seven Special Tactics Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard departed the Kentucky ANG base, Louisville, Sept. 20, 2017, for the Caribbean where they will open airfields for humanitarian aid deliveries and resident evacuations in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the third major hurricane to hit the

  • Nuclear deterrence critical to national defense

    The Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence, Lt. Gen. Jack Weinstein, spoke on a panel about the importance of U.S. nuclear deterrence, and its foundational importance to national defense, at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Sept. 19, 2017.

  • Air Force Military Treatment Facilities pilot medical readiness

    Air Force Medicine has a non-stop global readiness mission. Medical Airmen must be prepared to deploy on short notice to provide life-saving and performance-enhancing healthcare in diverse, austere and isolated locations, and all Airmen must be medically ready to deploy. To achieve this readiness

  • KC-10s display global reach in the Pacific

    Three KC-10 Extenders flew from Hawaii and Wake Island Airfield to refuel five C-17 Globemaster IIIs carrying over 300 coalition paratroopers across the Pacific Ocean, July 13, 2017.

  • US, coalition partners demonstrate global defense capabilities

    Four U.S. Air Force and one Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs loaded with more than 300 American and Canadian paratroopers took off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, to Shoalwater Bay, Australia, for biennial training exercise, Talisman Saber July 13, 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

  • 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.

  • Goldfein’s revitalizing squadrons initiative base visits begins

    The Air Force District of Washington and Joint Base Andrews are on the leading edge of a chief of staff of the Air Force initiative that will impact the total force Air Force.The core project team tasked with overseeing a three-phase, full-time project to revitalize Air Force squadrons chose AFDW

  • Fairchild pilots $4.3 billion DOD electronic health record upgrade

    The 92nd Medical Group hosted a “go-live” recognition ceremony Feb. 15, 2017, to celebrate the launch of the Defense Department’s new integrated electronic health record system, Medical Health System GENESIS. The 92nd MDG was selected as the first DOD medical clinic to launch this $4.3 billion

  • Air Mobility Command enables delivery of Israel’s first F-35s

    Air Mobility Command Airmen worked around the clock to ensure Israel’s first two F-35 aircraft were delivered Dec. 12, making the U.S. ally the only country in the Middle East flying a fifth generation fighter aircraft. The 618th Air Operations Center, based out of Scott AFB, Illinois, assigned the

  • James visits F.E. Warren, discusses force improvement efforts

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Lt. Gen. Jack Weinstein, the deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, to speak directly with Airmen about ongoing improvement efforts throughout the nuclear enterprise, Dec. 7-8.

  • Bay Area ANG unit rescues Navy contractor

    The California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing conducted a long-distance rescue mission over the Pacific Ocean Nov. 12, saving the life of a seriously ill 63-year-old civilian contractor on board the USS Guadalupe.

  • Carrying the load

    With enemy rounds visible within 10 feet of the ramp, the loadmasters took cover and manually cut the release gate. After the drop, the pilot conducted a rapid climb and maneuvered out of the weapon engagement zone. Although the entire encounter lasted approximately 90 seconds and resulted in a

  • Beale Airman recognized for heroic act

    An Airman from Beale Air Force Base, California, was awarded the Airman’s Medal July 29 for his heroic actions in saving the life of a fellow Airman.

  • Scott air ops center’s routing initiative could save millions

    Miranda Balentine, assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and energy, is excited about Airman-powered innovation and believes one significant way forward in reducing the service’s aviation energy demands is through the ingenuity of Airmen.

  • Saber Strike turns to medevac mission for C-17 aircrew

    After a C-17 Globemaster III aircrew from the 21st Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California, took off June 10 for exercise Saber Strike 16, they ended up on a real-world emergency medical mission to help a fellow Airman.

  • Montana's last Doolittle Raider honored

    Seventy-four years after the historic Doolittle Tokyo Raid, former Staff Sgt. David J. Thatcher, one of two remaining Doolittle Raiders, was laid to rest June 27 in Missoula. He was 94.

  • Guardsmen train at Maintenance University

    More than 260 Air National Guard members from five states attended a weeklong course in aircraft maintenance here to enhance proficiency in everything from hydraulics to electrical generation.The annual event, now in its eighth year, is called Maintenance University, said Capt. James Campbell, the

  • Former basic training instructor fulfills dream to practice law

    For Senior Master Sgt. Alex Brown, a 20-year Air Force veteran and Arizona Air National Guard member, a lifelong calling to practice law set him upon an arduous journey to fulfill a dream. That dream recently became reality when he passed the Arizona bar exam.

  • Air Force trailblazer returns to Ramstein after 54 years

    It doesn’t happen often but occasionally Airmen get the opportunity to meet an Airman who, in 1947, was there when the Air Force first stood on its own -- those trailblazers who laid the first bricks of airpower on the long blue line.

  • Special ops Airmen support exercise in Baltic region

    Members from the Air Force Special Operations Command and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command joined with Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian special operations forces in Powidz, Poland, and Grafenwoehr, Germany, to participate in Trojan Footprint 16, a large-scale readiness exercise held May

  • VCSAF, spouse take in Ramstein mission sets

    The Air Force's vice chief of staff and his spouse visited Ramstein Air Base on April 18 to meet with Airmen and familiarize themselves with the mission sets of Ramstein’s three different wings.

  • Exercise Max Thunder 16 launches at Kunsan

    U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy personnel and aircraft will train with South Korean air force counterparts in the bilateral training exercise Max Thunder 16, at Kunsan Air Base April 15-29.

  • Cadets, special tactics Airmen honor fallen Academy grad

    More than 150 special tactics Airmen and U.S. Air Force Academy cadets honored fallen Academy graduate and Silver Star medal recipient Capt. Matthew D. Roland, dedicating a memorial display and completing memorial pushups in formation here March 30.

  • Airmen to appear on ‘Weather Geeks’

    For some Airmen, being called a weather geek is a term of endearment. Two Airmen from the 557th Weather Wing recently embraced their inner geek and will share their passion and expertise on an upcoming episode of "Weather Geeks" on the Weather Channel.

  • Attachés use C-12 to support humanitarian efforts in Maldives

    Members of the Bangkok Defense Attaché Office recently completed a humanitarian mission to the Maldives. Working with DAO Colombo, the Colombo U.S. Embassy political office and the Special Operations Command-Pacific, the Bangkok DAO delivered medical supplies and books to some of the more remote

  • Airman helps search for Vietnam War remains

    When Tech. Sgt. Robin Bailon enlisted in Air Force in 2000, she didn't expect her career to place her in Vietnam, serving as a life science investigator. But Bailon, an aircrew flight equipment specialist by trade, had the opportunity to venture far outside the scope of her traditional duties,

  • Blood donor month: Be a silent hero with gift of life

    The Air Force has a long history when it comes to the national blood donation system. The system dates all the way back to World War II when the Army Air Corps created the capabilities to transport much needed blood products from the United States into campaign theaters.

  • USAF Band surprises commuters at DC train station

    Members of the U.S. Air Force Band surprised commuters at Union Station with a World War II holiday flashback Dec. 3.The event was designed to be a special holiday musical presentation celebrating the service and sacrifices of the nation's WWII veterans.

  • Air University focused on deterrence

    The end of the Cold War, coupled with the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, caused American decision-makers to focus on present-day conflicts, but a resurgent Russia, the rise of new non-state actors and new threats in the cyber realm have brought about a renewed focus on the concept of deterrence,

  • ACC commander talks 5th generation warfare, innovation at AFA

    Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the Air Combat Command commander, addressed advances in 5th generation warfare and the importance of delivering cutting-edge technology during the second day of the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition.

  • Two fallen special tactics Airmen honored, remembered

    More than 1,000 family members, friends and teammates from around the country gathered here Sept. 14 to honor and remember two special tactics Airmen who were killed in action last month in an insider attack.As the procession of family members departed the memorial, nearly 2,000 Air Commandos lined

  • The Iron Airman

    In the Air Force, fitness isn't just a stepping stone to success, it’s a requirement. While each Airman has their own idea of how to stay fit to fight, 1st Lt. Roman Tillman has picked a practice that he believes also sharpens his skills as an Airman and a leader.Tillman, a 5th Space Launch Squadron

  • Countries converge for PACANGEL Papua New Guinea

    A six-nation Pacific Angel 15-4 team arrived June 1 in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea. The PACANGEL team – made up of doctors, dentists, plumbers and planners from Papua New Guinea, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Indonesia -- tumbled out of trucks in

  • AFSPC commander discusses priorities at symposium

    Gen. John E. Hyten, the commander of Air Force Space Command, identified several key actions to be taken to ensure U.S. strength in space for the future during the 2015 Space Symposium April 14.

  • WWII veteran reunites with former aircraft

    World War II veteran, retired Lt. Col. Alston "Al" Daniels, reunited with the aircraft he piloted for nearly 2,000 hours on April 7. Daniels gleefully walked up the steps to a Douglas C-47D Skytrain cockpit for the first time since 1962.

  • Redeyes fly in Korean skies

    More than 200 Airmen and several F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Colorado Air National Guard’s 140th Wing have been deployed at Kunsan Air Base since February as part of a of a rotational theater security package (TSP).

  • Connection in the classroom

    The Patrick Air Force Base Professional Development Center (PDC) is not just a place for professional and leadership education, but as of Feb. 11, it's the most technically advanced professional development center in the Air Force.

  • SecAF, AFGSC commander visit Malmstrom

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Global Strike Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson visited Malmstrom Air Force Base Feb. 19, to meet with Airmen, specifically those who deploy to the missile fields, and see benefits of the grass-roots feedback program known as the Force

  • Cope South 15 successfully ends

    U.S. and Bangladesh air force (BAF) personnel joined together for the closing ceremony of exercise Cope South 15 (CS15) at BAF Base Bangabandhu, Bangladesh, Jan. 29.

  • Cope South experts exchange knowledge, techniques

    The flight line here at exercise Cope South 15 (CS15) is usually a flurry of activity every morning, with maintainers firing up auxiliary power units and loadmasters finalizing their cargo plan.However on Jan. 27, there wasn't a single C-130 Hercules aircraft engine running. Instead, U.S. and

  • Cope South 15 launches in Bangladesh

    U.S. Air Force and Bangladesh air force (BAF) personnel took to the sky Jan. 24, for the launch of exercise Cope South 15, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, bilateral tactical airlift exercise at BAF Base Bangabandhu, Bangladesh.

  • Australian F-35 lands at new home

    The first Royal Australian air force F-35A Lightning II arrived at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona Dec. 18, marking the first international partner to arrive for training.

  • TACP receives second Silver Star medal

    Master Sgt. Thomas Case, a tactical air control party Airman in the 18th Air Support Operations Group here, received his second Silver Star medal Nov. 13, for heroic actions during a 2009 deployment to Afghanistan.

  • Air Force pilot develops plan to reduce jet fuel consumption

    The Air Force spends more than $9 billion annually on energy. Aviation consumes 86 percent of that amount. In support of the Air Force Energy Strategic Plan to foster an energy aware culture and reduce aviation fuel consumption, an instructor pilot from the 5th Flying Training Squadron has

  • Global Strike workshop delivers key planning strategies

    Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command, along with representatives from the Air Staff, Pacific Air Forces and the Navy, participated in the Global Strike Workshop Oct. 6-10, here, to develop plans via a joint planning group to deal with contingencies in the context of unified engagement.