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  • AFSOC historian retires after 50-plus years of service

    The longest-serving historian in the Air Force retired at Hurlburt Field Jan. 7. Herb Mason, the Air Force Special Operations Command historian, spent more than 50 years preserving the Air Force story for generations to come.

  • More sexual assault reports show growing trust in system

    More military service academy cadets and midshipmen in the 2014-15 school year reported instances of sexual assault and harassment, indicating growing trust in the reporting system, a Defense Department official said Jan. 7.

  • McChord Airman saves girl from drowning

    In or out of uniform, Airmen are required to uphold the Air Force’s core values at all times, and should always be aware of their surroundings. Staff Sgt. Matthew Siegele, the 627th Force Support Squadron sports and fitness NCO in charge, had his situational awareness tested Jan. 1 when a little

  • OSI eulogizes fallen heroes from its 'darkest day'

    More than 650 people overflowed the U.S. Marine Memorial Chapel here Jan. 7 to mourn the loss and remember the lives of the six Airmen killed by a suicide bomber near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 21.

  • Airman balances cycling with Air Guard mission

    With endurance cycling, nearly every part of the sport is tough; from the demands of distance and the quality of the competitors, to the changing natural elements on any given day. For Tech. Sgt. Dwayne Farr, those difficulties pale in comparison with splitting his time between the grind of bicycle

  • Yokota's pest control

    The role of entomology Airmen is far reaching; from performing disease vector surveillance to providing pest control services for insects and wildlife at Yokota Air Base, these Airmen utilize both preventative and immediate response maintenance practices to ensure that facilities remain pest free.

  • Deployed loadmasters fix problems ‘on the fly’

    A weasel is characterized by its tenacity, persistence and keen senses. It is an animal also known for its ability to react quickly in any given situation. An airlift squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, shares these characteristics. Airmen of the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron encompass

  • AF officials announce civilian reduction in force

    In a continuing effort to meet Defense Department funding targets and rebalance the civilian workforce, some Air Force installations will implement civilian reduction in force authorities effective through April 4.

  • Dancing with a dragon: A pilot’s tale

    Gliding more than 13 miles above the Earth’s surface, the U-2S reconnaissance aircraft, also nicknamed Dragon Lady, flies unnoticed and silent to all but a select few. The U-2S is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude, reconnaissance, and surveillance aircraft capable of providing signals,

  • TRICARE pharmacy copays change Feb. 1

    Military pharmacies and TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery will remain the lowest cost pharmacy option for TRICARE beneficiaries when some TRICARE pharmacy copays change Feb. 1. Most copays for prescription drugs in the home delivery program and retail network pharmacies will increase slightly.

  • Into thin air: Liquid oxygen keeps pilots flying

    As an aircraft reaches a higher altitude, the air pressure decreases, sometimes leaving aircrews little air to breathe. When this happens, pilots and crew members are able to utilize the liquid oxygen provided by Airmen from the 36th Maintenance Squadron, thus enabling them to complete the mission.

  • Top 10 most viewed AF stories of 2015

    The Air Force News Service has compiled a list of the top 10 stories on AF.mil for 2015. The stories were placed in order based on the number of views.

  • AF, Marine and Army EOD techs train, learn from each other

    Air Force, Marine and Army explosive ordnance disposal technicians deployed to Southwest Asia came together for the first time to train at an undisclosed location Dec. 14-18. The five-day training exercise included more than 40 staged improvised explosive device scenarios simulating common incidents

  • DOD identifies Air Force casualties

    The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of six airmen who were supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. They died Dec. 21 of wounds suffered when their patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

  • Welsh shares holiday message

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife Betty; Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and his wife Dawn; and the Air Staff wish all Airmen and their families a wonderful holiday season.

  • Airman helps troubled youth ‘Focus’

    Even while deployed to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Tech. Sgt. Tyron Fields is making a difference for the youth in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, through a nonprofit mentorship program called “Focus.”The program aims to help direct kids and

  • Air Force cancels 2016 season of Tops in Blue

    Air Force officials announced on Dec. 21 that Tops in Blue, the service-unique entertainment program, will cancel its 2016 season, allowing an extended review of the program.

  • CSAF awards Silver Stars to Vietnam vets

    A star pendant necklace bought in 1984 has been tucked away for 30 years since its purchase. The necklace was a gift to Sue Roberts from her husband, Eric Roberts II, as a thank you for her efforts toward getting the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to him and Ronald Brodeur’s upgraded to a Silver

  • Munitions Airmen build bombs at record pace

    The 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Munitions Flight at Al Udeid Air Base is setting a new record with each bomb they build. The team of nearly 60 Airmen has assembled almost 4,000 bombs since July, surpassing the previous record by more than 1,600.

  • Welsh named 2015 Great American Patriot Award recipient

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III has been named the 2015 Armed Forces Bowl’s Great American Patriot Award recipient. The award honors a candidate in recognition of their exemplary service to this nation.

  • Campaign behind the hat

    During a push to gain military training instructors, then Staff Sgt. Chi Yi found himself donning the under-the-brim stare that welcomed him to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, years before.The former vehicle operations specialist accepted the challenge of molding future Airmen, an ambition

  • AF introduces enlisted Global Hawk pilots

    Air Force officials announced a new initiative Dec. 17 to enhance the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission by integrating enlisted remotely piloted aircraft pilots into the force.

  • Al Udeid firefighters, medics prepare for mass casualty incidents

    A car is driving down the road when suddenly the driver loses control and crashes. Eight people are seriously injured in the wreck and several suffer life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger are still trapped inside.This was the scene as 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron

  • Former Marine serves as Air Force contract administrator

    From base landscaping to office computers, nearly everything found at Ellsworth Air Force Base flows through the 28th Contracting Squadron.Among the Airmen leading the charge is Staff Sgt. Chris Meyer, a contract administrator with the squadron. Meyer provides contracting support and business advice

  • SMART program keeps medics ready for any contingency

    Military medical professionals have to always be ready for war and for whatever contingency the future brings. They need to either improve or remain current in medical skills necessary for any future battlefield, with its host of wounds and injuries, and for humanitarian assistance or disaster

  • McChord performs during Rainier War exercise

    In today's military, aircrews have to be trained and ready to handle any type of combat scenario, and recently, members of Joint Base Lewis-McChord and other bases participated in exercise Rainier War to help hone their skills.

  • Norwegian F-35 flies for first time under Norwegian command

    Maj. Morten Hanche, a Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 Lightning II student pilot training with the 62nd Fighter Squadron, flew the first Norwegian F-35 sortie here Dec. 14. Hanche has been training at Luke Air Force Base under the instruction of American pilots for the past several months in order to

  • Airmen honor WWII veteran's last wish

    Roy Mullinax enlisted in the Air Force shortly after the end of World War II, and his years of military service led to his recognition with a veteran’s pin through his hospice center in Newton, Kansas, by the 22nd Air Refueling Wing Honor Guard.

  • Misawa pilots save Iraqi civilians, earn 2014 Mackay Trophy

    Stranded on Mount Sinjar, Iraq, without food, water, medical care, facing starvation and dehydration, and under constant enemy gunfire, more than 40,000 Iraqi Yazidis were saved by a multinational coalition force led by Misawa Air Base F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots during an airstrike Aug. 9, 2014.

  • Deployed Airmen, others come together to support injured teen

    Deployed service members at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, joined representatives from Boeing and the Qatar Emiri Air Force to send a care package to a teenager recovering from an all-terrain vehicle wreck.Gregory is a high school junior, an Eagle Scout and a Civil Air Patrol cadet. He likes hunting,

  • ACC charts path for remote aircrews, units

    Air Combat Command officials announced the results of their study into the remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) community in an attempt to normalize operations and ensure long-term mission success.

  • Comm Airmen keep OIR mission connected

    The demand for communication capabilities is on the rise at Incirlik Air Base with the addition of aircraft and service members in support of Operation Inherent Resolve missions. The 39th Communications Squadron is hard at work meeting those demands, keeping the lines of communication open and

  • Aircraft with a cold shoulder

    While the roads and parking lots on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, have snow plows clearing the way, global ground-support aircraft deicers clear aircraft for the skies.

  • Air mobility crisis staff responds to disasters, war

    Running the Air Force's global mobility enterprise day-to-day is a huge undertaking to begin with, so when a crisis strikes that requires a large mobility effort, the Air Mobility Command and 18th Air Force need a tool that lets them focus on that crisis. The crisis battle staff is a collection of

  • Air Force A3 Receives Award for Space

    The Air Force Association presented the General Thomas D. White Space Award to the Headquarters U.S. Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations for outstanding contribution to American aerospace progress on Nov. 20.

  • A widow’s story: Living by faith

    Just before sunset on Veterans Day, she sat next to her husband’s headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, reminding her three children how their father was with God in heaven and what it means to have faith. Faith has kept Heather Gray moving forward. It’s what has gotten her through the grief and

  • SecAF implements additional security measures after attacks

    In response to the defense secretary’s call to improve the security and force protection of defense personnel after the tragic events in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James introduced more stringent security measures to reduce the possibility of violent acts directed toward

  • No bunny business: Roundup relocates rabbits to safety

    In an ever-changing climate of adversity, Aviano Air Base personnel keep their eyes peeled for hazards that may harm the community and mission.Despite their vigilance, one hazard has breached the base's guarded walls -- bunnies.

  • Avoid paying more for prescription drugs

    This December, TRICARE beneficiaries can take action to avoid paying more for some prescription drugs. Beneficiaries filling a prescription for a select brand name maintenance drug at a retail pharmacy may need to move their prescription to either a military pharmacy or TRICARE Pharmacy Home

  • Senior leaders stress safety this holiday season

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody recently issued a tri-signature letter to all Airmen, asking them to stay safe during the holidays.

  • AF releases Form 910, implements forced distribution

    The revised Air Force Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (airman basic through technical sergeant); and interim change 3 to Air Force Instruction 36-2406, “Officer and Enlisted Evaluation Systems,” have been published on the Air Force e-Publishing website.

  • EOD techs conduct post-blast analysis training

    After an explosion, when the smoke settles and the blaze has been contained, a new mission begins. Like a puzzle, shrapnel blasted in every direction can be pieced together to uncover the mode of detonation. Explosive ordnance disposal Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer

  • Physical therapy Airmen provide healing touch

    With today's Air Force being the smallest it has ever been, mitigating lost days due to injury is of the utmost importance. Seeing a range of injuries from wrist pain to post-surgery recovery, the 4th Medical Operations Squadron’s physical therapy technicians aim to get their patients back to good

  • Air Force revamping flight, operational medicine

    The Air Force Medical Service is restructuring flight and operational medicine by separating primary care and occupational medicine services into two distinct clinics, with the goal of improving care and creating more efficient and patient-centered workflows.

  • Top AF analysis performer recognized

    Kevin Williams, the director of Air Force Studies, Analyses and Assessments, presented the Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent Leadership Award to Jacqueline Henningsen during the fall Corona summit at the U.S. Air Force Academy on Nov. 4.

  • SecAF makes first visit to Djibouti

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James met with Airmen and senior leaders stationed at Camp Lemonnier and the U.S. Embassy, as well as senior members from the Djiboutian military, during her first visit to the country Nov. 12.

  • Air Force acquisition lead moves to MITRE

    The Air Force announced Nov. 18 that Dr. William A. LaPlante, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, is transitioning from government service to a senior position at the MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates federally funded research and development

  • Wheelchair rugby makes debut for Warrior CARE Month

    Fifty-pound wheeled chariots made of steel, aluminum and over-sized wheels were the modes of battle Nov. 16 as teams of joint-service wounded, ill and injured kicked off a demonstration of wheelchair rugby.

  • The unstoppable Airman

    Airman 1st Class Tanya Brown was a fulltime everything three years ago -- beautician, livestock farmer, college student, wife and mother to four children. Then, not being one to shy away from a challenge, the 35 year old decided to join the Air National Guard.

  • Reflecting on Veterans Day

    Veterans and their families, both young and old, reflected on the sacrifices made by Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, who provide this nation with the best fighting force in the world, during a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at the Air Force Memorial, which overlooks the Pentagon and Potomac

  • Sharpening a resume with purpose, relevance

    Writing a resume for federal employment consideration doesn't have to be daunting. In fact, it's about providing an applicant's best qualities when it comes to showcasing workplace responsibilities, education and career accomplishments.

  • Enlisted attaché duty applications due Nov. 15

    Active-duty staff through senior master sergeants interested in attaché duty opportunities with international affairs teams around the world must submit their applications by Nov. 15 to be considered.

  • Art therapy helps close the wounds of Air Force vets

    As a mortuary affairs Airman, retired Master Sgt. Justin Jordan handled dozens of bodies of service members, many of whom were killed downrange. But one mission at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, finally made him crack.

  • ACC commander attends DWG breakfast

    Air Combat Command commander, Gen. Herbert Carlisle, hosted reporters from the Defense Writer’s Group during a breakfast at the Fairmont Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C., Nov. 10.

  • Air Force shows leadership, commitment in Dubai

    American Airmen showcased the capability of airpower through senior leader engagements, Airmen interactions with a global audience, and aircraft on the ground and thundering through the skies at the 2015 Dubai Airshow during the week of Nov. 11.

  • No second chances: AFE Airmen ensure pilot safety

    Pilots rush into the locker room, preparing for another day of flying. Laughing and joking, they throw on their gear and grab their helmets. To them, it's just another day, but the Airmen that serviced their equipment look on slightly anxiously as they see the pilots walk out the door to their

  • AF veterans reveal what Veterans Day means to them

    The day when nearly 70 bullets riddled his HH-3E Jolly Green Giant rescue helicopter as his crew tried to save two Airmen during the Vietnam War remains vivid for retired Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Richardson. It was March 14, 1968, and Richardson, a flight engineer at the time, and others were called

  • Linking continents through refueling

    Eight KC-10 Extenders, including two from the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron, refueled seven C-17 Globemaster IIIs over the Atlantic Ocean as they participated in the Trident Juncture exercise Nov. 3.Trident Juncture included 36,000 personnel from more than 30 nations and demonstrated NATO's increased

  • Buddies for life: Airmen maintain friendship throughout AF careers

    Seventeen years ago, a young Darko Desancic got on a school bus for his first day of sixth grade. While on his way, it didn't take long for one boy to make fun of his foreign accent. Little did they know that the friendly banter would be the start of a lasting friendship. Fast forward to 2015, Tech

  • Cadet earns top Civil Air Patrol honor

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presented the General Carl A. Spaatz Award to Cadet Col. Matthew Jackson, a Civil Air Patrol cadet, during a Nov. 9 ceremony at the Pentagon.

  • AF leaders release Veterans Day message

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody have issued a Veterans Day message to Airmen.

  • Airmen work hand-in-paw with four-legged wingmen

    The Andersen AFB kennels are one of the largest out of more than 70 facilities across the Air Force. While the military working dogs may remind many of the homebound pets of base housing, these trained workers are a force to be reckoned with at all times.

  • Airfield managers maintain flightline during Vigilant Ace 16

    During the readiness exercise Vigilant Ace 16, every participating aircraft requires a safe and functioning flightline in order to complete their mission-specific directives. Airmen assigned to the 51st Operations Support Squadron airfield management flight are responsible for ensuring the

  • Stone promotes to senior airman, staff sergeant

    Spencer Stone, the airman first class who helped prevent a gunman’s attack on a French train in August, promoted to the rank of senior airman at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 30, 2015. Following this promotion, Stone was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant, effective Nov. 1, by order of Air

  • ACC intel officer shares new ISR perspective

    Air Combat Command’s senior intelligence officer shared her perspective on fusion warfare with the intelligence community, defense industry and media during an Oct. 22 assembly at the Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

  • KC-46A equipment processing begins at McConnell

    Another step toward the KC-46A Pegasus flying over Kansas started late October as 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen began paving an innovative path through the maintenance equipment review process.

  • AF announces KC-46A preferred, reasonable alternatives

    Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, has been chosen as the preferred alternative for the first Reserve-led KC-46A Pegasus main operating base, Air Force officials announced Oct. 29. The KC-46As are expected to begin arriving in 2019.

  • Shaw Airmen support flood-stricken communities

    When Hurricane Joaquin moved near the East Coast early October, the storm dumped record rainfall on South Carolina for six days, causing severe flooding across the state. In response, Shaw Air Force Base organizations assisted local communities, providing disaster relief to those affected by the

  • Air Force awards LRS-B contract

    The Air Force announced today the contract award of Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) and early production for the Long Range Strike Bomber to Northrop Grumman Corporation.