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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force provides additional support in Nepal

    The Air Force continues its support of the disaster relief operations in Nepal with the arrival of a second C-17 Globemaster III in response to an earthquake that rocked the country April 25.

  • Aircrew flight equipment enables others to succeed

    At any given moment across Southwest Asia, there are aircraft flying in harm’s way to deliver aid, combat air support to friendly forces and launching air strikes against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists. None of them can accomplish that without the aircrew flight equipment flight.

  • Kunsan takes flight at Max Thunder

    Kunsan Air Base Airmen joined other members of U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and South Korean air force units at Gwangju Air Base for exercise Max Thunder 15-1, April 10-24.

  • Joint Warrior: It's what we train for

    They train for air-to-air combat missions, are rapidly deployable, execute worldwide combat search and rescue (CSAR), and sustain operations around the world during both war and peace.

  • Elmendorf Airman named Alaska bodybuilding champion

    Airman 1st Class James Jones, a 673rd Communications Squadron cyber systems operator, participated in the 2015 National Physique Committee Alaska State Championships on April 4. He spent more than a year preparing, chiseling at his physique slowly but surely every day. Hundreds of hours in the gym,

  • Air Force nuclear mission embraces culture of empowerment

    The top military leaders for strategic forces from the Department of Defense, Navy and Air Force testified on the state of the nuclear enterprise to members of Congress April 22, during an Armed Services Committee hearing.

  • 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.

  • Orthotic tech helps military working dog walk again

    Army Maj. Andrea Henderson, the veterinarian at the Department of Defense Holland Military Working Dog (MWD) Hospital here, first started treating SStash last October. A degenerative disease had led to one of SStash's hind legs needing surgery.

  • Barksdale reservist saves a life

    For the average worker, leaving the house every day doesn't lead to becoming a hero, however, for first responders that possibility is always there, as is the chance for disaster. When Bowie County Sheriff Deputy Kenny McMillen, who is also an Air Force reservist assigned to the 307th RED HORSE at

  • Cody visits Soto Cano Air Base

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody visited with Airmen during a trip April 13-15, at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. Cody visited numerous sections within the 612th Air Base Squadron and talked with Airmen on a personal level, holding several face-to-face conversations during his visit.

  • Doolittle Raiders share Congressional Gold Medal with the world

    On April 18, 1942, 80 men inspired a nation by flying 16 B-25 bombers off the deck of the USS Hornet and dropping ordnance on Tokyo. Now, 73 years later, Congress honored these men with the Congressional Gold Medal, presented to the Raiders in Washington D.C., April 15.

  • AF realigns B-1, LRS-B under Air Force Global Strike Command

    The Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force have directed the realignment of the Air Force’s B-1 bomber fleets and Long Range Strike-Bomber program from Air Combat Command to Air Force Global Strike Command, effective Oct. 1.

  • Periodic inspection: Just what the ‘tanker doc’ ordered

    For more than 40 years, KC-135 Stratotankers have been flying over the sunflower state, and just like any other crew member, they need their "check-ups" too. Keeping the 60-year-old planes up-to-date and safe to fly takes more than a simple check-up; it takes a team of tanker "docs" ensuring each

  • Airman aims high for the future

    Since early childhood, Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Kimberly Daugherty has admired service members, especially those who fly. The shiny wings displayed on their uniforms instilled in her a sense of wonder. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she always responded with the same answer:

  • What it takes to be a boom operator

    Boom operators on an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker have the ability to pump thousands of pounds of fuel to any capable aircraft, thousands of feet above the ground, flying at 200 knots, all while only 47 feet from colliding into each other. However, before any of this is possible, they had to go

  • Air attaché in Berlin honors B-17 crash victims

    Col. David Pedersen, the air attaché to Germany, represented the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Embassy in Berlin March 22 on the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Peace Memorial Monument, which commemorates the crash of a B-17 Flying Fortress in the German town of Großräschen.

  • AF announces KC-46A candidate bases

    Air Force officials announced April 14 that Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; Seymour-Johnson AFB, North Carolina; Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts; and Grissom ARB, Indiana are candidate bases for the first Air Force Reserve-led KC-46A Pegasus location.

  • Weather Airmen help ensure flight safety

    Airmen of the 31st Operations Support Squadron’s weather flight provide information on atmospheric conditions that may impact the pilots operating in the skies, deliver staff support to the 31st Fighter Wing and act as a liaison to the 21st Operational Weather Squadron for 24/7 base resource

  • AF Reserve celebrates 67 years of service

    For many Airmen, April 14 will be just another Tuesday, but to members of the Air Force Reserve it will be a day to reflect on how each and every one contributes to the Air Force mission.

  • Kisling NCO Academy recognized as best of best

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe's Kisling NCO Academy was named the 2014 U.S. Air Force Professional Military Education Team of the Year. This is the fifth time in the past six years they have been recognized for their accomplishments in the development of NATO NCOs.

  • Referees of the airfield

    What does it take to support multiple U.S. and coalition aircraft on a 12,012-foot runway while keeping safety as the primary concern 24-hours a day, seven days a week?Airmen of airfield operations, composed of airfield management and air traffic control, ensure safe air and ground operations for

  • Foreign officer shares rewards of Academy exchange

    In 2001, Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Kazuto Ueda, then a cadet at Japan's National Defense Academy (NDA), visited the U.S. Air Force Academy for a week. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd return here 12 years later to teach Japanese history, military and culture to American cadets.

  • Defense Secretary visits Osan AB

    Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited Osan Air Base, April 9, where he held a troop call and briefly spoke about the importance of the United States' role in Asia.

  • AF holds Distributed Common Ground System summit

    More than 40 action officers from across the Air Force attended the intelligence community’s inaugural Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) Action Officer Summit at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, March 25-26.

  • AF takes partnership approach to wildland fire management

    The Air Force has taken a new approach to Air Force wildland fire management by maximizing the use of interagency partnerships to address fire management and suppression requirements -- an initiative that is expected to save time and money for all parties involved.

  • CSAF describes Air Force of the future

    In the future, the Air Force’s core missions will probably not change, but the way they are carried out will, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III on April 8.

  • Ready, set, retrograde

    As the United States seeks to lessen its footprint at locations across Southwest Asia, the word retrograde has been on the lips of Department of Defense decision-makers for months. When applied to military operations in Afghanistan, retrograde, which is defined as having a backward motion or

  • Space warning squadron keeps watch at 'top of the world'

    Located at the “top of the world,” the 12th Space Warning Squadron's location offers a unique and strategic vantage point in the execution of its missile warning and defense, and space surveillance missions in support of U. S. Strategic Command.

  • Generating airpower with hydraulics

    The 35th Maintenance Squadron's hydraulics systems back shop maintains F-16 Fighting Falcon’s hydro systems, including landing gear systems, brakes and flight controls.

  • AFMS follows aviation lead to high reliability

    Over many years, the Air Force aviation community's concept of high reliability has evolved from one of expected losses to today's culture of safety, where fatal losses rarely occur.Now, following in the footsteps of aviators and nuclear engineers, the Air Force Medical Service is adopting the

  • University Relations seeks to bolster AFRL partnerships, recruiting

    Employment recruiting efforts at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) are expanding via its University Relations program. The program is part of a multi-faceted AFRL effort to seek out and attract the best and brightest scientists and engineers (S&Es) and carry out its mission of providing

  • AF Special Victims' Counsel provides legal assistance, support

    If a sexual assault happens, it is crucial for individuals to know who they can turn to, where they can go and what help is available to them.April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The month focuses on ensuring Airmen and families are aware of the resources available to aid in the

  • CSAF discusses Air Force’s need to reset

    The Air Force Association hosted its monthly Air Force breakfast with Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, as the key note speaker, April 2, at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Parachute riggers: One ripcord at a time

    The Air Force uses more than 20 types of parachutes to conduct personnel recovery, airdrops and asset insertion into combat zones. Knowing what type of parachute is required for each mission and verifying the safety of those parachutes is the job of a parachute rigger.

  • AF Nuclear Weapons Center reorganizes

    The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) reorganized its structure March 30, realigning responsibilities, authorities and accountability to better serve the nuclear enterprise.

  • AF's updated policy further promotes tobacco-free environments

    The Air Force has led the military in advancing innovative tobacco control policies, such as the tobacco-free medical campus and prohibiting tobacco use outside "designated tobacco areas." Now, an updated Air Force instruction, published in March, seeks to further reduce health impacts from smoking,

  • Air Force stands up Task Force Cyber Secure

    Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Mark A. Welsh III signed a memorandum on March 20, establishing Task Force Cyber Secure, to address challenges of the cyberspace domain in synchronization, operations and governance within the Air Force and with those organizations it supports.

  • Reaper maintainers ensure ISR mission accomplishment

    Supporting the largest Reaper unit in the Air Force, Airmen assigned to the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron work 24 hours a day to ensure the Reaper fleet is fully operational and ready to launch at a moment’s notice.

  • Climate survey is opportunity to share opinions with AF leaders

    The Total Force Climate Survey, available from March 13 to April 27, offers active-duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian Airmen a chance to express their opinions, perceptions and suggestions to help leaders improve their units.

  • CSAF thanks RPA Airmen, highlights mission importance

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, visited the Airmen of the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing to discuss the importance of the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission during their visit March 24.

  • Keeping our military safe on social media

    Social media. It incorporates several platforms that allow military members to stay in touch with friends and loved ones around the world, however, sometimes what is shared comes with a hefty price tag; loss of operational security.

  • US Airmen teach Romanian airmen airfield management

    Members of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing air advisor branch provide Romanian airmen at Campia Turzii, Romania, the opportunity to learn about U.S. Air Force airfield management operations March 10 to 27 during Dacian Warhawk, a two-week training mission designed to increase the

  • Future of combat aviation requires funding

    Senior leaders from the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps testified on the future programs and platforms of combat aviation forces, and budget needs, in a hearing with the House Armed Services Committee March 27.

  • Civil engineer bowls his way to world championship

    Nick Brett, the water and fuels shop chief for the 423rd Civil Engineer Squadron, earned the title of number one indoor bowler in the world, when he faced off against, and defeated, six-time world champion, Alex Marshall.

  • U.S. air advisors reach milestone with Colombian air force

    Members of the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron (MSAS), from Travis Air Force Base, finalized their training with members of the Colombian air force while observing their performance of an airdrop mission near Bogota, Colombia, March 4, 2015.

  • AF holds Medal of Honor recognition event

    In observance of National Medal of Honor Day, Air Force senior leaders hosted a Q-and-A session with two of the Air Force's living Medal of Honor recipients, retired Col. Joe M. Jackson and retired Col. Leo K. Thorsness at the Pentagon, March 24.

  • CSAF visits Arizona’s tanker wing, thanks Guard members

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, visited the Arizona Air National Guard's 161st Air Refueling Wing here March 22, to discuss the future of the Air Force, meet Airmen and their families, and thank them for their service.

  • Doolittle Tokyo Raiders to receive Congressional Gold Medal

    Seventy-three years ago, 80 men achieved the unimaginable when they took off from an aircraft carrier on a top secret mission to bomb Japan. These men, led by Lt. Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, came to be known as the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders.

  • AF releases results of Space Launch Process review

    The Air Force announced March 23, that the phase one results of the independent review panel tasked by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James to review the process for certifying SpaceX as an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) provider.

  • Sequestration threatens America’s airpower advantage

    Air Force senior leaders testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Airland March 19, and said with the return of sequestration-level funding, America’s airpower advantage is increasingly at risk.

  • Alaska Air Guard Supports CJTF-HOA Rescue Missions

    The 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron is one of the three Expeditionary Rescue Squadrons assigned to the 449th Air Expeditionary Group in support of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The squadron is the epitome of the Total Force Integration, providing

  • NCO banishes mountain of paperwork to the PIT

    As years of logbooks and paper records stacked up in the 436th Airlift Wing Non-destructive Inspection lab, they needed to find a way to improve both their record logging system and their efficiency.Leadership knew they had a young, computer savvy Airman and they turned to him for the answer.

  • Planning, execution and management of OCS critical to military operations

    More than $30 billion was lost from contract waste and fraud during military contingencies in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2001 to 2011, according to a congressionally chartered Commission on Wartime Contracting report from 2011.The Commission concluded that the loss could have been avoided through

  • Service members involved in UH-60 crash identified

    It is with a heavy heart that the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Louisiana National Guard formally announced the names of the seven Marines and four Soldiers who died in an Army UH-60 Black Hawk crash near Eglin Air Force Base, at approximately 8:30 p.m., March 10.

  • CMSAF addresses Offutt’s concerns

    Airmen were not short on questions during Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody’s visit to Offutt Air Force Base March 11-12. It was clear, serving in the Air Force with an ever-changing environment has created challenges, but for its highest ranking enlisted Airman those obstacles are

  • Space planning essential to battle success

    "Space, the final frontier," can mean a lot to people in different careers, but is the vast blackness filled with mesmerizing intergalactic-lights important to today's warfighter?According to Capt. Jamil Brown, the 607th Air Operations Center chief of space plans, space is a newer concept to

  • Lakenheath Airman rescues allies, earns Airman's Medal

    Staff Sgt. Greggory Swarz, a 492nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit electrical environmental systems specialist, was awarded the Airman's Medal for saving the lives of three French airmen after a Hellenic air force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed into the parking ramp at Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, during

  • From refugee camp to the Air Force

    Senior Airman Yia Thao, a 19th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate paralegal, was raised to know that hard work reaps great rewards. The work ethic and dedication that builds a better future runs deep in his family and continues through Thao and his siblings today.

  • To shoot, or not to shoot

    Excessive use of force by law enforcement is a topic which has plagued U.S. headlines more than once in 2014. While the civilian police force is responsible for deescalating a situation at the lowest level, the military is held to the same standard.

  • McConnell Airmen save veteran's life

    The largest winter storm this year struck early on the morning of Feb. 28, and without the quick thinking of Airmen at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, the substantial amount of snow and ice it brought could have cost a life.

  • PACE to forge professional Airmen

    Forging professional Airmen was the focus of Gen. Robin Rand, commander of Air Education and Training Command, as he officiated a ceremony March 11, formally recognizing the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.