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U.S. Air Force News

  • How to: The Airman Comprehensive Assessment

    It has been nearly half a year since the release and implementation of the new Airman Comprehensive Assessment, a comprehensive worksheet that aids in creating feedback between a supervisor/rater and their ratee. AF.mil reviews the form that guides supervisors through the conversation with their

  • Airman helps strengthen bond between US, China

    An Airman assigned to the 15th Operations Support Squadron here, is tapping into a unique set of skills to support the U.S. Pacific Command's priority of strengthening its foreign partnerships. Capt. Joshua Hu, a 15th OSS executive officer, speaks Mandarin Chinese and has used his ability to

  • US, South Korean air forces sharpen cyberspace defense

    Attacks, counter-attacks, bombs, rescues, evacuations and logistics are all elements of conflict. For the participants of Key Resolve 2015, these actions and other important elements of combat come through a buzzing hard drive rather than from a physical foe.

  • Blake paved way for thousands of Air Force women

    At the first available opportunity to return to her roots, Staff Sgt. Esther Blake transferred from the Army to the Air Force on July 8, 1948, minutes after the start of the first duty day for the WAF, along with 11 other women at Fort McPherson, near Atlanta. She remained on active duty with the

  • RQ-4B soars past 10,000 flying hours

    An RQ-4B Global Hawk embarked on an Operation Inherent Resolve mission March 7, which sent the aircraft soaring past the 10,000 flying-hour milestone at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

  • Ground equipment Airmen keep aircraft aloft

    It’s the minute details of tasks that make what Airmen do so vital to accomplishing their missions. For the Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) flight, these details have a profound impact on flightline operations each day.

  • Bagram remembers Operation Anaconda’s fallen

    Senior Airman Jason Cunningham and six of his special forces comrades including Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts, Army Sgt. Bradley Crose, Army Sgt. Phillip Svitak, Army Spc. Marc Anderson and Army Cpl. Matthew Commons, traded their blood for freedom in the

  • SecAF introduces diversity initiatives

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James kicked off Women’s History Month by speaking to attendees during the Center for a New American Security “Women and Leadership in National Security” conference in Washington, D.C., March 4, 2015.  “There’s simply no country in the world as widely diverse

  • AF responds to National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force

    The Air Force responded to the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force’s recommendations in a report to Congress March 4. Of the Commission’s 42 recommendations, Air Force officials disagreed with only one and are already in the process of implementing 25, as well as developing plans

  • March issue of Airman magazine now available

    In this issue or Airman, our cover story tells the story of Master Sgt. Randy Rollins and his journey as a child who tinkers on Volkswagen Beetles with his uncle, to an Airman who tinkers on the C-5 Galaxy.

  • 32 Airmen to enter Career Intermission Program

    Thirty-four officer and enlisted Airmen were selected to participate in the Air Force's Career Intermission Program which offers from one to three years of partially paid time out of uniform to focus on personal and professional pursuits. Two of those selected have since voluntarily withdrawn their

  • Vietnam War veterans honored during ceremony at AF Memorial

    More than 100 service members, civilians and veterans braved the cold and icy weather to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action during the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War commemoration ceremony and wreath-laying March 2, at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

  • AF trials underway for 2015 Warrior Games

    U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, British and Australian wounded warriors are fighting for a chance to compete at the 2015 Warrior Games during the Air Force Trials Feb. 27 through March 5, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

  • Enlisted European leaders attend first sergeant symposium

    Enlisted leaders from air forces throughout Europe visited Ramstein Air Base, Germany to attend the Kaiserslautern Military Community First Sergeant Council's First Sergeant Symposium along with 120 Airmen from around the KMC Feb. 23 to 27.

  • Manpower: Man behind the math

    Having risen to the height of public interest since the commencement of Operation Resolute Support in January, the drawdown of U.S.

  • Two-man shop engineers mission success

    The importance of the CE mission is vital at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, and with the eyes of the world following the development of the region; the execution of KAF’s engineering operation rests squarely on the shoulders of only two Airmen.

  • AF leaders seek relief from sequestration-level funding

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III discussed the damaging effects of sequestration with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations’ Defense Subcommittee Feb. 27.

  • Air Force places 18 A-10 aircraft into 'Backup Status'

    The Air Force, with congressional authorization, will convert 18 primary combat-coded A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from active units and place them into Backup-Aircraft Inventory (BAI) status with the possibility to convert another 18 at a later date in fiscal year 2015.

  • ‘Military Saves Week’ highlights personal finance issues

    Defense Department officials have designated Feb. 23-28, as “Military Saves Week” to highlight the need for military families to reduce debt and save for the future, something Pentagon officials emphasize is key to force readiness.

  • AF senior leaders caution against sequestration

    The Air Force’s top two leaders justified their service’s funding proposal in the fiscal year 2016 President’s Budget request to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee during an Air Force posture hearing Feb. 25, in Washington, D.C.

  • CHIEFchat: TA rumors, slowing the growth of pay, benefits

    During his latest CHIEFchat, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody put to rest rumors of changes to tuition assistance. He also discussed military pay and benefits, the growing cyber domain, and master sergeant evaluation boards.

  • Staff sergeant beats cancer

    For many people, Independence Day is all about celebration, spending time with family and watching fireworks light up the night sky, but on July 4, 2014, there was no celebrating for Staff Sgt. Richard L. Johnson.

  • 2014 Air Force safety awards announced

    Air Force Chief of Safety Maj. Gen. Kurt F. Neubauer recently announced the recipients of the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and Chief of Safety Awards for 2014.

  • Airmen missing from WWII accounted for

    The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Feb. 23, that the remains of U.S. servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been accounted for and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

  • Mere minutes between life and death

    Staff Sgt. Wade Owen helped save the lives of Joe Akin, a retired Army veteran, by kicking down the door to Akin’s residence after he had succumbed to a nearly lethal dose of carbon monoxide.

  • Natural disaster response improved at Cope North 15

    More than 300 service members from six countries joined together to conduct the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) portion of exercise Cope North 15 from Feb. 15 to 18, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and throughout the region of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

  • Fueling the Strike Eagle's fire

    The shimmering heat waves that emanate from jet exhaust, the rumble of twin Pratt and Whitney engines, the unmistakable aroma of pure Jet A fuel. The sights, sounds and smells of F-15E Strike Eagles in flight are made possible in part by the tireless efforts of a group of Airmen strategically placed

  • Nuclear oversight board members visit Minot AFB

    More than three dozen members of the Air Force's senior leadership, including Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, converged on Minot Air Force Base for a meeting of the Nuclear Oversight Board here today. The NOB is a quarterly

  • ISR invests in infrastructure, Airmen

    Increasing demands for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, coupled with limited funding across the Air Force, were discussed during the Air Force Association’s monthly breakfast Feb. 18, in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Academy, Kirtland Airmen rewarded for API ideas

    A human resources assistant at the Air Force Academy and an Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) officer at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, will be among the first to receive financial rewards from the Airmen Powered by Innovation program.

  • Priorities of AF acquisition outlined at symposium

    Dr. William A. LaPlante, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, outlined the Air Force's top acquisition priorities during the Air Force Association’s annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 13, in Orlando, Florida.

  • Buckley Airman 'strikes out' competition

    Some people never get the chance to turn their hobbies into achievements, but one 2nd Space Warning Squadron Airman proved that if you work hard enough, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

  • Airmen are the key to air power

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James talked about the importance of a healthy budget, innovation and developing Airmen as key pieces to remaining the world’s greatest air power, during the Air Force Association’s annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 13, in Orlando,

  • International Affairs partners talk cooperation

    Ms. Heidi Grant, deputy under secretary of the Air Force Office of International Affairs, conducted a question and answer panel consisting of partner air force leaders from Denmark, Australia and United Arab Emirates during the Air Force Association’s annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology

  • AF chief of staff: Call to the future

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III shared his thoughts on where the Air Force is, where it’s going and how it’s going to get there with an audience at the Air Force Association’s annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 12, in Orlando, Florida.

  • Cody gives enlisted perspective at AFA

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody outlined his top priorities for the enlisted force during the Air Force Association’s annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition in Orlando, Florida, Feb. 12.

  • PMEL: The standard's standard

    Zero mistakes. That's the standard the precision measurement equipment laboratory (PMEL) technicians are held to on a daily basis. One mistake in their shop could mean the difference between a guided weapons system firing on target or missing by several feet.

  • AF conducts massive protected MILSATCOM test

    The Air Force concluded a six-month rigorous and complex multiservice operational test and evaluation of its Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF)system in January at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.

  • AF top leaders mentor future Airmen

    More than 30 Air Force general officers offered their time and expertise to high school students during the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) Conference Feb. 6, at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

  • AF Ebola support winds down

    After more than four months of continuous airlift support to Operation United Assistance, the U.S. Air Force is winding down efforts in Senegal, Monrovia and Liberia.

  • DISA rolls out DOD online communication tool

    The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is rolling out a new online collaboration tool that offers Defense Department employees anywhere in the world secure web conferencing and secure instant messaging and chat capabilities.

  • 20th CES wins conservation award

    The 20th Civil Engineer Squadron installation management flight at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, was awarded the General Thomas D. White Natural Resources Conservation Award in the large base installation category.

  • Greek, US training reaffirms rock-solid friendship

    With the White Mountains of Crete as their backdrop, U.S. and Hellenic air forces F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft soared to great heights and speeds as part of a continuing flying training deployment (FTD) Jan. 16 through Feb. 13 at Souda Bay, Greece.

  • Weather flight Airmen continue to support Bagram operations

    On an average day, the most critical information conveyed by a forecast might be whether it's advisable to carry an umbrella or not. However, the counsel of weather forecasters at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, has the power to ground planes.

  • Maintaining the technological edge

    Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Larry O. Spencer urged members of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to help the service maintain their technological edge at their winter board meeting Jan. 27.

  • AF introduces Volume 9 of Portraits in Courage

    The Air Force released its ninth volume of Portraits in Courage, highlighting five teams and seven individual Airman for their honor, valor, devotion and selfless sacrifice in the face of extreme danger to themselves and others.

  • A dream born from chaos

    In the early hours of Dec. 20, 1989, when most of Panama City was sleeping, a 10-year-old boy and his family were awakened by explosions and helicopters overhead. The family exited their home, only to witness pandemonium: buildings burning down, people running and screaming. War was reality for

  • Generating airpower: Chiefs of the flightline

    Maintainers have to be efficient in maintaining every aspect of their aircraft. Some days are spent crewing a specific jet for the day's flights, others are dedicated to the many demands of the maintenance world, it's difficult to put into words all that a crew chief does.

  • CMSAF visits Airmen, stresses importance of USAFE mission

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, met with Airmen from bases around U.S. Air Forces in Europe during visits, Jan. 25-31, to thank them and their families for their service, and to discuss the future of USAFE.

  • 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

  • Air Force names 2-star to lead F-35 Integration Office

    With the initial operating capability date of the F-35 Lightning II quickly approaching, the Air Force appointed Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian as the director of a larger Air Force F-35 Integration Office, Feb. 1.

  • Air Force risks becoming too small to succeed under sequestration

    During testimony on Capitol Hill Jan. 28, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III stressed the negative impact sequestration will have on future Air Force capabilities, emphasizing further budget cuts will lead to low morale and declined readiness in the Air Force.

  • For the love of shooting

    If you were to ask Staff Sgt. Alan Daly to explain the role combat arms instructors play in the success of the 48th Fighter Wing mission, he would say that the base is a “forward, ready, now” base."That's what we do. We deploy," said the 48th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor.

  • Altus AFB assists with Army National Guard jump training

    Even with the noise of the aircraft flying 1,000 feet above the ground, the mood is quiet."Six minutes!" yells Staff Sgt. Laura Bourdlais, a 58th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, before she opens the side door revealing the lights of San Antonio, Texas, in the distance.

  • CMSAF visits Lajes, engages with Airmen

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, made a stop at Lajes Field, Azores, during a tour of remote locations across U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Jan. 26.

  • MAPS, PREL achieve all work cages ready for duty

    All 17 of the 341st Missile Wing's guided missile maintenance platforms (GMMP) became available for field use Jan. 14, according to Lt. Col. John Briner, the 341st Missile Operations Squadron commander. This feat is unprecedented in recent memory.

  • AFSOUTH aids in training partners for UN Peace keeping mission

    Members of Air Forces Southern military training team were given the opportunity in December 2014, to teach the Defense Institute for Medical Operations train-the-trainer course focused on the Ebola virus to approximately 100 individuals from Latin American partner countries.

  • The 'daily flap' brings morale, leadership to Total Force team

    When reporting for the duty day, most maintainers go to their areas, prepare for their shift and begin the day's work. Yet the day begins a bit differently for some members in the 92nd Maintenance Squadron, where an Airman found a way to motivate, inspire and lead others with just a few words of

  • Airman pulls woman from burning vehicle

    As the flames grew more intense with each failed attempt to coax the shocked woman out of the car with words, Tech. Sgt. Justin Mahana knew they were running out of time, so he took a different course of action.

  • Yokota aircrew practices survival tactics in Fuji foothills

    An aircrew with the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, tested their survival, evasion, resistance and escape capabilities Jan. 16 at Camp Fuji, Japan. The SERE-led exercise tested their ability to survive a simulated aircraft crash behind enemy lines.

  • Joint Base San Antonio selected to host AFIMSC headquarters

    Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, was selected as the host base for the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) Headquarters.Air Force officials chose the installation after analyzing operational considerations, installation attributes, economic and environmental factors at four

  • Modernization is a must for the nuclear enterprise

    The Air Force’s priorities for modernization and continuous improvement in the nuclear enterprise were the top of discussion during the Air Force Association’s monthly breakfast Jan. 20 in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Cross-utilization training solving problems for McChord Airmen

    After a year of cuts in both manning and fiscal resources, the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here had to develop a creative way to keep the mission going strong by educating Airmen in other Air Force specialty codes (AFSCs) to assist the currently undermanned aircraft hydraulics section.

  • Andersen AFB Airman makes every dollar count

    An Airman from the 554th RED HORSE Squadron put his innovative thinking to the test, stepping up to the challenge put forth by Air Force leaders under a service wide cost saving initiative.Capt. Nassem Ghandour, the 554th RHS engineering flight deputy commander, was recognized through the Every

  • SAPR: Creating a culture shift

    According to officials from the Department of Defense's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, rising reports of sexual assault is not only a good indication of a cultural shift in the force structure, but also on the utilization of SAPR resources.People who experience sexual assault are

  • DUI through a Defender’s eyes

    One quiet night while on shift, a security forces patrol leader and her partner witness a car rolling through the stop sign at a nearby intersection. With vehicle lights flashing, they initiate a traffic stop.After approaching the vehicle and requesting the required documentation – government I.D.,

  • F-35 arrival begins new era at weapons school

    A new era began at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School when its first F-35A Lightning II touched-down on the flightline here Jan. 15, flown straight from the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas.

  • AF to expand Powder River Training Complex

    The Air Force issued its record of decision Jan. 16, to expand the airspace at the Powder River Training Complex (PRTC), after an extensive review of environmental impacts and public concerns regarding expansion.

  • Air Force brings ideas to Defense Innovation Initiative

    In dual remarks during the State of the Air Force press briefing here Jan. 15, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and the Air Force chief of staff announced plans to bring the service’s research, science and technology ideas to the Defense Innovation Initiative, led by Deputy Secretary of Defense

  • Air Force senior leadership addresses need to stabilize RPA enterprise

    During a State of the Air Force address held at the Pentagon, Jan 15, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James announced immediate preliminary steps to develop a get-well plan to improve the health of the MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper enterprise in light of extensive combatant commander

  • SecAF, CSAF discuss future of the Air Force

    Senior leadership addressed the key issues, priorities, initiatives and challenges facing the Air Force during the State of the Air Force press briefing, Jan. 15 at the Pentagon.

  • Ship named in honor of Air Force captain

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus conducted the official naming ceremony of Motor Vessel Capt. David I. Lyon Jan. 14, at the Pentagon.

  • Dempsey praises Scowcroft during dedication ceremony

    Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised the career of retired Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft during a dedication ceremony in honor of Scowcroft’s achievements Jan. 13, held at the National War College on Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C.

  • State of the Air Force

    Senior Air Force officials will brief the press at 2 p.m. EST, Jan. 15. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III will discuss the current state of the Air Force, as well as, share their thoughts on the future of the Air Force.

  • EOD: Keeping Airmen, community safe

    The motto, “initial success or total failure,” requires Airmen of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) flight here to think outside the box and accept nothing less than perfection when performing their duties.

  • Brothers in arms

    Brothers in arms is a common expression among military members, but rarely do actual siblings directly complement each other's contributions to the mission. At the 388th Fighter Wing on Hill Air Force Base, Utah, 1st Lt. Sean Rush and Staff Sgt. Brandon Rush are doing exactly that.