NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • AF first sergeants gather, train to answer CSAF Squadron Revitalization Call

    More than 210 first sergeants from across the Air Force did their part to aid the CSAF’s squadron revitalization effort, as they gathered at the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Tennessee, July 21-27, for a summit and symposium to become

  • Eglin AFB pilots receive ratings for new helicopter

    Maj. Zach Roycroft and Tony Arrington completed the five-week contracted course on the civilian counterpart to the Air Force’s new MH-139 helicopter. The helicopter will replace the Air Force’s aging UH-1N Huey.

  • 621st CRW, joint partners team up for exercise

    In this joint training exercise, approximately 125 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing teamed up with about 50 689th Rapid Port Opening Element Soldiers and five Defense Logistics Agency’s Rapid Deployment Team-Blue members to conduct Joint Task Force-Port Opening in order to bring

  • Evolution of space: 2nd SOPS celebrates GPS Block III on-orbit test

    Lockheed Martin presented the 2nd Space Operations Squadron with a GPS Block III model satellite to celebrate the successful on-orbit testing of the new GPS III satellite at Schriever Air Force Base, July 29.Staff Sgt. Joseph Wood, 2nd SOPS mission chief, said the model is a physical representation

  • Academy plays central role in developing tomorrow’s STEM leaders

    Cadets at the Air Force Academy today are immersed in hands-on STEM programs while also exposed to a broad education in the humanities and non-technical disciplines. All cadets take at least two-thirds of their coursework in a cross-disciplinary core and almost half of all their courses are in STEM

  • CSAF visits Greenland

    Thule AFB supports three diverse mission sets: tactical warning of potential ballistic missile attacks against the United States and Canada as part of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System; providing space situational awareness by tracking manmade objects in orbit; and satellite command and

  • Operation Rapid Forge concludes

    The 10-day operation helped ensure U.S. forces’ ability to fulfill the European Deterrence Initiative, a policy to assure and defend NATO allies, while promoting deterrence in an increasingly complex security environment.

  • Simulators prepare Airmen for real-world scenarios

    “They blink, they breathe,” said Raymond Jernigan, 633rd MDG simulator operator. “Even the baby simulators have motion. They cry. I can program it to talk. They can be programmed to have physiological responses – I’ll set the vital signs.”

  • AETC welcomes new commander

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein presided over the ceremony and emphasized the importance of the AETC mission and he commended members of the command for their efforts. He listed Pilot Training Next, force development, a campaign of learning, squadron commander school and the overhaul

  • Pilot Prep Program: 'Right answer for the Air Force'

    The new Air Force initiative to fill the need for military pilots was forged by Brig. Gen. Christopher M. Short, director of the Aircrew Crisis Task Force at the Pentagon. It’s one of many Total Force partnerships between the Air Force and its longtime auxiliary, CAP.

  • 435th CRS teaches offload methods in Poland

    During Aviation Rotation 19-3, a bilateral training exercise to improve joint functions between the U.S. and Polish militaries, members from the 435th Contingency Response Squadron worked to teach combat offload procedures at Powidz Air Base, Poland.

  • Kentucky Air Guard home to DoD’s only search and rescue dog

    In response to scenarios like the Haitian earthquake, Parsons spearheaded a new approach, developing the squadron’s Search and Rescue K-9 program. The effort, launched in 2018, is designed to increase the capabilities of disaster response teams in locating and recovering personnel through the use of

  • 100th surgical team completes robotic surgery training

    This milestone is significant for Keesler’s InDORSE program, showing how far the curriculum has come since the program first stood up in March 2017 with just one robot. Now, InDORSE has acquired a second robot, allowing them to train more military surgical teams across the Department of Defense as

  • 349th ARS secures Air Force-level award

    The Senior Master Sgt. Albert Evans Outstanding Air Refueling Section Award is presented every year to the top boom operator section in the Air Force. This is the first time the 349th ARS has won the award.

  • Vt. ANG prepares for F-35 arrival

    The partnership between the 158th FW consists of the visiting staff from BAE Systems, Inc., Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney aerospace company who are assisting members through the technical phases of induction.

  • Air Force announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen of 2019

    An Air Force selection board at the Air Force’s Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal

  • CSAF visits Spangdahlem AB

    Goldfein attended a luncheon at the base dining facility with squadron commanders and superintendents from the 52nd Fighter Wing before meeting with all Sabers to discuss ongoing Air Force initiatives and the base’s significance in the overall Air Force mission.

  • 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron trains alongside Royal Air Force

    Reservists from the U.S. Air Force Reserve 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and Royal Auxiliary Air Force No. 4626 Squadron focused on sharing key aeromedical evacuation skills and leadership and teamwork experiences. Because both units are made up primarily of reservists, the training provided

  • 509th MXS propulsion flight Airmen boost readiness to 18-year high

    The 509th Maintenance Squadron Propulsion Flight has achieved the highest engine readiness rate across the active-duty Air Force. 40 jet engine mechanics operate out of a repair center on base, ensuring the readiness of Whiteman Air Force Base’s 44 billion dollar fleet of B-2 Spirits.

  • Hill AFB Airmen expand F-35A combat capability in Rapid Forge

    The goal is to expand the Air Force’s adaptive or agile basing ability, a concept in which aircraft operate from forward, temporary, sometimes contested locations. The ability to land, refuel and rearm at forward airfields gives commanders more flexibility to strike and limits enemies’ ability to

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Goodfellow AFB embraces National Defense Strategy

    Falling under the Air Education and Training Command, Goodfellow AFB builds a more ready, resilient and rapidly innovative force by modernizing learning inside its 250,000 square feet of secure training facilities.

  • Artist to Airman: Street artist to art of war

    Muralist, painter, street artist and 315th Airlift Wing Reservist, Staff Sgt. Corban Lundborg, combat photojournalist with the 4th Combat Camera Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, used his creative talent and public affairs training to win 2018 Air Force Photographer of the Year and first place in

  • ACC commander speaks at Joint Warfighting Forum

    Air Force Gen. Mike Holmes delivered remarks to the audience of military and industry partners about the future of armed conflict and the importance of integrated systems of command and control.

  • Convoys: Going where no one else can

    Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron offer an inside look on what makes a successful convoy while supporting Hardrock Exercise 19-2 July 14, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

  • AFMC conducts focus groups across enterprise

    The AFMC We Need enterprise-wide initiative, launched in late June 2019, seeks inputs and recommendations from AFMC civilian and military Airmen that can help posture the command to best support the National Defense Strategy today and in the decades to come.

  • Whiteman AFB commemorates 30-year anniversary of B-2 test flight

    For three decades, B-2 crews have participated in five major military operations and countless training engagements. The bomber has completed missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and, most recently, Libya. The B-2 was also the first aircraft over Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, for which

  • Air advisors train with Niger Armed Forces

    Air advisors assigned to the 409th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron conducted training with the Nigerien Armed Forces, also known as Forces Armées Nigeriennes, on how to clear buildings at Niger Air Base 201, July 10.The training was designed to help the FAN improve their efficiency and

  • 57th Rescue Squadron stays rapidly ready

    The 57th Rescue Squadron participates in jump training at least once a quarter, over both land and sea, to keep their skills and knowledge sharp in case they are ever needed in an emergency. The training not only benefits the pararescuemen, but requires harmonization with the squadron’s support

  • RAF Mildenhall maintenance officer awarded Bronze Star

    Since Dec. 6, 1941, men and women who served in any capacity in or with the U.S. military, have been awarded the Bronze Star Medal by distinguishing themselves through heroic or meritorious achievement or service in a combat zone.

  • Mountain Home AFB hosts largest off-station F-35A operation to date

    The squadron, normally stationed at Hill AFB, Utah, is functioning as a detachment with about 300 Airmen in operations, support and maintenance. They arrived at Mountain Home AFB with 17 jets and will build up to 24 as they continue to receive and process new aircraft being delivered from the

  • OTS prepares for arrival of “Godzilla” class

    What is being dubbed the “Godzilla” class, OTS Class 19-07 will push the school to its maximum capacity by tipping the scales with the expected arrival of 800 officer trainees in mid-July.

  • Airmen cultivate leadership qualities through Ranger Assessment Course

    Twenty-three Airmen from across the Air Force recently converged on a training camp for a 3-week Ranger Assessment Course near Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. The purpose of the 19-day course is to prepare, assess and evaluate Air Force candidates for Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

  • Rescue helicopter pilots showcase VR capability to ACC leadership

    The trainer allows four people to don VR headgear and simultaneously enter a server to fly a virtual HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter in simulated training missions. The controls are the same equipment the helicopter uses to add further realism to the VR environment.

  • DoD delays Post 9/11 GI Bill changes

    The implementation has been delayed until January 12, 2020, giving long-serving members more time to transfer their education benefits to spouses or dependents.

  • From enlisted marine to 100th ARW commander

    The son of immigrant parents from Thailand, Col. Troy Pananon, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, didn’t have a long family military tradition to lean on, so he made his own instead.

  • First BMT trainees experience M-4 training, qualification

    Basic Military Training trainees were the first to experience M-4 carbine weapons familiarization course at the range, which closed in November 2018, due to improper rainwater drainage. Since then the range has undergone refurbishing efforts to divert water runoff.

  • Online worksheet to replace biannual AGR review board

    One significant change to the program was the elimination of an AGR Review Board, or ARB, which was held twice a year. The board was co-chaired by the deputy to the chief of Air Force Reserve and the deputy commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, with the purpose of determining career status for

  • U.S., Indonesian air forces wrap up Cope West ‘19

    Cope West is designed to advance interoperability and build upon already-established partnerships between U.S. military forces and Indonesian air forces, with the end goal of enhancing both sides’ combat capabilities and unit readiness.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • Airman owns mistake, recovers from Article 15, becomes shining example

    Airman 1st Class Mary Kapuscinski, 7th Operations Support Squadron meteorologist, was recently recognized for an act that could have saved thousands of lives. She has won awards for her weather forecasting expertise. But it hasn’t always been positive times for her at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

  • Altus AFB Airman wins AF-level Pharmacy Tech of the Year award

    The purpose of the award is to recognize the most outstanding senior pharmacy technician throughout the Air Force each year. The award encompasses leadership, training and career development throughout the career field. Hamilton proved to excel in these categories helping her earn the title of the

  • First virtual reality training arrives at Keesler AFB

    The 334th Training Squadron incorporated the first virtual reality training for airfield management students in the Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base, June 28, so they can get more of a “hands-on” learning experience.

  • Air Force officials announce tour length changes

    The tour length reduction from four to three years for military training instructors, military training leaders, Air Education and Training Command technical training instructors with prefix “T”, “J”, or “X” and stateside professional military education instructors was announced July 1, renewing the

  • Slife takes command of AFSOC

    At a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 28, Lt. Gen. Jim Slife took command of Air Force Special Operations Command. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, presided over the ceremony where Slife took over for Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, who will go on to serve as the commander of Air

  • CSAF presents Kolligian Trophy to T-38 pilot

    During the ceremony, Goldfein stated that Heath's superb analysis and outstanding skill in response to this life-threatening emergency resulted in the safe recovery of two Airmen and an $8.2 million aircraft.

  • AFIT students inform Pentagon energy initiative as part of new course

    Initiated and funded by Air Force Operational Energy, the course covers topics such as aircraft physics, aircraft energy requirements including propulsion & mission systems and the technologies used to meet those requirements. Future technologies are also considered, along with operational factors

  • Air Force announces Junior ROTC instructors of the year

    The award program recognizes AFJROTC instructors’ “diligent work and outstanding achievement” in the development of cadets and encourages excellence through recognition of superior accomplishment. In addition to national recognition for their educational performance and award presentation from the

  • Leadership, teamwork, community service in abundance at MYOY Summit

    Through a partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Air Force Youth Programs, managed by the Air Force Services Center, provide a variety of installation programs that help teens build on skills necessary to be resilient today and successful tomorrow.

  • 2019 DoD Warrior Games underway in Tampa

    This is the second time the Warrior Games are being held in public venues and not on a military installation. The games are free to watch, open to the public and offer a rare opportunity to watch and be inspired by wounded warriors who have shown incredible resilience as they overcome significant

  • Air Force Academy teams up with Test Pilot School in new candidacy program

    Test Pilot School is a highly competitive, 48-week educational opportunity for aviators, combat systems officers, remotely piloted aircraft pilots and engineers. Graduates of the course receive a Master of Science in flight test engineering and go on to test a variety of aerospace weapon systems for

  • Shaw AFB Airmen, USCG hone joint water rescue skills

    Teaming up with U.S. Coast Guardsmen from Tybee Island Coast Guard Station, Georgia, the Shaw AFB SERE specialists traveled 25 nautical miles offshore to simulate downed pilot search and recovery efforts.

  • Red Flag-Alaska 19-2: Indo-Pacific ‘one team’ mentality

    Pilots, maintainers, joint terminal attack controllers and support personnel from the South Korea Air Force, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Thai Air Force train alongside their U.S. and British counterparts during Red Flag-Alaska 19-2 at Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base

  • 815th Airlift Squadron delivers during Swift Response '19

    For exercise Swift Response '19, military members across two continents work as a team to conduct training to increase the participating nations’ readiness, capabilities and capacity to conduct full-spectrum military operations. They use combined training which fosters trust, increases

  • Weapons School: Multi-domain integration since 1996

    A leader in tactics, techniques and procedures development, the USAFWS has focused on integrating combat capabilities across domains since 1996 when the school’s Space Division was established. The division structure was dissolved in 2003 but integrating space operations as part of the USAFWS

  • Around the Air Force: Resident Bill of Rights / DoD Warrior Games / CCAF

    On today's look around the Air Force, the Air Force is looking for feedback on a new Housing Resident Bill of Rights draft, the DOD Warrior Games are starting this Friday, and the Community College of the Air Force will not accept applications for the professional manager certification program after

  • Training environment serves the community

    Sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, this IRT is an Air Force Reserve-led multi service/component training event intended to build mutually beneficial partnerships between the U.S. Department of Defense and local communities. The mission provides service members

  • Travis AFB completes joint inspection with FEMA, ensures readiness

    Urban search and rescue is considered a "multi-hazard" discipline, as it may be needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities and hazardous materials releases.

  • HQ ARPC hosts 2019 Joint IRR Conference

    The Joint IRR Conference included representatives from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy, educating one another on their service-specific IRR programs. While each service program has the same Office of the Secretary of Defense policies driving them, the consensus was that the

  • Providing access to space through innovation

    The U.S. Air Force and Space Command are powered by innovation. Because of this, Vandenberg Air Force Base is continually making improvements to base facilities, equipment and the way Airmen and mission partners do their job in order to complete the space mission.