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U.S. Air Force News

  • Around the Air Force: Feb. 9

    On this look around the Air Force a group known as the Enterprise Capability Collaboration Team explores how the service will continue to lead, operate and integrate electronic warfare throughout the electromagnetic spectrum, surgical teams train on the use of robotics and the Air Force continues to

  • Reserve Airmen support SpaceX Falcon Heavy milestone launch

    Reserve Airmen are used to supporting milestone rocket launches, and have supported manned spaceflight launches through the years; however, they have never supported a rocket toting a car.SpaceX’s CEO Elon Musk’s cherry red Roadster from Tesla, his electric car company, was the payload on the Falcon

  • Chapel group fully embraces 2nd core value: Service before self

    When Hurricane Harvey bore down on the Houston area as a Category 4 hurricane and stalled for several days in late August 2017, it dropped records amount of rain. It was the second most costly storm in U.S. history, only behind Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to a recently released report by

  • Air National Guard hosts Open Skies flight

    The Air National Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing hosted members of partner military forces for joint training flights over the U.S. at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base here, January 31 to February 2, 2018.

  • Air Force announces next steps in light attack experimentation

    Following the Light Attack Experiment conducted in August 2017, the Air Force announced its intention to continue experimenting with two non-developmental aircraft, the Textron Aviation AT-6 Wolverine and the Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano, from May to July 2018 at Davis-Monthan Air Force

  • 19th Air Force commander directs T-6 operational pause

    The 19th Air Force commander has issued an operational pause for all T-6 Texan II operations to ensure aircrew safety after a cluster of unexplained physiological events occurred at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, Vance AFB, Oklahoma, and Sheppard AFB, Texas within the last week.

  • Resources and support for pregnancy and infant loss

    October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, where organizations and communities everywhere host events to commemorate the lives parents and families have lost due to miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss. However, Rendon is on a mission to make pregnancy and infant loss awareness more

  • Reserve wing receives German Maritime Search and Rescue award

    For the first time in 20 years, the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service awarded the Medal of Honor on Ribbon for Rescue Missions at Sea in Gold in a special ceremony to the 920th Rescue Wing Jan. 26, 2018, at the German Martime Museum.The wing, based out of Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, was

  • Around the Air Force: Jan. 26

    On this look around the Air Force NASA and the German Aerospace Center conduct bio-fuels testing and the Air Force has begun the rollout of Tier 2 physical fitness training standards.

  • Air Force announces Spark Tank finalists

    The Air Force announced the six Spark Tank finalists who will showcase their innovative ideas to Air Force senior leaders Feb. 23, 2018, in Orlando, Florida, at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium.

  • 386th EMXS Combat Metals Flight: fabricating parts, saving money

    The combat metals flight combines multiple Air Force specialties, including aircraft structural maintenance and aircraft metals technology technicians. This flight tends to be exclusive to deployed environments, allowing the utilization and optimization of available resources.

  • Wellness for mission success – create balance

    Finding balance and fulfilling all of life’s demands can be difficult for anyone, but reserve Airmen have an extra layer they weave into their lives. This layer involves giving away one of their weekends every month, completing rigorous training and being prepared for the potential to have to drop

  • Around the Air Force: Jan. 19

    On this look around the Air Force Ohio Air National Guard Airmen support theater security in Estonia, combat aviation advisors are authorized to wear a brown beret, and virtual reality is used in an adaptive flight training study. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Koetz.

  • Mathies NCOA: Developing enlisted leaders

    More than 750 NCOs walk through the double doors of the Mathies NCO Academy on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, every year. After six weeks, they walk out ready to make their Air Force a better, more capable organization.

  • Second annual enlisted RPA pilot selection board convenes at AFPC

    The second annual enlisted remotely piloted aircraft pilot selection board meets at the Air Force Personnel Center this week to identify the next enlisted group to attend RPA pilot training as part of the deliberate approach to enhance the Air Force’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance

  • 386th ELRS moves thousands of passengers, cargo

    The Air Force is required to move hundreds of thousands of tons of cargo a year in support of military operations around the world. The importance of this mission is clear for the men and women who serve the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron.

  • Wellness for mission success – manage stress

    This is the second in a four-part series on how individual wellness contributes to mission success and why it’s beneficial for Reserve Citizen Airmen to preserve health, manage stress, create balance and find meaning.

  • Researchers test virtual reality Adaptive Flight Training Study

    A team of student researchers from Air Command and Staff College, Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, conducted an Adaptive Flight Training Study Jan. 9-12, 2018, at Columbus AFB, Mississippi,to aid in the Air Force’s advancement in training and education through virtual reality.

  • First AFWERX storefront opens in Las Vegas

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, along with guest of honor Vice President Mike Pence as well as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein, opened the AFWERX-Vegas storefront Jan. 11 at the Howard Hughes Center in Las Vegas.

  • Vice President Mike Pence visits Nellis AFB

    Vice President Mike Pence made his way to Las Vegas Jan. 11, 2018, to attend the grand opening of the first AFWERX facility and visit the men and women of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

  • Confined space trainer redefines training plan

    Aircraft fuels systems Airmen assigned to the 100th Maintenance Squadron have to become familiar with claustrophobic work spaces, such as the fuel tanks within the wings of an aircraft, in order to do their jobs. A team of Airmen within the 100th MXG, each contributing from their different sections

  • AFJROTC launches Flight Academy program to address aircrew shortage

    Headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC has launched a program aimed at potentially putting more pilots in the cockpits of military aircraft to help address the Air Force’s ongoing aircrew shortage.Beginning in the summer of 2018, select AFJROTC cadets who applied for a new Fight Academy scholarship will

  • Air Force, Army, Navy personnel participate in joint training

    Members of the 41st Aerial Port Squadron and other Air Force, Army and Navy units teamed up for a joint training scenario called GRIP III Breaking Barriers Jan. 5-7, 2018, at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi and at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center – Battlefield Airman Center.

  • Wellness for mission success

    Physical health is at the core of a person’s ability to complete their mission. If they are injured or sick, or exhausted, they might be able to show up and do work, but their effectiveness will be diminished.

  • EOD Airman receives Purple Heart

    More than 10 years after his injury, Tech. Sgt. Douglas Smits, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team leader, received a Purple Heart medal at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, Jan. 5, 2018.

  • Basic Training to Al Udeid: Two Air Force careers reunited after 21 years

    It all started in 1996. One kid from Prattville, Alabama, and another from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, took a bus to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. They were both a little scared and excited to become the U.S. Air Force’s newest Airmen. Though they grew up about 400 miles apart and spent six weeks

  • Air Force saves Airmen time, no longer requires first year evaluations

    Air Force officials announced Jan. 4, 2018, Enlisted Performance Reports are no longer required for regular Air Force Airmen in the grade of airman first class and below with less than 36 months’ Time-In-Service or Air Reserve Component Airmen below the grade of senior airman.

  • Is there a medic onboard?

    While returning from leave, an Osan Air Base Airman sprang into action, saving the life of a fellow passenger mid-flight, Nov. 11, 2017.

  • Air Force dual-military retention improves thanks to Airman’s idea

    The day comes when that final project is due for class. The project is ready and prepped for presentation or thrown together within twenty-four hours. Either way it has to be ready without delay. Despite being an academic project, sometimes there are cases where it could be implemented in real life.

  • Government charge card required for Air Force travel

    A recent change to a Defense Department travel instruction strengthens enforcement of an Air Force policy that requires travelers to use a Government Travel Charge Card, also known as an Individual Billing Account.

  • Air Force finance workshop offers training for technicians

    Financial customer service technicians from around the Air Force will visit San Antonio in late January for three days of training designed to enhance their skills and abilities to meet issues and challenges they face at base level finance offices.

  • Air Force selects 63 officers, civilians for test pilot school

    The Air Force has selected 63 primary and alternate students to attend training at the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Naval, British and French test pilot schools, with classes starting next summer.The selection board met in July and considered total force officer and civilian candidates for test pilot, test

  • AF releases 2018 squadron command slection list

    More than 550 officers from more than 20 career fields, including support, medical, test and others, have been matched to squadron commander positions across the Air Force.Using the previously published squadron commander candidate lists, wing and group hiring officials selected individuals to fill

  • SecAF visits Maxwell AFB, emphasizes importance of leadership

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson visited Maxwell Air Force Base, Dec. 11-13, 2017, to discuss some of her priorities with Airmen across the base.One of the main points Wilson underscored during her visit was that she and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein view the squadron as

  • Blended Military Retirement System to take effect Jan. 1

    One of the most wide-reaching and significant changes to military pay and benefits over the last 70 years goes into effect Jan. 1 with the implementation of the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System, known as BRS.

  • Military branches come together for combat training

    The 366th Fighter Wing is located in the middle of nowhere in southern Idaho, nearly an hour away from a large city. Not exactly the description of a place one would expect military forces from every U.S. service and foreign allies would be excited to visit. In reality, Mountain Home AFB’s

  • Boom operator reaches 5,000 flying hours

    Just east of Denver, Nov. 29, 2017, McCrillis anticipated the moment he would complete his goal of reaching 5,000 flying hours. It came just after he completed refueling his favorite receiver, the B-52 Stratofortress.

  • Advisor serves as career guidebook

    Hikers who climb a mountain without a guidebook could probably still reach the summit, but they might run into obstacles they could have avoided, or miss things like shortcuts and unique landmarks. Career assistance advisors are like a guidebook. They can help Airmen avoid obstacles, find the

  • 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

  • Finding the way: Special tactics chief awarded Silver Star

    Chief Master Sgt. Michael West, 24th Special Operations Wing special tactics operator, utilized 58 coalition aircraft delivering 24,000 pounds of munitions, turning the tide of battle, and now he’s receiving the Silver Star Medal.

  • Around the Air Force: Dec. 15

    On this look around the Air Force the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Goldfein announces deployment changes, and Royal Air Force joint terminal attack controllers train with Airmen in South Dakota. Hosted by Airman Marqus Williams.

  • Total force medical team transports Sailor home

    When a 34-year-old Navy Ssailor suffered multiple traumatic injuries during a mission in Syria, a Total Force team of medical professionals and mMobility Airmen sprung into action, intent on saving the life of a fellow service member.

  • AF names primaries, alternates for advanced studies

    Air Force officials announced the selection of 86 officers as primary or alternate participants for advanced studies at the nation’s advanced war fighting schools during the 2018-2019 academic year.

  • Operation Christmas Drop launches

    The 66th iteration of Operation Christmas Drop took to the sky Dec. 11, 2017 as military leaders ceremoniously pushed the first pallet of donated toys, food, supplies and educational materials into a C-130J Super Hercules at Andersen Air Force Base.

  • JTACs, aircrews participate in joint exercise over PRTC

    Aircrews from Ellsworth Air Force Base worked side-by-side with members of the 582nd Helicopter Group out of F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming and joint terminal attack controllers from the England’s Royal Air Force during a joint-training exercise over the Powder River Training Complex in western South

  • Airmen encouraged to update their vRED, SOES information

    Airmen should review and update their virtual Record of Emergency Data and their Servicemembers’ Online Election System information annually, before deploying and each time they experience a major life change, such as marriage or divorce, permanent change of station or birth of a child.

  • Air Force announces change to deployments

    The Air Force announced another milestone under the chief of staff’s number two focus area: Strengthening Joint Leaders and Teams.Airmen deploying on individual taskings will now deploy in teams of three or more. This move will provide mutual support during the entire deployment continuum. This

  • Columbus AFB AFE keeps pilot production going

    The Air Force is known for its air supremacy around the globe, and pilots are recognized for their ability to keep the skies safe from America’s enemies. But who keeps the pilots safe?

  • Hill AFB F-35A maintainers passing the Pacific TSP test

    Five weeks into the first F-35A Pacific Theater Security Package deployment the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit team is at full stride.Maintainers in the Pacific location and in Utah, home of the 34th AMU under the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings are coming together to make the first TSP a success and

  • AF awards recognize pilot excellence

    With a continued focus on solving the pilot retention problem and maintaining air dominance, Air Force senior leaders look to celebrate the culture and flying expertise of their pilots.

  • Double take: Brothers’ bond extends far beyond twin upbringing

    It is well known that twins share a unique bond that transcends other sibling relationships. It’s common for twins to live, work and recreate within close proximity to each other throughout their lives.But for one pair of Air Force twins, they’ve taken that commonality several steps further.

  • 25th OWS Science and Training Team awarded Thor’s Hammer Trophy

    The 25th Operational Weather Squadron Science and Training Team channeled the spirit of the ancient god as they won the inaugural Thor’s Legions Forecast Challenge and received the Thor’s hammer trophy from Lt. Gen. Mark Nowland, Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, at the Pentagon in

  • 35th FW relocates for Vigilant Ace 18

    The 35th Fighter Wing relocated 18 F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 280 personnel to participate in Vigilant Ace 18, an annual flying exercise at Osan Air Base, South Korea, occurring Dec. 4 - 8, 2017.

  • Airman lunges for knockout debut

    A Florida native, Tech. Sgt. Andre Penn, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron unaccompanied housing manager at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, has been preparing for more than a decade to achieve his dream of becoming a professional boxer.

  • Chief Wright to Airmen: Know your retirement options

    If I had to pick just one thing I’m most passionate about as the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, without a doubt it would be taking care of our Airmen and their families professionally, physically, spiritually and financially. I’m a firm believer that these four things go hand in hand. In order

  • Could flying faster save the Air Force fuel?

    On a Sunday morning just outside of Anchorage, Alaska, a group of Hawaii Air National Guard fighter pilots gathered around a desk at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to hear the day's operational briefing after three weeks of training at Red Flag Alaska.

  • First Afghan UH-60 pilots graduate

    Six Afghan Air Force members became the first ever AAF UH-60 Black Hawk pilots, after graduation from Aircraft Qualification Training during a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 20, 2017.

  • Around the Air Force: Dec. 1

    On this look around the Air Force the preferred location for a new MQ-9 Reaper wing is selected, continuation pay rates are announced for the Blended Retirement System (BRS), and Exercise Lightning Focus is taking place in Australia. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Anastasia Tompkins.

  • Schoolhouse unites father, son for C-130 mission

    Mentors come in many forms, whether they’re coworkers, supervisors or even friends, they provide personal and professional advice that can impact someone for the rest of their lives. Airman Trevor Armentrout, 700th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, often receives guidance through one of his mentors, his

  • Airman brings Reaper, ISR capabilities closer together

    Among the exceptional Airmen of the 25th Air Force are many inspirational leaders, motivators and innovators. Staff Sgt. Nick, 526th Intelligence Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of Distributed Mission Site Flight Operations, is one of those unique Airmen.

  • Hill AFB’s F-35A, Airmen mastering first Pacific deployment

    More than 300 men and women of the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah and 12 F-35A Lightning IIs are conducting business for the next six months on the subtropical Japanese island of Okinawa during a deployment known as a Theater Security Package.