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U.S. Air Force News

  • Short-notice: A new way to exercise

    When 1st Lt. Matt Lavigne's phone rang late Dec. 10, he knew it was time to scramble into action. As a fighter pilot, preparedness is engraved into his DNA, but this was the first time he'd experienced something like this. In only a few hours, he'd be flying side by side with other F-16 Fighting

  • An Air Force dynamic duo

    The shop is full of constant howling, bones and bouncy balls scattered on the floor, and a pungent smell. The king of this domain is a four-legged creature that lies on a couch and greets people with a slobbery lick.It's just another day for Staff Sgt. Andre Hernandez, a 7th Security Forces Squadron

  • Airmen disarm potential threat, earn medals for courage

    For most Airmen, parties can be a time to unwind after a long week, but for two 82nd Security Forces Squadron entry controllers, unwinding had to be pushed aside when a highly intoxicated Airman brandished a loaded pistol in the dormitory, creating a dangerous environment.

  • A $2 solution to a $3,000 problem

    A brand new circuit board for a rescue fire truck can cost more than $3,000 to replace, regardless of why it has malfunctioned, but fire truck maintainers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington dug a little deeper into the issue and discovered a $2 solution. Recently, the shop was faced with

  • Civil Air Patrol receives congressional recognition

    About 40 living World War II members and their relatives, as well as the families of deceased members, were in attendance as the Civil Air Patrol received the Congressional Gold Medal during a presentation Dec. 10, in the Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington D.C.

  • Thunderbirds release 2015 show schedule

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have finalized their 2015 show schedule. In its 62nd season, the team is slated to perform 71 demonstrations at 39 locations.

  • McChord aircrews put air power on display during exercise

    Aircrews from Joint Bases Lewis-McChord, Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Elmendorf-Richardson departed from McChord Field, Washingotn, in five C-17 Globemaster III aircraft Dec. 6, to participate in realistic and complex training the Air Force has to offer during a joint forcible entry exercise over the

  • SecAF: ISIL fight requires comprehensive approach

    The air campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is working as part of the ongoing joint effort to disrupt, degrade and destroy the terrorist organization, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said here Dec. 9.

  • Joint force hot pitting saves time, money

    Airmen from the 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricant flight here, recently work alongside the U.S. Navy Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) to help develop and implement a "hot pit" refueling process for Navy EA-18G Growlers, which frequent the base.

  • Aviano stays 'Forward, Ready, Now' with joint exercise

    The 555th Fighter Squadron hosted a weeklong exercise with the U.S. and Netherlands joint tactical air controllers here Dec. 2, as a part of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces in Africa's "Forward, Ready, Now" initiative.

  • AFSOUTH Airmen train Salvadoran firefighters

    Firefighters from the 612th Air Base Squadron's Fire Emergency Services facilitated the El Salvador's Autonomous Executive Port Commission airport firefighter live-fire exercise for 12 firefighters, Dec. 3.

  • Train together, fight together

    It takes more than one military branch to defend America's freedoms as joint tactics play a key role in today’s warfighting missions.

  • Air Force selects 409 officers for squadron command

    More than 400 officers from various career fields have been selected for logistics, mission support, materiel leader, operations support and air base squadron command, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Dec. 5.

  • Rescue loadmasters: Balance is key

    A rescue loadmaster squeezes around the tight space in the back of an HC-130J Combat King II. With a nearly 6,000 pound Humvee waiting to be airdropped, there is little room for maneuvering and zero room for error.

  • Airman sells screenplay to Paramount Pictures

    For some, a visit to the dentist feels like a nightmare. But, for Capt. Eric Koenig, the 412th Aerospace Medicine Squadron dental flight commander, he hopes that it's his after-hours hobby that really keeps people awake at night.

  • Colorado Air Guardsman's path to NFL

    Many young kids have hopes and dreams of doing something amazing when they grow up. Many want to be an astronaut, or a police officer. Others may want to serve in the armed forces or become a professional athlete.But for some, more than one dream can come true.

  • A running bond, connects sisters and father

    For 2nd Lt. Abigail Webber, running became a shared activity within her family, especially between Webber and her father, a retired Air Force colonel who ran a closer pace to Webber than her Boston Marathon-running sister.

  • Tool to safeguard PII scheduled for AF-wide December rollout

    The Digital Signature Enforcement Tool is scheduled for Air Force-wide integration Dec. 5, providing Microsoft Outlook email users with an interactive, automated virtual assistant to help ensure the security of personally identifiable information

  • Resiliency in numbers

    Most Airmen have probably heard the expression "there's strength in numbers." Most Airmen have also probably heard of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness. When it comes to building resiliency, the two are not unrelated.

  • Egress systems get a makeover during AFSO21 event

    Master Sgt. Kenneth Kelly, the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron accessories flight superintendent, admitted it was nerve-racking to ask Maj. Mark Gray, the 48th CMS commander, about implementing innovative, yet radical, changes to maximize the efficiency of their shop during an Air Force Smart

  • First sergeants to supervisors: Here are 4 things you should know

    There are approximately 2,600 active-duty Airmen assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base and only nine fully trained, diamond-wearing first sergeants on duty.That's a little more than 280 Airmen to one first shirt. This proportion is not uncommon at most bases around the command and the Air Force.

  • 67 selected for cyber squadron command

    More than five dozen officers have been selected for command assignments by the calendar year 2015 Cyberspace Operations Officer Command Panel, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Nov. 26.

  • Student pilot earns second set of wings

    Capt. William Smith, a 14th Flying Training Wing Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 15-02 student, became the first pilot to earn his silver wings in the new pilot-physician selection process during a graduation ceremony Nov. 21 at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

  • Faith in training

    For an aircrew member, it is one of the worst-case scenarios. When faced with a crash landing or after being shot down, a crew might be forced to eject as a last resort – even if it’s over open water or enemy territory.

  • Innovating education: New commander of Air University challenges Airmen

    The new commander and president of Air University charged all assigned Airmen to think of ways to reinvent military education at AU as well as leverage the intellectual potential of the university. He challenged AU Airmen to offer innovative solutions to address problems facing the Air Force in a

  • Born to wave the flag

    Blaine Yelton was born Aug. 12, 1915, when World War I was in its second bloody year.

  • AF closes FY14 force management programs

    Airmen who met the service’s reduction in force board were notified of the board’s results Nov. 19, bringing the fiscal year 2014 force management programs to an end.

  • The footprint of the Jolly Green Giant leaves its mark

    Tech. Sgt. Mathew Macella, the 56th Rescue Squadron pararescueman blue team NCO in charge, succinctly summed up the explanation for all the stickers of green feet found around Royal Air Force Lakenheath and what they mean for the 56th RQS. The origin of the green feet symbol came from Vietnam, when

  • Kunsan AB hosts Exercise Max Thunder 14-2

    U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy personnel and aircraft are training with the Republic of Korea Air Force units Nov. 14 - 22, in the semi-annual, bilateral training exercise Max Thunder 14-2, here.

  • SecAF visits Guam during Pacific tour

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited here Nov. 19-20, to meet with Airmen and gain a better understanding of the central role the island base plays within Pacific Command as part of engagements at Pacific Air Force bases.

  • Three bases identified as F-16 aggressor candidate bases

    Air Force officials, on Nov. 19, announced Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and Nellis AFB, Nevada, as candidate bases to host the 18th Aggressor Squadron and its assigned 18 F-16 Fighting Falcons.

  • Tools to pencils: Airman makes career a work of art

    In March of 1962, just a few weeks after turning 18, Terry Lee stepped off the bus at then-Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, with the hopes of being an Airman. What happened in the years after would make a small-town boy into an Airman who could not only turn a wrench but also draw his way into

  • Kentucky Air Guard completes Ebola-response mission in Senegal

    Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Contingency Response Group transferred control of a humanitarian cargo hub to replacement forces here Nov. 18, successfully completing their support of an Ebola-response mission that has processed more than 750 tons of relief supplies for airlift

  • Skydiver places 3rd, donates winnings

    As a canopy pilot, also known as a swooper,a 3rd Space Operations Squadron captain maneuvers high performance parachutes with the goal of flying through a course just inches above the Earth. He then drags his foot across a pond in a controlled manner gaining points in three separate categories:

  • Boom operator soars, rises to challenge

    With nerves pushed aside and the pilots' support, Cash was able to successfully refuel the B-1, allowing the crew to continue their mission with a full tank. At the age of 19, she never thought she would be trusted with so much responsibility.

  • Survival instructor keeps F-35 training afloat

    Within the 33rd Fighter Wing, innovation doesn't end at the flightline, but finds its way into a 12-foot swimming pool where new F-35 Lighting II pilots are now able to seamlessly complete their water survival training.

  • New app to solve basic computer problems across AF

    As the Air Force Enterprise Service Desk goes virtual, Airmen will see a new application on their computers that allows them to immediately tackle and fix their minor information technology issues

  • PACAF establishes integrated air and missile defense center

    The Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center officially commenced operations here Oct. 1, culminating a vision shared by military leaders in the Asia-Pacific region to increase multinational integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capabilities in the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) area of

  • Mackay Trophy returns to AFSOC

    Under heavy enemy fire Dec. 21, 2013, the crew of Rooster 73 performed expert aerial maneuvers while simultaneously providing medical care to the critically-injured passengers on board their CV-22 Osprey.

  • Providing a FAST deployment role

    Air Force FAST teams play a crucial role in protecting aircrews and airplanes in hostile areas. They fly on specific missions to various deployed locations to ensure the safety and security of aircraft and crew members.

  • Focused on the future, force improvement marks progress

    Over the past few months, many changes have come to Air Force Global Strike Command. What started as a grass-roots effort has become a monumental effort by Air Force leaders and Airmen to foster positive changes within the command.

  • New lieutenants give back to Academy Prep School

    Every year, the U.S. Air Force Academy adds to the ever-growing Long Blue Line of graduates. The new second lieutenants, after having spent the last four years together, scatter across the world. Few will return to the Academy in a professional context.

  • Injured EOD Airman returns to fuller life

    In an instant, he went from living his dream to being utterly destroyed on a dusty road in Iraq. An improvised explosive device exploded about two feet from his face, throwing him about 20 feet and leaving him unrecognizable. As his arm dangled to his side, he stumbled up and yelled for the medic.

  • Services continue strong recruiting through September

    All four active services met or exceeded their numerical accession goals for fiscal year 2014 through September, and each service also exceeded Department of Defense quality benchmarks for new recruits, DOD officials announced Nov. 10.

  • ISR aircraft hones in on strategic agility

    Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities have been in high demand from combatant commanders. In order to meet this new operational demand, Air Force officials answered the call back in 2008 by rapidly acquiring and deploying the MC-12W Liberty.

  • Veterans in Blue Volume V out now

    For decades, Airmen have answered the call to serve and protect the nation’s interests, people and cherished freedoms that underpin it all, risking their lives for others, and thus, becoming heroes in the eyes of those they protected.

  • AFRL 3-D audio research helps to make cockpit safer

    The Air Force Research Laboratory, Human Effectiveness directorate, Battlespace Acoustics Branch, has developed 3-D sound technology that creates a sound environment that mimics the way the human body receives aural cues -- much like 3-D movies create the perception that the viewer is part of the

  • Reserve Airmen support Ebola fight on the ground

    About 15 air transportation specialists from the 446th Airlift Wing here are scheduled to depart for Dakar, Senegal, Nov. 8, to support ground personnel for the campaign against Ebola during Operation Unified Assistance.

  • Airlift squadron established for Ebola response in Senegal

    More than 35 Airmen and two C-130J Super Hercules from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrived in Dakar, Senegal, this week to establish the 787th Air Expeditionary Squadron and to fly humanitarian cargo into Liberia as part of Operation United Assistance, the mission to fight Ebola in West Africa.

  • Tyndall AFB pilot found, recovered

    Tyndall officials reported that the remains of the F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot involved in a tragic accident Nov. 7 have been recovered from the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Poinsett Range: the environmental mission

    The Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, previously called Poinsett Bombing Range, opened in 1952 to be used as a real-world training range for military personnel.

  • Air Force pilot develops plan to reduce jet fuel consumption

    The Air Force spends more than $9 billion annually on energy. Aviation consumes 86 percent of that amount. In support of the Air Force Energy Strategic Plan to foster an energy aware culture and reduce aviation fuel consumption, an instructor pilot from the 5th Flying Training Squadron has

  • Airman discovers grandfather's World War II story

    An Airman here recently discovered that his grandfather was among a small group of Americans who joined the Canadian military to thwart the tyranny of Nazi Germany prior to America entering World War II.

  • AF surgeon exceeds expectations in Afghanistan

    When receiving a set of orders for a deployment, many service members are left with an assortment of questions: “What will I do, where will I go and will I make a difference?’ For Maj. Jonathan Forbes, a neurosurgeon assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Medical Group here, knew he would be deploying

  • BTZ brothers bring out each other’s best

    Growing up in Athens, Texas, in a single income home didn't leave Juan Antonio and his brother, Antonio Antonio, much to fall back on, but they never dwelled on what they didn't have. They just did the best with what they had, which was each other.

  • 815th Airlift Squadron provides support for Operation Southern Strike

    A large mechanical whir fills the back of the C-130J Super Hercules, as the back ramp doors begin to slowly open like a pair of iron jaws. Chief Master Sgt. Troy Peltier, a loadmaster with the 815th Airlift Squadron here, turns to the 25 paratroopers from the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation

  • Lasting impressions of an AF honor guardsman

    Walking tall throughout the base, it's apparent that Master Sgt. Andre Moore stands out from the rest of the Airmen. His uniform is sharp and he carries himself with pride. He has the mark of an Air Force honor guardsman. Not unlike a tattoo, the Air Force Honor Guard experience is impressed upon

  • Air Force medical trainers arrive in Monrovia

    A team of Air Force medical trainers has arrived in Monrovia, Liberia, to train non-U.S. medical personnel as part of Operation United Assistance, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said Oct. 30.

  • Dyess Airmen deploy in support of 'United Assistance'

    More than 35 Airmen and two C-130Js from the 317th Airlift Group and 7th Bomb Wing deployed Oct. 29, 2014, to an air base in Western Europe, where they will provide tactical airlift support for Operation United Assistance.