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  • Green Flag-West readies B-1 aircrews for future deployments

    Airmen from the 9th Bomb Squadron participated in a Green Flag-West exercise May 17-31, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in order to prepare for future deployments.Green Flag-West is an exercise that provides units training on a scale not available near their home stations. It replicates irregular

  • Airmen must understand business of cyber, general says

    As U.S. Cyber Command gains strength and steadily extends its range across the newest warfare domain, it has called on all the services over the next five years to contribute trained-up teams of cyber operators to ensure U.S. military freedom of action, defensively and offensively, in cyberspace.For

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Following the footsteps of a life cut short

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)They shared the same name. They flew and fought the same types of Wild Weasel fighter jet missions. They looked alike and the family says they even

  • Leaders urge care in changing commanders' UCMJ responsibilities

    Commanders must be a part of any solution to the crisis of sexual assault in the military, service leaders told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.Commanders are responsible not only for the health and welfare of those in their commands, but also for good order and discipline, they

  • Sexual assault is a 'cancer,' Welsh says

    The Air Force chief of staff testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and service chiefs from the Army, Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard on pending legislation regarding sexual assaults in the military June 4.Gen. Mark A. Welsh

  • Airmen, Sailors tested at Marine leadership course

    The U.S. Marine Corps Corporals Leadership Course opened its door to service members from the Air Force and Navy here May 11-25.The two-week course is designed to equip new, or soon-to-be NCOs with the tools and knowledge to effectively lead their troops, no matter the service.Being able to do joint

  • 129th Rescue Wing Airmen achieve 1000th save

    Members of the 129th Rescue Wing saved their 1,000th life May 18 when deployed aircrews and pararescuemen rescued an Afghan national policeman with a critical gunshot wound in Afghanistan. Since its inception nearly four decades ago, the 129th RQW has launched countless missions from its home

  • Airmen show 'cool careers' in new ad campaign

    The Air Force Recruiting Service is currently developing an ad campaign to teach young adults about cool career opportunities in the Air Force community, with the goal to inspire young people to join the Air Force. They also plan to demonstrate that the Air Force offers the same science, technology,

  • Elite Afghan soldiers complete training

    Fourteen Afghan air force members of the Kabul Air Wing Quick Reaction Force Company graduated from Ground Combat Skills Course in a ceremony May 29 at Kabul International Airport here.The graduation marked the completion of 50 hours of advanced upgrade training for the newest members of the QRF

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Dog Handler brings her values to career

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)It's 6 p.m., and Chrach, a military working dog whose name is pronounced "Crash," is anticipating his evening meal.His handler has been feeding him twice

  • Astronauts attend Maxwell Leadership Reaction Course

    In a collaborative training effort, a group of six American and international astronauts participated in an abbreviated version of the Air University Leadership Reaction Course here May 22-23.Designed to develop leadership skills, the LRC is a field exercise consisting of a series of obstacle course

  • Afghan airmen gain new airpower capability

    As the 2013 fighting season continues in Afghanistan, the Afghan National Security Forces can add yet another airpower capability to their ever increasing list: air attack from an Afghan air force Mi-35 HIND attack helicopter.Members of the 377th Rotary Wing Squadron from the Kabul Air Wing fired 23

  • Air Force establishes F-35 IOC target

    The Air Force announced today it expects to declare F-35A Lightning II initial operation capability in December 2016. The announcement was included in a joint report detailing service-specific IOC requirements and dates for each of the F-35 variants that was delivered to Congress today."The Air

  • AF secretary to Class of 2013: Next chapter of your story begins today

    A total of 1,024 cadets graduated from the Air Force Academy May 29, following a commencement address by Secretary of the Air Force Mike Donley.Donley congratulated the graduates on overcoming the stringent physical and mental challenges they faced through their four-year Academy

  • Air Force announces OTS selection board results

    A total of 110 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced today. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 668 applications as part of the Officer Training School

  • F-35B celebrates 1 year at Eglin

    The Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501 celebrated the one-year anniversary of flying the F-35B Lightning II here Wednesday, May 22, by continuing to train up the pilots and maintainers on the nation's newest fifth-generation fighter."This is a once in a lifetime chance to get to write the

  • Volunteer aviators salute Academy grads with vintage flyover

    Historic World War II aircraft performed flyovers for the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2013 graduation events here May 27-29.Traditionally, the Air Force Academy's graduation ceremony flyover is conducted by the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team, while other Air Force aircraft

  • Predator passes 20,000-hour mark in Afghanistan

    An MQ-1 Predator assigned here recently became the first Predator to pass 20,000 flying hours over Afghanistan, a feat equivalent to flying 15 hours every other day, for 2,667 days.While the Predator remotely piloted aircraft program surpassed one million hours of total development, test, training

  • Deployed medical experts learn skills to identify sexual assault

    From across Afghanistan, 22 U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy medical professionals gathered here for the Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations training.Collecting forensic evidence from patients reporting sexual assault is essential. It can be used to identify an assailant, recent sexual contact and

  • Tinker AFB reservist survives monster tornado

    What started out as a sunny, routine day for one member of the 507th Force Support Squadron and the estimated 250 staff and patients at the Moore Medical Center took a sudden turn for the worse on Monday, May 20, as a mammoth 1.3 mile-wide tornado bore down on them. Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Nikki

  • Commission on AF structure to meet

    The National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force will hold its first public hearing Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. President Obama and the chairmen and ranking members of both Armed Services Committees recently appointed eight members to

  • SecAF: Sequestration hits AF readiness, modernization

    Sequestration has hit the Air Force particularly hard, impacting its force structure, readiness and modernization, senior Air Force leaders said here today.Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the chief of staff, said Congress must provide a solid budget number so the

  • F-35 ITF works toward night, weather certification

    The F-35 Integrated Test Force is wrapping up a series of night flights, which are testing the aircraft's capability when flying in instrument meteorological conditions. It is a necessary step in delivering a core competency to the warfighter - the ability to fly the jet safely when there are no

  • Rescue Group Airmen pull hiker from Arizona mountain range

    Airmen from the 943rd Rescue Group here set out in a HH-60G Pave Hawk for a training mission May 22, when they were notified that a hiker was unconscious from a fall and needed help . The aircrew flew back to base, offloaded their weapons, fueled up, and picked up a Guardian Angel team, special

  • AF provides special counsel to sexual assault survivors

    Often, when survivors of sexual assault are "put on the witness stand, they can feel like they're being attacked," said Capt. Dustin Kouba, a special victims counsel attorney. "I feel like I'm almost defending them ... I'm like their big brother."The Air Force is taking the lead on providing special

  • Afghan air force improves casualty evacuation capability

    While the Afghan air force continues to take the lead and ownership of combat operations, they have also rapidly risen to the challenge of improving casualty evacuation, or CASEVAC, procedures by using both the Mi-17 helicopter and Cessna 208 aircraft. Between December 2012 and April 2013, CASEVAC

  • Commissaries plan for Mondays furlough

    When furloughs are implemented, most military commissaries will close one day a week on Mondays, the Defense Commissary Agency's top official said. The closures will be for up to 11 days between July 8 and Sept. 30."We know that any disruption in commissary operations will impact our patrons. "Also,

  • New under secretary visits Joint Base San Antonio

    Eric Fanning visited with Airmen at Joint Base San Antonio May 16 and 17 during his first base trip as the under secretary of the Air Force.   His two-day visit to JBSA included stops at Randolph, Lackland and Fort Sam Houston, where he met with Airmen and got an overview of the military

  • DOD firefighter certification program turns 20

    It has shaped Department of Defense firefighters for two decades. This May, the DOD Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program that ensures military and civilian firefighters are properly trained, certified and qualified marks its 20th anniversary.The Air Force Civil Engineer Center here

  • KC-46A training, operational bases, alternatives selected

    Air Force officials announced today Altus Air Force Base, Okla., as the preferred alternative for the KC-46A formal training unit (FTU).McConnell AFB, Kan., was selected as the preferred alternative for the first active duty led KC-46A main operating base (MOB 1) and Fairchild AFB, Wash., and Grand

  • AF 7 Summits team scales Everest

    A group of Airmen with the Air Force Seven Summits team reached the highest point of the world, Mount Everest (29,035 ft.) just after 5 a.m. local time May 19. The success marks the first time a team of military members from any nation has reached the highest point on all seven continents: Mount

  • First enlisted Airmen graduate from new Weapons School course

    The first class of six enlisted students graduated the Advanced Enlisted Mission Planning Course, the first course for enlisted intelligence professionals, at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School here May 17.When these Airmen return to their home units, they will work closely with their intelligence

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Chaplain overcomes adversity, delivers hope

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)As the proud owner of three master's degrees and a doctorate, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Tillery has dedicated his life to service in the U.S. Air Force.

  • Texas-based Airman's family takes steps to help tornado victims

    Efforts to help people who were injured or lost their homes began almost immediately after a deadly tornado struck Moore, Okla., May 20.One of those willing to help was Tech. Sgt. Shane Buss, the 47th Flying Training Wing's equal opportunity NCO-in-charge, along with his wife and four children."I

  • Vance pilot makes AF rugby team

    An instructor pilot with the 8th Flying Training Squadron was selected for the Air Force Rugby team and will compete in the 2013 Collegiate Rugby Championship May 29 through June 3 in Philadelphia.Capt. John Lockard has been playing rugby since 2002 when he picked up the game during his time at the

  • F-35A instructor pilots qualify in aerial refueling

    The initial cadre of F-35A Lightning II instructor pilots qualified in aerial refueling last week, adding another capability for student pilot training at the 33rd Fighter Wing's F-35 Integrated Training Center here."Eleven pilots had flown 14 refueling missions across the boom with the help of a

  • VA, veteran groups announce initiative to reduce claims backlog

    The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion today announced a new partnership to help reduce the compensation claims backlog for veterans.The effort, called the Fully Developed Claims Community of Practice, is a key part of the VA's overall

  • AF surgeon helps Belizean boy get 'new hand'

    An Air Force surgeon deployed here performed surgery on a 4-year-old Belizean boy May 2, to improve the usability of the boy's hand.The boy, Isai Carrillo, underwent surgery May 2 to correct syndactyly, otherwise known as hand fusion, in his right hand. The surgery took three hours and consisted of

  • DOD seeks leadership program candidates

    Department of Defense officials are seeking active duty Air Force majors and major-selects for the academic year 2013-2014 Executive Leadership Development Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Applications are due to AFPC by June 10. Program orientation is slated for August and the

  • Unit deployment manager now special duty position

    Unit deployment manager is now a two-year-controlled special duty assignment (identifier 8U000); a change Air Force officials say will help professionalize the position and improve deployment program continuity. In past the UDM retained his or her Air Force specialty code, and even though UDMs were

  • Obama emphasizes concern about sexual assault in military

    The crime of sexual assault undermines the trust needed for the U.S. military to do its missions, President Barack Obama said after meeting with his military leaders May 16.Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, the service secretaries, and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and the rest of the Joint Chiefs of

  • Air Force Reserve submits construction plans to Senate

    The top leaders from the Air Force's active and reserve components went to Capitol Hill May 15 to provide statements and answer questions about their plans for new construction projects in fiscal 2014.Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., chairman, and Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., the ranking member of the

  • Airmen train with Polish air force

    Nearly 100 Airmen assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, here to train in a joint theater security cooperation event with the Polish air force. This event, hosted by the U.S. Aviation Detachment 1, is geared toward enhancing the skills of U.S. and Polish F-16 Fighting

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Following dream as American, Academy cadet

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)When Senior Airmen Shujie Yan immigrated to the United States from China in 2006, she was a freshman in high school. One year later, she had big dreams

  • GPS IIF-4 successfully launched from Cape Canaveral

    A U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite built by Boeing was successfully launched May 15. The fourth GPS IIF satellite, Space Vehicle Number (SVN) 66, was carried aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V Launch Vehicle at 5:38 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

  • Warrior Games 2013: Airman faces challenge at Games as TBI victim

    By looking at him, you would never be able to tell he is a battle-tested, combat-injured Airman. He is a testament to invisible wounds and just how their effects can become visible in everyday life. Capt. Mitchell Kieffer is a mathematician at heart and an operations research analyst at Joint Base

  • Warrior Games 2013: Life can change in a split second

    Life can be described as a series of moments, seconds even, strung together to form experiences and memories. A split-second decision can mean the difference between life and death.Senior Master Sgt. Martin Smith knows the impact just one second can make.Smith, a seasoned motorcycle rider and Active

  • Spangdahlem AB Airmen launch final A-10 sortie in Europe

    Airmen here launched the final A-10 Thunderbolt II tactical sortie in Europe here May 14.The airframe belongs to the 52nd Fighter Wing's 81st Fighter Squadron, which inactivates in June."I'm proud to be a part of the last sortie," said Lt. Col. Jeff Hogan, the 81st FS director of operations and a

  • Royalty visits Academy, provides awareness for Warrior Games

    British royalty was on hand to kick off Warrior Games and to have a bit of fun with cadets here May 12.His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales, also known as Prince Harry, made a stop in Colorado Springs and the Academy during his week-long visit to the United States to raise awareness for Warrior

  • Airmen provide fuel to heat Afghan homes

    Shredded paper, sawdust and water may seem unimportant to many people, but to others it can mean fuel to stay warm or cook food. These are small but vital comforts that members of NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan try to provide to the people of Afghanistan on a weekly basis.As part of Operation

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Weather Airman survives lightning strike

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)A weather Airman who issues warnings when lightning strikes take place within five miles of an air base here knows the danger: He's a lightning-strike

  • Afghan AF rises to combat test

    An Afghan national army soldier looks up from his post near Tarin Khowt in the Uruzgan Province. He's surrounded by rugged mountains, a flowing river, a green and vibrant valley and Taliban insurgents trying to overrun the area. The soldier, along with 39 other ANA commandos, is running low on

  • Torch lighting kicks off 2013 Warrior Games

    The 2013 Warrior Games began May 11, when Navy Lt. Bradley Snyder, with the help of Prince Harry and Olympian Missy Franklin, lit the official torch during the event's opening ceremonies at the U.S. Olympic Training Center here.From May 11-16, more than 200 wounded, ill and injured service members

  • SecAF, CSAF share confidence in nuclear enterprise

    Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to testify about the service's fiscal 2014 budget request, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III also addressed Congressional concerns over media reports about the findings of a

  • Warrior Games 2013: Cancer survivor tackles new challenge

    Staff Sgt. Lara Ishikawa found herself among a trio of female Air Force Warrior Games athletes with a special bond. Ishikawa, Tech. Sgt. Monica Figueroa and Master Sgt. Sherry Nel are all cancer survivors and relied on each other for support and conversation during the team's selection camp at the

  • Warrior Games 2013: Competing 'medicine' for AF wounded warrior

    Master Sgt. Shawn Schwantes may have been a pleasant surprise for his Air Force Warrior Games coaches during the team's training camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy. But Schwantes fully expected to flourish on the track and with his teammates because he considers sports his most effective medicine.

  • DOD Comptroller: Sequestration devastates U.S. military readiness

    During a Senate hearing yesterday on President Barack Obama's $9.5 billion military construction budget request for fiscal 2014, Defense Department Comptroller Robert F. Hale said the severe and abrupt budget cuts imposed by sequestration are devastating the U.S. armed forces.Hale and John Conger,

  • Breedlove takes charge at European Command

    Gen. Philip M. Breedlove took command of U.S. European Command here today during a ceremony at the command's headquarters with Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter presiding.Breedlove succeeds Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, the first sailor to hold the command. Stavridis is retiring following a

  • Air Force Food Transformation Initiative enters second phase

    Airmen at five installations will see a new era in food service operations as the Air Force Food Transformation Initiative moves into its second phase.The initiative, known as FTI, is a pilot program designed to provide Airmen greater variety, availability, and quality of food, while maintaining

  • Warrior Games 2013: Wounded Academy grad uses Games to help recovery

    About three years after a bullet in his head in Iraq dramatically changed the course of his life, Capt. Wes Glisson can put his sentences together again as he continues his recovery from traumatic brain injury. He's able to remember just about everything about his life except for the shooting, which

  • F-35 fighter takes another step forward

    The Air Force took another step forward with its newest fighter jet when an advanced F-35 Lightning II landed at the service's lead training base, home to the largest fleet of F-35s worldwide.The new stealth fighter kicks off a major training effort at the F-35 schoolhouse on an aircraft with

  • AF officials: Sexual assault has no place in the Air Force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A Welsh III presented the service's fiscal 2014 budget request to the Senate Armed Services Committee May 7, but much of the discussion focused on the recent sexual battery allegations involving Lt. Col. Jeff Krusinski,

  • Breedlove to take command of EUCOM, SHAPE

    As Gen. Philip M. Breedlove prepares to take command of U.S. European Command and NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, he acknowledged U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Airmen and their importance to the United States' national defense strategy.More than 54,000 American

  • Afghan air university takes dynamic formal stride

    Taking one more step to becoming Ministry of Defense accredited, Afghan air force leaders at Pohantoon-e-Hawayee "Air University" signed six newly developed training decrees May 4 at Kabul International Airport here. The implementation of these decrees marks the first time the school had standard

  • CE Airmen improve life on remote Army outpost

    A small team of deployed civil engineer Airmen traveled to a remote Army outpost to provide much needed infrastructure improvements.The 577th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron Consolidated-Small Maintenance and Repair Team visited here April 29 through May 3 to improve life,

  • Report Helps Military Deal With Sexual Assault Problem

    Sexual assault is a long-term problem for the military, and it will take time for military efforts to combat it, the director of the Defense Department's sexual assault prevention and response office said."We are not satisfied with where we are at today," Army Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton said in an

  • Warrior Games 2013: Retired Airman struggles with PTSD while in training

    Second-year Warrior Games athlete George Stiltner recognized the look on retired Staff Sgt. Larry Franklin's face at the Air Force team's selection camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Stiltner had the same demeanor during his first year training for the Games. Now, he recognized a fellow former

  • Weather barely slows 2 AF ultra-marathoners

    Two Eglin Air Force Base Airmen from the 96th Communications Squadron went for an early morning jog in the rain May 4 and did not stop until 7 p.m. that night, running more than 50 miles.Airman 1st Class Thomas Church and Senior Airman Chris Gauthier are ultra-marathoners. They were competing in the

  • Synonyms: Superman and Doolittle Raider

    Looking around the auditorium, legends fill the room. A Tuskegee Airman subtly takes his seat in the crowd. Medal of Honor recipient George "Bud" Day strolls in on his wheelchair and takes a seat near the front. And on the stage stand three men who hundreds came to honor.This was one of the many

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Going for the Gold

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)On July 5, 2011, Senior Airman Gideon L. Connelly was involved in a motorcycle accident in Baltimore County with serious damage to his left leg. The

  • Calif. ANG battles raging wildfires

    The California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing is providing two specialized firefighting C-130J aircraft and crews to assist with wildfires raging across the state.Acting on a request for support from state emergency agencies, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. directed Army Maj. Gen. David S.

  • C-130 squadron first to perform new airdrop method

    The 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron executed the first combat Extracted Container Delivery System, or XCDS, airdrop April 29, successfully demonstrating the increased accuracy that this new technology provides. The new airdrop method is designed to pull the bundles out of the aircraft at a

  • Warrior Games 2013: Track and field star has 'wings on her back'

    Midway through retired Tech. Sgt. Katie Robinson's first track and field practice at the Air Force Warrior Games training camp, she pulled out a pair of butterfly wings from her workout bag and strapped them to her back. The wings were both comedy relief and symbolized a dramatic change several

  • Misawa fighter jets break new training barriers

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon's radar warning emits an eerie, distinct pattern as the jet soars over the Northern Pacific Ocean, moving closer and closer toward hostile territory. The warning tone means one thing -- missiles are inbound. This can end one of two ways: a surface-to-air missile, or SAM, rips

  • AF awards KC-46A aircrew training system contract

    The Air Force awarded a contract to FlightSafety Services Corporation on May 1, taking a major step forward in achieving the service's top acquisition priority - delivering a new aerial refueling capability to the warfighter. The contract, a Fixed Price Incentive Firm (FPIF) and Firm Fixed Price

  • Official urges planning, offers resources for fiscal fitness

    It's important for children to learn financial life skills early on to maintain financial security and avoid woes in adulthood, a Defense Department official said.Barbara Thompson, the director of DOD's office of family policy and children and youth, said in an interview with American Forces Press

  • Officer development program applications due

    Officers considering 2014 advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs have a narrow application window, which is currently open, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. In addition, mobility pilot, intelligence, space, missile, weather, cyber operations, munitions and missile

  • USAFE fighter squadrons affected by sequestration

    Nearly half of the fighter squadrons in U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa halted flying operations three weeks ago.The action was a result of the reduction of flying hours Air Force-wide -- one impact of the current sequestration-related budget challenges affecting the Defense

  • Total force readiness topic of Capitol Hill testimony

    Senior leaders from the active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve were on Capitol Hill here April 24th to discuss the impact of sequestration on Total Force readiness.In written and oral testimony, they reconfirmed the Air Force's commitment to serving America's long-term

  • JSTARS: Connecting the dots on battlefield

    After slipping by each other the narrow aisle of an E-8C Joint STARS aircraft, more than a dozen Airmen settle into their seats and begin to flip switches and work through checklists. Their olive-green headsets block out the roar of the jet engines and replace it with busy radio chatter as the crew

  • First Lady announces certification plan for veteran jobs

    First Lady Michelle Obama today unveiled the new Information Technology Training and Certification Partnership to put thousands of service members to work with industry-recognized IT certifications in hand before they leave the military.Obama, who made the announcement at the White House Forum on

  • AF uses innovative tactics to tackle sexual assault

    As part of an innovative initiative to reduce sexual assault across the Minot Air Force Base has partnered with the Gracie Academy to certify 100 men and women of the U.S. Air Force in the Gracie Women Empowered program, April 15 to 19. In 2012, the U.S. Air Force saw a 30 percent increase in sexual

  • New under secretary sworn in during Pentagon ceremony

    The Senate confirmed the nomination of Eric Fanning to become the next under secretary of the Air Force April 18 and he began his transition into the office after being sworn in April 29."On behalf of the more than 690,000 men and women of the U.S. Air Force, I want to welcome Eric to our Air Force

  • Congress reviews Air Force's readiness at House hearing

    The top leaders from the Air Force's active and Reserve components were on Capitol Hill on April 24 to provide statements and answer questions regarding their fiscal year 2014 budgets and force readiness.Representative Rob Wittman, (R-Va.), the chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee,

  • Timbouktu and back: ANG med unit conducts 'irregular' operations

    "Have you heard of Timbouktu? Well, our medical personnel have been there, providing military support in some unconventional ways," said Lt. Col. Kevin Hinkle, 193rd Special Operations Medical Group chief of medical operations.Timbouktu is a region in Mali, located in the northwestern part of

  • Senior leaders testify on health of personnel programs

    Air Force senior leaders, along with counterparts from each of the services, testified about the current state of military personnel programs before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee April 24.Daniel B. Ginsberg, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and Lt. Gen.

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: The walk toward flight

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)There's a saying -- "a journey begins with a single step." For a flight engineer assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron here, even a single step

  • Affordability priority for F-35 program

    Affordability remains the priority for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, the Pentagon's program executive officer for the Defense Department's most expensive procurement told Congress yesterday.Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan told the Senate Armed Services Committee's airland

  • Reservists ready for wildland fire season

    Despite the winter-like weather, Colorado Air Force reservists and their active-duty counterparts were recertified April 19-23 here to respond to wildland fires.The 302nd Airlift Wing, the Air Force Reserve's only organization with the aerial fire fighting mission, held its annual Modular Airborne

  • Indonesian, U.S. forces practice humanitarian evacuation

    After two days of in-class lectures, U.S. and Indonesian service members and civilians from the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center participated in an aeromedical evacuation subject-matter expert exchange here, April 24.During the exchange, a disaster scenario was simulated in which patients

  • Ramstein Airmen train with Romanian counterparts

    More than 80 Airmen from Ramstein participated in exercise Carpathian Spring in Romania April 12 through 21.The exercise was designed for aircrew to receive upgrade training as well as building partnership capacity with Romanians."Sequestration has forced us to be more efficient with our training

  • SecAF: Readiness, modernization in flux

    The Air Force will see few force structure changes this year, but readiness and modernization accounts will be in flux this year and next, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said here today.The secretary also told the Defense Writers' Group that now is the time for another base realignment and

  • SecAF discusses Airmen morale

    Deployed airmen are ready and motivated, but those based in the United States face fiscal challenges that sap morale, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said here today."The Airmen that we send downrange are well-trained -- they are pumped," Donley told the Defense Writers Group. "There's no

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Marathon man trains to buckle up

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The appetizer: four times around a 25-mile track in September, with 10,000 feet of ascent and 10,000 feet of descent. The main course: a 100-mile

  • Deployed Airmen save lives miles from front lines

    The explosion took the Airman at the knee, knocking the patrol to the ground. Patrol members rushed to him, treating him for shock and taking out his individual first aid kit to render aid - various gauzes for covering the wound, two tourniquets to cut off blood flow, and a few smaller items that

  • Air Force, Italian medics simulate joint patient care

    Members of the 31st Medical Group at Aviano Air Base and the local Italian hospital in Pordenone, Italy, came together April 17 to discuss the results of the region's first international patient care simulation.The collaboration, which took place in early March, encompassed all levels of care needed