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U.S. Air Force News

  • AF implements new DOD-wide changes to maternity leave

    Beginning Feb. 2, active-duty female Airmen will receive up to 12 continuous, non-transferable weeks of fully paid maternity leave in accordance with Defense Department-wide changes to the policy outlined in Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s Force of the Future announcement Jan. 28.

  • AF awards contract for next Air Force One

    The Boeing Company was awarded a contract Jan. 29 for risk reduction activities for the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program, which will field the next Air Force One.

  • James applauds DOD Force of the Future initiatives

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James declared her support of department-wide reforms focused on improving quality of life for military parents, following Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s Jan. 28 announcement on the next round of Force of the Future initiatives.

  • SecAF testifies on military space launch

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee along with Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall on military space launch and the use of Russian-made rocket engines Jan. 27.

  • A look back at Desert Storm, 25 years later

    Twenty-five years ago, the Air Force participated in Operation Desert Storm, the largest air campaign since the conflict in Southeast Asia. The campaign’s purpose was to drive the Iraqi military out of Kuwait, release the country from Saddam Hussein’s invasion and reestablish its sovereignty.

  • SecAF speaks at CSIS for Smart Women, Smart Power series

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James spoke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies as part of its Smart Women, Smart Power series Jan. 14. SWSP launched in December 2014 and convenes top-level women leaders to discuss critical and timely issues in their respective fields, reflect on

  • SecAF makes first official visit to Travis

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James visited Travis Air Force Base Jan. 8 to meet with Airmen, discuss her priorities and see firsthand the base's mission and capabilities as the western seaboard's mobility air forces hub.

  • James shares holiday message

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and her husband, Frank Beatty, wish all Airmen and their families a wonderful holiday season.

  • USAF Band surprises commuters at DC train station

    Members of the U.S. Air Force Band surprised commuters at Union Station with a World War II holiday flashback Dec. 3.The event was designed to be a special holiday musical presentation celebrating the service and sacrifices of the nation's WWII veterans.

  • SAF/US(M) becomes SAF/MG

    The Office of Business Transformation and Air Force Deputy Chief Management Officer function, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force SAF/US(M) was re-designated as the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, Management (SAF/MG) effective Nov. 1.

  • All Air Force occupations open to women

    Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced all occupations in the U.S. military will be open to men and women alike during a press conference Dec. 3. The announcement came after a thorough review of findings from the last three years of studies, and the subsequent recommendation of service secretaries

  • SecAF implements additional security measures after attacks

    In response to the defense secretary’s call to improve the security and force protection of defense personnel after the tragic events in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James introduced more stringent security measures to reduce the possibility of violent acts directed toward

  • AF presents Fisher House award to TAPS

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James presented the 2014 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award to the founder and president of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors in a ceremony at the Pentagon Dec. 1.

  • Senior leaders stress safety this holiday season

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody recently issued a tri-signature letter to all Airmen, asking them to stay safe during the holidays.

  • Top AF analysis performer recognized

    Kevin Williams, the director of Air Force Studies, Analyses and Assessments, presented the Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent Leadership Award to Jacqueline Henningsen during the fall Corona summit at the U.S. Air Force Academy on Nov. 4.

  • James discusses priorities with Stuttgart-area Airmen

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James met with senior leaders and Airmen during a visit to U.S. Africa Command Nov. 18. The visit to AFRICOM was the culmination of a weeklong trip where James made stops in Morocco, Egypt and Djibouti, among other locations.

  • SecAF makes first visit to Djibouti

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James met with Airmen and senior leaders stationed at Camp Lemonnier and the U.S. Embassy, as well as senior members from the Djiboutian military, during her first visit to the country Nov. 12.

  • Air Force shows leadership, commitment in Dubai

    American Airmen showcased the capability of airpower through senior leader engagements, Airmen interactions with a global audience, and aircraft on the ground and thundering through the skies at the 2015 Dubai Airshow during the week of Nov. 11.

  • AF leaders release Veterans Day message

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody have issued a Veterans Day message to Airmen.

  • Air Force releases new SAPR strategy

    Air Force leaders released a five-year Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Strategy that will guide the Air Force in developing a robust prevention model while continually honing response capabilities today.

  • Air Force sets weight restrictions for F-35 pilots

    Air Force leaders recently made a decision to restrict pilots weighing less than 136 pounds from flying the F-35A Lightning II due to safety concerns about the ejection seat in a portion of the flight envelope.

  • James named new principal DOD space advisor

    On Oct. 5, Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work re-designated the position of the Department of Defense executive agent for space to the principal DOD space advisor.

  • October marks the beginning of AF Energy Action Month

    Every aspect of the Air Force mission depends on a reliable supply of energy.Transforming the way we use energy is critical to ensuring we will be able to balance today's readiness with tomorrow's modernization.

  • AF senior leaders host suicide prevention summit

    Subject matter experts of mental and behavioral health, community support and Airmen across ranks and career fields gathered to discuss resiliency and suicide prevention at Joint Base Andrews from Sept. 22-25.

  • From Army Air Corps to US Air Force, 70-plus years later

    In 1944, a year before the end of World War II, a 17-year-old Cambridge, Massachusetts, native and recent high school graduate was hired as a clerk-typist by the government to support the war effort -- only after her father signed a letter of permission. Now 71 years later, Maria Bandouveres, the

  • Top 3 releases AF birthday message

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody released a tri-signature letter in anticipation of the Air Force’s 68th birthday Sept. 18.

  • AFRC presents painting to SecAF

    Lt. Gen. James Jackson, the Air Force Reserve Command commander, presented Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James with the painting “That Others May Live” during the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 14, 2015.

  • AF leaders, spouses talk improvements in family programs, voice concerns

    Air Force senior leaders and their spouses discussed the improvements in family programs and opportunities, their concerns cutting basic allowance for housing for a member of dual-service couples, as well as other topics of interest during the Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and

  • SecAF explores history, future of aerospace nation at AFA

    In her remarks at the Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 14, the Air Force’s top civilian said the service will need to reduce bureaucracy, enhance innovation and invest in its people to successfully expand, advance and reinvent the aerospace nation.

  • SecAF speaks on acquisition, partnerships at Hanscom

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James discussed her top priorities with Airmen and state officials while emphasizing the importance of the acquisition base and its partnerships during a visit to Hanscom Air Force Base Aug. 20-21.

  • SecAF gains perspective of Beale's ISR mission

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited Beale Air Force Base to get an up-close view of the high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission Aug. 10-12.

  • SecAF addresses priorities at Aspen Security Forum

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James discussed her top national and homeland security issues, as well as current personnel challenges, during a Q-and-A session with Fox News at the sixth annual, three-day Aspen Security Forum in Colorado July 24.

  • AF rolls out details to improve RPA mission

    In response to a critical shortage of remotely piloted aircraft pilots, the Air Force rolled out more details of its plan to fix the problem in both the short and long term. The most recent initiatives include creating bonuses for RPA pilots of $15,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2016; placing

  • SecAF visits key operating locations in European theater

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James completed a multination visit throughout Europe June 13-24. The secretary met with Airmen, civilians, host nation community leaders, and allied and partner nation military leaders in countries including Germany, Belgium and Poland during her second visit

  • James shares priorities with USAFE-AFAFRICA

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James talked with U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Airmen and civilians during an all call at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 19.

  • US airpower on display in Paris

    Defense Department representatives and aircraft were on hand at the 51st International Paris Air Show, the largest aerospace event in the world, at Le Bourget Airport, France, June 15-21.

  • SecAF to cadets: ‘Lead Us Into The Future’

    Cadets graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy as second lieutenants are entering the profession of arms at a time of unprecedented change and challenges, said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James to the Class of 2015 May 28, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

  • Air Force leaders’ Memorial Day message

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III sent a Memorial Day message to the Airmen of the Air Force and their families.

  • Air Force focuses on assured access to space

    Ending America’s reliance on the Russian-built RD-180 rocket engine was the primary topic of conversation during a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, April 29.

  • Air Force provides additional support in Nepal

    The Air Force continues its support of the disaster relief operations in Nepal with the arrival of a second C-17 Globemaster III in response to an earthquake that rocked the country April 25.

  • Take Back the Night 2015: 'Shattering the Silence'

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, along with the first survivor to speak out nationally about date rape, spoke to cadets during the U.S. Air Force Academy's second annual Take Back the Night (TBN) event April 16 at the Academy's Clune Arena in Colorado.

  • Senator receives shadow box in honor of brother

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James presented a shadow box to Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, March 20, in honor of his brother, Cpl. Jesse Hatch, who died Feb. 7, 1945, during World War II.

  • SecAF outlines top priorities in visit to Kirtland

    In a visit to Kirtland Air Force Base March 9-11, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited Airmen, learned more about the installation's missions and shared her top three priorities.

  • SecAF to host tweet chat March 18

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James will hold her second tweet chat at 1:30 p.m. EDT, March 18, addressing issues currently on the mind of 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.

  • 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.

  • SecAF visits Mountain Home

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Feb. 18, to experience the base firsthand and meet the service members dedicated to making it run efficiently.

  • SecAF, AFGSC commander visit Malmstrom

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Global Strike Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson visited Malmstrom Air Force Base Feb. 19, to meet with Airmen, specifically those who deploy to the missile fields, and see benefits of the grass-roots feedback program known as the Force

  • 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,

  • AF identifies Boeing 747-8 platform for next Air Force One

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James in coordination with Frank Kendall, the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, determined that the Boeing 747-8 will serve as the next presidential aircraft, commonly known as Air Force One.

  • 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.

  • James: New acquisition initiative aims to cut costs

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James announced the Bending the Cost Curve program Jan. 14, at the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C, the new initiative is designed to help the Air Force partner with industry, encourage innovation and drive down the cost of systems.

  • 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.

  • AF announces no involuntary force management programs for FY15

    Air Force officials announced there is no longer a need to conduct involuntary force management programs for fiscal year 2015 following a year of significant reductions designed to meet the Defense Department strategic and budgetary guidance.

  • AMC chief scientist receives Harold Brown Award

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James presented Dr. Donald Erbschloe, the Air Mobility Command chief scientist, with the 2014 Harold Brown Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Dec. 9.

  • “Open Door” with the SecAF

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James is slated to host “Open Door with Secretary James,” an online town hall at the Defense Media Activity here, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. EST. The event will be broadcast live on the DoD News channel and streamed live on the DoD News website and www.af.mil.

  • AF senior leaders share holiday messages

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and her husband, Frank Beatty; Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty; and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and his wife, retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody, wish all Airmen and families season’s greetings.

  • 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.

  • SecAF visits Yokota Air Base

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited here Nov. 20-21 to meet with Airmen, discuss her priorities and see first-hand Yokota Air Base’s mission and capabilities as the Pacific Air Forces airlift hub.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Air Combat Command salutes new leader

    Gen. Hawk Carlisle assumed command of Air Combat Command from Gen. Mike Hostage during a ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, Nov. 4.

  • AF releases criteria for new service medal

    Air Force officials released nomination criteria for the new Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, following Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James’ May 27, 2014, authorization. The medal will be awarded to individuals for their direct support of nuclear deterrence operations.

  • SecAF expresses priorities to Vandenberg Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James recently visited Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, to meet with Airmen and witness the successful launch of an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

  • SecAF announces incentive pay for nuclear career fields

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James announced assignment incentive pay and special duty assignment pay for officers and enlisted members assigned to certain career fields in the nuclear enterprise, Sept. 15.

  • SecAF makes first visit to Robins AFB

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited Robins Air Force Base, Ga. Aug. 21-22 to get an up close look at the installation's diverse and dynamic missions.

  • SAPR orientation provides cohesion across Air Force

    The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response coordinators from each Air Force major command attended the first-ever three-day orientation and training here, July 29 -31, to discuss issues and innovations with Air Force SAPR top leaders and subject matter experts.

  • James: Air Force grapples with Congress to fund readiness

    To balance readiness today and modernization tomorrow, the Air Force’s fiscal year 2015 budget request is shrinking like today’s defense budget thanks to Congress’s own priorities and the approaching threat of sequestration in 2016, Air Force leaders said July 30.

  • SECAF discusses current, future challenges with 501st CSW

    Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited Royal Air Force Alconbury and RAF Molesworth, England, to learn more about the mission of the 501st Combat Support Wing and to discuss with Airmen the current state of the Air Force.