NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • 563rd Personnel Recovery Task Force rescues Helene survivors

    In support of a FEMA mission assignment, the 563rd PRTF has been conducting search and rescue operations over various locations in affected areas of North Carolina, as part of the USNORTHCOM and Air Forces Northern, Defense Support of Civil Authorities disaster relief mission.

  • Rescue in the night

    On Sept. 25, Columbus Air Force Base hosted 16 A-10s, two HC-130s and three HH-60 aircraft from Moody AFB, Georgia, due to a weather evacuation caused by Hurricane Helene.

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • AFR capabilities enable immediate ocean rescue

    The Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing conducted a multi-person medical airlift in support of a critically-injured person aboard a cruise ship 600 nautical miles off the coast of Florida.

  • All hands on deck; Soldier rescued from Pacific Ocean

    Rain is pouring down on and around the island of Guam after a monsoon hits early Sunday morning, July 26. For those in nearby waters, waves are crashing all around them. In the midst of all the commotion, a Soldier on a U.S. Army Watercraft System off the coast of Angaur, Palau, requires urgent

  • 563d RQG Airmen rescue injured Mexican sailors

    Airmen from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s 563rd Rescue Group traveled more than 1700 miles to save two critically injured Mexican fishermen onboard the Mazatun fishing vessel, July 10.

  • Rescue helicopter pilots showcase VR capability to ACC leadership

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

  • 40th HS, local forces rescue man

    The 40th Helicopter Squadron received the request June 3 around 10 p.m. to assist the Cascade County Sheriff’s Department in rescuing the man after he fell from a steep cliff and was holding on to a tree root approximately 250 feet from the ground.

  • CSAF helps honor rescue community

    The three-day event brought past and present ‘Jolly Greens’ together to celebrate their heritage, reminisce about past missions and to present the JGA’s final Rescue Mission of the Year award to crews from the 41st Rescue Squadron and 48th RQS.

  • 40th HS saves local man

    An Air Force helicopter crew located and rescued a local man March 1 just south of Great Falls, concluding the search by ground and air search and rescue groups.

  • Around the Air Force: Pitch Day, Space Flag, ANG Rescue

    On this look Around the Air Force “Pitch Day” will give small businesses and startups a fast track to partner with the Air Force, Space Flag tests warfighting capability, and the Alaskan Air National Guard rescues three civilians.

  • Air Force Academy cadets help family out of crashed car

    Returning from a weekend ski trip in Breckenridge, Colorado, five Air Force Academy cadets witnessed the vehicle in front of them fishtail, turn perpendicular to the road and slide off the ridge.Fearing the passengers were injured, Cadets 3rd Class Connor Settle, Joseph Canoy, Karl Boerwinkle, Joel

  • Air Force Tech Report

    Getting help to the right location for land rescues in the aftermath of a major hurricane falls to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. They’re the single agency responsible for coordinating on-land federal search and rescue activities in the 48 contiguous United States while providing

  • Yesterday’s Air Force

    The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center has been coordinating inland search and rescue missions in the United States since its creation. Today, the AFRCC works with local and federal search and rescue assets and is credited with saving more than 17,000 lives.

  • Ga. cadets rescue man from sinking vehicle after wreck

    A late-night drive home from a squadron meeting quickly turned into a rescue scenario recently when two Georgia Wing Civil Air Patrol cadets swam to a rapidly sinking SUV in the middle of a rural pond and extracted the dazed driver.

  • International rescue effort saves trapped soccer team

    Twelve boys ranging from age 11 to 16, along with their soccer coach, found themselves stranded in a cave in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province, June 23, 2018. After 17 days entrapment, an international rescue team successfully ended a nearly 3-week operation.

  • JBLE Airman helps save drowning girl

    A child was drowning at Fort Monroe Beach, Virginia, May 13, 2018. When medical services arrived, they found a young girl who had been rescued from the water and was safe in her mother’s arms. The nine year old had gone swimming, when the current took her into deeper waters where she could no longer

  • Around the Air Force: July 3

    On this look around the Air Force, A B-52 crew assists in a search and rescue operation off the coast of Guam, an Afghan pilot class graduates in the Czech Republic, the Air Force is using innovative approaches to training pilots to make the process faster and more efficient. Hosted by Senior

  • 20th EBS aid in rescue off coast of Guam

    The B-52 is world-famous for its long-range capabilities, but during a routine flight near Guam June 25, 2018, crew members with the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and deployed to Andersen AFB, were tasked with a unique situation: to use their

  • Reserve Airmen earn Rescue Mission of the Year award

    Thirty-three 920th Rescue Wing Reserve Airmen were recently honored with the 2017 Jolly Green Association Rescue Mission of the Year award for their actions July 7, 2017 in saving two German sailors stranded in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 500 miles off the coast of Florida.

  • Minot rescue crew saves man trapped from flood

    Members of the 54th Helicopter Squadron at Minot Air Force Base responded to a search and rescue call involving a man trapped in his cabin surrounded by rising flood water in Savage, Montana, March 24, 2018.

  • Airman earns medal for rescuing double amputee from flood

    In total darkness, with temperatures only in the high 30s and in the midst of a monstrous rainstorm, Tech. Sgt. Phillip Dyer waded into rapidly-moving, chest-deep-and-rising waters to save a trapped flood victim on the verge of hypothermia and drowning.

  • Around the Air Force: Feb. 16

    On this look around the Air Force the 2019 budget request seeks to restore readiness, lethality and modernize, and security forces Airmen rescue a lost 2-year-old in Africa.

  • 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

  • ANG supports SoCal mudslide rescue efforts

    California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing are providing search and rescue support in Southern California for those impacted by the recent mudslides.

  • Airmen conduct long-range rescue of cruise passenger

    Within two hours of the call, Airmen with the 920th Rescue Wing took to the skies bound for a cruise ship roughly 500 miles off the Florida coastline carrying an elderly passenger suffering an acute condition and in need of medical evacuation Nov. 7, 2017.

  • Around the Air Force: Sept. 15

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – On this look around the Air Force, Airmen conduct search and rescue missions in the Florida Keys, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., provides truckloads of supplies for Hurricane Irma victims and Boeing will design the next Air Force One. Hosted by Airman 1st Class

  • Rescue assets preposition for Hurricane Irma relief

    Moody Air Force Base aircraft and rescue assets relocated to Columbus AFB, Mississippi, Sept. 9, 2017, before Hurricane Irma’s arrival.The aircraft and rescue assets will remain at Columbus AFB before re-engaging with other Moody AFB assets to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and

  • Civil Air Patrol links 300 stranded people to needed help

    A Civil Air Patrol aircraft taking photos along the rain-swollen Colorado River near Wharton, Texas, received a radio call for help and observed a group of people gathered at Holy Families Catholic Church. Three hundred people sought shelter from the floodwaters that cut-off access to the town of

  • EPLOs provide critical coordination to FEMA disaster relief efforts

    As three CH-47 Chinooks flew into Joint Base San Antonio-Seguin Auxiliary Airfield from the west, , Col. Harry Hughes, an emergency preparedness liaison officer, quickly worked through how to alleviate a back-up of overflow truck traffic onto the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Incident

  • Around the Air Force: Sept. 5

    FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – On this look around the Air Force, Airmen conduct a show of force with allies, rescue victims of Hurricane Harvey and train with the Romania military. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Samantha Ducker.For previous episodes, click here for the Air Force TV page.Related Links:-

  • Around the Air Force: Aug. 18

    On this look Around the Air Force Airmen at Hill Air Force Base , Utah, fly F-35A Lightning IIs in support of exercise Combat Hammer, Airmen at Misawa Air Base, Japan, train with Japanese Pararescuemen for exercise Cope Angel, and the promotion results for staff sergeant are in. Hosted by Staff.

  • AF Week in Photos

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

  • Rescue Airmen save two German citizens stranded at sea

    In a concerted effort from July 7, and into the early hours of July 8, 2017, approximately 80 Airmen and four aircraft assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing successfully rescued two German citizens whose vessel caught fire approximately 500 nautical miles off the east coast of southern Florida.

  • 40th HS rescues two missing hikers

    The 40th Helicopter Squadron saved two girls and their dog from the Sluice Boxes State Park about 30 miles southeast of Great Falls May 30, 2017.

  • Bay Area ANG unit rescues Navy contractor

    The California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing conducted a long-distance rescue mission over the Pacific Ocean Nov. 12, saving the life of a seriously ill 63-year-old civilian contractor on board the USS Guadalupe.

  • US, Japan rescue squadrons save downed pilot

    Within 30 minutes of an AV-8B Harrier Jump Jet crash Sept. 22, Airmen from the 31st and 33rd Rescue Squadrons at Kadena Air Base, Japan, were in the air and intent on saving the life of a pilot stranded in the Pacific Ocean.

  • J-model shows why it’s king in recent rescue

    When the phone rings and lives are on the line, rescue Airmen understand that at a moment’s notice they need to be in the air and prepared to do the mission. On Aug. 19 that call came.

  • Little Rock Airman saves woman from drowning

    It was June 25, a normal Saturday of kayaking at the Ouachita River Whitewater Park in Malvern, Arkansas, for Senior Airman Colton Lien and his friends when they witnessed a woman fall out her inner tube into the middle of the river.

  • Airmen help save fishermen at sea after ship catches fire

    Members of a special operations surgical team assigned to the 720th Special Tactics Group at Hurlburt Field, Florida, worked to save the lives of two critically-burned fishermen rescued 500 miles off the coast of Bermuda on June 22.

  • Around the Air Force: May 4

    This look around the Air Force takes us to South Korea, where Airmen helped rescue a mother and her children from a fire, and to Fort Bliss, Texas, where Airmen can try out for Ranger school.

  • Louisiana guardsmen rescue thousands in floods

    Louisiana National Guardsmen have rescued more than 4,000 people in the floods that have inundated the state over the past week, a state Guard spokesman said. About 1,200 Louisiana Army and Air National Guard members have been mobilized and are working with local partners to support the mission

  • Airman’s quick, calm response helps save life

    "He couldn't talk. He couldn't move," said Staff Sgt. Christina Begeal, a 22nd Medical Group aerospace medical technician. "So I told him, 'If you can hear me, squeeze my hand -- one for yes, two for no,' and he could do that."

  • McChord Airman saves girl from drowning

    In or out of uniform, Airmen are required to uphold the Air Force’s core values at all times, and should always be aware of their surroundings. Staff Sgt. Matthew Siegele, the 627th Force Support Squadron sports and fitness NCO in charge, had his situational awareness tested Jan. 1 when a little

  • Moody deploys first HC-130Js

    The 71st Rescue Squadron deployed two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft for the first time Nov. 27. The HC-130Js, which deployed with more than 60 aircrew, support and maintenance personnel, bring a new set of capabilities to the airspace in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

  • UK rescue squadrons to relocate to Italy

    The 56th and 57th Rescue squadrons from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, are relocating to Aviano Air Base, Italy, starting in fiscal year 2017, Air Force leaders announced Nov. 6.

  • Guardsmen deliver rescue capabilities across Pacific

    Alaska Air National Guardsmen from the 176th Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, conducted long range search and rescue drills Oct. 31 near the coast of White Beach Naval Base.A 212th Rescue Squadron guardian angel rescue team was delivered across the Pacific Ocean on a nearly 12-hour, nonstop

  • Yesterday’s Air Force: HH-3E

    Getting stranded behind enemy lines is a concern during every combat mission and one aircraft set the standard for combat search and rescue during the Vietnam War -- the Sikorsky HH-3E.

  • Special tactics Airmen execute amphibious training

    Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron conducted an amphibious training operation along the west coast of Okinawa Sept. 22-24 to refresh qualifications and retain proficiency in various special tactics skill sets.

  • 40th HS makes rescue during Independence Day weekend

    A UH-1N Iroquois crew assigned to the 40th Helicopter Squadron here rescued an injured female hiker in the Big Horn Mountain Range roughly 15 miles west of Buffalo, Wyoming, July 5 at approximately 5:20 a.m.

  • McConnell Airmen save veteran's life

    The largest winter storm this year struck early on the morning of Feb. 28, and without the quick thinking of Airmen at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, the substantial amount of snow and ice it brought could have cost a life.

  • Airman pulls woman from burning vehicle

    As the flames grew more intense with each failed attempt to coax the shocked woman out of the car with words, Tech. Sgt. Justin Mahana knew they were running out of time, so he took a different course of action.

  • Injured Idaho hiker rescued by Fairchild crews

    Airmen from Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, rescued a 36-year-old female rock climber Sept. 20, near Priest Lake, Idaho, after she suffered injuries to her face, lower leg and foot.

  • Nellis AFB Airmen save elderly couple during flash flood

    Three Airmen from the 820th RED HORSE, assisted by three members of the 799th Air Base Squadron, saved an elderly couple during a flash flood Aug. 4 while they were on their way home from their work sites at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.

  • Airmen rescue injured mountain climber

    Two Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord risked their lives to rescue an injured climber from Mount Rainier May 28.

  • AF 'impossible' rescue mission recognized

    On the remote coastline of Eastern Iceland, inaccessible to ordinary travel, a plaque was dedicated May 30 to commemorate a U.S. Air Force rescue team operation accomplished 20 years earlier.On Jan. 10, 1994, members of the 56th Rescue Squadron, then located at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland,

  • Air Force reunites Alaska families with sled dogs

    For six days a week, a small 30-passenger, chartered plane touched down on the runway in Galena, Alaska, carrying a team of contractors with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, their equipment and supplies for conducting environmental investigations at the former Air Force Galena Forward Operating