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U.S. Air Force News

  • African nations hold Women, Peace and Security Panel at AACS 2023

    This year’s African Air Chiefs Symposium was enhanced for the first time by panelists from Malawi, Benin, Senegal, Tunisia and Ghana and spoke on initiatives impacting recruitment, challenges they face and areas of improvement for each respective country.

  • Advice from the top: Find your support, be supportive

    Women’s History Month is an opportunity to share stories of the past and celebrate the achievements of individuals who operated outside of societal norms and achieved success, setting the stage for future generations to follow. 

  • AF Year in Photos

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

  • CMSAF joins 332nd AEW for Women’s History Month

    The discussion was scheduled as the capstone event for the wing’s Women’s History Month and provided Airmen a chance to have their questions directly addressed by the first female chief master sergeant of the Air Force.

  • Virginia ANG Airmen recognized for saving lives

    March is Women’s History Month, a time when many aim to highlight and recognize women who have made significant contributions at various points in time. The 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, is not an exception when it comes to service and excellence among female leaders and service members.

  • Fighter pilot takes inspiration to new heights

    “I hear at times in my uniform out and about in daily life, ‘do they let women fly?’”said Lt. Col. Cheryl Buehn, the only female instructor pilot in the 71st Fighter Training Squadron. “I don’t think they realize they’re asking a female fighter pilot. So I take a breath and I say, ‘Absolutely. They

  • Succeeding through determination, mentorship

    (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.)Chief Master Sgt. Paula C. Shawhan is not the type of woman to wait idly for her stars to align.

  • Paving the way for the modern woman

    The year was 1985. The job post stated “women applicants only” and “no experience needed.” She knew this was her opportunity for change. The allure of the $3-an-hour increase to her typist wage propelled her to apply. The interviewer asked applicants to lift the tool box and correctly recognize all

  • Videos focus on women in the Air Force

    The Air Force has released three short videos highlighting women and how they’ve played and continue to play an integral role in the Air Force. Today, women account for 19 percent of the Air Force, the most in any military service.

  • Women's history: Honoring WWII AF flight nurse

    During World War II, an American flight nurse was captured, becoming the only female U.S. military member held prisoner of war in the European Theater. Her name was Lt. Reba Z. Whittle.In 1943, Whittle joined the Army Air Forces School of Air Evacuation, where she trained as a flight nurse. It would

  • First lady to women veterans: ‘Tell your story’

    First lady Michelle Obama had a message for women veterans March 2: “Tell your story.” The first lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of vice president Joe Biden, attended an annual Women’s History Month reception, honoring women veterans and hosted by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol’s

  • Celebrating Women’s History Month

    On a daily basis, women of the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support; maintain both the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper; safeguard control centers; administer medications; file records and maintain secured communications capability. They

  • Air Force's first female chief

    In 1960, Chief Master Sgt. Grace Peterson became the first female chief master sergeant. She was not only the first female chief master sergeant; she was part of the original group of senior NCOs to be selected for the rank of E-9.

  • AF general shatters both gender, racial barriers

    Born about the time the Tuskegee Airmen were earning their reputation over the skies of North Africa and Italy, Marcelite Harris would go on to break a number of racial and gender barriers during an illustrious Air Force career.

  • Women's History Month: Remembering the past, looking toward the future

    During the 1900s, answering phone calls, maintaining records and providing minor health care were some of few roles women who served in the military were permitted to fill. Jobs left open because men left for war, gave women the opportunity to step up and volunteer on the home front.A century later,