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U.S. Air Force News

  • Around the Air Force: March 23

    This look around the Air Force features the first female combatant commander and the Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III testified on Capitol Hill.

  • Air Force leaders present FY 2017 budget request

    The military services’ secretaries and chiefs presented their respective branch’s fiscal year 2017 budget plan March 16 on Capitol Hill.Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III testified on the Air Force’s fiscal 2017 national defense authorization

  • AF senior leaders brief State of the Air Force

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III discussed the State of the Air Force during a press conference at the Pentagon March 7.

  • James, Welsh testify before Congress

    The Air Force’s top two senior leaders testified before the House Appropriations Committee on Defense March 2 and the Senate Armed Services Committee March 3. They attested to the critical need of readiness. With less than half of the Air Force’s combat forces prepared for a high-end fight, the

  • Air Force reveals B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James revealed the first rendering of the Long Range Strike Bomber, designated the B-21, at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 26 in Orlando, Fla., and announced the Air Force will be taking suggestions from Airmen to help decide the name of the

  • Welsh presents AF update at AFA

    Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III outlined Air Force operations from 2015, the service’s plan for 2016, and what is to come in the future at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 25.

  • CSAF celebrates Whiteman total force excellence

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III visited Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Feb. 16-18 to engage with civic leaders and meet Airmen of the world's only B-2 Spirit stealth bomber base.

  • New co-chairman joins Air Force’s retiree council

    A new co-chairman will share the head of the table at this year's Air Force Retiree Council meeting in May. Retired Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog, who left active duty in October, succeeds retired Lt. Gen. Steven Polk as council co-chair with retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley.

  • GAO denies protest, Air Force proceeds with LRS-B

    The Government Accountability Office denied The Boeing Company’s protest of the Long Range Strike Bomber contract award following a comprehensive review of the source selection process. The Air Force was confident that the source selection team followed a deliberate, disciplined and impartial

  • SecAF, CSAF testify on FY 2017 AF posture

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the fiscal year 2017 Air Force posture on Capitol Hill Feb. 10.

  • AF announces stand up of Integrated Wing

    The Air Force will stand up an Integrated Wing pilot program at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, according to Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James.

  • Welsh shares holiday message

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife Betty; Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and his wife Dawn; and the Air Staff wish all Airmen and their families a wonderful holiday season.

  • CSAF awards Silver Stars to Vietnam vets

    A star pendant necklace bought in 1984 has been tucked away for 30 years since its purchase. The necklace was a gift to Sue Roberts from her husband, Eric Roberts II, as a thank you for her efforts toward getting the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to him and Ronald Brodeur’s upgraded to a Silver

  • Welsh named 2015 Great American Patriot Award recipient

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III has been named the 2015 Armed Forces Bowl’s Great American Patriot Award recipient. The award honors a candidate in recognition of their exemplary service to this nation.

  • Air Force A3 Receives Award for Space

    The Air Force Association presented the General Thomas D. White Space Award to the Headquarters U.S. Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations for outstanding contribution to American aerospace progress on Nov. 20.

  • 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.

  • Cadet earns top Civil Air Patrol honor

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presented the General Carl A. Spaatz Award to Cadet Col. Matthew Jackson, a Civil Air Patrol cadet, during a Nov. 9 ceremony at the Pentagon.

  • 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.

  • CSAF reveals new take on 'little blue book'

    The Air Force’s highest ranking uniformed Airman released the next edition of “Airman to Airman” -- a video series highlighting key issues and challenges facing the service.

  • Welsh, Cody visit Hurlburt Field

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody visited thousands of Air Commandos Sept. 28-30.

  • 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.

  • Time with MAJCOM commanders at the four-star forum

    Members of the Air Force, Air Force Association and defense industry were invited to a Q-and-A session with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James M. Cody and several major command commanders during a four-star forum at the AFA Air and Space

  • 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.

  • Air Force’s top Airman honored by enlisted force

    In a historical event, the Air Force’s top enlisted leader honored the service’s top general with an invitation to an Order of the Sword ceremony during the Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 16.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, who is

  • Welsh cites heroes, talks modernization during Air Force Update

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III shared the spotlight with a cross-section of people he called his heroes during an emotional multimedia presentation at the Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 15 in Washington D.C.

  • 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

  • CSAF sees cyber, ISR as future major command

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, visited the 24th and 25th Air Forces Aug. 25-27 at Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Texas, to gain a firsthand look at the mission synergy of cyber, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

  • CSAF speaks about CMSAF role

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III addressed Airmen about the importance of leadership during the 2015 Air Force Sergeants Association Professional Airmen's Conference in San Antonio Aug. 26.

  • 9th CMSAF laid to rest

    “If you've met Chief Binnicker, you've met an icon -- a hero, a legend," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, James A. Cody. Cody said these words as he delivered the eulogy for former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James C. Binnicker at the Fort Meyer post chapel in Arlington, Virginia,

  • AMC welcomes new commander

    Air Mobility Command changed leaders Aug. 11, as Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II assumed command from Gen. Darren W. McDew during a 10 a.m. ceremony at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

  • AF welcomes new vice chief of staff

    The Air Force welcomed an Airman to the rank of four-star general and announced the appointment of the new Air Force vice chief of staff during a ceremony at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., Aug. 6.

  • CSAF listens to Airmen, discusses nuclear enterprise mission

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A Welsh III visited three Air Force Global Strike Command bases to listen to Airmen of all ranks who support the Global Strike mission on a daily basis, while addressing the importance of the nuclear enterprise and its future.

  • Rand takes command of AF Global Strike Command

    Gen. Robin Rand took command of Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, July 28, becoming the newest leader of the organization responsible for the nation's force of ICBMs and nuclear-capable bombers.

  • 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

  • Western Hemisphere air chiefs work together at annual conference

    United-Allied -- this is the motto of the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces, an organization comprised of more than 20 air force leaders from across the Western Hemisphere, who met June 22-26 in Mexico City for a summit known as the Conference of American Air Chiefs.

  • Welsh, Cody visit Wright-Patterson

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody spoke about the importance of the work being accomplished by the people in the room and across Air Force Materiel Command in an all call at the Air Force Institute of Technology here June 8.

  • 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.

  • AF recognizes top wing command team

    Col. Mark August and his wife, Cristen, received the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O’Malley Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon, May 8.

  • 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.

  • CSAF discusses Air Force’s need to reset

    The Air Force Association hosted its monthly Air Force breakfast with Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, as the key note speaker, April 2, at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

  • CSAF thanks RPA Airmen, highlights mission importance

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, visited the Airmen of the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing to discuss the importance of the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission during their visit March 24.

  • CSAF visits Arizona’s tanker wing, thanks Guard members

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, visited the Arizona Air National Guard's 161st Air Refueling Wing here March 22, to discuss the future of the Air Force, meet Airmen and their families, and thank them for their service.

  • 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.

  • AF chief of staff: Call to the future

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III shared his thoughts on where the Air Force is, where it’s going and how it’s going to get there with an audience at the Air Force Association’s annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 12, in Orlando, Florida.

  • Air Force risks becoming too small to succeed under sequestration

    During testimony on Capitol Hill Jan. 28, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III stressed the negative impact sequestration will have on future Air Force capabilities, emphasizing further budget cuts will lead to low morale and declined readiness in the Air Force.

  • 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.

  • CSAF visits Bagram, connects with Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, spent a portion of his visit to the Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility engaging with Airmen, NCOs and officers during an Airman’s Call here Dec. 15

  • CSAF visits Aviano

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Ms. Heidi H. Grant, the deputy under secretary of the Air Force, international affairs, and Mrs. Betty Welsh visited Airmen and their families Dec. 22, at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

  • CSAF visits Al Udeid

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III met with Airmen and answered their questions about current Air Force issues during a visit Dec. 14, to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

  • 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.

  • CSAF to Airmen: Stay safe this holiday season

    As the holiday season approaches and 2014 draws to a close, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III takes a moment to thank all Airmen for their commitment to safety, and reminds us all to continue taking care of each other.

  • PACAF hosts Air Force civic leaders

    Members of the Air Force Civic Leader Program traveled to Hawaii Oct. 14-16, to participate in a military tour highlighting the Pacific Rebalance.The program and its civic leader visits to military installations serve to better inform communicators in the civilian community and advocates for Air

  • T-38 pilot receives highest aviation safety award

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presented the service's top safety award, the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy, to a pilot from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, during a ceremony Oct. 8, at the Pentagon.

  • AF celebrates 'best' year in aviation safety

    In most jobs, breaking or losing a piece of equipment doesn’t cost American taxpayers millions of dollars; however, in the Air Force, operating aviation assets safely not only saves money, time and resources but also the lives of Airmen.

  • Former CSAF Fogleman honored for contributions to airpower

    Rainy weather couldn't dampen the spirits of those who attended the unveiling of a bronze bust of former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, who was recognized Oct. 9, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois for his contributions to the air mobility community.

  • CSAF to Academy: 'Adapting to change key to success'

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III arrived at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, Sept. 29, as part of a week-long stay.Welsh wanted to take some time to thank Academy Airmen for the part they play here and in the Air Force.

  • CMSAF fields questions, speaks about EPRs

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody addressed the future of enlisted performance reports during a Q-and-A format session at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17.

  • Top Airman discusses Air Force future

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III spoke about the importance of embracing change and creating an adaptive Air Force at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition, Sept. 16.

  • Letter to Airmen: RAND study

    Many of you have recently been invited to participate in the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Study. This web-based survey assesses your recent experiences with military workplace relations, professionalism and personal safety.

  • CSAF Call to Airmen: 2015 Reading List

    The Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III has issued a call to all Airmen, to help create the 2015 CSAF Professional Reading Program, asking for submissions that center on the profession of arms and more specifically the Air Force core values: Integrity first, service before self

  • CSAF: A call to excellence for all Airmen

    In his latest Airman-to-Airman message, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III urged the men and women of the Air Force to challenge themselves to be better at what they do.

  • 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.

  • Air Force Art Program highlights Reserve Airmen

    Lt. Gen. James Jackson, the chief of Air Force Reserve, and Maj. Warren Neary, the Air Force Space Command historian, presented two pieces of art depicting Reserve Airmen in operational roles to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, June 20.

  • Air Force recommends four-star position for Global Strike Command

    Air Force leaders continue to implement improvements to the Air Force’s nuclear mission and increase support to the men and women who operate, maintain and support the nation’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile force. Following visits to the missile bases and visits with the Airmen who perform the

  • Air Force leaders issue Memorial Day message

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