April 3, 2024 F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing VENOM-AFT is designed and funded to accelerate testing of autonomy software on crewed and uncrewed aircraft. It complements the autonomy data and AI experimentation proving ground at Eglin AFB and informs the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program and other autonomy developers.
Jan. 5, 2024 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.
Aug. 3, 2023 Tiny fish swims off the endangered species list The Okaloosa darter, a two-inch perch-like fish found only in the streams at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, was removed from the federal list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
July 30, 2023 CSTR proof of concept tests Defender unit-led training, equipment delivery The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center established combat support training ranges across the enterprise with a security forces-focused proof of concept exercise at the Silver Flag site on Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, July 17-28.
April 18, 2023 Eglin AFB’s joint C-5M aircraft load exercise wraps The 436th Airlift Wing and the 96th Test Wing practiced some heavy cargo training loading large vehicles into a C-5M Super Galaxy.
April 10, 2022 Airman wins paint scheme fan vote contest for NASCAR team car Brockman, a 96th Maintenance Squadron senior munitions inspector, recently won the Petty Motorsports and Air Force-sponsored Paint Scheme Fan Vote Contest. All submissions came directly from Airmen.
March 13, 2022 82nd Aerial Target Squadron’s watercraft prove critical in Air Force mission Part of the 82nd ATRS’s mission is to clear the waterborne corridor using missile retriever boats for target launch and recovery, as well as to remove drones and aircraft debris post-launch.
Oct. 13, 2021 Eglin AFB test squadron releases GBU-72 for first time The GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator’s release marked the end of a test series planned by the 780th Test Squadron and performed by the 40th Flight Test Squadron.
Oct. 20, 2020 AFMC successfully navigates FY20 challenges With a focus rooted in the ability to sustain the mission, and an eye towards long-term expansion and growth, the Air Force Materiel Command successfully executed a $67 billion portfolio in fiscal year 2020, ensuring operational mission success for warfighters.
May 20, 2020 F-35 crashes at Eglin AFB The pilot successfully ejected and was transported to the 96th Medical Group Hospital for evaluation and monitoring.
Feb. 19, 2020 Grey Wolf begins testing The Air Force’s newest helicopter, the MH-139A Grey Wolf, completed its first combined test flight, Feb. 11.
Dec. 26, 2019 F-16 downs drone during cruise missile defense testing The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron shot down a subscale drone using an AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser-guided rocket Dec. 19, providing a proof of concept for using rockets queued from an F-16 Fighting Falcon targeting pod as viable munitions to perform cruise missile defense.
Dec. 23, 2019 Digital engineering transformation coming to Air Force weapons enterprise The Eglin Air Force Base Modeling and Simulation Consortium is comprised of experts from the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Armament Directorate and the 96th Test Wing.
Dec. 1, 2019 AFMC announces 2020 Spark Tank finalists The Liquid Cooled Plate Carrier and Virtual Visitor Control Center projects were selected from more than 15 submissions from across AFMC as having the highest probability of delivering game-changing impact for Air Force needs.
Sept. 24, 2019 33rd Fighter Wing fires live AIM-9X missiles for first time Combat Archer brings the unique experience of being able to load live munitions outside of actual combat.
May 6, 2019 Intrepid Spirit Center moves forward The 96th Medical Group held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the construction of the Intrepid Spirit Center at Eglin Air Force Base, May 2.
Nov. 16, 2018 388th FW drops GBU-49 in combat training The 388th Fighter Wing’s 34th Fighter Squadron recently returned from a weapons evaluation exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where they employed the GBU-49 for the first time in F-35A Lightning II combat training.
July 16, 2018 Defenders go mobile with new comm system Thanks to a recent innovative idea, the 96th Test Wing’s support and defense unit became its latest developmental test squadron.
May 20, 2018 Education opportunities in Air Force IT Two 53rd Computer Systems Squadron Airmen recently shared how the Air Force opened wide the doors of educational opportunity, and how they set themselves up for success in both the military and civilian worlds.
May 19, 2018 Air Force honors Maj. Ian Holt, Capt. Abby Hall as Athletes of the Year Maj. Ian Holt and Capt. Abby Hall were recently named 2017 Air Force Athletes of the Year.
May 3, 2018 EOD revamps physical training regimen “(Physical training) for them was getting ‘smoked every day,’” said Staff Sgt. Shawn Briggs, 366th Training Squadron explosive ordnance disposal preliminary course instructor.
March 14, 2018 Clinic answers call for invisible wound care In the midst of brain injury awareness month, construction of a facility to treat traumatic brain injury is well underway at the 96th Medical Group.
Nov. 9, 2017 Mental health expands services, reaches more Airmen The 386th Expeditionary Medical Group, with support from the 386th Expeditionary Operation Group, expanded mental health services recently to Airmen at an undisclosed location supporting ongoing operations in Syria.
Dec. 16, 2015 Navy, AF break ground with Gulf Power on Florida’s largest solar projects The Navy and the Air Force broke ground with Gulf Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, today at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, marking the start of construction for three large-scale solar electric generating facilities.
Nov. 16, 2015 Eglin crew chiefs advance with F-35 As the Air Force continues to develop their newest fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II, the 33rd Fighter Wing ensures the Airmen tasked with taking care of it receive the training they need to advance with it.
May 7, 2015 First female F-35 pilot begins training The Department of Defense welcomed its first female F-35 Lightning II pilot here May 5.
April 20, 2015 An Airman's journey to wounded warrior mentorship Tech. Sgt. Ryan Delaney couldn't be happier to be a mentor for the introductory adaptive sports and rehabilitation camp that happened here April 13-22.
Feb. 3, 2015 F-35 nears completion of all-weather testing For the past four months, an F-35 Lightning II has endured extreme weather temperatures to certify the fleet to deploy to any corner of the world.
Nov. 17, 2014 Survival instructor keeps F-35 training afloat Within the 33rd Fighter Wing, innovation doesn't end at the flightline, but finds its way into a 12-foot swimming pool where new F-35 Lighting II pilots are now able to seamlessly complete their water survival training.
July 14, 2014 DOD official discusses F-35 at Farnborough Air Show Safety is the first consideration in whether the F-35 Thunderbolt II joint strike fighter appears at the Farnborough Air Show in England this week, a senior Defense Department official said July 14.
May 30, 2014 Eglin AFB F-35s surpass 5,000 combined sorties The 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, etched another mark on the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program by logging its 5,000th combined sortie, May 28.
April 25, 2014 F-16s train alongside F-35s F-16s from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, flew air-to-air combat training missions with F-35As assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
Sept. 4, 2013 Airmen perform first F-35A weapons load verification After months of preparation the weapons troop Standardization Load Crew from the 33rd Maintenance Group performed the first munitions load verification on the F-35A Lightning II here Aug. 27.