NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • The future of test: ACC establishes 'Black Flag'

    Established as the test counterpart to Red Flag, an event designed to train like we fight, Black Flag allows the Air Force to test like we fight. While Red Flag builds readiness, Black Flag builds capability.

  • A New WSINT: Win any fight now

    While the U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration, or WSINT, has not deviated much from its original training model, today’s training approach has taken a new form.

  • CMSAF Bass visits Shaw AFB

    Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass spoke with Shaw Air Force Base members from multiple units including the 20th Fighter Wing, the 25th Attack Group, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) and the Fifteenth Air Force at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, Nov. 16-17.

  • Computerized canines to join Tyndall AFB

    Tyndall will be one of the first Air Force bases to implement semi-autonomous robot dogs into their patrolling regiment, integrated with Immersive Wisdom’s 3D Virtual Ops Center.

  • USAF’s first HH-60W Jolly Green II arrives at Moody AFB

    The 23rd Wing and 347th Rescue Group leadership received the Air Force’s first two HH-60Ws. The delivery of the new model is significant to the personnel recovery mission as it begins the transition from the predecessor, the HH-60G Pave Hawk model, which has been flown for more than 26 years.

  • Chaplaincy brings VR to Agile Flag 21-1

    Agile Flag 21-1, the first exercise of its kind, is an experimental exercise that tests a new lead wing command design for deployed environments. Naturally, this comes with stress and frustration. The chaplaincy aims to combat that by strengthening Airmen’s minds, bodies and souls while in that

  • Agile Flag paves way for Lead Wings

    The lead wing for this exercise was the 366th Fighter Wing from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and 250 Airmen from six units from across the Air Force who participated to better understand the diverse requirements that will go into certifying the lead-wing concept for Air Combat Command.

  • Dominate the Spectrum: ACC Emphasizes EMS

    In Air Combat Command, the Electromagnetic Spectrum is at the forefront of technological development supporting the Air Force, especially through the progression of electromagnetic warfare. It ultimately affects how ACC, and the Air Force, will engage in and through the EMS in the future.

  • Joint training strengthens air defense capability

    The U.S. Air Force 726th Air Control Squadron (ACS), from Mountain Home AFB, and U.S. Army 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, or ADA BDE, from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, are integrating their radar, communication networks and defense systems to increase readiness and joint operation efficiency.

  • DoD, Warfare Center partner to introduce 5G technology at Nellis AFB

    On Oct. 8, 2020, the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center announced the award of a Department of Defense contract to build the 5G network infrastructure and support services necessary to establish a dual-use, military and commercial network on Nellis Air Force Base and the Nevada Test and Training Range as

  • AFMC, AFGSC establish Weapons System Lead Wing Collaboration Program

    Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., AFMC Commander, and Gen. Timothy M. Ray, AFGSC Commander, cosigned a memorandum aimed at developing deeper collaboration between the program offices and operational wings, providing a venue for acquisition and operational Airmen to gain insight into each other’s

  • U-2 Federal Lab achieves flight with Kubernetes

    Kubernetes is an open-source container-orchestration system for automating computer application deployment, scaling, and management. Its container-centric management environment orchestrates computing, networking, and storage on behalf of user workloads and allows for the deployment of complex

  • MQ-9 Reaper takes flight with 8 Hellfire missiles

    This new capability is part of the MQ-9 Operational Flight Program 2409, a software upgrade set to field by the end of calendar year 2020. Previous to this software, the MQ-9 was limited to four AGM-114s across two stations.

  • NTTR: Training our way to victory

    Red Flag, an air-to-air combat exercise for pilots, and Green Flag, a ground combat training exercise, are two of the largest training operations in the Department of Defense. The the Nevada Test and Training Range enables training opportunities like these, while also providing a practice home to

  • Royal Air Force officer brings skills to Moody AFB

    After nearly 14 years of service in the Royal Air Force, Flight Lieutenant Chris Bradshaw has traveled 4,300 miles from the Force Protection Force of the RAF Regiment to share his expertise with the 820th Base Defense Group at Moody Air Force Base.

  • Gen. Mark Kelly takes command of ACC

    Gen. Mark Kelly took command from Gen. Mike Holmes during a ceremony presided over by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. who shared some words of encouragement to Kelly and highlighted his accomplishments.

  • ACC builds leaders armed for action

    Inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, Athena, Air Combat Command recently completed the first-ever inaugural Sword Athena Leadership Symposium, Aug 12-14, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The theme for this year’s event was “Building Leaders Armed for Action.”

  • ACC commander accepts Order of the Sword recognition

    The invitation came as a surprise to Holmes, who was delivering remarks and answering questions during a virtual noncommissioned officer development course. A participant of the course asked Holmes if he would accept the invitation, which then prompted a group of enlisted Airmen to rush into Holmes’

  • SecAF visits JB Langley-Eustis

    During the tour, Barrett saw what efforts are being made to modernize the Air Force, boost morale and continue to encourage diversity and inclusion within the Air Force family.

  • SecAF visits Pope Army Airfield

    Barrett spent the day meeting and discussing joint operations and the integral part the Air Force plays during global responses.

  • Thanking those who saluted America

    The U.S. Air Force performed this year’s “Salute to America” with a series of military flyovers at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota, July 3, and Washington, D.C., July 4, to celebrate Independence Day – the nation’s 244th birthday.

  • Tyndall AFB renames school house: Gen. Lori Robinson Hall

    With half the buildings on base destroyed and the rest damaged, the service members assigned to Tyndall AFB have worked tirelessly to get the base up and running at full capacity. Among the damage was the air battle manager’s school house, building 1285. Now that the school house has been rebuilt,

  • 5th Combat Communications Group keeps warfighters connected during pandemic

    Composed of three units – 5th Combat Communications Support Squadron, the 52nd Combat Communications Squadron and the 51st Combat Communications Squadron – the group has worked tirelessly to make sure warfighters are connected with vital communications equipment despite the ongoing Coronavirus

  • Nuclear command leverages academia, industry data in COVID-19 fight

    Through a partnership with the Cyber Innovation Center, Louisiana Tech University, and Virtualitics Inc., Air Force Global Strike Command officials rapidly developed a daily report consisting of infection rate projections based on a COVID-19 Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Resistant, or SEIR, model.

  • CSAF, CMSAF visit recently formed TF-Southeast

    Ninth Air Force stood up March 31 as TF-SE at the direction of the CSAF and Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, to provide defense support of civil authorities to Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions III & IV under U.S. Northern Command via U.S. Army North.

  • 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.

  • Task Force-Southeast supports COVID-19 fight

    Task Force-Southeast, led by Ninth Air Force, is the primary DoD support organization for the Federal Emergency Management Agency response to COVID-19 in FEMA Regions III and IV.

  • 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.

  • 355th wing sustains CSAR capabilities

    The exercise, organized by the 563rd and 355th Operations Support Squadrons, included assets from different agencies and units across the wing.

  • Behind the helmet of the F-35A Demonstration Team’s newest pilot

    As the pilot and demonstration team commander, Wolfe will fly the demonstration routine for two years, serving as a role model and inspiration to those that are interested in pursuing military service or a career in aviation. Part of her and her team’s mission will be helping young men and women

  • ACC Bridge connects Airmen worldwide

    Air Combat Command’s Directorate of Manpower, Personnel and Services partnered with a public affairs team to develop a new website exclusively focused on resources that will build resiliency, improve diversity and prevent violence. They chose to call it The Bridge because it will connect ACC

  • Newest F-35A squadron brings fifth-generation capabilities to Red Flag

    The exercise, which takes place from Jan. 27-Feb. 15, is meant to give at least 10 combat-representative sorties to younger pilots to better prepare them for real combat against very capable adversaries. The 421st Fighter Squadron is the most recent squadron to transition to the F-35A in the 388th

  • Rescue dogs help heal wounded warriors

    The Office of the Warrior Advocate is a first-of-its-kind organization that was founded by two wounded warriors that saw a need. It is in that same spirit of seeing needs and answering the call that service dogs are becoming part of Offutt’s landscape and cultural norms.

  • AFMC, ACC expand weapons system collaboration

    Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., Air Force Materiel Command commander and Gen. Mike Holmes, Air Combat Command commander, signed a memorandum of agreement establishing the Lead Wing Collaboration Program during the Technology and Acquisition Sustainment Review Conference Jan. 29, at Joint Base

  • Using science to stay ahead of the weather

    Weather-flight Airmen assigned to the 9th Operational Support Squadron propel the 9th Reconnaissance Wing’s operations through discipline and attention to detail of the skies.

  • Nellis AFB and RAAF team up to support Australia wildfire relief

    Members of the Royal Australian Air Force and Nellis Air Force Base teamed up to load more than 50 bundles of fire suppressant and other critical firefighting equipment onto three RAAF C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for delivery to the Australian Emergency authorities and Rural Fire Service.

  • DRAGON simulator to augment AWACS training

    DRAGON, replaces 1970s analog technology with digital, automated aircraft navigation functions, and it ensures E-3 aircraft are compliant with current and future air traffic control requirements.

  • Air Force announces Spark Tank 2020 selectees

    Spark Tank also offers Airmen the opportunity to get their ideas in front of key enabling agencies that can share expertise and resources such as funding or personnel for the projects being presented and demonstrate pathways for intrapreneurs to make their initiatives successful.

  • HH-60W enters soundproof chamber for defense systems testing

    Testing the HH-60W in J-PRIMES will characterize the performance of the helicopter’s systems before electronic warfare flight-testing. The tests ensure it is capable of defeating hostile threats while performing its designated combat search and rescue mission.

  • Air Force sets foundation for energy optimization, lethality

    As 2020 approaches and the Air Force prepares to take on the challenges of the next decade, we must also review our successes and lessons learned from the last year. For Air Force Operational Energy, 2019 was a year for laying the foundation to build a more optimized and lethal force in the years to

  • 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.

  • Hill AFB fighter wings receive final F-35A Lightning II

    The first operational F-35As arrived at Hill Air Force Base in September 2015, and since then, the active duty 388th and Air Force Reserve 419th Fighter Wings have flown more than 17,500 sorties and more than 33,000 flying hours.

  • Massive funding influx expedites Tyndall AFB rebuild

    Under the June 2019 Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, Operations and Maintenance funding assigned $56 million to sustain regular base operations with an additional $358.4 million allotted for Hurricane Michael recovery.

  • Florida resilience chief gets look at Tyndall AFB rebuild

    The Tyndall Air Force Base leadership team briefed Dr. Julia Nesheiwat on the current state of the installation and the commitment to incorporate resiliency, innovation and technology as main components of the rebuild plans.

  • Fit to fight: one fighter wing at a time

    To ensure pilots are ready at a moment’s notice, the 1st Fighter Wing has embedded Capt. Michelle Jilek, a physical therapist with the 633rd Medical Operations Squadron, to help increase mission effectiveness.

  • Defense, industry partners plan for future multi-domain conflicts

    Experts from across the Air Force and the Department of Defense’s joint community, as well as industry partners, came to CyberWorx to analyze a single, yet complicated problem-set: how do we operate in contested environments ensuring a steady-state of tactical C2 support?

  • Friday night Wright: CMSAF, Airmen bond through gaming

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright focused his discussions on how Airmen can work together to foster an environment of inclusiveness, resilience, increased morale and enhanced rapport between Airmen and the teams they work with.

  • University students help JSTARS innovate scheduling

    Operators of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System are teaming up with Mercer University’s computer science department in Macon, Georgia, to advance an antiquated software system.

  • 16th Air Force to streamline cyber weapon systems

    Launched on July 1, 12N12 aims to replace, reduce and consolidate the tools, systems and applications operators and analysts employ within the cyberspace security and defense mission area by July 1, 2020.

  • Air Force requests proposals for light attack aircraft

    The Air Force plans to purchase two to three light attack aircraft from each manufacturer to help support the National Defense Strategy’s focus on building allies and partner capacity, capability and interoperability via training and experimentation.

  • 6th CTS activates new TACP training detachment

    Air Force TACP specialists embed with Army and Marine units on the frontline and are responsible for directing air and artillery strikes from forward ground locations. These highly trained experts go through intense physical, mental and technical training in order to withstand the demanding

  • Air Force integrates missions, strengthens information warfare capabilities

    Sixteenth Air Force activated at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Oct. 11, integrating Twenty-Fourth Air Force, to include Air Forces Cyber, and Twenty-Fifth Air Force into a single headquarters that will provide global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber, electronic warfare and

  • Airman to swim in 2019 World Military Games

    The 15 best swimmers in the Department of Defense have earned the opportunity to compete in the swimming component of the 2019 World Military Games. The youngest team member is Airman 1st Class Michael Yoo, 366th Maintenance Squadron avionics backshop technician, from Mountain Home Air Force Base,

  • 380 AEW first responders exercise readiness, interoperability

    A variety of agencies including medics, firefighters and security-forces defenders participated in the exercise to test their readiness, knowledge of emergency procedures and interagency cooperation amongst the wing’s first responders.

  • ACC discusses 16th Air Force as new information warfare NAF

    Air Combat Command will integrate 24th Air Force and 25th Air Force capabilities into a new organization under a single commander who will be responsible for providing information warfare capabilities to combatant commanders with the speed to match today’s technological environment.