Air Combat Command News

Former 325th FW commander returns to Tyndall amid continued modernization

Senior Airman Victoria Moehlman — Fri, 08 May 2026 15:31:00 GMT

Laidlaw’s visit bridged Tyndall’s recovery from hurricane devastation to its ongoing rebuild as a more resilient, combat-ready installation.

Air Combat Command announces 2026 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Staff Sgt. Michael Bowman — Fri, 08 May 2026 13:25:00 GMT

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va., -- Air Combat Command recently announced the 2026 Outstanding Airmen of the Year command-level winners. These Airmen were recognized for their outstanding achievements, performance and exceptional meritorious service in support of ACC mission objectives.

Grand Forks AFB begins runway resurfacing project

Senior Master Sgt. BreeAnn Sachs — Fri, 08 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Work has officially begun on the $20.4 million resurfacing project for the runway, here.The project

31st Air Task Force implements Air Expeditionary Wing model at Freedom Flag 26-1

2nd Lt. Daniel White — Thu, 07 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The 31st Air Task Force was redesignated the 31st Air Expeditionary Wing and tasked with executing operational command and control to project platform-agnostic air power during exercise Freedom Flag 26-1.

325th CS tests Mission-Ready Airman concept during exercise Blinded Camel

Senior Airman Zeeshan Naeem — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:50:00 GMT

The 325th Communications Squadron conducted exercise Blinded Camel on April 24, 2026 at Tyndall Air Force Base. The exercise validated expeditionary capabilities and Ready Airman Training competencies in a high-threat environment.

Month of the Military Child: Hannah's story

Chad Watkins — Sat, 02 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Hannah and Hazel’s laughter fills the air on a peaceful Friday afternoon in their backyard. Bubbles spray from a bubble machine, floating around them, enticing giggles that adults have long forgotten how to make.

Checkered Flag exercise returns to Tyndall, bringing joint airpower integration

Airman 1st Class Amanda Alvarez — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:30:00 GMT

The 325th Fighter Wing will host Checkered Flag 26-2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, bringing together 14 Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps units to conduct large-scale, integrated air-to-air training. The exercise focuses on combining fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft in a contested environment to strengthen readiness, interoperability and rapid global response capabilities. Participants will also support live-fire training through the Weapons System Evaluation Program, providing realistic combat training that enhances the force’s ability to generate and deliver airpower.

New Human Performance Optimization facility to enhance readiness at DMAFB

Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Airmen and leadership gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction on a new Human Performance Optimization facility. This facility is designed to support Air Force Special Warfare Airmen assigned to the 306th Rescue Squadron, an Air Force Reserve Command tenant unit assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 27, 2026.

Freedom Flag 26-1: Nellis, Hurlburt Airmen establish distributed location for hot pit refueling

Senior Airman Ty Pilgrim — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:13:00 GMT

The effort proved a continuous airpower generation scheme of maneuver designed to increase survivability against potential threats.

95th FS, FGS enhance lethality through advanced threat training during Ready Tiger 26-3

Senior Airman Victoria Moehlman — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Ready Tiger Exercise is designed to test Airmen’s ability to rapidly deploy, sustain operation and generate airpower in simulated austere environments. During the exercise, pilots, intelligence personnel and maintainers generated sorties to detect and eliminate low-observable aerial targets, mimicking drone attacks. This tested Airmen’s ability to operate in hazardous conditions, strengthening their combat readiness for future operations in contested environments.

Regenerated B-1B Lancer dedicated as "Apocalypse II" to honor WWII heroes

Master Sgt. Dana J. Cable — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The 7th Bomb Wing unveiled new nose art for a recently regenerated B-1B Lancer, linking the legacy of World War II Airmen with the future of American airpower during a dedication ceremony April 22, 2026.

USAF, Netherlands formalize partnership on Collaborative Combat Aircraft development

Pentagon News — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:30:00 GMT

The Department of the Air Force and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence have formalized a partnership to acquire prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft, advancing a shared strategy to bring greater affordable mass to deter, and if necessary, defeat adversaries.

Month of the Military Child: The little drummer boy

Daniel Martinez — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:35:00 GMT

Imagine standing on stage at the historic Grand Ole Opry in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, with drum sticks in hand, as an audience of about 4,000 people loudly cheer for your live musical debut. Now imagine you’re only three years old.

IG assesses 23d Wing combat readiness during Ready Tiger

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:18:00 GMT

Airmen from the 23d Wing participated in a combat readiness exercise April 13-17, 2026, in the Savannah Air Dominance Center at Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, as part of the Air Force’s push to hone lethality and readiness across the service. Ready Tiger 26-3 tested the wing’s ability to meet joint-force-commander intent against pacing threats in a contested, degraded and operationally limited environment.

Budget request directs record $338.8 billion to Air Force and Space Force to meet “challenges of today and tomorrow”

Pentagon News — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:02:00 GMT

The Department of the Air Force unveiled a $338.8 billion budget proposal, a significant boost in funding designed to sharpen readiness, continue modernizing the fleet and underwrite deterrence while ensuring that any threat to national security can be met and, if necessary, defeated.

68th Rescue Squadron completes annual Combat Leader Course

Airman Najzee Kuzu — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:18:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen assigned to the 68th Rescue Squadron completed the Combat Leader Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 17, 2026, enhancing their operational readiness and leadership skills through a series of simulated mission objectives to test both their tactical proficiency and decision-making under pressure.

Experimental Operations Unit accelerates Collaborative Combat Aircraft program

Pentagon News — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:49:00 GMT

The Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit, under Air Combat Command, concluded a critical exercise with Collaborative Combat Aircraft recently at Edwards Air Force Base, putting principles of the new Warfighting Acquisition System into practice.

Generating Excellence: Air Combat Command operations directorate activates new AI Integration Division

Staff Sgt. Michael Bowman — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:48:00 GMT

ACC’s Operations Directorate (ACC/A3) stood up a first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence Integration Division April 1, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. The new division, designated A3AI, will serve as the command's central authority for artificial intelligence. It is tasked with establishing AI policy, validating tools for operational use, delivering training to ACC wings, and synchronizing efforts with Department of the Air Force and Department of War AI initiatives.

USAF GE 26 showcases new AI-enabled WarMatrix wargaming capability

Pentagon News — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:04:00 GMT

The wargames delivered a rigorous, fast-paced environment designed to test concepts, capabilities and force design considerations critical to future conflict scenarios.

That Others May Live: The unwavering commitment of Air Force combat search and rescue

Maj. Claire Fitle — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:47:00 GMT

In the U.S. Air Force, no phrase carries more weight than "That Others May Live." It is not merely a motto; it is a commitment that underpins the existence of the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission. This solemn promise to leave no one behind, whether a downed pilot in enemy territory or a civilian stranded by natural disaster, is forged in the demanding, complex training environment of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the heart of the Air Force's rescue enterprise.