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  • Hill Airmen bring F-35A, fifth-gen capabilities to European defense exercise

    Airmen deployed from the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, recently wrapped up the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs first participation in a large, European air-and-missile defense exercise.The focus of the multi-national exercise, Astral Knight 2019,

  • Heritage Flight honors last D-Day celebration

    The U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight team conducted a flyover in honor of the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the last celebration at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, June 6, 2019.The four-ship formation included U.S. Air Force Maj. Paul “Loco” Lopez, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

  • Most important weather forecast ever made

    Seventy-five years ago, Allied forces began the task of opening the second front in Europe when they landed on the beaches of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944.Weather was a key factor in deciding when and where the invasion would take place. There were competing priorities when selecting the desired

  • ACC warns Airmen: Get ready for severe weather

    To sharpen a proactive preparedness posture, ACC plans to release additional severe weather readiness guidance to all wings, numbered air forces and direct reporting units located in high risk areas of the United States.

  • SNCOs: Mentor Future Commanders!

    “More is caught, than taught.” This common colloquialism rings true for individual development. Regardless of your tenure in the Top 3, if you have just sewn on master sergeant, or are a chief master sergeant hitting high year tenure, senior NCOs shape tomorrow’s joint leaders. We set the example

  • Female aviators help bring in new age of flight equipment

    Female flight equipment is on its way through a major overhaul. The biggest change coming to the equipment, it is being designed with measurements from female aviators.Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, held a Female Fitment Event June 4, 2019, where U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy female aviators

  • JBLE hosts medical equipment summit

    The Air Combat Command Surgeon General Office hosted the Manpower and Equipment Force Packaging Summit at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, June 4, 2019. Members from various U.S. Air Force major commands attended the summit to view demonstrations and capabilities that may boost efficiency in the

  • Thunderbirds announce 2020 officer selections

    The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Mike Holmes, has officially selected the officers who will be joining the United States Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2020 demonstration season.

  • Load 'em up: F-35A from A to B? Ask Fanter

    How do you pack an F-35A into a C-17? Or move nearly 300 Airmen, and all the equipment, to support 12 aircraft around Europe for two months? Or make sure you have enough of everything that you’ll need, and almost nothing that you don’t?For nearly 5 years at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the answer has

  • Employees save $75million in assets, receive 46 civilian achievement medals

    Within mere days of the Category 5 hurricane that hit Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, employees from the 325th Training Support Squadron rushed from their hunkered down shelters and evacuation points to assess and mitigate damage to more than $75 million in assets while taking care of their own

  • Lights, camera, cyber!

    Capt. Sarah Miller and Tech. Sgt. Carrol Brewster, discuss options in response to a staged cyber-attack during filming of a scene for an Air Force Reserve Command mission video at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on June 1, 2019. The video, which is currently in production, will also be

  • ACC rededicates Hyde building

    Members of the Air Combat Command Directorate of Cyberspace and Information Dominance, rededicated the Major General John P. Hyde building with his widow, Elizabeth Hyde, during a ceremony May 23, 2019 at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

  • Mountain Home AFB: First to use Portable Doppler Radar for CONUS Ops

    Weather can be an unrelenting force and infamously fickle. Severe weather can adversely affect the safety of aircrew and Airmen working in the elements. Fortunately, advanced radars with weather forecasting capabilities can mitigate the associated risks.Keeping constant surveillance on weather

  • US, UAE fly to build interoperability

    United Arab Emirates Air Force Mirage 2000, a UAE F-16 Desert Falcon and a U.S. F-35A Lightning II fly a partnering flight in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 29, 2019. The flight was conducted to continue building military-to-military relationships and interoperability with the

  • Hill F-35As transition to Mountain Home during runway closure

    This week, the 34th Fighter Squadron and 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit will transition F-35A Lightning II operations to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, as the runway here closes for construction.More than 250 Airmen from the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings and up to 24

  • Air Force confirms Wright Patterson AFB to host F-35 support organization

    Outgoing Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson has confirmed the selection of Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio to host the F-35 Hybrid Product Support Integrator (HPSI) Organization.The decision confirms completion of the strategic basing process which in December 2018 identified

  • Gunsmoke: Revolutionized

    U.S. Air Force Weapons School (USAFWS) squadrons and various maintenance and special operations units competed in Gunsmoke at Nellis AFB, May 15.The purpose of the legacy competition was to demonstrate the capabilities of both jet and conventional fighter aircraft accuracy in bombing and gunnery.

  • 48th RQS Awarded Rescue Mission of the Year

    U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein presented the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., with the Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year award.While assigned to the 435th Air Expeditionary Wing, Camp Lemonnier Republic of Djibouti, Africa, Cole’s team received a

  • Hill Airmen deploy F-35 to Europe as part of Theater Security Package

    The U.S. Air Force has deployed one squadron of F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, Airmen, and associated equipment to Aviano Air Base, Italy, from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, at Hill AFB, Utah, to participate in exercises and conduct training with other Europe-based aircraft as part of a

  • Total force readiness implemented in Summer Viking 19-01

    Airmen with the 319th Air Base Wing participated in Summer Viking 19-01, a four-day readiness exercise, May 20-23, 2019, at the Air National Guard Base in Fargo, North Dakota. The exercise focused on increased readiness capabilities; testing participants on their self-aid buddy care, chemical,

  • 8th IS initiative preps Airmen for life and mission in Hawaii

    The 692nd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group’s 8th Intelligence Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, incorporated Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographical Information System Online into their sponsorship program in December 2018.

  • ACC Science and Technology advisors visits 41st RQS

    Dr. John Matyjas and Dr. Donna Joyce, science and technology advisors to Air Combat Command, visited the 41st RQS to tour and assess their Virtual Reality flight simulator along with taking a familiarization flight on an HH-60G Pave Hawk. The visit is a part of an Air Force assessment of the

  • Qatari Mirages fly with U.S. B-52H and F-35As

    Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Mirage 2000s, a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress, and U.S. F-35A Lightning IIs flew in formation over Southwest Asia, May 21, 2019. This flight was conducted to continue building military-to-military relationships and interoperability with the QEAF. The B-52H is part of the

  • Ophthalmology teams give Guyanese the gift of sight

    The ophthalmology center at the Port Mourant Hospital was established to provide aid to the Guyanese population by screening and selecting patients to receive cataract and pterygium surgery in support of New Horizons 2019.This exercise provides U.S. military members an opportunity to train for an

  • 9th MUNS hosts second annual Air Force Combat Operations Competition

    The 9th Munitions Squadron held the second annual Air Force Combat Operations Competition (AFCOCOMP), May 14-16, 2019, here.AFCOCOMP is a one-of-a-kind munitions building competition, which tests participants on the skills required of ammo troops during warfighting operations.

  • Airman’s dreams come true: His story

    Dreams come true everyday. For Airmen, some want to travel the world, some want to become a general and others want to have a family. Dreams, however, do not happen on their own. It requires sacrifice, dedication and working smarter and harder than you have before. This truth stares each of us in

  • May 18 is Armed Forces Day

    Nations around the world honor their military forces with an Armed Forces Day. In the United States, the celebration is held the third Saturday in May.

  • ‘Toro’ grabs Viper Demo by horns

    Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, certified Maj. Garret “Toro” Schmitz as a demonstration team pilot following an aerial performance, May 16. Schmitz is tasked with commanding the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team through their 2019 and 2020 seasons as they perform at approximately 40

  • RASCAL restoring readiness, the Air Force way

    A Rapid Assistance Support for Calibration unit arrived at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, May 6, 2019, to re-establish the base’s capability to calibrate equipment, which was lost in the flood.RASCAL is a mobile Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory intended for use worldwide where PMEL

  • Airmen come together for Combat Archer exercise

    The 325th Fighter Wing is approaching the conclusion of Combat Archer 19-8 that was conducted in conjunction with the on-going Checkered Flag 19-1 exercise at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 6-17, 2019. Combat Archer, also known as the Weapons Systems Evaluation Program, is the Department of

  • Airman wins chance to perform at Omaha’s MAHA Music Festival

    It’s 7:08 p.m. and the rain, beyond the storefront window of the B Side Theatre, has subsided allowing the setting sun to brighten the dimly-lit confines of the Benson music hall in Omaha, Nebraska.Airman 1st Class Mario Foreman-Powell, a United States Air Force Heartland of America Band vocalist,

  • Team Seymour spouse wins Air Force level award

    One of the top priorities of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is taking care of its Airmen and their families. Katelyn Tinsley, a military spouse here, found a creative way to help her community by connecting military dependents and helping them build resilience. Due to her efforts, Tinsley was

  • Physical therapy technicians rehabilitate Weasels

    After an injury, military members have to face potential stressors like what to do about their physical training test, how to accomplish tasks at work without hurting themselves further, as well as how to recover and prevent further injury. Physical therapy technicians assigned to the 20th Medical

  • Air Force’s top recruiter climbs even higher

    In what’s believed to be a first, Air Force Recruiting Service’s top recruiter received an incentive flight with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as a congratulations for all of his hard work.Master Sgt. Gervacio Maldonado, a former Health Professions recruiter and now flight chief with the 318th

  • Augmentees pump up Security Forces’ power

    On a calm Monday morning I was typing at my desk when my superintendent came up and told me I would be training with Security Forces. As part of the augmentee draft, I had the opportunity to experience what it was like to train under the 20th SFS and learn how to work beside the base defenders.

  • Army GLOs enable joint combat power, battlefield safety

    The U.S. Department of Defense receives a significant amount of its intelligence from the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System, which simply put, is an enterprise of globally networked analysts and cyber professionals linked together by a global communications architecture.Although

  • AFCENT aircraft fly deterrence for region

    U. S. Air Force F-15C Eagles, F-35A Lightning IIs and B-52H Stratofortress aircraft flew deterrence missions in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, supporting U.S. and Coalition aircraft in various operations conducted in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.

  • Off-duty Airman responds to accident, assists injured

    When Staff Sgt. Daniel Pierce left his San Antonio home March 2, 2019, headed for Round Rock, he did not have plans beyond reaching his final destination. But when he saw a serious collision while passing through Austin, he did not hesitate to assist.

  • ACC Airmen performing space mission in Australia celebrate 40 years

    The Learmonth Solar Observatory celebrated its 40th anniversary April 27, 2019, at Learmonth, Western Australia, giving solar immersion briefings at the facility and holding a partnership barbecue.The observatory is operated jointly by 2nd Weather Squadron’s Detachment 1 and the Australian Bureau of

  • MDT participates in first Black Demon exercise

    Air Forces Cyber's Exercise Black Demon 19-2 concluded May 10, 2019, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The two-week-long exercise provided cyber mission forces and cybersecurity service partners an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in defensive cyber tactics, techniques and procedures against an

  • Team Moody sparks innovation

    Moody Airmen had the opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas before a panel of 23d Wing and local community leaders during the base’s second annual Air Force Spark Tank competition, May 3, 2019, here. Seven Airmen presented ideas that will cost-effectively modernize various missions and drive

  • 24th Air Force adds combat comm capabilities with ANG wing transition

    The 156th Airlift Wing, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, transitioned to the 156th Wing April 10. The name change synced with the unit’s newly assigned contingency response and combat communications missions. The transition adds to the 24th Air Force’s combat communications strength and overall

  • Airman enhances aircrew readiness in worst-case scenarios

    F-15E Strike Eagles are a feared weapon, capable speeding past mach 2.5, day or night, in any weather, armed with a versatile arsenal of weaponry. The aircrew of an F-15E will likely win any fight put in their way. But in the tragic event that they must eject, Airman First Class Zack Day ensures the

  • CSAF helps honor rescue community

    More than 400 members of the rescue community gathered to commemorate the 50th, and final, Jolly Green Association (JGA) reunion, May 2-4, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.The three-day event brought past and present ‘Jolly Greens’ together to celebrate their heritage, reminisce about past missions and to

  • Program Reflections: As F-35 production grows, DCMA takes aim at DoD goals

    The 2019 INSIGHT Magazine covers the many ways DCMA supports America's National Defense Strategy. This article highlights the agency’s work with the F-35 program.F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter production is about to reach new heights. Low rate initial production 11, or LRIP 11, calls for 141

  • Fitness: it doesn't have to be boring

    Although all the branches have a set fitness test that includes basic workouts, training for fitness tests doesn’t have to be a boring or redundant task.

  • Home Improvement - Airmen and their Families are Job No.1

    “Families first” is the mantra behind the Air Force’s Housing Privatization program improvement plan which will take front and center attention at the Air Force’s Global Housing Symposium, set to kick off on Tuesday, May 7, in downtown San Antonio. The plan, which includes five major lines of

  • CSAF Speaks at 50th EOD Memorial Ceremony

    For fifty years, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal community have come together to commemorate those whom have made the ultimate sacrifice. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein led the ceremony in reminding America the significance of the EOD Memorial and the names etched on the wall where

  • U.S. Air Force's F-35A performs first sortie during Middle East deployment

    F-35A Lightning II pilots assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flew their first combat sortie in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility April 26, 2019, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The fleet of F-35s deployed from active duty 388th and reserve 419th

  • Hill fighter wings conduct combat exercise

    The active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings conducted an integrated combat capability exercise April 30-May 2.The friendly and enemy forces were made up of F-35s from Hill, F-16s from the 311th Fighter Squadron at Holloman AFB, New Mexico and 80th FS at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, and a team

  • Operation Restore Paradise enhances readiness through adaptive basing

    Airmen deploy all the time, leaving their work centers behind. But what if the Airman stayed and their work centers deployed?The Air Force has two deployable Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratories (PMEL) called a Rapid Assistance Support for Calibration (RASCAL) unit. And Mountain Home Air

  • Hill F-35A units assist in F-16 fighter training

    Brand new F-16 pilots received a unique training experience here with the help of the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings and the F-35A Lightning II.For the last two weeks, F-16 basic course students and instructor pilots from the 311th Fighter Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, New

  • Leaders discuss Tyndall rebuild at second Industry Day

    The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base during a symposium with industry representatives May 2 at Florida State University-Panama City.John Henderson told the more than 500 attendees

  • Sexual Assualt Awareness

    Sexual Assault Awareness should not stop with the flip of a calendar page. Sexual assault happens on a daily basis. There is no stopping prevention and awareness.

  • Little Rock Airmen test next generation gas mask

    Airmen from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, tested the capabilities of the M69 Joint Service Aircrew Mask Strategic Aircraft for implementation and field use for individual respiratory, ocular and percutaneous protection against chemical biological agents on the C-130J airframe April 25 – 30.

  • Youth summer camps offer engagement, growth

    Please note these camps are for kids across the enterprise and application this year is via email, not an online application site. The application needed is linked in the article to make it a little easier for parents/guardians.

  • Back to the future ... kind of: AFNIC’s journey in the new millennium

    The 90s and early 2000s saw the de-centralization of communications with the stand down of Air Force Communications Command as a major command and the responsibility for communications and networking realigning to local bases. While this allowed individual MAJCOMs and local bases the leeway to

  • U.S. Air Force F-35As conduct first combat employment

    Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft conducted an air strike at Wadi Ashai, Iraq, in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve on April 30. This strike marked the F-35A’s first combat employment.

  • 2019 Air Force Photo Contest opens soon

    The 2019 Air Force Photo Contest opens May 1. The annual contest, managed by the Air Force Services Activity, highlights and celebrates photography created by Airmen and their families.

  • Hill Airmen return from Middle East deployment

    The 729th Air Control Squadron welcomed home more than 120 warriors from a seven-month deployment to the Middle East. While deployed the 729th ACS members provided aircraft control and an air surveillance picture across 1.1 million square miles of U.S. Air Force Central Command airspace.

  • Hanscom Airman Codes his way to Bronze Star

    Capt. Sergio Sierra deployed to the Middle East from October 2017 to April 2018 and coded a better way for coalition forces to request intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets on missions, earning a Bronze Star for his innovation and bringing unique experience back to the Command,

  • Combat exercise, weapons evaluations mean busy May at Hill

    Communities surrounding Hill Air Force Base will notice increased flying and numbers of aircraft through much of May as the base’s fighter wings conduct a large combat exercise and host a weapons evaluation.The active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing, along with F-16 units from

  • Command Post: Getting the message out

    Every base has them, the windowless rooms and buildings filled with computers, telephones and radios. What goes on behind those walls may be some of the most important communications base wide. “As Command Post, you are operating in a windowless environment,” said Tech. Sgt. Monica Anaya, 380th Air

  • Air Force sports seeks male, female softball players

    The Air Force is looking for men and women for 2019 Air Force Softball Trial Camps. The men’s camp is at Eglin AFB, Florida, and the women’s is at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Both camps are July 25 – Aug. 11. Armed Forces Softball Championships are Aug. 12-18 at Pensacola Naval Air Station,

  • The Air Force is becoming more Agile – one project at a time

    The term ‘Agile’ has been on the lips of Department of Defense senior leaders with increasing frequency recently – often citing its importance for developing functional, innovative software that better equips the warfighter to respond to uncertain and ever-changing environments.While the private

  • PJs sharpen skills during Razor’s Edge

    The 48th Rescue Squadron from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base participated in an exercise from April 8-18, 2019. Razor’s Edge is a two-week long exercise where pararescuemen train to be better prepared for unilateral and joint combat search and rescue operations in any situation and environment. To

  • Team JSTARS maintainers design tool saving Air Force estimated $500k yearly

    Eight Airmen from Team JSTARS at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, recently designed an innovative tool estimated to save the Air Force nearly $500k a year in cowling repairs for the E-8C Joint STARS aircraft.The cowling fixture table, an approved tool intended for field-level repairs, was a response

  • Gold Star Mothers honor legacy of their sons

    With heavy hearts and strong spirits, two American Gold Star mothers, from the South Carolina chapter, mustered the courage to tour Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., as tribute to their fallen sons.

  • AFCYBER leaders march in annual ‘Pilgrimage to the Alamo’

    Maj. Gen. Robert Skinner, 24th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. David Klink, 24th AF command chief, presented the 24th Air Force wreath during the Fiesta San Antonio “Pilgrimage to the Alamo” on April 22, 2019. Fiesta San Antonio is held annually to honor those who lost their lives at the

  • Air Force senior leaders update OCP uniform guidance

    The Air Force announced April 23 new rules on Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms that aim to better fit the needs of Airmen and the jobs they do while also holding fast to tradition. The changes highlighted include authorization of the Two-piece Flight Duty Uniform in garrison and updated patch

  • Soldiers’ air defense capability defends skies

    Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 11th ADA Brigade, maintain and operate Patriot missile launchers here, in defense of Al Udeid’s skies, personnel and assets.Soldiers of the 1-43rd ADA Battalion can rapidly respond to a threat if needed and train regularly to

  • ‘Bricks in the Loop’ team hosts SA-area Girl Scouts

    San Antonio-area Girl Scouts visit the 90th Cyberspace Operations Squadron “Bricks in the Loop” for a tour April 19, 2019. “Bricks in the Loop” mimics an Air Force installation with items such as a fire station, police station, airport, jets and tanker trucks, all used to simulate real-world cyber

  • 1 WXG’s virtual training brings real benefits

    Airmen assigned to the 1st Weather Group are rolling out virtual reality training tailored to the needs of the Air Force Weather community, allowing them to train faster and smarter.Delivered on March 14, 2019, 1st WXG’s NextGen Environmental Weather Training System simulates setting up and

  • Drone operator assists 500 flood victims

    There are often wingmen, behind the scenes, that go unrecognized for their selfless contributions.It is the devastating occurrences, such as natural disasters, that bring out these heroes and Maj. Steven Bogert, 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, is among them.

  • Military working dog hunts down aircrew

    Staff Sgt. Antonio Padilla, 336th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, and Alf, 366th SFS military working dog, acting as opposition forces, hunt down aircrew to enhance the combat readiness of both parties during a search and rescue operation as part of a Gunfighter Flag exercise

  • EFSS is at your service

    Every other month the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron hosts a Food Forum meant to engage the base populous and encourage feedback on the current operations within the various dining facilities on base. Change is possible, but if they are unaware of the need, they can’t work to make it

  • NDI: Ensuring structural integrity and peace of mind

    Inspections are nothing new to the Air Force. In fact, there is an Air Force specialty code within the maintenance field specifically for inspections. Whether at home or deployed, the mission for the 2A7X2 Nondestructive Inspection Airman does not change. They work daily to ensure the structural

  • 22nd MEU at ADAB

    Al Dhafra Air Base hosts several units from across the world and recently began hosting the mission of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.The composite squadron is making use of the base while their amphibious assault ship, USS Kearsarge, is in scheduled maintenance. The Black Knights brought

  • 9th MXG maintain rare U-2 Black Letter Jet at Beale

    A team of Airmen from the 9th Maintenance Group certified a U-2 Dragon Lady as a rare black-letter jet for flight March 17, 2019 Beale. The name “black-letter” originates when the dedicated crew chief initials the first letter of their last name in the “status today” block on a maintenance

  • From raceway to runway

    Airmen assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing and ACC F-16 Viper Demo Team hosted Conor Daly, Air Force Honda race car driver, and Townsend Bell, sports commentator and professional race car driver, April 15-16. During the USAF Recruiting coordinated visit, Daly and Bell had the opportunity to interact

  • Iraqi Air Force and Coalition Counter Air Mission

    Iraqi Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flew a defensive counter air mission above the Iraqi-Syrian border alongside Coalition aircraft April 16, 2019.This marks the first time Iraqi Air Force fighter aircraft have flown a combat sortie alongside Coalition aircraft.The sortie represents a