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  • AF releases FY20 Selective Retention Bonus program

    The SRB is a tool used to retain Airmen in undermanned specialties. The program is designed to improve readiness and capacity by targeting retention of experienced Airmen in stressed career fields or those with high training costs.

  • DM assets train over Southern Arizona

    The 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, has a primary mission of deploying, employing and sustaining combat search and rescue and attack air power in support of combatant commanders anywhere in the world. The combined capabilities of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, HC-130J Combat

  • Fit to fight: one fighter wing at a time

    As aviators know proper maintenance of aircraft is key to providing combat capabilities. Just as aircraft need to be maintained and ready to fly, optimizing the human weapon system is also critical. Pilots themselves must be healthy and ready to fight tonight.To ensure pilots are ready at a moment’s

  • Behind the scenes in the hospital

    When people think of hospitals many may think of doctors, nurses and beeping machines that take blood pressure and monitor vitals. However, what goes on behind the scenes is just as important.Behind the scenes there are many individuals in the Langley Hospital who ensure that all personnel are able

  • "First to the Fight": F-22 Raptor and T-38 Talon train over Atlantic

    U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons from the 1st Fighter Wing fly in formation of the Atlantic Ocean during training off the coast of Virginia, Oct. 30, 2019. The 1st Fighter Wing is home to the 94th Fighter Squadron, 27th Fighter Squadron and the 71st Fighter Training

  • AFTAC leads charge on R&D Roadmap for USAF

    For the past five years, the Air Force Technical Applications Center has hosted its annual Research and Development Roadmap Forum for the scientific community within the U.S. government and beyond. This year was no exception.

  • 4th Fighter Squadron returns to Hill after first F-35A combat deployment

    Last week, Airmen from the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings returned home following a six-month deployment to Al-Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The 4th Fighter Squadron’s deployment, which started in April, was the first F-35A Lightning II combat deployment. The Airmen

  • AFNIC, CYSS, 38th CYRS merge into the Cyberspace Capabilities Center

    On 7 November 2019, the Air Force will stand up the Cyberspace Capabilities Center in Air Combat Command horizontally aligning the Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC), the Cyberspace Support Squadron (CYSS) and the 38th Cyberspace Readiness Squadron (CYRS).

  • Locked and Loaded

    The Airmen of the 355th Wing are committed to readiness and maintaining the ability to deploy at a moment's notice. The individual Protective Equipment Element, assigned to the 355th Logistics Readiness Squadron's material management flight, keeps them ready. The IPEE has a significant impact on the

  • Barrett publicly sworn in as secretary of the Air Force

    David Norquist, deputy secretary of defense, conducted the public swearing-in, which preceded Barrett’s first formal remarks since becoming the secretary. Barrett said her highest priority is protecting – and prolonging – the Air Force’s unrivaled excellence.

  • Shaw Airman coined for good Samaritan act

    On a cold, rainy October afternoon, the sound of cars driving by on a busy road is interrupted with screeching tires and terrified screams, followed by an eerie silence. All this occurs within seconds.

  • AFIMSC seeks ideas for Innovation Rodeo

    The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center kicks off its second annual Innovation Rodeo with a call-for-topics campaign Nov. 1. The campaign, open through Dec. 15, gives military and civilian members of mission support groups worldwide a chance to win part of $1 million in funding and

  • End of an Era: JSTARS flies last sortie out of CENTCOM

    An 18-year long deployment of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, and the second longest deployment in U.S. Air Force history, came to an end Oct. 1, 2019.Just before sunrise, Col. Konata Crumbly, 116th Air Control Wing

  • Connectedness the key to defeating the enemy

    For the Tyndall AFB team, identifying the enemy has taken on a heightened sense of urgency since Hurricane Michael’s landfall on Oct. 10, 2018. The storm not only leveled the base, it wreaked havoc on the lives of Airmen, civilian employees and family members displaced and impacted. Since then, the

  • Gunfighter Airmen give back to community through basketball

    It’s always good to have Airmen who set their eyes on giving back. Senior Airman Aarien Foster, 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance journeyman, used his passion for basketball and skills as a leader to start a basketball program in order to bring the Gunfighter

  • Maintainers help the F-35A remain a ‘stealthy beast’

    The F-35A Lightning II isn’t invisible, but it does have a “cloak,” which makes it very difficult to detect, track, or target by radar with surface to air missiles or enemy aircraft. The real term used to describe the cloak is “low observable” technology and it takes skilled Airmen to maintain.

  • ACC exemplifies resilience during walk

    Throughout his tenure at Air Combat Command, General Mike Holmes, commander of ACC, has emphasized the importance of not only being physically fit, but also being mentally fit and resilient.As part of this initiative, Holmes led a “resiliency walk” for uniformed and civilian Airmen on the ACC staff

  • University students help JSTARS innovate scheduling

    Team JSTARS, operators of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, are teaming up with Mercer University’s computer science department in Macon to advance an antiquated software system. The goal is to make the multiple databases the unit uses for scheduling missions and flying

  • Kuwaiti, U.S. EOD techs conduct joint munitions disposal training

    Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense and U.S. explosive ordnance disposal teams joined forces for a controlled munitions detonation training designed to share knowledge in disposing of newly upgraded artillery rounds known as insensitive munitions. The new version of the round uses an upgraded shell casing

  • ‘12N12’ to streamline cyber weapon systems tools

    Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) leaders recently launched an initiative to streamline its cyber weapon systems tools.“12N12,” which launched July 1, aims to replace, reduce and consolidate the tools, systems and applications operators and analysts employ within the cyberspace security and

  • Offutt Fire Station updates, renovates

    Offutt Air Force Base Fire Station 2, originally built in May 1972 and located off-base near Rising View, is currently undergoing a $1.3 million renovation that began earlier this year. This facility upgrade that will provide firefighters adequate living quarters while on call and the space they

  • 432nd Wing Airmen gain Coalition Virtual Flag perspectives

    MQ-9 Reaper pilots, sensor operators and intelligence analysts from the 432nd Wing/432 Air Expeditionary Wing joined coalition and joint partners in simulated combat missions, hosted by the Distributed Mission Operations Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Sept. 8 – 20, 2019.

  • 705th Combat Training Squadron Executes Coalition VIRTUAL FLAG 19-4

    The 705th Combat Training Squadron, home to the Distributed Mission Operations Center, has a mission to develop, integrate and deliver capabilities and training to prepare warfighters for combat in Joint and Coalition environments. From 9-20 Sept., the 705th CTS hosted Exercise Coalition VIRTUAL

  • 29th WPS: Forging C-130 Tactical Experts

    The 29th Weapons Squadron recently tackled phase three of the C-130 Weapons Instructor Course in Colorado, from October 12 to October 27, 2019. The 29th WPS at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, a detachment from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada, is home to the course.The

  • 366th MTF leads the way teaching Tactical Combat Casualty Care

    The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Tactical Combat Casualty Care course was adopted by the 366th Medical Treatment Facility, Mountain Home Air Force Base medics, back in February 2019. It was then adapted into a condensed version that has since become the standard medical

  • Senate confirms Barrett to be Air Force secretary

    The 85 to 7 vote makes Barbara Barrett the third consecutive woman confirmed to lead the Air Force and its 685,000 total force Airmen. Barrett replaces Heather Wilson who resigned in May. Undersecretary Matthew Donovan served as acting secretary in the interim.

  • Hill’s 388th Fighter Wing hosts Utah Make-A-Wish families

    Four children and their families from Make-A-Wish Utah visited the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base and earned their wings during a "Pilot for a Day" program here Oct. 18. Make-A-Wish grants the life-changing wishes of children battling a critical illness.

  • Tactical Air Control Party Formal Training Unit activates

    The Tactical Air Control Party Formal Training Unit officially activated during a ceremony at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland's Medina Annex Oct. 17. The TACP FTU will synchronize, standardize and streamline training to ensure readiness of TACP maneuver and command and control force multipliers

  • SJ emphasizes CSAR in Razor Talon

    The 4th Fighter Wing hosted a joint service exercise known as Razor Talon, Oct. 11, 2019. The monthly exercise acts as a pivotal training mechanism for new aircrew members to practice interoperability from their home station. It also provides integral mission commander upgrade training, as well as a

  • Cybersecurity: why it matters

    Cyber-attacks on Air Force networks can have a devastating impact on critical infrastructure, networks, weapons platforms and other assets. The responsibility for maintaining a secure network falls on everyone who accesses it; from a junior Airman in maintenance all the way up to the installation

  • Air Force motorcycle mishaps hit historic lows

    Recently, the Air Force achieved a significant safety milestone when motorcycle mishaps reached historic lows. In fiscal year 2019, the Air Force saw a 69 percent reduction in motorcycle fatalities and 41.5 percent decrease in lost time injuries over 10 years. Fatalities dropped from 13 in 2010 to a

  • Separated, not detached: 20th ATKS Airmen critical to Hunter mission

    The 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing is based out of Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, however, its Airmen and their contributions to the MQ-9 Reaper mission are not bound to one installation. There are some operational squadrons that organizationally fall under the 432nd WG but aren’t

  • ACC gears up for Spark Tank 2020

    This year, Air Combat Command is hosting its third annual Spark Tank competition at the Creech Conference Center on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Oct. 16, 2019. Airmen pitch innovative ideas to Air Force senior leaders and a panel of industry experts during this annual competition.

  • Maintainers, Defenders team up for advanced readiness training

    Over the past year, the 461st Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, has been teaming with the Guardian Centers at their campus in Perry, Georgia, to conduct advanced readiness training for its Airmen. On Sept. 13, 2019, 25 Airmen from three different Robins squadrons teamed up and took

  • SERE: Teaching How to Survive

    The armed forces puts a great emphasis on ensuring these pilots are safe and have the knowledge and skills to make it home safe in any situation they might endure.This responsibility heavily lies on the shoulders of the United States Air Force’s survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE)

  • CEMIRT increases productivity despite hurricane direct hit

    The Civil Engineer Maintenance Inspection and Repair Team supports installations across the Air Force with a suite of civil engineering-associated maintenance and repair capabilities, including electrical systems and mechanical systems; power production; aircraft arresting systems, heating,

  • Air Force integrates missions, strengthens information warfare capabilities

    In March 2019, Air Force leaders decided to create a new information warfare Numbered Air Force with enhanced missions and capabilities. Today, Sixteenth Air Force activated here, integrating Twenty-Fourth Air Force, to include Air Forces Cyber, and Twenty-Fifth Air Force into a single headquarters

  • Are you fit to fight?

    The Air Force is rolling out a Tier 2 Physical Fitness test for explosive ordnance disposal flights, building a more lethal, ready force, as Airmen train for a job specific test.

  • 23d SFS conducts field convoy operation

    The 23d Security Forces Squadron (SFS) conducted a field convoy operation during training, Oct. 8, 2019, here. This readiness training is more focused on helping the 23d SFS Airmen improve their ability to shoot, move and communicate in any environment, ensuring Moody’s Airmen are properly trained

  • Load crews go wrench to wrench

    Weapons load crews from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron’s three units competed in an F-16CM Viper training exercise at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Oct. 7.

  • Tyndall one year after Hurricane Michael

    In the early hours of Oct. 10, 2018, many communities in Northwest Florida prepared for a storm expected to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane. Tyndall Air Force Base was also preparing for the storm named Hurricane Michael.Prior to Hurricane Michael, Tyndall was home to two F-22 squadrons

  • Hurricane Michael: One year later

    By wind and water it came. Before leaving, Hurricane Michael nearly took with it what had taken more than 70 years of history to build. In its wake, the category 5 storm left behind a historic tragedy – although 12 months have passed, remains evident. The day of the storm began with a Tyndall Air

  • Suicide Prevention Walk Brings H.O.P.E

    Every day, approximately 123 individuals take their own lives in the United States. Of those individuals, U.S. military members and veterans make up 18 percent of adult suicides.

  • Mission Defense Team: Defending the RPA network

    Mission Defense Teams are the result of the Cyber Squadron Initiative (CS-I), which is a plan to move communications squadrons away from Information Technology (IT) service and toward a mission set that involves the cyberspace side of their wing’s operational mission.

  • Energy Action Month: AF Academy cadets optimize the future

    With Energy Action Month in full swing, cadets at the Air Force Academy are taking the initiative to learn how energy impacts the mission, and what Airmen can do to improve combat capability through optimized operations. Every October, the Air Force recognizes the national campaign as a way to

  • Airman accounted for from World War II

    The remains of Cpl. Walter J. Kellett have been found and identified. He was buried in his hometown of Ironwood, Michigan, with full military honors -- his sister and other family members were in attendance.

  • Offutt Pharmacy fills need for exceptional patient

    Born 1-pound, 4-ounces, Emma Waechter’s delicate frame stays warm within the confines of a neonatal intensive care unit’s isolette bed - its protective enclosure would be her world for the next four-months.

  • Swimming laps around the world

    She dives into the pool, as the cool water envelopes her body and she begins to feel weightless. She comes to the surface kicking and pulling, feeling the water begin to rush past her as she picks up speed until she’s at a full sprint… Preparation to be the fastest in the world has begun. “My mom

  • Protect yourself: National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

    It’s October and the National Cyber Security Awareness Month celebration has arrived, marking its 16th anniversary. Hosted by the Department of Homeland Security, NCSAM was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay

  • Air Force Recognizes Energy Action Month 2019

    During Energy Action Month, the Air Force will emphasize the need for smart energy solutions and inform Airmen, Air Force senior leaders, policy makers and aligned organizations about what they can do to effectively distribute, generate and manage resilient and reliable energy across the enterprise.

  • AFCENT hosts Weapons and Tactics Conference

    U.S. Air Forces Central Command held their fall Weapons and Tactics Conference Sept. 23-27, 2019, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.Tactical experts from across the region discussed current issues and provided solutions for challenges facing the U.S. Air Force, joint services, and coalition partners.

  • Local ’16 valedictorian recruited by AFTAC as nuclear data analyst

    Through the Palace Acquire Program, the Air Force Technical Applications Center here recruited a recent University of South Florida undergraduate to work as a nuclear data analyst in the center’s Ciambrone Radiochemistry Laboratory. Victoria Scira joined the AFTAC team in June 2019 after graduating

  • Gunfighter Airman to compete in 2019 World Military Games

    The saying goes ‘when you aren’t training, someone else is’. So when it comes to being the best at anything, it requires consistent dedication and sacrifice to maintain a competitive advantage. That hard work is starting to pay off for one Gunfighter.The 15 best swimmers in the Department of Defense

  • 380 AEW first responders exercise readiness, interoperability

    Emergency personnel from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing executed a large, first responder exercise Sept. 24, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The focus of any exercise is to safely respond to the emergency and mitigate impact to the wing and personnel. While there will always be

  • Be there for your wingman

    Photo illustration representing the Airmen that have been lost to suicide and how a wingman should be there for an Airman struggling with suicide ideation and depression August 30th, 2019, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The Ask, Care, Escort (ACE) initiative is one of the ways the Air Force

  • EOD Airmen maintain readiness

    U.S. Airmen assigned to the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight participated in exercise Salty Weasel at McCrady Army National Guard Base Training Center near Columbia, South Carolina, Sept. 16 – 20.

  • Team Robins “sparks” innovation: Spark Cell hosts inaugural Pitch Day

    The Robins Spark Cell hosted its Inaugural Pitch Day Sept. 20 at the Advanced Technology and Training Center in Warner Robins, alongside Air Force Sustainment Center Contracting located at Robins Air Force Base. The pitch day is a first of its kind for AFSC, cutting a process that can take, on

  • Coalition partners participate in UAE's large force exercise

    The coalition of U.S., French and Emirati Air Force’s collaborated in a two-day large force exercise beginning on Aug. 27 in United Arab Emirates.The UAE Air Warfare Center kicked off the exercise by forming two opposing teams, Red and Blue, who began planning the mission which would be followed

  • 552nd Air Control Wing integrates with Australia

    Time zones couldn’t stop the 552nd Air Control Wing from visiting the Royal Australian Air Force in September 2019. During their week-long visit, the 960th AACS and RAAF had the opportunity to conduct a joint flying mission.

  • ACC discusses Sixteenth Air Force as new Information Warfare NAF

    General Mike Holmes, the commander of Air Combat Command, discussed today at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, that Sixteenth Air Force (16th AF) will be the designation for a new Information Warfare (IW) Numbered Air Force (NAF).

  • 388th Fighter Wing completes surge operations, prepares for night flying

    The active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings wrapped up a local flying surge last week and are preparing to begin night-flying training next week. From Sept. 9-13, the 34th and 421st Fighter Squadrons flew 240 sorties, roughly doubling what they normally fly in a week.The flying surge came

  • Team Tyndall: celebrating our past, serving the future

    Tyndall Checkertails will have the opportunity to celebrate the U.S. Air Force’s 72nd birthday during the Air Force Ball.The Air Force Ball is a longstanding tradition within the service that is celebrated at bases around the world annually.

  • Just be there

    Ask. Care. Escort. These are the instructions military members are given when they suspect someone has suicidal ideations. The military stresses the importance of the wingman concept and being there for each other.I did not realize how pertinent those concepts would be in my life when I initially

  • Behind the curtain: protecting the force, focusing on tomorrow

    Protecting the base and force is a never-ending task both at the home station and theater of operations. While deployed, a special need for security and coordination arises. That need is met by the Airmen of the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron force protection flight.

  • CMSAF to engage with ACC Airmen about resilliency through video games

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force is scheduled to play video games with three Airmen from within Air Combat Command from 2 to 4 p.m. EDT Oct. 25, 2019, on the ACC Public Affairs YouTube channel — ACCNewsTV. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airmen JaNae Capuno)

  • Tyndall holds third industry day to plan rebuild of base

    Resilient. Sustainable. Adaptable. This was the mantra of Air Force planners, community leaders and industry representatives collaborating on the rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base during an industry day held near the base Sept. 12. Nearly a year after Hurricane Michael caused massive destruction to

  • 557th WW trains its own to deploy anytime, everywhere

    Instructors from the 2nd Combat Weather Systems Squadron took on an unusual set of students, a class composed entirely of Airmen from a single unit. Airmen from the 25th Operational Weather Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, attended the Deployed Weather Systems Training class at

  • Forecasting the future of weather

    Operational Weather Squadrons and weather flights from various Major Commands throughout the Air Force are realigning terminal aerodrome forecast responsibilities. This realignment is scheduled to be completed by October 1, 2020.Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s 355th Operational Support Squadron

  • Solemn Reminder: SJAFB pauses to reflect on 9/11

    The ceremony marked the 18th anniversary of the events of 9/11, which claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 American citizens. It’s introduction, consisted of an honor guard utilizing firefighters and defenders assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing.  

  • 557th WW holds first wing operational readiness exercise

    The 557th Weather Wing completed its first operational readiness exercise since standing up as an Air Combat Command wing.Held Aug. 19-23, Operational Readiness Exercise - Steel Colander tested the wing’s ability to deliver weather intelligence in a contested, degraded and operationally-limited