News Search

  • Technology enables more effective homeland defense

    When a threat to North America occurs, there is a wide variety of federal and state government agencies that will need to respond.Along with response, rapid, effective communication between these agencies will be critical to successful homeland defense. To answer this critical need, the Command and

  • Ellsworth Airman recognized as 400,000th CCAF graduate

    The Community College of the Air Force presented its 400,000th degree to an Airman from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., during the Air Force Association Central Florida Chapter's gala in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 21. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented Senior Airman Emily Barchenger, 37th

  • Dental clinic earns ACC recognition

    For the third time in five years, Air Combat Command bestowed an honor upon the 366th Aerospace Medicine Squadron's dental clinic, naming them the best medium dental clinic of 2012.The prestigious award was officially announced in December, highlighting a year of exemplary work and dedication by

  • 'Tigers' launch jets to kickoff Red Flag 13-3

    The 79th Fighter Squadron "Tigers" launched eight F-16 Fighting Falcons during a day and night time mission to kickoff of Red Flag 13-3 here Feb. 25.The 79th FS, commanded by Lt. Col. Jason Plourde, led members of his unit from takeoff to landing as the exercise kicked off . The unit out of Shaw Air

  • 728th controls F-35s for final mission

    The 62-year-old 728th Air Control Squadron Demons completed their final mission Jan. 31, adding the Air Force's newest aircraft, the F-35A Lightning II, to its exponential tally of controlled combat aircraft."Talk about going out on top," said Lt. Col. Jon Rhone, the 728th Air Control Squadron

  • Vietnam vet awarded Purple Heart at Davis-Monthan

    Many Vietnam veterans did not come home to open, welcoming arms. Many people did not honor these veterans for their service, but members of the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., got to honor one Vietnam veteran Feb. 19.In 1969, as a field maintenance

  • Langley receives LCAP excellence

    No matter if they're flying high in the skies, turning a wrench on the flight line or providing parts and fuel, Langley's Airmen continually prove they are among the best. Maintainers in the 1st and 192d Fighter Wings, along with members of the 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, were evaluated by

  • ACC chiefs depart Offutt with broad perspective

    Air Combat Command's 120 newest chief master sergeants and chief master sergeant selects are settling back into their squadrons and wings throughout the globe with lessons they learned at the 2013 ACC Chief's Executive Course, held at the Dougherty Conference Center here Jan. 27-31. The course was

  • Panetta issues message to DOD workforce on sequestration

    With major, across-the-board defense spending cuts scheduled to take effect March 1, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today issued a message to the Defense Department workforce.Here is the secretary's message:For more than a year and a half, the president, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and I have

  • Dyess engineers hone warrior skills

    Nine Airmen from the 7th Civil Engineer Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, joined 172 engineers from across the Air Force to complete the Army's Combat Skills Training course Feb. 4, 2013, at Fort Bliss, Texas. The 22-day course focused on providing deployed engineers the ground combat skills

  • Sequestration could mean delayed redeployment for Soldiers in Afghanistan

    The lack of an appropriations bill coupled with sequestration could eventually translate to Soldiers being delayed in their redeployment home from Afghanistan, the Army's chief of staff said.Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, speaking at the Brookings Institution Friday in Washington, D.C., explained that

  • Wings Over Wayne Air Show cancelled

    The 2013 Wings Over Wayne Open House and Air Show, scheduled for May 18-19, has been cancelled. Driven by the dual threat of operating under a continuing resolution and potential sequestration, U.S. Air Force leadership at all levels are proactively implementing near-term actions to minimize impacts

  • ACC continues planning for sequestration impacts

    Air Combat Command officials continue to take actions to slow, and within the near term dramatically restrict, Fiscal Year 2013 spending in light of pending sequestration and a projected $1.8 billion dollar shortfall in overseas contingency funding."We are prioritizing our efforts to sustain force

  • CARE modifications place pilots at better elevation

    While mechanics from Lockheed Martin upgrade the cockpit structure of the U-2 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, it looks like a pile of parts at the local junk yard. However, the modifications allow the aircraft to fly just as true as before while improving pilot safety and

  • Langley cancels air show

    The 2013 Air Power Over Hampton Roads Open House and Air Show, scheduled for May 3-5, has been cancelled. Driven by the dual threat of operating under a continuing resolution and a potential sequestration, U.S. Air Force leadership at all levels are proactively implementing near-term actions to

  • Equipment scheduled to arrive for joint U.S.-Belizean exercise

    Construction equipment and materials for a joint U.S.-Belizean exercise is scheduled to begin arriving into ports in Belize in the spring for New Horizons 2013, a major event that will test U.S. military members' ability to deploy while building partnerships with host nation medical and civil

  • COMACC visits Team Dyess

    Budget, Air Force culture and Comprehensive Airman Fitness were main themes during the Air Combat Command commander's first visit to Dyess AFB, where he engaged with Airmen, NCOs and officers alike Feb. 12 and 13.The general's immersion began with breakfast, where he discussed one of his top

  • AF implements enlisted date of separation rollback

    The Air Force will implement the enlisted date of separation rollback program this fiscal year, in addition to several voluntary force management programs that were announced Feb. 5, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.The rollback will accelerate the date of separation for senior master

  • Nellis prepares for F-35 arrival

    The 57th Wing is preparing for the arrival of four F-35 Lighting IIs Feb. 28.Arrival of the F-35s to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., will mark the first time in the aircraft's history operational tests will be performed on the aircraft."It's the largest [Department of Defense] acquisition project in

  • Langley hosts Special Olympics

    One second left in the game, he lined up the shot and launched the ball through the air. The buzzer sounded, followed by the swish of success.The crowd cheered wildly, even though the shot didn't win the game for his team, while his opponents gave him high-fives and congratulated him in the spirit

  • Combat Archer: Fighter jets, missile systems

    The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, a tenant organization, is assigned to Tyndall Air Force Base and falls under the 53rd Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. The 53rd WEG recently conducted the air-to-air Weapons System Evaluation Program, known as Combat Archer, which exercises and evaluates the air-to-air weapon

  • Panetta announces Distinguished Warfare Medal

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has approved a new medal designed to recognize service members directly affecting combat operations who may not even be on the same continent as the action.The Distinguished Warfare Medal recognizes the changing face of warfare. In the past, few, if any, service

  • Panetta offers campaign context for troop drawdown

    The President's announcement yesterday that 34,000 U.S. troops will come out of Afghanistan in the next 12 months makes sense in the context of the broader campaign, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said Feb. 15.During what he called his last Pentagon news conference, the secretary noted that when

  • Air Force libraries bridge the digital divide

    Need assistance setting up a budget, learning a new language or doing your homework? Look no further than your online Air Force library, where Air Force library staff work to meet customers' needs in an evolving digital world.Worldwide, Air Force libraries offer online learning resources, digital

  • East Coast joint service training goes international

    "Under Air-Sea Battle, we will take 'jointness' to a new level, working together to establish more integrated exercises against more realistic threats." Following those words from former Chief of Staff of the Air Force, (Ret.) Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan

  • Magnetic levitation track reaches new world record in speed

    The 846th Test Squadron successfully performed its most ambitious test to date on the magnetic levitation track at Holloman Air Force Base, Feb. 7. Members of the 846th were able to use the Maglev track in conjunction with a new propulsion system to reach an astounding speed of more than 500 miles

  • Air Force tuition assistance implements change

    The U.S. Air Force Tuition Assistance program altered its guidelines Jan. 3 to emphasize the new requirement of maintaining a grade point average of at least 2.0, on a 4-point scale."By adopting these changes, the Air Force is falling in line with the federal government and the schools sharing GPA

  • T-Bolts return from Red Flag better prepared for combat

    For many units, the conclusion of Red Flag 13-2 meant returning to their home base and putting the skills they learned to use. The same can be said for the 389th Fighter Squadron, which returned home better prepared for war and strengthened team bonds."From my perspective, Red Flag is the best

  • Firefighter surprises son at school after year-long separation

    It was a typical Friday afternoon for Sallas Mahone Elementary School first graders as they cheered in anticipation of a bright red fire truck, but for one 6-year-old, it would be a surprise a year in the making. U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Eric Kunzman returned home Feb. 8 and reunited with his son,

  • Free musical performance honoring Tuskegee Airmen

    A free and open to the public musical performance by the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band honoring Tuskegee Airmen is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the American Theatre in Hampton, Va."We know our audience will love it, not only for the wonderful music, but the amazing story that

  • F-22 Demo practices at Tyndall

    Tyndall Air Force Base hosted the F-22 Demonstration Pilot, as he took to the wide open blue skies in a practice F-22 Raptor demonstration run Feb. 8."I came to Tyndall for two reasons," said Maj. Henry Schantz, 1st Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, Va. "I wanted to spin back up for the new season, and I

  • Army exploring 'human dimension'

    The Army realized in the early years of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that in addition to conventional warfare, Soldiers were being asked to perform a lot of nontraditional functions, some of which they were often ill-equipped to do.These included negotiating with tribal leaders and helping

  • Officers eligible for promotion should review records before MilPDS upgrade

    The data feed from the Military Personnel Data System to the Air Force promotions data systems will not be available during the March MilPDS upgrade. Some officers eligible for promotion consideration may be affected, including those eligible for the calendar year 2013A colonel line of the Air

  • TV series offers gritty inside look at AF rescue missions

    During an episode of "Inside Combat Rescue" that premiered at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Feb. 7, viewers saw the chilling sight of pararescuemen loading an amputee into a helicopter."Inside Combat Rescue" is a National Geographic series that shows a realistic and gritty look at what goes on during a

  • Fueling the high flyers -- U-2 tube food calms cravings in the cockpit

    Peach cobbler, chicken-a-la-king, key lime pie, or even the classic sloppy joe don't compare to a home cooked meal, but U-2 Dragon Lady pilots say the food they eat while flying long missions is delicious.While wearing a fully pressurized suit, pilots aren't able to open the visors on their helmets

  • Panetta: DOD must 'operate on every front' against suicide

    Veteran and service member suicide is a problem no single approach will solve, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told a Georgetown University audience here today.The secretary, who is expected to retire this month, delivered a speech on leadership and government this morning and then took audience

  • Tinker Airman earns Bronze Star

    The White Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent in Tinker Air Force Base's 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron has joined one of his brothers as a recipient of the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Iraq.Senior Master Sgt. Jesse A. Collins III was awarded the medal for "exemplary leadership,

  • Enlisted heroes receive graduate-level education at weapons school

    For the first time in the 64 year history of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Joint Terminal Attack Control Airmen received advanced instructor diplomas Dec. 15, 2012.JTACs are responsible for communicating with pilots from all services and advising ground force commanders on where and how to

  • Red Flag...where pilots prove what they're made of

    More than 100 aircraft from 17 different units with more than 2700 people have come here to participate in Red Flag 13-2. Aircraft depart the base twice a day to participate in a wide-variety of realistic combat missions."It is by far the closest we can get to combat without actually going," said

  • DOD leaders: budget deadlock could spark readiness crisis

    Issuing perhaps their strongest warnings yet, Pentagon leaders yesterday said the budget impasse threatens to create a military readiness crisis.Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined in interviews, televised yesterday, with

  • Airman helps extinguish local house fire

    As Master Sgt. Roderick Vega, 23d Wing deputy inspector general, turned into his subdivision Dec. 28, 2012, he saw black smoke and bright orange flames engulf his neighbor's house. Without hesitation, he parked his car and his 21 years as an Air Force firefighter kicked in."Firefighting is what I

  • AF implements voluntary FY13 force management programs

    The Air Force will implement several voluntary officer and enlisted force management programs for fiscal year 2013, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.Announced in the January release of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2013, the authorized active duty Air Force

  • A run to remember: Creech Airmen honor fallen warriors

    Physical fitness is a major focal point for Airmen readiness across the Air Force and running is a key element. Airmen at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., have decided to do more than just run for fitness, they run for a purpose.What initially started as a quick way to get Airmen of all fitness levels

  • ACC announces 2012 Media Contest winners

    Air Combat Command officials released the results of the 2012 ACC Public Affairs Media Contest today, honoring the top public affairs specialists across the command."Throughout 2012, ACC's Public Affairs professionals at all levels successfully communicated the accomplishments of Airmen and command

  • One team, one fight: Warhawks get manning assist from Triple Nickel

    "You can't walk into the Super Bowl with a new team," said Master Sgt. Brian McRory, 480th Fighter Squadron superintendent, "The team has to have worked together and have chemistry."That is what Red and Green Flags are doing for the 480th FS and the 555th FS from Aviano Air Base, Italy. Due to a

  • Carter: Sequestration planning requires balance

    Planning for sequestration is the practical thing to do and doesn't indicate a lack of confidence in Congress, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said yesterday in an interview on "This Week in Defense News with Vago Muradian."Though Congress voted earlier this month to delay until March 2

  • Photos: A-10: from trainer to storm chaser

    While most aircrafts try to avoid storms, the 309th Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.., is finishing the first transition of preparing an A-10A Thunderbolt to do just the opposite -- fly into the storms!

  • Down but not out: wounded warriors visit Creech

    Wounded warriors from across the country toured Creech Air Force Base, Nev., as part of the Swett Warrior event Jan. 28. Creech Airmen welcomed almost 100 wounded warriors from past conflicts, to include one Medal of Honor recipient."It was an honor and a pleasure to spend the day with these

  • New surcharge on Visa purchases

    As of January 27, merchants in the United States and U.S. Territories are permitted to impose a surcharge on any credit card transaction that uses a MasterCard or Visa branded card, which includes the Government Travel Charge Card, both Individually Billed Accounts (IBAs) and Centrally Billed

  • New TRICARE copays take effect

    TRICARE prescription copayments will increase Feb. 1. The prescription costs will be based on the type of prescription and where it's filled. According to www.tricare.mil, Congress signed the increases into law under the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, which requires TRICARE to

  • Dyess B-1s participate in multi-service exercise

    B-1 Bombers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, participated in a combined training unit exercise, or COMPTUEX, Jan. 24-29, in support of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Strike Group.COMPTUEX is a series of training scenarios designed to certify the HSTSG as a deployment-ready fighting force capable

  • Applications for Tillman scholarships open until mid-February

    Service members, veterans and their spouses have until Feb. 15 to apply for financial aid through the Tillman Military Scholars program.The Tillman Military Scholars program removes financial barriers to completing a degree program. The scholarship covers direct study-related expenses such as

  • 337th TES gears up for largest B-1 modification

    The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron is gearing up for the largest B-1 modification in program history, as part of the Integrated Battle Station and Sustainment-Block 16 upgrade. Because of the magnitude of this upgrade, additional work is being done to make sure the 337th TES is ready to test and

  • 480th FS tackles both Red, Green Flags

    Pilots, maintainers, support people and F-16 Fighting Falcons from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, are participating in both Red Flag 13-2 and Green Flag 13-3 until Feb. 1. This is the first time the 480th Fighter Squadron has participated in both flag exercises at the same time.The 480th FS is

  • CONR to fly air defense exercise in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII

    Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region fighters, along with its interagency partners, will be busy well before Super Bowl Sunday preparing to protect the skies around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.Just like the teams in the Super Bowl, the Continental U.S.

  • Intelligence flight takes trip to 'petting zoo'

    When most units arrive to participate in Red Flag 13-2, they usually begin by setting up their temporary workstations and finding appropriate lodging in preparation to participate in a unique training exercise. However, Airmen from the 366th Operations Support Squadron decided to jump right into

  • 12th Air Force prepares for Blue Flag exercise

    The 612th Air and Space Operations Center is currently preparing for a Blue Flag exercise. The expected dates of the exercise are February 5-15.Blue Flag exercises are used to certify the 612th AOC as a combined air and space operations center and to certify Lt. Gen. Robin Rand as the combined

  • Etter nominated as 1st Air Force commander

    Maj. Gen. William H. Etter, assistant to the chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard Matters, the Pentagon, was nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and assignment as commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) and commander, Continental United States North

  • Air Force officials aim to eliminate sexual assault

    Following a nine-month investigation into sexual misconduct at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, the Air Force has implemented a comprehensive program aimed at eliminating sexual assault, senior Air Force leaders told Congress today.Air Force Chief Of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and

  • 113th reaches alert milestone

    The 113th Aerospace Control Alert Detachment of the District of Columbia Air National Guard at Joint Base Andrews passed a major air defense milestone January 9, responding to its 4,000th alert event since Operation Noble Eagle started in September, 2001.An alert event is designated when the unit's

  • EFMP offers care for families with special needs

    The U.S. Air Force Exceptional Family Program has established a quality respite care program for families with children having special need and who are enrolled in the EFMP.The EFMP Respite Care is specially designed for Air Force families who have children diagnosed with moderate or severe special

  • President promises continued support at Inaugural Ball

    President Barack Obama opened the first inaugural ball extending "extraordinary gratitude" to the men and women in uniform and promised to ensure they have everything they need as they defend Americans' freedoms every day.Speaking to hundreds of service members, including wounded warriors and Medal

  • ACC IG rates Dyess 'excellent'

    The 7th Bomb Wing was awarded an overall grade of "Excellent" Jan. 18 following the command's first Consolidated Unit Inspection. Administered by the Headquarters Air Combat Command Inspector General, the comprehensive evaluation began Jan. 13 and concluded Jan. 18. "I would like to tip my hat to

  • AF officials anticipate pay delays for officers, enlisted Airmen

    Officers and enlisted Airmen getting promoted in March will experience pay delays because of the Military Personnel Data System upgrade occurring that month."Individuals to promote from Mar. 4 to 26 will not get their promotions updated in MilPDS because of the upgrade," said Lt. Col. Shelley

  • Air Force implements civilian hiring freeze

    Air Force senior leaders directed a force-wide hiring freeze among other workforce actions in a memorandum sent to senior commanders Jan. 16.The actions are part of the Air Force's efforts to pursue reversible or recoverable steps to avoid impacts to core readiness caused by the looming possibility

  • ACC releases results of health and welfare inspection

    Air Combat Command has released its results for the service-wide health and welfare inspections that were completed in an effort to emphasize an environment of respect, trust and professionalism in the workplace."Sexual harassment and sexual assault have no place in our Air Force, yet both continue

  • Dyess delivers dream

    Viewing a vast arsenal of weapons and bombs, taxiing a B-1 Bomber and blowing up a car with explosives was all in a day's work for a child who participated in Dyess Air Force Base's "Pilot for a Day" program Jan. 14.Keegan Vowell, a 16-year-old Abilene resident, received the rare opportunity to not

  • 49th Civil Engineer Squadron named best CE squadron in Air Force

    The 49th Civil Engineer Squadron received a late Christmas gift when they were named the best large civil engineer squadron in the Air Force for fiscal year 2012. The Air Force's highly-coveted Curtin Award, created by the Society of American Military Engineers in 1966, recognizes the most

  • Warfighters discuss mission at WEPTAC

    Approximately 670 warfighters from across the combat Air Force gathered during the Weapons and Tactics conference hosted by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center to discuss ways to efficiently and effectively accomplish the Air Force's mission with the equipment they already have from Jan. 3-16. WEPTAC

  • CSAF gets firsthand look at RPA operations

    The Hunters of the 432d Wing/432d Air Expeditionary Wing welcomed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III during a visit here Jan. 14.The visit gave the chief of staff an opportunity to meet the Airmen who perform the Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission.Welsh

  • 66th Rescue Squadron aid in civilian search, rescue

    Thirteen members of the 66th Rescue Squadron aided the 79th RQS at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., in a civilian search and rescue mission Jan. 5 near Kingman, Ariz.The 66th RQS not only aids in combat search and rescue, but also assists with civilian missions as well."We are trained to recover

  • Service members urged to take action against the flu

    Although flu season typically peaks in February, the influenza-related death toll continues to climb as the nation is impacted by an increase in influenza illnesses, with 47 states reporting widespread geographical activity. This surge is also being seen in the Hampton Roads area and Joint Base

  • New 'AIM2' saves fuel, time, money at 49th LRS

    The 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron recently installed new automotive informational modules (version 2.4), better known as "AIM2," at both fueling stations and in 519 government vehicles at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.AIM2 is a fossil fuel savings initiative that supports Energy Independence and

  • ACC names best FSS within command

    The 366th Force Support Squadron earned the Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank award, naming them the best (small installation) force support squadron in Air Combat Command.The Eubank award recognizes the best installation-level force support squadron after evaluating its mission accomplishment, leadership,