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  • Raptor bird bath: contract gives time back to the mission

    The 1st Fighter Wing is responsible for one-third of the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptors and the Airmen of the 1st Maintenance Group are responsible for maintaining them. However, in order to keep the aircraft mission ready, they must be washed regularly, taking time away from maintainers’ primary

  • Reaper Smoke: MQ-9 community advances, builds relationships

    Reaper Airmen, “What does it mean to be ‘us’?” This was the question asked by 25th Attack Group commander, Col. Travis Norton, to a room full of MQ-9 Reaper operators and Special Tactics tactical air control party operators during Reaper Smoke, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Feb. 21, 2020.

  • Ninja Nation

    In today’s world, the need for quick reliable communication is not only necessary but can be vital in an emergency or crisis. A world-class, innovative Cyber Squadron of technically proficient, operationally focused and strategically minded U.S. Air Force Airmen is the foundation and backbone of

  • AASAB Airmen, Italian partners strengthen partnership via immersion

    Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing and the Italian Air Force’s Task Group Typhoon participated in a new immersion program hosted by the 407th Air Expeditionary Group, Feb. 19, 2020, at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. The immersion program allows both forces to meet and discuss each

  • 20th AMXS reorganizes to increase agility, readiness

    Some things never change, but the 20th Fighter Wing is not one of them. As the Air Force works to bring the future faster and develop innovative new ways to increase the agility and lethality of its people, units and tactics, so does its premier suppression of enemy air defenses wing.

  • DOD Makes Plans to Combat Coronavirus

    Defense Department civilian and military leaders are working to ensure the department is ready for short- and long-term scenarios, as well as domestic and international situations.

  • 386th ECES, Marines train with RADR Mobile Training Team

    An airfield is one of the most vital aspects of an Air Force installation, enabling Airmen to successfully deliver decisive combat support to the warfighters night and day. The top priority in the event of a real-world attack, is for warfighters to ensure the flightline is quickly back to

  • Airmen come together to strengthen 386th AEW security

    Force Protection (FP) Airmen assist in safeguarding the base and its populace. These Airmen often act as security escorts and may deter insider threats by ensuring Other Country Nationals (OCNs) complete duties within their service contracts.

  • Jet 87-173: Innovation keeps Air Force legend in the fight

    Many jets become legends for their heroic feats in battle, but they are unable to tell their stories as they experienced them. Fortunately, legends never tell their own stories. This is the story of F-15E Strike Eagle, tail number 87-173, where it comes from and how innovation keeps it ready to

  • Commanders of ACC, AFRC visit Hill AFB to celebrate F-35 success

    Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, and Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, Air Force Reserve Command commander and chief of the Air Force Reserve, paid a visit to the active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing to help commemorate a key milestone in F-35A Lightning II

  • 388th, 419th Fighter Wings serve as core wing at Red Flag

    Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing, alongside reservists from the 419th Fighter Wing, are currently deployed for combat training with the F-35A Lightning II here during Red Flag where they are performing the “core wing” function at what is known as the Air Force’s premier large force exercise.

  • AWACS pilot makes history as Red Flag mission commander

    RED FLAG 20-1 marked a significant milestone for the 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron when Capt. Preston Radford, an instructor pilot for the E-3 Sentry Air Warning and Control System, was selected to serve as mission commander for one of the daily exercises. While RED FLAG has been operating out

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

    Pilots and maintainers in the 421st Fighter Squadron are launching and flying the F-35A Lightning II in their first Red Flag together.The exercise, 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

  • Unique F-35A program, maintainers progress during Red Flag 20-1

    Hundreds of Airmen from Hill’s 388th and 419th Fighter Wing are deployed here with the 421st Fighter Squadron for Red Flag, the Air Force’s premier large force combat exercise. This is the first Red Flag for the 421st Fighter Squadron as an F-35A Lightning II unit.

  • Shaw AFCOMP team builds more than bombs

    The Shaw Air Force Combat Operations Competition Team is competing for the third consecutive year to showcase enhanced knowledge, hone their crafts and perform their best under the watchful eyes of the judges and potentially have a shot at the Air Force-wide level in the spring.

  • Air Force Surgeon General visits Grand Forks

    Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, and Chief Master Sgt. George “Steve” Cum, Chief of the Medical Enlisted Force visited with Airmen at the 319th Medical Group here, Jan. 27.

  • AFMC, ACC expand weapons system collaboration

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

  • Coronavirus: What providers, patients should know

    With news of the contagious and potentially deadly illness known as novel coronavirus grabbing headlines worldwide, military health officials say that an informed, common sense approach minimizes the chances of getting sick.

  • F-16 maintenance discovery changes Air Force training standard

    The Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Wing Aircraft Structural Maintenance and Non-Destructive Inspection section made a significant finding on the F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft that has led to a fleet-wide investigation. The findings have instituted new training standards and processes designed

  • Dynamic Force: 366th CES defines readiness

    To be a truly dynamic force is to master versatility, flexibility and teamwork. The 366th Civil Engineer Squadron led the way in developing multi-capable Airmen by conducting their Base Emergency Engineer Force (BEEF) training, Jan. 23, 2020.This month’s training is unique because it serves to equip

  • Gaining the upper wing

    Today’s rapidly evolving global climate of war and continual growth in adversary capabilities continues to create and sustain challenges for the combat search and rescue mission. This has driven the 55th Rescue Squadron to re-think combat readiness training to better meet the demands of current and

  • No Margin For Error

    When a plane goes down, an ejection seat keeps pilots from going down with it. Ejecting from an ejection seat is not something a pilot wants to do, but it is something they have to do in case of an emergency where everything else in an aircraft fails. It is their last chance at survival, and their

  • Weather Airmen share mission at Rose Bowl event

    As people prepared to celebrate the New Year’s holiday, five Airmen from units across the 557th Weather Wing journeyed to Pasadena, California. Their mission was to tell the Air Force Weather story at Live on Green!, a free entertainment and education event that precedes the annual Rose Parade and

  • SJ Airmen Conduct Hot-Pit Refueling Technique

    Airmen from the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) shop and 336th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) work together to conduct hot-pit refueling of F-15E Strike Eagles at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

  • Fit through the end: ACCs new prenatal/postpartum guidance

    I sat on my bathroom toilet in shock, heart pounding almost out of my chest as tears welled up in my eyes. “There’s no way I’m pregnant,” I thought to myself, except there was a way and as unexpected as it was, it was true.

  • SERE-ious training

    Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape specialists are experts on how to survive in the most remote and hostile environments in the world. Along with teaching water survival courses, SERE specialists at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, train aircrew personnel on an array of skills from making a

  • 9th MXS AGE Flight, Essential to Providing Superior Reconnaissance

    Delivering superior reconnaissance capability in support of national objectives is one of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing’s main priorities. To accomplish this mission Beale is equipped with reconnaissance aircraft; the U-2 Dragon Lady, the RQ-4 Global Hawk, and aircraft that keep U-2 pilots proficient,

  • Essential Medicine Experts

    Maj. Andrea Russell, 9th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy element chief, is one of two pharmacists at Beale Air Force Base, California, who are responsible for dispensing prescribed medications and helping patients understand proper usage and side effects.

  • Air Force studies fatigue, sleep to enhance readiness

    Researchers with the Air Force Research Laboratory 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are looking for ways to better equip Airmen and their leadership with crucial data to ensure that Airmen are getting the necessary rest to maximize mission execution.A team of

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

    The 388th Fighter Wing here received its final F-35A Lightning II Dec. 17. The delivery brings the total number of aircraft at Hill to 78. The first operational F-35As arrived at Hill in Sept. 2015. Since then, the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings have flown more than 17,500 sorties

  • AFCEC makes breakthrough to keep mission moving

    After nearly five years of research, and despite a hurricane that crippled critical testing facilities, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center is on the cusp of delivering a visionary product that repairs damaged pavement and keeps the mission moving.

  • SJ participates in HAZMAT exercise

    Members of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management Hazardous Material team, 4th CES fire department and the 4th Inspector General office worked with Wayne County Emergency service agencies during a simulated HAZMAT spill, Dec. 9, 2019, in Goldsboro, North

  • ACC releases fitness guidance for pregnant Airmen

    In an effort to improve the fitness program for Airmen during the stages of pregnancy, the Air Combat Command Surgeon General directorate recently released new guidance.The guidance is called “Conditioning/Reconditioning (Fitness) Program for Airmen During and After Pregnancy,” and it implements

  • M4, M9 AFQC refreshes defenders skills

    Every year, approximately 170 security forces Airmen attend the M4 and M9 Air Force Qualification Course led by Moody’s Combat Arms Training and Maintenance. The course sharpens their weapon systems skills and ensures optimal knowledge and performance of the firearms they carry daily.

  • Keeping water, fuel ready at all times

    To have it readily available, the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuel systems maintenance shop at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, maintains, repairs and inspects structures ranging from water wells to sewer systems every single day of the year.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • ACC maintains lethal readiness through hurricane preparation

    Air Combat Command Airmen are responding to the danger presented by Hurricane Dorian as it moves along the east coast of the U.S. More than 150 aircraft have evacuated inland to protect the billions of taxpayer dollars invested into the Air Force fleet.

  • Air Force Be Ready Page

    Disasters come in many forms; explosions, hurricanes, tornadoes, and others. Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany these disasters. Individuals, families, and communities should know what to do in the event of a fire and where to seek shelter during a tornado. Knowing

  • Offutt restores training capabilities with new simulator

    The 55th Operations Group is constructing a new aircrew training device as part of an effort to replace the three ATDs destroyed in the Offutt Air Force Base March flood. This new simulator is needed to aid Team Offutt initial, requalification and continuation air crew training in an organized