News Search

  • Honing skills: 366th EMS executes armament training

    The 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron conducted in-depth F-15E Strike Eagle armament training Aug. 27-30 that will enhance the 366th Fighter Wing’s readiness down-range.EMS armament technicians trained on the Bomb Rack Unit-61, an F-15E equipment piece that houses the Guided Bomb Unit-39. The

  • 388th FW dialing-in cannon loading, firing in training

    The 388th Fighter Wing’s 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and 4th Fighter Squadron were the first operational units to load and fire the F-35A’s cannon during training Aug. 13, and what they learned will influence how they train and fight.Loading and firing the cannon was one of the few capabilities

  • Airmen of Lightning AMU; the forefront of readiness

    The F-35A Lightning II fighter jet is not only the newest addition to the Air Force’s arsenal of aircraft, but it is also one of its most advanced. With its improved stealth, avionics and logistical support, the aircraft can enter enemy radar, accomplish its mission and leave the hostile area

  • Capitalizing on Total Force Integration

    Fourteen members of the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group’s 49th Intelligence Squadron joined with 11 members of the Nebraska Air National Guard and two active-duty Air Force personnel at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for a historic training mission aboard an RC-135V/W

  • New strategy charts Air Force Medicine course

    The Air Force Medical Service is in a time of transition, with new leadership, evolving readiness requirements and congressional mandates all affecting its future. To address these changes and provide guidance and direction to Airmen, AFMS leaders met in July to chart a way forward for the

  • PHOTOS: 388th FW fires F-35A cannon for first time

    Pilots from the 388th Fighter Wing’s 4th Fighter Squadron were the first operational unit to fire the F-35A’s 25 mm cannon in a strafing run during training. The two-ship formation fired on two sets of ground targets on the Utah Test and Training range Aug. 13. Loading and firing the cannon was one

  • 388th Fighter Wing standing up final F-35A aircraft maintenance unit

    Hill’s 388th Fighter Wing recently began standing up the last of its aircraft maintenance units, a big step toward receiving the full complement of F-35A Lightning IIs by the end of 2019. The 421st AMU, which will support the 421st Fighter Squadron, is preparing to receive its first aircraft in

  • AFCYBER leader boasts mission at conference

    The CyberTexas Conference was recently held in San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 14, 2018. The conference was hosted to develop the next generation of cyber professionals.Mr. Robert Cole, Air Forces Cyber executive director, was a guest speaker.

  • Colombian Air Force steps up participation in Red Flag exercise

    The Colombian Air Force made history while participating in the U.S. Air Force’s premier air-to-air combat training exercise, Red Flag 18-3, July 16 to August 3.“In the last six years they’ve [the Colombian Air Force] made significant modifications to their aircraft hardware and software that has

  • Load crews train for deployment operations

    Imagine mission success laying on the shoulders of the individuals to your right and left. For one team of Airmen, the shortcomings of one can be catastrophic to the task at hand. These groups of professionals assigned to the 20th Maintenance Group, spanning three fighter squadrons, work in unison

  • Brazil leads Air Component in PANAMAX 2018

    U.S. service members from the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) and the 612th Air and Space Operations Center participated in the U.S. Southern Command PANAMAX 2018 exercise July 30 – Aug. 10 alongside members from 12 partner nations.The Brazilian Air Force Chief of Joint Air Operations Center,

  • Revitalizing squadrons, Air Force outlines progress

    The task force conducted an Air Force-wide review, driven by Airmen in the field, to promote best practices and identify improvements. Consisting of Total Force Airmen from diverse backgrounds, they reviewed survey data and gathered inputs from across the Air Force through on-line crowd sourcing and

  • 20th MDG exercises in combat environment

    The 20th Medical Group Airmen rush to provide care to simulated patients through their deployed patient care exercise, Aug 2.The exercise tested Airmen on their ability to safely evacuate simulated wounded patients from a vehicle hit by a simulated improvised explosive device.

  • 9th SFS, 940th SFS epitomize total force to ensure readiness

    The 9th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance shop works closely with its counterparts to ensure reserve instructors are ready to accomplish the fight and maximize mission effectiveness.Whether its active duty or the Reserve, providing an opportunity for combat arms training

  • Weekend-duty: Total Force Integration more than a buzz phrase at Offutt

    Innovation, which increases readiness, reduces costs, returns time back to Airmen and increases lethality, doesn’t have to involve software upgrades, new weapon systems or a rewrite of a regulation. Members of Team Offutt recently proved this when, for the first time, a RC-135V/W Rivet Joint flew a

  • Armament flight: Enhances falcon lethality

    Parked across the flight line at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, numerous F-16CM Fighting Falcons wait for a call to action. Airmen, assigned to the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron armament systems flight’s gun work center, ensure the lethal, high-velocity M61A1 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannons

  • Hill Airmen, aircraft progress together as F-35A program matures

    Two years after the Air Force declared IOC for the F-35A, pilots and maintainers at Hill’s active duty 388th and reserve 419th Fighter Wings are steadily erasing the word “initial” from in front of “operational capability.”Since the IOC announcement on Aug. 2, 2016, Airmen and the jet have grown

  • NATCF; eyes, ears of Red Flag 18-3 aircraft

    In a large dimly lit room located in the Nellis Air Traffic Control Facility (NATCF), faces are illuminated only by the reflection of air traffic control radar scopes. Airmen assigned to the 57th Operation Support Squadron monitor the airways of aircraft departing and landing at Nellis Air Force

  • SF Airmen compete in Defender Challenge Trial

    4th Security Forces Squadron patrolman from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, compete for a spot in the Defender Challenge in Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas., on July 30, 2018. Five security forces Airmen completed a four-mile ruck march for time, a M4 and M9 weapons

  • Robins begins JSTARS depot maintenance

    The Air Force initiated its own depot maintenance here for the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft July 17, 2018, to deliver more aircraft faster, leading to increased readiness for warfighters. Officials with the JSTARS program office at Robins AFB want to increase the

  • Comms Check: 9th CS ensures radio communication

    For Recce Town, USA, radio communication plays a critical role in daily operations. From emergency responders, command post, and even flightline operations, the ability to communicate effectively is necessary to ensure the mission doesn’t stop.It’s the sole responsibility of the Airmen attached to

  • EOD: always fit to fight

    Surrounded by the sound of clinking metal and upbeat music, a group of Airmen work to exhaustion as the sun begins to rise.For this group of 20th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal Airmen, working hard can mean the difference between life or death.The safety of the team as well as

  • One team, one fight: part I

    When thinking about the F-16CM Fighting Falcon and its mission, many people only think about the pilot and their jet, but there are many more working pieces to the puzzle ensuring the mission is accomplished. In order to step into an aircraft and be cleared fit to fight, pilots must get a physical

  • Gunfighter Flag 18-3, Adaptive Basing

    Adaptive basing exercises require all levels of the squadron to deploy small teams of Airmen and aircraft for a short amount of time to hone their skills.Adaptive basing is the ability to rapidly refuel and re-arm F-15’s in an austere environment, a location we haven’t operated from before. It could

  • 633 CES slices into Prime BEEF training

    The 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron conducted Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force training here, July 19. The training focused on land navigation and individual movement techniques.“We have Prime BEEF Day every third Thursday of the month,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jon Colon, 633rd CES

  • 9th MXS AGE flight vital to reconnaissance operations

    High-altitude reconnaissance reaching 60,000 feet from the U-2 Dragon Lady and RQ-4 Global Hawk is the focus and mission of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing. As high as they can fly, their mission begins on the ground, and that starts with the 9th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment flight.

  • F-22 pilots fire live missiles at Combat Archer

    More than 200 pilots, maintainers and operations support staff from the 1st Fighter Wing are gaining firsthand experience in loading and firing live missiles at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida from July 6-20, 2018.Combat Archer as part of the Weapons System Evaluation Program, in conjunction with

  • JBLE conducts aircraft crash exercise

    Units from Joint Base Langley-Eustis participated in an aircraft crash exercise here July 17.Emergency responders faced a simulated crash in which a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook experiencing electrical and mechanical failures was unable to reach the airfield and crashed into a boat near the

  • Colombian Kfirs fighters train with the A-10, F-16

    Six Colombian Air Force Kfir fighter jets on their way to Red Flag 18-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, stopped at Davis-Monthan AFB from July 5-16, to train with A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-16 Fighting Falcons. “This week is very important here at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base because our pilots

  • 355th MDG offers unique physical therapy experiences

    Though the safety of Airmen is of utmost importance, injuries, both in and out of work, are inevitable.To ensure Airmen heal faster from their wounds and receive the very best physical therapy, Dr. Richard Shumway and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brett Bishop, 355th Medical Group physical therapists,

  • Munitions flight performs 30mm processing, keeps A-10s shooting

    Airmen from the 476th and 23d Maintenance Squadron (MXS) performed a 30mm rounds processing, July 11, 2018, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. This total force integration training with the 23d and 476th MXS allowed Airmen to work together to identify more ways to efficiently and safely conduct their

  • From nothing to something – Cargo City takes shape

    Construction is nearly complete on ‘Cargo City,’ a new operating location for U.S. and coalition forces to conduct aerial port operations in Kuwait. This aerial port will continue to serve as a major-military logistics point, and also functions as the largest aerial port of debarkation in the Middle

  • Baltimore C-STARS partnership prepares Airmen for battlefield medicine

    Civilian partnerships are a vital readiness resource for the Air Force Medical Service, refreshing medics on trauma skills and taking lessons learned to deliver life-saving trauma care downrange.The Center for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills program in Baltimore, Maryland, prepares

  • Train like you fight: Recce MWDs receive new training area

    The 9th Security Forces Squadron military working dog unit recently completed a new training area designed to enhance the companionship between handlers and their dogsThe area provides a safer training environment and it features a shaded overhangs to keep it cool, a turf field, and a variety of

  • Creech child care: Taking care of the Hunter family

    In an effort to address child care needs for 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing families, Creech received its own Family Child Care coordinator. Understanding child care coordination and options available is an important priority. The base’s remote location and 24/7/365 mission demands

  • 633rd MDSS tests new Expeditionary Medical Systems equipment

    The Air Combat Command Surgeon General Office partnered with representatives from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center to conduct an exercise testing new joint expeditionary collective protection tent systems at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, June 20, 2018.

  • A peek behind the curtain: The first step of PTSD care

    Perhaps the most difficult part of seeking help for post-traumatic stress disorder is making that first appointment, since Airmen are often unsure of what to expect. Not knowing what to expect from mental health providers can get in the way of effective PTSD treatment.

  • 20th FW, 72nd ARS team up to stay sharp

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon cannot fly around the world on one tank of fuel. When the mission demands keeping the jets in the air, pilots can refuel with one of the Air Force’s gas stations in the sky. Grissom Joint Air Reserve Base, Indiana.

  • Beale NDI team’s unique, time-saving RQ-4 inspection process

    9th Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection (NDI) Airmen are in the process of performing an inspection of the RQ-4 Global Hawk’s exterior and wings. Since the RQ-4 is made from composite material as opposed to metal the NDI requires ultrasonic inspection equipment. The Airmen use both

  • Tyndall Mission Defense Team conducts first exercise

    The 325th Communications Squadron Mission Defense Team participated in their first exercise since becoming the first operational MDT at Tyndall AFB June 11-15, 2018.The focus of the exercise was to test the ability of the 325th Fighter Wing to generate aircraft sorties in a simulated deployed

  • Air Advisors conduct first-ever BPC mission in Costa Rica

    The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron recently conducted their first-ever AFSOUTH mission to the Central American country of Costa Rica. The nine member team, executed a three-week building partnership capacity mission with the air vigilance service, of SVA, from May 16 through June 9, 2018.

  • Empowering positive mental health through options

    The 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Mental Health Clinic offers services to help people handle the stressors of everyday life. These services include educational classes on sleep and stress management, goal setting, relationships, reintegration and tobacco cessation. The goal is to give members

  • Green Flag: Preparing for Close Air Support

    Since the 1980’s, the United States of America has been crowned with air superiority by using the F-15E Strike Eagle’s dual-role fighter capabilities in Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground missions. Preparing for those scenarios that happen down-range requires cooperation from both pilots and Joint

  • Bombs Away: Air Force Combat Operations Competition

    The 9th Munitions Squadron held the first-ever Air Force Combat Operations Competition (AFCOCOMP) June 12-14, 2018, here.AFCOCOMP is a unique munitions building competition designed to test participants on all of the aspects used by ammo troops in wartime operations.

  • 24/7 treaty monitoring center ready for contingency ops

    Recently, the nuclear treaty monitoring center here transferred its Contingency of Operations (COOP) and the Alternate U.S. National Data Center location from San Antonio, Texas to Millington, Tenn. For the past five years, AFTAC’s alternate site was located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, in

  • Emerging infectious disease training event bolsters medical readiness

    A team of U.S. military doctors, public health specialists and members of various other career fields participated in a week-long Emerging Infectious Diseases Training Event June 4-8 in the Air Force Southern AOR. The event, aimed at enhancing attendee cultural competencies and professional

  • 12th AMU keeps Global Hawks flying

    The 12th Aircraft Maintenance Unit is responsible for keeping the RQ-4 Global Hawks here ready to fly. The RQ-4 is a remotely piloted aircraft, which is used to provide high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to commanders in wartime and contingency operations. The RQ-4 platform

  • Hammer dropped at Hill

    Evaluation exercise Combat Hammer concluded May 10 at Hill AFB and the Utah Test and Training Range. Both are part of the Air Force's Weapons System Evaluation Program, or WSEP.

  • Propulsion flight: keeps 'Warthogs' fighting

    The A-10C Thunderbolt II has been flying the Air Force’s mission for over 40 years; a feat that would not be possible without the efforts of Moody’s propulsion flight.The 23d Maintenance Squadron (MXS) aerospace propulsion flight is responsible for maintaining all Turbo Fan-34 engines for the Air

  • 20th FSS hosts search, recovery exercise

    The 20th Force Support Squadron hosted an exercise to practice search and recovery efforts with the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, May 23.

  • D-M wraps up first Red Flag-Rescue exercise

    U.S. Personnel Recovery and Combat Air Force assets from around the country convened at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., for the first execution of Red Flag-Rescue May 5-19.

  • Chiefs take off for Razor Talon

    335th Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagles during exercise Razor Talon, May 11, 2018, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Razor Talon is a monthly, large-force training exercise for joint East Coast tactical and support aviation units.

  • Embedded care teams work to improve Airman resiliency

    For Airmen at the 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, stress is an occupational hazard. Pressing deadlines, a heavy workload and constant pressure are requirements of the mission.They are also one of a growing number of units combating those stressors with an embedded care

  • Three-day exercise tests readiness of SJ Airmen

    Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Airmen ran through a gauntlet of tests during a three-day force protection condition, active shooter and mass casualty exercise May 7-9, 2018.The exercise was conducted to test the base and local first responders’ ability to react to a variety of scenarios, all

  • Mental Health trailblazes new IOP in ACC

    Moody Air Force Base’s Mental Health Flight refocused its treatment strategy, Feb. 5, by instituting a new intensive outpatient program (IOP) that gives Airmen the help they need from Airmen like themselves.This new program is designed to provide a more streamlined service for the nearly 7000

  • NDI: going beyond what eyes see

    Non-Destructive Inspection technicians examine and inspect numerous aircraft parts and components to ensure that they are in usable condition using various methods such as X-ray, florescent dye penetrant, oil analysis and ultrasonic scanning.

  • Fabrication flight: masters in metal

    Metals technicians support the mission by utilizing fabrication techniques to repair and overhaul countless tools and aircraft parts. The technicians strive to exercise safe and precise fabrication techniques to be able to sufficiently handle their intense workload.

  • Firefighters combine forces, improve life-saving skills

    Firefighters from the 23d Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) along with firefighters from the Valdosta Fire Department (VFD) conducted joint live-fire training, April 24-25, here. The training was geared towards allowing the firefighters to gain more experience fighting aircraft fires and being able to

  • Another tool in the toolbox

    It is a cool, fall day and the sun shines through the car window warming your face. Suddenly, the truck jerks and tumbles off the road. Your teammate is thrown from the truck, and flung out of sight. You exit the truck and find your teammate critically injured. He is presumably dead. There is no

  • CE test warfighting capabilities

    The 355th Civil Engineer Squadron participated in an airfield damage response and assessment exercise at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base March 28-30, 2018. The exercise was held to evaluate their response to a damaged airfield in a simulated deployed environment.

  • Rescue community integrates training

    An aircraft crashed. Both pilots successfully ejected, but have wounds varying from traumatic brain injuries to deep cuts and contusions. Having received intelligence, pilots and crew of an HC-130J Combat King II take off, followed by two HH-60G Pave Hawk’s that carrying teams of pararescuemen.Their

  • CATM arms Airmen to deploy

    During CATM Airmen must demonstrate quality safety standards while handling and shooting their weapons proficiently in order to be eligible to deploy. Throughout the class the instructors emphasized: weapon handling techniques, proper sight usage and internal weapon cleaning procedures.

  • Air Force lab puts medical devices through their paces

    “We break stuff,” said Lt. Col. Brandi Ritter, chief of the Air Force Medical Evaluation Support Activity, showing off the facility where her unit tests the devices medical Airmen use to complete their mission.

  • Munitions life: from storage to target

    The life-cycle of a munition can be easily explained—the building of the munition, transportation to the aircraft, loading to the aircraft, taking off of the aircraft, then finally putting the munition on target.

  • IQT molds BDG Airmen

    Approximately 35 Airmen from the 820th Base Defense Group (BDG) participated in Initial Qualification Training (IQT), March 26-28, here.The training is given to all new Airman coming into the BDG as an opportunity to learn a baseline of basic combat skills that would be needed to successfully

  • 391st FS participates in Combat Archer, Hammer

    The 391st Fighter Squadron departed for Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, to participate in Combat Archer and Hammer March 25, 2018. These exercises provide aircrew and maintainers from the 366th Fighter Wing an opportunity to evaluate their ability to employ a variety weapons systems throughout all

  • Defenders demonstrate combat readiness

    After 48-hours of preparation and travel, the Airmen arrive at a bare base. The climate is 40 degrees colder than they’re used to, the terrain and landscape are unfamiliar, but they hit the ground running.Within 24-hours, they arm every Airman and establish security. They assign teams that will

  • Airmen prep HH-60G for training

    Airmen from the 41st Rescue Squadron and 723d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron conducted pre-flight checks to ensure that an HH-60G Pave Hawk was fully prepared for a simulated combat search and rescue mission, March 15, 2018, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

  • Air Force, Army collaborate during joint training

    In the heart of Mojave Desert in southeastern California, U.S. Army ground forces engage in fierce combat with mock insurgents. As the grueling battle intensified with no standstill in sight, these combat warriors remained confident knowing aerial support was a radio’s call away.To the ground

  • RAF trainer instructs CQB tactics

    The 820th BDG teamed with British Royal Air Force Sgt. Glenn Risebrow,15th Squadron senior noncommissioned officer in charge of training, in multiple training scenarios to help strengthen combined operations between U.S. and British forces.

  • 93d AGOW weathermen forecast desert success

    While many have attained the glory of leaving the battlefield as champions by outmaneuvering and overpowering their foes, some of the most historic battles have been decided by those who outwit their adversaries by exploiting weather and environmental conditions.Using their specialized meteorology

  • 75th FS hosts trilateral training

    Ally forces from the Canadian Royal Air Force and New Zealand army traveled to Moody AFB to train with the 75th Fighter Squadron on close air support, Feb. 20-23, 2018, here.

  • 48th RQS PJs primed for deployment after extensive training cycle

    For the past few months, pararescuemen from the 48th Rescue Squadron out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., have been gearing up for a deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. They began with a five day tactical medical course in the pine-wooded environment of Perry, Florida, and

  • Prime BEEF: 23d CES builds up to deploy

    Airmen from the 23d Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) participated in a Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force (BEEF) training day, Feb. 15, here. The Prime BEEF day was geared toward preparing Airmen for wartime tasks that they could be called to perform while in a deployed environment.

  • 49th MXG conducts Phase II exercise

    The 49th Maintenance Group educated more than 200 Airmen during its first phase II exercise at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Feb. 22, 2018.

  • HH-60s train over the NTTR

    The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter conducts day or night personnel recovery operations in hostile environments to recover isolated personnel during war.

  • Airmen 'Shoot, Move, Communicate'

    Airmen from the 23d Security Forces Squadron conducted “Shoot, move, communicate” training, Feb. 22, 2018, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The training tested participants on their ability to move from barricade to barricade as a team. While one member provided covering fire the others advanced on the

  • Global reach powers air superiority

    A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 101st Air Refueling Wing refuels F-22 Raptors from the 94th Fighter Squadron over the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 22, 2018. The Stratotanker refueled four Raptors during this routine training mission. Refueling missions help the 94th Fighter Squadron accomplish their task of

  • COMACC discusses the warfighter’s edge

    The commander of Air Combat Command Gen. Mike Holmes discussed the importance of taking the lead in warfighting through innovation at the 2018 Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, Feb. 23, 2018.

  • SECAF: This is about lethality and mission effectiveness

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson spoke about the importance of innovation and research and development during her State of the Air Force speech at the Air Force Association Innovation: The Warfighter’s Edge conference Feb. 22, 2018, in Orlando, Florida.

  • Pave Hawks get hosed

    Airmen from the 41st Helicopter Maintenance Unit wash an HH-60G Pave Hawk, Feb. 20, 2018, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Airmen are required to wash the helicopters every 180 days to control corrosion caused by oil, dirt and grime. Washing paired with mechanical and electrical maintenance help Airmen

  • CST/TCCC: training to survive

    Airmen participated in Combat Survival Training and Tactical Combat Casualty Care training designed to teach Airmen navigation skills in the event they become isolated as well as how to apply critical life-saving skills while engaged in a combat environment.