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  • 79th ‘Tigers’ take on Checkered Flag 24-2, WSEP

    The 79th Fighter and Fighter Generation Squadron ‘Tigers’ from the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, took part in Checkered Flag 24-2 and the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) at Tyndall, from May 9-22, 2024. These exercises aimed to enhance air combat readiness.

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • 20th FW performs mission-critical F-16 modernization

    The summer of 1978 meets the spring of 2023 as 45 years of progress and modernization to the F-16 Fighting Falcon airframe continues in the form of ongoing mission-critical upgrades to the 20th Fighter Wing’s (FW) fleet here in line with the U.S. Air Force’s Service Life Extension Program (SLEP).

  • Double-time: Shaw delivers back to back deployments

    Across the world in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 79th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron “Tigers” are delivering on promises made when the squadron deployed in July 2022.

  • Sky Shield IV: AUAB hones strategic mission capabilities

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, along with the Qatar Emiri Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps, participated in Sky Shield IV, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)’s first major training event of 2022, Jan. 23-25, 2022.

  • My flight on a KC-135

    On December 14 I had the privilege of flying in a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild AFB, to learn about pilot training, aircraft, air-to-air refueling, and the airmen who fulfill those missions. We arrived at the Deployment Processing Center at Shaw AFB and were greeted by Mrs. Lisa Allen,

  • Shaw honorary commanders observe mission from above

    Most people observe F-16 Fighting Falcons take on thousands of pounds of fuel during air to air refueling via photographs. Recently, a group of Sumter community members received the opportunity to watch the action live and in living color. On Dec. 14, members of the Shaw Air Force Base honorary

  • RSAF, USAF conduct combined operations in KSA

    In the desert skies above Taif’s King Fahad Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing integrated with Royal Saudi Air Forces to execute a combined training exercise. Conducting combined air-to-air training, the exercise allowed both nations to further cultivate

  • PSAB’s 378th EMXS hosts integrated hot pit training

    Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, recently traveled to Prince Sultan Air Base to take part in an integrated hot-pit training with Airmen from the 378th EMXS. Designed to expand the scope and lethality of the Air Force’s wartime capabilities, 379th

  • Test milestones reached at Northern Lightning

    F-16s from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron and Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force returned to Eglin AFB August 20, 2021, after completing a successful capstone exercise in Wisconsin. The two squadrons worked hand-in-hand during Northern Lightning 2021 where the team introduced the

  • SJAFB pilot selected for USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds

    The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, selected Capt. Lauren Schlichting, 333rd Fighter Squadron evaluating pilot and executive officer, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, to join their team. Schlichting is set to fly Thunderbird 3, becoming the

  • “Capital Guardians” bring excellence to AFCENT skies

    Over the past week, aircraft and Airmen assigned to the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Wing arrived at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to join the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing as it provides combat power projection across the region in defense of U.S. forces.

  • Exercise Relampago VI soars over Colombia

    The skies roared with the sounds of U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons. Sounds that are not usually heard in a small mountain community in South America. Far from home and familiar territory, Airmen from all over the United States journeyed to Colombia and transformed a contingency location to

  • Total Force Integration proved at PSAB

    Rooted in a sea of sand, the U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) mission is, in-part, seamlessly accomplished by both active duty and the Air National Guard—proving the concept of Total Force Integration (TFI). TFI is nothing new. Once called “Future Total Force,” TFI became the standard about 15 years

  • TACP officer becomes F-16 pilot

    A convoy of Afghan Humvees makes its way down narrow roads in urban Afghanistan while escorting an Afghan Army Corps commander in the summer of 2016. From the rear, a Tactical Air Control Party officer witnesses a rocket-propelled grenade rip through the lead Humvee, as a gunner with a heavy machine

  • 20th CMS optimizes operations

    Airmen from the 20th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion flight have redesigned their space to implement lean production principles in their operations.

  • MacDill strengthens capabilities through integrated training with Shaw

    Airmen from the 6th Air Refueling Wing conducted an off-site integrated training with the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, 2020. Over the course of five days, Aircrews with the 91st Air Refueling Squadron, maintainers with the 6th Maintenance Group and

  • Large Force Test Event 20.03 sets standard for future test events

    Large Force Test Events 20.03 integrated ten weapons systems, including the F-35, F-22, F-15E, F-16, A-10, E/A-18G, HH-60G, EC-130H, KC-46, and KC-135, from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy on November 17, 2020 to test four Tactics Improvement Proposals, known as TIPs, as well as various high

  • FSS operations officer awarded Bronze Star at MHAFB

    “Deploying into a combat zone for a year is intense,” said Capt. Kristen Miranda, 366th Force Support Squadron operations officer. Miranda served as the director of operations for the 405th Expeditionary Support Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from April 2019 to April 2020. She was awarded

  • Fairchild fuels RED FLAG-Alaska 20-3

    Team Fairchild’s KC-135 Stratotankers provided essential air refueling support during field training exercise RED FLAG-Alaska 20-3, August 3-12. RF-A 20-3 is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise for U.S. and international forces flown under simulated air combat conditions meant to

  • Legion Pod achieves major milestones

    The Legion Pod, known for its advanced IRST (infrared search and track) capabilities, hit two major milestones at Eglin AFB with the first missile shot of an AIM-9X using the Legion Pod on an F-15C Eagle and the first-ever flight of an operational F-16 Fighting Falcon with the Legion Pod on July 8

  • 'Ghost-painted' F-16 takes to the sky

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon with a "ghost" paint scheme departs Hill Air Force Base, Utah, for Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 3, 2020. The 576th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron painted the jet at the request of the 64th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, that participates in training

  • PJs to the rescue

    Airmen from across Davis-Monthan Air Force Base executed a combat search and rescue exercise at Coronado National Forest, Arizona, April 28, 2020.

  • Airmen behind the lens

    Many people see photos and videos of maintainers working, jets flying and Airmen throughout the Air Force serving their country, but who are the Airmen behind the lens?

  • Base tour unites Team Shaw and community

    Team Shaw Airmen opened its gates to Sumter, S.C. middle school students with the goal of opening their eyes to the daily work lives of Airmen serving in a variety of career fields across the Air Force, Jan. 11.

  • U.S. Air Force hydrazine team train Chilean Airmen

    A U.S. Air Force hydrazine Mobile Training Team traveled to Los Condores Air Base, Chile, to conduct classroom instruction and hands-on training with Chilean Air Force fuels technicians.Hydrazine is a back-up fuel used in F-16 Fighting Falcons that allows a pilot to regain control in the event of an

  • F-35s begin Auto GCAS test flights

    The 461st Flight Test Squadron recently began test flight missions with the F-35 aircraft and the Auto GCAS at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

  • Innovation at its finest

    The Air Force looks to its Airmen to be innovative in order to save time and money. Staff Sgt. Justin Tankersley, 20th Maintenance Group weapons lead crew chief, created a new tool for F-16 Fighting Falcons.

  • Vipers start your engines

    Maintenance members assigned to the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron perform an afterburner run on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Sept. 18, 2018. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven

  • 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

  • AFREP saves millions in funding

    When an Air Force asset is deemed unusable, there is a select group of experts that step in to breathe new life into the component; these professionals use their wide range of skills and resources to tinker with objects that would otherwise be tossed away, giving other units a chance to save time

  • Heritage Flight: making a connection

    DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz., -- The U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course demonstrates the evolution of the USAF's airpower by flying today’s fighter aircraft in formation with World War II, Korean and Vietnam War - era aircraft.The training includes a performance

  • Holloman hosts Royal Canadian Air Force

    Holloman Air Force Base hosted dissimilar aircraft training and integration with the Royal Canadian Air Force from Jan. 22 to Feb. 15, 2018.The training served to familiarize NATO allies with each other’s aircraft operations and maintenance requirements as well as strengthening their partnerships.

  • Airman opens door for innovation

    Innovative Airmen allow the Air Force to bring the future faster, and one master sergeant is trying to revamp the way rocket propellant is cleaned off the flightline.Master Sgt. Terri Adams, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management section chief, won the Air Combat Command’s level of the Air

  • 79th FS ‘Tigers’ roar in Raptor Country

    As the second week of Checkered Flag 18-1 and concurrently running Weapon Systems Evaluation Program exercises continue, Airmen from the 79th Fighter Squadron from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, sustain the high tempo while bringing further dynamics to the large-scale exercises.

  • Final operational F-16s depart Hill

    The last six operational F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft lifted off from the runway here Sept. 21 at approximately 11 a.m. on their way to Holloman AFB, New Mexico, where they will continue flying.Several military and civilian Airmen watched as pilots stepped to the jets and taxied away for takeoff.

  • 8th Fighter Squadron reactivated after six years

    A pilot strides forward, his green flight suit a stark contrast to the pale blue of a desert morning sky. An insignia, circled in gold and donning a sheep with a wool coat black as night, is stitched atop his right breast. He hikes up a ladder, hands gripping steel and hops into the cockpit of an

  • Thunderbirds announce 2018 officer selections

    The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Mike Holmes, has officially selected the officers who will be joining the United States Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2018 demonstration season.

  • Hill F-16 squadron celebrating 40 years of combat airpower, part 1

    Forty years ago, the United States Air Force announced that the 388th Fighter Wing would be the first unit to transition to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, now more commonly known as the Viper. Thirty-eight years ago, the first operational F-16A took to the skies here and the Viper has been slipping the

  • Up all night: 20th MXG ensures readiness 24/7

    Las Vegas never sleeps, and neither does the 20th Maintenance Group, which conducts 24-hour operations whether at home at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, or on temporary duty at Nellis in support of Red Flag 17-2.

  • Air Force, Army EOD joint training

    Explosive Ordnance Disposal team members, assigned to the 734th Explosive Ordnance Company EOD at Fort Bliss, Texas, participated in a joint training exercise with the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD flight at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Feb. 14, 2017.

  • 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course

    A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II and a P-47 Thunderbolt fly in formation during the 2017 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2017. The annual aerial demonstration training event has been held at D-M since 2001. The modern aircraft

  • USAF fighter jets practice for inauguration flyover

    Four U.S. Air Force fighter jets practice for the inauguration flyover at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Jan. 19, 2017.Two generations of fighter aircraft are scheduled to fly in a close formation during the inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump at the capitol in Washington, District

  • Checkered Flag 17-1 complete

    The 325th Air Expeditionary Wing, comprised of various maintenance, logistics readiness, and fighter squadrons, completed its mission of simulating a large-scale aerial total force integration exercise Dec. 5-16, 2016. Involving more than 90 aircraft and more than 800 personnel, Checkered Flag 17-1

  • Vermont ANG joins fight against ISIL

    Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Vermont Air National Guard arrived here Dec. 10, to join the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

  • Vermont ANG joins fight against ISIL

    Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Vermont Air National Guard arrived here Dec. 10, to join the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

  • Aircraft soar through Moody skies

    An F-15E Strike Eagle soars above Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., May 20, 2016. Multiple U.S. Air Force aircraft within Air Combat Command conducted joint aerial training showcasing the aircraft’s tactical air and ground maneuvers, as well as its weapons

  • Maintenance team keeps F-16s airworthy

    388th Fighter Wing maintainers are working with their Reserve counterparts to support F-16 operations at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Deployed maintainers checked for corrosion on aircraft assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and completed an 8,000-hour rotary actuator time change