This look around the Air Force takes us to Alaska where two F-35A Lightning II squadrons will join Eielson Air Force Base, and to the Philippines where service members are participating in the Balikatan exercise. read more about Around the Air Force: April 8 »
Two people were killed in a shooting April 8 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Medina Annex in Texas, sparking an active shooter alert on base. There are no indications that this was a terrorist attack. read more about Update: No trainees affected by deadly shooting at Lackland »
The 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander, Brig. Gen. Robert LaBrutta, confirmed the identities of the two Airmen killed in a workplace violence incident April 8 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Medina Annex, according to a news release. read more about Update: Officials identify Airmen killed in Lackland shooting »
The Air Force introduced the results of a yearlong study focused on developing capability options to ensure joint force air superiority in 2030 and beyond during an Air Force Association breakfast April 7 in Arlington, Virginia. read more about AF introduces Air Superiority 2030 study »
The commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, in concert with Headquarters Air Force Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration Directorate, has directed a review of the 13N career field. read more about AF to restructure nuclear, missile operations (13N) career field »
The military’s ability to accomplish its missions -- whether executing today’s fight or training for future ones -- is dependent on electricity that powers installations. The Army and Air Force have identified energy resilience as a critical objective, advancing the capability for their systems, installations, and personnel to respond to and recover from unexpected disruptions. read more about Air Force, Army build partnership for energy assurance »
With the tax season deadline approaching, Tech. Sgt. Holly Roberts-Davis helps us figure out what to do during tax season in this episode of FYI. read more about FYI: Tax season »
The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa said April 5 that the increase in European Reassurance Initiative funds next year will allow his command to improve its presence and facilities on the eastern side of NATO and to deter Russia. Gen. Frank Gorenc also told the Defense Writers’ Group that his command is working on transferring the air policing mission over the Baltic States into an air defense mission. read more about Gorenc discusses European Reassurance Initiative, air police mission »
Physical fitness doesn’t come easy for everyone -- sometimes the drive to finish one more repetition or set a new personal best just doesn’t cut it. For 1st Lt. Christian Torres, having the spirit to stay mentally and physically strong when going through adversity is not just found in the gym, it’s a way of life. read more about Passion vs. priorities »
The April issue of Airman magazine is now available to download and is viewable through a Web browser. Featured on our cover, “The perfect storm” gives a birds-eye view of the F-35 Lightning II as it goes through rigorous testing and evaluation in order to be declared initial operation capability within the projected deadline later this year. read more about April issue of Airman magazine now available »
Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, was selected as the new home for the Air Force’s first operational overseas F-35A Lightning IIs. Air Force officials chose Eielson AFB after a lengthy analysis of the location’s operational considerations, installation attributes, environmental factors and cost. read more about Eielson selected to receive operational F-35A aircraft »
Military dependents and pets began arriving at Baltimore Washington International Airport, Maryland, March 31 following an ordered departure of Defense Department dependents due to security concerns in some areas of Turkey. Dependents arriving at BWI were flown on Air Mobility Command’s C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and various charted flight departing from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. read more about Families ordered to leave Turkey arriving in US »
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. read more about AF Week in Photos »
The Air Force has released three short videos highlighting women and how they’ve played and continue to play an integral role in the Air Force. Today, women account for 19 percent of the Air Force, the most in any military service. read more about Videos focus on women in the Air Force »
The A-29 Super Tucano is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency and close air support. In January 2016, the U.S. Air Force delivered the first four of 20 A-29s to the Afghan Air Force. The Super Tucano will replace the Mi-35 attack helicopter providing a monumental leap in capabilities for the Afghan Air Force. read more about Tech Report: A-29 Super Tucano »
Service members who serve or have served in Iraq or Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve will receive the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced March 30 in Tampa, Florida. read more about Carter announces Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal »
The first group of families arrived at Ramstein Air Base March 30 after the State Department and the secretary of defense approved the ordered departure of dependents of service members and Defense Department civilian personnel currently stationed in Adana, Izmir, and Mugla, Turkey. read more about First families arrive at Ramstein from Turkey »
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing crashed during takeoff March 29 at about 8:30 p.m. local time near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. read more about F-16 crashes in Afghanistan; pilot safely ejects »
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James announced the establishment of the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance and conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland March 22. read more about James announces Office of Energy Assurance »
The secretary of defense, in coordination with the secretary of state, has authorized the ordered departure of all Defense Department dependents not assigned to chief of mission authority from Adana (to include Incirlik Air Base), Ismir and Mugla, Turkey. read more about State Department, DOD approve dependents’ departure from Turkey »
Women Air Force Service Pilots left a legacy that inspires even today. Their contributions during World War II were invaluable. read more about Yesterday’s Air Force: Women Air Force Service Pilots »
Experts from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the Air Force Reserve, National Guard Bureau and the Legacy Tanker Division conducted a customer support visit to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and at two other bases March 14-18 to listen to unit concerns regarding KC-135 Stratotanker support and logistics. read more about Crosstalks aimed at improving KC-135 service »
I never really understood what Seymour Johnson Air Force base was about, since I only visited for air shows and demonstrations, but my base visit with Det 585 opened my eyes to a different view of how the base really functions. Seymour Johnson is home to the 4th Fighter Wing and the 916th Air Refueling Wing. We had a tour of the flight line, full of F-15E Strike Eagles, as well as an inside look of a KC-135 tanker. Although we did not get to fly, we still learned a great deal about the plane, and received some insight from… read more about Seymour Johnson AFB Visit »
It has been very exciting and fun to be a part of Color Guard (CG) this semester. We presented the colors at a total of seven basketball games at NCCU and Duke. The most important presentation that we made was before the Duke-UNC basketball game at Cameron Indoor. This game is perhaps the most important regular season game as both teams are part of the age-old rivalry between Duke and UNC. Each year, the opportunity to present the colors for the game is rotated between the Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC detachments at Duke.… read more about Carrying the Colors »
Bagram Air Base August 2006 - I arrived in country after 4 days of continuous travel including a brief stay at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. After dropping our bags off at the “hooch”, our leadership team all rallied up to meet with the outgoing commander whom proceeded to provide us with a two hour PowerPoint briefing on all the great accomplishments that had been made there during their deployment. While this was a noteworthy briefing, I believe the outgoing commander failed to properly analyze his… read more about Inspiring Words »
The former Air Force ROTC bench was refurbished with the help of Army and Navy ROTC. Many of the planks were rotted, paint was flaking away, and the bench was unsafe for sitting. Over the course of 4 work sessions all of the weak planks were removed and new ones were installed. Two black base coats were applied to protect the bench from future decay. The bench design features the branch logos of the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. Several designs were debated but the logo design was selected for its simplicity and… read more about The Armed Forces Bench »
The Honorable Deborah Lee James, Secretary of the Air Force, participates in a group leadership problem with Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from several universities on Feb. 19, 2016 at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. As a Duke University alumnus, Secretary James returned to her alma mater to speak with future officers of the United States military. read more about Secretary of the Air Force Visits Duke »
The Air Force has released a new website dedicated to more than 60 Airmen who have received the Medal of Honor for exemplary acts of courage. read more about Medal of Honor site pays tribute to courageous Airmen »
The 37th Training Wing will mark the first year of the Airmen’s Week program on March 25 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Airmen’s Week is a five-day course that helps Airmen better prepare for technical training school and beyond. read more about Airmen’s Week marks first anniversary »
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. read more about AF Week in Photos »