The Air Force's acceptance of women into the force dates back to long before the first "Women's History Week" celebration in 1978.

In 1942, the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) took the unheard-of step of forming and employing two women's aviation units. That same year, a unit of flight nurses who had not yet quite finished their training, were sent into North Africa on Christmas Day following the Allied invasion in November of that year.

And the history of women--civilian and military--was forever changed.
more...

The Air Force's acceptance of women into the force dates back to long before the first "Women's History Week" celebration in 1978.

In 1942, the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) took the unheard-of step of forming and employing two women's aviation units. That same year, a unit of flight nurses who had not yet quite finished their training, were sent into North Africa on Christmas Day following the Allied invasion in November of that year.

And the history of women--civilian and military--was forever changed.
more...

As the Air Force braces for potential sequester, leadership has cancelled all aviation support to public events for at least the remainder of the fiscal year and is standing down the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team to save flying hours to support readiness needs.

Effective today, active-duty, Reserve and Guard units will cease all aviation support to the public. This includes the cancellation of support to all air shows, tradeshows, flyovers (including funerals and military graduations), orientation flights, heritage flights, F-22 demonstration flights and open houses, unless the event includes only local static assets.
more...

Eric Fanning testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 28 during his confirmation hearing to be the next under secretary of the Air Force.

"I come from a family with a long history of service in uniform -- two uncles graduated from West Point and made careers in the Army, another uncle served a career in the Air Force, a cousin flew helicopters in the Marine Corps. I learned from an early age the importance of service and developed early on a deep respect and admiration for those who serve in uniform," Fanning said during his opening statement.
more...

After Col. Jeannie Leavitt finished pilot training at the top of her class in 1992, she was given her first choice of aircraft, with a few restrictions. Her first choice, the F-15 Strike Eagle, wasn't yet an option for female pilots.

"I was told you finished No. 1, but you cannot pick a fighter," Leavitt said. "You cannot pick a bomber. You cannot pick a special ops aircraft. There was a whole list of aircraft I couldn't fly, and I was directed to choose among the other aircraft."
more...

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

View the slideshow.

more...

On Friday, March 1, we begin a month-long recognition of women's contributions to our Air Force, putting a blue perspective to the 2013 National Women's Project theme of "women inspiring innovation through imagination."

The 31-day www.af.mil series will showcase a profile each day of a woman or women's organization that made an impact over the more than seven decades of women's involvement with the Air Force and our predecessor, the Army Air Corps.

The series begins with Col. Jeannie Leavitt, the Air Force's first female fighter pilot and later the service's first woman to graduate from the Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Today, she has the distinction as the Air Force's first female combat wing commander.
more...

America's military superiority is founded on training and readiness, and the fiscal crisis facing the country threatens to strip away that edge, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Congress Feb. 26.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, along with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos and National Guard Bureau Chief Army Gen. Frank J. Grass, testified before the House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee on fiscal challenges facing the Department of Defense.
more...

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley addressed more than 500 men and women on the final day of the Air Force Association's 29th Air Warfare Symposium & Technology Exposition Feb. 22 here.

During his address, Donley spoke about several issues that are on the Air Force's radar, including budget and planning challenges, and of particular interest, the looming sequestration.

"During over three decades now in Washington, I don't believe I've ever witnessed a budget process that is as dysfunctional as is the one we're experiencing today," Donley said.
more...

Air Force officials released nomination criteria for the new Distinguished Warfare Medal Feb. 15, following defense officials' announcement of the new decoration days prior.

The DWM will be awarded to honor individuals for single acts of extraordinary achievement, not involving acts of valor, that directly impact combat or other military operations approved by the secretary of defense.

Unlike other combat-related medals, service members may be awarded the DWM for actions completed from either in or outside an actual combat zone.
more...

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

View the slideshow.

more...

Two senior Air Force leaders addressed more than 500 people at the Air Force Association's 29th Air Warfare Symposium & Technology Exposition here Feb. 21, 2013.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark. A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody took to the stage with several points to get across, but both had a similar theme: Airmen rock!

"I've been an AFA member since I was a cadet," said 2nd Lt. Rachael Nutting, 45th Launch Support Squadron, Cape Canaveral, Fla. "They're part of the team fighting for us ... it's great being here to see the big picture."
more...

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has notified Congress that the Defense Department is prepared to implement furloughs for civilian personnel in response to the threat of sequestration.

In a memo to all employees, Panetta vowed to continue working with Congress to avoid sequestration, which would add $470 billion to the $487 billion in defense spending cuts the department already is making over the next 10 years. If Congress cannot agree on an alternative deficit reduction plan, the cuts go into effect March 1.
more...

More than 163,000 Airmen voiced their opinions in the online Air Force Climate Survey conducted May 11 - June 22, with results indicating Airmen are satisfied with unit performance and trust their leaders, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.

Conducted every two years, the climate survey is designed to measure attitudes toward the work environment, with questions organized within factors such as satisfaction, trust, unit performance and resources. Participants include active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members, and appropriated and non-appropriated fund civilian employees.
more...

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

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 sergeants and below who meet required criteria, said Lt. Col. Shelley Strong, AFPC operations division chief. Airmen affected must separate from the Air Force by May 31, and those eligible to retire must do so effective June 1 or earlier.
more...

Unprecedented budget factors have placed the nation's defense strategy in jeopardy, senior Department of Defense leaders told the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 12.
During his opening remarks, the chief of staff of the Air Force stressed the severity of the current fiscal situation.

"Sequestration threatens to carve crucial capability from America's Air Force, with alarming and immediate effects on people, readiness and infrastructure, and, eventually, on modernization," said Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. "If it occurs, it will significantly undermine your Air Force's readiness and responsiveness today."
more...

I was recently picking up a few items at a local retail chain at lunchtime; everywhere I walked, someone wanted to shake my hand or say, "Thank you for your service." It made me proud to be wearing the uniform of the U.S. Air Force.

While waiting in the checkout lane, I noticed a little boy shopping with his mom was staring at me from his perch in the cart. I smiled and said "Hello," but he just kept staring.

His mom apologized and explained he was crazy about people in uniform, and his hero was Captain America. She said he watches the movie over and over and puts on a little uniform to defend the house.
more...

Sequestration would leave the Air Force with untrained people, a lack of equipment and be "devastating" to the service, officials said Feb. 7.

The warning echoes what Department of Defense officials have stated for months about across-the-board defense cuts, in addition to an ongoing continuing resolution.

"Now that we're staring at that possibility in less than a month, I can tell you, they were right," said Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. Larry Spencer, during a media roundtable at the Pentagon.
more...

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

View the slideshow.

more...