Air Force Features

Nov. 4, 2019
AFRL experts collect aircraft shelters' acoustics data to ensure aircraft, personnel safety

Hardened aircraft shelters provide protection for personnel inside to perform necessary maintenance on aircraft, but the fifth-generation fighters, like the F-35, have very different sound profiles. This creates the need for acoustics testing to ensure the safety of the aircraft and crew.
Oct. 16, 2019
Senate confirms Barrett to be Air Force secretary

The 85 to 7 vote makes Barbara Barrett the third consecutive woman confirmed to lead the Air Force and its 685,000 total force Airmen. Barrett replaces Heather Wilson who resigned in May. Undersecretary Matthew Donovan served as acting secretary in the interim.
Oct. 16, 2019
Eielson AFB reactivates 356th Fighter Squadron

Eielson Air Force Base reactivated the 356th Fighter Squadron and named a new commander on Oct. 10, in preparation for the arrival of the Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs to interior Alaska. Air Force Lt. Col. James Christensen will lead the 356th FS, which is the first of two combat fighter squadrons
Oct. 15, 2019
388th Fighter Wing focuses on F-35A operational capabilities, mission readiness

Over the summer, all three squadrons — nearly 70 F-35A aircraft — were operating away from home station. They conducted operations in nine different countries on three separate continents, while supporting multiple combatant commanders. One squadron supported a European Theater Support Package,
Oct. 10, 2019
Tyndall AFB continues rebuild effort one year after Hurricane Michael

Hurricane Michael hit the coastline and surrounding areas of Tyndall Air Force Base, Mexico Beach and Panama City Oct. 10, 2018, a year later the base is rebuilding and preparing to take on a new mission consistent with the long-range goals of the Air Force.
Sept. 26, 2019
DLA national account managers adapt to Air Force goals

DLA’s seven-member Air Force National Account Manager team works with logisticians and planners at Air Force headquarters to increase service readiness.
Aug. 25, 2019
Keeping cool over Salt Lake

Capt. Jonathan Lowell recounts his story and lessons learned after experiencing an integrated power package failure while flying a F-35A Lightning II.
Aug. 7, 2019
Record-setting first sortie for wing's newest F-35A

Aircraft tail number 5261 left Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, production facility a little after 8 a.m. Aug. 1, landed at Hill Air Force Base at 10 a.m., and by 3 p.m. had taken off on its first combat training mission.
July 24, 2019
Vt. ANG prepares for F-35 arrival

The partnership between the 158th FW consists of the visiting staff from BAE Systems, Inc., Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney aerospace company who are assisting members through the technical phases of induction.
July 16, 2019
RAF Lakenheath breaks ground on future F-35 infrastructure

Through the partnership with the DIO, as well as Kier and VolkerFitzpatrick construction groups, the installation will be ready to welcome the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft in late 2021. The infrastructure projects will include a flight simulator facility, a maintenance unit, new hangars and
July 12, 2019
Mountain Home AFB hosts largest off-station F-35A operation to date

The squadron, normally stationed at Hill AFB, Utah, is functioning as a detachment with about 300 Airmen in operations, support and maintenance. They arrived at Mountain Home AFB with 17 jets and will build up to 24 as they continue to receive and process new aircraft being delivered from the
June 26, 2019
Three-nation F-35 exercise demonstrates air power interoperability

Exercise Tri-Lightning was a one-day defensive counter air exercise involving friendly and adversary aircraft from the three participating countries and consisted of active and passive air defense operations.
June 18, 2019
Hill AFB’s fighter wings demonstrate global reach with F-35A

From Europe to the Middle East and the high desert of Idaho, the Air Force’s first combat-coded F-35A Lightning II squadrons demonstrated their global reach this week.
June 12, 2019
Hill AFB F-35As arrive at Spangdahlem AB

Funded through the European Deterrence Initiative, the TSP provides a more robust U.S. military rotational presence in the European theater capable of deterring adversaries and assuring partners and allies of the U.S. commitment to regional security.
June 7, 2019
Hill AFB Airmen bring F-35A, fifth-gen capabilities to European defense exercise

Airmen deployed from the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, recently wrapped up the F-35A Lightning II’s first participation in a large, European air-and-missile defense exercise.

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