AFMC Command News

  • F-35 ITF works toward night, weather certification

    The F-35 Integrated Test Force is wrapping up a series of night flights, which are testing the aircraft's capability when flying in instrument meteorological conditions. It is a necessary step in delivering a core competency to the warfighter -- the ability to fly the jet safely when there are no

  • Assistance available for personnel affected by Oklahoma tornado

    Following the May 20, 2013, tornado, Tinker Air Force Base's primary concern at this time is preparing to support communities, fellow Airmen and Sailors, and their families impacted by the devastating tornado that occurred, said base leadership. Twelve base firefighters and one safety officer were

  • Memorial Day a time to reflect on service and sacrifice

    Throughout my Air Force career, I've often reflected on what it means to serve. I'm proud of the work we do and the sacrifices we make every day so all Americans can continue to enjoy our many freedoms. However, each Memorial Day I am sharply reminded of just how great the sacrifice is for

  • Hanscom AFB-managed program helps save Airman's life

    A program managed here that helps get supplies safely to warfighters was recently used in Afghanistan to help save an Airman's life.The Dynamic Retasking Capability Urgent Operational Need provides the ability for C-17 Globemaster IIIs and C-130J Hercules to be directed to an alternative location

  • Air Force Marathon half, 5K sell out

    The Air Force Marathon half-marathon and 5K sold out last week.Several of the Air Force Marathon charity partners have half-marathon slots available for interested runners. The full marathon is more than 80 percent full and organizers anticipate filling the rest of the slots within the next couple

  • Hagel announces fewer furlough days for DOD employees

    After weeks of review, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has concluded budget cuts will require most of the department's civilian employees to be furloughed beginning in July, but that because of other efforts to deal with the shortfall, only half of the 22 days originally envisioned as temporary

  • Staff sergeant moves beyond hate-crime shooting to thrive in service

    Staff Sgt. Deondra Parks, a medical technician in internal medicine with the 88th Medical Group at Wright-Patterson Medical Center, owes her very survival to rational thinking and a resilient spirit, but even those enviable traits did not save her from harm.Parks just observed the third anniversary

  • New Workforce Development Program coming for AFMC maintainers

    A new career development program has been deployed to the Air Force Materiel Command maintenance community. The Maintenance Workforce Development Program is being implemented to provide a standard approach and increased opportunities for maintenance personnel to broaden their careers.The Logistics

  • C-5M undergoes 'super' upgrade at Edwards

    In 2006, the C-5 Galaxy underwent a "super" upgrade to further strengthen the airframe's worldwide airlift capabilities. Test teams here and at Dover Air Force Base, Del., are showing why the recent software upgrade to the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory -- now known as the C-5M Super

  • My educational journey: Take control of your future, now!

    My name is Michael Baty. I grew up in North Charleston, S.C., and graduated from North Charleston High School in 1995. I had completed one year of Navy ROTC but decided a military lifestyle was not for me and elected not to do a second year. Following graduation, my grandmother offered to put me

  • Team improving precision of high altitude airdrops

    A team here is working to improve safety for warfighters by increasing accuracy of high altitude airdrops with mission planning tools.The Joint Precision Airdrop System, or JPADS, is a family of equipment that consists of parachutes, mission planning systems, global positioning systems and computer

  • Defense Acquisition University registration to open in May

    Defense Acquisition University registration will open online May 16, 2013, and students should apply as soon as possible since classes fill quickly. Members' applications will be processed by priority, supervisor approval date and class start date, with Priority 1 students taking

  • New parachute test to provide AC-130 aircrew with the best

    There's a lot to be said by AC-130 gunship aircrew members who are proud of their heavily armed aircraft. The aircraft has the latest in sophisticated weapons, high tech sensors, navigation and fire control systems; however, it lacked one thing -- a lightweight parachute that was agile enough for

  • X-51A Waverider achieves history in final flight

    The final flight of the X-51A Waverider test program has accomplished a breakthrough in the development of flight reaching Mach 5.1 over the Pacific Ocean on May 1, 2013. "It was a full mission success," said Charlie Brink, X-51A program manager for the Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace

  • AFMC announces senior leader changes

    Air Force Materiel Command officials announced May 2, 2013, that its executive director, Dr. Steve Butler, will retire effective June 30 after 35 years of service. He will be replaced by Michael Gill, currently executive director of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.Patsy Reeves, currently