AFMC Command News

  • F-22 Raptor flown on synthetic biofuel

    An F-22 Raptor successfully flew at supercruise March 18, 2011, on a 50/50 fuel blend of conventional petroleum-based JP-8 and biofuel derived from camelina, a weed-like plant not used for food.The flight was the capstone of a series of ground and flight test events conducted by the 411th Flight

  • Marine squadron's F-16 flights reach 'milestone' toward JSF

    Marine aviators of the F-35B Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 completed four sorties in F-16 Fighting Falcons March 18, 2011, beginning a familiarization process to ensure readiness and efficiency in the transition to the Department of Defense's fifth generation fighter."It's a tremendous

  • 402nd mechanics prepare damaged aircraft for final flight to 'boneyard'

    Aircraft mechanics here work hard every day with the single goal of returning safe and reliable aircraft to the warfighter as quickly as possible. Recently, however, some C-5 mechanics have been working with a uniquely different purpose. They have been making modifications on a C-5 to allow the

  • Eagle Vision imagery supporting Japan recovery efforts

    The Electronic Systems Center-managed Eagle Vision imagery collection team here rushed to action within hours of the devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Northeast Japan March 11, 2011.Shortly after 7 a.m. Eastern Time on March 11, the Eagle Vision team began

  • Modified X-51A Waverider ready for next hypersonic test

    Air Force engineers currently plan to fly the second X-51A Waverider hypersonic flight test demonstrator as early as March 22, program officials said March 15, 2011."We are proud of the first flight results, and at the same time we understand the inherent risk in a high-technology demonstrator like

  • AFMC senior leaders travel in theater to gather warfighter feedback

    First Lt. Steven Massara, of the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, briefs Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, and Maj. Gen. Andrew Busch, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, on the repair of the troop door fairing on the C-17 Globemaster during a visit here March 7,

  • C-130 training simulator makes its move to base

    Now that the nearly 700,000-square-foot complex that will house the Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance Wing and their USAF School of Aerospace Medicine has been completed here, equipment is being moved in -- including the first of two Lockheed C-130 trainers that will be used by

  • Commentary: Doing the Basics ...

    Can you imagine getting up to go to work today and forgetting to put on your socks? It would make you uncomfortable, you might get a blister, and you would be out of uniform. The reason we put our socks on is that it is a basic thing we do to complete our uniform and keep ourselves healthy and safe

  • First MSG-3 production bird returned to nest

    The C-5 Galaxy enterprise here reached an important milestone recently in its transition to a different way of performing programmed depot maintenance. When C-5B Tail No. 86-0015 was declared ready to return to its home at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., it marked the first production C-5 PDM to be

  • Land-based precision approach system program resumes

    The land-based Joint Precision Approach and Landing System, or LB JPALS, is getting back on track after budget cuts. In January 2011, the deputy secretary of defense issued the Resource Management Directive-700 which restored full funding to the program.JPALS is a family of systems that will provide

  • Air Force releases results of ground accident investigation

    The Air Force has completed its investigation into an accident in which an Airman died at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The report, released today, discusses factors which may have played a role in the accident.Senior Airman James A. Hansen died from wounds suffered in an accident Sept. 15, 2010, at Joint

  • Contractor delivers first new Joint STARS production engine

    The U.S. Air Force Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, Joint STARS, achieved a significant objective March 3, 2011, as part of the ongoing System Design and Development Re-engining effort. A First Engine Delivery Ceremony was held at the Pratt & Whitney production facility in Middletown,

  • AFMC commander assesses state of the command

    Continued focus on the command's five priorities remains paramount in 2011, Air Force Materiel Command commander Gen. Donald Hoffman told his senior leaders in a memo sent Mar. 1, 2011.According to the memo, AFMC's top priorities for 2011 are largely unchanged from 2010: Continue to Strengthen

  • My educational journey: CCAF Poster Child

    Imagine a photo of a smiling couple on a desk. They are smiling because they had just returned from the man's Air Force retirement ceremony. I, John Rady, am the man in that photo. I retired from active duty in Aug. 2001 after spending 23 years in the Air Force as a member of the Security