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Voting open for Spark Tank 2022 ideas
February 28, 2022 — Cast a vote for your favorite entry in the Department of the Air Force Spark Tank 2022 competition. Online polling is open through March 4... MORE

Cast a vote for your favorite entry in the Department of the Air Force Spark Tank 2022 competition. Online polling is open through March 4. Finalists will take the stage March 4 in Orlando, Florida, during the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium, to pitch their innovation ideas to Air Force and Space Force senior leadership and industry experts. The audience poll will select the Fan Favorite and be included in the panel’s votes to determine the Spark Tank winner. (Courtesy graphic)

USecAF highlights Air University’s mission of education, leader development
February 18, 2022 — Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones visited Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Feb. 15, to gain a deeper understanding on accessioning future leaders and educating the officer, enlisted and civilian force through the range of professional military education offered... MORE

While at Air University on Feb. 15, 2022, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Under Secretary of the Air Force was briefed on the officer accessioning programs at the Jean M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development.

‘Candy Bomber’ passes away at 101
February 18, 2022 — Retired Col. Gail Halvorsen, also known as the "Candy Bomber," passed away Feb. 16. He was 101 years old. Starting his career in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, Halvorsen served as a pilot until his retirement in 1974, after accumulating more than 8,000 flying hours and 31 years of military service... MORE

Retired Col. Gail Halvorsen, also known as the "Candy Bomber," passed away Feb. 16, 2022. He was 101 years old.

Air Force announces officer performance report static closeout dates, beginning October 2022
February 17, 2022 — Transitioning from non-standardized annual and change of reporting official, OPR closeout policies to SCODs increases transparency by ensuring stable, steady, and reliable assessments from senior raters and rating chains... MORE

In developing solutions that best support the Air Force’s talent management strategy, transitioning from non-standardized annual and change of reporting official (CRO) OPR closeout policies to SCODs increases transparency by ensuring stable, steady, and reliable assessments from senior raters and rating chains. (Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs graphic)

AETC publishes first competency-based civilian Learning Professionals career series education and training plan
February 15, 2022 — This effort leads the way for the Department of Air Force to establish the foundation for integrating competencies into an education and training plans in the future... MORE

picture of career field series education and training plan cover

'We're on our way, LA!' - Watch SBLVI Heritage Flight flyover pre-game special live on USAF Facebook, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. ET
February 10, 2022 — To help celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary, Airpower fans can catch a behind-the-scenes look at a first-of-its-kind flyover as the service’s Heritage Flight prepares to soar above the skies of So-Fi Stadium during the national anthem performance at Super Bowl LVI Feb. 13. Beginning at 5 p.m. CST on the U.S. Air Force Facebook page, Dan Hawkins and Master Sgt. Caitlin Jones-Martin will host the special pre-game show, featuring live look-ins from California, including the actual flyover, interviews and more. ... MORE

The Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation celebrates U.S. air power history by providing annual heritage flight demonstrations around the world. Heritage flights are flown at events ranging from open houses and air shows to sporting events, parades and funerals. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Department of the Air Force launches pilot program to incentivize optimized flying
February 1, 2022 — As part of its effort to streamline operations and increase aircraft range and capability, the Department of the Air Force launched the pilot Mission Execution Excellence Program to incentivize optimized flying on aircraft that consume the most fuel across the enterprise... MORE

As part of its effort to streamline operations and increase aircraft range and capability, the Department of the Air Force launched the pilot Mission Execution Excellence Program to incentivize optimized flying on aircraft that consume the most fuel across the enterprise.

Invisible Wounds Initiative helps build a supportive culture for Airmen, Guardians, and families through focused leadership
January 27, 2022 — The Command Team Campaign is a communications effort to increase knowledge and enable command teams to build connectedness, trust, and openness to tough conversations about cognitive, emotional, or behavioral conditions associated with trauma or adverse life events... MORE

An invisible wound is a cognitive, emotional, or behavioral condition that can be associated with trauma or serious adverse life events.

Air Force unveils action plan to ‘Develop tomorrow’s enlisted Airmen’
January 12, 2022 — Air Force officials announced the implementation of the Enlisted Force Development Action Plan... MORE

Enlisted Force Development Action Plan cover graphic

Air Force Cyber Enlisted Airmen transition to operational AFSC
January 12, 2022 — Effective Nov. 1, 2021, all cyber enlisted Airmen have transitioned from the 3DXXX Cyberspace Support Air Force Specialty Code to the 1D7XX Cyber Defense Operations AFSC. The one-to-one transition and implementation of the new AFSC for cyber enlisted Airmen is part of a multi-phased approach that will reclassify cyber to an operational capacity within the Air Force, moving beyond a traditional communications support role. ... MORE

Photo of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brayton Jarvis, Non-Commissioned In Charge of the mission defense team

557th Weather Wing's Mission Defense Team working to achieve IOC
January 11, 2022 — Franklin D. Kramer, former assistant secretary of defense, wrote in the Cyberpower and National Security publication that the United States must create an effective national and international strategic framework for the development and use of cyber as part of an overall national security strategy. Since that publication, the 557th Weather Wing, under direction from Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, is doing just that with their Mission Defense Team. ... MORE

The 557th Weather Wing shield against the vertically falling story text with certain text highlighted including the words Mission Defense Team.

Air Force announces IDE in-residence nomination process change
January 10, 2022 — Beginning with the 2022 developmental education designation process, the Air Force will transition away from the Definitely Attend, or DA, program that began in 2017... MORE

Department of the Air Force launches myEval in 2022
January 7, 2022 — Beginning January 2022, the Department of the Air Force will launch a new enlisted and officer evaluation system application, myEvaluation, to further support ongoing IT and talent management transformations for Total Force Airmen and Guardians... MORE

With 2022’s arrival, U.S. Air Force gears up to commemorate its 75th anniversary
January 3, 2022 — Seventy-five years after the Air Force’s birth on Sept. 18, 1947, the spirit of innovation that has driven the service was on display when a B-2 Spirit from the 509th Bomb Wing, located at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, roared over the Tournament of Roses Parade and one of the most prestigious college bowl games, the 2022 Rose Bowl, to kick off the yearlong 75th-anniversary celebration... MORE

AFCLC launches new introduction to China, Russia courses with certificates on Culture Guide app
January 3, 2022 — The Air Force Culture and Language Center recently added Introduction to China and Introduction to Russia culture courses and a video library to its newly updated, free Culture Guide mobile app... MORE

AFCLC’s Culture Guide app is available to all military service members and civilians through the App Store and Google Play, and it is safe for Department of Defense mobile devices. More than 20,000 individuals are already utilizing the app, and for those individuals, an update is now available.

Uniform shortage to affect BMT graduates
December 22, 2021 — Due to a shortage of fabric used to manufacture service dress uniforms, Airmen and Guardians graduating from basic military training will temporarily be issued fewer uniform items... MORE

Bird's eye view of BMT graduation ceremony

CSAF spouse announces Five & Thrive initiative
December 17, 2021 — The Five & Thrive platform aims to encourage, support and build thriving military families by tackling challenges and enhancing preventative measures through partnerships and sharing of best practices... MORE

Sharene Brown, spouse of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, announces the Five & Thrive initiative, Dec. 17, 2021. The new initiative focuses on the top five life challenges faced by military families. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

WAPS adjusts for 22E6, 22E5 testing cycles
December 15, 2021 — Starting with the 22E6 and E5 promotion testing cycles, the Air Force will begin using Situational Judgment Test questions as part of the Promotion Fitness Examination... MORE

Starting with the 22E6 and E5 promotion testing cycles, the Air Force will begin using Situational Judgment Test questions as part of the Promotion Fitness Examination. This change is an integral part of the overall talent management transformation effort to better align the enlisted promotion system with the Air Force’s foundational competencies and the new Airman Leadership Qualities, as well as provide an agile approach to measuring the diverse knowledge, skills, and experience of Airmen. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Department of the Air Force releases COVID-19 policy
December 8, 2021 — The Department of the Air Force released its policy Dec. 8 outlining the way forward for Total Force military members serving in the Air Force and Space Force who have requested separation or retirement prior to Nov. 2, 2021, or whose COVID-19 medical exemption or religious accommodation was denied... MORE

Airman Leadership Qualities will be integrated into feedback effective March 31, 2022
December 7, 2021 — Effective March 31, 2022, the 10 Airman Leadership Qualities will be integrated into feedback for all Airmen, enlisted and officer, across all ranks. The ALQs will also form the basis for the new officer and enlisted evaluation systems projected for release later in 2022... MORE

Effective March 31, 2022 Airman Leadership Qualities will be integrated into feedback