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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

Civil Air Patrol celebrates 80th anniversary
December 2, 2021 — Civil Air Patrol members throughout the United States and in overseas squadrons are celebrating the organization’s commitment to community service today — a commitment that began Dec. 1, 1941, and has continued for 80 years... MORE

Multi-Domain Warfare Officer students dive deep into cyber global operations
November 29, 2021 — The Multi-Domain Warfare Officer Initial Skills Training Class 21B recently conducted the final portion of their two-week, multi-location temporary duty training at Sixteenth Air Force’s 616th Operations Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland... MORE

graphic of 16th AF and Air Forces Cyber Emblems

AFCEC leads bed down efforts for B-21 Raider stealth bomber
November 24, 2021 — The B-21 will incrementally replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit to perform both conventional and nuclear missions alongside the B-52 Stratofortress. As the Air Force transitions to a two-bomber fleet, the strategy to bed down the new bomber has been to minimize operational impacts, maximize the reuse of existing facilities and reduce overhead as much as possible. ... MORE

Shown is an artist rendering of a B-21 Raider in a hangar at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., one of the future bases to host the new airframe. The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is leading a $1 billion construction effort at Ellsworth AFB to deliver sustainable infrastructure to meet warfighter demands for bomber airpower.

Air Force releases alternate component fitness score charts
November 13, 2021 — After announcing the components in July, over 9,000 data points were collected to determine the point values for each component by assessing approximately 2,000 Airmen from 23 installations... MORE

Department of the Air Force releases findings on interpersonal violence survey
November 10, 2021 — After the Secretary of the Air Force established the Interpersonal Violence Task Force in 2020, the team examined a broad range of 81 behaviors along what is known as the “Continuum of Harm” to determine if the DAF is keeping Airmen and Guardians safe, and providing needed support after they experience any kind of interpersonal violence... MORE

Air Force nears 97% active duty vaccination rate
November 4, 2021 — Nearly 97% of Airmen and Guardians on active duty have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine... MORE

USECAF Gina Ortiz Jones visits 433rd Medical Squadron

AF Secretary calls for ‘technically and operationally innovative approaches’ to meet logistics challenges
October 20, 2021 — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s keynote remarks to the National Defense Transportation Association and the U.S. Transportation Command’s Fall Meeting offered in unvarnished terms the challenges facing the United States posed by China and what the U.S. must do to best maintain global stability... MORE

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall takes questions from the audience at the National Defense Transportation Fall Meeting in the Gaylord Hotel, National Harbor, Md., Oct. 18, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Air Force announces changes for enlisted promotion recommendation points
October 12, 2021 — Air Force officials recently announced changes to the Enlisted Evaluation System’s promotion recommendation point matrix... MORE

The changes in the Enlisted Evaluation System introduce a new Promotion Recommendation Score, which places value on the experience of Airmen and sustained performance when it comes to promotions. Additionally, the “Not Ready Now” recommendation will no longer receive promotion points and the “Do Not Promote” recommendation will be eliminated. These changes will impact senior airmen and staff sergeants who are promotion eligible beginning with the 22E6 promotion cycle. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Myths and facts about the vax — debunking common COVID-19 vaccine myths
September 23, 2021 — The COVID-19 vaccine has been mandated across the Department of Defense and despite its demonstrated effectiveness and safety, a host of myths have left some Airmen and Guardians hesitant to receive it. While social media posts and some news outlets may make it harder to keep up with what is fact or fiction, the science is clear … approved COVID-19 vaccines work... MORE

The COVID-19 vaccine has been mandated across the Department of Defense and despite its demonstrated effectiveness and safety, a host of myths have left some Airmen and Guardians hesitant to receive it. While social media posts and some news outlets may make it harder to keep up with what is fact or fiction, the science is clear … approved COVID-19 vaccines work. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Air Force releases 2021 assessment of states’ support of military families
September 8, 2021 — The 2021 assessment of states' support of military families measured ease of licensure portability across state lines and support for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public education surrounding installations... MORE

Air Force announces mandatory COVID-19 vaccine implementation guidelines for Airmen, Guardians
September 7, 2021 — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has released a service implementation plan that requires Airmen and Guardians to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the following dates, unless seeking an exemption... MORE

DAF announces mandatory COVID vaccine implementation guidelines for Airmen, Guardians.

Air Force Marathon shifts to virtual race due to COVID-19 precautions
August 20, 2021 — The decision was made to protect the health and safety of more than 20,000 participants, volunteers and guests... MORE

Air Force releases additional dress, appearance changes
August 12, 2021 — New dress and appearance updates will soon be released following feedback, testing from Airmen and reviews conducted as a part of the 2020 Air Force Uniform Board... MORE

New dress and appearance changes are expected to be released in early October 2021 upon the updated publication of Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel. Changes include male bulk hair standards, cosmetic tattooing, female hair accessory size, optional hosiery in dress uniform, transparent piercing spacers and morale patches. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Staff Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon)