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Air Force announces FY26 aviation bonus
April 9, 2026 — Eligible active-duty aviators have from April 1 until May 31 to apply for the fiscal year 2026 aviation bonus, Air Force officials announced April 1, 2026... MORE

An F-15C Eagle assigned to the 194th Fighter Squadron, Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif., flies over Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. during Checkered Flag 23-2 at Tyndall AFB, Fla., May 17, 2023. Eligible active-duty aviators have until Sept. 15, 2023 to apply for the fiscal year 2023 Aviation Bonus Program; Air Force officials announced the Legacy Aviation Bonus Program will open June 6, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany Del Oso)

Trump, Hegseth, Caine laud successful rescue of downed Airmen in Iran
April 7, 2026 — During a White House press conference, President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, lauded the military's success in a harrowing Easter weekend rescue of two airmen... MORE

A twin-engine military fighter jet flies through a hazy sky.

DAF updates SkillBridge policy balancing operational readiness, transition assistance
April 3, 2026 — The Department of the Air Force updated its Air Force and Space Force SkillBridge programs to balance operational readiness and transition assistance to Airmen and Guardians... MORE

Senior enlisted leaders stress quality of life, readiness
March 27, 2026 — Senior enlisted leaders from across the Department of War told lawmakers on the House Committee on Appropriations, March 25, that quality of life is critical to maintaining readiness as Airmen and... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna, right, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe, second from right, Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer listen to opening remarks during a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing about military quality of life, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 25, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

War Department extends invitation to bring back troops separated for refusing COVID-19 vaccine
March 23, 2026 — Service members forced to leave the military for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine now have an extra year to return to the service, if they so choose, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said... MORE

A group of Marines are shown in silhouette standing near a tactical vehicle.

DAF completes records review for COVID-related separations
March 20, 2026 — The DAF recently conducted a proactive review and upgrade of personnel records, identifying 377 who were involuntarily discharged solely for declining the COVID-19 vaccination, ensuring individuals who met the eligibility requirements receive the full amount of post-service benefits... MORE

DAF announces updates to Military Leave Program
March 16, 2026 — The Department of the Air Force released an update to DAFI 36-3003, Military Leave Program, which incorporates changes mandated by the Department of War and streamlines leave policies to ensure Airmen and Guardians are fully aware of their entitlements. ... MORE

DAF space medicine leaders, civilian partners strategize policy at inaugural Space Force Medicine Summit
March 11, 2026 — The Air Force Surgeon General’s Space Force Medical Operations Directorate hosted more than 100 DAF leaders and civilian partners for the inaugural Space Force Medicine Stakeholder Summit to align efforts to improve Guardian medical support... MORE

Image of Airmen and Guardians talking on a panel.

Air Force, Space Force ready for all warfighting challenges
March 9, 2026 — The Air Force's lethality depends on the professionalism of airmen and the capability of their equipment, said Air Force Gen. John D. Lamontagne, Air Force vice chief of staff, who testified March 4 at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on joint force readiness in Washington. ... MORE

DAF increases B-21 Raider production capacity to deliver combat capability faster
March 2, 2026 — The Department of the Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corp. have reached an agreement to expand production capacity for the B-21 Raider, accelerating delivery of the Air Force’s next-generation stealth bomber fleet... MORE

Air Force modernizes Physical Fitness Program to bolster readiness, long-term health
March 2, 2026 — The modernized program is anchored in scientifically grounded health measures and a more rigorous assessment model. The goal is to enhance warfighter readiness by encouraging Airmen to build durable fitness habits that support sustained, career-long performance... MORE

SECAF opens 2026 AFA Warfare Symposium with ‘Innovating Faster: Acquisition Transformation’
February 26, 2026 — During his keynote at the 2026 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink laid out his vision for the Department of the Air Force’s acquisition transformation effort... MORE

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink speaks at the Air Force Association Warfare Symposium Feb. 23, 2026.

DAF leaders emphasize warfighting readiness at AFA Warfare Symposium
February 26, 2026 — Senior Department of the Air Force leaders emphasized that warfighting readiness, modernization and investment in Airmen and Guardians remain central to maintaining deterrence and preparing for future conflict during a panel discussion at the 2026 Warfare Symposium... MORE

Wilsbach outlines strategy for confronting adversaries, Air Force success
February 25, 2026 — In his first major address since becoming Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Ken Wilsbach used personal examples of stellar performances from pilots, maintainers, health care workers and others to... MORE

Air Force Secretary outlines priorities
February 25, 2026 — The Air Force's priorities are readiness, modernization, defending the homeland — including the entire hemisphere, border security, missile defense, nuclear deterrence and people, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said at the Air and Space Forces Association's 2026 Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colo... MORE

An image of a Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile in a cloudy sky.

AF Week in Photos
February 20, 2026 — This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force... MORE

Air Force validates open architecture, expands Collaborative Combat Aircraft ecosystem
February 18, 2026 — The Collaborative Combat Aircraft program validates a modular, open-systems approach, allowing the Air Force to rapidly integrate the best technology from any vendor to equip the warfighter faster... MORE

C3BM launches software developer student pipeline
February 18, 2026 — The DAF C3BM launched its first iteration of a training pipeline meant to prepare Airmen for the rigors of developing software capabilities in support of the DAF BATTLE NETWORK... MORE

Airmen from the Department of the Air Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management participate in its first iteration of a training pipeline meant to prepare them for the rigors of software development, here, Feb. 12, 2026. The Airmen are software developers C3BM’s Kessel Run division, Operational Response Team division, and Airspace Mission Planning division’s Conjure branch. The pipeline will provide them with technical knowledge in a range of subjects centered around software development mirroring industry standards and C3BM’s culture. (Official U.S. Air Force photo by Richard Blumenstein)

Air Force, Space Force senior enlisted advisors emphasize quality of life’s importance in national defense
February 12, 2026 — Air Force and Space Force senior enlisted leaders appeared before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee to address quality of life's importance in national defense... MORE

National Defense Areas expanded, established along Texas border
February 9, 2026 — The Secretary of War directed the expansion of the South Texas NDA to ensure the western endpoint reaches Roma, Texas, as originally intended. This action extends NDA 3 to include approximately 250 miles west of the Gulf of America... MORE