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Air Force prepares for newly approved COVID-19 vaccine: Novavax provides new option for unvaccinated Airmen, Guardians
July 21, 2022 — The Air Force will soon have the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine available after the U.S Food and Drug Administration authorized it for emergency use and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed it as another primary series option for adults ages 18 years and older... MORE

COVID-19 vaccination sign stands in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, Dec. 21, 2021. The sign reminds patients of areas to get their COVID-19 vaccine in the hospital.

AFROTC grants accommodations for first Sikh cadet
July 19, 2022 — The Air Force has granted religious accommodations for Air Force ROTC’s first Sikh cadet. ... MORE

Air Force ROTC Cadet Gursharan Virk, third from left, takes part in Detachment 255’s color guard ceremony at a football game at the University of Iowa in 2021. Virk is the first Sikh ROTC cadet to be granted religious accommodations by the Air Force in observation of his faith. The accommodations include wear of a turban and facial hair. (Courtesy photo)

Air Force announces 12 Outstanding Airmen for 2022
July 15, 2022 — Air Force officials have selected the service’s top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2022. The board selected the Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements. Tech. Sgt. Alexander W. Messinger from the 802nd Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is among the selectees... MORE

Graphic with rank insignias of E1-E9 that reads 12 Outstanding airmen of the year.

Air Force mourns loss of 6th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force
July 14, 2022 — The 6th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, James M. McCoy, passed away July 13, 2022, at the age of 91... MORE

6th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, James M. McCoy, memorial graphic.

Air Force adds more jobs to initial enlistment bonus list
July 13, 2022 — The Air Force just added seven maintenance-related skills, each with four or six-year contracts, to the fiscal 2022 Initial Enlistment Bonus program July 11, 2022. Bonuses will be offered through Sept. 30, 2022. ... MORE

The Air Force just added more opportunities for future Airmen to receive bonuses upon entering active duty in fiscal 2022.

Help available for Airmen, Guardians to mitigate inflation impacts
July 11, 2022 — Aiming to ease the burden of price hikes, the Department of the Air Force is assessing and enacting support across compensation, entitlements for permanent change of station/household goods moves, personal finance readiness and food insecurity aid... MORE

Aiming to ease the burden of price hikes, the Department of the Air Force is assessing and enacting support across compensation, entitlements for permanent change of station/household goods moves, personal finance readiness and food insecurity aid. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)

Air Force expects lower enlisted promotion rates
July 7, 2022 — The Air Force is expecting lower promotion rates for the next few years due to enlisted grade restructuring, a leveling-off of end-strength growth, and high retention levels. Based on structure revisions and end-strength requirements, grades E-5 through E-7 will be impacted... MORE

Air Force secretary talks PTSD, mental health with medical leaders
June 30, 2022 — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall met with Air Force Medical Service leaders to discuss the Department of the Air Force’s approach to prioritizing post-traumatic stress disorder care and support June 24... MORE

Air Force selects future aircrew helmet
June 28, 2022 — The helmet prototype was chosen after Air Combat Command initiated the search for a next-generation helmet to address issues with long-term neck and back injuries, optimize aircraft technology, improve pilot longevity, and provide better fitment to diverse aircrews... MORE

Photo: LIFT Airborne Technologies next-generation helmet.

DAF strengthens discharge process for sexual offenders
June 27, 2022 — Under the previous policy, Airmen and Guardians who committed sexual assault offenses were subject to mandatory initiation of discharge proceedings; the updated policy strengthens the criteria that may be considered for discharge... MORE

Air Force operationalizes ACE concept, addresses today’s changing threat environment
June 27, 2022 — The Air Force announced its vision for operating in modern, contested environments June 23, created to codify and synchronize agile combat employment tactics enterprise-wide... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen prepare to offload fuel from a C-130J Super Hercules July 21, 2021, at Tinian International Airport, Tinian, during Pacific Iron 2021. Pacific Iron 2021 is a Pacific Air Forces dynamic force employment operation to project forces into United States Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility in support of a more lethal, adaptive, and resilient force.

Air Force legend interred at Arlington National Cemetery
June 22, 2022 — Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen and an Air Force legend, was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington June 17. ... MORE

A funeral procession carries the casket of Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee to his gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., June 17, 2022. McGee, a Tuskegee Airman, died Jan. 16, 2022 at the age of 102. He served 30 years during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

Joint Travel Regulation update provides relief to dorm Airmen
June 16, 2022 — A recent modification to the joint travel regulation now allows Airmen directed to move out of government quarters to receive a partial dislocation allowance of $840. ... MORE

A recent modification to the joint travel regulation now allows Airmen directed to move out of government quarters to receive a partial dislocation allowance of $840. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Modernized, interoperable Guard is hedge against peer competitors
June 9, 2022 — Having a modernized, relevant and capable reserve component to augment the nation's active forces is a key part of deterrence, the chief of the National Guard Bureau told a Senate panel... MORE

Two service members sit atop an aircraft.

DAF Gaming delivers Gaming Expo, Esports Championship at FORCECON 2022
June 1, 2022 — Air Force Services Center and the Department of the Air Force Gaming achieved two major firsts Memorial Day weekend in San Antonio – the first Department of Defense Armed Forces Esports Championship and the inaugural Air Force Gaming Minor League Championships. The gaming league was center stage at the inaugural FORCECON22 event at the new Tech Port Center and Arena at Port San Antonio May 28-29... MORE

The gaming league was center stage at the inaugural FORCECON22 event at the new Tech Port Center and Arena in San Antonio May 28-29.

Air Force Gaming season 3 launches with new competition format
May 31, 2022 — The Department of the Air Force Gaming League is back with a new format and a new league for family members and retirees... MORE

The Department of the Air Force Gaming League is back with a new format and a new league for family members and retirees.

Air Force announces new mustache policy, sister service and joint unit patch update
May 31, 2022 — The Air Force recently published a memorandum outlining updates to the Department of the Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of United States Air Force and United States Space Force Personnel, which include mustache, sister service and joint unit patch wear guidance. The updates are effective immediately for Airmen... MORE

Air Force Gaming season 3 launches with new competition format
May 23, 2022 — The Department of the Air Force Gaming League is back with a new format and a new league for family members and retirees... MORE

DAF youth programs gear up for summer
May 23, 2022 — With kids starting to get excited about summer, many parents are thinking about how to keep their kids active and engaged until the fall... MORE

Future of nursing: Telehealth, more innovation, maybe some robots
May 18, 2022 — The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has fast-tracked many changes to the Military Health System and forced all providers -- especially nurses -- to innovate at near-quantum speed with agility and flexibility... MORE