Russia Announces Air Defense Buildup in Arctic

The Russian defense minister this week announced a new fighter squadron and surface-to-air missile air defense regiment will stand up in the country’s Arctic military command by the end of the year. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, speaking Aug. 31 during...

Spotlight: SSgt Travis R. Jordan

SSgt. Travis Jordan, a combat control journeyman with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron at Kadena AB, Japan, is one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2015. Jordan deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom where he served...

Newest Sidewinder Heads to Full Production

The newest AIM-9X Block II air-to-air missile was cleared for full-rate production and delivery to the Air Force, Navy, and allied customers, manufacturer Raytheon announced on Sept. 3. “We look forward to getting them into the hands of our warfighters...

GWOT Campaign Streamer Authorized

Eligible units are now authorized to add the Global War on Terrorism Service streamer to their unit colors, in recognition of direct support of combat operations since 2001. The Secretary of the Air Force also authorized home station units—rather than...

WC-130s’ Pacific Workout

WC-130J Hurricane Hunters have flown data-gathering missions into seven Pacific tropical storms from JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, this season, capping off with Tropical Storm Ignacio on Tuesday. “During an El Niño year, the water gets much warmer and more moist...

Oregon Air National Guard Realigns Units

The 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron of the Oregon Air National Guard will fall under the 173rd Operations Group starting Oct. 1, as part of a realignment of the Oregon Headquarters Combat Operations Group, according to a release. The realignment...

Fairchild Demolishes Bunkers

Airmen at Fairchild AFB, Wash., have been demolishing 1950s-era munitions bunkers in an effort to reduce the Air Force’s building footprint, according to an Air Force news release. The bunkers were used for storing munitions when the base was part...