September 18, 1947

Sept. 18, 1947

The US Air Force begins operations as a separate service, with W. Stuart Symington as its first Secretary. Gen. Carl A. “Tooey” Spaatz, Commanding General of the AAF, becomes the first Chief of Staff on Sept. 26.

PHOTOS: Air Force Flight Ops in Wake of Venezuela Raid

Jan. 6, 2026

The Air Force on Jan. 6 released nearly a dozen photos of F-22 and F-35 fighters returning to Puerto Rico after supporting the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—the first official images of forces who participated in Operation Absolute Resolve.

Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Promotions Soar to Decade-High

Jan. 6, 2026

The Air Force is promoting 640 senior master sergeants to chief master sergeant this year, about a 27 percent increase over last cycle’s numbers. The Space Force is also increasing its senior master sergeant promotions by 48 percent.

Operations and Acquisition: The Space Force Has It Right

Jan. 6, 2026

Recent reports suggest there is a divide between operations and acquisition in the U.S. Space Force, potentially undermining future combat capabilities. The reality, however, is quite the opposite.

F-22s Leave Caribbean as Trump Administration Maps Out Venezuela Strategy

Jan. 5, 2026

On Jan. 4, a dozen U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors departed Puerto Rico, where they had landed following their participation in Operation Absolute Resolve. Those fighters appeared to have flown directly from their home base at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., to participate in the operation and returned there two days…

Procedural Failures, Poor Supervision Led to F-22 Maintainer Death: Report

Jan. 5, 2026

An Air Force maintenance team in Alaska failed to follow “prescribed procedures” while working on an F-22 weapons bay, leading to a mishap March 25, 2024 that killed Staff Sgt. Charles A. Crumlett, according to a recent accident investigation report.

Air Force Signs $2 Billion Deal to Re-Engine Two B-52s for Testing

Jan. 5, 2026

The Air Force inked a $2 billion deal with Boeing to install new engines on two B-52 bombers and begin testing of the new eight-engine configuration.

Vandenberg Explores More Launch Pads, Including One for Super Heavy Rockets

Jan. 5, 2026

The Space Force is eyeing upgrades to launch more and bigger rockets from its western range at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., in the coming years.

US Airpower Paved the Way for Delta Force to Capture Venezuela’s Maduro

Jan. 3, 2026

U.S. military and law enforcement officials captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a high-stakes military operation on Jan. 3, a mission carried out by the Army's Delta Force and supported by extensive American airpower.

Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026

Dec. 30, 2025

The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

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