July 15, 2020

First meeting held for military-wide Defense Board on Diversity and Inclusion

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — The board was established by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper as part of the Department of Defense’s efforts to improve diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity for U.S. service members.

July 14, 2020

Air Force building more inclusive culture through Dress and Appearance updates

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — The changes, as outlined in an Air Force Guidance Memorandum dated July 1, 2020, include the removal of subjective language and other rules that may have been creating unintentional or unfair barriers for Air and Space Force uniformed members.

March 13, 2020

Air Force update for COVID-19

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — In an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 and to prioritize the health and safety of Department of the Air Force personnel, the following modifications have been made.

Oct. 1, 2019

AFRC restructures enlisted grade force

ROBINS AFB, Ga. (AFNS) — The new grade restructure gives senior leaders more flexibility to meet mission requirements and gives Airmen more opportunities to promote.

June 17, 2019

HQ ARPC hosts 2019 Joint IRR Conference

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) — The Joint IRR Conference included representatives from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy, educating one another on their service-specific IRR programs. While each service program has the same Office of the Secretary of Defense policies driving them, the consensus was that the conference was of great value for each service to attend by being able to discuss ongoing problems experienced by each branch.

May 21, 2019

Wilson praises Airmen, expresses gratitude in farewell remarks reflecting on her tenure as Air Force secretary

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) — She praised the skill and dedication of Airmen while comparing lessons learned from gardening as a corollary for the qualities that make for good leaders and an effective Air Force secretary. You need a plan, she said; you need friends to help, meaning allies, and “as long as it’s safe, let people tinker with the tools.”

May 15, 2019

Air Force to pay up to $500 for spouse occupational license transfer during PCS

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — The Air Force announced the spouse relicensure reimbursement program, May 15, which would provide financial relief up to $500 to Airmen whose spouses must obtain state occupational relicensures or recertifications during a permanent change of station or assignment across state lines.

April 23, 2019

Air Force senior leaders update OCP uniform guidance

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — The Air Force announced April 23 new rules on Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms that aim to better fit the needs of Airmen and the jobs they do while also holding fast to tradition.

April 16, 2019

Vice chief visit focuses on faster, more lethal Air Force

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) — Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson visited AFWERX-Austin and Pilot Training Next in Austin, April 9, to see how Air Force innovation initiatives are shaping tomorrow’s Air Force.

March 19, 2019

International environment, innovation to headline 21st-century pilot training

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) — The 77th meeting of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Steering Committee, which is the governing body of the world’s only internationally manned and operated pilot training program, was held at Sheppard Air Force Base, March 11-15, to give representatives from partner nations an opportunity to discuss the physical and financial health of the 55-week long program. The committee also took a look at the course syllabus and any possible changes that need to be made, such as employing tools like virtual and mixed realities.