Air Force Link News

Vietnam War pilot returns home
The remains of U.S. Air Force pilot Col. Ernest Leo De Soto, who went missing during the Vietnam War, have finally come home. Read more...
Juneteenth: Celebrating freedom, commemorating Black history
In 2021, Juneteenth was officially declared a federal holiday in the United States, further solidifying its significance and the importance of acknowledging the legacy of slavery. Read more...
New York Airmen awarded medals for Afghanistan evacuation
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown Jr. recognized 17 Airmen from the 105th Airlift Wing for their bravery during the August 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan Read more...
The women of the Minuteman: past and present
One milestone at Whiteman AFB was the first all-female Minuteman missileer crew. Read more...
Echoes of Vietnam: An Air Force family legacy
Maj. Gen. Sharon Bannister accompanied Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to The Wall at the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial to pay respects and conduct a commemorative paper rubbing of the engraving of her father’s name, as well as other names. Read more...
New AF pregnant aircrew policy means new achievement for B-1 pilot, others
The Air Force has a new policy allowing pregnant aircrew members to voluntarily continue to fly, and Maj. Lauren Olme is one of the many people benefiting from the change in policy. Read more...
Famed Airman CMSgt Paul Kerchum laid to rest with full military honors
One of the U.S. Air Force’s most legendary—as well as courageous and inspirational—Airmen, CMSgt (retired) Paul Kerchum has been laid to rest. Read more...
MLK Day: Honoring his life and legacy
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. federal holiday marking the birthday of the civil rights leader. This year, the MLK Day of Service will be recognized on Jan. 16 as a way to channel King’s life and teachings into community action. Read more...
Empowered aviation pioneers leave inspiring legacy for modern Airmen
The First Flight Society recently hosted a celebration recognizing the 119th anniversary of the first powered and controlled flight, the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force and the induction of Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine. The event took place at the Wright Brothers’ National Memorial, North Carolina. Read more...
6th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force laid to rest
McCoy, who served as the first senior enlisted advisor of Strategic Air Command and was selected as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year in 1974, passed away July 13, at the age of 91. Read more...
AFA legends weave together past, present, future
Former Air Force leaders visited Nellis Air Force Base to connect Airmen and Guardians with their living heritage as well as to provide mentorship, advice and encouragement to those currently serving in uniform during the the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air Force 75th Anniversary Legends tour. Read more...
End of an era: U-2 flies last OBC mission
The Air Force’s high-altitude, all-weather reconnaissance aircraft, the U-2 Dragon Lady, recently flew Beale Air Force Base’s last Optical Bar Camera mission. This move allows processors to consolidate film closer to mission-required reconnaissance collection.  Read more...
Biden awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Air Force legend
Retired Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House July 7. Read more...
Juneteenth: the last vestige of slavery ends
Juneteenth is celebrated as a federal holiday June 20, 2022, after becoming an official holiday in 2021 by an executive order from President Joe Biden. Read more...