9+ mon, 2+ week ago (600+ words) Over the years, more than a few Air Force pilots have imagined themselves in the cockpit of an X-wing fighter. But this December, maintainers will get their own counterpart in a galaxy far, far away. In-depth analysis, investigative series, features and reader engagement combine are all elements of Military Times' special projects. Military Times Special Report: The Iraq War, 20 years later The 2003 invasion of Iraq continues to resonate in the lives of troops today; a special report on the 20th anniversary of that momentous event. Federal giving sees a boost during the pandemic Donations to the Combined Federal Campaign this year are up over last year's numbers, even as campaign events have had to transition to virtual. Set up your CFC contribution by Jan. 12. CFC givers have many military-friendly options. One expert suggests playing the long game Health-related charities may not…...

7+ mon, 3+ week ago (484+ words) Plans to cut more than 80,000 staffers from VA offices would severely hurt benefits delivery, said Arizona Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps vet. Air Force revokes four-day weekends for troops The Air Force on Monday revoked a policy providing troops extra time off around holidays, saying the widespread leave known as "Family Days" hurt the department's ability to carry out its missions. The Air Force has in the past granted airmen and guardians those extra days off, usually in conjunction with a holiday that falls on a Thursday, Friday or Monday. This gives troops a regular series of four-day weekends " roughly one a month " to spend as they wish. In a Feb. 11 memo cracking down on civilian employees' use of Family Days and announcing a broader review of the policy, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower…...

2+ mon, 3+ week ago (160+ words) Advocates are raising alarms about how easily criminals can fabricate faces and voices in their efforts to cheat veterans and active-duty troops. Watch the Service Members of the Year 2025 awards ceremony That's not a real soldier: campaign warns troops, families of AI scams Advocates are raising alarms about how easily criminals can fabricate faces and voices in their efforts to cheat veterans and active-duty troops. White House officials to attend funeral of Afghan vet turned advocate After Army Sgt. Michael Verardo was injured in Afghanistan in 2010, his family spent years pushing for better care for veterans and caregivers. Another federal shutdown threat looms as Congress heads back to DC Democratic leaders want answers on a path towards compromise on a host of federal budget fights before the end of next month. Stretch your grocery dollars with bigger commissary deals in…...

11+ mon, 3+ week ago (298+ words) Master Sgt. Kevin Haunschild, Military Times' 2023 Marine of the Year, controlled air traffic for the largest noncombatant evacuation in military history. News and stories that spotlight U.S. military service, awards and decorations and military history. Black D-Day combat medic's long-denied medal laid on Omaha Beach U.S. First Army soldiers held a ceremony in honor of Waverly Woodson Jr. on the beach where he came ashore and was wounded. 23 things veterans carry with them for life Tinnitus, knee pain, an old pair of combat boots. Airmen who saved lives after Kabul bombing awarded Bronze Stars Capt. Carlos Mendoza and Staff Sgt. Morgan Reed received the medals Nov. 9. Hundreds more airmen to receive medals for roles in Kabul evacuation The announcement marks the largest batch of awards to date for the airmen who participated in Operation Allies Refuge. Air Force begins redesign of glitchy…...

2+ mon, 3+ week ago (390+ words) It just hits heavier when you know the Master Arm hot switch is on," Nava recalled. As the swarms of one-way attack drones came into view within just minutes of takeoff, the planes, flying at low altitudes, were tasked with taking them out before they could reach their targets. The No. 2 aircraft got the first shot at an incoming drone, but missed. That cued up Nava's aircraft and her role of double-checking the Strike Eagle's targeting pod and giving the all-clear to shoot. The drone went down: a confirmed kill. It's nerve-wracking, and then once you see it hit, it's the biggest relief that you can have before you move on to the next target and rinse and repeat," she said. Nava, 29, is Military Times' Airman of the Year. A first-generation American whose parents came to the U.S. from Venezuela, she…...

4+ mon, 1+ day ago (339+ words) The Air Force created a new office dedicated to communications and cyber systems, marking what was hailed in a service release "as one of the most significant reorganizations of the Air Staff in over 30 years." The new AF/A6 Deputy Chief of Staff Office breaks up responsibilities previously held under the Air Force headquarters A2 office to add a new and combined focus on cyber and communications. The change is intended to align with other Pentagon initiatives to streamline command and control capabilities and inform future investments and force design decisions. "We created the A6 to ensure communications and cyber systems are available, secure and aligned with warfighter priorities. This office will help us focus resources and oversight where it matters most " supporting the mission in contested environments," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said in the release. Maj. Gen. Michele…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (444+ words) The U.S. Air Force is updating its dress and personal appearance guidance, with a handful of changes slated to take effect this Friday, according to a memo obtained by Military Times. The updates to the guidance, which specifically highlight amendments to the wear of morale shirts and name tags, are meant to boost "connection and esprit de corps" within the force, the memo states. "Our uniform reflects years of Airmen bound by a proud heritage and united in shared purpose," the memo states. "It connects us to those who came before and signals professionalism, discipline and continued unity in today's force." Recently appointed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach signed the memo, which first publicly circulated on the unofficial Facebook page Air Force amn/nco/snco. Starting Friday, Air Force personnel who are not deployed, participating in an exercise…...

8+ mon, 1+ week ago (248+ words) The U.S. Air Force is sending teams to a number of bases to ensure compliance with President Donald Trump's executive orders related to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, according to a Monday press release. The service will send teams consisting of approximately five reviewers to nine installations to evaluate how such orders are being implemented, an Air Force spokesperson told Military Times on Wednesday. "The Task Force requires military departments to validate the execution of all Presidentially directed executive orders related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Critical Race Theory, and gender ideology with an emphasis on five elements," the Air Force release said. The "validation teams" " made up of "leaders with expertise in curriculum, promotion boards, and the five assessment elements," according to the release " will tentatively visit the following bases from March 17 to March 28, according to an Air Force spokesperson:…...

7+ mon, 3+ week ago (440+ words) The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division conducted its first-ever joint training exercise between Marine Corps and Air Force pilots. (Terri Thomas/Navy) Marine F-35 and Air Force F-22 pilots operated for the first time last month as a joint fighting force in a digital training simulation that is soon expected to become standard for Marine, Navy and Air Force fighters, according to a release from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. As part of the exercise, F-35 aviators assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 122, 225 and 311 partnered with four F-22 Raptor crews at the division's Joint Simulation Environment, or JSE, in Patuxent River, Maryland. The March 24-27 exercise saw aviators practice fifth generation fighting in 17 simulated combat missions comprising advanced warfighting scenarios, according to division commander Rear Adm. John Dougherty IV. Lessons learned after each mission were assessed via post-training evaluations of cockpit video and…...

11+ mon, 2+ week ago (431+ words) President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be NASA's next administrator, Jared Isaacman, said Wednesday that as the U.S. establishes more of human presence in space, it will eventually need Space Force guardians stationed in the domain to protect its economic interests. "I think it is absolutely inevitable," Isaacman said at the Space Force Association's Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Florida. "If Americans are in low Earth orbit, there's going to need to be people watching out for them for all the reasons we described before." Isaacman, a tech billionaire who has traveled to space twice on commercial missions, said exploration and economic ambitions will drive more commercial and civil activity in space in the coming years " from space mining to NASA discovery missions. While some of that work will be done by robotic probes or remote operators, some of it will also require…...