Oct. 16, 2019 Senate confirms Barrett to be Air Force secretary The 85 to 7 vote makes Barbara Barrett the third consecutive woman confirmed to lead the Air Force and its 685,000 total force Airmen. Barrett replaces Heather Wilson who resigned in May. Undersecretary Matthew Donovan served as acting secretary in the interim.
Oct. 7, 2019 Air Force observes National Cybersecurity Awareness Month The awareness month is a collaborative effort between the Department of Defense, along with the Department of Homeland Security and its public and private partners. It is up to the total force to stay vigilant, keep learning and be ready for any potential cyber threat.
April 24, 2019 Air Force senior leaders update OCP uniform guidance 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.
March 20, 2019 Air Force’s fiscal 2020 budget focuses on modernization, readiness, confronting global threats The Air Force’s budget would rise to $165 billion in fiscal year 2020 under the White House spending plan unveiled March 12, a $10 billion increase that allows the service to grow, modernize and effectively adapt to an array of changing global threats.
Nov. 2, 2018 Air Force extends high year of tenure for E-4s through E-6s The Air Force is extending the high year of tenure for senior airmen through technical sergeants beginning Feb. 1, 2019.
Aug. 10, 2018 Air Force promotes pilot diversity with ACE Flight Program The inaugural class of the U.S. Air Force’s Aviation, Character and Education Flight Program recently graduated the three-week pilot training camp August 4.
May 22, 2018 Air Force transitions to a single combat uniform Air Force leaders announced the service will move to a single combat utility uniform, adopting the Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, already in use by the Army and Airmen in combat zones and in certain jobs across the Air Force.
July 18, 2017 AF announces Enlisted Professional Military Education redesign Air Force officials announced major changes to the enlisted professional military education program today via an initiative called Enlisted Professional Military Education for the 21st Century, or “EPME 21.”
Oct. 31, 2016 AF takes initial steps to reduce training unrelated to primary missions The Air Force plans to reduce training not related to Airmen’s primary jobs in order to address concerns that excessive and non-mission related demands are impacting Airmen’s ability to focus on and accomplish their core duties, officials announced Oct. 31.
June 9, 2016 Carter announces new Force of the Future initiatives Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced two new links of his Force of the Future initiative during remarks delivered at the Pentagon June 9.