Air Force Link Features

Reclaiming Freedom: The story of A1C Hamna Zafar

Senior Airman Karissa Dick — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:57:00 GMT

This is the story of Hamna Zafar, how she reclaimed her freedom and became a member of the United States Air Force.

Egyptian-born, American-proud

Senior Airman Austin Jackson — Fri, 12 May 2023 15:00:00 GMT

All Airmen sacrifice to serve but not many travel halfway around the world to put service before self like Senior Airman Yosry Zaki.

Army paratrooper to Air Force photographer

Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 13:00:00 GMT

Justin Connaher, now an Air Force photographer at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, talks about his days as an Army paratrooper at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1997.

Exchange officer builds trust with partner nation aircrew during Operation Christmas Drop

Yasuo Osakabe — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 13:00:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lucas Crouch, Japan Self-Defense Force exchange officer, has worked as a special liaison between U.S. and Japanese air forces during Operation Christmas Drop.

Service dog helps Airman fight battles back home

Staff Sgt. Timothy Leddick — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 13:00:00 GMT

Col. Adam Roberts, 555th RED HORSE commander, practices resiliency each day alongside his best friend and service dog, Porsche.

Airman overcomes barriers to reach uncommon heights

Randy A. Martin — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 13:00:00 GMT

Stuebbe, one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year in 2019, will enter the Special Warfare career field after overcoming early challenges in his enlisted career.

Indigenous Airman celebrates being among first to receive religious hair accommodation

Staff Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 14:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Air Force recently approved a religious accommodation for a security forces Defender regarding his hair length. A decision that could pave the way for more indigenous Airmen to serve.

First female joins TRF in three years

Airman 1st Class Sarah Post — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Staff Sgt. Witherspoon is the first woman in three years to make it into the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron’s Tactical Response Force team.

Airmen support joint exercise, strengthen bonds

Marine Corps Sgt. Dana Beesley — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Thanks to a partnership between the United States Marine Corps and the Language Enabled Airman Program, Airmen embedded with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element as Tagalog interpreters during exercise KAMANDAG 6.

Braving the Last Frontier: recounting the ITI 1,000-mile ultramarathon

Airman 1st Class Patrick Sullivan — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Maj. Joshua Brown completed the Iditarod Trail Invitational 1,000-mile ultramarathon in Nome, Alaska, becoming the first active-duty service member to compete in the ITI 1,000.

Chabelley Airfield: A day in the life for the Airmen

Senior Airman Ericka A. Woolever — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:45:59 GMT

The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the early morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight light the walkway to the road, where Airmen stood dressed in their interceptor body armor.

Travis AFB Airman loses brother to domestic violence, uses random acts of kindness to keep his spirit alive

Nicholas Pilch — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 17:00:00 GMT

After a tragedy involving Tech. Sgt. Victoria Baldwin's brother, Gabriel James Baldwin, she adopted their siblings. To memorialize her late brother, Baldwin started doing random acts of kindness in his name.

Family bonds grow after recruiting first sergeant donates kidney to his brother

Master Sgt. Chance Babin — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 19:23:59 GMT

Master Sgt. Christopher Florida, 339th Recruiting Squadron, Clinton Township, Michigan, knew his brother had a kidney ailment for years, but didn’t realize how severe it was until his brother revealed he needed a transplant.

Air Force improves readiness for a diverse force

Senior Airman Cheyenne Lewis — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 15:30:00 GMT

Significant changes to the restrictions on women’s hair early in 2021 included allowing braids and ponytails in all uniforms, operational safety permitting.

Airmen help make dream come true for special fan

Capt. Shane Ellis — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 13:02:00 GMT

Capt. Dennis Conner, 701st Airlift Squadron, at Joint Base Charleston, flew a C-17 Globemaster III over the state’s coast during the “Salute From The Shore” celebration July 4. Little did he know the impact that flight that day would have for him, as well as a family watching from the shore, who would end up getting a private tour of the aircraft.

Chaplain reflects on journey of perseverance, gratitude

Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman — Sat, 08 May 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Chaplain (Maj.) Bitrus Cobongs' journey began more than 6,000 miles away in Nigeria, where his early aspirations consisted of being a youth minister, but through closed and opened doors, he ended up serving in the U.S. military.

Determined to Serve: Critical care nurse joins Reserve at age 50

Master Sgt. Chance Babin — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT

It was stories like this one that made Capt. Jennifer McGuigan feel particularly close to the families of the veterans in her care. Her children were only 8 and 9 at the time, but his words forever changed how she viewed the families of the veterans under her care.

Becoming a SERE augmentee

SrA Kenneth Boyton — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 16:04:00 GMT

With hundreds of aircrew assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, the installation's two survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists are training SERE augments to help train aircrew personnel when their survival refresher training is due.

How leaders helped Airman find support to overcome invisible wounds

Invisible Wounds Initiative — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 14:30:00 GMT

Maj. Chris Harmer left an abusive childhood home and joined the Air Force in 2004 to be part of something larger than himself.

Highest highs, lowest lows: Hanscom Airman shares personal story of resiliency

Lauren Russell — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 14:00:00 GMT

Tech. Sgt. Corey Nowell, noncommissioned officer in charge of movement support at the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office Northeast, has forged his own roadmap from his failures and achievements.