News

More stealthy U.S. fighter jets moved closer to the Middle East on Feb. 9, with a half dozen F–35A Lightning II fifth-generation planes landing at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., after crossing the Atlantic, flight tracking data and air traffic control communications show.
The first T-7A trainer jet touched down at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph nearly two months ago to a welcome celebration filled with proclamations about the aircraft's future. Now, for the next 20 months or so 14 pilots and two weapon systems officers with the 99th Flying Training Squadron are mastering the T-7s every idiosyncrasy.
Leadership at the U.S. Air Force Academy is getting an overhaul as both Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks will retire later this year and a new dean of faculty, Col. James Valpiani, is set to take charge of the instructors.

Faces of the Force

Feb. 6, 2026
Tell us who you think we should highlight here. Write to letters@afa.org U.S. Air Force Maj. Andre “Guns” Golson, a 31st Operations Support Squadron F-16 fighter pilot at Aviano Air Base, Italy, earned the Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault Award...

WORLD: Personnel

Feb. 6, 2026
Air Force Basic Training’s Mock Airfields By Matthew Cox Second Air Force officials plan to inject more realism in Basic Military Training this year by building two mock airfields where Airmen will get hands-on training with real combat aircraft. By...