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  • The Air Force Aid Society has been meeting the unique needs of Airmen and their families since 1942. Our founder, General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, created a relief organization that emphasized the ideal of Airmen helping Airmen. Since then, AFAS works every day to support and enhance the USAF mission by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support and community programs. (Air Force Aid Society graphic)

    Relief aid available for Airmen and Guardians affected by Ida

    In the wake of Hurricane Ida, many have been affected by the weather phenomenon along the Gulf Coast.Whether people sheltered in place or evacuated to safer locations, Reserve Citizen Airmen and their families were among the affected.“Hurricane Ida has devastated many areas along the Gulf Coast,” said Lt. Col. Costau Bastien, 403rd Force Support
  • Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall hands out coins to Airmen after having a meeting with them at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 17, 2021. Kendall visited the base to meet Airmen and Guardians and emphasized his top priorities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark)

    Kendall’s first trip highlights Air and Space Force roles in responding to China, strategic competitors

    The base, which is headquarters for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Pacific Air Forces, was the first stop on Kendall’s first official trip as Secretary. It was no random choice. Nor was it an accident that it came less than a month into his tenure.
  • 1st Lt. Tim Viere, pilot for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., steers a WC-130J toward Hurricane Ida off the coast of Cuba Aug. 27, 2021. The flight left from Keesler and recovered in San Antonio in order to avoid forecasted impacts from the storm as well as continue to support the data collection mission of the 53rd. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman)

    Reservists wrap up Hurricane Ida reconnaissance

    The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters assigned to the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., finished flying Hurricane Ida as the category 4 storm made landfall in Louisiana, Aug. 29.
  • Capt. Matthew Allen, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse (far left) is assigned to the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. He works with other AE Airmen to offload a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to fellow Keesler AFB unit, the 815th Airlift Squadron, for aeromedical evacuation training during the exercise Patriot Warrior at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 15, 2021. Patriot Warrior is Air Force Reserve Command's premier exercise providing Airmen an opportunity to train with joint and international partners in airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and mobility support. The exercise builds on capabilities for the future fight, increasing the readiness, lethality and agility of the Air Force Reserve. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Corban Lundborg)

    Reserve Citizen Airmen put skills to test at Patriot Warrior

    The 403rd Wing sent about 35 Reserve Citizen Airmen to participate in the Air Force Reserve Command’s premiere training exercise Patriot Warrior 2021 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 5-27.Wing members from the 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 815th Airlift Squadron, 803rd
  • A WC-130J assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., takes off as a C-130J assigned to the 815th Airlift Squadron taxis to takeoff Aug. 27, 2021. Both squadrons evacuated to Kelly Field in San Antonio Texas ahead of anticipated Hurricane Ida. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman)

    403rd Wing evacuates aircraft, continues to fly Tropical Storm Ida

    The Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing started relocating aircraft today as Tropical Storm Ida makes its way towards the Gulf Coast.The wing’s two flying units, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and 815th Airlift Squadron, relocated their WC-130 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to Joint Base San-Antonio, Texas.The 53rd WRS, better known as the
  • Master Sgt. Luca Farkas, 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron aeromedical technician, fills a syringe with the COVID-19 vaccine at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, Jan. 28, 2021. The 911th Airlift Wing is committed to taking every precaution to ensure the health and wellbeing of all personnel and their families as well as the community we share. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joshua J. Seybert)

    Is the vaccine right for you? Leadership encourages Airmen to get vaccinated

    The Air Force Reserve’s number one priority for COVID-19 is to take care of Americans, Airmen and their families. One of the best ways the AFRC can do that is by making sure vaccines are available for Airmen who want them.
  • Tech. Sgt. Kevin Lancaster supervises Staff Sgt. William Parker, 403rd Fabrication Flight aircraft structure mechanic, drills a hole in the engine bulkhead of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Aug. 24, 2021. The flight is responsible for aircraft structural maintenance to include painting and sanding of aircraft parts. The 403rd Wing’s fleet consists of 10 WC-130J and 10 C-130J aircraft which are flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and 815th Airlift Squadron, respectively. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Christopher Carranza)

    Reserve Citizen Airmen maintain aircraft

    Tech. Sgt. Kevin Lancaster supervises Staff Sgt. William Parker, 403rd Fabrication Flight aircraft structure mechanic, drills a hole in the engine bulkhead of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Aug. 24, 2021. The flight is responsible for aircraft structural maintenance to include painting and sanding of aircraft
  • A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., taxis to takeoff from Keesler to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Aug. 9, 2021. The 53rd WRS sent three aircraft along with crews and personnel to Homestead to fly missions into Tropical Storm Fred and Hurricane Grace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman)

    Hurricane season picks up; Hurricane Hunters up to taskings

    As the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season nears its peak period for activity, the Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., have seen a surge in operations with Tropical Storm Fred and Hurricane Grace.The squadron began flying what was then Invest 94L near the Lesser Antilles, Aug. 10,
  • Chief Master Sgt. Barbara J. Gilmore, 403rd Wing command chief at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., speaks to the wing’s first sergeants to kick off a first sergeant’s symposium in the 815th Airlift Squadron auditorium Aug. 9, 2021. Gilmore joined the 403rd Wing in August after serving in the same capacity for the 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., for three years. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman)

    403rd Wing welcomes new command chief

    The Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., has a new top enlisted leader in Command Chief Master Sgt. Barbara J. Gilmore. Gilmore joins the 403rd after serving as the command chief for the 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., since June 2018.  “The main responsibilities of command chief are being an advisor to
  • The 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., covers a wide variety of rules depending on the circumstances. In-garrison they are responsible for ensuring the medical readiness of the military members of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing while also being trained to set up medical facilities and give assistance to wounded in austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Marnee A. C. Losurdo)

    Reserve medic puts Air Force training into action

    Sunday, May 23, 2021, didn’t go quite as Senior Airman Holly Lee expected it to.Though she was excited for her nephew to be born soon, the sequence of events leading up to his birth did not go according to expectations. What should have been a normal, quiet Sunday instead came to life with a blood-curdling scream.“It was around seven in the
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