Space Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --   This week the Department of Defense kicks off a three-year pilot program meant to reimburse service members up to $1,500 for travel-related expenses incurred for a temporary child care provider following a permanent change of station move.   When an active duty service member makes a permanent change of station move to a new duty location and finds that child care at the local child development center won’t be available within 30 days of their report date, they can hire their own provider, typically a relative or family friend, and then later file for reimbursement of transportation-related expenses.    The process begins with a service member visiting the military child care website to apply for child c...

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  In February 2024, Chief Master Sgt. Caleb Lloyd, Space Operations Command senior enlisted leader, rolled out the Guardian and Airmen Development Program. This initiative fosters a new generation of adept and inspired leaders to have the necessary skills and traits to meet the current and future demands of the U.S. Space Force. Practice The 8th Combat Training Squadron, housed within Space Delta 8 - Satellite Communications, has been working diligently to develop and provide opportunities to enhance unit members’ understanding of how they fit into the bigger pictu...

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  Many Americans correlate national defense with the service members who wear the uniform. Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton challenged audiences at the 2024 Women in Defense National Conference on Sept. 24, to think a step further. “I think of defense as a triangle … it doesn’t exist unless it has three sides,” Dalton said. “In this case, defense comprises our men and women in uniform, those who serve in the career civil service, and the defense industrial base.” Dalton pointed out “American national security simply does not exist without that triangle intact,” and sufficiently repr...

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  For the first time, a U.S. Space Force Guardian was launched into space from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, as part of the NASA SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station, Sept. 28.Col. Nick Hague, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut, will command the mission and join the Expedition 72 crew aboard the ISS, where they will conduct scientific research and maintenance activities.“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to cast a broader spotlight on everything that Guardians do to make human space flight possible,” Hague said. “The average person might not understand that human space flight doesn't exist if Guardians aren't doing what they do on a day-to-day basis, whether it's launching us into ...

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) --  The Department of the Air Force Hispanic Empowerment and Advancement Team (HEAT) hosted a conference in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy auditorium at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Sept. 18.The all-day conference featured keynote speakers, special interest panels of enlisted leaders and fireside chats. The event also brought together Hispanic community leaders and advocates to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities Hispanic service members and civilians face in the Air Force and Space Force.“This conference is an important opportunity for us to come together and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our Hispanic service members and ci...