First Air Force

05/27/2026

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is set to execute Exercise FALCON VIRGO, a live-fly air defense drill, on May 28, 2026, from midnight EDT to 3:00 a.m.in the National Capital Region.

The exercises encompass scenarios such as airspace restriction violations, hijackings, and responses to unknown aircraft, and are meticulously orchestrated and closely supervised by .

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/566209/norad-air-defense-exercise-planned-national-capital-region

North American Aerospace Defense Command Air Combat Command Air National Guard United States Air Force Eastern Air Defense Sector Western Air Defense Sector Civil Air Patrol U.S. Coast Guard

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will conduct Exercise FALCON VIRGO, a live-fly air defense exercise, on May 28, 2026, between midnight and 2 a.m. EDT in the National Capital Region.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

May we never forget their courage, service, and selfless devotion to our nation.

05/18/2026

When 11 lives are on the line, seamless coordination makes the mission possible.

On May 12, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center coordinated with the 920th Rescue Wing, who immediately diverted an airborne HH-60W crew to hoist 11 survivors from a downed aircraft in the open ocean to safety.

Operating 24/7 as the United States' inland search and rescue coordinator, the AFRCC is the vital link connecting federal, state, and local organizations to active rescue operations. So far this year alone, the AFRCC has worked over 5,100 incidents and assisted in the saving of 92 lives.

05/12/2026

Earlier this month we had the honor of celebrating the retirement of Major General Michael A. Valle, AFNORTH Deputy Commander, following an extraordinary career of more than 40 years of service, leadership, and dedication to our nation.

From leading homeland defense and air sovereignty missions to mentoring generations of Airmen and joint teammates, General Valle leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, humility, and steadfast commitment to mission and people.

Thank you, Sir, for your leadership, your mentorship, and your decades of service to First Air Force, the Air National Guard, the United States Air Force, and the United States of America.

Wishing you and your family nothing but success and happiness in this next chapter. Congratulations again on a well-earned retirement! Air National Guard; U.S. Northern Command; Air Combat Command; Fuerza aerea mexicana:fam; Defensamx

05/11/2026

Behind every successful search mission is a network of highly trained professionals prepared to act when lives are on the line.
Members of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) assigned to the National Search and Rescue School travel across the country each month teaching the Inland SAR Planning Course, a five-day program focused on advanced, data-driven search and rescue operations for missing persons and downed aircraft.

By training federal, state, local, volunteer, and international SAR leaders, AFRCC personnel are strengthening the nation’s search and rescue capability one course, one partnership, and one mission at a time.

Check out the link below to see how AFRCC members recently worked alongside first responders across northeast Nebraska to enhance lifesaving search and rescue operations.

Northeast Nebraska first responders learn data-driven search and rescue techniques

05/11/2026

First Air Force, operating as CONR, AFNORTH and AFSPACE, provided end-to-end support for NASA’s Artemis II mission from launch through recovery. While CONR and the 601st Air Operations Center secured the airspace above Cape Canaveral under a North American Aerospace Defense Command-enforced Temporary Flight Restriction, Air Forces Space and First Air Force Detachment 3 coordinated the global recovery effort for the Orion capsule and astronauts following splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Working alongside NASA, U.S. Space Command and U.S. Navy recovery forces, Det 3 synchronized recovery operations, specialized training and search and rescue capabilities to ensure the crew’s safe return following humanity’s latest journey around the Moon.

Read more by clicking the link below.

United States Air Force; U.S. Department of War; Eastern Air Defense Sector; Air National Guard; National Guard; Air Combat Command

First Air Force, operating as CONR, AFNORTH and AFSPACE, provided end-to-end support for NASA’s Artemis II mission from launch through recovery. While CONR and the 601st Air Operations Center secured the airspace above Cape Canaveral under a NORAD-enforced Temporary Flight Restriction, Air Forces ...

05/07/2026

PAST COMMANDER PROFILE - Major General Herbert A. Dargue was the third commander of 1st Air Force, from 24 June 1941 – 02 September 1941 and 01 October 1941 to 10 December 1941. Maj. Gen. Dargue was one of the 24 original Military Aviators in the U.S. Army.

On December 16, 1914, Dargue (pilot) and First Lieutenant Joseph O. Mauborgne (wireless operator) made aviation history when they became the first Army airmen to transmit and receive radio messages while in flight.

While flying to Hawaii to take his new post in December 1941, Dargue was killed when his Douglas B-18 Bolo crashed in the Sierra Nevada mountains,He was the first Army General to die on duty during World War II, and was posthumously decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal in 1942.
U.S. Northern Command; United States Air Force; Air Combat Command; Western Air Defense Sector; Eastern Air Defense Sector

04/29/2026

Ready to answer the call! ✈️🔥

When wildland fires threaten our communities, U.S. Northern Command and the Department of War lead the charge in protecting what matters most. As the air component for USNORTHCOM, the First Air Force team just wrapped an intensive certification week at McClellan Airfield—meaning our crews are officially prepped and ready for the 2026 season.

This training put our Total Force readiness to the test. Over 59 crewmembers from the 146th Airlift Wing, 152nd Airlift Wing, 153rd Airlift Wing, and 302nd Airlift Wing executed 43 sorties and 206 precision drops. After dropping over 120,000 gallons of water, our MAFFS-equipped C-130s are ready to provide critical surge capability, hitting targets with 3,000 gallons of retardant in under 10 seconds.

Through our Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission, AFNORTH stands ready to support the U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE. When commercial resources are fully committed and the Secretary of War gives the word, we are prepared to move quickly to protect lives, property, and our nation’s natural resources.

Always ready, always vigilant!

North American Aerospace Defense Command; CAL FIRE; United States Air Force; Air National Guard; 146th Airlift Wing; 152nd Airlift Wing; 302nd Airlift Wing; Wyoming Air National Guard; U.S. Forest Service; California National Guard

For more on Wildland Fire Fighting: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/WLFF

04/23/2026

The Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) recently hosted the 2026 CONR Commander’s Summit, bringing together leaders and experts from across the air defense enterprise. This year’s premier annual training event drew more than 150 participants from across the U.S., including representatives from air defense sectors, wings, and detachments.

Throughout the event, members engaged in open discussions with CONR leadership to enhance interoperability and build collaborative solutions for the homeland. "This year's summit focused on bringing in all CONR stakeholders to optimize homeland defense readiness through campaigning and agility, while maintaining a focus on the peer threat, said Maj. Jessica Kelly, C1AA A3D, Chief of Air Defense Operations."We were able to synchronize lines of effort across the CONR enterprise to strengthen the Aerospace Control Alert community’s interoperability by getting after joint initiatives and resolutions."

North American Aerospace Defense Command; Eastern Air Defense Sector; Western Air Defense Sector; Federal Aviation Administration

04/21/2026

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is set to execute Exercise FALCON VIRGO, a live-fly air defense drill, on April 22, 2026, from midnight EDT to 3:00 a.m.in the National Capital Region. The exercises encompass scenarios such as airspace restriction violations, hijackings, and responses to unknown aircraft, and are meticulously orchestrated and closely supervised by .

In the event of inclement weather, the exercise is scheduled to commence the next day at the same time.

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/563223/norad-air-defense-exercise-planned-national-capital-region

North American Aerospace Defense Command Air Combat Command Air National Guard United States Air Force Eastern Air Defense Sector Western Air Defense Sector Civil Air Patrol U.S. Coast Guard