Featured in Pilot Life
Why Air Force pilots spent a day being dragged through the water by a jet ski
“You never know when those skills may be helpful, when all those holes in the Swiss cheese line up."
Air Force pilots explain why the F-22 Raptor is a ‘beast’ in aerial combat
"You may fly this aircraft with reckless abandon."
Viral video shows how Air Force F-15 pilots train for air-to-air combat
"It’s all building blocks to be ready for any type of fight you find yourself in."
After training together for years, Air Force pilots are watching Ukrainian friends fight for their lives
“We know these guys are professionals. They want to be in control of their own destiny."
How the legendary Ukrainian pilot ‘Grey Wolf’ earned his call sign, according to a US Air Force F-15 driver
“It signifies who he was: experienced, wise and dedicated."
Why the skies over Ukraine have proven so deadly for Russian pilots
"The VKS is simply never meant to fight the way Western air forces do.”
An Air Force F-16 pilot made an emergency belly landing look easy. Here’s why it’s anything but
“I’ve seen plenty of video of gear up landings and this one was executed very well."
‘Sweat, piss and hate’ — What it smells like to carry hundreds of troops in an Air Force C-17
"The Army can be very messy passengers, think toddlers hopped up on energy drinks."
‘McLovin,’ ‘Fat Thor,’ and ‘White Guy’ — Air Force pilot brings goofy callsigns to life with custom helmet decals
"They’re almost like people’s own personal murals."
Why these Air Force fighter pilots wear bright yellow helmets
"Your color is who you are."
Boxer, grunt, flyboy: the wild life of the first Black American combat pilot
You know you've made it when Ernest Hemingway models a character after you.
‘Jingle Bells’ was the first song performed in space because 2 military pilots pranked NASA
In space, everyone can hear your Christmas carols
Everyone should be jealous of this Air Force pilot skateboarding down the flight line
“I’m not even mad, that’s a flex."
The Air Force is testing a new device that will make peeing less dangerous for fighter pilots
"There have actually been times when I was unstrapped and unzipped and I get a radio call to respond to a ‘troops in contact.'"
Air Force opens door for select few from the enlisted ranks to become officers
"Our concern with that memo is making sure we’re taking care of our people."
This might replace the hot, uncomfortable helmet Air Force pilots have worn since the 1980s
"Finally we have a modern helmet to go with these modern fighters."
‘A vessel of hope’ — Air Force C-17 crews exhausted but proud after largest airlift in US military history
“Many see it as just a cargo aircraft. To me, it was always a vessel of hope."
‘This is what we live for’ — Air Force C-17 crews jump at the chance to help others in Afghan airlift
“Usually when something goes wrong, there’ll be a C-17 flying there."
An F-35 pilot’s helmet costs more than a Ferrari and takes two days to get fitted
“Small things such as a new haircut or a couple of pounds gained could cause the helmet to not fit correctly."
New Air Force recruiting pitch: It doesn’t matter what you look like, just that you can kick enemy ass
“You don’t know who I am—whether I’m African American, Asian American, Hispanic, White, male or female. You just know I’m an American airman, kicking your butt.”
Why Portugal paints F-16s to look like tigers
We are the tigers, mighty mighty tigers!
Why America’s first bomber was called ‘the flaming coffin’
American airpower had to start somewhere
Badass Air Force pilot recognized for belly-landing an A-10 with canopy ripped off
“I guess I was nervous the whole time, but I didn’t have time to think about being nervous."
These stuffed animals have way more flight hours than you
"The saying was ‘trust Shakira, her hips don’t lie, she’ll get you rounds on target.’”
‘PIKLRICK’: We salute the Air Force pilot who flew with a ‘Rick and Morty’ callsign
Show me a better role model for America's favorite Air Force.