Features
Air Power

FEATURES

  • Air Force officer teaches at Korean Air University

    "They have too much freedom," was Andrew "A.J." Bossard's first thought about the United States. That was 35 years ago when, as a 14-year-old, he was adopted by an American couple in Pennsylvania. Today, Lt. Col. Bossard has spent 17 years in uniform, defending the freedoms he once thought were

  • Retreat comes right on time for Seymour Johnson couple

    Nina Taylor tears up each time she thinks of her husband leaving. And then the uncontrollable sobs come. But she can’t help it. Because after three years of marriage, she still isn’t used to the idea of him just packing up and deploying to some desert base for four to six months -- and leaving her

  • High alert in 1986

    “In peace, we train for war and don’t you forget it,” was the inscription lettered on the base’s main gate while Col. Sam Westbrook was commander of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing here in 1986. Times were different. The Berlin Wall separated Germany and a hammer and sickle flag flew over the Kremlin

  • Doolittle Raider looks back on turning point in U.S. history

    It was early 1942, and it hadn't been long since Japan threw the United States into the vortex of World War II with their attack on Pearl Harbor -- or the day when 2nd Lt. Thomas Griffin stood up at the University of Alabama and swore to defend his country against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

  • Doolittle Raider remembers historic mission over Japan

    The infamous bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, led a shock wave of other attacks by Japan on Pacific islands. With each of Japan’s successes in the following months, America’s spirit sank lower. Like the rest of America, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Cole was angry. At the time, the

  • First sergeant has heart

    “It’s good enough” is not a phrase Senior Master Sgt. Rocky Hart, first sergeant for the 83rd Aerial Port Squadron in Portland, Ore., wants to hear when it comes to his Airmen. “When someone says something like 'It’s good enough for government work,' it fires me up,” Sergeant Hart said. “My troops

  • Same fight by land or sea

    My stomach turned under the negative Gs as we fell from the sky.  The jolt of the aircraft hitting the carrier deck ended this sensation, and seconds later, the cargo hatch opened.  Sun rays cut through the darkness in the tin can-like cabin and silhouettes in brightly colored shirts emerged from

  • Pilot burial solves two mysteries

    It’s not every day delegates from China attend a lieutenant’s funeral in North Carolina, or that four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fly overhead in a missing-man formation, or 300 people show up without having ever met the Air Force pilot. Even a congressman made an appearance. But 2nd Lt. Robert Upchurch

  • Reservist, his family find sweet success raisin' cane

    As the sun rises deep in the heart of Cajun country, the sound of farm equipment roars across a muddy sugar cane field. Hard rain from the night before made the field a sloppy mess, making it extremely difficult to walk, much less harvest the crop. But there’s work to do, and it’s time to get busy.

  • TACPs: Supporting troops anytime, anywhere

    Under the cover of night, he maneuvers through the brush, getting just close enough to spot his target. He takes his measurements … triple checks them … and calls in the strike. If his measurements are correct, the troops who called in for help should have the relief they need in the form of a close