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  • DoD extends deadline for increased SGLI coverage for Katrina victims

    The Department of Defense announced today the deadline for reducing or declining increased Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage has been extended for servicemembers affected by Hurricane Katrina. Maximum SGLI coverage increased to $400,000 on Sept. 1. On that date, members eligible for SGLI

  • Guam unit continues providing Global Strike capabilities

    Four B-1B Lancers from the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here participated in Exercise Koa Lightning last week -- continuing their mission of providing Global Strike capabilities for Pacific Air Forces and Pacific Command. During the exercise held in Hawaii, the B-1s dropped inert weapons and

  • Shaw volunteers help build community for 54 local families

    Three times a week, volunteers here help build Habitat for Humanity housing for families in need. For some, building new homes has become a way of life.Master Sgt. Christopher Krohn, one of the lead volunteers from Shaw, is working on his 16th Habitat for Humanity house. Volunteers started their

  • Elections, security will determine size of force in Iraq

    Iraqi security forces are now shouldering more security burdens, said Marine Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, director of operations for the Joint Staff. "Iraqi security forces continue to grow in capability and confidence," he said. The Iraqi army and police have more than 210,000 members trained and

  • SECAF: Integrity first

    The newly confirmed Secretary of the Air Force has set a strong emphasis on both individual and organizational responsibility and accountability -- one of his goals for his tenure. "We have to … continuously emphasize the integrity of purpose and integrity of the individual," Secretary Michael W.

  • Academy cadets get lunch-time treat, witness history

    The new secretary of the Air Force was sworn in at the academy’s Mitchell Hall cadet dining facility today during the cadet noon meal. Michael W. Wynne was sworn in by acting Secretary of the Air Force Pete Geren. Secretary Wynne said he accepted the mantel with great pride and added he could not

  • Weaver selected to play in Hula Bowl

    Academy senior offensive lineman Ross Weaver has been selected to play in the Hula Bowl all-star football game. The game is Jan. 21, 2006, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Weaver is the 33rd Falcon to be selected for the Hula Bowl since 1964. He is the seventh offensive lineman and the first since Ben

  • Center redesign promises to improve production

    Continuous process improvement is alive and well at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center. For proof, look no further than the 76th Maintenance Wing's new F100 Business Unit being stood up as part of a landmark $500 million, 10-year process of transforming maintenance, repair and overhaul, or MRO,

  • Cutting edge micro-satellite achieves milestones

    A 220-pound micro-satellite developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate here recently accomplished significant mission milestones when it rendezvoused with the upper stage of a Minotaur I launch vehicle at distances between 1.5 kilometers and 500 meters. The Air Force

  • Base fire department responds to unauthorized landing

    Firefighters here responded to an unauthorized landing that took place Oct. 25 near the fire department’s truck maintenance area. The flyer was taken into custody, and when he responded to interrogators’ questions with unintelligible clicks and whistles, he was placed in a cage and given nothing but

  • 7th Fighter Squadron vet receives medals

    Sixty years after serving in the Army Air Corps, a 7th Fighter Squadron pilot received a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. First Lieutenant James Costley, a P-38 pilot in World Word II, received the last of his military decorations in front of three generations of his family, friends and

  • Wynne sworn in as 21st secretary

    Michael W. Wynne was sworn in today in front of 4,200 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, during their noontime meal, as the 21st secretary of the Air Force. In this role, he is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including organizing, training, equipping and providing for the

  • Military postal agency offers advice for holiday mail

    "Pack it well" and "mail it early" are two tips a military postal official offered today for holiday mail being sent to servicemembers overseas. The Defense Department announced recommended holiday mail dates Oct. 31. The first deadline occurs Nov. 12 for parcel post items headed overseas to APO and

  • Afghanistan’s busiest runway undergoes repairs as mission continues

    Age, weather and more than 3,000 operations every week take their toll on the busiest runway in Afghanistan. Without a continual effort to repair the runway here, the mission would virtually come to a halt. A nine-man spall-repair team from the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron spends more

  • New SECAF sends 'Letter to Airmen'

    The following is a "Letter to Airmen" from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne:"It is an honor to serve as Secretary of the Air Force, and I look forward to working alongside you in keeping our Nation safe. Because of your dedication, skill, and sacrifice, the U.S. Air Force gives an

  • Save-A-Life tour is an eye-opener

    Travis members experienced the dangers of driving under the influence this week when the Save-A-Life tour visited here. The tour uses a drunk-driving simulator that allows people to experience first-hand how alcohol impairs their driving skills. The machine has an instrument panel and three screens,

  • Brooks City-Base entomologists demonstrate pioneering techniques

    They don't "kill bugs dead" as the advertising slogan suggests, but they're finding them a lot faster now before deadly microorganisms can cause havoc through disease outbreaks. Air Force medical entomologists here have developed an innovative capability that could have a profound impact in

  • CENTAF airpower summary for Nov. 3

    U.S. Central Air Force's airpower summary for today is: Coalition aircraft flew 36 close-air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 2 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter

  • Air Force repeats as Armed Forces rugby champion

    Air Force cruised past Navy 46-14 in the championship match of the 2005 Armed Forces Rugby Championship Oct. 21. The match was a repeat of the 2004 championship, in which Air Force defeated Navy 23-12. The competition was wide open after the first day of round-robin play Oct. 19. Air Force had been

  • ESPN360 will air Air Force-Army grid contest online

    Air Force football fans with high-speed Internet connections can view ESPN's telecast of the Commander in Chief's Trophy clash online Nov. 5.The Falcons will face the Army Black Knights online as part of a special offering coordinated by ESPN360. The game will also be televised in the United States

  • Space, missile career field seeks officers

    Air Force company grade officers in the 1997 to 2000 commissioned year groups looking to expand their horizons may want to consider applying for retraining into the space and missile career field. Officers must have at least one year time on station as of March 15 and be released from their current

  • Training teaches medics how to 'operate' in hostile areas

    A Tyndall Airman quickly took a position in the dirt and aimed his M-16 rifle as a group of suspicious-looking men carrying AK-47 assault rifles hid behind a bush.However, the men left without incident and the Airman avoided a potentially deadly firefight. This may sound like a dangerous

  • Airmen lend helping hand to enlisted village residents

    Airmen here gave up their free time help their neighbors during Make a Difference Day Oct. 22 and 28. Residents of Bob Hope and Theresa villages and Eglin’s Thrift Shop benefited from these Airmen’s labors. The annual event is the most encompassing national day of helping others -- a celebration of

  • Virtual commissary opens for business

    Defense Commissary Agency shoppers looking for a different kind of gift can let their fingers do the clicking at the new Virtual Commissary. Commissary officials said Virtual Commissary will open up new options of Internet shopping for authorized users. “We’re excited about DeCA’s first adventure

  • Airmen bring airpower to Central American air shows

    Approximately 150 Airmen and 14 Air Force aircraft brought airpower to Central America Oct. 23 to 30 to participate in two international air shows, as part of U.S. Southern Command’s cooperation efforts with Guatemala and El Salvador. Under the direction of U.S. Southern Command Air Forces

  • Coalition force brings Tornadoes to fight

    The British Royal Air Force and its aircraft have been heavily used by ground forces in Iraq. The RAF flies the Tornado GR4, a supersonic, twin-engined, swing-wing jet bomber.“We have supported both British and American operations by giving an eye-in-the-sky airborne commentary so the troops on the

  • Transportation commander discusses separation of commands

    Change, not only in the delineation of command responsibility among Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command, but also in the way USTRANSCOM projects military power, was the theme of the opening address at the 37th Annual Airlift/Tanker Association Conference here Oct. 28. Gen. Norton

  • Joint Fires Center of Excellence begins training

    The Joint Fires Center of Excellence opened its doors Oct. 17 as the U.S. military’s only Europe-based joint firepower education center. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe-inspired initiative is designed to enhance close air support operations by providing a convenient training environment for

  • Educating Airmen on medication misuse, abuse may prevent future deaths

    While the Air Force continues to focus on suicide prevention and awareness, one specific issue Airmen should understand is proper medication use and suicide attempts. Drug overdose and self-poisoning are two of the most common methods used in suicide attempts, said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Donald Christensen,

  • Air Force must stay the course with FTF, AEF

    The Air Force must transform through Future Total Force and stay the course with the Air and Space Expeditionary Force concept, said the directors of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. The Future Total Force concept is the Air Force's plan to better integrate the Air National Guard, Air

  • CSAF reading list announced

    Officials announced the new Chief of Staff of the Air Force reading list Nov. 1. "Our Air Force has an incredible heritage… a heritage built on courage, valor, brilliance and perseverance," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley. The reading list focuses on history and heritage. Understanding history allows

  • Wilma visits couple during Mexican honeymoon

    They enjoyed long walks on the beach, romantic dinners and winds of 159 miles per hour? Master Sgt. Leon Palmer and his new bride, Staff Sgt. Rena Palmer, both members of 22nd Security Forces Squadron, had an unexpected visitor during their honeymoon earlier this month in Cancun, Mexico. “We were in

  • DoD web page supports President's plans against pandemic flu

    The Defense Department's deployment health officials have posted a Web page as part of President Bush's strategy to combat the possibility of a flu pandemic. Officials said the page includes frequently asked questions, information geared to servicemembers and links to other resources. The president

  • Officials express confidence in new Civilian Personnel System

    Pentagon officials want to emphasize to civilian employees that the changes in their personnel system are all about improving national security. After a two-year process, officials have designed the new National Security Personnel System to be faster, more flexible and more agile, said Michael

  • New technology 'dazzles' aggressors

    A laser technology weapon will be the first man-portable, non-lethal deterrent weapon intended for protecting troops and controlling hostile crowds. The weapon, developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate, employs a two-wavelength laser system and is a hand-held,

  • Navy maintainer saves life of Air Force medic

    For a Navy maintainer and Air Force medic, both stationed at this forward-deployed location, their first meeting was an unforgettable one. Petty Officer 1st Class Jerry Lego, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One structural mechanic, performed the Heimlich maneuver on Lt. Col. Lois MacDonald, 379th

  • Air Force authorizes Berlin Airlift streamers

    Nearly 60 years after the operation, Air Force units involved in the Berlin Airlift are now authorized a new streamer to add to their unit guidons. “A question was raised to Dick Anderegg (the Air Force historian) a couple months ago if the Berlin Airlift was a campaign, and if so, do we have a

  • TRICARE Reserve Family Demonstration Benefit extended through Oct. 31, 2007

    The TRICARE Reserve Family Demonstration Benefit that was due to end Oct. 31, has been extended through Oct. 31, 2007. The Department of Defense extended the benefit for an additional two years to ensure continuity of care for family members of approximately 170,000 National Guard and Reserve

  • UAVs hunt ponderosa pine parasites

    Researchers in the Academy’s Department of Biology here are developing a low-cost solution to detect infected trees using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. There are more than 9,884 acres of woodland forest on the academy, dominated by ponderosa pine trees. Several years of severe drought thinned the forest

  • USCENTAF air power summary for Nov. 2

    U.S. Central Air Force's air power summary for today is: Coalition aircraft flew 34 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 1 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to Coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to

  • AF extends navigator application deadline

    The deadline for all officers interested in applying for navigator training has been extended to Jan. 10. Officials moved the Air Force Undergraduate Flying Training Selection Board date to Jan. 24-27, which selects officers for pilot, navigator and air battle manager training, because of an

  • Third Air Force inactivates

    Headquarters 3rd Air Force inactivated today during a ceremony here as part of a larger U.S. Strategic Theater Transformation. Although 3rd Air Force was inactivated, the Air Force will leave a general officer in country. Maj. Gen. Paul Fletcher will remain at Royal Air Force Mildenhall as U.S.

  • Recruiters, enlistees highlighted at A/TA Convention

    Pledging one’s devotion to their country and reciting the Oath of Enlistment can be inspirational to most. This first step to becoming a member of the nation’s military is special in itself, but 10 enlistees from the 330th Recruiting Squadron had this moment made even more memorable during this

  • Airmen learn Army skills

    A new battle cry has been heard around the ranges and barracks here. Instead of the all too familiar ‘HOOAH,’ a strange and new guttural chant is catching on -- ‘AIRRP!’ The men and women who use the new phrase, which means ‘air power,’ are taking part in a joint effort which teaches Army skills to

  • USCENTAF reports its air power summary

    U.S. Central Air Force's report that their air power summary for today is:Coalition aircraft flew 34 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Oct. 31 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and

  • Falcons wave goodbye to winning season

    One by one, Air Force’s goals for 2005 have come and gone. A Mountain West Conference title, reclaiming the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and a bowl appearance are all history. Now a winning season got smaller in their rear view mirror thanks to a 62-41 conference beating by Brigham Young University

  • Maintainers resurrect historic aircraft

    A group of Edwards aircraft maintainers recently joined efforts to restore a historic aircraft for the Air Force Flight Test Center museum. A team of 36 maintainers from the 412th Equipment Maintenance Squadron's corrosion control, armament, structural maintenance, inspection flight and fabrication

  • Enlisted aide career field continues to improve

    From preparing meals to arranging official social events, enlisted aides have long proven themselves invaluable to general officers. But over the last three years, their career field has evolved to include better training, recognition programs and the chance to earn a Community College of the Air

  • Food service workers die in auto accident

    An investigation is under way to determine the cause of a one-vehicle accident that killed three females Oct. 31 in front of one of the gates here. Names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next to kin. The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. when a four-door sedan traveling

  • Tunnel 9 completes vehicle testing

    The Arnold Engineering Development Center's Tunnel 9 facility in White Oak, Md. is playing a crucial role in the ongoing Falcon program, with the completion of mission-critical testing of the Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 1. The Falcon initiative is a joint Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

  • Tuskegee Airmen come to encourage, leave inspired

    It was to deliver a message of inspiration and support that led five members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen to visit the members of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing here Oct. 29. However, during a question-and-answer session here at their last stop in the region before returning home, the Tuskegee

  • Edwards' commanders test wheelchair accessibility

    The Air Force Flight Test Center has a long history of testing aircraft and parachutes, but one little known fact is that each year leaders here also "test" wheelchairs. Edwards' annual Wheelchair Test Day is held during National Disabilities Awareness Month in October. Organizers said the intent is

  • 'Open the air base' unit returns from successful desert trial

    Say you need to move troops to a war zone in some isolated region or relief supplies to a devastated area, and you need to do it in a hurry. Who do you call? The men and women of the 816th Contingency Response Group have a simple answer: "Call us." From Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to the recent

  • Air Force introduces new helicopter for pilot training

    The Air Force will rollout the TH-1H helicopter at the home of pilot instructor training and Headquarters Air Education and Training Command on Nov. 5 in conjunction with the base's 75th anniversary and 2005 air show. The TH-1H, the latest version of the UH-1H Huey, has undergone an extensive

  • DOD announces recommended holiday mail dates

    The Department of Defense announced Oct. 31 the recommended mailing dates to ensure that holiday cards and packages for service members arrive overseas in time for the holiday season. "To ensure delivery … to military APO/FPO addresses overseas and to international addresses, we suggest mail be sent

  • Headphones OK during workouts

    There are many reasons people opt to use headphones while working out. Some use them to pace themselves while running and doing reps. For others, getting lost in the music helps them work out longer by losing track of time. Whatever the reason, headphones must be worn properly while working out in

  • New space badge wear begins today

    Air Force Space Command commander Gen. Lance W. Lord authorized wear of the new space badge to begin today. “We will unify our USAF credentialed space professional community under a single space badge -- a recognizable, distinctive symbol of the unique and challenging space mission and those who

  • Air Force announces fiscal 2006 CJR quotas

    The Air Force announced the fiscal 2006 quotas for the career job reservation program recently, adding three Air Force Specialty Codes to the constrained list, while releasing 13 others. Reenlistment eligible first-term Airmen who apply for a CJR in the constrained AFSCs will be added to a waiting

  • Cheney thanks Robins troops for terror war support

    Vice President Dick Cheney traveled to Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Oct. 28 to thank the troops personally for their contributions to the war on terror and recent national disasters around the world. Cheney thanked the troops for meeting their commitment to the nation during what he called "a very

  • Supporting those outside Balad

    The 732nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group Personnel Support for Contingency Operation team has a unique mission here -- to account for Airmen who fill Army and Marine billets. Although the majority of these In Lieu of Forces Airmen are geographically separated from Balad Air Base, they must be

  • Airman completes mission with pride, satisfaction

    As he completes his tour of duty at this small, forward-deployed desert air base, Master Sgt. James Royuela looks back with satisfaction and pride knowing his hard work directly contributed to the overall success of coalition forces fighting the global war on terror. Sergeant Royuela, a 1988

  • First deployed SARC stationed at Manas

    In the continuing effort to ensure that deployed Airmen are as well taken care of as their home station counterparts, the Air Force recently deployed its first sexual assault response coordinator here. The effort is part of the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program drive to have

  • Podcasting becomes another Edwards first

    Edwards became the first base to offer news updates through podcasting recently when it launched the service through its public Web site. Podcasting, a method of publishing audio broadcasts via the Internet, allows users to subscribe to a news feed of MP3 files. These feeds deliver audio broadcasts

  • The AC-130U Gunship program explores viper strike capability

    The AC-130U Gunship, managed by Aeronautical Systems Center's Special Operations Forces Systems Group here, is undergoing an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration for a standoff precision-guided munition called Viper Strike. Viper Strike is a small, precision-attack munition with guide/glide

  • Medical logisticians deliver medical relief

    When warriors are wounded in the field, many rely on the men and women of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Squadron medical logistics flight for the medicine and supplies needed to patch them up. With a staff of seven, the logistics flight works long hours keeping medical supplies flowing to field

  • Turtle patrol volunteers give baby sea turtles new life

    Fifty eight newly hatched baby green sea turtles got their first taste of life and the Gulf of Mexico after the Eglin’s sea turtle patrol volunteers released them to the wild Oct. 27. While this was deemed a great day of success for the volunteers, the prospects of the baby turtles surviving to see

  • Air Force depots exceed major maintenance goals

    For the second consecutive year, the Air Force's three air logistics centers exceeded their aircraft production goal and met their engine production goal, putting more hardware essential to the global war on terrorism and peacetime training missions into the hands of U.S. warfighters. The overall

  • Airmen performing non-traditional security

    The camp has the look and feel of many Army bases with one exception, the majority of the force protection presence is Airmen -- including the two security forces squadron commanders. Traditionally an Army function, here, Airmen are providing perimeter defense, convoy and area security and security

  • Combat communications answers the call

    They can set up communications to anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world. They can take a strip of land and turn it into an airfield capable of carrying out military or relief missions, but for now, members of the elite 5th Combat Communications Group are at a former Soviet republic making

  • Chaplain provides insight to Islam

    A chaplain here has received a national award recognizing his efforts to help warfighters better understand Islam. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Thomas Azar, 347th Rescue Wing head chaplain, was named the 2004-2005 best military chaplain by the National Ministries, American Baptist Churches. “I was totally

  • Air Force releases report on fatal traffic accident

    The driver of a van carrying three Air Force Airmen fell asleep at the wheel and subsequently lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a fatal single-vehicle traffic accident near Wady El Na Natron City, Egypt, Sept. 19, Air Force officials announced today. One Air Force officer was killed, and two

  • Eagle Flag 06-1 finishes, but the learning goes on

    Being prepared to deploy is the key to success of the Air Force’s expeditionary mission. This is where Eagle Flag comes in. The two-week exercise, held Oct. 18 to 28 here, tested Airmen on a multitude of expeditionary combat support skills. Participants for the exercise are chosen based on their

  • Trainee dies during basic training

    Joshua Rolfe, a basic trainee with the 322nd Training Squadron, collapsed during physical training here Oct. 29 and was pronounced dead at 7:30 a.m. at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Trainee Rolfe arrived here Oct. 25 for six weeks of basic military training. This is the first trainee death since May

  • Air commandos learn martial arts from Marines

    Beaten, bloodied and loving it. It’s the best way to describe the 20 battlefield Airmen who went toe-to-toe in hand-to-hand combat here, Oct. 17-28. Air commandos from Air Force Special Operations Command units around the world gathered at the 720th Special Tactics Group here to learn from three of

  • NDI stops problems before they start

    Similar to a private investigator gathering evidence to crack a case, the Non-Destructive Inspection unit here also gathers evidence -- but its intent is to ensure the case remians uncracked. The NDI unit uses methods such as magnetic particle, fluorescent penetrant, X-rays, and eddy current to

  • Air Force communications directorate expands

    The Air Force chief of staff announced plans today for an enhanced integrated communications capability that will enable the Air Force to better inform the American public about its engagement in the global war on terrorism and support to the nation. The plan eventually calls for a two-star general

  • New tanker ramp opens, improves deployed operational safety and efficiency

    It is a scene that plays often at air bases -- crew chiefs guiding aircraft onto the ramp.But this time the aircraft was taxiing onto a brand new tanker ramp, and the sound of its engines signaled a new era of safety and efficiency for air operations here. The Oct. 22 opening of the new ramp --

  • 820th SFG field tests chemical warfare garments

    The 820th Security Forces Group here began the first military field durability tests on new chemical warfare garments Oct. 24.  The 820th SFG, which provides force protection for expeditionary air forces, is putting the latest version of the chemical warfare suit to the test to assess its fit,

  • Soaring into the blue

    GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (AFPN) -- Tech. Sgt. Barry Snokhous checks an F-15 Eagle's fire warning system prior to its performance in a Guatemalan International Air Show 2005. Sergeant Snokhous is a member of the West Coast F-15 Demonstration Team, which participated in the airshow Oct. 26 as part of

  • The Air Force needs your feedback

    People still have time to take the 2005 Air Force Climate Survey, but the Nov. 23 deadline is rapidly approaching. Twenty-nine percent of the Air Force had taken the survey as of Oct. 27. The survey, which began Oct. 1, gives Air Force people an opportunity to provide honest and productive feedback

  • Raptors return with insight, information

    The familiar sound of flying Raptors will soon fill the Virginia skies again. The 27th Fighter Squadron returns here Oct. 28 from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, ending two weeks of out-of-town training and bringing the first-ever deployment for the F/A-22 Raptor to a close. “Training like this is