'Change Clock, Change Battery' campaign begins

As residents turn their clocks back one hour this weekend and revert to standard time, defense safety officials urge them to change their smoke alarms batteries, too. Daylight-saving time ends 2 a.m. on Oct. 30, the last Sunday in the month. Clocks "fall back" one hour and standard time resumes. For

UAV mission

Pack it up, ship it out

New personnel system's final regs sent to Congress

Ending a nearly two-year process, the Defense Department sent Congress the final national security personnel system regulation. Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said Oct. 26 that Congress has 30 days to review the final regulations. The regulations will take effect Nov. 25. Changes to

Eagle eye

NAVAL AIR ENGINEERING STATION LAKEHURST, N.J. (AFPN) -- An Airman takes up a firing position here during exercise Eagle Flag 06-1. The exercise goal is to test the ability of participants to open and establish an air base to an initial-operating capability for a forward operation, regardless of

Oct. 28 last TRS buy day for some guardsmen and reservists

Some Guard and reserve members -- and some former members -- must sign up to buy Tricare Reserve Select by Oct. 28. TRS is a Department of Defense program that offers comprehensive health coverage similar to Tricare Standard and Extra. National Guard and reserve members who served on active duty for

Overseas quarterly assignment listing available Nov. 1

The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for overseas requirements for July through September 2006 will be available Nov. 1. Assignment preferences need to be updated by Nov. 17. Airmen will be notified of their selection before Dec. 15. Airmen need to work through their military personnel flight

Predator’s success ups procurement and development

With the MQ-1 Predator logging significant hours in counterinsurgency operations and earning troop support, the Air Force wants to buy more of the aircraft and develop the next-generation variant. Predators worldwide are logging 4,000 hours a month in support of the war on terrorism and other

Troops look up to Compass Call

Operation Enduring Freedom has become as much about electrons as about bullets. Providing an umbrella of electronic protection over ground forces has become the role of EC-130H Compass Call aircraft here. But since November 2004, the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron has taken that role

Airmen help prepare Soldiers for Afghanistan duty

Airmen from around the Air Force helped prepare 10th Mountain Division Soldiers for their deployment to Afghanistan during exercise Unified Endeavor 06 here. The exercise, which ended Oct. 23, prepared members of the division’s headquarters and staff for their upcoming rotation to head Combined

New processor makes Strike Eagle more lethal

When F-15E Strike Eagles starts getting a new core processor next year, they will be more lethal and effective weapons in the war on terrorism and beyond. The Aeronautical Systems Center's F-15 Systems Group here is managing the development, test and acquisition of the advanced display core

Sponsors help form newcomers’ first impressions

Bad first impressions last a long time. That is what William Robinson tries to instill in every person assigned as a sponsor here. Sponsors provide those impressions of the base and the arriving member’s unit, said Mr. Robinson, 39th Mission Support Squadron family support center community readiness

Pakistan relief continues

Airmen, Sailors help Soldiers move containers of hope

Airmen and Sailors continue helping Soldiers here provide humanitarian assistance and support to the earthquake-affected people of Pakistan. When they’re not fixing aircraft helping fight the war on terrorism, Air Force EC-130 Hercules and Navy E-6B Intruder maintainers have been helping 82nd

'Turkey feather' check

BURLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Vt. (AFPN) -- Airman 1st Class Jacques Young inspects the "turkey feathers" -- turbine blades -- on an F-16 Fighting Falcon's Pratt and Whitney F100-220E engine. The jet engine mechanic works at the propulsion shop of the 158th Fighter Wing here. (U.S. Air Force

Falcons golfers win 11th-straight Reemtsma Trophy

The U.S. Force Academy golf team captured the Reemtsma Trophy for the 11th-consecutive year  -- continuing their dominance of the annual Service Academy Golf Classic. The Falcons, facing rivals Army and Navy, shot a 5-under-par 355 as a team in the third round Oct. 25, to bring their tournament

Homestead cleans up, stages relief

Just hours after Hurricane Wilma hit this base, the 482nd Fighter Wing had the base airfield open and ready to help with relief efforts. The wing is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Florida Army National Guard and local officials here to send relief supplies to south Florida

Tuskegee Airmen return to war zone

The Tuskegee Airmen know about war. They battled the Nazis abroad and racism at home. Now they've made their way back to the front lines to show their support for Airmen fighting the war on terror. Five members arrived here Oct. 25 to interacting with military members, sharing their stories and

Pod gives Strike Eagles an edge

In today’s war on terrorism, troops have many tools at their disposal. One of best tools -- and friend -- is the F-15E Strike Eagle, with its advanced targeting pod. The pod gives pilots real-time information for targeting. “The pod’s capability is simply staggering and it’s changing the battlefield

Center stage

Lookout

From one 'Stan to another

Staging facility offers more than air evacuations

Getting troops injured in battle from the war zone to another location where they can receive more definitive care takes careful planning and coordination. Such was the case Oct. 21, when members of the 386th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility at this desert base helped move 16 injured troops

President Bush: Troops depend on family support

All U.S. troops fighting the war on terrorism "rely on the love and support of their families," President George W. Bush told spouses at Bolling Air Force Base here. Military members are deployed worldwide defending "our freedom and our security in the first war of the 21st century," President Bush

Real estate agency announces award winner

The Air Force Real Property Agency has announced its 2005 Air Force Real Estate Award winners. Air Force-level winners are: -- Real estate specialist: Cheryl Cordray, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. -- Senior real estate specialist: Lynn Holcomb, Air Force Space Command,

Academy gets new reserve squadron

A new partnership between the reserve and active-duty force soared into the Rocky Mountains when the 70th Flying Training Squadron opened for business here. Formed Oct. 25, the new squadron -- formerly known as Detachment 1, 302nd Operations Group -- marks the first time citizen Airmen have had a

Web lets reservists track education progress

Air Force reservists can now track their education progress, request transcripts and update personal education information on the Web.Going through the Air Force Portal -- and accessing the Virtual Education Center’s Web site at https://afvec.langley.af.mil  -- saves reservists time and money.

Hybrid refueler truck could cut energy use

The Air Force is looking for a way to save fuel and energy, while meeting mission needs. The R-11 hybrid electric refueling truck is one answer. The truck -- which is undergoing a series of tests before its release later this year -- is the first step in a spiral development between the Advanced

Air defense continues during hurricane season

Though it has been busy providing hurricane support over the past 14 months, the 1st Air Force is also busy doing its main job -- protecting America’s skies. The Airmen that work in the combined air operations center continue to maintain the nation’s “steady and robust air defense,” said Col. Kevin

Air Force nation's leading 'green power' user

For the Air Force, winning a 2005 Green Power Leadership Award was a breeze -- literally. Bases like Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and Fairchild AFB, Wash. -- both which receive 100 percent of their energy from wind or other renewable energy power sources -- helped the Air Force earn the award Oct.

Travelers informed of avian flu threat

The Air Mobility Command surgeon general's office reminds overseas travelers of the risks involved with foreign travel caused by the threat of the avian flu. Avian flu is an infectious disease in birds caused by the type H5N1 strains of the influenza virus, according to the World Health

Air pioneers return to war zone

Eagle Flag soars

Florida asks Air Force for little hurricane help

Although Hurricane Wilma left a swath of destruction through southern Florida Oct. 24, the state has asked the Air Force for very little assistance. Florida was so well prepared for Wilma that officials there have -- so far -- only asked the military to provided communication packages and helicopter

General Regni takes command of U.S. Air Force Academy

Lt. Gen. John F. Regni became the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 17th superintendent during a change of command ceremony here today. The new superintendent graduated from USAFA with a bachelor of science degree in Biology in 1973. “I am honored and humbled to pick up the torch from General John Rosa,”

Early bird

Being nosey pays off

Because Sara Simms was nosey, the U.S. government saved more than $424,000. And she received a surprise, too. During a data review, Ms. Simms, a lead human resources assistant, noticed an unusual annotation on a Reservist’s record. Convicted of first degree felony, the reserve officer’s status was

Horned Frogs trample Falcons, 48-10

Texas Christian University trampled the Falcons, 48-10. After the Oct. 22 victory, the 7-1 TCU Horned Frogs remain unbeaten in the Mountain West Conference, holding a two-game lead over the second-ranked team. It also leaves the Falcons facing the possibility of a losing season. “They handed us a

Galaxy of aid

Weather work

Reservists clean house, increase F-16 capability

Desire and motivation drove 14 Reserve Airmen to turn a barely functional back shop into one of two fully functional avionic intermediate shops here. The revamped work center allowed the staff to double the improved avionic intermediate repair capabilities. The reservists deployed here from

Davis-Monthan getting combined air operations center

The Air Force broke ground on a new combined air operations center here. There was the sound of sledgehammers swinging when workers started the conversion of an old ground-launched cruise-missile facility into the new Falconer CAOC facility Oct. 17. The new operations center -- scheduled to open in

Floating checks will soon be thing of the past

“Check floaters” beware. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service will start to electronically process checks in January. Now, instead of taking up to three days, check may process instantly or in one day. The move is so the exchange service complies with “Check 21” Legislation. “Checks will be

Hurricane Wilma makes landfall in Florida

Hurricane Wilma hit Florida's western coast around 6:30 a.m. EDT today with sustained winds of about 125 mph. So far, there have been no reported deaths or injuries in Florida.Waiting for the storm, dispersed throughout the state, are some 2,400 Florida National Guard Airmen and Soldiers, the

Airmen in place for Hurricane Wilma relief

As Hurricane Wilma rips through south Florida, Airmen from 1st Air Force are already in place today to help storm victims. The rest of 1st Air Force is ready to respond, if asked to provide resources for Wilma relief efforts, said 1st AF commander Maj. Gen. M. Scott Mayes. “If we get the call, we’re

Introductory flight training undergoing changes

The introductory flight training program that prepares pilot candidates for specialized undergraduate pilot training will decrease from 50 to 25 hours next fall. The transitional program will bridge the change from the current introductory program to a new program called initial flight screening.

Raptor drops first bomb

“Weapon’s away.” Those two words from Lt. Col. Jim Hecker put the 27th Fighter Squadron into the record books. The squadron commander dropped the first bomb -- a 1000-pound global positioning system-guided joint direct attack munition -- from an F/A-22 Raptor Oct. 18. Eight more bombs followed

Football frenzy

Peering through window to world of ‘sniffing’

Security forces military working dog handlers have a unique job. But not every handler gets the opportunity to train with customs agents from a host nation. Military working dog handlers here train with Japanese K-9 agents from Narita and Osaka as part of a joint-training opportunity established

Lakenheath opens air dominance center

The Air Force’s first Joint and Combined Air Dominance Center of Excellence is now open for business here. Lt. Col. Dave Slade, the center commander, said the Air Force established the center in response to the changing security environment in European Command’s area of responsibility with the

Westover C-5s airlift more Chinooks for earthquake relief

A third C-5 Galaxy aircrew from the 439th Airlift Wing here left Oct. 18 to deliver more help to earthquake-ravaged Pakistan. The giant cargo plane picked up two Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters at Fort Sill, Okla., and delivered them to Pakistan, after a stop in Spain. It was the 13th humanitarian

New Air Force Portal tool gets warfighters parts faster

Armed with a single user ID, password and valid stock number, Airmen can now get parts into the hands of warfighters quicker with a new Air Force Portal application. The Enterprise Solution-Supply online tool gives logisticians the ability to find parts stored in any of the more than 300 Air Force

UAV testing begins at Andersen

Testing being done here will help determine if the tiny Weatherscout unmanned aerial vehicle can track tropical cyclones in the Pacific Ocean. The Weatherscout -- called the WUAV -- flew its first mission from this base’s Northwest Field Oct. 15. That kicked off a six-week testing period by members

Kadena takes ‘pride’ in revamping F-15 fleet

Some of the F-15 Eagle fleet’s oldest jets are getting a second chance at life here, thanks to a $5.2 million upgrade program. During the next year, Kadena Eagles will receive a microscopic inspection called "Pride Dock" by Department of Defense contractors and Airmen from the 18th Maintenance

Cope Thunder 06-01 challenges end

The first winter Cope Thunder ended here Oct. 20 and aircrews found the weather was their main adversary. But the weather at this remote base -- which grounded many missions -- is exactly why exercise planners picked it to host Pacific Air Force’s premier combat airpower exercise, said Col. Bob

Sunset scene

Conference introduces influential civilians to military

A group of civilian business professionals and politicians embarked Oct. 17 on a weeklong trip to familiarize them with the military. The Joint Civilian Orientation Conference began here with 45 people touring the Pentagon and Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. The group will travel to Germany, the

Incirlik moving Pakistan earthquake aid

With the determination of an ant colony, Airmen here are busy moving humanitarian aid cargo bound for Pakistan. Incirlik has played host to an array of international aircraft and provided round-the-clock support since the relief operation started after the Oct. 8 Pakistan earthquake. From Oct. 18 to

‘Casualty’ treatment

AFN Afghanistan

Homestead prepares for Hurricane Wilma

The 482nd Fighter Wing is preparing for Hurricane Wilma. Airmen here are evacuating fighter jets and officials are coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for potential hurricane-relief operations. Six F-16 Fighting Falcons evacuated to Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga., and three

Air Force garners 13 Presidential Rank Awards

White House officials recently named its 2005 Presidential Rank Award recipients. The awards program recognizes career senior executive service and senior professional individuals. Award recipients are leaders, professionals and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength,

General Smith to head U.S. Joint Forces Command

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced Oct. 20 that President George W. Bush nominated Lt. Gen. Lance L. Smith for appointment to the rank of general with assignment as commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command. General Smith is currently deputy commander of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air

Combat Hammer

The face of relief

Rumsfeld visits China

Vandenberg launches final Titan IV

After five decades of service, the Air Force and the Lockheed Martin Corp. launched the last Titan IV B rocket from here Oct. 19. The heavy-lift workhorse thundered off the pad at 11:05 PST to deliver its final payload to space. It carried a critical national security payload for the National

Eglin ORE

Hurricane Hunters fly into record season

Despite being displaced and working out of a temporary home, the men and women of the Hurricane Hunters are flying missions to track Hurricane Wilma. The Hurricane Hunters,  of Air Force Reserve Command’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, flew a WC-130J into Wilma measuring top sustained winds

Depot's around-the-clock service better for warfighters

A new one-stop customer service center here is helping get aircraft replacement parts to “downrange” customers much faster. The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center here established the center -- open around-the-clock -- to provide customers timely, accurate and “action-based” service. The center goes

Iraqi pollsters receive airlift help

When Iraq took its next step toward democracy -- voting on a constitution -- Airmen and Marines helped ensure the process worked. That included getting 1,320 Iraqi poll workers safely to and from Baghdad International Airport to their polling stations around the country. It was a job that lasted

Moseley: Air Force needs to bolster intelligence cadre

The Air Force can do a better job training and maintaining the Airmen that gather, process and distribute military intelligence, the Air Force chief of staff said. Gen. T. Michael Moseley said there are not enough Airmen working in military intelligence. And the Air Force must do a better job

Laos duty helps sergeant put her job into perspective

An Army Golden Knight parachutist landed at Sheppard’s salute to America’s warfighters air show streaming the familiar black Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag. It was an emotional moment for many of the spectators at the Oct. 15 event. But it was an especially emotional moment for Tech. Sgt.

Air Force meets 2005 enlisted, OTS recruiting goal

The Air Force exceeded its fiscal 2005 enlisted recruiting goal by sending 19,222 men and women to basic military training. And while the service had success recruiting for Officer Training School, it fell short in recruiting in some medical fields. "This was a challenging year for Air Force

I spy

Air Force continues earthquake support

As the United States enters its second week of humanitarian operations here, Airmen from all over the world continue working to deliver thousands of pounds of humanitarian cargo a day. In the second week following the earthquake in Pakistan, the group handled almost 700 tons of cargo intended for

Hickam exercises

Radar gyro system

Inspecting a C-130

Bagram getting new passenger terminal

Engineers are building a new $932,000 passenger terminal that will expand operations at this base. Twenty-four Airmen from the 1st Expeditionary Red Horse Group, deployed here from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., began laying the terminal’s foundation earlier this month. The group expects to finish the

Fisher House Distributes Airline Tickets

Wounded servicemembers and their families can get a free ticket home through "Operation Hero Miles."The Fisher House organization uses more than a million frequent flyer miles per week to distribute free round-trip airline tickets to war-wounded servicemembers -- as well as their family members --

Wife's song provides encouragement to spouse, others during separation

Heather Wagner watched intently as the dramatic scene played out on her television screen.A Soldier was deploying. And there by the departure gate, his wife and children hugged and kissed their goodbyes as tears cascaded down their faces. As Heather's gaze drifted from the television to her husband,

Remains of missing World War II Airmen returning home

The remains of three U. S. servicemen, missing in action since 1941, have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors. They are Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Augustus J. Allen, of Myrtle Springs, Texas; Staff Sgt. James D. Cartwright, of Los Angeles,

EOD Airmen help destroy old rockets

Airmen and Soldiers joined forces at a former Soviet munitions dump near here to transport and destroy three 5,000-pound rockets. If not destroyed, the rockets could have posed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces serving here as part of the ongoing global war on terrorism, officials said. Lessons

'Makos' in sky help warriors on ground

The sky above Balad Air Base was thick with dust and sand when four F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots completed another mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.They were headed to their deployed home at Balad Oct. 17 when they were eventually diverted here.  Their mission started early that morning,

Honor guard takes national award

The 301st Fighter Wing Honor Guard took center stage -- not as presenter, but as the recipient of the Air Force Association’s the 2005 Citation of Honor. This annual honor -- the association’s highest achievement award -- recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual or group in the

Pretty Raptors all in a row

Personnel center will conduct force shaping board

In an effort to right size and shape its future force, Air Force officials approved an annual board to evaluate officers for continued service at their three-year point. The board will be part of the service's force management program. The first Force Shaping Board is scheduled to convene at the Air

Help on the way

Force shaping board meeting in 2006

A force shaping board will convene in 2006 and continue to meet annually to properly shape the officer corps to meet emerging Air Force needs. Instituted by the Air Force, the board will be a regular aspect of force management and development in the future. Authorized by the Secretary of the Air

Cope Thunder medical team practices mobile medicine

Practicing mobile medicine and leaving a small footprint on a mission is just one the aspects of participating in Cope Thunder 06-01, said a flight surgeon here. Six-year veteran Maj. (Dr.) John Cotton, said he is enjoying his first temporary duty assignment as the Cope Thunder flight surgeon. He

Airmen score triple play on one trip

A C-130 Hercules aircrew picked up earthquake relief supplies in Bahrain and delivered them to Pakistan Oct. 15 -- but their mission did not end there. The crew then flew to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, where it picked up cargo to take to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, to support Operation Enduring

Pacific Command joins Pakistan earthquake relief effort

U.S. Pacific Command Airmen loaded three C-5 Galaxies with helicopters, support equipment and Soldiers bound to help earthquake victims in Pakistan Oct. 16. The Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters are the first command assets to deploy to earthquake-shattered Pakistan. A C-5 can carry two CH-47

C-17s airlift Qatari mobile hospital to Pakistan

An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transported a Qatari mobile hospital to Pakistan in support of earthquake relief operations Oct. 15. Airmen loaded seven Qatari soldiers and 90,000 pounds of cargo on the aircraft, and flew to Islamabad, Pakistan. The group included two medics, two drivers and three

Airmen help with Guatemala relief

Nine Airmen from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, deployed here as part of a Joint Task Force-Bravo team supporting Hurricane Stan relief operations in this Central American country. The hurricane, which hit the country Oct. 4, caused massive flooding and land slides and displaced thousands of people.

Memphis Belle at Air Force museum

The "Memphis Belle," is one of the Eighth Air Force's first B-17F heavy bombers to complete 25 successful bombing missions over Europe during World War II, is now at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force here. The move came under the terms of an agreement between the Air Force and the Memphis

Vehicle maintenance

Air Force services awards scholarships

For the ninth consecutive year, six people received a combined total of $25,000 in scholarship money from the Air Force Club Membership Scholarship Program. Club members and their families were given the opportunity to submit an essay on “My Hero, and Why.” Two to four essays were chosen by each

Putting food on the plate takes a team

It’s 11:30 a.m. A sergeant pushed back from a table after his meal. “That chicken was actually pretty good today!” he said to no one in particular. In his tone was the sense of satisfaction one might expect from a man who works long, hard hours each day and who takes his job -- and his food --

Rebar work