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  • Security forces Airmen get frozen treat from Midwest

    Donations of freezer pops from family and friends throughout the Midwest recently helped a noncommissioned officers’ organization here give security forces Airmen a refreshing break during their duty day.The organization, comprising E-5s and E-6s, wanted to do something special for security forces

  • Force shaping Phase II evolves for officers in fiscal 2006

    The Air Force’s officer corps is overmanned by about 4,000 Airmen.In fiscal 2005, the Air Force’s voluntary force shaping initiatives successfully reduced the size of the active duty population to its congressionally authorized level of 359,000.However, the fiscal 2006 budget trims the Air Force

  • Falcon football to kickoff at 'home' in Seattle

    Air Force Falcons will kickoff their season as the “home” team 1,400 miles away from Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Falcons begin their 2005 campaign against the University of Washington at Qwest Field in Seattle on Sept. 3.The season opener also will feature several demonstrations

  • Kirtland Airman hits jackpot

    A master sergeant here got a whole lot more than milk during a recent trip to the supermarket.In fact, Master Sgt. John San Cartier, a special operations loadmaster instructor with the 58th Training Squadron, “got” a lottery ticket that ended up winning the $93.4 million jackpot.The 15-year Air

  • Academy ranks top in professor availability

    Academy professors here are the most accessible to their students in the nation, according to “The Best 361 Colleges” released Aug. 22 by The Princeton Review.The New York-based education services company features the academy in “The Best 361 Colleges,” the new 2006 edition of its annual "best

  • International academy program gives worldly perspective

    Today’s officers must be prepared to function in an international environment. While the academy’s international program provides cadets with a variety of opportunities to hone their leadership skills overseas, foreign cadets travel here to study similar skills.There are 48 four-year international

  • Space Shuttle Discovery stops at Altus, Barksdale

    Thousands of onlookers defied the summer heat to watch Space Shuttle Discovery arrive at two Air Force bases Aug 19. Altus Air Force Base, Okla., was the first of two stops for NASA's shuttle ferry, a Boeing 747 that carried the space shuttle on its back from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to

  • Iraqi, U.S. C-130 crewmembers fly boy to receive heart surgery

    Although 8-year-old Baher looks happy and healthy, Iraqi and U.S. Air Force C-130 crewmembers knew his true condition when they gave him the ride of his life Aug. 22.Baher and his mother, Afaf, were headed to New Orleans to repair a hole in his heart via a new program called Operation Mend a Heart.

  • Command post's hidden mission important to base

    Many Airmen may not know what a command post controller contributes to the base mission because he or she is often hidden behind closed doors. The 506th Air Expeditionary Group command post’s main mission is to provide command and control in the alerting and communication networking for the base.

  • DOD officials announce one-year open enrollment for SBP

    Department of Defense officials announced Aug. 19 that military retirees, who opted out of some or all their Survivor Benefit Plan coverage, will have another opportunity to elect coverage during a one-year open enrollment period beginning Oct. 1 and running through Sept. 30, 2006.Upon a retiree's

  • Ground incident report released

    The Failure of two hinge blades connecting sections of a portable tower caused it and a 470-pound camera mounted on top of the tower to collapse into a building at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., on Dec. 23, Air Force officials said Aug. 19.The camera fell through the metal roof of the Joint Air

  • Agencies ease deployment pains

    With “my upcoming deployment” as the catch-phrase for most of Airmen, several organizations take extraordinary measures to ensure that not only the Airman is ready for deployment, but the families are as well.Family support centers, chapel staffs and many other agencies manage day-to-day efforts of

  • Vietnam War missing in action Airman identified

    Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials announced Aug. 19 that the remains of a U.S. Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.Col. Gregg Hartness, of Dallas, will be buried in

  • U.S. aircraft, troops popular at Moscow air show

    Staff Sgt. Christy Jeffreys is not new to traveling. In her nine year Air Force career, her job as a boom operator on the KC-10 Extender has taken her to more than 10 countries.But, this was the first time her job has also made her feel like a celebrity.Sergeant Jeffreys, a reservist assigned to

  • Jumper: BRAC decisions needed to continue transformation

    The Air Force chief of staff told the Base Realignment and Closure Commission on Aug. 20 that while many of the decisions related to base closure are “gut wrenching,” the changes are needed to allow the Air Force to continue to transform to meet the war-fighting demands of the 21st century.“The

  • Thunderbirds continue their season after mishap

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are continuing their show schedule after reviewing their procedures following a mishap Aug. 20 at the Chicago Air and Water Show when two aircraft touched in flight.During one of the maneuvers, two of the team's F-16 Fighting Falcons touched wingtips. The show was

  • NATO, USAFE vie during Excalibur bombing competition

    ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (AFPN) -- Aircraft from the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Air Force joined forces for a training exercise here Aug. 17 to 19.Excalibur, a multination bombing competition, is an opportunity for aircrew members to test their skills and pit their wits against each

  • Airmen contain fire on joint installation

    Firefighters with the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron contained a fire on the Army side of the base Aug. 15, only hours after they assumed fire protection coverage here and for Base Camp Adder. Six hours and 45 minutes after they officially took over, flames were shooting from a trailer

  • USO show brings laughter south of 'No Smile Line'

    Soldiers and Airmen laughed and roared on the wrong side of the "No Smile Line" as they watched United Service Organization shows here Aug. 22.The shows -- one here and one at nearby Osan Air Base -- were part of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard B. Myers' assessment of troop morale

  • Airman donates hair to Locks of Love

    Eielson has many volunteers who give of themselves for the benefit of others. However, not many can say they committed themselves and prepared for more than a year before they could give their gift.Staff Sgt. Amanda Lamar, a unit deployment manager for the 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, grew

  • New incentive for Air Force marathon runners

    The Air Force Marathon will feature an incentive for participants in the Sept. 17 event. Pace teams will be available to help marathon runners in the 26.2-mile race.Pace team members are athletes who help make sure runners do not burn out, go out too fast or run sporadically over the length. They

  • AFIA’s health services inspections demystified

    When a team from the Air Force Inspection Agency arrives at the front door of a medical treatment facility, they have one goal: Turning excellent health care into outstanding health care. The inspection agency is the only Air Force unit that conducts health services inspections on all Air Force

  • Minneapolis youth ‘boldly goes’ to space camp

    Going to camp this summer has proven to be a memorable experience for one youth here.Carissa Ott, 15, is the daughter of Tech. Sgt. Greg Ott of the 27th Aerial Port Squadron at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, and his wife, Becky. “It was a great opportunity,” she

  • Child development center offers parents car seat guidance

    Child development center employees who are trained and certified by the National Safe Kids Campaign are offering car seat checks here.“It’s a proven fact that child safety seats and seat belts save lives and prevent injuries,” said Bernice Padilla, of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing’s safety office.

  • Guardsmen contribute to total force

    Maintaining and flying F-16 Fighting Falcons in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom is what Air National Guard units from Minnesota, Texas and Arkansas do to provide ground support to Soldiers and Marines. Demonstrating the power of a total force, these units, along with the active-duty 510th

  • Carlson assumes command of AFMC

    Gen. Bruce Carlson assumed command of Air Force Materiel Command from Gen. Gregory S. Martin on Aug. 19 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.General Carlson, who previously commanded the 8th Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., pinned on his fourth star in a private

  • Andersen answers call for help

    Airmen here answered the call for help from the government of Guam when a jumbo jet’s nose gear collapsed on the runway upon landing, closing Won Pat International Airport on Aug. 19.Andersen Airmen safely recovered eight aircraft with more than 830 passengers. It is a fantastic feeling when Team

  • Couple gets surprise home delivery

    While most pregnancies end with a trip to the hospital and delivery with the assistance of medical professionals, one Airman here and his wife got to experience their child’s birth from the “comfort” of their own home.Staff Sgt. David Hayes, of the 347th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, quickly turned

  • Shuttle lands, departs under Edwards watchful eye

    From its Aug. 9 landing to its Aug. 19 departure here on the back of a modified Boeing 747, civilians and Airmen here remained heavily engaged in supporting Space Shuttle Discovery.While the shuttle and its mission were primarily NASA's responsibility, Edwards played a major role in bringing the

  • New runway opens possibilities at Balad

    A C-12 made history Aug. 15 when its wheels touched down here on a little-known piece of airfield. It was the first aircraft to take off and land on Balad’s newest runway.“The completion of the runway gives us an exponential increase in the efficiency of the airfield,” said Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc,

  • Academy engineering ranks among nation’s finest

    Several of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s undergraduate engineering programs rank among the top in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report.The national news magazine released its America’s Best Colleges 2006 edition Aug. 18.The rankings are separated by universities that offer graduate

  • Airmen see Russia up close

    As far as security forces Airmen are concerned, protecting aircraft in one location is like protecting aircraft in another. The scenery may change, but the procedures do not -- unless, of course, the aircraft are in the former Soviet Union.For the 17 Airmen of the 48th Security Forces Squadron from

  • Advance planning key to successful deployment financial management

    Get ready early. This is the common theme among base agencies that assist Airmen preparing for deployment.The preparation can be stressful, time consuming and exciting, but above all, requires planning and thinking ahead to the future.Oftentimes, the focus of deployment is on taking care of the

  • 'Tribute to the Troops' scheduled for 9/11

    The second annual "Tribute to the Troops" motorcycle ride is scheduled to roll through the American heartland over the Sept. 11 weekend.The tribute ride, which will include several hundred bikers, is a means to honor servicemembers who gave their lives for freedom and to raise money for local

  • Trainees test backpack water pouches

    About 50 trainees in each of the base’s seven basic military training squadrons are being issued backpack water pouches in a yearlong study to compare their health with fellow trainees hydrating from canteens.“I think everybody intuitively thinks CamelBaks, or a similar backpack hydration system, is

  • Hearing aids available for active-duty families

    Beginning Sept. 1, active-duty family members who meet specific hearing-loss requirements, will be eligible to receive hearing aids, including services and supplies, as a Tricare benefit.This benefit is extended to family members as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2002.

  • Officials announce 2005 awards for air mobility excellence

    Air Mobility Command officials recently announced this year's Airlift/Tanker Association award winners.Each year, the association recognizes individuals who have demonstrated superior leadership, made outstanding contributions to the airlift/tanker mission, and provided invaluable service to their

  • Civil Engineers help bring light in the night

    In this small village located 287 miles west of Anchorage, air travel is the sole means to enter and leave the town.The 4,750-foot gravel airstrip lined with orange cones is essentially the town’s lifeline to the rest of the state. This lifeline has been significantly strengthened through the

  • Dyess AFB demonstrates B-1B's upgrades, combat capabilities

    The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron here set a number of “firsts” recently for the B-1B Lancer.Those 'firsts' were demonstrated July 25 over the White Sands Missile Range, N.M., when two Lancers from Dyess auto-released a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile as well as three dissimilar weapons

  • America’s B-1B Lancer takes to Russian sky

    Because of its ability to rapidly deliver massive quantities of weapons against any adversary in the world, the capabilities of America’s B-1B Lancer may have once been feared by the former Soviet Union during the Cold War.Now it is demonstrating its capabilities during the Moscow International

  • Safety officials help curb motorcycle fatalities

    After four more motorcycle deaths in the Air Force were added to the “101 Critical Days of Summer” fatality toll recently, safety office officials here have taken steps to make sure everyone complies with the requirement to wear safety gear.People from the 375th Airlift Wing’s safety office, along

  • AFPC notifies Airmen of criminal activity

    The Air Force is notifying more than 33,000 Airmen that a security breach has occurred in the online Assignment Management System.The notification comes after Air Force Personnel Center officials here alerted Air Force and federal investigators to unusually high activity on a single user's AMS

  • Unmanned aircraft capabilities expanding in war on terrorism

    Once used only for remote reconnaissance, unmanned aircraft technology has rapidly evolved in recent years. Such systems now feature strike capabilities and are being used for force-protection and signals-collection missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.Unmanned aerial systems "have helped reduce the

  • New flag-folding script focuses on history, AF significance

    Air Force leaders recently approved a new script that can be read during flag-folding ceremonies. Though there are no official ceremonies in the Air Force that require a script to be read when a flag is folded, unofficial ceremonies such as retirements often do, said Lt. Col. Samuel Hudspath, Air

  • ARPC officials announce officer promotions

    Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here announced Aug. 18 the 2006 Air Force Reserve officer promotion selection board results that selected 2,218 officers for promotion.The list of officers selected is available on the ARPC Web site at http://arpc.afrc.af.mil/promotions/officer/default.asp.The

  • Rescue mission saves another Alaskan child

    For the second time in less than six months, a child in Alaska was rescued from near death by a team of Air Force medics at Wilford Hall Medical Center here who stay on alert for their unique lifesaving mission.The latest mission was completed Aug. 14, covering more than 8,000 miles and 28 hours,

  • Airman gets FDNY promotion while deployed to Iraq

    An Airman here recently gained the distinction of being addressed as both a staff sergeant and a lieutenant. Staff Sgt. Gregg Magi, a 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the Fire Department City of New York via telephone during an Aug.

  • Airmen support PACAF operations while deployed

    About 300 Airmen from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, are perfecting their F-15E Strike Eagle skills during an air and space expeditionary force deployment here. “Our deployment here has been excellent,” said Capt. Joe Ryther, an F-15E pilot with the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.

  • Deployed medics face gamut of medical conditions

    When providing medical care at a remote location, the pace of business and the variety of medical conditions can change quickly.For medical Airmen with the 40th Air Expeditionary Group at this forward-deployed location, it has been a combination of business as usual and urgent issues requiring 12

  • Firefighters: more than fighting blazes

    While many children may have dreamed about being firefighters when they grew up, only a small handful of people actually chased down those dreams.For the more than 80 people with the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron’s fire protection flight here, being the ones who rush into a burning building is more

  • Total force shares capabilities

    The assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs told a panel of Base Realignment and Closure commissioners the Air Force would change its size and modify its missions.The Air Force will become smaller in terms of the number of aircraft the service keeps. If the Air Force's

  • Training keeping Spangdahlem ‘Warthogs’ ready to deploy

    A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots at this hilltop base are busy flying and training for their next deployment, which could be to Afghanistan -- again.That is not a certainty, but deploying to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, is almost routine for the 81st Fighter Squadron. As the only A-10 unit stationed in

  • Logistics program broadens careers

    As the premier logistics training program in the Air Force, the logistics career broadening program provides logistics officers the chance to attain specialized knowledge in their career field.The two-year program not only provides unique instruction in logistics but also lends opportunities for

  • Negative effects of smoking not deterring servicemembers

    The death of broadcasting icon Peter Jennings from lung cancer has again brought smoking and its dangers to the forefront of public consciousness.Before his death, Mr. Jennings admitted he was a longtime smoker.While an estimated 25 percent of Americans smoke, the military's numbers hover at 34

  • 36th Rescue Flight makes another save

    Crewmembers of the 36th Rescue Flight successfully completed their 602nd save Aug. 13.Just before 9 p.m., the crew, using night-vision goggles, began their hour-long flight to the Wenatchee, Wash., area.Once reaching the response area, the crew was given their mission's details: Rescue a man

  • Air Force seeks stories from ‘9/11 Generation’

    The face of the world changed when terrorists intentionally crashed commercial aircraft into the Twin Towers in New York and into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. A global audience watched the attacks live on television, and the repeated images haunted many for weeks, months or even years.These

  • Mechanics keep war effort rolling

    High-mobility multipurpose-wheeled vehicles began serving America’s Soldiers, Airmen and Marines worldwide in 1983. For 22 years the vehicle has been an icon for troops supporting the full spectrum of operations from humanitarian and disaster relief to major theater war.The Humvee has proven its

  • Spangdahlem’s new airlift mission has room for expansion

    The 726th Airlift Support Squadron has not finished moving here from Rhein-Main Air Base, but its new home might have already earned it a bigger airlift mission.On Oct. 1, the squadron starts operations from its state-of-the art facility at this longtime fighter base in Germany’s Eifel region. It

  • Only sky proves limit for ‘mountain men’

    For some people, reaching the top is enough. For two 352nd Special Operations Group pilots here, reaching the top of the world was not enough.Capt. Rob Marshall of the 67th Special Operations Squadron, and 1st Lt. Mark Uberuaga of the 21st Special Operations Squadron, recently returned from

  • Air Force conducts test of new officer assignment system

    The Air Force will conduct a test of a continuous officer assignment system for a select group of career fields beginning in September.The test system, designed as the result of a Lean process review, seeks to eliminate the vulnerable-to-move list and facilitate deliberate career moves through force

  • NAS Keflavik Airman dies

    An Airman with the 56th Rescue Squadron here was found unconscious with trauma to the head and neck in her dormitory Aug. 14.Airman 1st Class Ashley Turner, 20, was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. Agents with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Naval

  • U.S., Russia strengthening ties through Moscow air show

    When it comes to forging bonds and strengthening relationships, it seems that the U.S. and Russia have gotten the hang of it. About 100 U.S. servicemembers and eight U.S. aircraft are playing an active part in the Moscow International Aviation and Space Salon from Aug. 16 to 21 at Ramenskoye

  • Kirkuk’s tower controls sky

    “Kirkuk tower; snake one one. Flight of two checking in eight miles out established on final.”“Snake one one; Kirkuk tower. Check wheels down wind, estimated zero one zero at five, cleared to land.”Like a scene from a movie, this real-world scenario features the official “talk” of air traffic

  • C-130 maintainers sustain mission readiness

    A combined team of active-duty and Guard C-130 Hercules maintainers with the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron are keeping mission-capable rates for the base’s fleet in the high 90s.The squadron, comprising active-duty Airmen and guardsmen working together as part of the air mobility team,

  • First Air Force Stryker unit deploys to Iraq

    The first Air Force Stryker unit marked its first deployment with the high-tech Army vehicle when it departed here Aug. 14 for Iraq.About 20 Airmen from the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron deployed with the Army’s 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, both stationed at nearby Fort Wainwright.“Our

  • AFPC analysts support force development vision

    In-depth scrutiny of personnel issues keeps analysts busy at the Air Force Personnel Center here as they provide data to further the force development vision.These analysts serve the needs of more than 45 career field management teams that oversee the development of more than 200,000 Air Force

  • Podcasting a first for Air Force

    For the first time, the Air Force is using the Internet and digital technology to podcast its radio news.Podcasts are broadcasts of Internet audio programs, usually in an MP3 format. People can then subscribe to receive the audio files. Many commercial content providers offer free podcast feeds

  • Museum of Aviation earns national accreditation

    The Museum of Aviation here has been awarded national accreditation by the American Association of Museums.The recognition places the museum in a group of only nine aviation museums in the nation that have met the AAM standards of achievement. Accreditation signifies excellence within the museum

  • Simple exercise steps keep force fit and mission-ready

    With the inception of the Air Force Fit to Fight program, Airmen had to adjust to a regular regimen of running, sit-ups, push-ups and other physical activities.Some Airmen experienced injuries while adjusting to the new standards, resulting in a need to see a physical therapist.“We saw a lot of

  • Vehicle operators remember fallen Airmen

    “Your life was brief … Your legacy endures,” are the words chosen by Airmen of the 506th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s vehicle operations flight to inscribe on a memorial for Airman 1st Class Carl Anderson Jr. and Staff Sgt. Dustin Peters. The Airmen died in Iraq while supporting

  • What's in a name?

    When researching what to call their children, parents often turn to a book of popular names. Or, they may select one they have heard simply because they like it.The process is not so simple when naming a military aerospace vehicle. For the Air Force and its sister services, the process begins

  • Hundreds of NCOs face retraining into new specialties

    More than 3,000 staff, technical and master sergeants have been identified to receive retraining vulnerability notices under the initial phase of the Air Force's fiscal 2006 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program.The retraining program is designed to help balance the enlisted force by moving

  • Deployments keep air operations squadron on the go

    Directing airstrikes in Afghanistan and Iraq might be easier for the 4th Air Support Operations Squadron than finding enough Airmen to meet deployment commitments.With a workload that rivals any in the Air Force, a third to a half of the unit’s Airmen “are gone all the time,” said Maj. Mike Abair,

  • U.S. Air Force lands at Moscow air show

    U.S. Air Force maintainers chocked and secured six aircraft at Ramenskoye Airfield here Aug. 14, as they prepared to participate in the Moscow International Aviation and Space Salon.About 100 U.S. serviceembers are playing an active part in the Moscow air show Aug. 16 to 21, where visitors can get a

  • Rabbi uses Iraq trip to help shape AF vision, values

    Iraq was one of the first places the new adviser on Air Force values and vision went to see how Airmen apply their guiding principles in a wartime environment.Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff, special assistant for values and visions to the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff, traveled to

  • FTF set to leave lasting impression in Pacific theater

    The Air Force broke ground last August for the first Pacific Air Forces C-17 Globemaster III squadron based outside the continental United States. One year later, using the Future Total Force initiative with an eye toward the future, Hickam Air Force Base is building a strong foundation for a new

  • New technologies, teaching boost language training

    New technologies and teaching approaches are improving the quality of instruction here as the Defense Language Institute supports the Defense Department's effort to boost foreign-language capability within the ranks.The school experienced "explosive growth" this year and expects the trend to

  • 60 years later, V-J Day, end of World War II remembered

    Sixty years ago Aug. 15, Japanese Emperor Hirohito surrendered to the Allied forces, bringing an end to the War in the Pacific and World War II.The Japanese government sent President Harry S. Truman a cable, delivered through the Swiss diplomatic mission here, to advise the Allies of Japan's

  • Kadena medics gain knowledge while deployed

    Aeromedical nurses and technicians here are helping save hundreds of servicemembers’ who are supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Aside from tending to the sick and wounded, these Airmen are gaining invaluable experience working in a multiservice operation, and treating injuries

  • Deployed firefighters modern day dragon slayers

    Throughout Iraq, sleeping dragons lie in slumber, ready to wreak havoc, death and destruction if disturbed.Air Force firefighters here remain vigilant serving as modern day dragon slayers who stand ready to bring down any dragon that threatens innocent civilians or coalition forces.Iraq’s dragons

  • Chaplain serves Airmen, Soldiers at remote posts

    When Army Spc. Jacob Boomsaad fell in love with a fellow Soldier while serving in Iraq, he feared he would have to delay the wedding until almost six months after returning from their deployment to marry in a Catholic church. That is until the specialist with the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry

  • There's always a better way

    The Airman had $600 left until payday, which was fine -- until her car broke down, and with it, a $1,000 repair bill.Two "friends" offered to help her out. The first offered an interest-free loan of $500. The second offered a $500 loan for a $75 fee, and said if the Airman could not pay the money

  • Bush: As Iraqis stand up, U.S. will stand down

    "As Iraqis stand up, we will stand down," President Bush said Aug. 11.The president made the remark while at him home in Crawford, Texas, where he met with Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Richard B.

  • Jumper set to retire

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper will retire after 39 years of service at a Sept. 2 ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. His effective date of retirement will be Nov. 1.Acting Secretary of the Air Force Pete Geren will preside over the ceremony, and Gen. T. Michael Moseley, currently

  • U.S. military set to take part in Moscow air show

    Eight U.S. Air Force aircraft and 100 people will participate in the Moscow International Air Show 2005 at Ramenskoye Airfield, Russia, from Aug. 16 to 21.Aircraft will include two F-15E Strike Eagles, two F-16 Fighting Falcons, a KC-10 Extender, a KC-135 Stratotanker and two B-1B Lancers.The B-1B

  • Rhein-Main still ticking as closure looms nears

    Though this base’s mission ends Oct. 1, its people are still doing what made it the Air Force’s premier airlift hub in Europe -- airlift support.The base, which shares runways with Frankfurt International Airport, has been drawing down since 1999 for its December closure. Its landmass has already

  • Airmen test new small diameter bomb system

    Gunfighters with the 366th Maintenance Group here put their skills to use when they tested a new small diameter bomb system Aug. 3 to 5.The GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb system is a low-cost, precision-strike weapon system that will soon be used by fighters, bombers and unmanned combat air vehicles.

  • Atlas V MRO launches from Cape Canaveral

    The 45th Space Wing supported the successful launch of a satellite to Mars on Aug. 12.An Atlas V rocket from nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launched the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter satellite into space.“The men and women of the 45th Space Wing provided top-notch range services to

  • Airmen partner with Soldiers to explode excess ordnance

    Anyone traversing the passenger terminal area at this forward-deployed location, regardless of length of stay, has a passing acquaintance with the amnesty box. Its sole objective is to serve as a “get into country free” card. Airmen are briefed on exactly what items are forbidden: alcohol,

  • Firefighters prepared when disaster strikes

    When there is an emergency, they are on the scene protecting Airmen and resources. But firefighters here do more than just battle flames; their inspections and training programs are tools they use to prevent emergencies that pose risks to fellow Airmen.“We provide aircraft crash rescue and

  • BRAC focus on right-sizing total force

    The co-chairman of the Air Force's base closure executive group recently discussed the views the Air Force took when considering the Base Realignment and Closure recommendations."We have to base our future Air Force on a smaller but more capable force, and organize that force in the most effective

  • Vandenberg aids in Discovery landing

    The Space Shuttle Discovery landed safely Aug. 9 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., partly because of the efforts of Airmen at the 30th Space Wing here.Airmen in Western Range operations and the 76th Helicopter Flight supported the re-entry and landing of the shuttle at Edwards after it was unable

  • Security forces guard gates, protect Air Force resources

    They stand beneath the blistering sun, ever-vigilant against the threat of someone trying to break through their barriers. They are Airmen deployed with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and they are the gatekeepers protecting Air Force assets here. Their task of securing entry

  • 'Freedom Walk' honors servicemembers

    The "America Supports You Freedom Walk" scheduled Sept. 11 has an important message for all Americans, a senior official said Aug. 10."We cannot forget that this country came under a serious attack on (Sept. 11), and we lost a lot of lives, and it was tragic," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant

  • Five Airmen -- brothers in fight for freedom

    The remains of five Airmen, brothers in arms to bring freedom to the nation of Iraq, were buried here Aug. 11 with full military honors.They were Maj. William Downs of the 6th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Capt. Jeremy Fresques of the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt

  • Personal sacrifices by enlisted force not overlooked

    At one point or another in every servicemember’s career, he or she will make a personal sacrifice for the accomplishment of the mission.Chief Master Sgt. John Foran, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces command chief, wants the enlisted force to know their sacrifices, particularly from

  • AMC 'total force’ rushes to aid of trapped Russian sailors

    It was a total force effort by Air Mobility Command active-duty, Reserve and Air National Guard units in a long-distance rescue effort Aug. 5 to free seven Russian sailors trapped in a submarine 625 feet beneath the sea. The Russian sub became tangled in a fishing net Aug. 4 during a military

  • Airmen join Sailors, Marines for JASEX 05

    Airmen from Kadena and Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, sharpened their joint warfighting skills during a third annual multiservice exercise designed to bring together U.S. air and naval power in the Pacific.The Joint Air and Sea Exercise 2005 also lured in about 30 Navy and Marine Corps

  • Keeping cool requires hard work

    Maslow’s hierarchy of needs states that basic human needs include food and shelter. For Airmen here, one more thing can be added to the list -- air conditioning.With temperatures soaring above 120 degrees during summer here, Airmen, Soldiers and their equipment all need the cool breeze created by

  • March receives AFRC’s first C-17

    The 452nd Air Mobility Wing here received Air Force Reserve Command’s first C-17 Globemaster III Aug. 9. Maj. Gen. Robert E. Duignan, 4th Air Force commander, and an aircrew from the 452nd AMW made the flight from the Boeing’s Long Beach, Calif., facility to the base.“We’re extremely proud and