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  • AFOSR helping to solve 30-year-old dilemma

    A team of researchers supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research has made a breakthrough in electric oxygen iodine laser, or EOIL, research. The results were presented at the AFOSR Molecular Dynamics Program Review here in June. "We have been looking at a problem that has been bugging

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials announced the airpower summary for June 29.In Afghanistan June 28, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and B-1 Lancers and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for a coalition forces convoy taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near

  • Fighter aircraft arrive for Combat Archer

    Twenty-eight fighter aircraft from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Luke AFB, Ariz.; and Shaw AFB, S.C., are here participating in Combat Archer. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed with their aircraft and set up operations in the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron, an Air Combat Command tenant unit

  • Japanese military key member of coalition

    For the first time since its formation in 1954, members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are actively deployed to a combat zone. They are helping with humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. "I feel the responsibility of this valuable work for the world and am proud to take part

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 28.In Iraq June 27, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted a precision strike against an anti-Iraqi forces compound near Baghdad. The F-16s expended a guided bomb unit-38, destroying the compound. F-16s provided

  • Former astronaut takes command of Air Force Space Command

    Gen. Kevin P. Chilton assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here June 26, presided over by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. Current and former national defense leaders, active and retired senior officers, community leaders and active-duty servicemembers gathered

  • 18th ASOG Airman praised for selfless service

    A tactical air controller was recognized by the secretary of the Air Force with the presentation of a Silver Star in a ceremony June 26 for heroic duties while deployed to Southwest Asia in support of the war on terrorism. Tech. Sgt. Travis Crosby, a terminal attack control-qualified TACP assigned

  • Omaha Trophy winners announced

    The winners of the 2005 Omaha Trophy awards were announced by U.S. Strategic Command officials today.The results are as follows: -- Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Trophy: 90th Space Wing, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.-- Strategic Aircraft Operations Trophy: 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.--

  • Air Force, Army agree on plans for joint cargo aircraft

    With the signing of a memorandum of agreement June 20, the vice chiefs of staff of the Air Force and the Army have agreed on a way ahead for converging the service's independent acquisition programs for a joint cargo aircraft. Both the Air Force and the Army independently pursued options for a

  • Air Force turns to old standby for Army re-supply

    The U.S. military has turned to an old workhorse as the delivery method for supplies and humanitarian cargo needed to sustain Operation Enduring Freedom. The C-130 Hercules has been around, in one form or another, since the 1950s. It is the aircraft of choice for inter-theater airlift in

  • Air Force research facility one of best in DOD

    An Air Force research facility here received accolades as one of the best in the Department of Defense during an inspection. Dr. Salvatore Cirone, the health science policy program director for the office of the assistant secretary of defense, inspected the 59th Medical Wing's 59th Clinical Research

  • Missing World War II Airmen identified

    Nine Airmen missing in action from World War II have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors, officials from the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced June 27.The nine are 2nd Lt. Hugh Johnson Jr., Montgomery, Ala.; 2nd Lt. Byron Stenen,

  • Airmen ensure blood flows to forward locations

    It is the job of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group's Expeditionary Blood Transshipment System to ensure that lifesaving blood, plasma and cryoprecipitate (the part of the blood that aids in clotting) get from the states to the forward operating bases. "All blood comes through here and that is

  • Airmen prepare base for return to Iraqi control

    In order for coalition troops to leave Iraq, the Iraqis must first be prepared to take over operations from the coalition. Part of accomplishing that task involves coalition forces training and validating the new Iraqi military. Four Airmen assigned to a small forward operating base about 10 miles

  • Allied aircrews train for action

    More than 300 German and American aircrews are expanding their scope of modern coalition warfare during a two-week training exercise that concludes June 30. The exercise is the final stage of training for weapons instructors with the German Air Force Flying Training Center, or GAF-TC, stationed at

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 24 to 26.June 26In Afghanistan June 25, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition forces taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Asadabad. The aircraft expended guided bomb

  • The ABCs of PRT

    The provincial reconstruction teams' efforts in Afghanistan are so successful Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice used them as a template to inaugurate the first U.S.-led PRT in Iraq in November. While addressing the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations last fall, Secretary Rice said, "To execute

  • Air Force stands ready for 2006 hurricane season

    With hurricanes Katrina and Rita still fresh on their minds, Air Force officials stand ready to face anything Mother Nature may throw at them this hurricane season, senior leaders here said. “We provide first-in, last-out support for humanitarian crises and natural disasters,” said Air Force Chief

  • Officials name aircrew life support award winners

    Air Force officials here have announced the 2005 Outstanding Air Force Aircrew Life Support of the Year award winners. These awards recognize the accomplishments of aircrew life support people and programs. The 2005 winners are: -- Headquarters Staff Member of the Year: Master Sgt. Richard Colson,

  • Air Force announces new mission at Cannon AFB

    Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., will be the new home for an Air Force special operations wing, Air Force officials announced June 20.Air Force Special Operations Command will accept ownership of Cannon AFB and the Melrose Range effective Oct. 1, 2007. The decision came as a result of an eight-step

  • Airmen, Soldiers polish skills at Golden Medic

    Air Force reservists from around the country deployed here June 10 to 19 to participate in the Army Reserve's largest medical exercise, Golden Medic 2006. About 200 Airmen set up a base at the city's regional airport. At nearby Fort Gordon, nearly 2,000 Soldiers took part in the exercise. More than

  • Air Force announces aviation resource management awards

    Air Force officials have announced the 2005 Outstanding Air Force Aviation Resource Management of the Year award winners.The winners are: -- Airman of the Year: Senior Airman April Derrick, 384th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. -- NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Clayton Raub, 48th

  • C-130 aircrew evacuates girl on Father's Day

    When Maj. Wayne Vaughn looked down at the injured 12-year-old girl clinging to life on a litter loaded in his C-130 Hercules, he thought, "How can they do this? How can they try and kill a little girl?" Taliban extremists had bombed a girls school in Herat in eastern Afghanistan on June 18, killing

  • Community at large benefits from space innovation

    In the midst of budget cuts and space program cost overruns, the Air Force has found a way to save taxpayers money and, at the same time, increase small satellite launch capability to its maximum potential. It’s called the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Secondary Payload Adapter, or ESPA, ring.

  • B-2s stay in shape with exercises

    The 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron has spent the past three weeks refining the skills necessary to maintain the B-2 Spirit, one of the world’s most advanced weapon systems. During exercises Valiant Shield, continuing through June 23, and Northern Edge, which ran from June 5 to 16, B-2 aircrew

  • Warfighting integration reduces inaccuracy, inefficiency

    Over the next decade, the Air Force will continue to use information technology to leverage the capability of its people and weapons systems. During a conference here June 13, Lt. Gen. Michael W. Peterson, Air Force chief of warfighting integration and chief information officer, told members of the

  • Squadron monitors sky over Afghanistan

    If it’s flying over Afghanistan, Airman 1st Class Kyle Neill will be the first one to notice it. That is, as long as he is on shift as a surveillance technician with the 73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron here. Airman Neill's job is to manage data as part of a two-person team in an operations

  • Mosquitoes in the desert?

    There are mosquitoes, along with spiders, snakes, wild dogs and a variety of other animals and plants, at Kirkuk and other deployed locations that can cause Airmen problems. But there are two units here fighting against these lesser-known enemies to the Air Force mission: the 506th Expeditionary

  • Northern Edge 2006 takes joint operations to next level

    Exercise Northern Edge 2006, Alaska's largest joint training exercise, concluded June 16.Nearly 5,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen worked together against a simulated enemy for two weeks, destroying targets on land and in the sea, gaining control of the Alaskan sky and performing

  • ESC delivers French AWACS capability

    Radars on the French Airborne Warning and Control System fleet are now more capable thanks to a recently completed improvement effort managed by the Electronic Systems Center. The French AWACS Radar System Improvement Program concluded this month with the delivery of the fourth and final French E-3F

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the combined airpower summary for June 16 to 18.June 18In Afghanistan June 17, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for coalition forces taking small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near Ghazni. The

  • Air Force names 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    Air Force officials have selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2006. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here considered 33 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and

  • Andersen prepares for Valiant Shield

    Air Force bombers, fighters, tankers and support aircraft from the Pacific theater are arriving and making preparations for Valiant Shield 2006. The U.S. Pacific Command exercise, which runs June 19 to 23, will be conducted in the vicinity of Guam. Valiant Shield focuses on integrated joint training

  • Zarqawi air strike shows aerial flexibility, general says

    The attack that killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi demonstrates the flexibility that air assets give commanders, officials here said. Brig. Gen. Stephen Hoog, an air planner with Multinational Force Iraq, gave a timeline of the operation that resulted in the death June 7 of the most wanted terrorist in

  • Pararescuemen chance the extremes

    From an altitude of 3,500 feet, Air Force pararescue jumpers, or PJs, leap from a C-130 Hercules in an effort to rescue three victims from the frigid waters of the Kachemak Bay in Alaska. This was one of three training scenarios for PJs deployed to Alaska for Northern Edge 2006. “Alaska’s different

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 16.In Afghanistan June 15, French Mirage fighter aircraft conducted precision strikes on Taliban extremists near Qalat. The Mirages expended guided bomb unit-12 munitions on extremists hiding in a tree line. In a

  • RAF Lakenheath welcomes new mission, aircraft

    The first two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the 56th Rescue Squadron arrived here from Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, via a C-17 Globemaster III June 12 and 13. Five aircraft and many operators and maintainers are moving here as part of the reallocation of the Iceland-based unit. “We’re

  • JIB communicates Northern Edge 2006 mission

    Most people think of men and women in uniform wearing Kevlar vests and armed with rifles when they hear “military.” For the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines working here in the joint information bureau at Exercise Northern Edge 2006, pens, notebooks and cameras are just as critical as their

  • Tanker Task Force keeps Northern Edge flying

    If a driver could fill up the car with gas without stopping, imagine how efficient driving would be. The Tanker Task Force here provides efficient service to drivers in the air at Northern Edge, Alaska’s joint training exercise. Seventeen tankers and 12 total force units from around the country

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 15.In Afghanistan June 14, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer conducted precision strikes on insurgent defensive fighting locations, compounds, cave entrances and troops near Khowst. The aircraft

  • Hickam honors World War II vets with new C-17

    The delivery of the seventh of eight C-17 Globemaster IIIs here June 14 brought 15th Airlift Wing and Pacific Air Forces Airmen together with World War II veterans. The aircraft, christened "The Spirit of 'Go For Broke,'” is a tribute to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd fought in Europe

  • Air Force announces integration, information award winners

    The winners of the Air Force’s annual Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer Awards for 2005 have been announced. “Each year, the quality of the nominations we receive shows we have troops at every level of command who continue to excel in conducting warfighter missions around the

  • Technology offers high-tech patient monitoring

    Wilford Hall Medical Center Critical Care Air Transport Team, or CCATT, members are testing technology designed to improve patient care in the air. The latest advancement in remote monitoring capability, the medical heads-up display, or MHUD, was brought here by technicians from the Air Warfare

  • Space institute begins advanced missile warning course

    The National Security Space Institute will conduct the first-of-its-kind missile warning advanced course here July 24. This 13-week course is designed to create experts in the missile warning and defense mission arena. The course will provide in-depth education on missile warning and defense with a

  • Joint Prowler team jams at Northern Edge 2006

    The sight of four crewmembers climbing out of a Navy EA-6B Prowler here on the flightline during Northern Edge 2006 is not unusual. However, when one of those four crewmembers is carrying the blue flight cap of an Air Force officer instead of Navy khaki, something might be amiss. But that is not the

  • AFA names Air Force civilians of year

    The winners of the 2006 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian of the Year Awards have been announced. The awards recognized the following Air Force civilian employees in their respective categories:-- Civilian Wage Employee: Michael Hartsfield, Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. --

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 14.In Afghanistan June 13, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s conducted precision strikes on Taliban extremists in the open and by a cave entrance near Khowst. The A-10s expended

  • C-5 accident investigation board complete

    The results of an investigation into the C-5 Galaxy crash at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on April 3 found that human error was the cause, Air Mobility Command officials released today.The accident investigation board determined the pilots and flight engineers did not properly configure, maneuver and

  • FOD is Public Enemy No. 1

    Tiny objects make big trouble for jet engines -- something smaller than a fingernail can destroy an engine worth hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars. Foreign object damage, or FOD, typically occurs when small objects such as hardware fragments from aircraft are ingested into the

  • Peterson, Misawa have top large commissaries

    The commissary at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., has been selected by the Defense Commissary Agency as the top large commissary in the U.S. The commissary at Misawa Air Base, Japan, was selected as the top large store overseas. There were a total of 48 stores that received awards in this year's

  • Maintainers keep B-2s soaring during deployment

    Maintaining the world’s most advanced multi-role bomber isn’t an easy job. It requires Airmen work long hours to ensure every inch of airframe is ready to launch at a moment’s notice. Anything less would jeopardize the safety of the aircrew, or in the case of this unique aircraft, compromise the

  • Air Force recognizes judge advocates for excellence

    The office of the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force has announced the winners of the Judge Advocate General 2005 Annual Awards. Winners of the 2005 awards include: -- Kuhfeld Award for Outstanding Young Judge Advocate: Maj. Charles Plummer, staff judge advocate, 501st Combat Support Wing,

  • Bracing for the storm

    It’s hurricane season again, and Air Force bases along the Southern coastline are bracing for what many experts are predicting could be another busy summer. In 2005, four major hurricanes -- Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma -- combined to produce more than $1 billion in damage to Air Force

  • Intel Airmen experts at puzzle solving

    Predicting enemy actions in a combat zone like Iraq is like trying to put together a puzzle where not only the pieces rapidly change, but the overall picture changes moment by moment.At Ali Base, three members of the 407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron intelligence flight spend their day

  • Northern Edge aims for air, sea dominance

    “Our end result (of Northern Edge 2006) is to establish complete dominance in the air and at sea,” said Col. John Marselus, chief of the Joint Exercise Division, or JED, for U.S. Alaskan Command.The focus of the annual joint-service exercise is to prepare joint forces to respond to crises in the

  • Commando Warrior prepares Airmen for war on terrorism

    Weapons tactics. Night operations. Improvised explosive devices and convoy training. Knowledge of all four areas is important.  That knowledge aids in the survival and victory of a combat unit. But that knowledge isn't inherently known by everyone in the military; it has to be learned. That's where

  • Air Force announces annual Public Affairs Achievement Awards

    On behalf of Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Col. Michelle Johnson, director of Public Affairs and deputy director of Strategic Communications here, announced the 2005 Public Affairs Achievement Awards.“My heartiest congratulations to

  • 2005 Annual Weather Award winners announced

    The winners of the Air Force Weather 2005 Annual Weather Awards have been announced, recognizing units and individuals throughout the weather community  as the best in their field. Col. John Murphy, acting director of the Air Force Weather Agency, said he was honored to announce the winners and

  • Red Horse squadrons unite in the fight

    Red Horse squadrons from around the globe are combining forces to improve the quality of life for military members and safety conditions for Airmen and aircraft in South Korea. Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers from Osan’s 554th RHS have worked closely with Guard,

  • Youth Service Medal recognizes children's sacrifices

    When servicemembers deploy, they aren't the only ones who serve. Their families serve also, and usually the separation is hardest on the children. Homecomings are joyous moments for military families, but until recently, the service and sacrifice made by the children of deployed troops went largely

  • Missileers receive new computer capabilities

    Airmen who pull alert in ICBM launch control centers deep underground in remote locations around the country are virtually cut off from the outside world. Ensuring America’s intercontinental ballistic missile force is ready at a moment’s notice may be considered a lonely, isolated job with an

  • Small aircraft take on some of the biggest missions

    Patrolling the sky over Iraq for more than 2,250 hours in May, the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here leads the largest unmanned aerial vehicle operation in the world with one of the Air Force’s smallest aircraft -- the MQ-1 Predator. Providing “real-time eyes-in-the-sky,” the squadron

  • Assignment opportunities expand for Code-C Airmen

    Some previously restricted Airmen now may be assigned permanently or on temporary duty to any stateside base with a medical facility or to certain overseas bases with a medical facility because of recent changes to Air Force Instruction 41-210, “Patient Administration Functions,” and the initiation

  • Medical wing stands ready for hurricane response

    Commanders at Wilford Hall Medical Center have approved a plan slated to improve medical responses to hurricane emergencies throughout the continental United States. The 59th Medical Wing’s Critical Care Air Transport Team Rapid Hurricane Response Plan was approved and adopted May 26. Hurricane

  • Thunderbirds announce 2007 officers

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” has announced its new officers for the 2007 demonstration season, the 54th in the team’s history.Joining the team on the left wing position at Thunderbird No. 2 is Maj. Chris Austin from the 57th Wing here. The slot pilot, Thunderbird

  • Software team finds new mission with C-5

    Now that the C-141 Starlifter has officially retired after 43 years of providing strategic global airlift, those who cared for it are left behind to find a new purpose. The 402nd Maintenance Group software support team is filling the void with a new workload -- the C-5 Galaxy. “It’s an engineer’s

  • No flight plan, no Northern Edge

    The echoes of jet engines roaring over the snow-capped Chugach Mountains are a thrilling byproduct of many moving parts comprised of U.S. servicemembers on the ground. The 3rd Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management Office here creates flight plans for more than 70 aircraft a day and

  • Airman $9,000 richer for maintenance suggestion

    A $9,000 award was given to a technical sergeant from the 2nd Maintenance Squadron here for his suggestion through the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program, known as IDEA.Tech. Sgt. John Biery received recognition for correcting a maintenance problem on F-16 Fighting

  • Hurricane Hunters ready to take on 2006 storm season

    It was a quiet opening day of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron spent the day training and getting ready for what forecasters say will be another active season. Though the season officially began June 1 and ends Nov. 30, last year these

  • Three F-16 wings deploy to Korea

    Elements of fighter wings from three Air National Guard units have deployed here this week in support of their air expeditionary force rotations. Components of the 150th, 140th and 120th Fighter Wings from the New Mexico, Colorado and Montana Air National Guard, respectively, have been renamed the

  • Air Guard salutes top Airmen, NCOs

    Six Airmen were honored in Washington, D.C., recently as the Air National Guard’s top enlisted members of the year. The honorees are:Airman of the Year: newly promoted Staff Sgt. Saul Soto-Sanchez, 156th Logistics Squadron, Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico.NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt.

  • NORTHCOM ready to respond

    The progress U.S. Northern Command has made since its inception Oct. 1, 2002, to defend the homeland from natural or manmade disasters is "truly impressive," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here May 31. Rumsfeld visited NORTHCOM the day before the official start of hurricane season for an

  • Remote airstrips are hell on wheels

    C-130 maintainers are in a Herculean battle against enemies that have been around since the dawn of time: dirt, rocks and dust.While C-130 Hercules perform the tactical portion of the airlift mission by bringing in troops and supplies to remote locations, called forward operating bases, they have to

  • Air Force Link inaugurates 'Perspectives'

    The Air Force Link "Web exclusives" page for the month of June takes a unique look at three separate stories, not only through the lenses of three Air Force News photojournalists, but through their personal narrations as each tells the unique perspective of his story in his own words. Each

  • Rumsfeld voices confidence in academy graduating class

    Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld told the 879 second lieutenants who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy today that their challenge will be to go beyond a simple change of process. “Our country did not survive and become great through timid responses or aversion to risk,” he said. “Ours

  • Class of 2006 outstanding cadets recognized

    The graduation ceremony for 879 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets took place today at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.   Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley were there to celebrate with the cadets and their

  • Combat mobility element moves cargo quickly, safely

    The 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, sent a pair of its C-17 Globemaster IIIs here to support the Australian Defense Force. U.S. crews are shuttling cargo and Australian military forces to strategic locations within the country.This operation involves moving massive amounts of cargo, and

  • New fuels system saving Air Force time, money

    Airmen here are refueling aircraft faster than ever before and doing it with fewer people, thanks to the next generation of fuels mobility support equipment. The new system is called Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment, or FORCE. This equipment is making life easier for Airmen and

  • General Moseley knighted for contributions to international relations

    Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley was knighted during a ceremony at the British Embassy here May 30. The honorary knighthood, at the suggestion of Queen Elizabeth II, stems from the general's contributions to United States-United Kingdom relations while he served as commander

  • From playing fields to battlefields

    Sports and the military share a common bond journalistically. It’s not unusual to read about a classic battle, how a player had plenty of fight left, how a team showed a warrior mentality or how they were outnumbered.Sports have liberally borrowed clichés from the GI world for years. Now it’s the

  • AFSO 21 initiative leads to safer flying at Lakenheath

    As Air Force Smart Operations 21 went Air Force-wide this year, the 48th Fighter Wing here jump-started its program with weekly AFSO 21 initiatives briefed at wing stand-up. “I want every Airman, civilian and (Ministry of Defense) employee on this base to understand, first of all, what AFSO 21 is,

  • U.S. military responds to Indonesia earthquake

    The U.S. military is sending about 100 troops to Indonesia to contribute to international humanitarian relief efforts in the wake of a devastating 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck May 27 near the ancient city of Yogyakarta. The deployment is part of a larger U.S. government response to a request

  • Airmen train Iraqi soldiers on base defense

    When most Airmen think of base defense, they may think about security forces checking ID cards at the gate. However, a U.S. team in Iraq is showing that base defense means much more. A group of five security forces Airmen and their Army commander have combined to form a base defense unit, or

  • Unit keeps pesty visitors at bay

    One unit here still strives to keep the sky over a portion of Iraq a no fly zone.They also eliminate rats, loose animals and vectors, insects that can transmit diseases to animals and humans. The unit, the 407th Civil Engineer Squadron’s entomology flight provides professional pest control to ensure

  • Mission of security forces constantly evolving

    Through the eyes of Staff Sgt. David Brown, the mission of the security forces has changed since the beginning of the war in Iraq. After all, this is his eighth deployment since Operation Iraqi Freedom started. As a sign of things to come, Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

  • Services career field named Air Force Team of the Year

    Each year, Air Force officials evaluate career fields for unity and exceptional performance that warrants recognition by the entire force. In conjunction with the Air Force Association, one career field is recognized with an Air Force-level award. Services, Air Force Specialty Code 3M0X1, was

  • Kenney Headquarters maximizes support to joint warfighters

    The Gen. George C. Kenney Headquarters reaches its one-year anniversary June 1. Known as KHQ, the headquarters staff commands air, space and information operations for joint forces throughout the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Korea. Consisting of three elements -- the Pacific Air Operations Center,

  • Chaplain team here to serve

    Being deployed doesn’t mean an Airman’s spiritual involvement or fellowship with other members of his or her faith has to be neglected. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s base chapel is a source of continued spiritual support of worship opportunities and counseling services for deployed

  • DOD officials defining roles for disaster response

    With hurricane season nearing, the Defense Department has tremendous assets to offer a civilian-led response to a major disaster, said a top DOD official involved in the process. "Those assets are ready for deployment, and ... we are better prepared than at any point in our nation's history to move

  • DOD works to further reduce military suicides

    Suicide rates within the military are about half those in the civilian military-aged population, but the Defense Department is reaching out to its members to help further reduce the incidence of suicide within the ranks, a top military doctor said. The suicide rate for military members during 2005

  • General urges Asian-Pacific Americans to pursue opportunities

    Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Robert “Lance” Chu would like to see more Asian-Pacific Americans take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Air Force and Air Force Reserve. “But not just Asian-Pacific people,” said Dr. Chu, the mobilization assistant to the assistant surgeon general for healthcare

  • Air Force Services announces LeMay, Eubank winners

    Each year, the Air Force recognizes the best Services units by presenting the Gen. Curtis E. LeMay and the Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank awards. The LeMay trophy recognizes the best unit in the large base category, bases with 6,000 or more military and civilians assigned. The Eubank trophy recognizes

  • Robotic vehicle helps clear minefields

    Building roads and airfields in Afghanistan presents a unique challenge that stateside heavy equipment operators don’t encounter … minefields. That is why members of the 823rd Red Horse -- or Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers -- here joined the Air Force Research

  • Center saves millions, improves warfighting abilities

    Airmen deploying in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom can travel a little lighter now, thanks to the new Expeditionary Theater Distribution Center. The center here is one of three consolidated mobility bag distribution hubs that went fully operational this rotation, saving

  • Redeployment survey shows most Airmen return healthy

    The Air Force has reassessed about 12,500 Airmen since December after they returned from deployment and found most of those Airmen to be healthy. At the close of 2005, the Air Force began asking Airmen who returned from deployment to places like Afghanistan and Iraq to complete a post-deployment

  • BASH program teamwork protects Travis jets from bird strikes

    Bird strikes are a major concern for Air Force bases. They cost the Air Force more than $53 million in fiscal 2004 and $21 million in 2005. Even though the total cost showed a decrease in 2005, the total number of bird strikes reported by aircrew and aircraft maintenance members continues to rise

  • Airmen help rebuild a nation

    After a six-day killing frenzy of local Afghans, the Taliban seized control of this city in 1998. In November 2001, with U.S. assistance, the Afghan Northern Alliance recaptured the city of 180,000 residents. Today, Airmen continue to assist Afghanistan in its war against extremists by mentoring the

  • IT modernization: Leveraging the power of information

    Since January, the Air Force has been busy modernizing itself through the Secretary of the Air Force initiatives embodied in Air Force Smart Operations 21. The Air Force's communications and information community is part of that modernization effort. Their focus is on restructuring information

  • Moody prepares for hurricane season

    Airmen here buckled up the base, battled heavy winds and provided support for off-base recovery efforts during a hurricane evacuation exercise held May 15 to 18. Responding to “Hurricane Timothy” provided a realistic evaluation of the 347th Rescue Wing’s capability to plan and take the proper

  • Runway repair reduces FOD at Balad

    The Air Force, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and civilian contractors, is repairing a section of runway here that is showing signs of decay. The runway was not designed to accommodate heavy aircraft such as the C-5 Galaxy and the C-17 Globemaster III. The aircraft have taken a toll on