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U.S. Air Force News

  • Nominations open for 2012 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations for the 2012 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award.There are three categories for award -- Airman, NCO and Senior NCO. Major commands and the Air Force District of Washington will each nominate three candidates, one per category, to the Air Force 12 OAY

  • Air Force arts, crafts program kicks off

    Artists, craftsmen and photographers from across the Air Force have greater options to display their work through the 2012 U.S. Air Force Arts and Crafts Gallery program, which kicked off Oct 1.The cultural art program, which recognizes and showcases works in an online gallery, encompasses a new

  • Special tactics Airmen march to honor fallen comrades

    A team of 18 special tactics Airmen have one objective in mind: honor the fallen.The team recently began an 812-mile march from Medina Annex, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas to Hurlburt Field, Fla., to commemorate 17 fallen comrades.As they marched out at 5 a.m, carrying 50-pound rucksacks and a

  • SecAF visits JB Charleston

    Members of Joint Base Charleston welcomed Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during his visit to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., on Oct. 18.Donley was greeted by Col. Richard McComb, the 628th Air Base Wing commander, and Col. Erik Hansen, the 437th Airlift Wing commander, along with other

  • SecAF: Stay focused on readiness during challenging times

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley toured the base and spoke to more than 250 Airmen during an all call here Oct. 17-18.Donley, currently in his fourth year as secretary, said it had been more than 20 years since his last visit here. He complimented the strong community support enjoyed by the

  • Powering awareness saves money

    Each October, the Air Force focuses its energy on saving energy."Our theme for Energy Awareness Month this year is 'Power the Force - Fuel the Fight,'" said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz in an energy awareness message to the

  • Kandahar Air Wing fire department continues basic fire training

     Members of the Kandahar fire department, in conjunction with the 683rd Army Fire Department detachment continued basic three-level training on base with Afghan airmen here recently.Officials said the training curriculum is modeled after the National Fire Protection Association and there are three

  • Historic 'surge' exercises airlift crisis, contingency response

    A surge of C-5 Galaxies, slated to take place Oct. 17 - 21, will bring together 18 active-duty and 23 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command crews and aircraft to fly cargo in support of combatant commanders across the globe. The assembly of the nation's largest military airlifters will

  • SVS officials launch redesigned AF sponsorship website

    The Air Force community has a combined purchasing power of $30 billion, and Air Force commercial sponsorship officials are revamping their efforts to spread the word to potential sponsors.Through the Air Force Commercial Sponsorship program, sponsoring businesses receive market exposure to total

  • Congress reviews future Reserve equipment upgrades

    As Congress works on the fiscal year 2012 budget and to reduce federal debt, Army and Air Force Reserve and National Guard leaders were on Capitol Hill here to testify and answer questions about their funding proposals Oct. 12.Chairman Roscoe Bartlett and Ranking Member Silvestre Reyes lead the

  • Security forces team trains Afghan air force counterparts

    Members of the 451st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance team have partnered with members of the 443rd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here to train the Afghan air force on small arms proficiency at Kandahar Air Wing.The CATM Airmen held a training session

  • Whiteman military working dog receives 1st national award

    The Exercise Tiger Foundation honored a 509th Security Forces Squadron canine handler and his dog during the 13th Annual National Adopt A Servicemen & Women Awards Banquet and ceremony in Columbia, Mo., recently.Staff Sgt. Alex Holloway, and Filo, a 6-year-old military working dog, were presented

  • Denton Program, 437th APS support humanitarian missions

    There is currently 24,800 pounds of humanitarian aid stored at the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here waiting to be shipped to Colon, Honduras on Oct. 25. Twenty reverse osmosis water purification systems and two anesthesia machines are being sent to provide clean water and medical supplies to more

  • US, Afghan airmen perform 1st joint operational air-assault mission

    Members of the Kandahar Air Wing and U.S. Army Task Force Thunder conducted their first joint air-assault mission, "Operation Sand Hill Crane," together recently.Officials explained the goal of Sand Hill Crane was to insert specialized teams into strategic locations where reintegration leaflets

  • Captain wins national Women in Aerospace Achievement Award

    A program manager here has been named a co-winner of the national-level Women in Aerospace Achievement Award.Capt. Amanda Zuber, a Space-Based Infrared System field program manager assigned to the 45th Launch Support Squadron here, will receive her award in Nov. 1 in Washington D.C."This is a big

  • Changing habits can change the world

    Changing one minor habit can make a difference in the long run. Now imagine making a number of small changes in day-to-day activities, and you're sure to realize the savings can really add up. This is just one of the many messages behind Energy Awareness Month in October. "What the Energy Awareness

  • Airman earns $10,000 with a simple IDEA

    While performing a routine test procedure, a 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons expediter's heart sunk when he heard a sound no maintainer ever wants to hear -- crunch. He had accidentally damaged an F-22 Raptor configurable rail launcher that mounts the fighter's AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking

  • Wing commander, spouse honored at Pentagon

     Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon and his wife Sara the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley award during a ceremony here Oct. 11. The Dillons were honored for their service at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where the general serves as the 86th Airlift Wing

  • 2011 Air Force Innkeeper Award winners named

     Air Force Innkeeper evaluation team memers here recently announced the winners of the 2011 Air Force Innkeeper Awards. The large-base recipient is the Inn on Davis-Monthan at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and the small-base recipient is the Eagle's Rest Inn at Dover AFB, Del."The objective

  • CMSAF speaks to Eielson Airmen

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited here Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, to present the Airmen here with new perspectives, praise and gratitude for serving their nation.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy spoke about the challenging job ahead of today's Air Force, tomorrow's

  • CMSAF talks to Airmen: Joint efforts important

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy emphasized the importance of working together in joint environments during a visit here before traveling to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.While at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Roy spoke to the hundreds of Airmen and Soldiers who werein

  • CMSAF visits Hawaii, discusses AF-wide issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy recently visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and took some time to answer questions about Air Force-wide issues. The following is a transcript of his interview:1. You were the Senior enlisted leader and adviser at (Pacific Command) and 5th Air Force

  • Evasion, conduct after capture training facility opens at Lackland

    A one-of-a-kind facility, built specifically to accommodate all Air Force evasion and conduct after capture training, opened and training began Oct 3 here.The program is for Airmen who will operate in high-risk environments that may place them at increased risk of isolation.The new facility merges

  • Medical codes no longer prevent some deployments

    Air Force officials have approved expanding the deployment opportunities for Airmen who typically had limited opportunities to deploy in support of air and space expeditionary force operations.Last month, the 602nd Training Group Provisional at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., began accepting Airmen

  • Quick thinking earns Airman Distinguished Flying Cross

    An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony here Sept. 30.Maj. Ryan Hayde was presented the medal by Brig. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the 57th Wing commander, for his actions during his recent deployment to Afghanistan."It's an honor to receive such

  • AFSOC's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II arrives at Cannon AFB

    Airmen assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing held an aircraft acceptance ceremony Sept. 29 on the flightline here for the arrival of Air Force Special Operations Command's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II. Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, the AFSOC commander, and Brig. Gen. Stephen Clark, the AFSOC

  • Air Force GPS program receives international award

    The Air Force Global Positioning System program was recognized Oct. 4 by officials at the International Astronautical Federation with a special award during the 62nd International Astronautical Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. The IAF, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, established

  • Misawa AB Airmen support Federal Energy Awareness Month Program

    Airmen here are participating in the annual Federal Energy Awareness month program that runs Oct. 1 through Oct 31.Each year, Federal Energy Management Program officials provide materials and ideas to promote energy-saving practices at federal facilities and produce a theme for the year. This year's

  • Cape Canaveral continues cleanup efforts

    Air Force officials have recently implemented changes to the force's environmental cleanup program to focus on cleaning up more sites more quickly.The environmental management team here is using cutting-edge technologies and accelerated cleanup procedures to implement some of those changes and

  • Cadets perform flood relief work in South Dakota

    Approximately 150 Air Force Academy cadets removed sandbags and cleared flood debris Sept. 29-Oct. 2 here.The cadets travelled to South Dakota to spend the weekend participating in a flood cleanup as part of the Academy's Cadet Service Learning program. The Cadet Wing performs approximately 40,000

  • Thule AB officials turn 15K tons of scrap metal into $1M

    Officials here were able to turn a 15,000 ton mound of scrap metal into more than $1 million and help clean the environment while they were at it.About 15 years ago, a problem literally began growing here with the demolition of buildings around the base. The scrap metal was gathered at an empty

  • Family, friends say goodbye to founding air commando

    Airmen gathered here Oct. 3 to render a final salute to retired Maj. Gen. John Alison as he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. "We have lost a great American, a dear friend, and a committed and loving family man," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said during a eulogy at

  • Prime BEEF squadron combines Air Force, Army engineers

    In today's joint operating environment, service members from different military branches are routinely unified to complete a mission. The 467th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron here combines Airmen and Soldiers to build facilities and structures needed throughout the entire

  • CSARs rescue wounded Afghan soldiers during high-risk mission

    Rescuing injured coalition forces in Afghanistan is something the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Bagram Airfield is accustomed to doing, but flying over 12,000-foot mountains and aerial refueling presented dynamic challenges during a mission Sept. 11. Airmen from the 83rd ERQS, known as the

  • Awareness months highlight wellness

    As Suicide Awareness Month in September comes to a close, Domestic Violence Awareness Month follows in October.Awareness months are tools to educate and inform people about things going on that could affect them or someone they know. Suicide and Domestic Violence Awareness Months give agencies the

  • AFCENT officials increase energy efficiency in deployed locations

    Initiatives to save energy are not just limited to bases in the United States. In deployed locations, saving energy is a top priority, as well."The air component makes up a large part of the overall (Department of Defense) energy consumption bill, so we must look at every opportunity to be smart

  • Air Force Targets Heat Plants for Energy Savings

    Engineers at the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., are on a mission to help save facility energy across the Air Force. One target is central heat plants, which have miles of distribution lines and are known to be inefficient according to Tom Adams, an AFCESA

  • Four decades of service come to a close for senior Air Force civilian

    It's the wonderful people that he's worked with that have made 43 years in the Air Force such a great experience, said William Davidson. Davidson, the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force, will retire in a ceremony here Sept. 30. "They always say you'll know when to leave." He

  • 21 STS combat controller awarded Silver Star

     When you are an Air Force combat controller in Afghanistan "just doing my job" can make for a very eventful day at the office.That is how Staff Sgt. C. Caleb Gilbreath described his actions in a running firefight against the Taliban in Konduz Province Oct. 30 to Nov. 6, 2008, earning him a Silver

  • Wyatt: Air Guard is affordable, operational, accessible

    The Air National Guard is the affordable, operational, fully accessible force the Air Force needs during uncertain economic times, the director of the Air National Guard Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt said here."The Air Guard provides to the United States Air Force 34 percent of the combat capability on seven

  • Kandahar graduates basic flight medics

     Four medics recently graduated at the Kandahar Air Wing from the first Afghan air force Basic Flight Medic course, boosting the Afghan medical response capability. According to medical professionals, the goal of the 40-hour course was to combine ground and flight medical training to produce a

  • Nominations open for civilian humanitarian award

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations for the 2011 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award.The Fisher Award is presented annually to an individual or organization outside the Department of Defense that has demonstrated exceptional patriotism, generosity and

  • Iraq makes first payment for 18 F-16s

    The Iraqi government has transferred its first payment for 18 F-16C Fighting Falcons, bringing Iraq closer to independently securing its airspace, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Sept 27."These aircraft will help provide air sovereignty for Iraq to protect its own territory and deter or

  • Laughlin sergeant creates formula, increases dust storm prediction accuracy

    The saying "leave it better than when you found it" is constantly used in the military with all the moving and relocating that is done.Staff Sgt. Thomas Jenkins, the 47th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight NCO in charge of weather systems, did just that and more after a recent deployment to

  • Fairchild units conduct first KC-135 OSC exercise

    Earlier in 2011, a military aircraft went down in Afghanistan and the aircrew evaded through enemy terrain. A Fairchild KC-135 Stratotanker was nearby conducting operations and was the first to receive communications from the downed survivors. Once they positively authenticated the survivors, the

  • T-6 advisory mission ceases, Iraqi pilots teach their own

    "Iraqi air power starts here," are the words written above the doorway of the Iraqi air force's Squadron 203, a T-6A Texas II flight training squadron at Tikrit Air Base, Iraq. The words ring true, in part, because of the efforts of the U.S. Air Force's 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron,

  • Korean War Gallery now interactive on virtual tour

    The Korean War Gallery just went virtual at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.The gallery is now fully embedded with audio, video and interactive hotspots and touch-screen devices located throughout the gallery."The Korean War Gallery recalls the birth of the modern U.S. Air Force as a

  • Air Force Cross recipient: 3 minutes to change the world

    As the only qualified joint terminal attack controller in an operation Oct. 5, 2009, an Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller knew the ground situation would be dire if he died. As an armor-piercing round entered his left shoulder and wreaked havoc throughout his chest, he said his

  • Sheppard graduates first 9-level Aircraft Armament course

    The first class of nine-level Aircraft Armament Systems senior NCOs graduated here Sept. 23.The 15 master sergeants who attended the course averaged 14 years of service since they completed their seven-level upgrade training. The two-week course is designed to teach career maintainers how to become

  • HC-130J arrival brings promise of improved personnel recovery

    Air Combat Command officials received its first HC-130J Combat King II after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz flew the aircraft here and officiated an arrival ceremony Sept. 24.The delivery of the new C-130 model from Georgia was significant for the personnel recovery mission, as the

  • Civilian career development webcasts slated Sept. 27, 29 and 30

    Webcasts developed to help GS-7 through GS-11 civilian Airmen plan and manage their careers continue through the next five weeks, beginning with a Sept. 27 webcast at 8 a.m. Sessions have been earmarked for eligible civilians based on command. "This is our largest civilian Airman population," said

  • Youth encouraged to 'Get Up, Get Out and Get Fit'

    Air Force Airman and Family Services officials will challenge thousands of children of ages from across the Air Force to 'Get Up, Get Out and Get Fit' as the seventh year of FitFactor kicks off with the Worldwide Day of Play Sept 24."We're proud to continue the FitFactor initiative and encourage

  • Reserve Command to realign several units

    Four flying wings, one flying group and seven smaller units in the Air Force Reserve Command will change their higher headquarters and chains of command by Oct. 1.These actions advance the command's efforts to provide operational capabilities and strategic depth across the full spectrum of military

  • Air Mobility Command's response saves lives

    In wars, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies, the Air Mobility Command's real-time global response capability saves lives and brings people home, Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. said this week.Johns, who commands AMC based at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., spoke to reporters here at a Defense

  • UK lab awards highest honor to Wright-Patt scientist

     An Airman from the 711th Human Performance Wing here received the Special Commendation Medal from the United Kingdom's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory on Sept. 14.The award is one of the highest honors bestowed upon Ministry of Defence researchers and this was the first time it was

  • Randolph employee earns national award through preservation efforts

    A civilian employee who has long spearheaded efforts to preserve Randolph Air Force Base's architectural heritage is the recipient of a prestigious national award.Scott Shepherd of the 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron, the base's cultural resources manager, earned the Secretary of the Interior Historic

  • Airmen recognized with Air Force Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards

    Five teams from across the service received Air Force Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 20.Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the awards, and lauded three teams' efforts with Air Force Best Practice

  • CMSAF shares enlisted perspective

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force discussed his enlisted perspective during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here, Sept. 21.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy shared with the audience what he feels are some of the most pressing

  • Air Forces Africa commander shares challenges, concerns

    The 17th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Africa commander discussed Africa operations during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 20.Major Gen. Margaret Woodward emphasized the importance of America's partnership with the people of Africa and the

  • Air Force recommits to green initiatives during pollution prevention week

    One of the best ways to protect the Earth is to not pollute in the first place, a realization that became official American policy in 1990 with the passing of the Federal Pollution Prevention Act. This week, the Air Force joins the rest of the nation in acknowledging a concerted effort to reduce

  • C-130Js improve Bagram's airlift, airdrop capabilities

    The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron recently filled its ranks with C-130J Hercules aircraft and aircrews as two new units joined the squadron. Almost two dozen C-130Js and a full complement of aircrew and maintenance personnel, split between California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing

  • Command chiefs address concerns, offer advice during AFA convention forum

    Issues affecting America's Airmen took center stage Sept. 19 during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition's Command Chief Master Sergeants Forum here Sept. 19.The forum provided Airmen an opportunity to communicate directly with chiefs on hot-button topics

  • AFA recognizes 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2011 were recognized during a formal banquet hosted by the Air Force Association during its 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition, Sept. 19, at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy emceed the

  • Airmen missing in action from WWII identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Sept. 20 that the remains of nine servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors.Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William J. Sarsfield of

  • CSAF, CMSAF release videos reinforcing resiliency, wingmen culture

    The Air Force chief of staff and chief master sergeant of the Air Force have released public service announcements Sept. 20 to reinforce the importance of resiliency and encourage all Airmen to look out for one another.Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy also

  • Air Force will preserve 'core contributions' despite pressures, CSAF says

    Air Force leaders are focused on managing potential budget constraints so that the service can continue to provide its unique contributions to national security, according to the Air Force chief of staff.Speaking before hundreds of attendees at the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference

  • Tops in Blue seeks talent for 2012 tour

    The Air Force's premier expeditionary entertainment group, Tops in Blue, is seeking the "best of the best" talent in the Air Force for the 2012 team.The Air Force Worldwide Talent Search takes place at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 9-16, 2012. Total force Airmen who believe they have the

  • 'Portraits in Courage' Vol. VI: Core values, real time

    Directing heat, jumping into raging waters, triaging under fire, powering relief efforts, or using a camera to alter outcomes; these are the actions taken by some of the 18 Airmen featured in the latest series of Portraits in Courage.Volume VI tells the stories of heroes and game changers; the

  • Man, woman found dead in Luke AFB post office

    A man and a woman were found dead Sept. 18 in the post office here.The man, identified as a Defense Department civilian employee who was authorized access to the facility, was found with his wife about 7 p.m."We want to emphasize that this was an isolated incident," said Capt. Carla Gleason, the

  • SECAF delivers address on state of the Air Force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley addressed hundreds of Airmen, sister service members and industry leaders during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here, Sept. 19.Donley spoke about the state of the Air Force in regards to budget concerns,

  • Senior leaders: B-2 has a bright future ahead

    Senior leaders from across the Air Force visited here last week to discuss the future of the B-2 Spirit bomber.The General Officer Steering Group for B-2 Sustainment met here Sept. 8 to discuss challenges and solutions for keeping the B-2 fleet healthy and operational for years to come.Ann Mitchell,

  • Rescue squadron returns home from concurrent deployments

    Approximately 60 members of the 56th Rescue Squadron returned here Sept. 15, after back-to-back deployments in support of two different operations that had them away from home for more than nine months.Their deployments began with a three-month stretch in Afghanistan where they provided high-risk

  • Air Force team trains Afghans on EOD ops

    Over the past month, an Air Force explosive ordnance disposal team has been training members of an Afghan National Army EOD team on the most current methods to defeat improvised explosive devices.Members of the 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron EOD charlie flight will soon conclude a

  • AAF receives first fixed-wing trainers

    The first three aircraft slated as initial trainers for the Afghan air force undergraduate pilot training program arrived here Sept. 18, marking a milestone for the Afghan Flight School. Three Cessna 182 Turbos are the first of six to be used as initial flight-training aircraft, with six additional

  • Reservists surprise wives during live 'Salute to Troops'

    Senior Airmen Domenic Mash and Keith Graft surprised their wives on the set of "HLN's Morning Express with Robin Meade" show during a live "Salute to the Troops" segment Sept. 14, here.The Airmen, from the Air Force Reserve Command 911th Security Forces Squadron, Pittsburgh International Airport,

  • Air Force Marathon sets attendance record for second year

    The 2011 U.S. Air Force Marathon broke a number of records this year -- first selling out earlier than ever in June and then by lining up 13,000 runners at the starting line on the grounds of Wright State University and the National Museum of the United States Air Force here.This previous record for

  • Enlisted force bestows highest honor on ACC commander

    A gathering of 500 Air Combat Command Airmen assembled in Hampton, Va. Sept. 12, to honor the ACC commander with induction into the Order of the Sword. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted corps can bestow on an individual and is steeped in military tradition. Originally begun as

  • Officials seek Pitsenbarger Award nominees

    Air Force Sergeants Association is seeking nominations for the 2012 Pitsenbarger Award.The AFSA Pitsenbarger Award annually recognizes an Air Force enlisted service member who has performed a heroic act, on or off duty, that resulted in saving a life or preventing serious injury to another person or

  • Air Force aerial firefighters continue battling Texas wildfires

    Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft provided aerial firefighting support to northeast Texas for a second consecutive day Sept. 12, forming fire retardant lines in support of ground fire crews.Aircrews and their four C-130s dropped approximately 12,000 gallons of fire retardant against Fires 262 and

  • Possible F-16 buy highlights Iraq's progress

    Iraq's potential purchase of 18 U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons is an encouraging development that benefits both nations, the senior U.S. Air Force component commander in Iraq said Sept 14."I do not have any word yet that a letter of offer and acceptance is signed, but as you probably know, we did have a

  • DOD aircraft join firefighting efforts in Texas, Northwest US

    Under the direction of the Joint Forces Air Component Commander for Air Forces Northern here, six Defense Department C-130 Hercules equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems will deploy in support of the National Interagency Fire Center to supplement wildland

  • Air Combat Command welcomes new leader

    Air Combat Command welcomed a new commander in a ceremony Sept. 13 here.Gen. Gilmary Michael Hostage III assumed command of ACC from Gen. William M. Fraser III in front of hundreds of Airmen and others gathered at the 94th Fighter Squadron hangar.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who

  • Continuous bomber presence restructuring saves DOD $12 million

     Air Force Global Strike Command and Pacific Air Forces officials teamed up recently to restructure logistics support and aircraft rotations for the continuous bomber presence in the Pacific.The restructuring is estimated to save the Defense Department more than $12 million annually."The continuous

  • Security forces Airmen complete 9/11 ruck march

    After more than two months and 2,100 miles of marching, a flight of security forces Airmen completed the Security Forces 9/11 Ruck March to Remember here Sept. 11. The last leg of their march began at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and ended at Battery Park, where 2,796 flags covered the

  • Yokota Airmen 'connect' to help fellow Airman

    When an Airman here needed his room renovated to support a device that would monitor his heart, several squadrons came together to lend a helping hand.After experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest during a physical training exercise, Airman 1st Class Tan Nguyen, from the 374th Medical Operations

  • Air Force ROTC unit established at Yale

    The secretary of the Air Force and the president of Yale University signed an agreement here Sept. 12 establishing an Air Force ROTC detachment on the campus, which marks a renewed presence at Yale for the Air Force.Yale's commitment to service, intellectual excellence and diversity make it the

  • Civil engineers start construction project on Wake Island

    Three 611th Civil Engineering Squadron members arrived here recently from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to begin building the second of three Sprung Instant Structure buildings. After their arrival on the atoll in the Pacific Ocean about 3,000 miles southwest of Anchorage known as Wake Island,

  • Reserve streamlining plans adjusts manpower in 3 states

    Air Force Reserve officials announced plans to streamline unit structures and adjust manpower in California, Georgia and Texas by fiscal 2012.The biggest changes will affect the Air Force Reserve's three numbered air forces: 4th Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.; 10th Air Force, Naval Air

  • Memories of 9/11 resonate with Dover Port Mortuary staff

    A decade ago, less than a dozen people worked in a modest building that sat on a few acres of land behind the fence at the end of Atlantic Avenue.That's how William Zwicharowski described the facility where the solemn duty of honoring the fallen was performed. Zwicharowski, an embalmer at the time,

  • Sather AB remembers 9/11

    More than 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and civilians participated in a two-mile sunrise ruck march Sept. 11 here.The purpose of the event, which included a flag-folding ceremony, was to honor those who were killed on 9/11. The attacks were perpetrated by hijackers who intentionally crashed two

  • CSA card personal use unauthorized

    Policy changes concerning the use of the Air Force's new Controlled Spend Account cards were spelled out in a policy letter from Headquarters Air Force Aug. 26. Effective immediately, personal use of the CSA is not authorized. The CSA is the program the Air Force implemented this year to replace the

  • 5 basic trainees become US citizens

    Five trainees became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony Aug. 25 here, making them the first to earn their citizenship during basic military training.A cooperative agreement between the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Army, Navy, and now the Air Force, created a faster

  • Academy officials to hold memorial ceremonies Sept. 9

    U.S. Air Force Academy officials have scheduled a memorial and dedication ceremony here Sept. 9 to honor past and present heroes who have defended the United States' national interests.The first is the Academy's annual Homecoming Memorial Ceremony to honor graduates who have died in the past year.

  • DTC provides comfort, eases transition for US service members

    The Ramstein Deployment Transition Center here recently opened its doors to service members from other branches of the U.S. military, 2,100 so far, allowing those teammates who are consistently in harm's way a method to ease into the transition of going home. Since July 2010, the DTC has been the

  • Airmen reopen base to support Iraq transition

    As U.S. Forces-Iraq members continue to return from Iraq, Airmen here have recently reopened an air base that was closed in 2004.With U.S. service members and multiple flying squadrons expected to pull fully out of Iraq by late December, the U.S. Air Force has created a home for some of these units.

  • Last baby born at Wilford Hall, labor and delivery moves to BAMC

    Baby Laurel Perez made history on Aug. 28.She was the last baby born at Wilford Hall Medical Center and is now an important part of the 60-year history of labor and delivery here.The Hauth Birthing Center, located on the fifth floor of the nine-story hospital, closed Aug. 29 and will re-open at

  • Air Force pilot missing from Vietnam War identified

    Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials announced Sept. 6 that the remains of an Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.Maj. Thomas E. Reitmann, of Red Wing, Minn., will be buried Sept.