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U.S. Air Force News

  • Depot technicians begin using automatic test station

    The Versatile Depot Automatic Test Station, or VDATS, was put to the test here July 9 as it examined its first production asset as an Air Force and Department of Defense Family of Testers member. Operators used VDATS to test a decoder assembly from the Pave Penny pod, which is a targeting device

  • Recycling contract turns trash into treasure

    War is messy -- literally -- but U.S. forces, contractors and Iraqis found a way to turn the military's trash into Iraq's economic treasure. Albu-Hussan-based Almandhour United Company oversees waste-management operations here following a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 10 that commemorated the opening

  • Veteran helps others achieve American dream

    A bureaucratic mix-up. That's how Eugene Toni explained being drafted in the Army to his mother. If he had told her the truth, "she would have killed me," said the 58-year-old. In reality, there was no mix-up. Mr. Toni was attending Camden County College in New Jersey and working part-time at a

  • 'Today's Air Force' features accomplishing the mission

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" takes a look at how Airmen work together to put bombs on target. Also featured is a segment on the importance of knowing what the weather is while planning missions. And, while air traffic controllers let the pilots know when it's safe to land, who is

  • Eye doctors give patients new outlook

    Eye doctors deployed to the Air Force Theater Hospital in Iraq see more than twice as many eye traumas than they encounter at their homestations. Among their patients are Iraqis and American servicemembers who have suffered eyesight-threatening injuries. Ophthalmologists can't always save their

  • Iraqi air force acquires new aircraft from U.S. forces

    U.S. forces transferred ownership of 11 aircraft to the Iraqi air force July 9 during a ceremony at New Al Muthana Air Base. Army Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq, signed over eight Cessna 172s and three Cessna Caravan 208s worth more than $9

  • Wilford Hall trauma center status verified

    The trauma center at Wilford Hall Medical Center here has been verified as a Level One trauma center by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons. This achievement recognizes the trauma center's dedication to providing state-of-the-art care for injured patients. Established by the

  • Satellite's instrumentation providing scintillation forecast data

    Whether it's static interrupting a radio station, or crackling noises interfering with a theater commander's attempt to contact a deployed unit, scintillation can cause communication chaos. Scintillation occasionally occurs when radio waves transiting an unstable ionosphere, located 50 to 360 miles

  • Officials unveil portrait of AF pioneer

    Air Force officials unveiled a portrait of the late Gen. Bernard Schriever in a ceremony July 8 at the Pentagon. General Schriever is often called the "father of the Air Force space and missile program" because of his advocacy of the need for space superiority and contributions to the development of

  • Air Force to honor international contributions

    The secretary of the Air Force has established an annual award to honor outstanding and innovative contributions to international affairs. Launched in January, the Air Force International Affairs Excellence Award recognizes the one Air Force person judged to be most effective in building,

  • AF introduces civilian acculturation, leadership program

    Applications are now being accepted from Air Force civilian interns and Student Career Employment Program graduates for the Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training program. This opportunity is a chief of staff initiative designed as an intensive leadership development program for civilians

  • Air Force video earns top awards

    A Secretary of the Air Force video describing the role of air power in the war on terrorism earned two top television awards recently. The Telly Awards honored the service's "Setting the Conditions for Victory" video with two Silver Awards, which is the highest honor bestowed to the best of local,

  • Wilford Hall surgeon wins AFA award

    Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kirk A. Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist at Wilford Hall Medical Center here, has won the 2008 Paul W. Myers Award for his work at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and in the 59th Maternal/Child Care Squadron at Wilford Hall. The Paul W. Myers Medical Award was established in 1982 by Air

  • Air Force, Boeing officials upgrade C-130 cockpits

    Members of the 418th Flight Test Squadron here working with Boeing officials are currently conducting communication, navigation, radar and air data testing on two C-130 Hercules aircraft here as part of the Avionics Modernization Program. The Avionics Modernization Program, or AMP, upgrade includes

  • Promotion release 'virtual' success

    It was deathly quiet at 7:45 a.m. at the Air Force Personnel Center here June 26. Both here, and around the world, noncommissioned officers eligible for promotion to technical and master sergeant hit the Internet, hoping someone had posted the promotion list prior to the 8 a.m. scheduled release. At

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Joint Precision Airdrop System

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights members of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and how their efforts are keeping our Airmen out of harm's way. Also featured is the Joint Precision Airdrop System. See how the combined efforts of the Air Force and Army are improving

  • Andrews Airman participates in national golf tournament

    When he was in high school, Senior Master Sgt. Kirk Kessler worked part-time at a golf course in Mobridge, S.D., to earn some cash and play the sport for free. As he mowed the fairways and greens, he didn't think much of the game. "I played a little bit, but I didn't take the game seriously," he

  • Historic capsule makes trip to body shop

    A relic from NASA's Apollo program was an eye-catching sight as it was transported via flatbed truck from its home July 1 at the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing here to Port Canaveral. The white, 11-foot by 13-foot, 9,000-pound space capsule, on loan to the 920th Rescue Wing from the

  • Air Force strives to enhance communications networks

    Officials from the Air Force, Army and Navy are now funding a Finnish research program that explores new approaches for improving telecommunications network management. The ultimate goal is to build on this basic research and create a cognitive network that will use rational decision-making methods

  • Air Force officials clarify uniform change announcements

    As the Air Force transitions from the legacy battle dress to the modern airman battle uniform, questions and concerns are bound to come up, said the head of Air Force uniform and recognition branch. "Anytime there is new information about uniforms for Airmen, we will get that out to the field as

  • Cyberspace career fields, training paths, badge proposed

    Air Force officials recently proposed a plan to develop its enlisted and officer corps into Airmen who specialize in establishing, controlling and fighting in the cyberspace domain. That's according to Maj. Gen. William T. Lord, the Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) commander who referenced

  • Civilians can consider military treatment facility if injured

    If an Air Force civilian employee is injured on the job, time can be vitally important in getting that injury treated. One of the best solutions for both an employee and the Air Force is to use an emergency room at a base military treatment facility. Yet few employees take advantage of this

  • Air Force athlete earns silver medal at Olympic Trials

    U.S. Air Force Academy record-holder Dana Pounds placed second in the javelin throw in the finals of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials June 30 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Posting a distance of 189 feet 9 inches, Pounds finished just two feet behind the meet's winner, but despite the second-place

  • Pilot tackles Typhoons during exchange duty in England

    When an American F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot was given the opportunity of applying for an exchange posting, he had no hesitation in selecting a tour to fly the F-2 Typhoon with the Royal Air Force. "I was attracted by the opportunity to fly a new airplane, to go somewhere different and be part of

  • July-August Airman magazine now available

    In the latest issue of Airman magazine, Airmen who maintain the twin-tailed A-10 Thunderbolt II in Afghanistan know their gun-toting jets spread fear among insurgents.So maintainers do whatever it takes to keep the aging ground-attack fighter jets -- which they call the "hog" -- flying in the war on

  • Wounded warriors tour Randolph

    A training accident that caused the loss of his left leg, multiple burns and resulted in 15 surgeries couldn't keep Marine Capt. Ryan Voltin out of a cockpit June 27 here. Captain Voltin flew a T-6A Texan II simulator after hoisting himself into an actual T-6A on the flightline as Randolph Air Force

  • Program offers enlisted members chance to LEAD

    Enlisted Airmen with eyes on U.S. Air Force Academy appointments may have their chance to become an officer through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program. The program, initiated in 1995 by Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, the former Air Force chief of staff, delegates authority to unit and wing

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Midwest flooding

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the efforts of Air and Army National guardsmen and the battle of what has been called, the 500-year flood. Guardsmen are working with local officials to re-enforce levees, keeping an evacuation mission from becoming a rescue mission. And RED

  • Officers may apply for Test Pilot School

    The next annual Air Force Test Pilot School Selection Board will convene Oct. 27 through 30 at the Air Force Personnel Center here, and officers interested in applying should submit their applications to AFPC by Sept. 15. The school trains pilots, navigators and engineers to develop, test and

  • Airmen donate medical equipment to Bulgarian hospital

    Airmen from Homestead Air Reserve Base recently raised $2,800 to purchase a new cardiac monitor for the children's ward at local hospital during a deployment to Graf-Isnatievo Air Base, Bulgaria. Reservists from the 482nd Fighter Wing deployed with 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons to train with Bulgarian

  • Air Force swimmers head to U.S. Olympic Trials

    Three current Air Force swimmers are set to participate in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials being held June 29 through July 6 in Omaha, Neb.U.S. Air Force Academy rising seniors Bryan Avery from Mililani, Hawaii, and Justin Day from Peyton, Colo., as well as rising sophomore Benjamin Gunn of

  • 'Sesame Street' coming to military installations

    Beloved "Sesame Street" characters like Elmo and Grover will visit more than 40 military installations this year to entertain families with a free one-hour show. The production, sponsored by United Service Organizations, travels across the country with the first show July 8. The tour is part of

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selection board results

    A total of 178 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced June 26. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 722 applications as part of Officer Training School

  • Airmen bring joy through cooking at Center for the Intrepid

    The apartment-style kitchen on the fourth floor of the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio was bubbling with excitement June 24 as the sound of conversation and the smell of delicious foods permeated the air. The Center, located near Brooke Army Medical Center, provides traumatic amputee

  • Officials sign children's educational needs memo

    Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England and Deputy Education Secretary Raymond Simon signed a memorandum of understanding between their agencies at the Pentagon June 26 that addresses the quality of education and the unique challenges faced by children of military families. Hundreds of thousands of

  • Air Force officials announce library of the year winner

    Air Force Library Program officials announced the winner of the Air Force Library of the Year award June 12 here.The Eglin Base Library, with an eight-man staff, was recignized for their outstanding customer focus and satisfaction."Even in times of scarce budgets, we still aim to fulfill our

  • Air Force accepting physical therapist applications

    The Air Force is accepting applications until Nov. 21 for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which begins October 2009 at the Health Science Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Only active-duty Airmen who possess a baccalaureate degree, or those who are in the final semester prior to receiving a

  • Airman's Roll Call: leave management

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on leave management, and as many Airmen are aware of a few days away from work can have a beneficial effect them. Therefore, an aggressive leave program is an essential military requirement. A recent policy change increased the number of days members may accrue

  • 4 athletes with Air Force ties prepare for Olympic trials

    Four athletes with ties to the Air Force track and field program will travel and compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials starting June 27 at Eugene, Ore. Gunning for a spot on the U.S. team for the Olympics are Paul Gensic in the pole vault and Dana Pounds in the women's javelin throw, who are both

  • Program helps deployed Airmen with career decisions

    Expeditionary Top IV members here are helping Airmen to make major career decisions while deployed, and far away from career advisors and other personnel specifically trained to help.The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Top IV Mentor/Shadow Program, currently managed by Master Sgt. Judy Quintana, gives

  • Reserve pilots utilize A-10s in support of Total Force Integration

    Air Force Reserve Command pilots recently took flight in an A-10 Thunderbolt II here in support of an Air Force-wide initiative designed to integrate reservists, guardsmen and civilians with active-duty Airmen. The Total Force Integration initiative, which was established by Air Force officials at

  • AFCYBER headquarters staff to operate virtually

    Air Force Cyber Command officials announced their intent to spread out headquarters staffing among nine locations so it can meet the 45 percent manning requirements needed for initial operations. "Normally, a major command headquarters will house all its staff functions at one place, but because the

  • Stenner takes reins of Air Force Reserve

    Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. assumed command of the Air Force Reserve and its 68,000 members June 24 in a ceremony at the Air Force Memorial here. He succeeds Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, who held the post since 2004. "I'm excited to lead the finest group of warriors I have ever known," General

  • Iraqi airmen reach maintenance goals, keep fleet soaring

    While Iraqi air force pilots continue flying sorties to aid stability in their nation, Iraqi maintainers on the ground here have recently achieved important benchmarks to keep their fleet in the air. Airmen with the Iraqi air forces' 3rd Squadron took over a wide variety of maintenance duties on the

  • Mullen urges Joint Staff to speed up warfighter support

    The nation's top military officer called on the Joint Staff today to speed up efforts to get new capabilities to warfighters and to focus on building capabilities needed to win not just the current war, but future wars as well. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told

  • Born of controversy: The GI Bill of Rights

    It has been heralded as one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever produced by the federal government, one that impacted the United States socially, economically and politically. But it almost never came to pass. The Servicemembers' Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill

  • Eglin team prepares Small Diameter Bombs for warfighters

    Guided munitions such as the Small Diameter Bomb have helped change the way wars are fought. SDBs, prepared by 681st Armament Systems Squadron members here, give aircrews the ability to destroy targets that would normally be passed over due to the proximity of friendly troops, civilians, structures

  • Cadets experience real-world deployment

    Nineteen cadets from the senior class of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., are visiting the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here during the month of June to experience an active-duty deployment as part of the academy's Operation Air Force program, which allows students to visit bases

  • Chairman calls homeless veterans 'hugely important issue'

    Calling the issue "hugely important," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here June 23 that the nation must fully integrate efforts to help homeless veterans. "How do we reach out to them, and how do we create opportunities?" Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen asked an audience of about 200

  • Global Engagement readies Academy cadets for future

    Thirty subject matter experts from all over the United States are leading approximately 1,200 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets through intensive training with the Global Engagement course this summer here.The advantage to future Academy graduates in completing the course is that it gives cadets a

  • 'Today's Air Force' features deployments

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" focuses on Air Force deployments and ways to better prepare for them. The previous system was based on four-month deployments with some Airmen deploying earlier and longer than expected. The new Air and Space Expeditionary Force system splits the force into

  • Global Mobility Wargame explores future of air mobility

    Wartime planners from across the Air Force, Army and coalition nations investigated future concepts in air mobility through Global Mobility Wargame 2008 from June 16 to 20 at the Air Force Expeditionary Center here. First held in 2002, Global Mobility Wargame, or GLOMO, is an annual event bringing

  • How, when to begin filling a civilian vacancy

    One way to cut down on the time needed to fill a civilian vacancy is to begin earlier, said Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently. "Supervisors can submit a request for personnel action at any time to their local civilian personnel office," said Cathy Smoak, a human resource specialist

  • Airman teaches CPR to Afghan medical providers

    Six Afghan medical providers learned basic lifesaving skills at a Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team CPR course held June 18 at the Rokha Clinic in Rokha. Staff Sgt. Janine Duschka, a PRT medical technician deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., taught the course. "It is important to teach

  • Donley in as acting Air Force secretary

    Michael B. Donley is the new acting secretary of the Air Force, succeeding Michael Wynne, who held the position since November 2005. Mr. Donley was previously the administration and management director for the Secretary of Defense, a position sometimes referred to as "mayor" of the Pentagon. The

  • Air Force aims to improve electronic warfare capabilities

    Controlling the electromagnetic spectrum to deny or attack an adversary -- that is electronic warfare, and the Air Force is in search of ways to maximize that capability. Air Force leaders started the Electronic Warfare Life Cycle Management Group to establish a uniform approach to the research,

  • Second SBIRS payload completes early on-orbit checkout

    Air Force officials have successfully completed the early on-orbit checkout of the second Space Based Infrared Systems sensor operating in a highly-elliptical orbit over the northern hemisphere. The second sensor is known as SBIRS HEO-2. "The successful launch and checkout of HEO-2 is a further

  • 3-D imaging to help A-10 integrate latest weapons

    The A-10C Thunderbolt II is undergoing state-of-the-art 3-D measurement here through June 20 to help the close-air support aircraft carry the latest in smart weapons technology. The 46th Test Wing's Air Force Seek Eagle Office, Computerized Physical Fit team is collecting approximately 100,000 3-D

  • Civilian receives $10,000 for canopy repair 'IDEA'

    A civilian's suggestion to let the base egress shop repair F-16 Fighting Falcon canopies here instead of sending them off base earned him $10,000 and will save the Air Force more than $1 million. Robert Watts, an ordnance inspector with the 412th Maintenance Squadron, received a check June 11 for

  • General counsel honors AFMC Ethics Program Office

    Members of the Air Force Materiel Command's Ethics Program Office received the Air Force General Counsel's Excellence in Ethics Program Award for 2007 during a presentation ceremony June 11 at the General Counsel's Acquisition Conference in Dayton, Ohio. Mary L. Walker, the Air Force general

  • Chronic Critical Skill career fields offer opportunities

    Enlisted Airmen serving in certain career fields have a greater opportunity for promotion through an annually updated Chronic Critical Skills Program list. A number of factors are considered before certain Air Force Specialty Codes are put on the list. For one thing, the AFSC must have manning

  • Air Force-funded scientists earn DOD fellowships

    The Department of Defense officials have selected four Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded professors to be among the first class of six scientists with the National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship program. DOD officials launched the fellowship program last year to

  • AF nominates 114 officers for astronaut training

    The Air Force Astronaut Nomination Board has forwarded 114 nominations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for consideration in the pilot and mission specialist categories. The board was held May 13 to 15 and the medical screening panel was held May 20 to 22. More than 200 noninees

  • Academy glider lands on Colorado golf course

    A U.S. Air Force Academy TG-15 glider landed safely on the Garden of the Gods Golf Course June 18 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The pilot, Cadet 1st Class Kurt Cloutier, landed the aircraft near the western-most hole of the golf course in a manner preventing injury to pedestrians and damage to private

  • Cadets learn mission through Operation Air Force

    Eighteen U.S. Air Force Academy cadets visited McChord Air Force Base June 13 to experience operations and day-to-day experiences in the Air Force.The cadets visited McChord AFB during the first phase of Operation Air Force, a career-broadening program, and then flew on board a C-17 Globemaster III

  • Air National Guard's Airmen of the Year announced

    Air National Guard officials identified six Airmen as their Airmen of the Year for 2008 following their arrival here June 15 for a week-long celebration and tribute to their achievements. This year's Airmen of the Year were chosen through a process of unit, state and national selection panels and

  • JTACs train in complex art of coordinating close-air support

    Exercise Atlantic Strike VII kicked off June 14 in the swampy pinegroves of the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex as more than 800 joint and coalition warfighters from around the world gathered to practice and train in the complex art of coordinating close-air support for ground maneuvers. The

  • Wind tunnel tests contribute to first flight of F-35

    The June 11 completion of the first flight of the short takeoff/vertical landing version of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter resonated with Air Force engineers at the Arnold Engineering Development Center here. "A number of us at AEDC can take pride in the part we played in supporting this

  • Air Force officials name 2008 LULAC award winner

    Air Force officials have selected Capt. Elisa Valenzuela from the Air Force Materiel Command as the winner of the 2008 League of United Latin American Citizens Excellence in Military Service award. The award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to the advancement of minority

  • Aircrew flight equipment award winners announced

    Air Force officials announced the 2007 Outstanding Air Force Aircrew Flight Equipment career field award winners June 17. The 2007 Aircrew Flight Equipment award winners are: -- Headquarters Staff Member of the Year is Master Sgt. Troy J. Bauerbach, Hurlburt Field, Fla. -- Officer of the Year is

  • Computational analysis improves I-500 warhead survivability

    Air Force Research Laboratory engineers here conducted dynamic computational analysis geared toward improving the survivability of a proposed I-500 warhead design. Ongoing computational analysis suggests that resulting changes should significantly increase the warhead's structural survivability

  • Special concert given for some special children

    The U.S. Air Forces Central Band Falcon gave a special performance to some special children at the Belvodosky Orphanage June 14 in Kyrgyzstan. The band members, who are deployed from the Heartland of America Band at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., sang about a dozen songs for about 80 children. The

  • Air Force history award winners announced

    Air Force History and Museums Program officials annually recognize excellence in history programs, historical publications and heritage projects, and award commendable work by military and civilian personnel for outstanding performance or achievement, both as individuals or teams. Two Excellence in

  • Air War College to launch revised distance learning program

    The Air War College will make significant changes to its distance learning program this summer and discontinue the previous 16th edition. The revised distance learning program that closely parallels the resident course will soon be available to senior military officers and equivalent civilian

  • Nurse commissioning program selectees announced

    Officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here selected 31 enlisted Airmen to attend the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program beginning in either fall 2008 or spring 2009. Those attending fall 2008 are: Tech. Sgt. Meki Bocage Tech. Sgt. Michele Bortvit Tech. Sgt. Samuel Cash Tech. Sgt. Samuel

  • Sather Airmen foster relationships with local community

    The sounds of children laughing fill the air as they run across the dusty soccer field. Despite the heat and dirt, parents and friends cheer and join in to play from time to time. Yet, this scene isn't from a typical Saturday afternoon in suburban America. This is Iraq and another example of how

  • Robins implements philosophy to help maintainers

    Maintainers here are implementing a new philosophy that allows them to complete maintenance and get aircraft out to the fight faster, thanks to innovative changes suggested by members of the high velocity maintenance high performance team. The search for a change began because Warner Robins Air

  • Renamed U.S. military base in Iraq reflects joint status

    The home of the Air Force's only wing in Iraq and the Army's logistical headquarters for supplies and shipments in the country has been renamed to reflect the dual nature of the base. Joint Base Balad is the new name for what used to be called Balad Air Base by the Air Force and Logistics Support

  • Air Force scientists develop transparent transistors

    Air Force Research Laboratory scientists have demonstrated world-record performance of transparent transistors created from thin-film nanocrystalline zinc oxide which can function, undetected, on clear surfaces such as glass or plastic. Lead investigator Dr. Burhan Bayraktaroglu of AFRL's Sensors

  • Air University officials reflect on ABC enlisted degree program's success

    It's been a year since the Community College of the Air Force launched the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program for enlisted Airmen and Air Force officials are pleased with the program's results thus far. When the program started June 15, 2007, Air University officials

  • VA reaching out to vets with mortgage problems

    Many home owners have found it difficult recently to pay their mortgages, but quick intervention by loan counselors at the Department of Veterans Affairs has actually reduced the number of veterans defaulting on their home loans. "VA is reaching out to veterans, both those who use our home-loan

  • 'Today's Air Force' features the service's heritage

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" focuses on the service's heritage with a visit to the National Museum of the USAF  where a Peacekeeper Missile exhibit dedication took place.  During the ceremony, it was announced that Air Force officials were bringing back the old ICBM missile crewmember

  • Guard units provide real-time video of flood damaged areas

    Flying at 8,000 feet above flood ravaged Wisconsin, members of the Wisconsin Air National Guard with assistance from Air Guard units from Arkansas and Mississippi provided emergency management officials with "eyes in the sky" to help with disaster relief efforts. Recent heavy rains have left

  • Air Force charts new course for 2009 force shaping

    Air Force officials here currently are deciding how to carry out force shaping plans in the coming year following an announcement by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Monday to halt personnel cuts. Active-duty end strength was projected to decrease from 328,600 to 316,600 by the end of fiscal 2009.

  • TPS confers its first master's degrees

    The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School achieved a milestone May 27 by officially receiving accreditation to present its graduating students with a master's degree. Eighteen students from Class 07B were the first to be granted a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering during a graduation ceremony

  • Ceremony honors 241 medical graduates

    Dr. Kenneth Torrington, dean of the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, honored 241 physicians and allied health care providers during the annual SAUSHEC awards and graduation ceremony June 6 in the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio auditorium. SAUSHEC

  • Trip was gesture of respect to Airmen, Gates says

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' trip to Langley Air Force Base, Va., Peterson AFB, Colo., and Scott AFB, Ill., was a gesture of respect and confidence in Airmen following a rough week for the Air Force. On June 5, Secretary Gates asked for and received the resignations of Air Force Secretary

  • Airmen teach Iraqis Western-style command, control

    As part of an ongoing process to stabilize Iraq, Airmen are teaching command and control techniques to their counterparts at the Iraqi air operations center at Camp Victory near Baghdad's international airport. The operations center is the hub that controls all Iraqi air force missions, where

  • Medical team returns from Honduras mission

    A team of pediatricians, nutritionists and linguists from Wilford Hall and Brooke Army medical centers in San Antonio; Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, Va.; and South Dakota State University, S.D, recently returned from a 12-day expedition in Honduras. The San Antonio Military Pediatric Center team

  • Gates hammers home importance of Air Force nuke mission

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gave a very quick synopsis of the goals of his tenure in office June 10 at Scott Air Force Base. "We are damn sure ... going to spend and do everything necessary to win the wars we are in, to care properly for our wounded, and to restore excellence in our nuclear

  • Gates: Nuclear mission shortcomings caused dismissals

    If it were not for the serious decline in the Air Force's nuclear mission focus and performance, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here June 9, he would not have felt the need to replace the Air Force leadership. Secretary Gates asked for and received the resignations of Air Force Secretary

  • SECDEF praises Airmen, discusses leadership changes

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reassured Airmen of their value and contributions, and presented a way ahead to ease wartime strain during a visit to Air Combat Command here June 9. In describing the Air Force's oft un-acknowledged efforts in the war on terrorism, he said he realized the costs of

  • Improvements target morale for troops in Afghanistan

    A genuine caring attitude drives the morale, welfare and recreation Airmen who continuously work to improve the MWR facilities and events for Airmen and Soldiers here. Assigned to the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, two of the three MWR Airmen arrived in March to discover a facility

  • AFOSI is 2008 AFA Team of the Year

    It wasn't exactly the welcome he was expecting, but Special Agent Timothy Rivera said it was pretty unforgettable as he stood in line to in-process at Balad Air Base, Iraq, during his deployment in 2006. "It was my first day, not even my first hour on the ground, and we were getting incoming

  • Airmen keep servicemembers, families connected

    Staying connected to their loved ones back home is a priority for the more than 24,000 Airmen deployed throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, Southwest Asia and the Horn of Africa. Hoping to make that easier, a group of 17 Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer, Communications and Force Support

  • Airmen help graduate Afghan's newest firefighters

    Eleven members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps recently became the first graduates of the Air Corps Firefighting School May 29 at Kabul. The graduates completed four months of class work, countless hands-on exercises extinguishing various types of fires and practicing lifesaving techniques

  • Airmen help Iraqi air force become self-sustaining service

    High above the desert terrain, they fly in providing security to the people of Iraq. The airmen are vigilant, alert and ready to engage the enemy while patrolling the sky over Iraq. They are the new breed of Iraqi airmen. The Iraqi air force has evolved by leaps and bounds in recent years, and

  • Guard, Harley-Davidson join forces to improve processes

    Air Force and Harley-Davidson officials pooled their knowledge on process improvement for the benefit of both organizations in May at Harley-Davidson University here."Everything we do is a process, whether it's building a motorcycle or reviewing an airplane to get it back in flight," said Steve

  • Hanscom to play vital role in coalition demo

    Hanscom Air Force Base officials are setting up to serve as a major host site for the June 9 through 20 Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration, an annual event sponsored by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and directed by U.S. Joint Forces Command.  The primary goal -- at Hanscom

  • Incirlik first in USAFE to stand up force support squadron

    Incirlik Air Base officials will continue the Air Force-wide merger of services and mission support squadrons when its 39th Services Squadron and 39th Mission Support Squadron officially combine to become the 39th Force Support Squadron. The wing is the first U.S. Air Forces in Europe unit of any