NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Airmen at war set cargo, passenger movement records

    Air transportation requirements of cargo and troops within U.S. Central Command's 27-nation area of responsibility reached an all-time high in March, but Airmen responded to this demand with a record-setting performance, officials said. U.S. Air Forces Central's air mobility professionals topped

  • Making a pilot; the first step

    The road to becoming an Air Force pilot begins in Pueblo, Colo., where  the Air Force has charged Doss Aviation, a contractor, to provide an Initial Flight Screening course under the Air Education and Training Command. The purpose of the IFS is to screen aviation candidates and prepare them for the

  • Tweet complete: T-37 retires after 39 years of service

    The T-37 Tweet formally retired April 3 from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training here after 39 years of service as the gateway to the sky for more than 10,000 Air Force aviators. Columbus Air Force Base was the last Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training base flying the T-37, but the T-37

  • Aerial porters can now train anytime, anywhere

    Air transportation Airmen across the Air Force can access training anytime, anywhere through the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's distance learning program. Offered by the center's Mobility Operations School Air Transportation Branch, or ATB, "aerial porters" can train in eight courses:  Air

  • Program aids foreign-born spouses cope with reassignment

    Some foreign-born spouses of active-duty Airmen projected to serve a dependent restricted assignment tour may find help through the Designated Location Move Assignment Program, according to Air Force Personnel Center officials here. Although the program already exists, beginning April 4 it became

  • ARPC officials now sending U.S. flags to retiring reservists

    Honoring retiring reservists with an American flag just got easier through a centralized process at the Air Reserve Personnel Center in Denver. ARPC officials now purchase and distribute the flags for all reservists who request one for their retirement. Flags used to cost units nearly $20 each and

  • Program benefits American, Bulgarian maintainers

    American and Bulgarian Airmen received familiarization briefings on F-15 Eagles and MiG-29 aircraft in an effort to increase theater security cooperation in April here. F-15s are deployed to Bulgaria for Operation Noble Endeavor supporting the NATO summit, and it presented maintainers from the two

  • Medics provide humanitarian support in Albania

    Five Airmen from Stratton Air National Guard Base joined three New Jersey National Guard members on a humanitarian mission to administer the Hepatitis A vaccine to 1,000 children in February in Albania.Through New Jersey's State Partnership Agreement Program with Albania, the National Guard agreed

  • 'Today's Air Force' features three main priorities

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the three main priorities of the Air Force -- to win today's fight, take care of its Airmen, and continuing the war on terrorism. State-of-the-art weapons and equipment are necessary to be triumphant in winning today's fight and the war on

  • Winter sports clinic helps veterans

    The 22nd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, the largest disabled learn-to-ski clinic in the world, helped motivate and heal nearly 400 veterans this year at Snowmass Village, Colo. The six-day winter sports clinic hosted 64 Airmen, 182 Soldiers, 66 Seamen, 60 Marines, and five Coast

  • Vandenberg Airmen launch missile successfully

    A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration test assembly launched at 1:01 a.m. April 1 by Vandenberg Air Force Base officials.The launch tested the weapon system's reliability and accuracy, and what makes this launch different is

  • AFCENT deputy commander visits deployed Airmen

    The 9th Air Force vice commander and the deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces Central visited 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen April 2 at a Southwest Asian air base. Maj. Gen. William L. Holland from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., met and talked with Airmen who fly aircraft, maintain

  • Airmen judge junior ROTC drill competition

    Nineteen members from the National Air Space and Intelligence Center at here volunteered as judges and served in concessions at a junior ROTC drill competition March 29 at Walter E. Stebbins High School in Riverside, Ohio. Two hundred Air Force and Army Junior ROTC cadets from eight high schools

  • Air Force looks to improve antennas for micro air vehicles

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here currently are funding a professor from the University of Minnesota who is using objective structures in his project called "GameChanger" in an attempt to make new kinds of antennas for micro air vehicles to be used for military purposes. Micro

  • Research leads to improved wireless communication

    An Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded researcher whose work focused on multi-user detection technology has made radio reception clearer in locations where interference is a challenge for deployed servicemembers. Dr. Rachel Learned's work in multi-user detection, or MUD, examined the

  • Chairman of Joint Chiefs visits Pope

    Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg March 31. While at Pope, he toured Pope's Green Ramp, visiting with warfighters from many of Pope's squadrons. He met with an aeromedical evacuation crew from the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron;

  • Training video filmed at AFPC, various locations

    "Roll 'em!" the director yelled. The clapboard was snapped and the film crew jumped into action.Although this is a common occurrence in Hollywood, it's an unusual one at the Air Force Personnel Center here. The filming was part of two 15-minute videos that will be used for training Air Force family

  • Air Force officials test Voluntary Protection Program

    Air Force officials conducted the first Voluntary Protection Program mock audit to evaluate the overall safety of the base as a work site March 24 through 28 at Hanscom Air Force Base. VPP originates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and focuses on incorporating the Air Force's

  • Former A-10 pilot, Cowboy speaks at Pentagon

    Chad Hennings knows teamwork. Chad Hennings knows mentorship. Chad Hennings knows success. Chad Hennings also knows what it's like to fly an A-10 Thunderbolt II on a combat sortie, win three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and, most recently, speak with Airmen stationed at the Pentagon. Mr.

  • Upgraded B-52 still on cutting edge

    The B-52 Stratofortress is continually modified with new technology making the 50-year-old airframe one of the Air Force's most effective long-range heavy bombers. Modified B-52 aircraft with modern technology are capable of delivering a full range of joint-developed weapons and will continue to be

  • Tinker maintainers aid Saudi air force with E-3 repair

    Representatives from the Royal Saudi air force arrived to collect their newly repaired E-3 March 24 from Tinker Air Force Base officials. After members of the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's E-3 Maintenance Flight here replaced a bearing between the rotodome and aircraft, an aircrew from the

  • Coalition maintainers keep C-130 in the fight

    Aircraft maintainers from the U.S. Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and South Korean air forces teamed up during the Coalition Maintenance Exchange Program to keep deployed C-130 Hercules aircraft ready for combat recently at a Southwest Asian air base. The exchange program matched

  • Africa Command makes progress with African allies

    U.S. Africa Command is making progress in gaining acceptance in Africa, the command's deputy for civil-military affairs said in an interview here. "We're doing OK," Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates said in a tone that indicated she'd like to do much better. Ms. Yates is the No. 2 person in U.S. Africa

  • Developmental education application deadlines set

    Officers and civilians considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2009 have until April 25 and May 1, respectively, to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit their applications

  • Researchers explore materials degradation in space

    When Space Shuttle Endeavor launched March 11, more than 1,000 new materials were onboard to be tested as a part of the sixth Materials International Space Station Experiment, or MISSE-6. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research initiated MISSE-6 to gain a theoretical understanding of the

  • Reservists may face limit on man-day tours

    Later this year hundreds of reservists nationwide could reach the limit on the number of man-days they can serve in Air Force Reserve Command. Reservists through the rank of colonel received permission 3.5 years ago to serve up to 1,095 man-days of the previous 1,460 days in a rolling four-year

  • Sather medics prepare for worst, provide their best

    "Bag him!" "I need an X-ray in here!" "I've got an abnormal rhythm!" "Somebody get me some vitals!" This could be the sounds of the fast-paced tempo and organized chaos of any emergency room anywhere, but these voices are being heard in a combat zone, where major trauma care can be more complex by

  • The writings on the wall for a leaner Air National Guard

    Improvement. For Col. Billy Asbell it often starts with a dozen or more slightly anxious Air National Guard members seated in their conference room. They clutch cups of coffee or water and find some comfort in the familiar walls. Before long, those walls are hidden behind layers of yellow sticky

  • 2007 Visual Information Award winners announced

    Contest officials for the Defense Department 2007 Visual Information Awards here recently recognized numerous Air Force photographers, videographers, journalists and graphic artists for excellence in their fields. Airmen earned 13 first place awards, nine second place awards and 11 third place

  • New warfighter education courseware released

    The commander of Air University has launched a major initiative aimed at enhancing the professional development of the Air Force warfighter. Lt. Gen. Stephen Lorenz recently released the first two courses of the Warfighter Developmental Education program. WDE is a Web-based educational program

  • Program takes safety, occupational health to next level

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials continue to focus on developing and caring for the safety of Airmen, civilians and their families to build a culture of safety with the Voluntary Protection Program, senior Air Force leaders said here recently. "The Air Force implemented VPP (a

  • Cadets give up spring break to build homes

    Pick-axes, sawdust and hammers were the dominant spring break memories for 20 Air Force Academy cadets last week in Santa Fe, N.M. The 20 are part of a group of cadets who've given up their spring breaks to build homes for needy families in Santa Fe, N.M.; Cody, Wyoming; Beaumont, Texas; and El

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights Voluntary Protection Program

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on a program that takes safety and occupational health to the next level. The program is an enhanced safety program that focuses on developing and caring for the safety of Airmen, civilians and their families. Simply put, VPP is getting every one of us to

  • Dyess AFB model of energy conservation

    Dyess Air Force Base is going green. Take a tour of the base and it's easy to see how. In one building, water is pumped from a small pond, turned into ice and used to cool several dormitories; the landscaping is irrigated using effluent water purchased from the city of Abilene, Texas; and eight

  • DOD officials identify error in shipment to Taiwan

    The Department of Defense announced today that four non-nuclear ballistic missile nose-cone assembly components were mistakenly shipped to Taiwan in August 2006. Taiwanese authorities notified the U.S. they had received four nose-cones instead of the four helicopter batteries they initially ordered

  • Airmen train Iraqis to save lives

    Nine Iraqi firefighters graduated the Basic Firefighter Skills Course here as Airmen of the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Fire Department trained the newest graduates March 24 at Ali Base. The six-week course teaches students "the basics of fighting fires, search and rescue and lifesaving

  • Hanscom unit preps new CAOC facility

    Members of the 652nd Electronic Systems Squadron here are preparing for the future home of the U.S. Air Force Central's Combined Air and Space Operations Center facility as construction continues in Southwest Asia. The Air and Space Operations Center Weapons System, officially referred to as the

  • Air Force officials launch new mentoring program

    Officials from the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center here and the U.S. Air Force Academy launched a new mentoring program when they signed a memorandum of agreement March 17 at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The agreement enables AFOTEC members to mentor Academy cadets

  • 'Today's Air Force' features medical care downrange

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights critical medical care at Balad Air Base, Iraq. With the capability to position troops and distribute supplies during combat, the Air Force has another critical mobility facet, the transporting of medical professionals. See Air Force medical

  • AF recruit drops 128 pounds to enlist

    Will Sims will enter basic training March 24 as one of the Air Force's newest recruits. It is a significant milestone in a wild journey that began more than a year ago, when this young man set forth to overcome an obstacle that might keep others with less determination and resolve out of the

  • DOD anti-tobacco campaign invades military markets

    The Department of Defense isn't just blowing smoke about its tobacco cessation campaign. "Quit Tobacco. Make Everyone Proud" is making its presence felt with enthusiastic marketing initiatives in 13 U.S. metropolitan markets containing 28 major military installations.The campaign positions military

  • WWII vets fly on 'Spirit of Go For Broke'

    After waiting for more than a year and a half from the christening of the seventh C-17 Globemaster III added to Hickam Air Force Base's fleet of eight, the men for whom it was named finally got their ride March 13 here. A group of 40 surviving veterans from the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team and

  • Air Force officials work to resolve child-care issues

    The shortage of qualified child-care providers is a major concern for Air Force families, and the Air Force is working to resolve it, the chief of Airman and Family Services at the Pentagon said. While the Air Force offers Airmen quality, affordable child care at on-base facilities throughout the

  • B-1B achieves first supersonic flight using synthetic fuel

    A B-1B Lancer from the 9th Bomb Squadron here became the first Air Force aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using an alternate fuel March 19 in a flight over Texas and New Mexico. The fuel, a 50/50 blend of synthetic and petroleum gases, is being tested as part of an ongoing Air Force program to

  • Officials provide Virtual Uniform Board update

    Air Force officials recently announced the new Virtual Uniform Board, which transforms the Air Force Uniform Board process by providing a streamlined tool for submitting recommendations to improve dress and personal appearance standards.Recommendations will be initiated in accordance with AFI

  • Airmen ease Marines move to Afghanistan

    With last year's operations in Afghanistan among the highest since they began in 2001, Airmen here are acutely aware of the mission importance to refuel aircraft supporting those operations, as well as provide world-class service and care to transiting passengers, said Col. Harrison Smith, the

  • Airmen visit coffee company to learn AFSO 21

    A group of Air Force officers and senior NCOs from the Pentagon took a tour of a local coffee company here March 12 to learn about improvement efforts in a civilian company using similar tools to those used in Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century. Leaders of the Eight O' Clock Coffee

  • Researchers honored for work with self-healing plastics

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded scientists have been awarded several recent honors for their breakthrough research in self-healing plastics. Professors Dr. Scott White and Dr. Nancy Sottos, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, were recognized in January in the 2007

  • AF officials implement AFMC's civilian orientation course

    When Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley recently sought a way to provide initial training to new Air Force civilians, Gen. Bruce Carlson, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, offered AFMC's existing, extensive training course created for that reason. As a result, the Air Force

  • The ABCs of filling an Air Force civilian job

    Most civilian jobs in the Air Force begin with a request for personnel action, or RPA. They end with an entry on duty, or EOD, date. During the past 12 months, the entire process has taken an average of 136 days from the initial completion of the RPA to a person arriving for duty. Control of the

  • Village of Hope lives up to its name

    Members of the 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron, headquartered at Balad Air Base, Iraq, paid out nearly $10,000 to 120 students at the Red Horse Village of Hope March 13 here. The Village of Hope program is a test program that has many in the Department of Defense watching. Similar to a

  • Air Force officials to close force shaping programs

    Since the Air Force is on track to meet end strength goals for fiscal 2008, force shaping programs are being closed for the remainder of the year. March 31 is the last day Air Force officials will accept fiscal 2008 Voluntary Separation Pay program applications. All eligible officers interested in

  • 'Today's Air Force' features security forces

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights security forces and their responsibilities to ensure the safety of weapons, property and people from hostile forces. Deployed security forces Airmen not only spend time enforcing the law, but also mentoring their Southwest Asia counterparts in

  • Identity of fallen pilot released

    An Air Force student pilot, 2nd Lt. David J. Mitchell, 26, from Amherst, Ohio, and assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron here, was killed March 14 when his F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft crashed in a remote area three miles south of Alamo Lake, Ariz. Lieutenant Mitchell was on a two-ship student

  • Joint basing plan takes shape

    Joint basing is a reality, it's happening in San Antonio, and it will effectively support the city's military communities here. That is the message from local military leaders as they move toward consolidating support operations at three San Antonio installations as mandated by the 2005 Base Closure

  • AFMC command chief emphasizes understanding one's role

    The stigma that Airmen assigned to Air Force Materiel Command are not part of the war on terrorism fight is one the command's top enlisted member is working to correct. "There are segments of people -- ranging from enlisted members within AFMC to those in other Air Force major commands -- who equate

  • Top leaders testify on '09 budget

    The Air Force's top two leaders testified before the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittees on Defense during hearings about the fiscal 2009 budget March 11 and 12. While the main topic of discussion among congressmen and senators remained the KC-45A contract award, Secretary of

  • Space Command hall of fame inductee honored

    The Navy rejected him for far-sighted vision he "might" develop later in life. So he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree on D-Day, June 6, 1944. By 1946 he was selected to serve in the super secret Manhattan Engineer District -- the

  • Dutch air chief predicts continued cooperation

    His air force has a history of training pilots in the United States that dates back to 1941. It's a long relationship Lt. Gen. Hans de Jong would like to continue. General de Jong, commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, said he expects his country to not only maintain its aircrew training

  • AF leaders focus on the future during CORONA South

    "Securing the Future" was the central theme of this year's CORONA South, held at Bolling Air Force Base here. The discussion and debate among the Air Force's senior leaders focused on preparing the Air Force to meet tomorrow's challenges as well as the potential need to restructure the force to

  • Rwandan Defense Force air traffic controllers visit Ramstein

    Ramstein Air Base officials recently hosted four air traffic controllers from the Rwandan Defense Force, giving them a first-hand look at how the U.S. Air Force takes care of business on the airfield. The Rwandans visited the 86th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight and the 1st

  • Ramstein team gives planners Eagle Vision

    The availability of accurate imagery is critical when planning an operational mission. The responsibility to provide this vital information to those mission planners resides in the capable hands of eight members of an Air Force team here dubbed, "Eagle Vision-1." The vision for the program came

  • Alaskan villages benefit from joint military medical outreach

    Mixed teams of Army, Navy and Air Force health-care providers are spent a week treating hundreds of medically-underserved people as part of Operation Arctic Care 2008 in six remote villages in March in Alaska. Residents of Karluk, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, Port Lions, Akhiok and Larsen Bay invited the

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights new Virtual Uniform Board

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on submitting ideas for improving dress and appearance standards to the new Virtual Uniform Board. This program allows individuals to submit uniform change requests through the Air Force's Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program -- known as

  • Air Force Uniform Board goes virtual

    Airmen now will be able to submit ideas for improving Air Force uniforms with a few simple clicks of a mouse. By logging into the Air Force's IDEA Program Web site, Airmen can select a link that allows them to submit an idea for a uniform change or update. Once submitted, ideas are routed through

  • Stealth fighter honored at Wright-Patterson

    The Air Force-industry team responsible for providing program oversight to the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter aircraft said farewell during a ceremony March 11 here. More than 350 Airmen, base employees, industry partners and family members gathered for one last close-up look at the F-117, which

  • Cadets receive cold-weather training in Alaska

    Cadets from both Eagle River and West High School Junior ROTC programs participated in an overnight stay at Otter Lake on Fort Richardson, Alaska, to gain cold weather survival training Feb. 29 to March 1. Arriving early Feb. 29, the cadets began marching the eight-mile trail to the lake, carrying

  • Biofuel research could result in alternative energy source

    Air Force-funded biofuel researchers are investigating ways to produce large quantities of hydrogen gas using photosynthetic microbes, commonly known as algae and cyanobacteria. In large quantities, the hydrogen gas could function as a renewable, cheap and clean energy source for future military

  • Kadena officials go to great lengths for OPSEC

    Members of the 18th Wing operations security team are going to extremes to ensure wing members adhere to OPSEC principles. The team members randomly visit units on base and dive into the dumpsters to try and find sensitive material that has been thrown away, as part of an overall effort to raise

  • Airmen aid coalition ground forces one leaflet at a time

    American Airman here and members of the Australian Defence Force recently teamed up to deliver critical information to Iraqi civilians in southern Iraq. Flying in a C-130 Hercules, Airmen from the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, worked in conjunction with Australians from Overwatch Battle

  • Officials highlight training vision to industry leaders

    More than 70 representatives from 44 corporations met here March 6 to consider ways the civilian industry might partner with Air Education and Training Command officials to make the vision of the future of education and training a reality. Attendees at the AETC Industry Forum came from all parts of

  • Unit stands up to improve communications across, for Iraq

    Multi-National Force - Iraq officials here have recently established a new team of experts to help improve coordination of communications policy, services and infrastructure initiatives throughout Iraq. The Iraq Communications Coordination Element recently began operating under the direction of

  • Aerial porters receive advanced training

    Airmen in the Air Force air transportation career field, also known as "aerial porters," can advance their training and capabilities here through the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Aerial Port Operations Course. Held approximately 12 times a year at either Fort Dix or an away location such as

  • 'Today's Air Force' features modernizing the force

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Air Force officials are modernizing more than just aircraft.  Air Force officials are using anthropometric surveys to design gear, supplies and crew ensembles. The surveys were necessary to determine the safety requirements of ejection seats,

  • Women prove they have the 'right stuff' to fly

    Throughout history, women have made a lasting impression on the fabric of the United States. In colonial times, women helped their husbands defend their farms from Indian attacks. During the American Revolution, women such as Mary Hays McCauly (better known as Molly Pitcher) took care of their

  • AETC commanders meet, discuss way ahead

    More than 100 Air Education and Training Command senior leaders gathered at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., to participate in the AETC commanders' and command chiefs' conference Feb. 25-29. The conference, held twice annually, provided an opportunity for Gen. William R. Looney III, AETC commander, and

  • Tuition assistance allows Airmen to reach educational goals

    The Air Force Military Tuition Assistance program, which allows Airmen to reach educational goals, recently identified an opportunity to link force development initiatives with the program after receiving feedback from the 2007 Air Force Audit Agency. "Historically, MilTA has been used as a

  • Council conducts operational review of AFSO 21

    Several top Air Force leaders convened the Air Force Process Council here March 3 for their quarterly operational review of the service's Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley

  • World's first astronautics department celebrates 50 years

    The world's oldest astronautics department celebrates its 50th anniversary on March 7. The academic department is home to the nation's only undergraduate satellite program, and is also busy designing rapid, responsive sounding rockets, and controlling the Air Force Academy's growing space fleet. "As

  • Officials announce 2007 Air Force Media Contest winners

    A panel of civilian journalists, photographers, broadcasters, teachers and public relations professionals selected the best individuals and units in Air Force print, photo and broadcast journalism for the 52nd annual Air Force Media Contest. The media contest is sponsored annually by the Secretary

  • ESC officials make digital air support possible

    Electronic Systems Center officials here are giving Air Force tactical air control party Airmen on the ground and in the fight every available advantage to help win the war on terrorism. Tactical air control party Airmen, known as TACPs, must be able to communicate precise coordinates to pilots

  • Replace aging aircraft or risk irrelevancy, general says

    The commander of Air Force Materiel Command, which is responsible for delivering war-winning capabilities to the rest of the Air Force, said during a visit to Air University here that Air Force officials must develop and buy new aircraft or risk the service becoming irrelevant. The Air Force must be

  • Commander holds six 'ACCES '

    Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood, the Air Forces Korea and Korea Air Component Command commander, has six  'ACCES' spread out over the Korean peninsula helping him to stack the deck in the Key Resolve Exercise.Known as the Air Component Coordination Elements, or ACCEs, the Air Reserve Component officers

  • Energy Forum showcases environmental achievements

    Approximately 500 Air Force, government and industry leaders gathered to discuss current and future energy and environmental programs during the service's second annual Energy Forum March 3 here. The event was divided up into numerous forums with topics ranging from facility energy management to

  • Maintainers in Pacific gain top-down view of transformation

    One of the top Air Force leaders involved in engineering a broad transformation in aircraft maintenance processes and organizational structures talked with senior leaders, wing commanders and maintainers throughout Pacific Air Forces March 3 here. "We're looking at the most fundamental

  • Transitional medical benefits can help bridge gap

    Each year thousands of servicemembers separate from the service before they are eligible for retirement. Making the transition from military to civilian can be a challenge, but there is support to help servicemembers and their families meet their health care needs. "As our warriors transition from

  • 'Today's Air Force' features joint operations

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights joint operations during the Balikatan 2008 Exercise. This exercise is designed to improve crisis action planning, counterterrorism programs and the ability to operate simultaneously with international militaries. Also, see Airmen play the role of

  • Providing safer blood products faster to wounded warriors

    A new whole-blood donation process here will now be forwarded on to the Armed Services Blood Program as a suggested technique to be implemented throughout the Department of Defense. The process, implemented by Capt. Ronni Leslie, the 332nd Expeditionary Aeromedical Squadron laboratory officer in

  • Air Force personnel chief addresses lawmakers

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services answered questions from members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittees on personnel Feb. 27 and 28. Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III joined sister service representatives, as well as Dr. David Chu, the

  • AMC commander welcomes tanker announcement

    The commander of Air Mobility Command hailed today's aerial tanker source selection announcement as an important first step toward ensuring America maintains its global reach capability. Air Force officials announced today that Northrop Grumman Corporation was selected to build the new tanker,

  • Tanker contract award announced

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb announced the selection of Northrop Grumman as the winner of the KC-X competition for development and procurement of up to 179 tanker aircraft for approximately $35 billion. The initial

  • Injured, separated from the Air Force, but not forgotten

    Training medical personnel as a member of the 59th Logistics and Readiness Squadron's Medical Readiness Training team was not the path that George Torres had planned to pursue when he trained as an Air Force Pararescueman. A broken back and compound fracture to his ankle, caused by a combat-related

  • Air Force officials introduce new civilian training vehicle

    Without it, they are stuck in park. With it, however, they can rev up their future. With the introduction of the Standard Form 182, which was rolled out recently by the Office of Personnel Management, Air Force civilians now have an elite vehicle in their inventory that can effectively steer them

  • Airmen train Iraqi firefighters for improved regional safety

    Air Force firefighters here conducted training sessions with members of the city of Kirkuk fire department Feb. 27 in an effort to improve fire response and overall safety for Iraqi citizens in the region. These sessions are scheduled to become weekly events and eventually train a total of more than

  • Air Force leaders testify about 2009 budget request

    The Air Force's top two leaders testified before the House Armed Services Committee about the service's budget request for fiscal 2009 Feb. 27 in Washington. Addressing topics from recapitalization to personnel end strength, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff

  • Joint effort key to success in Deep Freeze

    Operation Deep Freeze recently concluded its 52nd season of air and vessel operations. The Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica ODF is a unique 13th Air Force-led joint and total force mission which has supported the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Antarctic Program since 1955. The

  • New online master's program for AF civilians now available

    Eligible Air Force civilians have until March 14 to apply for a new online master's degree program offered this June by Air University's Air Command and Staff College. The two-year program, for civilians GS-11 and above and pay band-02 and above who don't already have their master's degree, consists

  • AFMC officials to implement training for sportbike riders

    Air Force Materiel Command safety officials are planning a command-wide training course for airmen under 27 who ride a sportbike. Officials say they expect the training to begin in July or August, with one coach for every six students. According to Juan Vazquez, AFMC traffic safety program manager,

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights new slogan

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the Air Force's newest advertising campaign to recruit Airmen and inform the public about the Air Force mission. The campaign was launched in late February and will be featured on television, in print and online. In addition to being shown at several

  • Air Force officials honor top recruiters for 2007

    Fourteen Air Force recruiters have been named tops in their field for fiscal 2007 by Air Force Recruiting Service. The Air Force Blue Suit recruiters for 2007 are: -- Master Sgt. Russell Benigno of the 337th Recruiting Squadron at Fayetteville, N.C., -- Master Sgt. Brian Clark of the 362nd RCS at