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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force chief of staff announces 2011 'Vector'

    The Air Force's senior military officer released his vision for the future in the CSAF Vector 2011, which highlights the service's unique contributions to national security and also provides updates and the way ahead on the Air Force's priorities."A year ago I presented a vision for our Air Force,"

  • Airmen successfully medevac Antarctic worker

    Using night vision equipment and navigating around volcanic ash hazards, a C-17 Globemaster III and crew from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., alongside aeromedical evacuation and critical care air transport team Airmen, successfully evacuated an ailing Antarctic government contractor June 30. The

  • DARPA officials seek to employ biology in manufacturing

    In the latest effort to make the impossible probable, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency officials are looking for companies that can harness biology to speed up and lower the cost of producing new materials and devices.Alicia Jackson, a program manager in DARPA's Microsystems Technology

  • Nellis pilot in F-16C mishap identified

    Air Force officials have identified the pilot involved in an aircraft mishap near Caliente, Nev., June 28 as Capt. Eric Ziegler, 30, an operational test and evaluation instructor pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here.Brig. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of the 57th Wing,

  • Food transformation test locations begin campus dining concept

    Airmen at the six Air Force Food Transformation Initiative pilot installations will experience more variety for their meal choices when the program expands to a campus-style dining concept this summer.The initiative, known as FTI, is a pilot program launched in October 2010 with a goal to better

  • AEF conference prepares experts for upcoming deployment

    Air and Space Expeditionary Force and Personnel Operations representatives from the Air Force Personnel Center here held their latest execution conference June 15 and 16 to help prepare more than 300 unit deployment managers, installation deployment officers and functional experts for the upcoming

  • First Airmen graduate from new EOD screening course

    Six Airmen graduated from the first explosive ordnance disposal preliminary screening course here June 27. The revised and extended 20-day academic Air Force program gives Airmen a well-rounded vision of their duties while mentally and physically challenging them. The goal for the course is to

  • Air Force civilian honored with Zuckert Award

    Retired Maj. Gen. Charles Henderson, the deputy assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington D.C., was presented the 2010 Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during a ceremony at the

  • Chief Roy reflects on first two years in office, way ahead for Airmen

    Despite an increased operations tempo and fiscal challenges, Airmen continue to develop and remain an integral part of the joint and coalition team, the service's top enlisted Airman said here June 30 on his second anniversary in office.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed

  • Strike Eagle pilot honored with Air Force safety award

    A pilot who landed a crippled F-15E Strike Eagle after taking off from Kunsan Air Base, Korea, received the Air Force's most prestigious flight safety award here June 29.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented Capt. Hans Buckwalter, of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force

  • Gates ends historic term as defense secretary

    Robert M. Gates is the only man to thank two presidents for the privilege of serving as secretary of defense.At the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute June 30 on the Pentagon's parade field, Secretary Gates thanked President George W. Bush for nominating him for the job in 2006, and President Barack

  • Air Force normalizes short-tour credit policy

    Beginning July 1, Airmen will no longer receive short tour credit for overseas temporary duty assignments of 181 consecutive days. This change initially was announced in a memorandum signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz in April.In June 2003, a temporary exception to policy was

  • Nellis F-16 crash site found

    Air Force officials here announced June 30 that search and rescue teams have found conclusive evidence the pilot of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, which crashed at approximately 5:30 p.m. June 28, did not survive. At the time of the accident, the single-seat F-16, based at Nellis Air Force Base, was

  • Nominations open for Flemming awards

    Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 63rd Annual Arthur S. Flemming Awards.The Flemming awards recognize outstanding federal employees who made significant and extraordinary contributions to the federal government.The three award categories are: managerial or legal achievement;

  • Top Pentagon doctor lauds overseas labs

    The Defense Department's overseas medical research laboratories will play a key role in ensuring the readiness of deployed U.S. military forces well into the future, while also contributing to global health and U.S. partnership building around the world, the Pentagon's senior health affairs adviser

  • U.S., Indonesian airmen complete annual air mobility exercise

    The annual week-long combined exercise between Indonesian and U.S. Air Force personnel, known as Exercise Cope West, came to a close here June 24.More than 70 Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and three C-130 Hercules aircraft with Yokota's 36th Airlift Squadron, as well as one Indonesian Air

  • Air Force issues guidance to streamline environmental reviews

    In order to get "back to basics" and the original intent of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Air Force recently issued new program guidance entitled "Planning Requirements for the Environmental Impact Analysis Process." The program will help Air Force installations, major commands,

  • Thunderbirds add Finland performance to storied history

    On both sides of every U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon, there's a colorful, square panel that displays the flags of all the countries in the world where the team has performed. The Thunderbirds had the privilege of adding a new flag to the panel June 18. For the first time in its

  • Eglin EOD Airman killed in action

    Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, of the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, died June 26 as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device on the border of the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Douville, an explosive ordnance disposal technician stationed here,

  • Airmen respond, help recover crashed Afghan Mi-17

    Thirteen members of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing responded to the crash site of an Afghan air force Mi-17 at Forward Operating Base Fiaz in Asadabad in Kunar province.Six members were on board the aircraft and received minor injuries when the Afghan air force helicopter went down during a

  • Sendai students meet Airmen who provided relief during Operation Tomodachi

    Twenty-four students from Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School visited here June 24, while in Hawaii studying at I-Lion Hawaii School. The students are continuing their education and learning English while their homes and schools are being rebuilt in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in

  • Northern Edge participants complete successful exercise

    After two weeks of learning to communicate and work in a joint environment, service members from every branch of service packed their bags and headed home at the conclusion of Exercise Northern Edge 2011.The U.S. Pacific Command joint exercise, held June 13-24, hosted active duty, Reserve and

  • Air Force to enhance travel orders for deployment

    In an effort to improve customer support and expedite travel voucher payments, Air Force financial management leaders will mandate standardized use of the Defense Travel System for contingency, exercise and deployment travel, officials said here June 28. The change will be mostly transparent to the

  • Allied Strike 2011 in full swing, capping months of planning

    The execution phase of Allied Strike 2011 is in full swing here, capping months of planning. The exercise has brought together nearly 350 people from the U.S. and 14 NATO partner nations for the largest close-air-support exercise in Europe. "The planning effort was massive," said Capt. Ruven

  • First Moroccan F-16 pilots to complete training in Arizona

    In July, the Kingdom of Morocco, a strategic partner for U.S. forces in North Africa, will become the 25th country to own and operate F-16s. The pilots tapped to fly them are scheduled to finish training here in time to bring them home, July 30.Four Royal Moroccan Air Force officers, former F-5

  • Continued testing of F-35 JSF sensors a success at Northern Edge 2011

    While participating in Northern Edge for the second time, F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter sensor capabilities were tested in Alaska's premier multi-operational environment June 13-24. Hosted by Alaskan Command, Northern Edge is a biennial U.S. Pacific Command exercise that prepares joint

  • Air Force doctor receives France's highest decoration

    An Air Force doctor whose medical expertise and French language skills were credited with helping save 14 U.S. Sailors' lives after the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000 received France's highest decoration at the French Embassy in Washington June 21.Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Byron L. Hepburn,

  • DOD official identifies Air Force casualty

    A Department of Defense official announced June 27 the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, 33, of Harvey, La., died June 26 as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device on the border of the Nad 'Ali district of

  • Dillons named 2011 O'Malley recipients

    Air Force officials have announced their selection for the 2011 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon, the 86th Airlift Wing commander, and his wife Sara were selected as this year's winners.The annual award recognizes the wing commander and spouse team who have best

  • Officials stop moves to Minot Air Force Base

    Air Force officials have temporarily halted most permanent change of station moves and temporary duty assignments to Minot Air Force Base, N.D.Flooding has forced many to evacuate the city of Minot, N.D., prompting the commanders of the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing to request a partial stop

  • Airmen, Soldiers train to maintain skills

    In the culmination of weeks of training, Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing and Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment conducted a joint emergency response exercise June 23 here."When we got here we wanted to make sure we are ready to react to any situation,"

  • Tanker's first flight over top of the world marks new era in efficiency

    The U.S. Air Force has gone to the ends of the earth to support operations in Afghanistan.A KC-135 Stratotanker flew north until it started flying south June 21 an 22, cutting a new pathway over the Arctic Circle and the North Pole between Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and the Transit Center at

  • Exercise readies U.S., international forces for cooperative efforts

    Anatolian Eagle, a multi-national, large-force employment exercise, was held here to provide a realistic, scenario-based training environment to test combined aerial combat skills June 13 through 24.In its 10th year, the exercise included participants from the Turkish, U.S., Saudi Arabian, Jordanian

  • Afghan airmen successfully complete computer course

    Fifteen Afghan air force members from the Afghan Air Force Wing Communications Squadron graduated from the A+ computer training course here June 22.Members of the Afghan air force and NATO Air Training Mission - Afghanistan were present, including Afghan Lt. Col. Mohammad Dawood, the Kabul Wing

  • Thousands admire U.S. aircraft at Paris Air Show

    The world's longest-established aerospace event comes to a close June 26 after hundreds of thousands of people viewed the best of what aviation has to offer.The 49th International Paris Air Show, which began more than 100 years ago, opened June 20 with four trade-show days and three public days at

  • Khobar Towers victims remembered on 15th anniversary

    Airmen, Marines, Sailors and family members gathered here to remember 19 brave warriors and 12 valiant 33rd Fighter Wing Airmen on the 15th anniversary of the Khobar Towers bombing June 24."I'm humbled to be a part of this ceremony," said Col. Andrew Toth, the 33rd FW commander. "It reminds us, as a

  • Yokota Airmen deliver supplies to Indonesian school

    Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, delivered more than $1,200 worth of school supplies and sports equipment to an elementary school during a goodwill visit here June 23.The visit, an event of Exercise Cope West 11, was an opportunity for Airmen to build good relations with local residents living

  • Aircraft stage from Kirtland to fight fires

    Two C-130J Hercules equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems arrived here June 15, 2011, to conduct firefighting missions in support of wildfire suppression efforts in the Southwestern United States.The aircraft are from the 115th Air Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, commanded by Lt. Col.

  • Allied Strike 2011 kicks off in Germany

    Allied Strike 2011, the largest joint terminal attack controller and close-air-support exercise in Europe, kicked off here this morning with an opening ceremony which included three airmen jumping out of a C-130J Super Hercules and a welcome address by the commander of the 4th Air Support Operations

  • Civil Air Patrol cadets experience pilot training

    Airmen here recently hosted members of the Civil Air Patrol cadet program as they learned about undergraduate pilot training.CAP was by the Department of Defense in 1941 to help the U.S. during World War II. After the war in 1947, Congress declared the mission of CAP to focus on aerospace education,

  • Air Force officials host joint library workshop

    DOD library professionals will communicate, collaborate and connect during a library tri-service training workshop June 21 through 24 in New Orleans. The Air Force, Navy and U.S. Marines Corps Librarians' Training Workshop will feature speakers from the non-profit military organization Blue Star

  • New vehicle affects future of Air Force firefighting

    Soon Air Force firefighters will have a new weapon in their arsenal. The P-34 Rapid Intervention Vehicle will be in production by late September 2011. The Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency here has been the driving force behind this initiative."This will be the first firefighting vehicle in

  • Fairchild Airmen help save homes from flooding

    Forty student candidates and instructors from the 336th Training Group Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School here filled roughly 10,000 sandbags in Pend Oreille County, Wash., June 9, reportedly saving three homes from being flooded and making elderly homeowners extremely grateful and

  • Yokota Airmen share new cargo-rigging techniques at Cope West

    Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, explained low-cost, low-altitude bundle rigging techniques to members of the Indonesian army and air force June 22 as a part of Exercise Cope West 11, at Halim Air Base, Indonesia.The training seminar, one of several scheduled during the exercise, was designed to

  • AF clubs offers scholarships

    For the 15th year in a row, the Air Force Services Club Program will award $25,000 in scholarship funds. The Air Force Services Club Membership Scholarship Program is a club member-only program intended to help club members and their families defray the cost of higher education. Twenty-five winners

  • 2011 AFA Outstanding Air Force Civilians of the Year announced

    Air Force officials have announced the winners of the 2011 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian of the Year awards.Each year, the AFA recognizes four Air Force civilian employees for outstanding achievement in any career field. This year's recipients were:Civilian wage employee of

  • IAAFA continues to expand security cooperation initiatives

    The Air Force has implemented education and training institutions such as the Defense Language Institute English Language Center and the Inter-American Air Forces Academy to meet the demand for security cooperation initiatives, officials said here June 20. "Graduates of IAAFA build relationships

  • Nominations open for GEICO Public Service Awards

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations for the 2011 Government Employees Insurance Company's Public Service Awards. The GEICO Public Service Awards were established in 1980 to recognize the contributions of hard-working and talented government employees.This award is open to both civilian and

  • CAPEX tests Kunsan's bomb-building abilities

    The Combat Ammunition Production Exercise is underway here June 6 to 10, to test the 8th Fighter Wing Airmen's capabilities to build munitions to support combat sorties. Inspectors from across the Air Force, including instructors from the Air Force Combat Ammunition Center at Beale Air Force Base,

  • Airman solves fuel-flow transmitter problem, saves Air Force thousands

    An Airman here was recently awarded a check worth $10,000 through the Innovative Development Employee Awareness program.Tech. Sgt. Tremaine Smith, the 51st Maintenance Group technical order distribution office manager, was recognized for an idea that fixed a fuel-flow transmitter problem, saving the

  • C-130s maintain steady ops in Afghanistan

    Every day there are Airmen here supporting combat airlift missions for Operation Enduring Freedom through the use of the C-130 Hercules. The C-130s at Bagram Airfield are deployed with the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, which is part of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. Its Air Force fact

  • Marines keep an eye on the sky in Alaska

    Marine Air Control Squadron One, from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., recently ventured to Alaska for the first time to participate in the U.S. Pacific Command exercise Northern Edge 11. The Marines, who normally train at their home station, plan to take advantage of the unique training

  • Abandoned paintings make Air Force history

    Nine paintings depicting the evolution of air and space, which are displayed in the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station technical support building lobby, will be adopted into the Air Force Art Program this year. The paintings were rescued years ago after being abandoned inside a storage closet at

  • U.S. military, aircraft highlighted at international air show

    U.S. military pride, strength and technology are on display at the 49th International Paris Air Show at the Le Bourget Airport here June 20 through 26. Held every two years, the Paris Air Show provides an opportunity for the U.S. to showcase the best the Department of Defense has to offer in people,

  • Experts teach March Airmen to run injury-free

    Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, the medical consultant for the Air Force Marathon, and Ian Adamson, an ultra-athlete and three-time record holder, shared information on proper techniques and methods for injury-free running during two, three-hour running clinics June 12 here. Dr. Cucuzzella, an associate

  • U.S., Indonesian airmen begin Cope West 11

    Airmen from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and their Indonesian air force counterparts gathered at a ceremony to officially mark the beginning of the U.S. and Indonesian tactical airlift exercise called Cope West 11 June 20 here.Three C-130 Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron,

  • Chief Roy visits 438th AEW Airmen

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force, on a tour throughout the area of responsibility, visited and spoke with members of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing here recently. While visiting the wing, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy had lunch with wing enlisted leaders, visited the

  • Mobility teams gearing up for Air Mobility Rodeo 2011

    Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, sponsored by Air Mobility Command officials, is set to take place July 24 to 29 at McChord Field on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Rodeo is a readiness competition that "focuses on improving our worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities," AMC officials

  • SecAF visits, thanks Airmen in Western Europe

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Airmen serving with the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing and the 496th Air Base Squadron here June 17 to thank them for their service and meet with unit commanders.Upon Secretary Donley's arrival, he was greeted by Brig. Gen. Roy E. Uptegraff, the 313th

  • Military leaders discuss past, future ops at Air Boss Conference

    Leaders from around the world met here June 15 through 16 to discuss one important mission - strategic airpower in Korea."The Air Boss Conference is an annual conference that's hosted by the (Air Component Command commander)," said Col. James McGovern, the 607th Air and Space Operations Center

  • Academy cadets get taste of deployed life

    Approximately 60 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets are in Southwest Asia, observing deployed operations first hand and meeting deployed Airmen.Cadets receive leadership training, but it can become limited to what happens in the Academy's training environment. However, the opportunity to experience Air

  • SecAF visits Airmen at Aviano AB

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited here June 16 and 17 to meet with Airmen and tour the installation.During his visit, the secretary received briefings on the wing's mission and operations, dined with junior enlisted Airmen, conducted an Airmen's call and participated in an Airmen

  • Online unit deployment manager course launches

    As part of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's continuing goal of leveraging technology to assist in training, members of the Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School celebrated the launch of the online unit deployment manager, or UDM, course this month.The eight-hour online course

  • Airmen pick up pieces before historic handover

    More than 35 Airmen and Soldiers volunteered to clean up the Victory Over America Palace at Camp Slayer June 5 through 7. The palace, which is one of 70-plus palaces Saddam Hussein built throughout the country, will soon be returned to the Iraqi government. The three-day cleanup effort was

  • French citizens hold exhibition honoring 48th Fighter Bomber Wing

    Today, the 48th Fighter Wing is located in England, but that wasn't always the case.From 1952 to 1967, the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing, predecessor to the 48th FW, operated out of Chaumont Air Base, in northeastern France, with 75 jets and 2,500 American Airmen at its peak.Recently, a group of French

  • Photo essay: Airmen participate in NORTHERN EDGE 2011

    Airmen participate in the NORTHERN EDGE 2011 exercise here June 13. NORTHERN EDGE is a joint training exercise designed to practice operations, techniques and procedures, and enhance interoperability among the services.View the slideshow.

  • Nellis to receive Air Force's first MTC flight simulator

    Delivery is underway for a first-of-a-kind flight simulator here, with completion and operational turnover set for October.The Air Force's first Mission Training Center simulator is being set up here as part of a $109.1 million contract with L-3 Link Simulation and Training.The F-16 MTC includes

  • Controllers step it up a notch during Northern Edge

    Every two years, the U.S. Pacific Command exercise Northern Edge brings nearly 150 aircraft together to hone pilots' aerial combat skills in Alaska. The largest exercise in the state also brings additional challenges to the base's air traffic controllers.The controllers must adapt to stressful

  • Felts Field open house displays AMC lineage

    The Experimental Aviation Association shared a piece of Air Mobility Command history with the local community here recently.One of 12 flight-capable B-17 Flying Fortresses rumbled through the sky and landed for tours for aviation enthusiasts and two World War II B-17 pilots during Felts Field's

  • Mullen discusses fiscal 2012 budget proposal with Senate committee

    Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told the Senate Appropriations Committee today that he supports the fiscal 2012 budget proposal, and that it funds service members in harm's way in Afghanistan and Iraq.The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said the proposed 2012 budget fully funds deployed service members,

  • Gates, Mullen protect family programs from budget cuts

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the service chiefs to "fence" two areas in the budget options the military is contemplating: training and family programs."I don't want any money taken out of those," he told the Senate Appropriations Committee June 15.Secretary Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen,

  • 50th Space Wing completes GPS constellation expansion

    The 50th Space Wing successfully completed a two-phase GPS constellation expansion known as "Expandable 24" June 15. The expansion increased global GPS coverage and is now providing civil, military and commercial GPS users with a more robust signal and a higher probability of signal acquisition in

  • Deadline near for National Public Service Award

    The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2012 National Public Service Award to the Air Force Personnel Center is Aug. 1.The National Public Service Award recognizes individuals with agency-wide responsibility who exhibit the highest standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment over

  • Pros, families ride in 2011 Air Force Cycling Classic

    Hot and humid weather didn't deter the more than 2,300 cycling enthusiasts from around the world and the approximate 600 on-lookers, who came out to cheer for teams and riders in the 2011 Air Force Cycling Classic held June 11 and 12, in Northern Virginia.The goal of the two-day event was to foster

  • Columbus T-38C accident investigation complete

    The investigation of the Feb. 11, 2011, T-38C Talon mishap at Ellington Field, Texas, found the mishap was due to the pilot mistaking the landing runway, losing altitude too quickly and allowing his airspeed to fall below a safe level. This resulted in catastrophic damage to the T-38's landing gear

  • U.S. service members, Japanese mourn lives lost during World War II

    Members here participated in a memorial ceremony June 11, in Shizuoka City, Japan. U.S. Airmen have been invited to take part in the event each year since 1972, bringing the U.S. and Japanese communities together to mourn a shared loss.The tragedy occurred June 20, 1945, when two B-29 Superfortress

  • Mullen discusses Afghanistan, Iraq, on Letterman

    America's top military officer explained what members of the U.S. military have gone through during 10 years of war to the audience of the "Late Show with David Letterman" June 13.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told David Letterman that the American people need to

  • Reserve Airmen fuel up NATO forces in Iceland exercise

    Air Force Reserve Airmen and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md., took part in Northern Viking 11, a biennial NATO air-space and maritime protection exercise here June 3-10, 2011.This year approximately 450 NATO military members from the U.S., Norway,

  • Investigation nabs 30 Air Force spice users

    In April,  the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Det. 114 here completed a two-month Spice-use investigation that resulted in the identification of 30 Airmen. The Airmen, who are assigned to six units within Air Force Materiel Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command, have

  • Air Force inspector general focus group realizes efficiencies

    In an effort to further minimize the effects of inspections on missions throughout the Air Force, the Air Force inspector general held an Inspection System Efficiencies Conference May 23 through May 26 in Lansdowne, Va., officials said here June 2.Conference participants included approximately 170

  • Teens soar at 11th-annual aviation camp

    Thirty-six teens from around the Air Force participated in the 11th-annual Teen Aviation Camp here June 4 through 8.All of the 16- and 17-year old campers come from Air Force families and have parents who are active duty, retirees, reservists, or members of the Air National Guard. Teens and their

  • Global Strike Command tests nuclear readiness without skipping a beat

    Airmen with Global Strike Command recently completed the first command-wide nuclear operational readiness exercise, called Constant Vigilance, without taking a break from scheduled wing-level activities, exercises and training."This operation energized every part of the command," said Maj. Scott

  • Air Force organizations win telework awards

    Two Air Force organizations earned the 2011 Telework Exchange Tele-Vision Award for excellence in leadership and for best new initiative, respectively, officials said here June 13.The office of the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force won the award for its headquarters Air

  • Rescue community remembers fallen Airmen

    Airmen from the 66th Rescue Squadron here held a remembrance ceremony June 9 for the crewmembers of an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, call sign Pedro 66, who lost their lives in a crash a year ago on this date.Lt. Col. Daniel Jefferies, the 563rd Rescue Group deputy commander, presided over the

  • Iraqi airmen learn to protect leaders

    Prompted by assassinations of Iraqi military leaders, Iraqi airmen are receiving personal security operations training from members of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations here.According to the April 2011 Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction quarterly report, between January

  • Iraqi air force leaders attend conference at Balad

    Three Iraqi air force air staff generals and five representatives from different bases visited June 8 and 9 here to experience a U.S. Air Force base. Joint Base Balad was chosen to host the visit because it is the only base in Iraq that could provide the opportunity for Airmen to work with Iraqi

  • Pope C-130 crew chiefs achieve discrepancy-free checklists

     At some bases, a discrepancy-free checklist inspection has never occurred. At others it happens maybe once every 10 to 15 years, but two crew chiefs from the 440th Airlift Wing both achieved perfect checklist inspections for their aircraft.Tech. Sgts. Abner Berrios and Alan Hunter earned a "black

  • 'Lt. Dan' flies high

    Even though he has been a strong military supporter and philanthropist, most remember Gary Sinise by his award-winning role as Lieutenant Dan Taylor from the 1994 film "Forrest Gump."Mr. Sinise visited here June 6 to 9 to document the capabilities of the U-2 Dragon Lady and meet with Airmen to boost

  • Reorganization enhances C2 testing, tactics, training

    The Air Force's preeminent wing for directing the service's operational command and control, or C2, testing, tactics development and training completed a reorganization effort June 10. The restructure will enhance Air Force, joint and coalition warfighter capabilities.Officials at the 505th Command

  • Airmen standardize procedures to ensure patient, aircrew safety

    Similar to walking through security and being searched by TSA at an airport, Airmen at the contingency aeromedical staging facility here have standardized procedures to take security aboard military aircraft to a higher level."We're like a medical airport," said Lt. Col. Barbara Persons, the 451st

  • Mobility Airmen take C-5M on first direct Arctic overflight to Afghanistan

    Fourteen mobility Airmen teamed together to fly a C-5M Super Galaxy on a direct, non-stop mission from Dover Air Force Base, Del., here June 5 and 6, 2011.The flight was the first time a U.S. Air Force plane flew this northern route from the U.S., over Canada and into the Arctic Circle, then back

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the Air Force Flight Test Center receives two new F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighters. And, with the completion of Space Shuttle Endeavour's final mission, you'll get an inside look at what it took to make it happen. Plus, the Airmen from Kunsan Air Base,