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  • Continuous Process Improvement workshop held

    Lean practitioners from across the Department of Defense came together to share, learn and educate each other during a Continuous Process Improvement workshop, held April 22 and 23 at Tobyhanna Army Depot. "This is the first of what I believe will be many types of these events," said J. D. Sicilia,

  • Software proves effective in avoiding aircraft crashes

    Leading-edge software technology 25 years in the making by specialists in numerous Defense Department agencies and NASA has demonstrated a continuous 98 percent effectiveness rate of eliminating aircraft crashes, a NASA test flight director said. The primary development of the software technology

  • Airline offers $1 military fares

    In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, JetBlue is offering active-duty military personnel $1 fares for domestic, nonstop flights for a limited time.The flights must depart from the two JetBlue cities nearest to the nation's capital: Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va.,

  • AFSO21 helps improve wing processes

    In an effort to help save time and money, 23rd Wing officials stood up an office to provide Airmen with the tools and assistance to carry out Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives. AFSO21 is a program to help improve work processes and combat capabilities throughout the Air

  • Forces train Iraqis to manage communications

    U.S. forces in Iraq increasingly are focused on training Iraqis to be self-sufficient, and most recently that training has brought Iraqis closer to managing their communications frequencies, information security and automotive maintenance. Fourteen students drawn from Iraq's ministries of

  • Global Hawk flying mapping missions south of border

    The RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is currently using its sensors for non-military environmental mapping missions over South, Central America and the Caribbean at the request of partner nations in the region. The flights, dubbed "eco-missions" by the Air Forces Southern team, provide vital

  • Transition assistance experts hone job-assistance skills

    About 120 transition assistance experts from across the Air Force came to downtown San Antonio April 28 through 30 to learn the latest in career and employment initiatives and how they relate to today's economic environment. The three-day conference kicked off with a one-day, Air Force specific

  • Chief scientist: Airmen's innovative spirit vital to future

    The Air Force's top scientific adviser expressed his appreciation for the innovative spirit among today's Airmen, during a visit with Air Mobility Command here May 1. Air Force Chief Scientist Dr. Werner J.A. Dahm said each Airman plays a vital role in innovation across the Air Force, as

  • New selective re-enlistment bonus list announced

    Pentagon officials recently released the latest selective re-enlistment bonus list which contains 82 Air Force specialties.The revised listing increased bonuses for one Air Force specialty code -- contracting. Seventeen AFSCs will receive lower SRBs than previously offered and seven AFSCs were

  • Airmen, Sailors provide maritime support for Iraqi military

    Air Force and Navy servicemembers teamed up in April to support and train the newly formed Iraqi navy with maritime mission along the northern area of the Arabian Gulf where a large percentage of Iraq's oil is exported. The first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flight took place April

  • 'Today's Air Force' features training, Earth Day celebrations

    The latest edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Airmen at Aviano Air Base in Italy prepare for combat, a new model in the C-130 Hercules fleet, and a celebration of Earth Day. Combined training is a way to get to know allies, how they train and how they'll react in certain situations and

  • Weather agency facility wins White House award

    Officials with the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive announced April 30 that the Air Force Weather Agency's headquarters building here was selected as the winning entry in the "Sustainable Design/Green Buildings - Military" category for the 2009 White House Closing the Circle Award. "The

  • Reserve Airmen complete deployment to Guam

    More than 110 Airmen and four KC-135 Stratotankers from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., completed a four-month deployment May 1 to Andersen Air Force Base.The Airmen formed the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron to support Pacific refueling operations. KC-135s have been routinely deployed

  • Program makes high-cost schooling available to troops, vets

    Servicemembers and veterans who enroll in the new Post-9/11 GI Bill will be able to attend some of the country's most prestigious, and high-cost, universities, thanks to a new program that's gaining momentum in academic circles. Keith Wilson, director of education service for the Veterans Benefits

  • VA emphasizes education before Post-9/11 GI Bill switch

    As the Department of Veterans Affairs begins accepting sign-ups for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, officials are encouraging anyone considering enrolling in the program to get educated about it first to ensure it's right for them. "Starting (today), people can start applying for the new benefit," said Keith

  • Red Flag-Alaska pilots train to fly, fight, win

    The flight plans have been filed; the mission briefs have been completed. Now it's time for the key players in a multinational force to come together to fly, fight and win. During Red Flag-Alaska, United States military pilots and coalition forces are provided the opportunity to train jointly more

  • Museum receives artifact donation from Mexican air force

    The Mexican air force foreign liaison officer stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio presented National Museum of the U.S. Air Force officials here with World War II artifacts representing the 201st Mexican Fighter Squadron April 29.Mexican air force Lt. Col. Daniel Mojica presented a

  • Officials discourage aspirin use by troops in combat zones

    Defense Department officials are directing servicemembers and government civilians deployed in overseas war zones to refrain from taking aspirin unless under a doctor's orders, a senior military physician said here April 30. "Aspirin use for reasons other than medical indications is discouraged,"

  • Museum opens Thunderbirds F-16 aircraft exhibit

    The Museum of Aviation here will open to the public a permanent Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft exhibit May 3, the same day the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team will perform at nearby Robins Air Force Base. The aircraft, once a part of the demonstration team, has been

  • Proposed Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability rules explained

    With Department of Veterans Affairs representatives ready to begin accepting sign-ups for the Post-9/11 GI Bill May 1, Defense Department officials are working to get word out on the proposed policy regarding the bill's transferability provisions to help servicemembers decide if the new benefit is

  • '6S' leads to AMC success

    Air Mobility Command Airmen recently spent a day focused on using the "6S" method to reduce clutter, inefficient processes, waste and more in their work spaces. 6S is a six-step process that stands for safety, sort, straighten, shine, standardize and sustain. "Through the 6S method, Airmen learn to

  • First group of UPT pilots graduate from Predator training

    The first group of Undergraduate Pilot Training students completed the MQ-1 Predator Formal Training Unit's Initial Qualification Training Course here April 24. Along with the UPT students, the class graduated 20 students, which translates to 10 crews. A crew comprises a pilot and sensor operator.

  • Airman's Roll Call: Separating E-7, E-6 promotion release dates

    This week's Airman's Roll Call highlights the recent change in releasing promotion dates for master and technical sergeant.  After 12 years of being announced on the same day, they each now will be released on a separate date. Air Force officials say the new master sergeant promotion list now will

  • Top officer addresses Air Force's role in irregular warfare

    As combat requirements evolve, so must the Air Force's unique capabilities to engage the enemy, the service's top officer said. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the role of Airmen in counterinsurgency operations and irregular warfare April 24 at the Brookings Institution

  • New threat detection, countermeasure program introduced

    A lot of questions are likely to rush through your head when you're out on the battlefield and the enemy projectiles come flying. Defense Advanced Research Project Agency officials are making big strides on a program to respond with life-saving speed and accuracy. The goal of DARPA's CROSSHAIRS, or

  • C-17 stage crews at Manas ramp up support for OEF

    Over the past five weeks, three Pacific Air Forces C-17 Globemaster IIIs have been flying round-the-clock missions from Manas to Afghanistan delivering special cargo in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom surge. The "stage" operation set up at Manas included aircraft and personnel from 535th

  • Air Force flight surgeons train Iraqi counterparts

    American Air Force flight surgeons continued their mission to teach and train Iraqi air force and army flight surgeons here recently to better prepare the Iraqi officers to eventually take over the aerospace medicine mission. The Coalition Air Force Training Team is conducting a flight surgeon

  • F-35 test plane flies over Eglin

    The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft arrived here April 21 to educate the base and local community about the Department of Defense and world's newest fighter.The arrival of the test F-35, called AA-1, kicked off a week full of events to showcase the aircraft at Eglin Air Force

  • New York Guardsmen stay on alert to save lives

    While all Airmen assigned to rescue squadrons throughout the Air Force know and follow the motto "So that others may live," there is one rescue squadron deployed to Afghanistan that takes this personal. "There is something that sets our unit apart from all the others," said Senior Master Sgt.

  • Blue Flag enhances ability to protect U.S. from attacks

    More than 500 Air Force personnel along with Army, Navy and Marine representatives completed a two-week training exercise April 24 here to improve how to monitor and intercept hostile military aircraft and to respond to potential terrorist attacks. Part of a series of military defense training

  • Air Guard chief selected as NORTHCOM advisor

    An Air National Guard command chief master sergeant has been selected as a command senior enlisted advisor for a combatant command.  It is the first time an Air Guardsman has been selected for that position.  Chief Master Sgt. W. Allen Usry, the current Continental U.S. NORAD Region-1st Air Force

  • Military officials monitor swine flu

    Defense Department officials are monitoring the swine flu situation closely, with their primary focus on protecting the military population, a senior Pentagon official said April 27. As officials with the Department of Health and Human Services lead the U.S. effort, the military is posturing itself

  • Air Force chief offers perspective to acquisition community

    Some 700 Air Force senior leaders, acquisition professionals and defense industry partners met at the campus of Sinclair Community College April 20 to 22 to address challenges faced by the military acquisition, technology and logistics community.The two-and-a-half day event, organized by the

  • AETC ensures nuclear precision, compliance, accountability

    Command officials have aligned the Air Education and Training Command staff with headquarters Air Force, creating a new directorate that began operations in February to strengthen the focus on training for the Air Force's nuclear enterprise. The new office, AETC Nuclear Operations, Plans and

  • Senior officials define leadership during Air Force Week

    Leadership was the key topic addressed during an Air Force Week panel discussion April 23 on the campus of the College of William & Mary. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley led the panel with comments on the theme of "Leadership for the Future," and panel members shared their insights

  • Air Force secretary discusses service's goals, priorities

    The secretary of the Air Force spoke about the service's nuclear enterprise mission, Airmen at war and taking care of Airmen and their families April 23 while visiting the campus of the College of William & Mary during Hampton Roads Air Force Week. Secretary Michael B. Donley began by explaining the

  • ANG chief discusses air sovereignty missions with Congress

    New commitments need to be made to the nation's Airmen and others who defend North America from threats to its air sovereignty, the Air National Guard's senior officer told members of Congress here April 22. Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt, director of the Air National Guard, testified before the House

  • Armament unit improves operations with AFSO 21

    Six Airmen from the 20th Maintenance Group recently conducted a Rapid Improvement Event here as part of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives happening across the Air Force. Senior Airman Ronnie Eveland, 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, explained that while the RIE focused

  • AF officials primed for officer qualifying test revamp

    Force Management officials will further refine the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test by conducting surveys that ensure the test content measures the most critical abilities and aptitudes tomorrow's officers need. Officials in the Air Staff Force Management Policy Division said the results of two Air

  • Altus slated to receive Reserve squadron

    Top military and government officials announced recently a Reserve squadron will join units here. The addition will boost aircrew training for the KC-135 Stratotanker, C-17 Globemaster III and the eventual KC-X.  The change will take place in fiscal 2010. "We have the opportunity to take some of the

  • Air Force legal team earns Deming Award

    Excellence, innovation and high-impact practices are among the goals of many government agencies, but an Air Force team at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., distinguished itself and earned recognition for that at an April 20 ceremony. At the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here,

  • ISR leader shares future of intelligence field

    "We're changing the way we view intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from the past," said Lt. Gen. David Deptula, Air Force deputy chief of staff for ISR, during his visit here April 16. "In the past, we had stratified pockets of industry. Now we're heading toward an integrated,

  • Lightning strikes a need for renter's insurance

    Live in base housing and don't have renter's insurance?  For one base couple, renter's insurance may be their only hope to recover what they've lost. The home of 1st Lt. Richard and Rachel Kerr caught fire April 20 after lightning struck their base housing unit during a severe thunderstorm.

  • Squadron Airmen improve following improvement event

    Airman from the 9th Munitions Squadron hosted a Rapid Improvement Event March 30 thru April 3 as part of the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century here. The event was held to identify key issues with the mobility recovery bin process and to find plausible solutions to help resolve them. By

  • The services align, sign new working group charter

    The first big step towards achieving commonality and interoperability of expeditionary basing equipment in the joint force was taken April 13 as the service logistics chiefs came together here to sign the Joint Expeditionary Basing Working Group charter. The lead JEBWG organizations are the Air

  • AFSO 21 helps unit reduce steps, increase proficiency

    The 726th Air Mobility Squadron recently conducted an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century value stream analysis looking for ways to streamline C-17 Globemaster III refueling and increase proficiency levels. The unit pooled Airmen from a variety of backgrounds to participate in the AFSO

  • Personnel accountability system live AF-wide; May exercise planned

    Air Force officials implemented the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System April 1.  The new program improves global disaster personnel accountability management, reporting and case management across the force.  They plan to test the system in a force-wide exercise May 19 to 21.

  • JCS chairman says Holocaust Remembrance Day important

    The top U.S. military officer called on servicemembers to use Holocaust Remembrance Day observances this week as an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities of life, reminding them that the decisions they make matter. "The story of the Holocaust, however ghastly, offers us an opportunity to

  • Task force seeks sexual assault response feedback

    Members of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst recently to speak with base leaders, sexual assault response coordinators and other base personnel. The task force, which was chartered by Congress to look at sexual assault response

  • Air Force lights up 'Operation Change Out'

    All 64 major Air Force bases in the United States are participating in the Energy Star Operation Change Out: The Military Challenge campaign to change out incandescent bulbs with new energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs. The campaign is a joint effort between the Department of Defense

  • VA welcomes veterans home with new Web site, blog

    The Veterans Affairs Department has launched a new "Returning Veterans" Web site to welcome home veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts with a social, veteran-centric site, VA officials announced today. "VA is entering the world of Web 2.0, because that's where this generation of veterans is

  • Senior enlisted leader summit set for May

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader is set to convene the 2009 Senior Enlisted Leader Summit May 3 to 8 at Maxwell Air Force Base's Gunter Annex, Ala. Command chief master sergeants, career field managers, professional military education commandants and other key senior enlisted leaders from Air

  • Air Force officials emphasize bystander intervention

    Airmen have the power to stop sexual assaults. The Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office staff is leading the effort to empower Airmen with this concept. The key to that empowerment is bystander intervention. If Airmen witness a situation that could lead to an assault, they have an

  • Clouds lift for 'Cadet for a Day'

    For eight years, Academy cadets have been making wishes come true for ill youngsters. They made it happen again April 9 through Saturday when Joe Hayford, 13, became the newest Cadet for a Day through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "His eyes were huge, and he never quit smiling," said Wish volunteer

  • Hero of the Hudson visits alma mater

    Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who saved U.S. Airways Flight 1549 with a heroic water landing in January, returned to the roots of his aviation career here Wednesday to accept a coveted flight award from the Air Force Academy. Captain Sullenberger, a 1973 graduate, received the 2009 Colonel

  • TacSat-3 to demonstrate rapid delivery of imagery

    Providing up-to-the-minute data to the in-theater commander can act as the tipping point to achieve success on the battlefield, and demonstrating that capability has been planned for the Tactical Satellite-3's upcoming, year-long mission. Serving as the spacecraft's primary payload, the Advanced

  • National Security Personnel System goes under microscope

    The federal government's largest pay-for-performance system, the National Security Personnel System, is under review at the request of officials in the Defense Department and the Office of Personnel Management. Since October 2006, about 205,000 defense employees were brought under the new NSPS,

  • Air Force officials modernize mentoring program

    As Air Force officials continue to modernize the processes to meet 21st century mission requirements, manpower and personnel force development officials have taken a hard look at the service's mentoring program to increase its effectiveness. "Our mentoring program has existed on paper for many

  • F-22 exchange pilot helps strengthen U.S., Australian ties

    A Royal Australian Air Force pilot assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron has had the opportunity to fly the Air Force's premier fighter, the F-22 Raptor, as part of a foreign pilot exchange program. Squadron Leader Matthew Harper is an F-22 instructor pilot and the 90th EFS flight

  • Top officer cites Coast Guard-Air Force ties

    The top Coast Guard officer said the Air Force and the Coast Guard have more in common than one might think. During a speech about homeland security, Adm. Thad Allen, Coast Guard commandant, told this to Air War College students here April 9 . The bedrock of the relationship between the two services

  • Project builds bond between U.S., Kyrgyz Republic

    A symbolic ground-breaking ceremony was held April 14 in Birdik Village to signify the start of a school renovation project between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic.Nearly two weeks after work began on the $470,000 project to repair the school, a ceremony was held to recognize the

  • New policy refines ancillary, expeditionary skills training

    As Air Force officials focus on giving Airmen more time to do their primary duty and reduce additional duties, senior leaders issued new policy guidance in March to streamline ancillary training and expeditionary skills training programs. "Air Staff, the A1 (personnel) community and major command

  • Victim advocates support, assist survivors

    A group of Airman from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base in Southwest Asia stood up and volunteered to be victim advocates as their part to prevent sexual assaults in the Air Force. Last year, Airmen throughout the Air Force reported more than 620 cases of sexual assault. There are two

  • Air Force officials test ability to recall retirees

    Todd Worley and Robert Shelly hadn't seen each other in about ten years. Both are retired Air Force master sergeants. They recently met up again at the 2009 Air Force Push-Pull exercise here. The Air Force used the exercise to test their ability to recall retirees to active duty should they ever

  • Airman field-tests modified PT uniform in Iraq

    An Airman here was selected to field-test the Air Force's modified physical training uniform while deployed here to provide feedback to Air Force leaders at the end of the testing process. Senior Airman James Debiase, a 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency manager, was asked to

  • Space station module name honors Apollo 11 anniversary

    The International Space Station module formerly known as Node 3 has a new name. After more than a million online responses, the node will be called "Tranquility." The name Tranquility was chosen from thousands of suggestions submitted by participants on NASA's Web site, www.nasa.gov. The "Help Name

  • Leader magazine transitions from print to online

    In keeping with the evolving mediums for information dissemination, the Leader magazine has ceased production of its print version and has become the Leader Online. The new Web site features Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets and

  • Military doctor cites need for early intervention of autism

    A Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences faculty member discussed Autism Awareness Month recently and the importance of early, proper diagnosis and treatment of children. "Parents should feel confidence in raising questions about whether their child has autism," Dr. Janice Hanson told

  • New 'eMagazine' informs servicemembers, families

    All the support programs in the world won't do any good if no one knows about them, so the Defense Department's principal director for military community and family policy started the office's new "eMagazine." "What I found when I came up here was they have great programs and so forth, but they

  • 'Voices of Men' gives unique insight on sexual assault

    Nobody would expect a guy dressed like Austin Powers to educate people about sexual assault awareness. But as part of the nationwide observance this month to raise awareness about one of the country's most under-reported crimes, Defense Department officials here developed fresh initiatives and

  • Academy space fleet continues to grow

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's space fleet grows even larger this year with the launch of one satellite, continued operations of a second satellite and design work underway for a third. The newest addition will be FalconSAT-6, which is on the drawing board now. The FalconSAT space fleet is a series of

  • VA secretary embraces 'personal calling' of serving veterans

    Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki is a no-nonsense leader who wants veterans to measure his performance and that of the department he leads through concrete results, not rhetoric. "Veterans have been given a lot of promises over a bunch of years, and I have assured them that they should

  • 'Today's Air Force' features dignified transfers

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the new policy for the transfer of fallen military members, a Purple Heart Medal recipient, a winter sports clinic for the disabled and a smoldering type of training: firefighting. A new policy has been approved by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

  • Space Station module name to be announced April 14

    NASA's newest module for the International Space Station will get a new name on April 14. Agency officials plan to make the announcement with the help of Expedition 14 and 15 astronaut Sunita "Suni" Williams on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report." The program will air at 11:30 p.m. EDT. The name,

  • BEAR builds new quarters for forces at Manas

    A Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources team recently made room for the influx of coalition forces here as more military forces shift from Iraq to Afghanistan. A nine-member Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources team, known as BEAR, lent their construction skills to Manas Air Base where two 4,000

  • Ceremony recognizes new NATO members

    A flag ceremony marking the accession of Croatia and Albania as the 27th and 28th members of NATO was held April 8 at Allied Air Component Command Headquarters Ramstein. Gen. Roger A. Brady, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and NATO Allied Air Component Command at Ramstein officiated the

  • Tax rates change for retirees, annuitants

    Retirees and annuitants may see a change in the amount of money they receive May 1 thanks to a new tax credit. Public Law 111-05, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17. This act authorized a tax credit for most workers including

  • Air Force officials discuss building partnerships

    The Building Partnerships Symposium concluded March 25 here with members from around the Air Force discussing the necessity of including building partnerships into Air Force doctrine."This symposium was important because we were able to create a clear definition of building partnerships for the Air

  • Active-duty, reserve components meet recruiting goals

    All 10 active-duty and reserve military components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in March, with the Marine Corps adding the highest percentage of active-duty members, Defense Department officials announced April 10. The Army Reserve led the reserve components, and all four active

  • Pararescuemen conduct water test of new NASA capsule

    Six pararescuemen from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., conducted recovery testing on a mockup of NASA's next-generation spacecraft March 8 at the Trident Turn Basin here. The team of pararescuemen from the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing deployed an inflatable flotation collar during the test of

  • President salutes former prisoners of war

    President Barack Obama issued a proclamation April 9 marking Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, noting that American prisoners of war exemplify the courage and sacrifice that defines the nation's men and women in uniform. "These brave warriors have paid a massive share of the costs of freedom,

  • VA budget adds mental-health services for combat vets

    The proposed Department of Veterans Affairs funding request will provide more post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury services to combat veterans, as well as other mental-health care and services for wounded warriors, President Barack Obama said April 9. "The nightmares of war

  • Reading program reaches out to military families

    Through the program's military initiative, doctors and nurses at 20 military hospitals, including one in Germany, soon will receive training on how to promote early literacy for children. They also will be provided with free books to present to parents with children ages 6 months to 5 years when

  • Tiered construct defines future expeditionary skills training

    A guarantee to eliminate duplicate expeditionary skills training requirements for all Air Force personnel through a four-tiered construct is now in effect by officials here. "This new construct ensures Airmen receive appropriate expeditionary education and training at the appropriate time," said

  • Security forces unit provides combat support to Iraq

    Airmen from the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Det. 3, provide outside-the-wire combat support by doing everything from patrolling as police transition teams to performing intelligence operations to using military working dog teams to help Iraqi police with security. "The mission of

  • CSAF addresses 386th Airmen during AOR visit

    The Air Force's top officer spoke to 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen as part of a visit to the Air Forces Central area of responsibility April 6 and 7. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz also took time to visit the Airmen of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group and speak with the combat

  • Safety experts spearhead efforts to minimize bird strikes

    Americans witnessed firsthand the severity of bird strikes when U.S. Airways Flight 1549 crash landed in the Hudson River in New York City after hitting a flock of birds in January. Lt. Col. Charles Wallace and his team of seven safety experts with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Safety Office here

  • AFMC will use new media to announce award winners

    Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs officials are venturing into the world of new media and for the first time will attempt to report the annual AFMC Enlisted Awards live as names of Airmen selected are announced April 9 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. A Public Affairs

  • Center team works to connect new fighters, bomber

    An airborne networking team here is working to connect low-observable aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightning II and B-2 Spirit with each other, and with the rest of the force. These aircraft rely on a number of technological advantages to defeat adversaries and

  • Airmen in personal effects office take small items to heart

    Watches, coins, photos, dog tags and necklaces. To many, these are just items carried or worn by military members, even when serving in places like Iraq or Afghanistan. For families of the fallen, these simple items may be cherished keepsakes that serve as reminders of their son or daughter who paid

  • Heritage Coat production uncertain despite favorable reviews

    Though Air Force officials here have not made a final decision on the new service coat, pre-decisional results show Airmen who sampled the Heritage Coat gave it high marks. Survey feedback showed 92 percent of wear test participants deemed the coat suitable for military uniform, and overall 66

  • Helicopter pilots train Japanese forces on air refueling

    A team of HH-60G Pave Hawk pilots here provided a three-day intensive course on air refueling to Japanese Self Defense Forces helicopter rescue pilots in late March over Japan. The training, given by pilots from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, gave JASDF members hands-on helicopter air refueling training.

  • Airmen help launch satellite into orbit

    The Air Force's second Wibeband Global Satellite Communications satellite was successfully launched into orbit April 3 by officials from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. WGS-2 joins the service's first WGS satellite that was launched Oct. 10, 2007. The WGS system significantly increases the

  • Space education seeks prominence

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's newly-released special area of emphasis, "Space as a Contested Environment," draws attention to the reality that the United States can and will be challenged in space, and that military education needs modification to address this reality. The overall goal

  • Airman's Roll Call: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Web sites, campaigns and other events, observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Defense Department officials launched a new Web site and campaign April 3 that gives servicemembers fresh initiatives and new teaching methods to prevent sexual

  • 'Visions of Valor' portraits honor heroes

    "Visions of Valor" are on display at the U.S. Air Force Academy as a collection of black-and-white portrait photographs of 140 Medal of Honor recipients was presented by TriWest Health Alliance officials April 3 at the McDermott Library here. David McIntrye, the TriWest chief executive officer,

  • Ramstein welcomes new J-model C-130

    Ramstein's first J-model C-130 Super Hercules aircraft was welcomed by a capacity crowd April 7 during an arrival ceremony here. Tail number 8601, the first of 14 J-models in production for the 86th Airlift Wing, also serves as the first Air Force Super Hercules permanently stationed at an overseas

  • Officials discuss Air Force role for Africa Command

    Officials from Air University, U.S. Africa Command and the 17th Air Force kicked off a symposium March 31 to foster recommendations for the Air Force's involvement for Africa Command. The 17th Air Force, also known as U.S. Air Forces Africa, is the air arm of the new unified command and the main

  • Drill team prepares for upcoming drill season

    Members of the Air Force Honor Guard drill team completed its annual training camp in March at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. During their month long temporary duty, the team learned a new routine for the 2009 drill-season with the biggest change being the addition of Max Impact, the Air Force's

  • Gates lays out defense budget recommendations

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates laid out his recommendations for the 2010 budget during an April 6 Pentagon press conference . The secretary said he included his experiences in national security to make the decisions. To start, Secretary Gates plans to significantly restructure the Army's Future