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U.S. Air Force News

  • Panel discusses post-traumatic stress

    As the frequency and length of military deployments increase, servicemembers and their families are faced with challenges associated with deployment and combat.Building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration of returning servicemembers and veterans are important steps in

  • A new way to go from blue to green

    While Airmen and new recruits at basic training still "cross into the blue," Airmen at Pacific Air Forces are looking for new ways to cross into the green -- through reducing energy demands, increasing energy supplies and changing the culture.These methods form the three pillars of the Air Force

  • Lynn notes Cyber Command's significance

    Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III called the establishment of U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Md., a milestone in the United States being able to conduct full-spectrum operations in a new domain.Mr. Lynn spoke to reporters in his office May 21 before attending the stand-up of the

  • Undersecretary's visit underscores importance of nuclear mission

    The Air Force's newest senior leader visited the Air Force's newest major command May 20.Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton visited Air Force Global Strike Command to get a firsthand view of the command.Hosted by Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, AFGSC commander, Ms. Conaton received briefings from

  • Portal offers new secure network tool similar to Facebook

    Air Force Portal Web designers are keeping up with the Web 2.0 era by offering portal users a new means to engage in professional communications in a secure social media environment.After initial tests among some 7,000 users in the Air Force's logistics community, the portal's newly developed

  • Aviano officials tap into Earth's energy

    Construction has begun to build a $680,000 geothermal plant here, the first of its kind in U.S. Air Forces in Europe."Aviano (AB officials are) actively leaning forward on numerous utility and energy-saving initiatives," said Lt. Col. Bo Bloomer, the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "The

  • Air Guard engineers assist Navajo Nation

    Two Air National Guard civil engineering units began renovation and construction work May 16 here at St. Michaels Association for Special Education.Members of the Virginia Air Guard's 203rd Red Horse Squadron and the Colorado Air Guard's 240th Civil Engineer Flight are repairing buildings,

  • Safety campaign provides awareness to Airmen

    As part of the Air Force's Wingman Stand Down 2010, missions here will be halted May 21 as Airmen seek methods of preventing suicides and private motor vehicle accidents by strengthening wingmen relationships.These stand downs will be held around the Air Force in May. While on the cusp of the 101

  • Gates establishes U.S. Cyber Command, names first commander

    Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced May 21 Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander's appointment as the first commander of U.S. Cyber Command, officially establishing the Initial Operating Capability for the new command. The announcement comes immediately following General Alexander's promotion to

  • Air Force chief of staff addresses 2010 CAF Airpower Symposium

    Although last minute plane troubles kept the Air Force's top uniformed leader from physically attending the 2010 Combat Air Forces Airpower Symposium at Langley Air Force Base May 19, it didn't keep him from delivering his keynote address to participants.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Single parents juggle military, home demands

    The active-duty military includes nearly 73,000 single parents, which equates to 5.3 percent of the total force, according to Defense Department statistics from 2008. The Army leads the way with more than 35,000 single parents, followed by the Navy with more than 16,000, and the Air Force with more

  • Bilateral training teaches enlisted leaders to care for Airmen

    Instructors from the Air Force First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala., prepared 99 enlisted leaders from around Japan to better care for their airmen May 11 through 14 here.First Sergeant Academy instructors conduct 13 active duty first sergeant seminars every year. Each time

  • National Guard members never stop training for hurricane season

    Although most hurricanes occur between the months of June and October, being prepared to respond to the aftereffects of a hurricane is almost a year-round task for the members of the National Guard."We actually almost never stop (training),"said Maj. Gen. Bill Etter, the director of domestic

  • Electronic warfare officers showcase joint effort in Iraq

    As branches of the U.S. military continue to collocate at joint installations and combine resources, an increasing number of Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines also find themselves working together in the operational environment. A group of Air Force and Navy electronic warfare officers at Al

  • U.S. and Bulgarian airmen train together

    Airmen and F-15 Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing are participating in an exercise with airmen from the Bulgarian air force here.Sentry Gold is designed to provide members of the U.S. and Bulgarian air force the opportunity to learn from each other and increase their respective NATO

  • Training command becomes energy-efficient force

    Officials released a new energy plan in December to serve as the framework for communicating Air Force energy goals to expand a culture shift where Airmen make energy a consideration in everything they do.The priorities now involve energy-focused considerations from initial design and acquisition

  • Air Mobility Command commander visits Korea

    The commander of Air Mobility Command visited South Korea and the peninsula en-route to an AMC unit here May 16 through 18.Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr.'s visit to the 731st Air Mobility Squadron was his first since he assumed command of AMC in November 2009.The mission of the 731st AMS Airmen increased

  • Air Guard officials open access to social media sites

    Air National Guard officials have announced that access to popular social media networking sites would become available to all Airmen who use their network. They began to allow access to popular social media networking sites May 10 and were scheduled to have access available to all bases and regions

  • U.S., Vietnam conclude Pacific Angel mission

    U.S. and Vietnamese military members and non-governmental agencies concluded Operation Pacific Angel 2010 during a ceremony to recognize the joint and combined humanitarian assistance efforts provided to the Tan Thoi and Truong Thanh communities May 17 here. Operation Pacific Angel 2010 is a joint

  • 755th Air Expeditionary Group members celebrate one year with JET Airmen

    The 755th Air Expeditionary Group marked the one year anniversary of the creation of four air expeditionary squadrons whose purpose is to provide joint expeditionary tasked and individual augmentee Airmen May 5 here.Airmen assigned to the 655th, 755th, 855th and 955th AES are deployed to more than

  • Program links troops with career resources

    As the United States' economic crisis lingers, returning veterans are finding it harder to translate the skills they have learned on the battlefields onto a resume, but some employers are working with the military to bridge the gap.Staff members with the Employer Partnership Office of the Armed

  • Air Force chief of staff visits School of Aerospace Medicine

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer toured the 711th Human Performance Wing's U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks City-Base, Texas, May 13.During his visit, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz reflected on the 92-year history of the school and the unique training and

  • Iraqi training refresher course caters to prior servicemembers

    More than 1,025 prior Iraqi airmen are participating in a three-week Basic Military Training Top Off program at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here.The BMT Top Off course is a refresher course that reviews the preperation involved in basic military training, such as drill and dorm inspection,

  • AETC fields new management tool

    Air Education and Training Command officials will field new user-friendly software called the Task Management Tool, which is designed to support the task management process for AETC headquarters, Air University, 2nd Air Force, 19th Air Force and wing staff leadership beginning in September.The TMT

  • Air Force couple experiences dream wedding

    Cancer seemed as far away as a San Francisco seagull could fly as an Air Force captain danced his first dance with his new bride. Capt. Mike and Vanessa Hawkins married in a ceremony on the San Francisco waterfront May 14, and for a few weeks, they could push aside her stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma

  • Air Force fitness program revisions begin July 1

    In less than two months, Airmen across the globe will begin testing against new fitness assessment standards. These standards were deemed necessary by senior Air Force leaders to ensure a fitter and healthier fighting force. Changes include bi-annual testing, minimum requirements within testing

  • First in, last out: Members of first RED HORSE squadron back in Iraq

    Members of the 200th Rapid Engineering Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Squadron have arrived here to draw down the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron from Iraq. As they complete the last construction and engineering projects and pack up their equipment and materials in the

  • U.S., Vietnam servicemembers continue humanitarian efforts

    U.S. and Vietnamese servicemembers continued their humanitarian efforts in villages surrounding Can Tho as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2010 scheduled through May 15 here. The U.S. and Vietnamese civil engineering teams supporting Pacific Angel 2010 have increased the maximum capacity of two

  • Air Force senior leaders take FY 2011 budget request to Capitol Hill

    The Air Force's top two leaders addressed the service's fiscal year 2011 budget request before the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee May 12 here. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz explained how the request for baseline funds of

  • Real hero caps off experience for open house guests

    Oregon National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Matthew Zedwick knows what it's like to be a real American Soldier. He earned a Silver Star medal for risking his own life to save fellow Soldiers while deployed in Iraq in 2008 and is taking advantage of the Joint Service Open House here to share his experience

  • Warrior Games closing marks new beginning

    The 2010 Warrior Games may have ended May 14, but for the wounded warriors who competed here this week, their work is just beginning, officials hope."You've just completed a rigorous test of your physical and mental skills, your strength and endurance," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint

  • Pacific Angel medical team relocates without missing a beat

    After providing three days of free medical care to more than 1,200 patients at Can Tho, Vietnam, the U.S. military medical team relocated their mission May 13 here as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2010. Medical teams from Vietnam and the U.S. began treating residents in Truong Thanh with free

  • Recruiting command chief retires after 30 years

    When Chief Master Sgt. Vance Clarke wakes each morning, he turns toward his wife and gently reaches over and touches her, a reminder as to why he continues to get out of bed each and every day at 4:30 a.m., dresses and heads to work.For the Air Force Recruiting Service command chief, his wife, Pam,

  • Construction begins on first cyber warfare intelligence center

    Engineers with the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment have begun construction on the new 38,000 square-foot cyber warfare command center.  The facility will be home for the 68th Network Warfare Squadron and the 710th Information Operations Flight currently located at

  • ESC officials look to DOD 'Venture Catalyst' initiative

    Electronic Systems Center officials here are working with a special Defense Department unit to help tackle some tough command and control and information-related challenges.People in the Capabilities Integration Division, known best by its two-letter XR designation, are currently awaiting a list of

  • U.S., Vietnam building great relationships says U.S. Consul General

    The U. S. Counsul General from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, expressed his thanks to the U.S. and Vietnam for expanding their relationship through Operation Pacific Angel after touring the hosting facility here May 10.Consul General Kenneth J. Fairfax witnessed first-hand the combined effort of the

  • First lady calls on nation to support military families

    First Lady Michelle Obama issued a national challenge today to all sectors of American society: mobilize and take action to support and engage military families."One percent of Americans may be fighting our wars, but we need 100 percent of Americans to support them and their families," the first

  • Policy official notes cybersecurity challenges

    Putting cybersecurity in place poses significant challenges for the Defense Department, the government as a whole and for critical infrastructure, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for policy said May 12.James N. Miller said cybersecurity "is not a glass half full-glass half empty

  • First lady announces military family review

    READY FOR REVIEWPresident Barack Obama has directed the national security staff to lead a 90-day review aimed at developing a federal-government-wide approach to supporting military families, First Lady Michelle Obama announced May 13 here."With just 1 percent of our population -- our troops --

  • Ground system adds more bandwidth to cluttered airspace

    The installation of a first-of-its-kind aeronautical telemetry ground system at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here is improving aircraft communication in airspace already jumbled by frequencies from cell phones and satellite television.  This technology expands communications capability

  • Trauma research team works to improve battlefield injury outcomes

    As American military members and their coalition partners fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, medics from these same countries work in collaboration to treat their battlefield wounds in theater hospitals.Combat zone injuries have changed over the years, with improved body armor protecting vital

  • Former Air Force medic participates in Warrior Games

    As a former firefighter, emergency medical technician and Air Force aeromedical evacuation Airman, retired Staff Sgt. Ricky Tackett dedicated his life to taking care of others. As a member of the Air Force team participating in the inaugural Warrior Games, people, his teammates, continue to be his

  • Afghan Air Interdiction Unit gets a boost

    Members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior's Air Interdiction Unit held a transition ceremony May 5 at an Afghan National Army Air Corps base in Kabul, Afghanistan, in support of the unit's notable accomplishments over the past 12 months. A few of the distinguished accomplishments include the

  • U.S., Vietnam talk infectious diseases during Pacific Angel 2010

    American military and Vietnamese health professionals conducted a forum about infectious disease prevention and control at the Can Tho Medical College during Operation Pacific Angel here May 11. The forum allowed the experts in the field to share information about basic life support, infectious

  • Elmendorf officials to open Fisher House

    Airmen here will take the first big step in building a haven for their wounded brethren when the groundbreaking for the Fisher House of Alaska takes place May 15.The groundbreaking ceremony is going to be held in concert with the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Anchorage Veteran Affairs

  • Deployment opportunities available for civilians

    Qualified Air Force civilians can broaden their career experience and bring valuable knowledge back to the workplace by volunteering for deployments in a variety of career fields, including civil engineering, contracting, intelligence, logistics management and security administration.As part of the

  • Manas Village officials invite Air Force leaders to Victory Day celebration

    Manas Village officials hosted a Victory Day celebration to commemorate the end of World War II, May 9 at Manas Village.Mr. Beshimbaev Kabylbek, the Mayor of Manas, invited Col. Blaine Holt, the director of the Transit Center at Manas, and Chief Master Sgt. James Dowell, the Transit Center's command

  • Partnership with Air Guard, Reserve offers new options with C-130 training

    The secretary of the Air Force announced May 4 that officials will proceed with a plan to augment the C-130 Hercules training fleet with C-130s from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve squadrons.Secretary Michael Donley said Air Force planners will "continue to analyze the allocation of

  • Air Force officials announce FY 2011 force structure alignments

    Air Force officials announced May 11 the proposed force structure realignment for fiscal 2011.  The proposal provides a summary of the civilian and military personnel changes and aircraft assignments at Air Force installations for the upcoming fiscal year. This announcement supersedes all previous

  • Senior Enlisted Leader Summit participants discuss Airmen's global influence

    More than 370 senior enlisted leaders from the Air Force, joint and coalition community gathered for the Senior Enlisted Leader Summit to focus on strategic enlisted issues the first week of May here. The theme of this year's summit, "Deliberately Developing Airmen for Global Response," included 30

  • Disabled vets, troops compete in first Warrior Games

    Let the games begin.With the lighting of the ceremonial Olympic cauldron by National Football League hall of famer and U.S. Naval Academy graduate Roger Staubach, the much-anticipated inaugural Warrior Games are under way.Some 200 disabled veterans from all five branches of military service marched

  • May 9 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in AfghanistanClose-Air SupportAsadabadAn Air Force B-1B Lancer

  • Olympic path marks troops' journeys to fulfilled dreams

    The ceremony began much as any typical military procession does; with troops called to formation."I need a four-man front. Give me a four-man front," yelled a platoon leader.The troops joked and shifted, jostling about and adjusting spacing."Everybody in this row right here, shift back one," the

  • Offutt community to observe National Police Week

    The community of Offutt Air Force Base will observe National Police Week May 9 through 15, culminating in a retreat ceremony.Offutt AFB Airmen will host numerous functions throughout Police Week to honor security forces Airmen, here and around the globe, as well as civilian law enforcement officers

  • Barksdale Airmen test ability during exercise

    Approximately 150 maintenance Airmen, 2nd Bomb Wing pilots and support members recently returned from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where they participated in the 10-day Exercise Red Flag-Alaska.The exercise is designed to provide realistic and demanding air-combat training to flying unit members

  • VA officials cutting insurance premiums for families

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced here that military members insuring their families under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, which is administered by the VA, will have reduced out-of-pocket expenses beginning July 1."VA hopes these reductions will allow more military

  • Motorcycle champions rev up safe riding message

    Pentagon officials hosted their fourth annual motorcycle safety event May 8 here to rev up interest in learning the right way to ride.World-class riders including Keith Code, the director of the California Superbikes School, and Jeff Tilten, the co-producer of the safety film "Semper Ride," came out

  • New Noncommissioned Officer Academy to open at Sheppard AFB

    Air Force officials announced plans May 7 to open an Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.The academy is scheduled to open its doors to technical sergeants in early 2011, with an initial expected graduation rate of about 1,300 annually. With the addition of

  • New Air Force Combat Systems Officer Course opens at Navy base

    Air Force aviator training took a step into the 21st century May 5, when the inaugural class of Combat Systems Officer students began training here with the 479th Flying Training Group.As they sat down in classes and began a new year-long training program, the CSO students became part of a

  • Chairman tells servicemembers it's okay to get help

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wants service members to know it is okay to get help for behavioral health-related conditions. In a new video spotlighting Tricare's behavioral health care benefits, Adm. Mike Mullen sends a strong message to servicemembers struggling with feelings of

  • Exchange Service officials investing in facilities

    Construction on a military installation is a sign of progress as the Department of Defense transforms. Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials are playing an active part in this process as the organization has completed 123 major facility projects, valued at more than $1.1 billion dollars,

  • Officials expand opportunities for small businesses

    President Obama signed two executive orders April 26 that focus additional resources on providing new opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal contracts. Noting that "more work can and should be done" to help ensure the federal government meets its small business contracting goals,

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Tinker Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command wrapped up a two-day visit with an "all-call" assembly for 552nd Air Control Wing Airmen April 29 here.During the event, Gen. William M. Fraser III spoke about the importance of dedicated, resilient and innovative Airmen.He also spoke about the 552nd ACW mission

  • Gates to brief Senate on new START treaty

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is slated to go to Capitol Hill May 7 to brief the full Senate on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty that President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed last month, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said May 7 here.Secretary of State

  • Warrior Games to include pentathlon ultimate challenge

    The inaugural Warrior Games competition May 10 through 14 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., will feature individual and team events and an ultimate champion multi-sport challenge for a Chairman's Cup trophy. During a "DOD Live" bloggers roundtable May 6, Robert E. Moore

  • Social media sites add dimension to sharing information

    A new Facebook fan page is giving the Air Force community an interactive platform for exchanging news, information and feedback about programs that affect their personal and professional lives. US Air Force Life and Career debuted earlier this year and has captured topics fresh on the minds of Air

  • General sees opportunity, innovation at F-35 training wing

    The commander of Air Education and Training Command visited the 33rd Fighter Wing April 26 here.General Stephen R. Lorenz visited Eglin Air Force Base to observe how the wing staff is taking "the opportunity to shape the future," by training pilots and maintainers on the F-35 Lightning II."(The

  • Pentagon leaders recognize best installations

    Representatives from five military bases deemed the "best of the best" were awarded the highest award for excellence among installations at a Pentagon ceremony May 5 here. Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; the Army's Fort Bragg in North Carolina; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine

  • 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' online inbox goes live

    A new online inbox that enables servicemembers and their families to comment anonymously about the impact of a possible repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law has gone live. The inbox will enable servicemembers and families to offer their thoughts about how a repeal of the law that prohibits gays

  • TIME magazine honors Airman at New York City gala

    The editors of TIME magazine honored Chief Master Sgt. Antonio D. Travis as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for his efforts following the Haiti earthquake. He was recognized May 4 during the 2010 TIME 100 gala event at New York City's Lincoln Center. Chief Travis was one of the

  • Air Force program recognized for excellence in government

    The Air Force's Logistics, Installations and Mission Support-Enterprise View, or LIMS-EV,  Logistics Transformation initiative was one of 20 finalists in the 2010 Excellence.Gov Awards, competing with other organizations from throughout the federal government.The American Council for Technology and

  • Student pilots reach course milestone: airborne refueling

    Nearly 18,000 feet above Southern Arizona's desert landscape, students in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification Course here completed their first air-to-air refueling mission during the week of April 26. Twelve pilots from the 358th Fighter Squadron and 13 from the 357th FS are enrolled in the

  • Servicemembers begin immersion training in Afghanistan

    The first class of U.S. military servicemembers and civilians in the new AfPak Hands program arrived here last week to continue training at the Counterinsurgency Training Academy Afghanistan.AfPak Hands is a new, "all-in" language and cultural immersion initiative developed last summer and stood up

  • Alpine pararescuemen train for mountain rescues

    Some people learn within the confines of a climate-controlled classroom; others learn sitting on top of glaciers more than 13,000 feet above sea level.Pararescuemen from the 56th Rescue Squadron here prepared for mountain operations, possibly in Afghanistan, by training within one of the world's

  • U.S., Pakistan relations bolstered by F-16 training

    Eight Pakistani air force pilots, each experienced in the F-16 Fighting Falcon's A and B models, recently learned to fly the newer C- and D-model aircraft at the 162nd Fighter Wing, the international F-16 training unit, and were honored at a graduation ceremony May 4 here.Pakistan's air force

  • Joint Base McGuire selected to test drive new fuel truck

    Members of the 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron here received a new refueling vehicle April 14 to evaluate its performance.The Rampmaster 17.5K large capacity refueling vehicle is augmenting the current fleet of nine R-11 tank-refueling trucks and nine R-12 hydrant-servicing vehicles already used

  • Failed attack underscores need for vigilance

    President Barack Obama called the failed terror attack in New York's Times Square May 1 a sobering reminder of the need to remain vigilant against terrorists committed to destroying America's way of life."Around the world and here at home, there are those who would attack our citizens and who would

  • Iraqi firefighters graduate Balad training course

    Local Iraqi firefighters recently completed a four-part training class with the Joint Base Balad fire department here.Seven Iraqi firefighters put their skills to the test as they suited up to battle an actual structural fire in the training field at the JB Balad fire station prior to graduating

  • Officials declassify nuclear stockpile details to promote transparency

    U.S. officials released newly declassified details about the country's nuclear stockpile May 3, including significant progress made in dismantling warheads, in an effort to promote transparency and help stem nuclear proliferation.The United States had 5,113 warheads in its nuclear weapons stockpile

  • New MC-12 unit activated at Kandahar Airfield

    Officials activated the Air Force's newest MC-12 Liberty squadron in a ceremony here May 1. The 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron has been reactivated many times in the squadron's fairly unique history, said Col. John A. Cherrey, the commander of the 451st Expeditionary Operations Group

  • Guard members respond to storm damage

    Severe storms ripped through several southern states over the weekend, leaving floods and damage throughout the region.National Guard members, including Airmen from the 189th Airlift Wing, were called upon in Arkansas to assist local emergency management organizations in search-and-rescue.In

  • Global Strike commander visits Malmstrom

    The commander of Air Force Global Strike Command visited the members of the 341st Missile Wing April 20 through 22. While here, Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz met with first sergeants and chiefs; held a commander's call with officers and senior noncommissioned officers; toured the medical group for a Personal

  • Yellow Ribbon event provides rest, eases redeployment

    Rest and relaxation mixed with reintegration seminars and veteran resources, coupled with plenty of chocolate was the theme for the 60-day Yellow Ribbon Event April 16 to 18 at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa.Yellow Ribbon coordinators from the 514th Air Mobility Wing planned this event for more than

  • Balad team helps Iraqi women learn beekeeping trade

    The local buzz around Balad isn't just about a new agricultural development program, it's also literal.A beekeeper taught Iraqi women and families how to care for bees during a three-day class in Yethrib, a sub-district of Balad, to help spur economic independence and benefit local agriculture.In a

  • Ali Airmen and Iraqi soldiers team up to keep electricity flowing

    Three Airmen from the 407th Air Expeditionary Group Civil Engineer Squadron Power Production shop traveled to Camp Ur, Iraq, April 19 through 21, to train Iraqi army mechanics on proper procedures for preventative maintenance of four diesel generators providing electrical power to the base.At Camp

  • State-of-the-art equipment bridges the gap

    Army Corps of Engineers members along with members of the 84th Engineer Support Company, 6th Engineer Battalion, tested a new bridging system April 28, 2010, at Fort Richardson, Alaska, to help the military travel across a wide variety of terrain quickly. Testing of the Lightweight Modular Causeway

  • Air Force senior leaders break ground for special Fisher House at Dover

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Ken Fisher, Fisher House Foundation chairman, participated in a special groundbreaking ceremony May 1 for a Fisher House on Dover Air Force Base, Del. Although this is the 53rd Fisher House to be built,

  • AF panel likens DOD acquisition to contact sport

    The Defense Department's journey to recapture acquisition excellence took a big step forward during two days of discussions and workforce training held at Sinclair Community College here April 20 and 21.That was the assessment made by several senior leaders at the DOD Acquisition Insight

  • DOD acquisition leader shares his priorities

    More than 700 military, civilian and contractor acquisition professionals and defense industry partners discussed challenges they face during the Department of Defense Acquisition Insight Conference April 20 through 21 here.The Pentagon's top acquisition official, Dr. Ashton Carter, Undersecretary

  • Manas Airmen help support disabled children in Kyrgyzstan

    Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas helped disabled children at a Kyrgyz children's center learn to sign, draw and study during a visit April 27.Some of the children have autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy; some are just physically handicapped, said Sam Duechenbi, a German translator for

  • Fry Scholarship established for children of fallen servicemembers

    Children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001, can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009.The scholarship, which is administered by Department of Veterans Affairs representatives, is

  • Airmen, Soldiers join forces for exercise

    More than 140 Airmen and Soldiers worked together on a new concept during the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Eagle Flag exercise on Lakehurst April 12. Eagle Flag is the U.S. military's premiere exercise for validating logistics port-opening procedures in an expeditionary environment.The

  • Exercise in Indonesia comes to a close

    A joint exercise between Indonesian and U.S. Air Force members came to a close April 23 after one week of both countries participating in combined air drops and tactical maneuvers in support of Exercise Cope West 10.Cope West is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise

  • VA officials cutting insurance premiums for families

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced April 29 here that military personnel insuring their families under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program will have reduced out-of-pocket expenses beginning July 1. "VA (officials hope) these reductions will allow more military

  • Wingman Stand Down 2010 in May focuses on Airmen safety, well-being

    For a half day in May, Airmen will learn strategies to prevent suicides and private motor vehicle accidents as part of Wingman Stand Down 2010. The exact date for the stand down will be left to individual units to determine.In a jointly signed letter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Boeing officials bring 787 to Eglin AFB for weather tests

    Officials at the McKinley Climatic Lab here are hosting Boeing's newest passenger aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, for two weeks of cold and hot weather testing.The new plane arrived April 18 and was moved into the lab to begin its cold-weather testing with temperatures reaching minus 45 degrees. The

  • Dignitaries visit U.S., Bulgarian exercise

    The U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria and Bulgarian minister of defense visited Plovdiv Airport to witness the partnership building between U.S. and Bulgarian military forces April 27 during Operation Thracian Spring 2010 here. The bilateral training exercise brings U.S. and Bulgarian military forces