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  • New fitness requirements for deploying Airmen

    Airmen preparing to attend Army-taught Combat Skills Training prior to deploying to a joint expeditionary tasking in direct support of combatant commander or joint task force ground component missions will soon be required to possess a current and passing fitness assessment, according to new Air

  • Officials announce Air Force Warrior Team training camp attendees

    Air Forces Services Agency officials have invited 32 athletes to the 2011 Air Force Warrior Team training camp Feb. 7 through 11 in San Antonio. Retired Chief Master Sgt. Damian Orslene, one of the members of the 2010 Air Force team, will be at the training camp, hoping to be selected for this

  • Iraqi Air Force College trains pilots and ground support officers

    For future pilots and ground support officers, the gateway to Iraqi air power opened Sept. 1, 2010, at the Iraqi Air Force College here.There are 143 cadet pilots studying courses in avionics and aviation theory, along with geography, history, and an extensive core curriculum in the English

  • Officials extend window for cross-flow applications

    Air Force officials are extending the application period for nonrated line officers in overmanned Air Force specialties to voluntarily apply for cross flow into undermanned career fields until Feb. 4, as part of a newly formalized program announced in January.Air Force leaders announced the

  • Deadline approaching for Spirit of Hope Award nominations

    The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 Spirit of Hope Award to the Air Force Personnel Center is March 15.The award recognizes a military member, a civilian or an organization that epitomizes the values of Bob Hope: duty, honor, courage, loyalty, commitment, integrity and selfless

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

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the Air Force's "Fit to Fight" culture challenges one Airman to change his lifestyle. Plus, you'll get the lowdown on a new online assignment notification system. And, Airmen in Afghanistan help one Afghan family pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.The

  • Assistant Secretary of Air Force visits Baghdad

    Airmen deployed to Iraq in 2011 will play a historic role as U.S. military forces drawdown under the 2008 bilateral security agreement, said a senior Pentagon official."This is a particularly important time in Iraq," said Daniel Ginsberg, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and

  • Deadline nears for O'Malley Award nominations

    Air Force officials would like to remind Airmen that the deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award to the Air Force Personnel Center is March 15.The O'Malley Award annually recognizes the wing commander and spouse team whose contributions to the

  • Alaska F-22 AIB on recess

    Accident investigation board officials for the Alaska-based F-22 Raptor crash recessed, Jan. 14, per the direction of Gen. Gary North, the Pacific Air Forces commander. The board is set to resume when weather conditions allow further recovery operations of the crash site located near Cantwell,

  • Air Force chief of staff releases 2011 reading list

    The Air Force chief of staff announced his latest professional reading list Jan. 21. "Effectively operating within our increasingly dynamic, interconnected and complex world requires steadfast commitment to personal and professional growth," Gen. Norton Schwartz said in a letter to

  • More nuke treaties remain on agenda, official says

    With one major arms reduction treaty nearly to the enforcement stage, more work lies ahead to advance the nation's nuclear security, a senior State Department official said Jan. 19.Rose Gotemoeller, the State Department's assistant secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and

  • Photo essay: Static-line jumps over Guam

    Airmen from the 535th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, flew training missions for the 36th Contingency Response Group's static-line proficiency training here Jan. 13.View the slideshow.

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Hockey: Falcons split 2-game series against Black Knights

    The Air Force Falcons split a two-game series against the Army Black Knights Jan. 14 and 15here The Falcons bludgeoned the Black Knights in the first game of the series, winning 5-1 on goals by Tony Thomas, Ryan Timar, Jacques Lamoreux, Paul Weisgarber and Brad Sellers and 27 saves by Falcons goalie

  • Photo essay: JB Langley Airmen prepare for readiness

    Members from the 1st Maintenance Squadron sharpen their skills during an operational readiness exercise here Jan. 8. The exercise works as a test to prepare Airmen if faced with a disaster, imminent threat or short-notice orders to deploy.View the slideshow.

  • Air Force officials automate active-duty assignment notifications

    Air Force officials are automating active-duty assignment notifications for Airmen in the ranks of lieutenant colonel and below beginning Jan. 21. Airmen will receive an e-mail notification about their new assignments and have seven days to acknowledge their assignments through the Virtual Military

  • Restoration officials recycle bombs, save money

    Environmental restoration officials here are shredding their way through 50,000 practice bombs. So far, they have recycled more than one million pounds of metal from the BDU 33 and Mark 106 bombs.The effort is part of the Air Force's military munitions response program. The mission of the MMRP is to

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Air Force officials announce enlisted supplemental promotions

    More than 250 Airmen have been selected for promotion as part of the January enlisted supplemental promotion process. The enlisted supplemental promotion release announces those Airmen selected for promotion who tested outside of their required cycle due to an extended temporary duty or deployment

  • Air Guard, Reserve officials announce 2011 teen leadership summits

    Officials from the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard announced the 2011 Air Force Reserve and ANG Teen Leadership Summit locations Jan. 5. The Air Force Reserve and ANG Teen Leadership Summit locations this summer are in Dahlonega, Ga.; Estes, Colo.; and Washington. The summits combine

  • 2010 Year in Photos

    2010's Year in Photos highlights the top moments from Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This yearly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force. View the slideshow.

  • Combat rescue, special tactics officer bonus still available

    For the second year in a row, qualified special operations officers are still eligible for a maximum of $80,000 in critical skills retention bonus money if they voluntarily extend their active-duty service commitment for up to four years."With the continued high demand for combat rescue and special

  • 'Medical home' concept improves care, controls costs

    Wouldn't it be fantastic to get the old-fashioned kind of health care, in which the doctor knew you and your family and kept track of your medical condition, but with the additional convenience and access to health care information that modern technology provides?That's exactly what the TRICARE

  • Air Force officials report recruiting success

    All four active services met or exceeded their recruiting and retention goals for the fiscal year through December, Defense Department officials announced Jan. 12.Additionally, five of the six reserve components have met or exceeded their recruiting goals so far for the fiscal year that began Oct.

  • Photo essay: Southwest Asia EOD fun run

    Members of the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron participate in a fun run to raise awareness for an EOD memorial here Dec. 31.View the slideshow.

  • Air Force officials caution against geotags, location-based services

    Social media offers many Airmen another way to keep in touch with colleagues, friends and family, but users need to be aware of the risks associated with technical tools that help them share information, officials said Jan. 7.As more Airmen and their family members use smartphones to take pictures

  • Photo essay: Nellis weapons load competition

    Airmen partake in weapons load competitions conducted quarterly to keep Airmen sharp and recognize superior performers here Jan. 7. Weapons load teams are evaluated for their use of the checklist, safety and overall speed. View the slideshow.

  • Airmen develop Iraqi documentation and media exploitation capacity

    Forty joint expeditionary tasking Airmen, along with other members of the Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Tactical Documentation and Media Exploitation Team in Iraq, are helping Iraqi government officials to establish their own documentation and media exploitation mission. A

  • Photo essay: Falcons win home opener

    Falcons basketball team claim  victory (77-69) over Utah during the Falcons Mountain West Conference home opener Jan. 5. here.View the slideshow.

  • Fielding success enables pilot-to-pilot link

    A team of former fighter pilots from the Electronic Systems Center here is continuing to make sure current fighter pilots -- both U.S. and Allied forces -- can operate the sophisticated communication network known as Link 16.Link 16 takes data from multiple platforms, including Airborne Warning and

  • Photo essay: Oleoresin Capsicum spray training

    Members of the 75th Security Forces Squadron participate in Oleoresin Capsicum spray training here Jan. 5. Oleoresin Capsicum is a non-lethal spray, similar to pepper spray, used to temporarily incapacitate individuals. All security forces Airmen receive the Oleoresin Capsicum training when they

  • Air Force officials lift rated requirement for air liaison officers

    Air Force officials announced here Jan. 7 the removal of the air liaison officer rated requirement, allowing any company grade officer, accession candidate or enlisted Airman the possibility of a career change.ALOs, once drawn strictly from fighter, bomber and air battle manager communities, now

  • Air Force officials announce formal officer cross-flow program

    In an effort to balance officer skills across the active-duty component, the Air Force will offer cross-flow options for nonrated line officers in specified career fields, officials said here Jan 7. The nonrated officer cross-flow program is being announced as part of the fiscal 2011 Force

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Inter-American NCO Academy opens to U.S. NCOs

    Two Airmen are making history as the first Air Force NCOs to attend the Inter-American Air Forces Academy's Inter-American NCO Academy. In addition to earning NCO academy enlisted professional military education credit, Tech. Sgts. Leonardo Cepero Febres and George Nikolakakos are studying alongside

  • Air Guard officials prepare for new medical mission

    Air National Guard members will begin flying a newly assigned critical care air transport team mission from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 10, the air surgeon said in an interview here Jan. 4.The CCATTs, which consist of a physician specializing in critical care, pulmonology, anesthesiology or

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently published a demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force. This data is current as of Dec. 30 and can also be found on the Air Force personnel statistics Web page at

  • All Americans encouraged to visit a national park this year

    Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced Jan. 5 that National Park Service officials will waive admission fees on 17 selected dates throughout 2011 and encouraged all Americans to make a New Year's resolution to visit a national park this year."Many people have made resolutions to spend more

  • Networthiness sets standards for DOD, AF networks

    The Air Force soon will have a relatively new term to add to its network operations lexicon: "Networthiness." Air Force Network Integration Center officials recently led efforts to develop the Department of Defense's networthiness concept, an operational assessment that goes well beyond information

  • Old commissary to go 'green'

    The former commissary building here is about to be deconstructed.Project engineers said to think of it as construction in reverse, as crews methodically dismantle the 90,000 square-foot building. Deconstruction is the "green" approach to tearing down old buildings. The idea is to pull apart the

  • Officials shape NAF employee careers

    Force support senior leaders sought ways to shape the careers of nonappropriated-fund employees during the first NAF development team meeting at the Air Force Personnel Center here Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2010. The development team reviewed, assessed and scored 143 records of NF-03 and above NAF

  • C-130J Super Hercules flies airdrop mission

    A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircrew from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flies to a drop zone during an air drop mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while flying over Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2010.  C-130 aircrews ensure that troops on the ground have adequate supplies

  • Language training detachment stands up in Europe

    With defense leaders emphasizing the importance of language and cultural training to support military operations worldwide, Defense Language Institute officials have established a new detachment in Germany to provide follow-on sustainment training for military linguists based in Europe.Staff members

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Virtual inprocessing simplifies civilian PCS

    Revisions in the civilian permanent-change-of-station orders process at the Air Force Personnel Center are intended to save time and money, and reduce errors for hiring officials, relocating employees and personnelists, officials said.The new civilian PCS process is conducted virtually through the

  • Combat camera Airmen learn battlefield forensics

    It was a first for the Air Force when a cadre of instructors from Six3 Systems Inc. arrived here to teach a battlefield forensics course to 4th Combat Camera Squadron Airmen. In the past, company officials taught the course to only Army and Marine Corps units, but 4th Combat Squadron officials

  • VA program helps families help their veterans

    "Families At Ease" is a new program developed by Department of Veterans Affairs officials that works with family members and friends of veterans of any era to help them help their veteran get care.Many veterans are reluctant to get help for the symptoms or difficulties they are having, or may not

  • Operations security goes digital

    Click through any photo-sharing site and you will likely find at least one random shot of someone you know doing something highly inappropriate. While these photos may be hilarious, could they have the potential to reveal intimate details of your life to the world?Walk through a mall during a

  • Officials seek bilingual officers for training school

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations from bilingual officers to participate in the 2011 Inter-American Squadron Officer School Program. This program focuses on inter-Americanism and developing Latin American regional affairs specialists for the Air Force.Captains from all Air Force

  • 386th AEW first with all-AF customs team

    Due to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's all-Air Force customs team, a first in the Air Force Central Command area of responsibility, a process that would usually require Airmen who are redeploying to stay confined to the passenger terminal for more than 14 hours was greatly reduced.Senior Airman

  • DOD officials urge service members to stop using tobacco

    Each year, more than a million people successfully quit using tobacco, and Defense Department officials want more service members included in that number in 2011."In the tradition of New Year's, we are asking our active-duty and retired service members and their families to make a resolution to quit

  • C-17 serves as a bridge, navigates unpredictable weather in Antarctica

    An Air Force Reserve C-17 Globemaster III from the 728th Airlift Squadron out of McChord Air Force Base, Wash., is supporting Operation Deep Freeze by serving as a bridge for cargo and personnel moving between Christchurch, New Zealand, and McMurdo Air Station, Antarctica. The C-17 and its aircrew

  • Dec. 19 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec.19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 18 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec.18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 17 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec.17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 16 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec.16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Senate approves U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty

    In a 71-26 vote Dec. 22, the U.S. Senate ratified the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, a pact intended to level the nuclear arms playing field between the U.S. and Russia.The vote followed the senators' 67-28 vote Dec. 21 to move the bill from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the full

  • Air Force Week in Photos Holiday Edition

    This holiday edition of photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in seasonal celebrations while supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force. View the slideshow.

  • Fitness regulation changes based on Airmen's feedback

    As Air Force officials continue to sculpt their fitness program based on Airmen's feedback, service officials issued an AF Guidance Memorandum here Dec. 20 that provides policy changes to AFI 36-2905, Fitness Program, with an implementation date of Jan. 1, 2011. Compliance with the program is

  • Photo essay: Load crews compete at Misawa

    Members from the 35th Fighter Wing compete in a load crew competition here Dec. 17. During the competition Airmen are graded on a variety of areas including, speed, accuracy, appearance and safety.View the slideshow.

  • AF Nuclear Weapons Center improves tracking, monitoring of nuclear weapons

    Officials at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center have created a worldwide logistics function to monitor activities within the nuclear enterprise, tracking the location and status of all Air Force nuclear weapons and related material.Brig. Gen. Everett Thomas, the AFNWC commander, cut the ribbon

  • Photo essay: Multinational wing delivers cargo

    Members from the Heavy Airlift Squadron here participate in a three-day mission spanning 7,000 miles covering the countries of Hungary, Poland, Afghanistan and Lithuania with more than 75,000 tons of cargo Dec 8. View the slideshow.

  • Nominations open for DOD civilian service awards

    Air Force officials are soliciting nominations for the 56th Annual Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award.The award is the highest given by the Secretary of Defense to career employees. The award recognizes career employees at all levels for their exceptional achievement, and

  • U.S. Southern Command opens new headquarters

    Officials from U.S. Southern Command opened their new $402 million headquarters here in an event that underscored the ongoing partnership between the U.S. and Latin America, and marked a new phase of the command's history in South Florida.This facility "demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. to our

  • Remembering Linebacker II: It's about the heroes, not the missions

    A ceremony to honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of Operation Linebacker II took place at Arc Light Memorial Park here Dec. 17.Often referred to as "the 11-day war," Operation Linebacker II was conducted from Dec. 18 to Dec. 29, 1972, after peace talks between the U.S. and

  • Dec. 15 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 14 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 13 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 12 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Air Guard starts funding recruitment storefronts

    The Air National Guard's storefront recruiting facilities program got a boost this year when they received funding from the National Guard Bureau for the first time.The program has received some funding in the past, but it was out of executioner funds, which came from leftover annually-budgeted ANG

  • Obama calls on Senate to ratify new START

    President Barack Obama called on Congress Dec. 20 to ratify the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty before recessing for the holiday, warning of the consequences of delays in moving forward on "an urgent national priority.""Ratifying a treaty like START isn't about winning a victory for an

  • CV-22 accident investigation board results released

    Air Force Special Operations Command officials released the results of their investigation into the CV-22 Osprey accident April 9, near Qalat, Afghanistan, that killed four people and injured 16 of the 20 onboard. The pilot, flight engineer, an Army Ranger, and a civilian contract employee were

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • First 24th AF Portraits in Courage recipient: 'I was just doing my job'

    Staff Sgt. Alexander Yessayan said he's not a hero, and you might just believe him unless you talk to anyone who knows him, or he begrudgingly tells you about what happened more than a year ago in Afghanistan.Those who know him use words like humble, straight shooter and, yes, hero to describe

  • Photo essay: Operation Christmas Drop

    Airmen from the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, come together each year during Operation Christmas Drop to drop thousands of pounds of donated supplies over various Micronesian Islands Dec. 14.View the slideshow.

  • VA's homeless intervention program nears roll out

    A Department of Veterans Affairs homeless-prevention program, which seeks to help veterans and families who are on the verge of becoming homeless, has moved closer to implementation. The program marks the first time that VA officials will fund services for the spouses and children of veterans at

  • Partners build high-tech hands for wounded warriors

    Scientists and technologists are working with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to give arms and hands back to warriors who lose them in battle.Army Col. (Dr.) Geoffrey Ling, the DARPA program manager, talked about the program Nov. 19 to a TEDx Pentagon audience. TEDx Pentagon is a

  • AF Reserve band brings holiday cheer to veterans

    The Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve's Brass Quintet performed for veterans at the Carl Vinson Veterans Administration Medical Center Dec. 13 here. The Reserve Brass ensemble performed four miniconcerts of holiday carols and sing alongs. "This visit is just a small way of saying thanks to veterans

  • Recruiting, retention stay high throughout services

    Recruitment and retention remained high throughout the services for the first two months of the fiscal year, with only the Air National Guard missing its accessions goal, according to numbers released by Pentagon officials Dec. 15.All four active-duty services met or exceeded their numerical

  • Deadline for aerospace awards draws near

    The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 Air Force Association aerospace awards to the Air Force Personnel Center is Feb. 1.The aerospace awards recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to national defense in a variety of fields.These awards include:Theodore Von Karman

  • Military members, veterans with disabilities learn life-changing skills

    More than 120 wounded military personnel, disabled veterans and their families traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando for the 6th Annual Road to Recovery Conference.  The conference took place from Dec. 7 to Dec. 11.  The week-long event was presented by The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes

  • Culture and language center to expand production of field guides

    The Air Force Language, Region and Culture Program Office will increase field guide production to provide Airmen an understanding of the cultural concepts necessary to meet mission requirements in the region to which they are deployed, officials said here Dec. 15. The framework of the field guides

  • Photo essay: Mountain Home AFB F-15s with an eagle eye

    An F-15SG and two F-15E Strike Eagles sit on the flightline here Dec. 6. The fighters are equipped with a low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night system, which allows the aircraft to fly at low altitudes, at night and in any weather conditions, to attack ground targets with a

  • Application deadline approaching for Warrior Games

    The application deadline for the 2011 Warrior Games is Jan. 11. With the holidays approaching, Air Force officials encourage qualifying Airmen to submit applications as soon as possible.Warrior Games is an Olympic-style competition open to wounded, ill and injured military members and veterans "The

  • Dec. 11 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 10 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 9 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 8 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Dec. 7 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with Operation New Dawn partners in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

  • Air Force emergency managers "walk the walk"

    A team of 481 Air Force emergency managers representing all the major commands, recently joined 2,000 of their colleagues at the 58th annual International Association of Emergency Managers conference in San Antonio.This year's IAEM conference theme was, "Talk the Talk, now Walk the Walk," and the

  • New program connects wounded warriors with loved ones

    Members of the 455th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility staff teamed up with Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Communication Squadron to offer wounded warriors a way to communicate with loved ones as the wounded warriors make their journey home.The 455th ECS completed the installation of a