Course prepares flag officers to project airpower

Historically, air superiority has meant the difference between victory and defeat on the battlefield. Army Field Manual 100-20, Command and Employment of Air Power, written four years before the Air Force's birth in 1947, stated:"The gaining of air superiority is the first requirement for the

Secretary Wynne visits Ramstein

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne visited here Dec. 12. The focus of his visit was the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program.The secretary's stay included visits to the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron and the 86th Maintenance Group and its Propulsion Flight. He also

Airman inspiration

Combat Hammer tests air-to-ground bombing capabilities

Eglin Air Force Base's western range, Bravo 70, was the site for the largest-ever Combat Hammer weapons system evaluation program Dec. 4 to 8, sponsored by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. More than 40 precision-guided weapons were dropped, including laser-guided bombs, joint direct attack

Gas and go

Academy officials open training facility at Pueblo Airport

Officials from the Air Force Academy's 306th Flying Training Group will officially open a new facility Dec. 15 at the Pueblo Airport Industrial Park east of Pueblo, Colo. Staff members from Detachment 1 of the 306th FTG have been overseeing a contracted Air Force Initial Flight Screening program in

Secretary Rumsfeld bids servicemembers farewell

For these past six years, I have had the opportunity, and, I should add, the privilege, to serve with the greatest military the world has ever known. To all of the men and women in uniform, all across the globe, I wish it were possible for me to meet with each of you personally today so I could look

Basketball: Falcons crack Associated Press Poll at No. 24

It may be finals week at the Academy, but the Air Force men's basketball team has been acing tests all season.The Falcons slammed Norfolk State 70-47, Dec. 13 following a Dec. 7 record-breaking 82-31 thrashing of neighboring Division III Colorado College, both at Clune Arena, a graveyard for

Westover named sole maintenance center for Reserve C-5s

Air Force officials announced Dec. 13 that Westover ARB will become the new center for in-depth maintenance on all Air Force Reserve C-5 Galaxy aircraft. The Air Force will consolidate the eight existing C-5 isochronal inspection facilities into three in order to increase aircraft availability while

Cadet concert

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 15

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 15.In Afghanistan Dec. 14, French M-2000D Mirages provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. Royal Air Force GR-7

Wreaths at Arlington honor warriors

Morrill Worcester was 12 years old and on his first trip outside of Maine when he first visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He vowed then that he would always honor America's veterans, and he has kept that promise. Worcester now owns Worcester Wreaths, in Harrington, Maine. He began

CMSAF visits Southern Command Airmen

After three days of travel to U.S. Southern Command bases, the Airmen he has met have impressed Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. The chief said Airmen serving at forward-operating locations in the region "are doing wonderful things for our Air Force." The chief said they do an

Life on the tarmac

Helping Djibouti orphans

Senior Airman Doyle Cox and Tech. Sgt. Cassandra Stevens offer 12-year-old Ayou some finer points in painting a building that will serve as a kitchen and dining facility for nearly 30 local youths Dec. 12 in Djibouti. Airman Cox is a California Air National Guardsman based in the Channel Islands and

Mrs. Wynne thanks Air Force family in latest Letter to Airmen

In the latest Letter to Airmen, Barbara Wynne, wife of Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne, thanks the Air Force family after returning from a recent trip to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and to United States Air Forces in Europe bases. "I have just returned from an

Chief McKinley: Southern Command 'all over the mission'

Not much has surprised Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley during his whirlwind tour of four key U.S. Southern Command bases. Before departing for Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico, the last stop on his four-day tour, he said from what he has seen, command operations are

B-52 flight uses synthetic fuel in all eight engines

A B-52 Stratofortress took off Dec. 15 on a flight-test mission using a blend of synthetic fuel and JP-8 in all eight engines. This is the first time a B-52 has flown using a synfuel blend as the only fuel on board. In September, the Air Force successfully flew a B-52 with two-engines using the

Engineers contribute to F-35 initial flight success

The Dec. 15 initial flight of the new F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, or JSF, came after more than six years of development and testing at Arnold Engineering Development Center here. The flight of the conventional takeoff and landing F-35 variant began at 12:44 p.m. CST at Lockheed Martin in

Fisher DeBerry announces retirement as head coach at Air Force

Air Force head football coach Fisher DeBerry announced his retirement Friday, ending over a quarter-century at the Air Force Academy. DeBerry just completed his 23rd season as the head football coach and 27th overall at Air Force. DeBerry has guided the Falcons to 17 winning seasons since taking

Airforce.com: Online link to 'Cross into the Blue'

For seven years, the official Air Force recruiting Web site has provided the public information on officer and enlisted careers as well as benefits the Air Force offers. Monday through Friday six decorated, retired recruiters man airforce.com chat lines, each managing up to seven chats at a time and

Air Force releases KC-X draft request for proposals

Air Force officials announced Friday the release of an updated draft Request for Proposals for the KC-X, the aerial tanker replacement aircraft. "This continues our open and transparent acquisition process," said Sue Payton, the Air Force senior acquisition executive. "We're releasing this document

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 16

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 16. In Afghanistan Dec. 15, an Air Force B-1 Lancer and A-10 Thunderbolt II along with Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in

Snowball Express kicks off weekend festivities

Orange County businessman Michael Kerr decided his part in the War on Terror was to give families of fallen military heroes one magical weekend, complete with a trip to Disneyland. Mr. Kerr is the founder of the Snowball Express, a Dec 15-18 event offered to the families of service members who died

Buccaneers return from Afghanistan tour

Waiting for the C-130 Hercules to return, Master Sgt. Diego Vazquez's only thought was this fellow Airmen would soon be safely home with their families. The 156th Airlift Wing NCO in charge of finance was one of more than 150 people who welcomed the 198th Airlift Squadron transport and 26 Airmen

Airmen wrap up airdrop campaign

The Air Force C-130 Hercules team Dec. 14 wrapped up its six-day campaign of airdropping more than 211,000 pounds of supplies into the flood-ravaged Dadaab region of eastern Kenya. But to children on the ground, it was the last 60 pounds that maybe made the most difference. As a way to say goodbye

Oregon, Nevada Reservists join search for missing trio

Reservists from the 304th Rescue Squadron here will team up again Dec. 17 with Air National Guardsmen from Nevada in hopes of finding three missing hikers lost on Mt. Hood more than a week ago. "This was our first opportunity to see the top of the mountain because of the poor weather and extreme

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 17

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 17. In Afghanistan Dec. 16, Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The GR-7s expended

Retired colonel provides air support for Snowball Express

Retired Lt. Col. Roy White picked up the phone and on the other end was an opportunity to contribute to the military again.The phone call was from Michael Kerr, the founder of Snowball Express, and he wanted to get every military family who had a lost a loved one in the war on terror to California

New San Diego store illustrates commissary transformation

A new commissary being built in southern California heralds the future for the Defense Commissary Agency, the organization's top official said Dec. 15. San Diego's new 118,000-square-foot commissary is slated to open sometime in April, said Patrick B. Nixon, DeCA's director and chief executive

New antenna begins testing

The 23rd Space Operations Squadron here began operations confidence testing of its newest Air Force Satellite Control Network antenna Dec. 14. Operational testing will verify the antenna is fully prepared to conduct satellite supports as part of the squadron's 24-hour mission, said station manager

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 18

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 18.In Afghanistan Dec. 17, 51 close-air support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Additionally, six

Enlisted aircrew training winds down at Keesler

Although packers are busy disconnecting and crating equipment, training continues for the last 10 students in the 1A3 airborne mission system specialist course in the 332nd Training Squadron here. The last Keesler class graduates Tuesday as part of the transition to the Career Enlisted Aviator

Roll Call to help supervisors keep Airmen in the know

A new weekly publication titled "Roll Call" is designed to help shop- and office-level supervisors explain complex, yet important Air Force issues to their Airmen during daily or weekly meetings. Roll Call is a one-page print product, posted online every Friday. It covers one or two topics, in full

Air Force announces top recruiters for 2006

Twelve Air Force recruiters garnered top honors in their field for fiscal year 2006 as winners of Operation Blue Suit XXVIII, Air Force Recruiting Service officials announced Dec. 18. The winners include:-- Master Sgt. Richard Cuddeford, 343rd Recruiting Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb.-- Tech. Sgt.

6th SOPS delivers critical weather data to warfighters

The motto, "Get data or die" holds special significance for the 6th Space Operations Squadron, an Air Force Reserve Command unit here whose Airmen must deliver data to their customers within 10 minutes of downloading it from their satellites.The squadron's data transforms weather from a force of

Gates sworn in as defense secretary

Robert M. Gates was sworn in as the nation's 22nd secretary of defense in a ceremony Dec. 18 at the Pentagon. After President George W. Bush introduced Secretary Gates as "an experienced and thoughtful leader," Vice President Richard B. Cheney administered the oath of office. Secretary Gates was

Reservists add major adjustment to T-1 training

Four or five months after graduating from Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, students from the T-1A Jayhawk tanker and airlift track may very well find themselves flying over the not-so-friendly sky in support of the war on terrorism. Two members of the 5th Flying Training

Air Force leaders advocate Voluntary Protection Program

Air Force leaders here are advocating an enhanced safety program that focuses on developing and caring for the safety of Airmen, civilians and their families. The Voluntary Protection Program originates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and focuses on incorporating the Air

Military aircrews support Mount Hood rescue effort

After finding the body of one missing climber on Mount Hood, Ore., members of the Oregon Army National Guard, Nevada Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units continue to search for two other lost climbers Dec. 18. Rescue crews, joined by civilian volunteers, planned to take advantage of

Safeguarding information technology vital to DOD

Safeguarding and protecting vital computer-accessed information is the job of everyone working at the Defense Department, a senior DOD official said. "It's the responsibility for everyone to be sensitive to the security of their information, their passwords, the use of their (common access) cards to

After the Pearl Harbor Attack

Dec. 7, 1941: 2nd Lt. Wells Lawrence and his July bride slept soundly in their Wheeler Field, Hawaii, quarters. They'd been at Hickam Field for a big Saturday night party and returned home after midnight.At 7:55 a.m., sleepy calm turned to wide-awake terror. "A big bang startled me awake, and the

Serving through the season: Staff Sgt. Joey Crowell

After more than six years in the Air Force, Staff Sgt. Joey Crowell has gotten accustomed to working during the holidays. That's why Christmas this year in the Crowell household probably won't be happening on the 25th. "Being away five Christmases of those six it's really easy if you're flexible,"

McGuire Airman fatally wounded

An Airman from McGuire AFB was fatally wounded in an incident as he and his wife attempted to leave a club early Dec. 17 in Philadelphia. Airman 1st Class Lam Mai Ho was an air transportation apprentice in the 819th Global Support Squadron based at McGuire AFB.The incident is under investigation by

Military housing rates boosted 3.5 percent overall

Servicemembers will receive an average 3.5 percent boost in their basic allowance for housing compensation benefit in 2007, a Defense Department officials said Dec. 18.The planned BAH increase starting Jan. 1 works out to about $300 million more than what was paid in 2006, officials said. "The

Fuel for the Pacific

A boom from a KC-135 Stratotanker is visible as it flies Dec. 15 over Wake Island. The KC-135 is from the 74th Air Refueling Squadron, part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. Wake Island was devastated by 185 mile per hour winds and a storm surge caused by Super

Magical weekend ends on ice

Gary Komppa watched the National Hockey League action on the ice, and for a short time the pain of his loss melted away. The 11-year-old has not had much to smile about the last few months. He is now the man of the house after his father, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles Komppa, died Oct. 25

TacSat-2 launched into space with flawless liftoff

Successfully launched onboard a Minotaur I rocket, the TacSat-2 spacecraft has commenced operations on a planned six to 12-month experimental mission Dec. 16 from the NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility near Wallops Island, Va. Within minutes after leaving the launch pad, the micro satellite,

Serving through the season: Airman Basic Alex Diaz

For many people, cooking for a holiday gathering may mean about 10 people, but for the staff at the Hale' Aina Dining Facility here, this holiday crowd can mean more than 300 Airmen and retirees. Airman Basic Alex Diaz is assigned to the 15th Services Squadron. He and other services Airmen at the

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 19

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 19.In Afghanistan Dec. 18, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted strikes against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The F-15Es expended guided bomb unit-12s and the B-1 expended

Air Guard leaders explore ways to reset force

The challenges for resetting the Air National Guard became more apparent to its senior leaders here Dec. 11 to 13 when Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, director of the Air National Guard, hosted the senior leadership conference, Minuteman Heritage -- Preparing for New Horizons. More than 1,000 leaders

Tyndall NCO Academy renamed after first CMSAF

Tyndall AFB's NCO Academy was renamed to honor the first chief master sergeant of the Air Force Dec. 13 here. The Paul W. Airey NCO Academy Dedication Ceremony will be remembered as the second greatest thing to happen in the retired chief's professional life, said Chief Airey, only because becoming

Not forgotten

Moody welcomes SFS Airmen home for holidays

"I'll be home for Christmas ... " has a new meaning to several deployed security forces Airmen who returned just in time to spend the holidays at home Dec. 14 at Moody AFB after almost six months in Iraq. The team, made up of more than 160 Moody AFB Airmen from the 820th Security Forces Group, 23rd

Vandenberg successfully launches Delta II

Vandenberg AFB officials successfully launched a Delta II rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-2 at 1 p.m. Dec. 14 here. The Delta II, a 125.75-foot expendable launch, medium-lift vehicle, launches civil and commercial payloads into low-earth, polar,

Air Force officials announce promotions to major

Air Force board members selected 2,518 captains for promotion to major in the 2006B line of the Air Force, chaplain, nurse corps and biomedical sciences corps central selection board. The list of promotion selects will be posted on the Air Force Personnel Center's officer promotions homepage Dec. 20

New security base established in Laghman Province

On a scenic plateau above the Alishang River in northern Laghman Province laid the earthly remains of some 20 Afghan mujahedeen fighters who occupied this land and fought to the last man against the Soviet Army. This hallowed ground is once again the focal point in the battle against tyranny and

New legislation facilitates Total Force

When President George W. Bush signed the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act into law Oct. 17, important clarifications were made regarding Title 10 and 32, the laws governing the legal distinctions between the armed forces of the United States and the armed forces of the National Guard and

Serving through the season: Staff Sgts. Chace and Maria Morris

Chace and Maria Morris met and married more than four years ago. This holiday season they are serving their country at a Southwest Asia forward operating base in support of the war on terrorism. The staff sergeants are thankful the Air Force gave them the opportunity to deploy together, instead of

Keeping the fuel flowing

Serving through the season: Senior Airman Jose Reyes

Senior Airman Jose Reyes knows all about spending the holidays with a large family. As the youngest of nine brothers and sisters growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., he did it and now he's doing it with a new family. "It's easier to spend that time together with them," said Sergeant Reyes, an Air Force

AMC releases KC-135 accident investigation results

Air Mobility Command officials here Dec. 20 released the results of its investigation into the Sept. 26 KC-135 Stratotanker and TU-154 Kyrgyz passenger plane accident at Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. The collision between the TU-154 and KC-135 was clearly an accident and

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 20

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 20. In Afghanistan Dec. 19, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in

Hydrogen fuel cell outperforms diesel counterpart

Air Force Materiel Command officials here are tied to a project that could provide warfighters at remote bases with a cleaner, quieter way to power runway lights and other electrically powered devices. Air Force Advanced Power Technology Office, or APTO, officials here held a December demonstration

Air Force Small Business Program gets boost

In exceeding goals in all five categories of its Small Business Program performance, Air Force Materiel Command is at the top of the Air Force list for dollars awarded to small businesses in fiscal 2006. Specifically, AFMC's Small Business Office awarded more than $4.6 billion - or 52.8 percent - of

Agreement enhances hydraulic repairs at Hill

Ogden Air Logistics Center officials completed a partnering agreement with Parker Aerospace Dec. 18 paving the way for enhanced warfighter support. According to Hill AFB officials, the public-private sector team integrates the best of both worlds to meet 21st century warfighter needs on weapon

Recruiter magazine bids farewell, goes online

The January 2007 issue of Recruiter, Air Force Recruiting Service's magazine, marks the last edition slated for print after nearly 52 years as the official periodical for all Air Force recruiters. In keeping with the times, the Recuiter will morph into a Web-based news service beginning in February

BASH lowers Eglin aircraft incidents nearly 75 percent

While most Air Force bases around the world have a Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program, Eglin AFB officials have refocused and enhanced their efforts to more effectively deal with the diverse and rather large wildlife population. Eglin's wildlife strikes dropped by almost 75

Serving through the season: Senior Airman Alan Leckie

The holiday season is in full swing with office parties and festive family traditions in the works. Meanwhile, for the Hickam Air Force Base Fire Department, it's business as usual. Senior Airman Alan Leckie of New Castle, Del., said firehouse traditions keep the holiday spirit alive. The chefs will

Trainees given chance to shop, ship presents

For more than 3,100 basic trainees, Dec. 9 brought an opportunity to get into the holiday spirit. Under the Shop-A-Trainee program, trainees in the first, second and fifth week of training, plus trainees on medical hold, were able to go to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Main Exchange to

New MRI system installed at Keesler Medical Center

Crews are currently completing installation of Keesler Medical Center's new magnetic resonance imaging equipment and look to have it complete in January at Keesler AFB.It replaces the MRI destroyed by Hurricane Katrina's devastating storm surge Aug. 29, 2005. A 13-ton magnet, the heart of the

Contract modification adds 4 aircraft for Air Force, Marines

Officials from the 657th Aeronautical Systems Squadron here issued an undefinitized contract action in December that will add four aircraft to be used by the Air Force and Marine Corps. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. of Marietta, Ga., was awarded the $256 million firm-fixed-price contract

Air Force official names environmental winners

The Air Force civil engineer announced the winners of the Gen. Thomas D. White Environmental Awards for 2006. Maj. Gen. Del Eulberg named nine installations and one individual as winners of this year's awards. The 2006 winners are: -- Environmental Quality Award (industrial): Tinker Air Force Base,

Commissary patrons encouraged to pick paper over plastic

Commissaries are hoping shoppers in the United States will say yes to paper bags for bagging their groceries as part of the Defense Commissary Agency's measures to offset recent major cost increases of plastic and paper bags. "Our customers have a really big role in this latest effort as we try to

Serving through the season: Airman 1st Class Amber Roaten

Making sure security forces are properly armed and have sufficient ammunition to support their tour is what Airman 1st Class Amber Roaten will be tasked to do as one of the armorers on duty for the 341st Security Support Squadron Christmas day. "I know I have an important job to do making sure law

Pilots, air battle managers to receive incentive pay

The fiscal 2007 Aviator Continuation Pay program will offer eligible pilots and air battle managers a monetary incentive to continue their service. A five-year, fixed-length agreement is available to initial-eligible pilots and air battle managers who apply. The agreement values in annual pretax

Serving through the season: Airman Marilyn Torres

It's already on the schedule -- Amn. Marilyn Torres will celebrate the holidays inside the 726th Air Mobility Squadron's supply warehouse, ensuring heavy aircraft assigned here are mission-ready. Like many Airmen new to the Air Force, she'll also spend some time doing details, such as cleaning the

Gates urges Americans to remember servicemembers

New Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, here on a surprise pre-Christmas visit Dec. 20, urged Americans to remember military members and their families throughout the holiday season. "I hope that everybody at home here at the holiday will remember that all these men and women are away from their

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 21

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 21. In Afghanistan Dec. 20, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Orgun-e. The B-1B expended guided

Bagram opens $68 million runway

Despite inclement weather and the possibility of snowfall, a new $68 million runway was opened and celebrated by Air Force and Army servicemembers, civilian contractors and Afghan officials Dec. 20 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. The project was executed by Contrak International workers from Cairo,

Airmen return to Shaw from overseas deployments

Approximately 46 Airmen returned to Shaw AFB in mid December after being deployed to Southwest Asia fighting the war on terrorism. The Airmen returned in two groups, one returning from supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, while the second group was mainly supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in

Chief on quest to improve communication with Airmen

Telling Airmen the Air Force's top priorities was the focus of the Pacific Air Forces command chief master sergeant's visit here in mid December. "I'm amazed at how poorly we have communicated the Air Force's priorities to the Airmen in the field," said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Bishop. "We need

TRANSCOM commander visits Air Mobility Warfare Center

Saying he was impressed by the remarkable people and their wide-ranging missions, the commander of the U.S. Transportation Command wrapped up a two-day tour Dec. 14 of units at McGuire Air Force Base, nearby Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, the Air Mobility Warfare Center here, as well as

Serving through the season: Airman Cameron Houghtaling Jr.

There is a good chance Airman Cameron Houghtaling Jr. will not be home this holiday season, spending time with his family and friends.Airman Houghtaling is deployed to Bagram AB where he is the Services fitness coordinator and lodging assistant for Air Force members. "This holiday season I will be

Airmen train to walk among the stars

There are some Airmen who train to push a 4,000 pound hunk of steel and electronics out of their way with a flick of their pinky finger. Some Airmen train to fly at more than 17,000 mph, or roughly 5 miles per second. And some Airmen even train to "fly" without the use of any aircraft at all. But

Andersen airdrop

C-17 makes 1st-ever airdrop to Antarctica

Another airpower milestone was reached Dec. 20 with the completion of the first C-17 Globemaster III airdrop mission that delivered about 70,000 pounds of supplies to the South Pole.The airdrop's success is due to the combined effort of people from Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica

Puerto Rico Airmen support two wars

When Tech. Sgt. Jose Melendez volunteered to deploy with his unit on his first combat tour in Afghanistan, he didn't quite know what to expect. He'd never been to war. But when he got to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, it didn't take the guardsman long to learn what Airmen are doing in support of the

College of American Pathologists lauds Ellsworth lab

Officials from the College of American Pathologists recently accredited the medical laboratory here after a thorough inspection, examining everything from needles and giant rubber bands to each of the more than 1,000 processes involved in maintaining a lab. "(The inspectors) actually go through each

Suicide prevention education heightened during holidays

The holiday season and thoughts of family and friends can bring joy and happiness to servicemembers stationed around the world. For some though, those same thoughts can lead to depression and thoughts of suicide. "I feel like there's no hope," said Tech. Sergeant Jason Sharp, a suicide briefer at

Serving through the season: Senior Airman Lindsey Dawson

This holiday season, it will be a sure bet that Senior Airman Lindsey Dawson will be manning her desk in the base command post, the nerve center for the 506th Air Expeditionary Group. Of course, like other Airmen serving around the globe, she'd rather be home with her family, and not deployed

10 Globemaster IIIs fly in formation over Washington state

Like an iron alligator in the sky, a band of 10 C-17 Globemaster IIIs flew in formation Dec. 21 from Puget Sound to eastern Washington . Taking off in five-minute intervals from McChord AFB, C-17s with aircrews from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings rendezvoused in the sky to align into a single file

Serving through the season: Capt. Ryan Rasmussen

Although the Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force Civil Support have decorated their respective doors with holiday decorations, it doesn't measure up to being home. "Of course I'd rather be home with all of my friends and family, but I know that what we're doing here is important to the safety and

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 22

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 22. In Afghanistan Dec 21, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in

Sesame Street's Elmo to educate Americans on deployments

Elmo and the characters of Sesame Street are going to give Americans at large a chance to see what military families go through when their loved ones deploy to war zones. Sesame Street will air "When Parents Are Deployed" on most Public Broadcasting System stations Dec. 27, and Armed Forces Network

Gates, Pace laud troops serving far from home

New Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Dec. 22 thanked American servicemembers and their families "for the sacrifices they're all making and for their bravery in pursuit of our nation's security." Secretary Gates, on his final day of a three-day visit to Iraq, said he is very impressed with the

Air Force officials take 'strategic communication to next level'

Top Air Force leaders attending a strategic communication summit here Dec. 19 outlined an ambitious blueprint for Airmen to tell the nation about their service's contributions to the war on terrorism. In a day-long, wide-ranging discussion, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff

Serving through the season: Airman Van Dexter Duez

Keeping F-15 Eagles maintained and flying is what one Airman here will be doing over the holidays. Airman Van Dexter Duez is assigned to the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Management Production Flight where he schedules and coordinates the weekly flying and maintenance schedules for

Hickam leads way to lessen fossil fuel use

The Air Force is the largest consumer of petroleum products in the Department of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne has made it a priority to find alternative fuels to replace fossil fuels. In a partnership with the State of Hawaii, Hickam is implementing Secretary Wynne's

Chief McKinley returns 'home' to Tinker

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley returned to his old stomping grounds here Dec. 13 and, in the process, took a stroll down memory lane. The chief, a former first sergeant at Tinker AFB from the mid '90s to July 2000, was on leave to visit family members in the area and to attend