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  • Nonpartisan group teaches vets how to run for office

    Ask most Americans what they they'd like to see in their elected officials, and they're likely to rattle off a laundry list of characteristics: integrity, leadership experience, an ability to work cooperatively to tackle tough challenges, and perhaps most of all, a willingness to put what's best for

  • Photo essay: Osan Airmen take part in operational readiness exercise

    Airmen participate in Beverly Bulldog 11-01, an operational readiness exercise here Jan. 28. The exercise allows Airmen to demonstrate their ability to complete the mission in simulated chemical environments while executing their primary duties, practicing self-aid and buddy care, and conducting

  • Officials announce Sijan Award winners

    Air Force officials announced the winners of the 2010 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award.The Sijan Award annually recognizes four Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities. Officer and enlisted honorees are chosen in senior and junior categories.Lt. Col. Tony Millican of Nellis Air Force

  • Tops In Blue to perform at Super Bowl XLV

    Tops In Blue, the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment unit, is scheduled to perform "America the Beautiful" during festivities leading up to Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas, Feb. 6.The group will perform alongside actress Lea Michele during pre-game activities. Tops In Blue performed as the

  • Local police help SFS Airmen detect, apprehend drunk drivers

    Master Officers from the James City County Police Department visited here to provide field sobriety test training to 633rd Security Forces Squadron Airmen Jan. 20.The day-long training fulfills the Virginia state requirement for all law enforcement officers working in Virginia to be trained in

  • F-15E pilot selected to receive Jabara Award

    An F-15E Strike Eagle pilot and 2004 graduate of the Air Force Academy was selected Jan. 25 to receive the 2011 Col. James Jabara Award for Airmanship.Capt. Michael Polidor, a member of Air Force Global Strike Command, distinguished himself through heroic actions in an Operation Enduring Freedom

  • CSAF calls for more collaboration amid budget pressures

    Intense budget pressure, made worse by the failure to pass the fiscal 2011 defense appropriations bill, requires increased joint and total force collaboration across the U.S. military, according to the Air Force chief of staff. Gen. Norton Schwartz made the comments during remarks at the Reserve

  • AFNORTH officials give Civil Air Patrol a technology boost

    When Air Forces Northern officials need an aircrew to fly a search and rescue mission, run counterdrug support or play the bad guy, they frequently call on the members of the Civil Air Patrol, who are always more than eager to lend a helping hand. In an effort to make the job easier and more

  • High-tempo training prepares maintainers for war

    Aircraft maintainers are working day and night during Red Flag 11-2, so pilots can fly the missions needed to prepare for aerial combat, but not only aircrew members benefit from the Red Flag experience.The high-tempo mission requirements of Red Flag provide maintainers an environment that

  • MacDill officials use multi-pronged approach to save aircraft fuel

    Drivers who stay aware of their right foot, keep their engine tuned and adjust their car's tire pressure can save a few cents a day in gas costs. When the professionals who plan the flying missions at here get frugal, it can save thousands of dollars a day. That's why the 6th Air Mobility and 927th

  • STOMP brings together parents, educators of special needs children

    When Tech. Sgt. Emily Smith and Staff Sgt. Todge Smith were blessed with a baby girl nearly six months ago, they immediately recognized signs of Down syndrome and epilepsy in her. With early intervention and physical therapy, their daughter Renee is now meeting all developmental milestones.Sergeant

  • Airmen, Soldiers participate in medical evacuation training

    Approximately 40 Airmen from the 8th Medical Group participated in medical evacuation training here Jan. 19. The Airmen also trained with Army medics and pilots from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.The 8th MDG Airmen, who were mainly flight surgeons, doctors, nurses

  • Officials to issue new camouflage uniforms to deployers

    Airmen deploying to Afghanistan in 2011 will see a new uniform issued to them as part of their deployment gear beginning in March. While Airmen have been faced with a slew of uniform changes in recent years, this new uniform is not a matter of image or heritage but instead has resulted from a joint

  • Defense officials identify Air Force casualty

    Department of Defense officials announced Jan. 27 the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom . Tech. Sgt. Leslie D. Williams, 36, of Juneau, Alaska, died Jan. 25 due to a non-combat related incident at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 4th Maintenance

  • Gates: Congress must address 'crisis on my doorstep'

    The failure of Congress so far to pass the fiscal 2011 defense appropriations bill, which creates the possibility of funding the department under a year-long continuing resolution instead, is "the crisis on my doorstep," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in an interview Jan. 26.Failure to pass

  • Chief of chaplains celebrates National Prayer Dinner at Grand Forks

    The Air Force chief of chaplains spoke at the National Prayer Dinner Gala, "Celebrating Courage through the Dark Times," here Jan. 21.The National Prayer event is sponsored by the U.S. Senate and House Prayer Groups."Every year, bases all around the country and even overseas have National Prayer

  • WMD program available for officers, civilians

    Officials are seeking nominations to participate in the Program for Emerging Leaders and the study of weapons of mass destruction.Officials from the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the National Defense University recently announced the professional development opportunity that

  • Collaboration is key to family support effort, official says

    Collaboration is at the heart of the government's new military family support directive and is the key to supporting service members and their families in the months and years ahead, a Defense Department official said Jan. 26."We clearly are trying to find in every agency in the government ways to

  • First U.S.-trained Afghan helicopter pilots begin Mi-17 qualification course

    The first two Afghan air force helicopter pilots to complete basic pilot training in the U.S. recently began the initial Mi-17 qualification course meant to convert them into Mi-17 helicopter pilots at the Afghan air force base in Kabul. A hybrid of Croatian and U.S. helicopter training syllabi, the

  • Red Flag 11-2 provides combat experience

    The first pilots flew into a simulated combat environment designed to give them the skills needed to survive in war during Red Flag 11-2 here Jan. 24. "The mission of every Red Flag is to expose our combat aircrew to realistic training," said Col. S. Clinton Hinote, the Red Flag 11-2 Air

  • 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

  • Gabon commanders visit German bases in security familiarization

    Two Gabonese air base commanders visited Ramstein, Sembach and Spangdahlem air bases in Germany Jan. 17 through 20.The trip, focused on air base defense. "The sorts of threats that exist in Gabon also exist here," said Gabon air force Col. Jean Paulin Asseko Makoka, the commander of Liberville 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

  • Rescue Airmen take on 'Titan' training

    An unused rocket-assembly building here is finding new life as a training facility to teach high-altitude, high-angle and confined-space rescue techniques. Air Force Reserve pararescuemen and combat rescue officers from the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing here, joined their active-duty

  • Airmen demonstrate capabilities during life-like exercise

    Airmen here recently participated in Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise that used scenarios to gauge Airmen's ability to react and respond to different situations and base emergencies.In one scenario Jan. 19, firefighters, security-forces and flight-medicine professionals

  • Hybrids debut at Spangdahlem

    The 52nd Fighter Wing received its first government-owned hybrid vehicle Jan. 21 here."When our vehicle fleet is replaced, the hybrid is the way to go," said Col. Christopher Weggeman, the 52nd FW commander. "We're sending a message to everyone else that we're conscious about environmental

  • 386th AEW transit keeps Marines moving

    Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron recently helped move the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to a forward location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.After being aboard the USS Kearsarge, USS Ponce and the USS Carter Hall of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready

  • Airmen, Soldiers join to put out fires at Ramstein AB

    Five Army firefighters from the Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, Germany joined some of their Air Force counterparts for joint training here Jan. 18.The Soldiers, assigned to the 18th Combat Support Sustainment Regiment's 23rd Ordnance Company, are working side-by-side with Airmen from with the 886th

  • Nuclear weapons center attains full operational capability

    The commander of the Air Force Materiel Command declared full operational capability for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center during the change of command ceremony Jan. 20 here.Gen. Donald Hoffman, the AFMC commander, spoke about the center's growth and said the center was the "single bellybutton

  • 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

  • F-15E flies with new radar system

    Officials took a step forward in the F-15E Strike Eagle's continuous technological evolution as the Air Force's most versatile combat aircraft here Jan. 18.Officials from the 46th Test Wing launched the fourth generation fighter for the first time with a new and improved radar system, the

  • Afghan air force help desk receives upgrade training

    The Afghan air force and the NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisers recently started a new computer training course here Jan. 17. A+ training provides the basic fundamentals on desktop computers and networking. Upon completion of the course, the AAF technicians or individuals will be able to

  • CMSAF visits Davis-Monthan AFB

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Airmen and their families here Jan. 13.During his visit he sat down for an interview and discussed many topics, including the new physical training procedures, the drawdown in Iraq, suicide in the Air Force and other issues and concerns.Fitness

  • 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

  • Ellsworth AFB Airmen give boy 'best day ever'

    An 8-year-old boy from Rapid City S.D., who was born with a developmental disability, was given the opportunity of a lifetime here Jan. 13.Aric Lassegard visited here as part of a program called Aircrew for a Day, which allows children with disabilities or illnesses to experience being a B-1B Lancer

  • Air Force secretary honors AETC heroes

    Nearly one thousand Airmen from across the command gathered here Friday to hear Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during the Air Education and Training Command Ball.The ball, the largest formal event hosted by the command, concluded the AETC Symposium and Exposition. More than 3,500 Airmen,

  • Airmen consolidate flying missions, free space for Afghan unit

    Officials from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing recently began moving assets here as part of a long-term project to consolidate the wing's missions and to free space for the expanding Afghan unit. The move of the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron marked the first of 10 units and two groups to be

  • KC-10 marks 20 years of deployment, nearly 30 years of operations

    Jan. 17th was a special day for the KC-10 Extender community. It marked the day KC-10s, aircrews and maintainers have been on continuous deployment for 20 years -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year -- to Southwest Asia in support of combat operations.Facts show the KC-10 will pass a

  • Commander says headquarters' job is to make wings successful

    Air Force Global Strike Command's new top leader addressed his headquarters staff Jan. 12, less than a week after taking command. His message: the headquarters is responsible for ensuring the success of its subordinate units.Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski visited each of the command's installations Jan. 7

  • First Delta IV Heavy launches from Vandenberg AFB

    A Delta IV Heavy Launch Vehicle was launched from here Jan. 20. It was the first Delta IV HLV to be launched from the West Coast of the U.S., and it carried a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office."The teamwork between the 30th Space Wing, the National Reconnaissance

  • 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

  • LEAD candidates visit Air Force Academy

    More than 25 Airmen from bases in the United States and Europe visited the Air Force Academy Jan. 13-14 as part of the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development Diversity Visitation Program. LEAD is a commissioning program that allows up to 85 active-duty Airmen and 85 reservists or Guardsmen to enter

  • Edwards officials developing new parachute system

    Officials here are creating a guardian angel system to help Air Force members who parachute to land safely and softly.Officials are replacing the Air Force's nearly five-decades-old parachute system with a new one, called the Guardian Angel Advance Parachute System, which is designed for safer

  • 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.

  • Reserve C-130 special mission units learn from each other

    Air Force Reserve aerial spray, aerial firefighting and hurricane hunting units gathered at the command's C-130 Special Missions conference learned that they share common issues, though they perform vastly different missions. That was the focus of the two-day conference that ended here Jan 13."This

  • Deadline approaching for Pitsenbarger Award

    The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 Pitsenbarger Award to the Air Force Sergeants Association is March 1.The AFSA Pitsenbarger Award annually recognizes an Air Force enlisted service member who has performed a heroic act, on or off duty, that resulted in saving a life or preventing

  • Afghanistan airdrop levels set record in 2010

    Mobility Airmen supporting operations in Afghanistan airdropped 60.4 million pounds of cargo airdropped throughout the country, setting a record.In all, the 60.4 million pounds is nearly twice the previous record year of 2009, where just over 32.2 million pounds of cargo was airdropped, Air Forces

  • CSAF presents two Purple Hearts at Bagram Airfield

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented two Airmen with Purple Hearts during a ceremony here Jan. 19. Capt. Gil Wyche, a security forces officer assigned to the 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron, and Senior Airman Brandon Cullen Towle, a joint terminal attack controller assigned to

  • AFOSI Airman selected Language Professional of the Year

    An agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations was recently selected as the Air Force Language Professional of the Year. Special Agent Slava is being recognized by the LPOY program for his linguist work with Department of Defense missions overseas, where he advised senior DOD

  • Personnel recovery division stands up at ACC

    In December 2010, Air Combat Command's Personnel Recovery Division, designated A3J and headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Va., officially stood up and was created to ensure that the Air Force is prepared for the challenge of rescuing Airmen from hostile deployed environments. The division is

  • Deadline near for AFA awards

    The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year and the 2011 Verne Orr awards to the Air Force Personnel Center is March 1.The Air Force Association sponsors both awards annually.The Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award honors the significant contributions

  • McKinley: Relationships vital to National Guard domestic operations

    The National Guard's ability to respond to a domestic response depends largely on relationships established prior to an incident, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said Jan. 19 at the 2011 National Guard Bureau Domestic Operations Workshop here. "You establish these relationships in your

  • Vanguard Award nominations due March 1

    The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 Noncommissioned Officers Association Vanguard Award to Air Force Personnel Center officials is March 1.Nominees must be between the rank of senior airman and chief master sergeant who have performed a heroic act, on or off duty, which resulted in

  • McChord crew chiefs 'get the job done'

    Maintainers here say no airlift wing can provide global airlift for America without ready and available aircraft. No aircraft can deliver global airlift without proper maintenance. The 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs here ensure the 62nd Airlift Wing's C-17 Globemaster IIIs are safe,

  • General Chandler honored during retirement ceremony

    Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, the 37th vice chief of staff of the Air Force, marked the conclusion of his Air Force career among family, friends and colleagues during his retirement ceremony here Jan. 14.The ceremony honored the many accomplishments of General Chandler during his 36-year career

  • Hickam aircrew maximizes training in Guam

    It took 23 passes over designated drops zones and a 12-hour tactical duty day of training to finish a single day of airdrop training in Guam.An aircrew from the 535th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, dropped four training pallets, five container delivery system bundles,

  • Milestone for Afghan air force means better trained pilots

    The Afghan air force reached a new milestone with the opening of the pilot training program recently here. The first Afghan pilots began their eight-week instruction course early in January with a four-day academic schedule before beginning flight instruction on the Mi-17 Hip H. "We are helping the

  • RAT helps 493rd EFS get home

    After completing their NATO Baltic air policing mission rotation, Airmen from the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron only have one thing left to do: get home.According to Senior Airman Scott Knight, an air transportation journeyman with the 493rd EFS Redeployment Action Team, that is where the

  • F-16s' arrival brings 'battle rhythm' to joint strike fighter wing

    After 17 months of silence, the 33rd Fighter Wing flightline here finally roared back to life Jan. 13. The 33rd FW received four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 56th FW at Luke AFB, Ariz. The jets will help establish a "battle rhythm," as the wing stands up the first joint training center for the

  • New vice chief of staff takes office

    Gen. Philip M. Breedlove took over as vice chief of staff of the Air Force Jan. 14, succeeding Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler who held the position since August 2009.General Breedlove most recently served as the Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, a position he

  • Congressional commission studies women in combat

    Defense Department officials will review the recommendations of a congressional commission studying the role of women in combat when the group's report is complete, a DOD official said Jan. 14.Congress established the Military Leadership Diversity Commission as part of the 2009 National Defense

  • 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

  • CSAR Airmen airlift injured Soldier

    Timing is everything. As the rotors of an HH-60G Pave Hawk wound down from a recently completed training scenario, a real-world medical response was requested. The launch of a combat search and rescue team was perfectly timed for a Soldier needing medical attention on a secluded outpost.The crew was

  • Vice president thanks Airmen and service members in Iraq

    A crowd of more than 200 service members, many of them Airmen, and civilians deployed in support of Operation New Dawn listened to Vice President Joe Biden during his recent stop at Al Faw Palace here."It makes me feel like we have the support of the people back home," said Staff Sgt. Pearl Alomar,

  • Civil engineers bring home three Air Force-level awards

    Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Group here received three "Best in the Air Force" awards for their accomplishments in 2010. The 18th CEG, which is composed of the 18th and 718th Civil Engineer Squadrons, was awarded the Major General Clifton D. Wright Award, the Harry P. Rietman Award and the

  • Air Force officials using more green-roof technologies

    If they're not providing top cover on Air Force bases already, chances are they will be soon. With the Air Force's continued emphasis on sustainability, energy conservation and environmental consciousness, green-roof technologies, and other efficiency measures are high on the priority list for new

  • 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

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

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," a funny looking plane makes a special delivery to Holloman Air Force Base. Plus, Airmen work around the clock to provide heating for troops in remote locations throughout Afghanistan. And, meet a loadmaster and see how he locks down cargo for the long haul

  • Airmen build foundation of Iraqi air force

    In an effort to strengthen the strategic partnership between Iraq and U.S., Airmen assigned to the 821st Expeditionary Training Squadron here are helping the Iraqi government and its people develop a stable and self-reliant air force for their nation.Airmen with the 821st ETRS work daily with the

  • Civil engineers restore electricity to village

    For the past three months, inhabitants of Bakir village, Iraq, were without power, but members of the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, contractors and local Iraqi electricians worked together to install new high-voltage cable to restore electricity."This has been a joint effort between

  • Afghan family treated for burns by Bagram medics

    Air Force health professionals train continuously, from medical school to retirement, to provide life-saving treatments to patients. In most cases, they count on providing those treatments to service members, but Airmen assigned to the Craig Joint Theater Hospital here are finding themselves working

  • F-4 continues long-time service to Air Force with new mission

    The 82nd Aerial Target Squadron officials here are replacing the use of Lear jets for their banner tow missions with the F-4 Phantom, creating an air-to-air target that aircrews in training can safely evaluate, develop and test their weapons systems. "We developed the idea to use the F-4 for the

  • 'ONE Suit Pro' IDEA saves Air Force money

    Saving money and improving quality of service and efficiency in the workplace were the motivating factors behind the "ONE Suit Pro" idea that won awards for the members of the 17th Civil Engineer Squadron, Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program team recently.The idea submitted to

  • HAW, Ramstein AB Airmen team up for training

    Airmen from the Heavy Airlift Wing at Papa Air Base, Hungary, and Ramstein AB will participate in for aerial port training Jan. 10 through 13 near here and Grafonvier, Germany.The Airmen will conduct two personnel airdrop flights and two heavy equipment airdrops, which will mark the first time HAW

  • Gates: Chinese taking strategic dialogue proposal seriously

    The Chinese are taking an American proposal to hold a strategic dialogue between the two countries seriously, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here Jan. 11.Secretary Gates met with President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the people and with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Jan. 11. The meetings

  • 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

  • Aviano becomes first USAFE base to begin using AMT

    Airmen at Aviano Air Base are the first in U.S. Air Forces in Europe to begin using the new, revolutionary asset marking and tracking system being implemented at Air Force installations around the world. Once fully integrated, the new AMT system will provide 100-percent accountability for all Air

  • Defense official outlines pay freeze details

    Defense Department civilian employees affected by the federal pay freeze for 2011 and 2012 will still have the opportunity to receive performance awards, promotions and normal longevity increases, a senior defense official said.Pasquale M. Tamburrino Jr., the deputy under secretary of defense for

  • Holloman Airmen provide 5th generation fighter support

    Two T-38 Talons were delivered in December here with the help of NASA officials.NASA officials used an Aero Spacelines Super Guppy to deliver the first two of an eventual 15 T-38s that will be regenerated here and flown to operating locations at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., and Tyndall AFB, Fla.

  • 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

  • Baltic air policing mission complete

    The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, United Kingdom, relinquished command of the NATO Baltic air policing mission to the German air force at Lithuania Air Force Air Base here Jan. 5.The 493rd EFS, deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, assumed responsibility for Lithuanian, Latvian and

  • Iraqi airmen fly record number of aircraft

    Iraqi air force pilots flew a record number of aircraft during the annual Iraqi Army Day Parade Jan. 6 at the International Zone here. Iraqi crews piloted 20 aircraft in 12 fly-overs and aerial demonstrations over a parade field filled with government officials from allied nations and Iraqi

  • Embassy applauds Airmen for founding Iraqi Women in Aviation chapter

    The U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Department of Transportation hosted a reception to honor and recognize the efforts of Horizon East Jan. 7 here.Horizon East, the Iraq chapter of the non-profit organization Women in Aviation, was started by female pilots deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The

  • Another GPS software upgrade completed

    As part of a larger ongoing effort by Air Force officials to improve and maintain the current GPS ground system, Air Force Space Command officials completed another sustainment software release for the GPS operational control segment ground system. Officials from the 2nd Space Operations Squadron at

  • Secretary Gates outlines 'Don't Ask' repeal process

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Jan. 6 described the Pentagon's three-step process for preparing to allow gays to serve openly in the military services.At a Pentagon news conference with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary Gates updated reporters on the

  • 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

  • Airmen, Soldiers redeploy aircraft

     A CH-47 Chinook helicopter was returned home to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, by the joint efforts of Soldiers and Airmen working here Dec. 15.Soldiers from the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade worked alongside Airmen here to complete the final stages of their redeployment. The brigade was a vital part of

  • Air Force Global Strike Command gets new top leader

    Lt. Gen. James Kowalski assumed command of Air Force Global Strike Command here Jan. 6, becoming the second commander of the organization.  As such, he is responsible for all of the nation's ICBMs and nuclear-capable bombers.Presiding over the ceremony, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Expeditionary center formally assumes command of five AMC units

    U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center officials assumed command of five Air Mobility Command organizations during a ceremony Jan 6 here. The AMC restructuring allows 18th Air Force officials to focus almost exclusively on worldwide mobility flying operations and gives the expeditionary center added

  • Radiologists see from the inside out

    When doctors need to look inside a patient, they call on a team of radiological professionals to reveal the answers that lie beneath.The eight-person 35th Surgical Operations Squadron diagnostic imaging team, commonly known as radiology, at Misawa Air Base performs an average of 500 image-gathering

  • Gates reveals budget efficiencies, reinvestment possibilities

    Defense Department officials have found $154 billion in budget efficiencies over the next five years and will be able to invest $70 billion of that saved money in more-deserving accounts, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Jan. 6.The secretary announced the savings and reinvesting of the