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U.S. Air Force News

  • SERE instructors ensure water survival skills

    A sudden jump into the ocean after an airplane malfunction could leave a person confused and helpless. However, the chances of survival increase if that person has attended water survival training at Survival Evasion Resistance Escape, or SERE,  School at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. or Naval Air

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

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

  • CBRNE: Training that matters

    Training. From the first day of arriving at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to the time Airmen separate from the Air Force, they train. Airmen enhance their skills from life saving techniques to ensuring aircraft are able to carry out global operation contingencies. One training experience valuable

  • Kunsan fighters participate in Red Flag-Alaska

    Approximately 150 Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing are at Eielsen Air Force Base, Alaska to participate in Red Flag-Alaska. Red Flag-Alaska is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise for U.S. Forces. It provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support and large force employment

  • Congressional staff members visit AFPC

    Professional staff members from the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on military personnel visited the Air Force Personnel Center here April 15 to learn more about the many initiatives the center has undertaken to deliver personnel services to Airmen and civilians. Some of the

  • Air Force, industry herald T-38 turning 50

    The test pilot who flew the T-38 Talon on its maiden flight 50 years ago said April 10 that during the historic sortie he felt he was on the safest mission of his career. Then something dawned on him. "I hadn't landed it yet!," said Lew Nelson, one of the speakers at a celebration held on the

  • New policy refines ancillary, expeditionary skills training

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

  • Victim advocates support, assist survivors

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

  • Air Force officials test ability to recall retirees

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

  • SECAF, CSAF announce 2008 safety award recipients

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz have announced the recipients of the 2008 Air Force safety awards. "We're grateful for the hard work of these award-winning individuals and organizations, and all Air Force safety professionals throughout the service,"

  • Airmen provide clean water for stricken Arkansas town

    Five Arkansas Air National Guard Airmen restored clean water to the Dierks community April 21 following an April 9 tornado that destroyed the town's water treatment plant April 9.The Airmen from the 188th Fighter Wing's Civil Engineer Squadron helped the small Southwest Arkansas town by using two

  • Airman field-tests modified PT uniform in Iraq

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

  • Space station module name honors Apollo 11 anniversary

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

  • Airmen synchronize airpower with Soldiers

    Airmen in Southwest Asia must work with other American servicemembers to have synchronized forces support a ground commander's mission objectives. In today's joint combat operations, these Airmen work with Army ground liaison officers who are trained in offensive air support activities and translate

  • Iraqi surgeons attend annual conference in Germany

    Iraqi air force flight surgeons attended the annual U.S. Air Forces in Europe Flight Surgeon Conference held March 11 through 21 at Ramstein Air Base. Major (Dr.) Abdulrazzaq and Lt. (Dr.) Hazem Prior participated in seven sessions of partnering as part of a Multinational Security Transition Command

  • Leader magazine transitions from print to online

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

  • Military doctor cites need for early intervention of autism

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

  • Congresswoman visits Altus

    Officials from the 97th Air Mobility Wing here welcomed the 5th district congresswoman of Oklahoma April 9 as she toured Altus Air Force Base for her assessment of the state's military readiness. Rep. Mary Fallin is currently the only Oklahoma member of the House Armed Services Committee in

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

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

  • Academy space fleet continues to grow

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

  • 'Today's Air Force' features dignified transfers

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

  • Reserve commander meets with deployed reservists

    Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., Air Force Reserve Command commander, visited with Reserve members April 8 and 9 during a multi-base tour of the Air Forces Central area of responsibility. General Stenner, who is also chief of Air Force Reserve, took the opportunity to dine with Reservists and

  • BEAR builds new quarters for forces at Manas

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

  • Airmen make pledge to prevent sexual assaults

    While American and coalition forces continue fighting the war on terrorism, there are silent criminals among the warriors who cause battle wounds of another kind: sexual assault. There were 165 sexual assault reports in Iraq and Afghanistan during fiscal 2008, a dramatic increase compared to the 131

  • April 8 airpower summary: Tankers do double duty

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. United States Air Forces Central Command's mission is to conduct

  • Reading program reaches out to military families

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

  • Tiered construct defines future expeditionary skills training

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

  • Intel deputy unveils ISR capability planning process

    For the first-time, Air Force technicians have developed a consolidated process and corporate governance structure to improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in air, space, ground and cyberspace to meet current and future challenges facing the United States and its Allies

  • Security forces unit provides combat support to Iraq

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

  • CSAF addresses 386th Airmen during AOR visit

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

  • Officials say cyber defense costly

    Defending the Defense Department's global information grid from attacks cost the U.S. military more than $100 million over the past six months, U.S. Strategic Command officials said April 8. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, Stratcom commander, and Army Brig. Gen. John Davis, deputy commander of Joint Task

  • Helicopter pilots train Japanese forces on air refueling

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

  • Dutch, U.S. air forces unite for training

    Boarding an airplane can be cumbersome. Most cabins are roughly 8 feet wide and 6 feet high, with an aisle barely wide enough to fit a person and a carry on. Imagine navigating through the cabin in the dark, loaded down with gear. Add an element of thick black smoke and the intense heat of a fire,

  • Space education seeks prominence

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

  • 'Visions of Valor' portraits honor heroes

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

  • World War II aviators share stories, experiences

    It's rare today to be able to sit down with living legends and pick their brains of past experiences and commitment during their military aviation careers. Three such individuals provided that opportunity for servicemembers and civilians here March 31 during "Lunch with the Legends" at the base

  • U.S., Indian air forces discuss partnership efforts

    Senior air force officials from India and the United States met here March 25 through 29 to discuss operational concepts and to chart the way ahead for future training exchanges and exercises. This year's executive steering group meeting focused on the review and assessment of joint and combined

  • Drill team prepares for upcoming drill season

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

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here have released the current demographics report which offers a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force. This data is current as of March 31 and also can be found at the Air Force Demographics Web site.  Statistics are rounded to the nearest

  • Iraqis provide new line of security for Joint Base Balad

    Another layer of outer perimeter security was added here April 1 to help protect the men and women of JBB, and the new initiative is staffed by more than 100 local Iraqis from the surrounding area. "This contract is a first of its kind," said Lt. Col. Raymond Reyes, JBB Regional Contracting Center

  • Precision: Everyday standard at base lab

    Calibrating a weapon system properly is the difference between striking at the heart of an enemy force or possibly hitting the friendly forces engaged with that same enemy. Members of the 46th Maintenance Squadron's Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory here are the purveyors of accuracy and

  • Teamwork ensures Thunderbirds performance

    Airmen from three commands came together to prepare the Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcons in time for the Keesler Air Force Base airshow April 4 after inclement weather damaged five of the aircraft's noses.The damage from the weather occurred as the Thunderbirds arrived for the airshow and was

  • SECAF visits Expeditionary Center, McGuire

    Citing the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center as a "critical component of the Air Force's ability to train Airmen," Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley pronounced his first familiarization visit to the center here on March 31 a success. "The Air Force mission to fly, fight and win ... in air,

  • VA secretary expects big impact from post-9/11 GI Bill

    All systems are on track for this summer's rollout of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, which Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said he expects to have as monumental an impact as the original World War II-era GI Bill of Rights. Secretary Shinseki, who served as Army chief of staff from 1999 to

  • Maxwell legal services wins government-wide award

    The director of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency's Directorate of Legal Information Services, or AFLOA/JAS here, said he was notified March 27 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School that his organization had won the government-wide 2009 W. Edwards Deming Award. Col. Peter

  • Kirtland provides Airmen, location for 'Terminator Salvation'

    Airmen here recently supported a different kind of war, one against futuristic machines out for world domination. The Airmen performed as extras on the set of "Terminator Salvation," which filmed several scenes in a hangar on the base's flightline. The movie is the latest in the popular

  • 'Today's Air Force' features RED HORSE units

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how the RED HORSE units are paving the way for progress in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also featured, security forces are involved in a close quarters training exercise and a large inventory for the F-16s in Poland. See what might be the largest construction

  • AF officials look at bigger role for small business

    The Air Force is looking to support small businesses in a big way, two top service officials said during a visit here April 2. David Van Buren, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, and Ronald Poussard, director of Air Force small business programs, said during a

  • Air Force instructors empower Iraqi warrant officers to lead

    Twenty-nine Iraqi air force members graduated from the warrant officer professional development course at the Iraqi air force schoolhouse with help from their U.S. Air Force instructors here March 28. The largest class to date demonstrates the commitment of the Iraqi air force throughout the ranks

  • Combat rescue, special tactics retention bonuses available

    Qualified special operations officers are now eligible for a maximum of $100,000 in critical skills retention bonus money if they voluntarily extend their active-duty service commitment for up to four years. The bonuses are due in part to a $2.5 million deposit from Department of Defense

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selections

    A total of 308 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced April 3. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 865 applications as part of Officer Training School

  • Generals discuss future issues at National Space Symposium

    The commander of Air Force Space Command was the keynote speaker for the 25th National Space Symposium March 31 in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Space is no longer just the high ground. It is an integral part of the joint fight," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler.The general is responsible for the

  • AFPC officials launch improved Airmen Development Plan

    Active-duty officers, and soon civilians, can now more effectively map their careers with the recent phase two launch of the Airmen Development Plan. The phase II version includes a new audit trail feature and the ability to generate weekly e-mail notifications. The ADP application was introduced in

  • Andersen officials give up-close view of F-22, B-2

    More than 400 military spouses, Department of Defense employees, Guam civic leaders and local community members received a firsthand look at two F-22 Raptors, a B-2 Spirit and a KC-135 Stratotanker on display March 28 here. Crewmembers from each aircraft answered questions from the flock of visitors

  • Force support officers represent flexibility

    Responding to evolving needs from the field has prompted several transformations in the manpower, personnel and services community over the past few years, including the recent stand up of an initial skills training course for force support officers. "Our Air Force officers are showing great

  • Luke Airmen assist disabled veterans at ski clinic

    A team of eight Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., volunteered their time and energy to drive 15 hours and assist nearly 400 disabled veterans participate in a winter sports rehabilitation clinic here. The team is spending a week helping disabled veterans experience the 23rd National Disabled

  • Gates signs policy for dignified transfer operations

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has approved a policy change that, under strictly delineated conditions, allows media filming of dignified transfer operations of fallen servicemembers' remains at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The new policy is slated to be implemented April 6, Pentagon spokesman

  • Language emerges as element of national security

    Language and culture are "almost inextricably intertwined," and military personnel must be knowledgeable in both to be fully effective when operating overseas, the director of a military language school said. Army Col. Sue Ann Sandusky, commandant of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language

  • ALO commands new combat unit at Bagram

    A former air liaison officer to the Army's 101st Airborne Division in Iraq took command of the newly activated 504th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group during an assumption of command ceremony here March 30. Col. James Thomas took hold of the 504th EASOG guidon from Lt. Gen. Gary North,

  • Reserve commander briefs Congress

    Two units received a "positive plug" in the congressional record when the commander of Air Force Reserve Command testified March 25 before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. touted the strong Yellow Ribbon Program partnership initiatives between Airmen

  • Academy engineers, faculty assist Navajo Nation

    Air Force Academy cadets and civil engineering faculty recently put their skills to work on the Navajo Reservation here. A team of two cadets, two instructors from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a family member wrapped up a week of working on traditional Navajo homes

  • Spangdahlem comm facility earns top award

    Striving for excellence is standard for the people at the Global Information Grid facility here.  They have placed no lower than runner-up in the Europe Defense Information Systems Agency annual awards since 2001. They garnered a first place finish once again, capturing the DISA Outstanding GIG

  • Red Flag-Alaska begins 2009 season

    Approximately 1,400 U.S. and foreign participants will be arriving at Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force bases beginning April 13 to participate in Red Flag-Alaska 09-2, scheduled for April 16 to May 1. Red Flag-Alaska, a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S.

  • Yokota Airmen train with Japanese police

    Members of the 374th Security Forces Squadron here conducted a joint response training exercise with members of the Japanese National Police-Fussa Division March 26 here. Fussa officials came up with idea of a joint unexploded ordnance response and investigation exercise to educate new police

  • C-17s invade Edwards sky

    A Global Reach Combined Test Force test team recently conducted a special formation test with six C-17 Globemaster IIIs.  The aircraft were equipped with a formation flight system that enables the pilot to monitor and fly the aircraft in formation with other C-17s."The C-17 has a basic mission

  • Revised 'Little Brown Book' now available

    Air Force officials here recently revised Air Force instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, also known as "The Little Brown Book," and the electronic version is available now with hardcopies expected to be available in May. The guide has long been a staple of establishing expectations and

  • Advanced field hospital put to test in Puerto Rico

    The earthquake and tsunami that struck here left a streaming mass of civilians requiring medical attention, and Arizona Air National Guard members flew here to render assistance. Or, at least, that's the scenario. In Exercise Vigilant Guard, Airmen from the 161st Medical Group of the Arizona

  • Updated Professional Development Guide available online

    The latest version of the Air Force Professional Development Guide is now available online for all Airmen. The 500 page, 30.8 MB document is of particular interest to enlisted Airmen in the ranks of staff sergeant through senior master sergeant who want to begin studying for their next promotion

  • Air Force officials deliver first C-130 to Polish military

    American and Polish airmen delivered the first of five refurbished C-130E Hercules military transport planes and spare parts March 24 to the Polish air force at Powidz Air Base, Poland. "It's a great day for them to celebrate the arrival of the Hercules. It's vital to them being able to -- own their

  • Amputee pilot completes third deployment

    What sets Maj. Alan Brown apart from other Airmen in the gym at Bagram Airfield's Camp Cunningham isn't his workout routine, it's his right leg. "When people see me in shorts at the gym there's definitely a pattern," said the 42-year-old mobility pilot of Pine Bluffs, Wyo. "They glance at my eyes,

  • Fire muster challenges Airmen

    Airmen and Soldiers were put to the test in the air and space expeditionary force rotation 7/8 fire muster March 21 here. A fire muster is a fire department competition consisting of several different events from a dummy drag, putting out a "fire" using a bucket brigade, rolling up a hose, and

  • Course trains intelligence analysts in ground operations

    Air Force intelligence analysts have been trained to focus on air threats since they first entered the service. There's now a need for them to be trained to provide support for world-wide ground combat and force protection operations. The Air Force Force Protection Intelligence Formal Training Unit

  • Minot Airmen render aid to flood efforts

    Eight Airmen on two UH-1N Huey helicopters loaded with rescue equipment here deployed March 25 to support state authorities in flood efforts in Bismarck, N.D, after President Barack Obama declared the state a federal disaster area. An ice jam north of Bismarck broke, which sent flood waters from the

  • Airmen demonstrate unmanned aircraft not merely 'drones'

    The door to the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron features a drawing of an MQ-1 Predator armed with Hellfire missiles underscored with the words "We're not drones - we fire back." Often referred to by reporters as "drones," unmanned aircraft like the MQ-1 Predator and RQ-4 Global Hawk are

  • 379th Airmen host Navy F/A-18s

    Airmen with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing recently played host to Sailors from the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt who were participating in Exercise Eastern Angler. The bilateral coalition exercise consisted of five days of flying operations, giving the Navy F/A-18 Hornet pilots a chance to train with

  • Environmental symposium held in St. Louis

    More than 1,000 Airmen, Air Force civilians and personnel from other government agencies from all over the world gathered for the annual Environmental, Safety and Operational Health Symposium March 9 through 13 in St. Louis. Started in 1993, the symposium features more than 500 classes tailored to

  • Push-Pull to test real-world Air Force capabilities

    Push-Pull 2009 may sound like a new type of fitness regimen to some, but to about 150 regular Air Force retirees it will be a mobilization exercise of a different kind April 6 through 10 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The Push-Pull 2009 exercise is designed to exercise and evaluate mobilization

  • Equal opportunity crosses service lines

    Equal opportunity advisers from the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and surrounding Army units here are currently hosting their quarterly Equal Opportunity Leader's Course here. The classroom is filled by more than 40 Soldiers from across Iraq with one exception: Master Sgt. Joe Newton, the

  • Lackland conservation efforts equal big rebate

    Lackland Air Force Base officials received the largest rebate ever awarded by CPS Energy March 17 here after creating a win-win situation for the base and the city-owned utility company. Brigadier Gen. Leonard A. "Len" Patrick, the 37th Training Wing commander, received a rebate check for

  • Airmen train Iraqi maintainers

    Two maintenance Airmen took three Iraqi air force members from here to Camp Taji, Iraq, March 24 to help fix one of Iraq's C-130s In an attempt to help members of the Iraqi air force better cross utilize their resources and assets. Technical Sergeants Jim Grifasi and Bobby McKenzie, advisers with

  • American servicemembers provide battlefield forensics

    When an improvised explosive device is detected, most people run and take cover but the weapons intelligence team here heads to the site to start the crime scene investigation. The Airmen, Soldiers and Sailor of the weapons intelligence team provide counter IED intelligence through collection,

  • Senior leaders meet for high-level 'Warfighter Talks'

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Air Force leadership hosted Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and senior naval leaders for the Navy-Air Force Warfighter Talks March 18 at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C. About 35 flag and general officers from both services gathered for a

  • SOS 'blends' training model incorporating new technology

    Academic and military researchers are introducing and proposing new approaches on leadership and teamwork training at the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Officials with Air Education and Training Command, the sponsor organization, partnered with researchers at the University

  • Air Force 'Switching Seats' with NASCAR campaign

    The Air Force, along with its contract advertising agency GSD&M Idea City, launches the multimedia marketing campaign "Switching Seats" March 23 in support of its NASCAR partnership. The campaign centers on the parallels between Air Force and NASCAR high-performance jobs, and focuses on No. 43

  • Airmen help aircrews return if all goes awry

    When Staff Sgt. Eric Zwoll presents his briefing, aircrew members preparing for a mission listen carefully because they know if a mission goes awry then their lives will depend on his every word. Sergeant Zwoll is one of a handful of survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists here who

  • National Guard Airmen augment Misawa maintenance

    Thirty-one Air National Guard Airmen volunteered to leave the United States in late February to help members of the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here recover and maintain F-16 Fighting Falcons returning from Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Members of the 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, who returned

  • Joint training exercise strengthens AF, civilian partnerships

    Law enforcement officials from Lexington, Mass., teamed up with 66th Security Forces Squadron personnel here March 16 for a joint training exercise conducted by members of the Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations team, otherwise known as STOP. The training combined classroom

  • Pay incentives help military avoid nursing shortage

    Army, Navy and Air Force nurse corps members are highly trained, capable and critical to the wartime mission of each service, the corps' leaders told a congressional committee this week here. The Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee heard testimony March 18 from the services'

  • Manas KC-135s revolutionize combat operations

    The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers here delivers more than fuel to the fight in Afghanistan these days as it is revolutionizing the way war is fought by serving as a data network relay high above the battlefield. At first glance, the cluster of cases mounted in the back

  • Navy-led Arctic Care team returns to Western Alaska

    Personnel here were part of a team that participated in a joint Air Force, Army and Navy medical and dental exercise in 11 of Western Alaska's most remote villages March 6 through 15.The purpose of  the exercise, the 15th annual Operation Arctic Care, was to enable medical personnel to operate in a

  • Patriot 7 course combines ISR with mission

    Troops on the frontlines are armed with pistols, rifles and grenades, but their most potent weapons might actually be flying overhead. A course called Patriot 7 trains people to use intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools at the tactical level to be successful at their mission.

  • Osan exercise optimizes communication between forces

    More than 2,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors participating jointly with South Korean air force members in Exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle in mid-March here have learned the key to success is communication.Despite some language barriers, the key players smoothly conduct the air and space

  • B-2 aircrew participates in exercise in Pacific

    Airmen aboard a B-2 Spirit tested their endurance in a 24-hour, 8,000-mile mission to Alaska and back to Guam March 12 in an exercise showcasing U.S. commitment to peace and stability throughout the Pacific region. Four B-2s and 270 Airmen from the 13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron are deployed to

  • Top doctor: Medical infrastructure affects readiness

    The more than 1,000 major facilities that make up the Defense Department's medical infrastructure are key strategic national assets, the department's top medical official told Congress March 18 here. Dr. S. Ward Casscells, the assistant Defense secretary for health affairs, told the House Armed

  • Luke Airmen advise Moroccan air force on F-16 operations

    Members of the Royal Moroccan air force traveled 6,000 miles to speak with Luke Air Force Base Airmen and tour the installation for an insider's perspective on how an F-16 Fighting Falcon base operates in mid-March. Royal Moroccan air force officials are in the process of building an F-16 base in

  • Crew navigates tanker out of trouble

    "Any aircraft, any station, this is Shell 73. Emergency. We've lost complete navigational capability. Request assistance." This was the mayday call from Capt. Matthew Jaeger as he and the crew of Shell 73, a KC-135 Stratotanker from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, flew somewhere over the border of

  • AF Raven B operators maintain 'eyes-on' for ground forces

    "There it is," said Staff Sgt. Jeff Tomkiewicz, 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, as he pointed at a little, buzzing white dot in the sky. As the Raven B operator approached the small strip of sand of Camp Bucca's Burge Field, the tiny Raven B unmanned aircraft system hovered above the

  • Japan, U.S. forces come together to Guard, Protect

    U.S. and Japanese forces practiced defending the Misawa Air Base during Exercise Guard and Protect Exercise March 11 through 13 here. The annual exercise was expanded to last for 24 hours and included a fully integrated Base Defense Operations Center. A company-sized group of soldiers from the Japan

  • AF personnel leaders focus on Airmen, modernization

    As mission requirements continue to grow, Air Force personnel leaders said before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee in Washington March 17 that the service will refine priorities to win today's fight and prepare for tomorrow's challenges. The Honorable Craig Duehring, assistant Secretary