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  • Black Knights saddle up for deployment

    Airman 1st Class Saraha Hughes, 21, has no idea where she will lay her head in a few days.She does not know if she packed enough, too much or too little, but that does not quell the excitement of her very first deployment.A jet engine mechanic with the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here, Hughes

  • Reservists support air bridge

    More than half of Air Force Reserve Command's 10,000 mobilized reservists are helping to move troops, equipment and cargo to the Middle East as America prepares for possible war with Iraq.But every aspect of the Reserves is being used to support Operation Enduring Freedom, according to Lt. Col. John

  • Strike Eagle pilots destroy targets

    Capt. Jonathon Breingan, an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot with the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, is proud that his airframe relies on two people sitting in its seats."We take the enemy head-on," he said. "We go out and destroy targets. It's what we do best, and we're the best in the Air Force

  • Air Force discusses infrastructure budget with Senate

    Congressional testimony by the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics March 4 included plans for sustaining overseas facilities and support of new missions and weapons systems.But, Nelson F. Gibbs' presentation to a Senate Appropriations Committee

  • Proper protection can negate bioterror weapons

    The Air Force Medical Service's biggest challenge in saving lives and sustaining combat capability after a bioterror attack hinges on rapidly translating complex biological systems data into "operationally significant information," according to the Air Force surgeon general."It can take from days to

  • UAVs may play increasing operational role

    The Air Force's deputy chief of staff for air and space operations is cautiously optimistic about the growing role of unmanned aerial vehicles and remotely piloted vehicles in future conflicts."We're in a position where technology and miniaturization can now begin to give us things we haven't been

  • Robins C-130 team reaching accelerated goals

    Air Force Special Operations Command warfighters are getting back to work quicker thanks to aircraft maintainers shaving 30 days off programmed depot maintenance on four AFSOC aircraft.Workers here recently released one Combat Talon II aircraft to the AFSOC customers 34 days ahead of schedule. It

  • Air Force helps Army with airdrops

    Two aircrews from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and two from the 774th EAS conducted a heavy equipment combat airdrop in south central Afghanistan Feb. 17, and a container delivery system airdrop Feb. 23.The crews, both assigned to the 320th Air Expeditionary Wing at a forward-deployed

  • Allied forces at their best

    Three countries "battling it out" during Cope Tiger '03 are doing more than just honing their combat skills -- they are improving the lives of Thai school children.Servicemembers from the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, the royal Thai air force and the Republic of Singapore air force are taking part

  • 'Blizzard' of cargo crashes on Charleston

    The workload of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here increased an estimated 250 percent after two APS buildings at Dover Air Force Base, Del., collapsed under snow from a blizzard.Air Mobility Command officials sent a portion of Dover's cargo here, increasing the average of five to seven trucks

  • Exercise under way in Thailand

    More than 400 U.S. airmen and Marines and 600 servicemembers from Thailand and Singapore are flying air-to-air and air-to-ground missions as part of the annual multi-lateral exercise Cope Tiger 2003.The two-week exercise flown from here gives servicemembers from eight different U.S. bases and the

  • Art signals jammer's role in OEF

    A Southwest Asia afternoon sun provided warm light as Staff Sgt. John Alsvig painted a cartoon likeness of one of his unit's EC-130H Compass Call aircraft.The art was featured in the middle of a concrete wall used to deflect propeller wash from tactical and special operations aircraft flying in and

  • ACC releases F-16 accident report

    Air Force investigators have determined engine failure caused an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft to crash Sept. 11 during a basic surface attack training sortie.The F-16C was destroyed upon impact 1,300 feet short of the runway at the Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport in Hattiesburg, Miss. The pilot

  • Command releases RQ-1 accident report

    Air Force investigators have determined that human error caused an RQ-1 Predator aircraft to crash Sept. 17 at a classified forward-operating location in Southwest Asia.The Predator, which is an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, was destroyed upon impact. The loss is estimated at $3.2 million. No

  • Air Force receives newest Global Hawk

    The seventh Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle touched down here Feb. 14 after its flight from Air Force Plant 42 in nearby Palmdale, Calif., where it was built by lead government contractor Northrop Grumman.This latest Global Hawk is the program's final advanced concept technology platform and is

  • Deployment offers tax options; not filing not one of them

    Mobilized Air Force reservists deploying overseas are not automatically excused from filing their federal income tax return, according to Air Force Reserve Command staff judge advocate officials here.Deploying reservists have four options when it comes to filing taxes. They can file before they

  • AF testers recognized for achievements

    Three Air Force people will receive the National Defense Industrial Association's Air Force Tester of the Year award in a ceremony Feb. 26 in Victoria, British Columbia.The award recognizes government civilian, military and contract testers who made significant contributions in the field of testing

  • Total force strikes the Pacific

    True Air Force airpower was demonstrated at sunset recently over the Hawaiian Islands when two KC-135 Stratotankers from the Hawaii Air National Guard here refueled two Air Combat Command B-1B Lancers.The tankers from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron met and refueled the bombers over the Pacific

  • AF, Navy weather shops join forces

    The 40th Expeditionary Operational Support Squadron combat weather team completed its merger with the Naval Central Meteorology and Oceanography Detachment recently.At the beginning of the Air and Space Expeditionary Force 7/8 rotation, officers in charge of the Air Force and Navy weather shops

  • C-17 test team conducts airdrop tests

    An Air Force test team set out from here Feb. 2 on a C-17 Globemaster III to conduct egress and airdrop tests with help from soldiers at Fort Bragg, N.C.Each of the tests supports a combat mission needs statement from Air Mobility Command. The egress testing will evaluate the emergency procedures

  • Ladies' night over Afghanistan

    In one of her songs, country singer Shania Twain croons about all the things women do these days -- they are judges, politicians, doctors and soldiers, to name a few.Not mentioned in the song, but occurring more frequently as the global war on terrorism continues, is something else: female fliers

  • Two Robins units receive deployment orders

    The 5th Combat Communications Group and 116th Air Control Wing here received orders to deploy to the U.S. Central Command theater of operations.The orders are a part of a larger action by the United States to reposition some of its military forces to support the global war on terrorism and to

  • February issue of Airman available

    Take a look at Air Force risk takers through the years, learn the inside scoop on preparing for a deployment, and read about how combat controllers are prepared for war through advanced skills training. These features and more highlight the February issue of Airman magazine, now available in print

  • Airmen test medical decontamination shelter

    A 19-person team comprised of several Air Force specialties from the 51st Medical Group here are doing their part to improve chemical and biological defense capability within the Air Force and Department of Defense.The team operated a small shelter patient decontamination system, also known as a

  • Runway's end home for 'Warthog' launchers

    The end of the runway is one of the worst places to work at windswept Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, which is located at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountains.It is cold and wind gusts kick up clouds of choking dust, said Staff Sgt. Chris Bolt. But the weapons loader spends 12 hours a day, seven days

  • Convicted airman considers himself lucky

    With tears in his eyes, he spoke of his two sons -- how he is missing them grow up, and how they are growing up so fast. His voice quivered as he mentioned his youngest son's visit, and how his boy did not even recognize him. He will miss his youngest son's first birthday this month.Airman Basic

  • Postal service unveiling stamp at museum

    U.S. Postal Service officials announced Jan. 24 that the U.S. Air Force Museum here will be the venue for a ceremonial first-day issue of the 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight Commemorative Stamp.Dayton Postmaster David Ashworth revealed the museum as the location for a May 22 unveiling ceremony

  • 'Bob' marks mission milestone

    A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 778th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron marked a milestone Jan. 26 when it reached 30,000 flying hours while performing a combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.The aircraft, from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., and now serving at a forward-deployed

  • A patient with patience

    An Afghan boy from the Aroki Province of Kapisa in Afghanistan waits to be seen by U.S. military medics Jan. 21. Airmen from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, along with soldiers from the 48th Combat Support Hospital and the 924th Korean Medical hospital, visited the province to offer health care

  • Force modules give commanders 'playbook'

    The Air Force is developing a "playbook" that will allow combatant commanders to better manage their air assets, particularly in the area of opening and establishing forward bases.According to Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Peppe, special assistant for air and space expeditionary forces at the Pentagon, the

  • Artists document Air Force history with art

    First-time visitors to the Pentagon might expect to see star-studded generals and high-tech "war rooms." What they might not expect is that the walls of this 60-year-old building not only frame its famous catacomb hallways, but also double as an art gallery.The Air Force Art Program is responsible

  • Fighter squadron deactivating after deployment

    "Mission complete" are familiar words of relief to military people who have completed their duty and relinquished their post.However, these words carry more meaning for 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron airmen as they complete their Operation Northern Watch mission here and prepare to deactivate

  • Center training civilian journalists

    Air Mobility Warfare Center instructors here began training 60 journalists Jan. 20 during Joint Service Media Orientation and Training.The course, also known as "media boot camp," is a Department of Defense initiative that puts journalists through a weeklong, hands-on block of classes and field

  • Tweaking tankers

    Tech. Sgt. Michael Mickens works on a KC-135 Stratotanker after an air refueling mission over Afghanistan on Jan 20. Mickens is assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ganci Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The base is home to forces from

  • Air commandos perform mission of mercy

    Quick actions of three airmen helped save a Japanese woman's life following an auto accident outside the base gate here Jan. 15.While returning to Kadena from another military installation about 4 p.m., three members of the 353rd Special Operations Group were stopped at a traffic light about a mile

  • Deployed troops offered educational opportunities

    The 320th Air Expeditionary Wing at a forward-deployed location is scheduled to have a fully operational education center by Feb. 15."Ultimately we hope to offer educational services the same as stateside bases," said Tech. Sgt. John Becker, base education officer.The base has been approved to

  • AF cancels B-1 defensive upgrade

    Air Force officials recently announced that the service was canceling the B-1B Lancer's Defensive System Upgrade Program because of cost overruns and schedule slips, but remains committed to improving the aircraft's combat capability.The DSUP was intended to replace the B-1's current defensive suite

  • New short-term enlistments coming

    A new military short-term enlistment program will begin Oct. 1 aimed at expanding the opportunities for all Americans to serve the country.Congress authorized the National Call to Service enlistment option as part of the fiscal 2003 National Defense Authorization Act.The program allows the military

  • Air Force moves to institutionalize enterprise architecture

    Leaders of the Air Force's information technology, warfighting integration and operations communities took a major step recently to further the service's transformation efforts by creating the Air Force enterprise architecture council structure.Enterprise architecture is a formal process designed to

  • Leaders announce new core competencies

    The Air Force's senior leaders debuted the service's new approach to describing its core competencies this week.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper made this announcement in two separate messages to all airmen. Roche released his first "The

  • ACC begins F/A-22 operations

    Air Combat Command entered a new era Jan. 14 as America's newest fighter-attack aircraft touched down here.Raptor 00-012, the first F/A-22 to be delivered directly to the command, was flown from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to Nellis by Lt. Col. David Rose, chief of Nellis' F/A-22 integration

  • Officials announce civil engineer awards

    Air Force officials and three civil engineer civilian organizations announced the Air Force's annual civil engineer awards Jan. 8.The Air Force civil engineer community partners with the Society of American Military Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Northeast Chapter

  • Dyess aircrews poised for bomb runs over Iraq

    While the United States prepares for a possible war with Iraq, aircrews at this B-1B Lancer base have not changed their training routine.The airmen are not yet part of the huge U.S. military buildup that has taken thousands of troops to bases in the Middle East, but they know they will play a key

  • Program keeps pilots awake, alert

    Fatigue kills.In the high-speed, high-stress environment of the combat aviator, it is a fact of life, and Air Force officials are doing what they can to ensure aircrew members are armed with the ability to fight an internal enemy that is potentially as deadly as a surface-to-air missile.Those

  • Officials say draft not necessary

    The all-volunteer force took nearly a generation to come to fruition, but has since proved its worth in combat.Thirty years after then-Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird established the all- volunteer force, some politicians are again calling for resumption of a military draft. Defense leaders are

  • Officials cancel Red Flag exercise

    Air Combat Command officials have cancelled the Red Flag exercise scheduled later this month at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., because of real-world taskings.Red Flag, a realistic combat-training exercise involving U.S. and allied forces, is conducted on the bombing and gunnery ranges at Nellis and is

  • Pope combat controller awarded Air Force Cross

    Senior Air Force leaders awarded the Air Force Cross to Tech. Sgt. John Chapman here Jan. 10.Chapman, a combat controller killed in Afghanistan while saving the lives of his entire team, was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which is second only to the Medal of Honor as an award for

  • Air Force survival instructor shows Marines the ropes

    Huddled with a group of shivering students on a recent cold morning, an Air Force survival instructor from the 374th Operations Support Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, demonstrates the proper way to rappel from a 70-foot tower. The group watches carefully as he attaches a rope to his harness

  • Team erects B-2 shelters at deployed location

    Twenty members of the 49th Materiel Maintenance Squadron here spent more than 70 days at a deployed location working 12-hour shifts to erect portable shelters for B-2 Spirit bombers.The Air Force now has two transportable hangar systems that will allow the B-2 to deploy overseas. Moving the B-2s to

  • The paint is flying

    A member of the Turkish air force security forces squadron here surrenders after being hit with a paintball. U.S. and Turkish security forces team up once a quarter for paintball training to practice combat tactics, fire-control measures and cover and concealment procedures. (Photo by Staff Sgt.

  • Wings of Blue strike gold

    The U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachute competition team won gold medals in each skydiving event and received 31 out of 44 total medals at the National Collegiate Parachute Championship in Eloy, Ariz., recently.The team competed in three events: style, accuracy and four-way. The style

  • Servicemembers heading toward gulf

    Thousands of American servicemembers are deploying to the U.S. Central Command area of operations.The largest deployment is that of the Army's 16,500-man 3rd Infantry Division to Kuwait.The division's 2nd Brigade is already in Kuwait. The 3rd Brigade, based at Fort Benning, Ga., flies out this week

  • Air Force prepares for major deployment

    Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the deployment of additional forces to support operations Enduring Freedom, Desert Spring and possible future contingencies Dec. 24.The additional active-duty forces in Air and Space Expeditionary Forces 7 and 8 as well as selected forces from AEFs 9

  • Officials release F-16 accident report

    Air Force investigators determined there was not sufficient evidence to form an opinion as to the cause of the F-16C Fighting Falcon crash Sept. 9 during a night-training mission near Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.The aircraft was destroyed upon impact in a remote section of a cattle ranch about 60

  • Board releases HH-60 incident report

    A less-than-optimum takeoff technique combined with an attempt to out climb a dust cloud with insufficient power caused the Aug. 12 crash of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, according to Air Force officials who investigated the incident.At the time of the crash, the helicopter was returning to its

  • Lending a helping hand

    Staff Sgt. Brian Seeley of the 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron here sorts through gifts for families in the area. Squadron airmen helped transport food from area collection points and boxed items for the Salvation Army's holiday program. (Photo by Sue Sapp)

  • AF realigns 13k military, civilian positions

    The Air Force will realign more than 13,000 active-duty and civilian manpower authorizations now through the end of the decade to better support the service's highest-priority mission requirements, personnel officials said Dec. 19."This restructuring of manpower positions isn't an attempt to reduce

  • Officials release F-15 mishap report

    According to an accident investigation board report released by Air Combat Command Dec. 19, there were two main factors that caused an F-15 Eagle mishap at Eglin AFB, Fla., Sept. 3. The pilot incorrectly executed his landing sequence, and he landed 60 feet short of the runway striking a trench

  • Nutrition helps achieve fitness goals

    To achieve overall fitness, health and wellness, people need to consider their nutritional requirements as well as their physical needs."Good nutrition goes hand in hand with exercise to help a person live a healthier lifestyle," said Tech. Sgt. Ronald Cochran, the noncommissioned officer in charge

  • Watch for signs of holiday blues

    Television portrays the holidays as a time filled with love and sharing. But the holidays aren't picture-perfect for everyone.People all over the world seem to go through holiday depression, now known as the holiday blues, said Capt. Pamela Novy, commander of the 5th Medical Group's behavioral

  • Special forces join combined planning operation

    Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, joined with members of South Korea's Special Warfare Command here recently to plan the critical first few days of a potential conflict on the Korean Peninsula.For two weeks, planners, flight crews and intelligence experts

  • Firefighters to do battle on ESPN 2

    Firefighting may not be a sport, but it certainly requires athleticism. Add the element of competition and it becomes "the fastest two minutes in sports," also known as the Firefighter Combat Challenge World Championships.Nine Air Force teams participated in the challenge, which was taped by ESPN

  • Centennial of Flight kicks off year of festivities

    A yearlong recognition of aviation began here Dec. 17 with the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission's national kickoff.Among those in attendance were a retired member of the Tuskegee Airmen and a former Air Force pilot who flew with the Flying Tigers during World War II.Wilbur and Orville Wright

  • Officials release F-15E mishap report

    Engine valve failure and the use of an incorrect instrument during a maintenance inspection were the primary causes of an F-15E Strike Eagle mishap at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., July 3, according to a report released by Air Combat Command Dec. 17.The F-15E was on a weapons test mission carrying two

  • Air Force to put CSAR units at Davis-Monthan

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 16 that the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., would become home to three combat search and rescue squadrons.The announcement follows an environmental assessment that resulted in a finding of no significant impact. The move will allow the Air Force

  • Kadena F-15 accident information released

    Air Force investigators have determined a pilot's loss of situational awareness, spatial disorientation and faulty flight control inputs led to the Aug. 21 crash of an F-15C Eagle into the ocean south of Kadena Air Base, Japan.The pilot, 1st Lt. Chris Northam, ejected safely from the aircraft with

  • Forces rotate for Operation Northern Watch

    More than 1,000 airmen are replacing Operation Northern Watch veterans as the Air and Space Expeditionary Force system performs its regular three-month rotation from late November through the first part of December.Based at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, the new airmen join Turkish and British coalition

  • Combat weather teams key in mission planning

    When reporters describe the successes of the air war on terrorism, they frequently speak of special operations forces using global positioning system receivers and radios to direct laser-guided bombs to their targets.These stories are accurate and make for good video, but they only touch the surface

  • Keeping C-130 Hercules strong, mission ready

    The 320th Air Expeditionary Wing's motto is "Combat Airlift After Dark." Pilots and crews complete this mission with a fleet of aging C-130 Hercules, night out and night in.But, just like a winning driver in auto racing, pilots cannot get to the finish line without the maintainers providing the

  • Officials release U-2 mishap report

    A report released by Air Combat Command officials Dec. 12 cited installation of an incorrect part as the primary cause of an Aug. 15 mishap that damaged a U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.The 9th Reconnaissance Wing aircraft was performing touch-and-go landings when the pilot

  • 'Spirit of Strom Thurmond' honors senator's 100 years

    The Air Force commemorated the 100th birthday of one of the longest-serving U.S. senators by naming its newest aircraft in his honor Dec. 12.The 100th C-17 Globemaster III to roll off the assembly line was christened the "Spirit of Strom Thurmond" in a ceremony here seven days after the senator's

  • December issue of Airman available

    The Centennial of Flight celebration begins, learning to defend the KC-135 Stratotanker in a war zone, and the future of treating trauma victims on the battlefield highlight the December issue of Airman magazine, now available in print and online.In this month's issue:Nearly a hundred years ago, the

  • Group rescues man at sea

    A medical emergency at sea turned into a dramatic humanitarian mission for the 920th Rescue Group here Dec. 8. The emergency also provided the unit its first chance to use a new satellite-based tracking and communications system during a rescue.Crews from Air Force Reserve Command's 920th RQG was

  • Team heats things up while deployed

    They work around the clock, seven days a week, in subzero temperatures, with hundreds of people's lives in their hands. Members of the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning team at Ganci Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, will call this life for at least the next

  • Officials release Global Hawk accident report

    Air Force investigators have determined mechanical failure caused an Air Force RQ-4A Global Hawk aircraft to crash July 10 during a surveillance mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.The Global Hawk, an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, was destroyed upon impact in an unpopulated area in the

  • Next generation Web portal testing begins

    The next generation of the Air Force Portal will debut at Langley Air Force Base, Va., on Dec 6.Air Force people assigned to Air Combat Command headquarters and several other units at Langley will participate in the first command- and base-level test of the redesigned portal.Air Force Materiel

  • Students take giant steps using new technology

    Airman David Golas is a lot more confident working with the KC-10 Extender aircraft because he has observed, close up, the systems that make the aircraft work.With the education he received here at the 373rd Training Squadron's Detachment 1, he can trace electronic circuits, track fuel flow and

  • ACC conducts flight leadership focus day

    To focus on the importance of flight leadership, Air Combat Command aircraft will not be flying Dec. 6.With increases in operations tempo and aircraft mishaps, Gen. Hal M. Hornburg, ACC commander, directed a flight leadership focus day.Commanders across ACC will conduct mandatory training focusing

  • Airman shares Afghanistan experience

    Staff Sgt. Matt never expected to live in a mud hut in the middle of Afghanistan, but that is exactly what he did for nearly 140 daysMatt is a terminal attack controller with the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. When he deployed to Afghanistan in support of

  • Icemen elves answering Santa's mail

    Children around the world can get a signed letter from Santa Claus, thanks to elves from the 354th Operations Support Squadron's combat weather flight here.For nearly 50 years, people at Eielson AFB have helped Santa answer the mail. Each year, the flight answers thousands of letters, sending

  • WW II veteran receives Distinguished Flying Cross

    On Jan. 11, 1944, a young first lieutenant helped land a battle-damaged B-17 Flying Fortress on a small rural airfield near Cambridge, England.Almost 60 years later, Francis Hoad, 80, was recognized for his heroic efforts during a ceremony here Nov. 22 when U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and U.S.

  • Rescue coordination center answers calls for help

    A private aircraft crashes and the pilot is injured. Unable to call for help, the pilot is still found and rescued. The rescue may be largely credited to members of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center here.The AFRCC belongs to Air Combat Command's Air Operations Squadron."(The mission) is to

  • The flame game

    Air Force firefighters from the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron here extinguish flames that engulfed an aircraft after it "crashed" here during a combat readiness employment inspection. The firefighters practiced at their live-fire aircraft training facility on base. (Photo by Master Sgt. Val

  • Reserve commander praises troops, mission

    Awareness of, and appreciation for, the sacrifices of airmen and their civilian employers are the keys to success for the Air Force Reserve, its senior leader said."The point is to understand what they're doing for their country and the sacrifices they have to make in their personal lives and with

  • 17 receive high honors for heroism

    Seventeen members of the 66th and 58th Rescue Squadrons here were honored recently for their heroic actions and bravery in aerial flight while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.The Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the military's highest combat decorations, was awarded to: Maj. John Galik;

  • Air Force captures soccer gold medal

    The Air Force soccer team won close games over the Army team and the Marines to secure first place in the recent Armed Forces Services Soccer Championship."It (was) a long tournament," said Air Force head coach Orville Reid. "We had to play tough all six games to win."The Nov. 8 match-up against

  • Attack!

    Staff Sgt. Chris Lumb (left) and Senior Airman Cao Nguyen observe flightline activities during a combat employment readiness inspection here. The flightline came under "enemy attack" during the exercise, causing simulated injuries to some participants. Lumb is assigned to the base's 374th

  • Brothers take to the air in rare dogfight opportunity

    Two brothers, whose looks practically mirror each other as much as their Air Force careers do, got an opportunity to match their respective air-to-air combat skills in a competitive dogfight here Nov. 5.Capt. Gary Beene, a 58th Fighter Squadron pilot here, and his brother, Maj. Lane Beene, a pilot

  • Total force, total commitment, total special operators

    A small group of Air Force special operators huddle together in a makeshift tent, miles away from anywhere on a map, planning the intense details of a mission.All the "usual" mission planners are there -- aircrew, intel, weather, special tactics and communications. The team works through the

  • Aerostat accident report released

    High winds, turbulence, and sharp object damage led to the March 30 breakaway of an Air Force surveillance aerostat from its tether near Rio Grande City, Texas, said a report released Nov. 6 by Air Combat Command.The aerostat drifted more than 300 miles before coming to a rest on private land near

  • C-5 fleet safer with anti-collision upgrade

    Maintenance people installed a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System, or TCAS, on final operational C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft Oct. 31, according to program officials here.The system, part of an overall upgrade program designed to keep the transport giant flying until 2040, will reduce the

  • Training to live

    Chief Master Sgt. Danny Corprew, wearing a chemical warfare ensemble, prepares a bed for simulated casualties during an exercise here. The training ensures hospital workers can sustain, survive and perform their mission in a conventional, nuclear, biological and chemical combat environment.

  • Air Force teams competing in firefighting championship

    About 56 Air Force firefighters from nine bases are here Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 for anything but a vacation. The firefighters are participating in the 11th annual Firefighter Combat Challenge world championship, billed as "the toughest two minutes in sports.""By the time they get to the finish line most

  • Weather flight keeps 'em flying

    There may be rain today and heat tomorrow, or snow today and dusty winds tomorrow. These are some of the conditions the nine-member Air Force weather flight must contend with at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.Everyone needs to know what the weather is going to do, from the A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots

  • Officials release Predator accident report

    Air Force investigators have determined that human error caused an Air Force RQ-1 Predator aircraft crash May 17 near a forward-operating location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.According to an Air Combat Command accident investigation report released Oct. 30, the incorrect assembly of the

  • 'King' visits Seymour Johnson sergeant

    Richard "The King" Petty paid a visit here Oct. 23 to meet and have lunch with the winner of the "Win the King" contest.Tech. Sgt. Stephen Peterson, noncommissioned officer in charge of the base chapel, won a visit from Petty to his house, lunch with the driver, race tickets and gifts from Petty

  • Predator crashes in Nevada

    An RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the side of a mountain in the Nevada Test and Training Range near Indian Springs, Nev., at approximately 8:30 a.m. Oct 25.The Predator, from the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, was flying a training mission when the incident occurred. There were

  • Alaskan wing deploys to Singapore

    A 3rd Wing contingent here deployed to the Republic of Singapore Oct. 23 to take on that nation's air force in an annual air-to-air combat exercise.About 100 people, mostly from the 12th Fighter Squadron, and six F-15 Eagles are participating in exercise Commando Sling 2003.The exercise allows

  • Defender Challenge competition under way

    Ten security forces teams from U.S. Air Force major commands worldwide, the Department of Energy and the Royal Air Force Regiment gathered here to participate in the 20th annual Defender Challenge competition Oct. 21 to 24."This is a competition of our all-stars," said Brig. Gen. James Shamess,

  • Combat ready

    Capt. Helen Howell, a C-130 Hercules pilot from the 36th Airlift Squadron here, prepares to taxi during a combat readiness exercise. The exercise is designed to test the combat capabilities of the base. (Photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)