NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Special Operations Command celebrates 20 years

    Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen joined personnel from U.S. Special Operations Command to celebrate USSOCOM's 20th anniversary held April 23-27 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. USSOCOM, made up of about 48,000 Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps special operators, specializes in

  • Mountain Home awarded $1 million for Air Force excellence

    Air Force leaders honored Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, with the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence at a ceremony May 3 in the Pentagon. The annual award recognizes the Air Force base that stands out among all others in a variety of categories. Mountain Home AFB,

  • May 3 airpower summary: F-16s support ground forces

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations May 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb

  • Air Force aerial firefighters train in New Mexico

    C-130 Hercules aircraft dotted the sky over central New Mexico April 30 through May 2 as 300 Airmen prepared to help fight wild land fires that may break out this year. Cibola National Forest officials and Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing based at Peterson Air Force Base,

  • Tops in Blue boosts servicemembers' morale through song

    "Tops in Blue," known as the Air Forces' Expeditionary Entertainers, performed here May 2 to a standing-room only crowd. The show, themed "The Fly By," featured hit songs by Tom Jones, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker and the Charlie Daniels Band. The show was presented as a tribute to

  • Reservists take medical care to Guatemalans

    Journeying as much as 10,000 feet above sea level, a group of 31 Air Force Reserve Command medics treated more than 8,000 patients as part of New Horizons 07 April 14 to 28 in the mountainous region of San Marcos, Guatemala. New Horizons is a joint chiefs of staff-approved, U.S. Southern

  • Active, Reserve Airmen join forces to fight fires

    A total force team of firefighters from Yokota Air Base and the 440th Airlift Wing, Wisconsin's only Air Force Reserve unit, combined skills to extinguish flames during a live-fire exercise here the last week of April. The joint training offered an experience Yokota AB firefighters and the

  • Champion for U.S.-Japan relations dies at age 66

    A longtime friend and supporter of American servicemembers, their families and the Air Force mission in Northern Japan passed away May 1 from pneumonia at the age of 66. Mayor Shigeyoshi Suzuki served as mayor of Misawa City, representing a city of 40,000, for more than two decades and was in his

  • Communications Airmen make the connection

    A small contingent of four communications Airmen traveled to Al Asad Air Base to provide communication connectivity while base facilities were being built around them. "The day we got here, there were no radios, only a couple computers and no telephones installed anywhere," said Staff Sgt. Sean

  • Airman chosen as Child Advocate of Year

    An Air Force master sergeant was honored as the Child Advocate of the Year at a reception held by the Child Advocates of San Antonio organization April 25. Master Sgt. Tabitha Hendrix, the NCO in charge of the Periodontics Flight at MacKown Dental Clinic on Lackland Air Force Base, received the

  • May 1 airpower summary: Airmen support air operations

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations May 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb

  • PACAF to test humanitarian relief response package

    Air Force officials recently developed an innovative, stand-alone humanitarian medical package to support contingency disaster-response efforts. Now, more than ever before, Airmen have the tools and techniques to put the right stuff in the right place at the right time with the Humanitarian Relief

  • Mobility officials host AFSO 21 conference

    More than 40 experts from across the Air Force gathered at Air Mobility Command's Logistics Directorate here April 23-26 for a "fruit ripe for picking" conference aimed at cutting red tape from base support agreements. "We took out a lot of the waste, steps that were unnecessary and duplicated

  • Lieutenant catches Griffey's 564th home-run ball

    A Shaw Air Force Base Airman caught Ken Griffey Jr.'s 564th home-run ball during a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds April 24 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Second Lt. Christopher Franks of the 20th Operations Support Squadron, and his friend, 2nd Lt. Mike McCants

  • Business leaders learn about expeditionary missions

    Participants of the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference April 28 met some of the men and women of U.S. Central Command Air Forces who are deployed to this region. Brig. Gen. Charles Shugg told the group of 45 business and civic leaders, who were on a whirlwind tour of the

  • Aerial porters save lives by moving air cargo in Iraq

    Moving supplies, equipment and people from place to place in a convoy anywhere in Iraq is very risky business. Many hidden dangers such as improvised explosive devices, anti-Iraqi forces, and other such dangers can be on any road. Many lives that might have been lost in convoy attacks have been

  • Airmen continue humanitarian efforts in Djibouti

    Nearly 200 hundred Airmen deployed to Africa provide airlift support for humanitarian aid to the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa mission. Providing peace and stability to the region is the main objective for the CJTF-HOA mission and the services try to accomplish this by winning the hearts

  • Air Force air evac crews adapt, train onboard mix of planes

    Taking care of patients on an aircraft is not an easy task. What if there are patient emergencies or problems with the aircraft itself? What if it's a plane the aeromedical crew is not familiar with? These questions, and more, were answered during an Air Force Reserve Aeromedical Evacuation Jamboree

  • Weather squadron covers 42 countries

    With 110 million square miles in its operational region, the 152 Airmen in the 17th Operational Weather Squadron here are responsible for the largest area of responsibility of all the operational weather squadrons in the Air Force. And with 42 countries in the area of responsibility, squadron

  • April 29 airpower summary: Maintainers keep planes flying

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb

  • Child becomes pilot for a day at Charleston

    A 3-year-old boy became the youngest honorary pilot for the 17th Airlift Squadron as unit Airmen held a Pilot for a Day program April 20 at Charleston Air Force Base. Zachary Moore was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 18 months and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the Medical

  • C-17 unit brings 'bombs, beans, bullets' to the fight

     "Bringing the bombs, beans and bullets to the warfighter" is how Capt. Aaron Oelrich described the mission of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron while on his way to fly an airlift mission into Iraq. And "bring it" they do, to the tune of about one million pounds of cargo daily. The 816th EAS,

  • April 28 airpower summary: A-10s support coalition forces

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb

  • April 27 airpower summary: C-130s support Iraqi operations

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped guided bomb

  • Air Force names 2006 Mission Support Award winners

    The winners of the 2006 Mission Support Awards were announced April 27. The results are: Personnel Gen. Robert J. Dixon Personnel Award: Maj. Kevin D. Heckle, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Gen. Horace M. Wade Innovation Award: GS-12 Steven A. McCarver, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala. Gerrit D.

  • POL Airmen surpass one billion gallons

    Senior Airman David Beatty stood patiently on the artificially lighted parking ramp, waiting for more than 22,000 gallons of jet fuel to transfer from the hydrant outlet, through the steel pantograph piping and into the nearby KC-135 Stratotanker. Unbeknownst to the Airman from the 379th

  • Pacific Air Forces commander announces retirement

    Gen. Paul V. Hester, commander, Pacific Air Forces, announced his retirement April 27. His announcement coincides with the Department of Defense naming Lt. Gen. Carrol "Howie" Chandler as the next Pacific Air Forces commander. Gen. Chandler was also nominated for his fourth star. Gen. Hester assumed

  • New Horizons closes out with ceremony

    New Horizons - Nicaragua 2007, a $7.5 million humanitarian and training exercise, officially ended April 27 with a closing ceremony, but the strengthened friendship between the United States and Nicaragua has not. "We will cherish the friendships we've made here in Nicaragua," Lt. Col. Aaron Young,

  • New JKO Portal to offer joint online training

    A new system unveiled April 27 is designed to better prepare servicemembers to operate with other services, government agencies, foreign militaries and non-governmental organizations while reducing the time they spend away from home or their units for military classes. David S.C. Chu, undersecretary

  • A-10 provides top cover for troops in Iraq

    The catalysts behind one of the most kinetically advanced air forces in the world can be found at the 438th Air Expeditionary Group's maintenance and fighter squadrons. The Airmen assigned to these units employ their kinetic energy by flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II, an aircraft that provides

  • Week in Photos features Airmen around the globe

    The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. Among this week's photos are: Senior Airman Gil Alicea is silhouetted while doing a phase dock inspection on an F-16 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Airman Alicea is a crew

  • April 26 airpower summary: Transports keep cargo flowing

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B1-B Lancer dropped a guided bomb

  • Modern missions rely on languages, cultural awareness

    The Defense Department needs more servicemembers who understand other languages and cultures to meet current and envisioned 21st-century challenges, a senior official said at a Capitol Hill hearing. "Foreign language and regional expertise, which includes cultural awareness, are emerging as key

  • Artist honors Air Force medical field with 20-foot mural

    A mural, which pays tribute to the Air Force's medical readiness mission, from entering the military here at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to an actual deployment, was unveiled in a ceremony held here at the 59th Medical Wing. "The mural is dedicated to every deploying Air Force medical member,

  • Air Force Marathon a premier running event

    If you think you have one good reason for not running the U.S. Air Force Marathon Sept. 15, here are five excellent reasons why you should. For starters, it's the only marathon in the world where runners receive inspiration and encouragement from the skies above, as Air Force aircraft fly overhead

  • April 25 airpower summary: A-10s give commanders lethal options

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, F-15E Strike Eagles released multiple guided bomb

  • WWII bomber crew members awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

    It was a warm summer morning when the crew of the Flak Man, a B-24 Liberator, joined other bombers and their escort fighters on a daring mission. They flew from Pantanella, Italy, and played a key role in the bombing of oil refineries 700 miles away near Ploesti, Romania. The location was of

  • Air Force's evasion experts teach pilots survival techniques

    Slathered in mud and dressed in Australian military camouflage, you might not recognize Senior Airman Jason Davis as the Pacific Air Forces Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Specialist Airman for 2006. But that is his uniform of the day for the outdoor survival portion of the SERE training

  • Joint terminal air controllers return to Germany

    Joint terminal air controllers who were deployed throughout Iraq supporting the war on terrorism returned home to their friends and family here April 21. The JTACs were deployed with different Army units throughout Iraq and provided Army Soldiers with open communications to Air Force pilots while on

  • April 23 airpower summary: Royal Air Force providing airlift support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of

  • Bulgarians learn deployment how-tos during Ramstein visit

    Strengthening U.S. Air Force ties with other air forces improves capabilities for the allies involved. This was illustrated when three Bulgarian air force officers, Col. Marin Natchev, Col. Evgeni Belkinov, and Lt. Col. Dimitar Ivanov, visited here to learn more about the deployment process. The

  • Air Force civilians win presidential rank awards

    Several Air Force civilians were presented the 2006 Presidential Rank Awards here in a ceremony held April 20 in the Women's Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. The President of the United States annually awards distinguished and meritorious ranks to career members of the senior executive

  • Air and Space Operations Centers standardized

    A four-year effort for the Global Cyberspace Integration Center here culminated April 13 when Air Forces Southern Command officials signed documents officially accepting the newly installed Air and Space Operations Center Block 10.1 Weapon System at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The AFSOUTH

  • Air Force announces 2006 Weather Awards

    Air Force officials have released the 2006 Air Force Weather Awards. Military recipients of individual or team awards are entitled to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon, and civilian recipients of individual and team awards are entitled to wear the Air Force Recognition Lapel Pin.The Air Force

  • Airmen provide 1st class postal service to thousands

    Servicemembers here enjoy some of the fastest, most reliable mail service in the history of armed conflict. And when it is time to return home, they can also lighten their load by mailing their gear instead of lugging it through the airlines. 'Combat Postal' Airmen with the 332nd Air Expeditionary

  • CENTAF leaders visit Airmen at nontraditional places

    The commander and command chief for U.S. Central Command Air Forces made a round-robin tour of locations April 20 in Southwest Asia where Airmen are performing duties never done before in places where you normally don't find Air Force members. Lt. Gen. Gary L. North and Command Chief Master Sgt.

  • 370th Group and squadron stand up

    The unit activation and assumption of command of the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group and Squadron took place at New Al Muthana Air Base April 22. "This event symbolizes the commitment of the U.S. Air Force in rebuilding the Iraqi Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Robert Allardice, Coalition Air

  • Track and Field: Several cadets win at invitational

    Senior thrower Olivia Korte had a stellar day of competition at the Oregon Invitational on Saturday, April 21. As one of seven Air Force track and field athletes competing at the prestigious meet in Eugene, Ore., Korte won the discus throw while also picking up a fourth-place throw in the shot

  • Air operations vital to CJTF-HOA mission

    In the United States, airlines coordinate flights with the Federal Aviation Administration. In the Horn of Africa it's a little more complicated as flights cross several nations, all with different aviation rules. What does it take to get flights from point A to point B within the Combined Joint

  • April 20 airpower: Coalition partners achieve success

    Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs released cannon

  • Doolittle Raiders celebrate 65 years since historic mission

    Seven surviving members of the famed "Doolittle Raiders" met in San Antonio in mid April to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the unit's historic bombing mission over Japan April 18, 1942. The raid, which consisted of 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers taking off from the deck of an Navy aircraft carrier, was

  • Air Force Assistance Fund changes lives

    When hard times come, Airmen should not hesitate to ask for help. One Lajes Field Airmen was in need so he turned to the Air Force Aid Society. Senior Airmen Matthew Reindl works in the 65th Air Base Wing Finance Office by day, and is a husband and father of three by night. "Since we've been here at

  • Wing's shield preserves long heritage

    The 17th Training Wing shield symbolizes the long heritage of the unit's lineage. The emblem was originally approved for the 17th Pursuit Group on Jan. 19, 1934. In 1993, the Goodfellow Technical Training Wing at San Angelo, Texas, was replaced with the 17th Training Wing to carry the lineage. The

  • Officials make changes to overseas extension incentive list

    Air Force officials added an enlisted specialty code and removed two others from the Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program eligibility list for Airmen serving at long tour locations. Airmen in the communication-computer systems control career field and 46 other Air Force speciality codes with a

  • Red Flag-Alaska ends on positive note

    The year's first Red Flag-Alaska ended April 20 after two weeks of intense, air-combat training over Alaska's mountain ranges. Training in a multi-service, multi-platform, combat operations exercise involving coalition forces was an opportunity that cannot be underemphasized, said Lt. Col. Eddie

  • Battlefield technology key to Atlantic Strike V

    As the convoy travels down the dusty path, the lead Humvee's Joint Terminal Attack Controller zeroes in on a potential target 1,500 meters in front of him. He sends the coordinates to the waiting aircraft above. "Target is verified JTAC, expending munitions." The aircraft releases its munitions

  • April 18 airpower: C-130s provide heavy airlift support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of

  • PACAF leads way in Air Force's anthrax vaccine push

    Pacific Air Forces' implementation of the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program is off to a good start. Since the program was ordered to resume under the direction of the deputy secretary of defense in October, PACAF has immunized more than 94 percent of its Airmen who have been designated for

  • A-10s return to Bagram

    Increased firepower is in the making for U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., arrived April 17 to bring increased versatility to the capabilities of the aircraft stationed here. This is the second

  • Atlantic Strike V begins in Avon Park

    More than 400 joint servicemembers began participating in Atlantic Strike V, a U.S. Central Command Air Forces pre-deployment training event April 14 at the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex in Avon Park, Fla. The semi-annual training through April 20 and prepares joint air and ground forces for

  • German policemen invaluable asset at Ramstein

    The German Civilian Security Police, also known as ZPs, are an invaluable asset in making sure things run smoothly here. With the high deployment rate of their military counterparts, the ZPs have stepped up to make sure there are no gaps in safeguarding security.They are fully integrated into the

  • DOD's top enlisted leader visits Okinawa

    The Department of Defense's top enlisted leader visited Okinawa April 11 to 13 to see firsthand the role the U.S. military plays on Okinawa to include the missions at Kadena Air Base. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Gainey, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met

  • April 17 airpower summary: Maintainers work wonders

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb

  • Unit scrambles to guide troubled aircraft to safe landing

    Airmen of the Air Force Reserve Command's 916th Air Refueling Wing here scrambled to launch an early morning mission April 17 to rendezvous with and help safely land an Air Force aircraft that lost critical instrumentation. The NCK-135 aircrew from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., called an in-flight

  • Eielson pilots get aggressive during Red Flag-Alaska

    Eielson Air Force Base F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots took to the sky as aggressors for the first time in Red Flag-Alaska history during the exercise that runs April 5 through 21. Flying with the 64th Aggressor Squadron from Nellis AFB, Nev., Eielson AFB pilots began the transition of a permanent F-16

  • Air Force awards 10 university research teams $60 million

    The Air Force Office of Scientific Research here announced in April plans to fund 10 awards totaling about $60 million over five years to 29 academic institutions to perform multidisciplinary basic research. The award is the result of the fiscal 2007 competition AFOSR conducted under the Department

  • Airman shows way for Afghan National Army recruiters

    To serve and protect the nation is one of the top three reasons U.S. citizens take the military oath of enlistment, and Staff Sgt. Matt Leas learned firsthand that it is also the top reason Afghans join the 207th Zafar (Victory) Corps. The 364th Recruiting Squadron systems administrator recently

  • Medics treat servicemembers throughout Southwest Asia

    Getting warriors back in the fight is a duty for the medical professionals in the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group in Southwest Asia. The 96 percent of wounded warriors returned to duty shows not only that they are good at what they do, but also that they provide critical support to the theaterwide

  • Barksdale Airmen take care of B-52 business 7,000 miles away

    The ground shakes and the flightline shudders as the eight engines of a B-52 Stratofortress beat gravity into submission lifting the giant bomber into the air. Each of the bomber's engines can produce more than 17,000 pounds of thrust along with a deafening roar, but for the Airmen assigned to the

  • 'That others may live' Air Force hero remembered

    April 11 was an important anniversary for all Airmen as it marked 41 years since Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger, pararescue crewmember, distinguished himself by extreme valor near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam. The slogan 'that others may live' is the foundation of everything Air Force

  • Scientific Advisory Board helps move ideas from concept to reality

    When today's Airmen use one of the many cutting edge technology tools at their disposal, they can thank a small group of scientists and engineers for helping make it a reality. The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board continued their long tradition of helping the Air Force bring new ideas to reality

  • April 15 airpower summary: Maintainers keep aircraft in tip-top shape

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb

  • Jimmy Doolittle: famed airpower pioneer

    The man the "Doolittle Raiders" are named for may not be a household name today, but James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle was once one of the most famous celebrities in America, even before the raid, and remains one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th century. Born in Alameda, Calif., on Dec. 14, 1896,

  • Doolittle Raiders to meet for 65th anniversary reunion

    Seven surviving members of the famed "Doolittle Tokyo Raiders," will descend on San Antonio, this week for a series of events marking the 65th anniversary of one of the most notable airpower missions in military history. Personally ordered by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the raid was a response to

  • Agency certifies new instrument landing system

    A new instrument landing system, or ILS, aiding flight safety at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing was certified by Air Force Flight Standards Agency officials April 10, completing a collaborative project in the works since 2005. The ILS is a precision-approach system serving as the pilot's eyes when

  • April 14 airpower summary: C-130s provide backbone for success

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan yesterday, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets dropped

  • Boxing: Air Force claims pair of national titles

    Two members of the Air Force boxing team were crowned national champions as the Falcons wrapped up competition at the 2007 National Collegiate Boxing Association Championships April 14 in Reno, Nev. Senior Ian Tuznik defended his national title, while sophomore Jesse Horton claimed his first. The

  • AETC announces top Airmen

    Air Education and Training Command officials announced its top Airmen of 2006. The winners were chosen from among 25 nominees identified by leadership at their home stations as the best professionals in their categories. "As the first command, we recruit, educate and train America's Airmen," said

  • April 13 airpower summary: C-130s provide airlift support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles received notice

  • Lacrosse: Falcons fall to 11th-ranked Notre Dame

    With limited scoring opportunities, the Air Force lacrosse team dropped a 16-4 contest to No. 11 Notre Dame Friday at Moose Krause Stadium here. The Falcons drop to 2-6 on the season, 1-1 in the Great Western Lacrosse League, while the Irish improve to 7-3, 2-0 in the league. The Irish led 1-0

  • Guard, Reserve leaders speak before Senate

    Military leaders from the National Guard and Reserve testified before members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense, April 11 on Capitol Hill to give a status on the forces and to bring focus on the services' budget. Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, the director of the Air

  • Airmen, Soldiers jointly hone chemical response skills

    In today's Air Force. Airmen are warfighters focused on helping win the war on terrorism. Part of that focus involves working interdependently with other services in what is definitely a joint fight. As the Air Force continues to increase its footprint in the joint environment more and more Air

  • Airmen show 'can-do' spirit in joint force environment

    In the constantly changing environment of modern warfare, Airmen are constantly being tasked to do things and go places out of the ordinary. Long gone are the days when the Air Force was built around strategic bombing, isolated to the rear of the lines on comfortable bases. Today's Airmen often work

  • U.S. forces mentor Afghan Air Corps to 'stand on own'

    At the Kabul International Airport, a joint U.S. mentorship effort is enabling the Afghan National Air Corps to soar toward new heights. "We're helping them build a good process so they can have a healthy, sustaining air force," said Maj. Rudy Alejandro, a fixed wing unit mentor. The ANAC is

  • Luke team trains for combat at Red Flag-Alaska

    Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., are deployed to participate in Red Flag-Alaska, a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise at Eielson AFB. Thirteen instructor pilots, six operations support staff and more than 60 maintainers made the 2,600-mile trek to take part

  • Ordnance Airman awarded Bronze Star for Iraq duty

    A "six-month adrenaline rush." That's how Master Sgt. Al Schneider described his deployment to Iraq. Assigned to Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Civil Engineer Directorate as the command explosive ordnance disposal superintendent, the Louisville, Ky., native left here last May for combat-skills

  • April 8 airpower: B-1B bombs insurgents

    In Afghanistan April 7, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s on insurgents firing small arms and rocket propelled grenades at coalition forces near Asadabad. A joint terminal attack controller confirmed the weapons hit the target and ended the engagement. Air Force F-15E Strike

  • Chief of Staff speaks on future of space operations

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley delivered a speech to a crowd of more than 400 at the 23rd National Space Symposium here April 11.The general's speech to a group of military, civilian and industry space professionals focused on the important part space plays in the defense of the

  • School honors fallen Airman, former student

    Members of Spangdhalem Air Base gathered April 5 to honor a fallen Operation Iraqi Freedom Airman who graduated from Bitburg High School. Maj. Troy Gilbert, a 1989 BHS graduate, was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed Nov. 27 while on a mission providing combat support to both an Army

  • Air National Guard crew flies its 1st C-5 to Djibouti

    The C-5 Galaxy's red-striped tail cut across the African sky April 10, flying a first for one Air National Guard unit. The West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing, recently gaining the Galaxy, flew the massive airframe to Djibouti to deliver two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters and

  • April 12 airpower: aerial porters keep cargo moving

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released this airpower summary April 12. In Afghanistan April 11, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s on two buildings from which insurgents were firing at coalition vehicles near Sangin. A joint terminal attack controller aligned with

  • Best Air Force journalism announced

    A panel of civilian journalists, teachers and public relations professionals have selected the best in Air Force print and broadcast journalism for the 51st annual Air Force Media Contest. Senior Airman Brian A. Stives, of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, is the Air

  • Award winners save Air Force $26.5 million

    Six individuals who saved the Air Force $26.5 million were recognized April 5 at the Pentagon.  Four individuals won Air Force Productivity Excellence Awards and two won Air Force Exceptional Innovator Awards.Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel,

  • 17th Training Wing preserves heritage

    The end of the Cold War left the United States needing fewer forces. A smaller force required fewer bases to support it and, organizationally, fewer units to hold it. For the Air Force, as it set about eliminating excess bases through the Base Realignment and Closure process and excess wings through

  • Goodfellow hosts premier firefighter school

    It's burning. It's burning. The flames swell as the firefighters move into the mouth of the "dragon." In front of them -- a 500 degree wall of propane flames. The giant can's steel walls force the jets of fire to sweep over their heads and land behind them. At the nozzle is Airman 1st Class Cole

  • April 11 airpower: C-130s support forward deployed units

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for April 11. In Afghanistan April 10, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided a show of force, releasing multiple flares, in support of a coalition convoy near Kalan. As the convoy arrived at an area that could have been used by

  • Ordnance disposal makes for no ordinary day

    Airmen assigned to the 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight have a dangerous mission that keeps fellow coalition forces safe. It takes nerves of steel and a steady hand to do the work these Airmen do. After all, getting anywhere near an improvised explosive isn't

  • Red Flag-Alaska strengthens coalition forces

    Red Flag-Alaska, a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise, kicked off April 5 with the ultimate goal of improving the operational capability of participating units and fostering stronger relations between U.S. and coalition forces. Red Flag-Alaska allows these units,

  • Air mobility keeps fast pace with war ops surges

    Squadrons across the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing have increased operations to enhance theater-wide support for the current surge of troops throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. One such example is the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, a 379th AEW tenant unit that links air mobility operations