HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Airman heats up fitness challenge

    A 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron heating ventilation and cooling craftsman transformed his body, passed his fitness test and found the strength and motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle, all within the span of two months. Staff Sgt. Christopher Jeffcoat, a nine-year Air Force veteran, scored 57

  • Afghan air force adds first honor guard to its ranks

    Afghan airmen from the Kandahar Air Wing posted colors for the first time with their own honor guard at the one year anniversary of the unit's activation Oct. 5 here.For the past year, Airmen of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Honor Guard have posted the colors for KAW ceremonies. The team recently

  • Rescue crews answer the call in Afghanistan

    By signing in to their shift, they know the first mission is theirs. Ready to leave in moments with barely a second to spare, the crew is notified at the last minute to stand down, prolonging the suspense as they attempt to relax. However, relaxation is hardly an option when a simple beep of the

  • Vandenberg Airman killed in Afghanistan

    An Airman assigned to the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight here was killed in action and another was injured Oct. 5, while serving in Afghanistan.Senior Airman Daniel Johnson, 23, died while conducting an EOD operation in Afghanistan.Tech. Sgt. Robert Butler was

  • Air Force officials kick-off energy awareness month

    The undersecretary of the Air Force helped launch the federal government's energy awareness month at the U.S. Air Force Academy here Oct. 1.Erin C. Conaton, accompanied by Terry Yonkers, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics, chose the Academy as the

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently published a demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force. This data is current as of Sept. 30 and can also be found on the Air Force personnel statistics Web page.Statistics are rounded to the nearest

  • Canadian forces contribute to space mission

    When servicemembers here perform a mission, whether it is space surveillance or launching a payload into space, it is not solely an American effort, but rather a joint effort. One such example is the partnership here between Americans and Canadians. Stemming out of the North American Aerospace

  • Academy officer picked for top triathlon

    Forget about who's crazy enough to participate in a triathlon. Who was crazy enough to come up with the over-the-top race in the first place? Believe it or not, it was a Sailor.In 1978, following a foot race on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, participants argued about who were the best overall

  • RED HORSE meets NASCAR

    Members of the 820th RED HORSE Squadron met with team members from a NASCAR truck racing team as part of an orientation between the Red Horse Racing team and the RED HORSE squadron Sept. 24 here. The Red Horse Racing team currently races Toyota Tundras in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and

  • Busy Afghan mission leads to recognition

    A 919th Special Operations Wing aircrew recently was selected for the Air Force Association's Brig. Gen. Ross Hoyt Award for their efforts on a mission over Afghanistan in 2009.At that time, the 10-man MC-130E Combat Talon aircrew led by pilot Maj. Michael Black, then with the 711th Special

  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing goes 'green' with recycling program

    Officials in the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing are striving to go "green" as part of the Air Force's continuing effort to eliminate waste and become more energy efficient.An on-base recycling program, run by 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron officials, collects more than 60 metric tons of

  • Security Airmen train to handle active shooter threats

    "Bang bang!" The shouts were heard back and forth as the two security forces Airmen shuffled quickly onto another floor of the building, looking down the sights of their M-9s. "Bang bang!" The lone threat, actively 'shooting' with his red plastic shotgun, had been stopped. This exercise was just one

  • Davis-Monthan hosts self-defense instructor course

    Security forces Airmen and civilian law enforcement officials participated in a three-day Rape Aggression Defense Systems instructor certification class Sept. 13  through 15 here.RADS is a program designed to teach physical, defensive tactics that can be used when faced with aggression.The

  • Armament Symposium brings DOD, industry together

    For the 36th year, the Air Armament Center partnered with the National Defense Industrial Association to host its annual Air Armament Symposium here Oct. 5 and 6.The symposium, a two-day forum for both industry and government personnel, was an opportunity to exchange information, recognize

  • Elmendorf couple presented O'Malley Award in Pentagon ceremony

    The commander of the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and his wife received the 2010 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award Oct. 4 at a ceremony in the Pentagon. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the award and Sharon O'Malley Burg made a special

  • 4th Fighter Wing loses an Airman

    An Airman assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing was found dead Oct. 4. Deceased is Senior Airman Ross Merrit Horton, a lodging customer service representative of the 4th Force Support Squadron. Airman Horton is from Chico, California. The cause of death is under investigation. "The 4th Fighter Wing

  • VA Secretary announces $41.9 million to help homeless

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that 40 states will share more than $41.9 million in grants to community groups to provide 2,568 beds for homeless veterans this year. "These grants wouldn't have happened without the extraordinary partnerships forged with community

  • House resolution honors aeromedical evacuation Airmen

    Members of the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution Sept. 28 honoring the Airmen who support and perform aeromedical evacuation.House Resolution 1605 recognizes "the service of the medical and aircrews in helping our wounded warriors make the expeditious and safe trip home

  • Flying the wounded home

    Afghan airmen and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisers worked as one to transfer a patient from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, during a reverse aeromedical evacuation mission to Forward Operating Base Bostic in Konar province, Afghanistan Sept. 27.A reverse medical evacuation takes a

  • Airmen, Misawa residents prep for disaster

    Airmen from the 35th Medical Operations Squadron and 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department provided first-responder support during a natural disaster preparedness exercise Oct. 3 at Misawa City Sea Port. The exercise tested civilian and military coordination and response."The scenario was an

  • Air Force officials conducting personnel accountability exercise

    Officials are conducting an Air Force-wide exercise Oct. 6 through 8 to test the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System.An exercise execution order will identify the geographic area of interest in which all personnel assigned to, living in, TDY to or on leave in that area, must be

  • Innovative parts washer improves environment and health

    An environmentally-friendly parts washer here is getting attention for using oil-eating microbes, which means workers are no longer exposed to the solvents previously used. The system uses bioremediation to avoid the waste streams of liquid found in traditional parts cleaning systems. Bioremediation

  • Airmen make impact with first GBU-54 combat drop in Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 510th Fighter Squadron here employed a guided bomb unit-54 laser joint directed attack munition for the first time in the Afghan area of operations recently.The GBU-54 is the Air Force's newest 500-pound precision weapon, equipped with a special targeting system that uses a

  • Exercise aims to change game

    A training exercise held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord recently might change how Air Force and Army units conduct close air support.Pacific Strike 2010 demonstrated capabilities that could vastly improve close-air-support operations for deployed units as well as in garrison, said Army I Corps' Chief

  • Website is one-stop shop for deployment-related issues

    Airmen can access information about their upcoming deployment at the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Online website. The AEF Online website, located at https://aef.afpc.randolph.af.mil/, provides a single access point for all AEF-related issues to include reporting instructions, tempo banding,

  • Photo essay: Afghanistan unit shows capabilities

    Pararescuemen from the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron participate with Airmen from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in a training mission here Sept. 24. The training mission provided a glimpse of what the 33rd ERQS brings to the fight and the capabilities it provides to combat commanders.View

  • NJ-based CRG assumes alert rotation for global mobility mission

    Airmen from the 621st Contingency Wing here will assume responsibility for a four-month rotation of Joint Task Force, Port-Opening alert Oct. 1.Approximately120 mobility Airmen assigned to the CRW's 817th Contingency Response Group will join 55 Soldiers from an Army Rapid Port Opening Element based

  • Airman dies in combat operations in Afghanistan

    An Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller died Sept. 29 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.Senior Airman Mark A. Forester, 29, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was killed while conducting combat operations with his special forces team in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to

  • Global Strike command reaches full operational capability

    Officials declared Air Force Global Strike Command to be at full operational capability Sept. 30, on schedule, and less than 14 months after its initial activation as a command.To reach that milestone, the command accomplished more than 700 action items identified by the secretary and chief of staff

  • McConnell AFB officials host AFSO 21 event

    Officials here hosted their first Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century event Sept. 13 through 17 to further streamline and sustain the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet.The event, called the "KC-135 Points of Use Parts Enterprise Event," involved 16 different units Air Force-wide, and affects the

  • DOD provides continued support for military children

    Department of Defense Education Activity officials are keeping on the cutting-edge of sharing resources and training tools with public schools supporting military families, a Washington education official said."Our goal is to reach military children who attend public schools," said Kathy Facon, the

  • Shaw Airman's quick actions save man's life

    People never know when the things they learn in life may have a drastic effect on someone else's life. For one Shaw AFB Airman, those lessons helped him save a man.On Sept. 17, Airman 1st Class Brandon Horne, a 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels truck operator, was on his way to Seymour Johnson

  • Officials implement new training model

    Given the complexities of today's combat missions and the inherent, life-threatening dangers faced by Airmen today, it is critical that Airmen receive effective training before engaging in battle. To provide Airmen with the most realistic training environment away from the battle space, Air Force

  • Photo essay: Airmen contribute to NATO's Iceland mission

    Weapons load crew Airmen assigned to the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron work on final touches to a munitions load of an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air missile in support of NATO's Icelandic Air Policing mission here Sept. 23. Approximately 200 Airmen were deployed from all over the

  • Schriever Airmen get serious with Happy Hour

    Schriever Air Force Base Airmen were invited Sept. 24 to "Happy Hour" by base leadership where jokes about nagging wives, drugs, sex and drunken behavior filled the auditorium of Building 300 here.No, this wasn't a social-mixer, nor was it a happy hour, in the traditional sense."Happy Hour" is a

  • Agreement gives green light to ESC efforts in Kyrgyzstan

    A delegation led by Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted F. Bowlds reached an agreement with Kyrgyzstan government officials recently on efforts that will benefit the nation of Kyrgyzstan and U.S. operators who rely on the Manas Transit Center there."This agreement marks the formal

  • Programs help Airmen pick up the pace

    With the new Air Force physical training standards, many Airmen are looking for ways to gain a few extra points on their scores.When it comes to the 1.5-mile run portion of the test, units are setting challenges and Airmen are starting programs designed to motivate testers and help them shave

  • Atlantic Strike simulates real combat

    The team of four trudged down the road in the hot, mid-afternoon sun wearing body armor, Kevlar helmets and radios on their backs with their weapons drawn. There had been reports of an enemy stronghold in the area, and the team's mission was to take the "bad guys" out. Finally, they came to a split

  • DOD identifies Air Force casualty

    The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.Senior Airman Daniel R. Sanchez, 23, of El Paso, Texas, died Sept. 16 while conducting combat operations in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics

  • Sitka 43 Airmen remembered in memorial unveiling

    Air Force officials along with actor Gary Sinise unveiled the Sitka 43 Memorial during a ceremony Sept. 16 here to honor four Airmen who died in an aircraft accident July 28.Mr. Sinise unveiled a scale C-17 Globemaster III, the centerpiece of the memorial, in memory of Maj. Aaron Malone, Maj.

  • Photo essay: Airmen and Soldiers join forces during exercise

    Airmen and Soldiers take part in a Joint Forces Entry Exercise here Sept. 13. The training develops cohesiveness between the Army and Air Force by executing large-scale heavy equipment and troop movements for real-world contingencies.View the slideshow.

  • Medical staff celebrates advances in ECMO

    The year 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the 59th Medical wing staff conducting extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation missions.ECMO is a machine that provides cardiac and respiratory support primarily to infants and children whose hearts and lungs are so severely diseased or damaged that they can

  • Balad first base to host resiliency training

    Deployments cause stress and stress, if not managed, can lead to consequences such as arguments, fights, mission failures and possibly suicide.Joint Base Balad is the first base in Southwest Asia to test the Flash Forward Resiliency Training Program, which is one of many programs that will be

  • Leaders praise mobility team for successful Afghanistan surge

    When President Barack Obama announced the surge of an additional 30,000 servicemembers to Afghanistan, mobility Airmen didn't waste a second getting the surge in motion.Within days, units designated to go to Afghanistan were notified and began preparations. Likewise, the DOD's mobility team, which

  • PECI Program funds can increase unit productivity

    In times when budget constraints and cutbacks are prevalent, Air Force members can improve unit productivity by using the Productivity Enhancing Capital Investment program. This program provides units with a resource for purchasing productivity-enhancing equipment, which results in savings that

  • Former NCO fights through PTSD

    Before a nine-month deployment to Camp Bucca, Iraq, an active-duty security forces member stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., was on the fast track. He was promoted below-the-zone to senior airman and selected for staff sergeant on first attempt. Before he was medically retired due to

  • Physician earns AFA top award for health care

    A doctor here has been honored for making the most significant contribution to the continued good health of the men and women of the Air Force last year.Lt. Col. (Dr.) Christopher P. Paulson, from the 96th Medical Operations Squadron, was presented the Air Force Association's Paul W. Myers Award

  • AF civil engineers BEEF up Marine Corps mission

    Airmen and Marines worked together to build sun shades to improve the quality of life for a new F/A-18 Hornet squadron Sept. 23 and 24 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.The 777th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron, also known as the Base Engineer Emergency Force, provided the skill set and received

  • Pilot takes top spot at Air Force half-marathon

    Although not as fast as the aircraft he flies, a PC-12 pilot from the 34th Special Operations Squadron blasted past the competition in the men's half marathon during the 2010 Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 17 through18. Capt. Ben Payne finished the 13.1-mile race

  • First responders train to support airport

    Members of the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department here participated in Gunsan airport's G-20 summit on terrorism and civil aviation air incident training at the airport Sept. 17.According to airport officials, the exercise tested the "cooperative and emergency response systems" of the

  • Airmen wrap up bilateral training exercise in Bangladesh

    Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, wrapped up four days of training with their Bangladesh air force counterparts as exercise Cope South 10 came to an end Sept. 23.More than 40 U.S. Airmen and two C-130 Hercules aircraft traveled to the Asian nation to train with the Bangladesh air force to better

  • Innovative work center saves thousands

    U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently challenged Defense Department officials to innovate by introducing the new value, efficiency and saving tomorrow, or INVEST, contest in mid-August, and for at least one work center here, ingenuity has saved more than $131,000 since 2000.The Incirlik

  • Military chefs to compete in culinary competition

    More than 50 chefs from around the military converged here to compete in the seventh annual Military Culinary Competition, which will take place Sept. 25. The competition, which will take place at the Marine Barracks, is being hosted by the Military Hospitality Alliance and will feature culinary

  • Joint team restores precision airdrop capability

    Warfighters at forward operating bases have recently begun receiving supplies via a critical variant of the Joint Precision Airdrop System again, due to the combined efforts of an Air Force, Army and contract team.JPADS is a family of equipment consisting of parachutes, mission-planning systems,

  • Photo essay: Security forces prepare for combat at Hill

    Airmen with the 75th Security Forces Squadron practice rifle fighting techniques during combat readiness training Sept. 13 here. The CRT course provides Airmen with the basic skills needed to deploy, to include tactical movements and land navigation.View the slideshow.

  • Shinseki: Evidence led to new Agent Orange presumptions

    Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki defended his decision to add heart disease, Parkinson's disease and leukemia to the conditions VA officials can presume in Vietnam War veterans to be caused by Agent Orange exposure.Speaking before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Sept. 23,

  • South Dakota Air National Guard wing named top fighter unit

    The Airmen of the South Dakota Air National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing have once again distinguished themselves as the most outstanding Air National Guard fighter unit in the nation. They were selected as the 2010 recipient of the National Guard Bureau's Winston P. Wilson Trophy. The trophy is

  • Rescue Airmen exchange knowledge, build partnerships with Colombian airmen

    Airmen from the rescue community at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., recently visited South America to share their knowledge in a week-long, subject-matter expert exchange with Colombian air force C-130 Hercules crews here. Under Southern Command's Traditional Commander's Activity Program, the four

  • 'Sex Signals' asks Airmen to re-examine sexual cues

    Although sexual assault is no laughing matter, Airmen here found a lighthearted way to learn about it during a free show here at the base theater Sept. 2."Sex Signals", a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator program production, is a series of various dating scenes performed by professional actors who

  • Medical leaders cut ribbon on BAMC pediatric ward, ICU

    Air Force and Army medical leaders christened the new Brooke Army Medical Center pediatric ward and intensive care unit during a ribbon-cutting ceremony here Sept. 21. Staffed primarily by Air Force personnel, the majority of Wilford Hall Medical Center inpatient pediatric services moved to BAMC in

  • Joint warfighters hone skills at Atlantic Strike

    Joint and coalition warfighters improved their close-air support skills during an exercise led by Air Combat Command and U.S. Joint Forces Command's Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team Sept. 13.Atlantic Strike 10-02 trained warfighters to find, fix, track, target, engage and assess

  • Edwards AFB Airman dies of gunshot wounds

    An Edwards Air Force Base Airman died from gunshot wounds suffered at a California City residence Sept. 22.Dead is Staff Sgt. Brian M. Carragher, a military working dog handler assigned to the 95th Security Forces Squadron.At approximately 7:40 p.m. California City Police notified the command post

  • Airmen participate in Operation Market Garden anniversary

    Nineteen Airmen along with three C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron traveled to Holland Sept. 16 to 19 to participate in the reenactment of the largest airborne assault in history to date. More than 1,000 Dutch, German, British, Polish and American servicemembers

  • Airman inducted into Pentagon's Hall of Heroes

    Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger was posthumously inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes in a ceremony Sept. 22 following presentation of the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony the day before."Today, we bring honor to Chief Etchberger's memory and our nation's highest tribute to

  • Yokota, Kadena leaders join for smart operations course

    Airmen from both Yokota and Kadena air bases came together as part of an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century senior leader's course Sept. 20 and 21AFSO21 is a standardized approach by which Airmen break down a day-to-day process into individual steps to determine more efficient ways of

  • Air Force officials select 2010 team excellence award winners

    Air Force officials recently selected five teams to receive 2010 Chief of Staff Team Excellence awards for finding creative ways to enhance mission capabilities, improve operational performance and create sustained results. The innovations and business solutions the competing Air Force teams

  • DOD officials identify Air Force casualty

    Department of Defense officials announced Sept. 22 the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Senior Airman Michael J. Buras, 23, of Fitzgerald, Ga., died Sept. 21 of wounds suffered as the result of an improvised explosive device detonation in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He

  • Photo essay: Rapid loading for the fight

    Loadmasters and aircrew from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron load pallets Sept. 15, onto a C-5 Galaxy at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The Airmen performed a two-hour quick turn on the C-5, preparing and loading a large amount of equipment and supplies. View the slideshow:

  • 36th LRS Airmen support Valiant Shield

    Airmen from the 36th Logistical Readiness Squadron stepped up their game during Valiant Shield 2010 by acting as master planners for all support, vehicle coordination and aircraft fueling needs.During Valiant Shield, an additional 1,300 personnel were here, and the 36th LRS Airmen ensured

  • German partnership enhances mission, saves JTACs money

    From energy conservation practices to Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives, Airmen are looking for more efficient ways of conducting business. One task that has Air Force leaders here thinking outside the box is continued support for joint terminal attack controller training

  • Reserve, active duty couple complete African service projects

    For Maj. Jonathan Gration, an active-duty pilot assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron, and Capt. Julie Gration, a Reservist assigned to the 477th Fighter Group here, the trip wasn't so usual, took them across the world and gave them an opportunity to give back to those who are less fortunate.

  • Veteran recalls battle leading to Medal of Honor

    In 1968, a battle raged where heroes arose only to be unacknowledged for 18 years. Proper recognition occurred during a White House ceremony Sept. 21 when Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after saving three of his men in a battle that failed to make

  • AETC: Fatality free Critical Days of Summer

    Air Education and Training Command officials announced the command ended its Critical Days of Summer campaign with no fatalities.This year was AETC's first fatality free Critical Days of Summer since 1960.The Air Force campaigns for safety every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day to encourage

  • President presents posthumous Medal of Honor to hero's sons

    President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry to the family of an Air Force chief master sergeant killed in action 42 years ago in Laos during a ceremony Sept. 21. "Today, we present the Medal of Honor to an American who displayed such gallantry more than four decades

  • Family prepares for Medal of Honor

    Three men, along with their families and friends, travelled to the nation's capital to take part in an important correction to Air Force history.Steve Wilson, Cory Etchberger and Richard Etchberger attended a ceremony at the White House Sept. 21 where their late father, Chief Master Sgt. Richard

  • DOD supports military children in public schools

    Department of Defense Education Activity officials are sharing resources and training tools with public schools supporting military families, particularly those heavily affected by deployment, an education official said."Our goal is to reach military children who attend public schools," said Kathy

  • New York National Guard members participate in South African air show

    More than 70 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard are participating in the Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition 2010 from Sept. 21 through 25 in Cape Town, South Africa.The event is held at Air Force Base Ysterplaat and features aircraft from 35 countries and 135 manufacturers.The

  • Photo essay: Hunters track 'Igor'

    Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command 's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron known as the "Hurricane Hunters" fly a mission to collect data on Hurricane Igor here Sept. 17.View the slideshow.

  • Servicemembers escort veterans to local fair

    Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., escorted residents of the Washington State Soldiers Home to the Puyallup Fair Sept. 15, giving the active duty members a chance to connect with veterans."It is truly amazing to see the connection formed between the veterans

  • New computer chip cuts costs, adds efficiency to space systems

    Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate officials partnered with Xilinx, Inc. five years ago to design new field programmable gate arrays that would reduce costs, increase effectiveness of their satellite circuitry and withstand the damaging effects of radiation in the

  • U.S., Bangladesh airmen team up for Cope South 2010

    More than 40 Yokota Air Base Airmen and two C-130 Hercules deployed to participate in Exercise Cope South 2010 with the Bangladeshi airmen at Kurmitola Air Base, Bangladesh.During the exercise, the nations' airmen will exchange airlift, airland and airdrop delivery techniques that will deepen

  • RPAT responsibly moving equipment out of Iraq

    Airmen assigned to Redistribution Property Assistance Team here have been working alongside Soldiers, contractors and Department of the Army civilians to ensure equipment leaving Iraq gets to its proper location, and in a usable condition as U.S. forces continue to draw down forces in Iraq.First Lt.

  • Misawa air show highlights 50 years of Japan-U.S. cooperation

    Japan Air Self-Defense Force and U.S. Air Force aviators took advantage of the 2010 Misawa Air Festival to commemorate half a century of the nations' shared pledge to regional and world peace, stability and prosperity.The show began with Maj. Gen. Hiroaki Maehara, the JASDF 3rd Air Wing

  • NCO trains for mixed martial arts fight on base

    The first thing a visitor to the FIT NHB Fight Gym in downtown Albuquerque, N.M., notices is the steady series of staccato thumps echoing off the walls. It's the sound of solid blows landing squarely on padded targets. In this converted warehouse, fighters train in mixed martial arts, practicing

  • Disabled veterans sports clinic begins in San Diego

    The third annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic began here Sept. 20, as more than 200 disabled veterans came out to participate in a number of activities, including surfing, kayaking, cycling, and track and field events. The week-long clinic gives veterans with disabilities an opportunity

  • Vandenberg Airmen conduct Minuteman III flight test

    Technicians here test launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile Sept. 17 from Launch Facility-09 . The missile's single reentry test vehicle traveled approximately 5,300 miles to a pre-determined target about 200 miles southwest of Guam. ICBM analysts, including officials

  • Outstanding Airmen honored at dinner

    Air Force Association officials held a formal dinner honoring the 2010 Outstanding Airmen of the Year was held at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 14 during the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition."This is a proud moment for our honorees," said

  • Maintainers keep Galaxies, Globemasters flying through Iraq

    Maintainers with the 521st Air Mobility Operations Group, Det. 5, have kept on their toes maintaining C-5 Galaxies and C-17 Globemaster IIIs passing through Iraq, ensuring they are in "tip-top" shape to keep servicemembers and cargo moving through safely. "We've got C-5s coming in here and we're

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

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," members of the media get a peek at the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter as it races through the sky. Also in this edition, Airmen travel to the island nation of Sri Lanka and lend a healing hand to the local populace.  And firefighters push their bodies

  • Air Force Marathon sets attendance record

    A record field of 12,000 runners registered for 2010 Air Force Marathon events Sept. 17 - 18 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. This year's race participation shattered the previous 2009 Marathon record of 9,969 runners, and by Sept. 14, had completely sold out at the pre-determined race cap

  • 'Flying classroom' retires after 37 years of service

    The last combat systems officer training aircraft was retired from service in a ceremony here Sept. 17.The T-43, also known as the 'Gator,' is a version of the Boeing 737, and has served as a training platform for navigators, now known as combat systems officers, since 1973."We call it the flying

  • Officials seek nominees for AFA awards

    Air Force officials are soliciting nominations for both the 2011 Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year and the 2011 Verne Orr awards.The Air Force Association sponsors both awards annually.The Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award honors the significant contributions made by non-military spouses of Air

  • Altus responders save chief's life

    Airmen and staff at the fitness center here saved a life Aug. 9.Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Zahn, with the 97th Operations Group, was on a treadmill at the gym when he collapsed. Airmen in the cardio room with him and staff members at the fitness center quickly responded."I was riding the recumbent bike

  • Photo essay: Andersen Airmen train with mines

    Members of the 36th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron prepare for Valiant Shield, a joint exercise which focuses on integrated training and interoperability among U.S. military forces here Sept. 14.View the slideshow.

  • DOD officials identify Air Force casualty

    Department of Defense officials announced Sept. 16 the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation New Dawn. Senior Airman James A. Hansen, 25, of Athens, Mich., died Sept. 15 of wounds suffered during a controlled detonation at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 46th Operations

  • Wings of Blue wins 1st national title

    The Wings of Blue Air Force Parachute Team soared to victory Sept. 11 through 12 at the U.S. Parachute Association National Skydiving Championships in Ottawa, Ill. Wings of Blue fielded two teams: Air Force Impulse and Air Force Eminence. Impulse took first place and Eminence took third in the

  • Record-setting airdrops sustain troops at forward operating bases

    Airlifters continue to set records for airdrops sustaining ground forces in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with more than 3,800 container delivery system supply bundles delivered in August. Airdropped supplies are packaged in CDS bundles, which allow safe delivery by parachute. The

  • Officials unveil Pentagon POW/MIA exhibit

    Defense Department officials dedicated a portion of the Pentagon to military prisoners of war and troops missing in action Sept. 15, honoring one of the military's guiding principles: never leave a comrade behind.Michele Flournoy, the Pentagon's policy chief, hosted the ceremony on the building's

  • AMC commander relates importance of global reach to AFA attendees

    The commander of Air Mobility Command emphasized the national, joint and coalition importance of the support AMC provides to combat and humanitarian operations during the Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition at Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 14.Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. said