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U.S. Air Force News

  • Civil engagement program helps prepare Iraq for future

    As U.S. officials prepare to draw down troops in Iraq, efforts are being made to ensure the effect on the country's infrastructure is minimal. Joint Base Balad's civil engagement program maximizes the base's resources and abilities and helps more than 800,000 Iraqis in the Salah ad Din Province. The

  • Symposium nurtures students in research skills

    A Defense Department program is giving high school students the support and resources to design and conduct original research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics areas. Lynn Smith of the Department of Defense Education activity, director of the Junior Science and Humanities

  • Military gears up for 2010 Census

    Defense Department officials are working with the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure that all military personnel are accounted for in the 2010 Census, a defense official said March 19. All servicemembers and their families, whether stationed domestically or overseas, must be counted and attributed to

  • Agency staff provides aeronautical products to military pilots, aviators

    National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency officials here provide up-to-date aeronautical products and support to Air Force pilots and other military aviators, and supported relief efforts after a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti Jan. 12. The director of NGA's Aeronautical Services, Office of Global

  • Air Force officials open aviation art gallery in Pentagon

    The World War I Skyfighters of France teamed with modern-day American Airmen in Afghanistan in an art gallery exhibit in the Pentagon dedicated March 18 by Air Force senior leaders. The exhibit showcases the work of the first aviation artist and displays the latest addition to the Air Force Art

  • 505th Command and Control Wing welcomes new Royal Air Force exchange officer

    Royal Air Force Wing Commander Allan Goodison recently took the reins as 505th Training Group deputy commander of development, here. Wing Commander Goodison will work with the 505th TRG commander integrating command and control or C2, operations with joint and coalition forces.Group members develop

  • Air Force official transfers hangar to Iraqi air force

    Members of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-U.S. Air Force and the Iraqi air force stood shoulder to shoulder during a ceremony at Kirkuk Regional Air Base March 10 as Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Amen, Iraqi air force commander,

  • VA officials set to kick off winter sports clinic

    More than 400 injured veterans have signed up to take part in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colo., the largest adaptive event of its kind in the world, scheduled from March 28 through April 2."This VA winter clinic is an extension of the superb

  • Lajes officials take step toward solar power

    As part of the Air Force officials' renewable energy initiative, members of the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron have taken a step toward saving taxpayers money after installing and testing their first solar energy-producing panels in a military family housing unit Feb. 22 here. The panel unit costs

  • Students get firsthand look at Philippine, U.S. militaries

    Aproximately 300 Philippine elementary school students visited with members of the Philippine and U.S. militaries participating in exercise Balikatan 2010 March 15 here.Students from Sapang Bato Elementary School in nearby Angeles City and the rest from Clark Elementary School, were invited to the

  • U.S., Philippine servicemembers visit school children

    Philippine and U.S. servicemembers joined together to provide much-needed clothing and other every day items to local school children March 15 here.The community relations project took place during Balikatan 2010, an annual bilateral exercise involving the Philippine military, Philippine civil

  • Leadership development participants back up book study with travel

    From Southbridge, Mass., to Seoul, South Korea, the 61 members of the 2010 Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program have been globetrotting to gain hands-on field experience geared toward sculpting their joint leadership skills. By exposing the participants to the various

  • Airmen gain experience while supporting Canadian military training

    More than 50 Canadian airmen and six CF-18 Hornets deployed to Altus Air Force Base to conduct forward air control training with the Canadian army March 8 through 23 here. Altus AFB Airmen provided an estimated more than 50,000 gallons of fuel, air traffic control and radio approach control support,

  • Air Force leaders issue 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' message

    The three top Air Force leaders have issued a service-wide message explaining how Air Force people will support the Department of Defense working group evaluating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation.Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master

  • Joint STARS resumes re-engining program with two major contract actions

    The 751st Electronic Systems Group has successfully resumed the system design and development phase of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System re-engining program with the award of two large contract actions. The E-8C Joint STARS is an airborne battle management command and control

  • Medical professionals save millions with common-sense concept

    Officials from the 86th Medical Special Operations Clinic have developed a way to maximize time spent by people traveling to Ramstein Air Base for a conference, saving the Department of Defense millions of dollars along the way.They use a simple yet, inspired concept called conference medicine most

  • TRANSCOM gives U.S. key advantage, commander says

    One of the U.S. military's greatest advantages over its adversaries is its ability to move an enormous amount of equipment and people quickly anywhere in the world, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command told the House Armed Services Committee March 17. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb said he was

  • New members appointed to VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has appointed six new members to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, an expert panel that advises Department of Veterans Affairs officials on a wide array of issues affecting women veterans."VA remains committed to providing quality, timely care

  • Officials implement second DOS rollback

    Air Force officials announced March 17 the need for a second enlisted date of separation rollback with a mandatory DOS of June 30, 2010. This program is part of an overall effort to maintain a quality enlisted force and meet the congressionally mandated end strength.In November, officials announced

  • SOUTHCOM provides support to relief operations in Chile

    U.S. military officials are providing support to the ongoing relief efforts in Chile following the 8.8- magnitude earthquake that struck the country in late February. "U.S. military personnel have been working with local and international responders to provide relief to the hard-hit areas," said

  • U.S. Cyber Command preparations under way, general says

    Preparations for the formal establishment of U.S. Cyber Command are under way, a senior military officer here reported to Congress March 16. The formal launch of the new organization is awaiting congressional approval of its commander, according to Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, the commander of U.S.

  • Air Force pilot MIA from Vietnam War is identified

    The Department of Defense announced March 16 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Air Force Maj. Curtis Daniel Miller of Palacios, Texas, will be buried on March 29

  • 'Home of the Blue' campaign showcases privatized military family housing

    With an average of more than 500 new or renovated homes entering the privatized housing inventory each month, the Air Force goal of creating quality homes and thriving communities for Airmen and their families is well under way. Now officials at the Air Force Center for Engineering and the

  • New ATC tower opens for business

    A newly constructed air traffic control tower opened for operation March 12, here."This is a monumental day for the U.S. Air Force, the Army Corps of Engineers and for the future of the Iraqi air force," said Lt. Col. Michael Richardson, the commander of the 407th Expeditionary Operations Support

  • DOD official notes rise in sexual assault reporting

    Reports of sexual assault involving servicemembers rose by 11 percent in fiscal 2009, a senior Defense Department official said yesterday. In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 3,230 reports of sexual assault were filed. An increase in reporting was a goal for the department, said Kaye Whitley,

  • Female pilots share stories at National Air and Space Museum

    The staff at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center hosted their annual Women in Aviation and Space Family Day March 13 where Airmen had to chance to talk to young girls about being a female pilot.For Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal, it was "an opportunity to show the young ladies that

  • AETC Airmen lead way to efficient energy practices

    Improving Air Force energy efficiency depends on its Airmen and the sharing of their innovative ideas, said the service's acting senior energy official during her Headquarters Air Education and Training Command visit here March 2."They need to ensure they follow through with those ideas by

  • Care plan to encompass more military families

    The Defense Department's family care plan policy will be expanded in the coming months to encompass a wider population of military parents, a defense legal expert said. The new policy will require military parents with custody of children from a previous relationship to file a family care plan, said

  • More customers using MyPay for faster, safer service

    When the Defense Finance and Accounting Service first launched the myPay Web-based pay account system in 2000, less than 500,000 military members, military retirees, annuitants and federal civilian employees were listed as online users. Today that number includes 3.7 million users with access to pay

  • Airmen, Chileans treat patients at new expeditionary hospital

    Just five days after their arrival in Chile, Airmen from an Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team along with Chilean medics are treating patients at the newly built mobile hospital March 15 here. Chilean surgeons and anesthesiologists worked side-by-side with their Air Force counterparts to

  • Air Force's new undersecretary sworn in

    The Senate confirmed the nomination of Erin C. Conaton to become the next undersecretary of the Air Force March 4 and she began her transition into the office after being sworn in March 15."This is a great day for the Air Force," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "Erin will be a

  • 'Today's Air Force' features military aviation history

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lt. Benjamin Foulois' first solo flight and tune in for a look at some of the major aviation milestones from the past century, and the men who achieved them.The 30-minute, weekly news show can be seen every day on The

  • Interpreters crucial to Iraqi training mission

    U.S. Airman serving in the Iraq training and advisory mission - Air Force must accomplish their objective to "Train, Advise, and Assist" but when the students speak a foreign language, how is it possible?One word: Interpreter."What we do here is not just interpretation for conversation," said Joe,

  • Official announces plans to curb fighter program's cost

    Defense Department officials will require a shift to a fixed-price contract in their negotiations with Lockheed Martin for the initial production phase of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, a defense official said here March 15 in a briefing at the Pentagon. Department officials also will

  • Maintainers remove 26-year-old engine

    The first KC-135R Stratotanker F108-100 engine delivered to the Air Force 26 years ago in the United States made its last flight March 1here.When KC1-35R tanker engines were originally purchased from CFM International, it marked the first time in history military officials bought a commercial engine

  • Kirkuk Airmen build desks for Iraqi children

    Several Airmen from the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here volunteered to refurbish desks for school children in March.The idea for refurbishing the school desks sprang from a conversation Chief Master Sgt. Tom Pizzi, the 506th ECES chief enlisted manager, deployed from McChord Air

  • Joint fighter faces critical period

    Contracting for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, touted as the future backbone of U.S. air superiority, must be brought in line with budget realities to make the aircraft affordable again, a defense official said in March here. Key manufacturing and testing milestones are expected for the

  • New process available for selecting retirement option

    Officers and enlisted Airmen reaching 15 years of active-duty service will have new procedures in place beginning April 1 to accept enrollment in the Redux retirement plan. Airmen will receive an electronic notification of their eligibility for the High-3 Choice retirement plan that allows members

  • Scott youth participate in international robot competition

    "Void turnLeftRotation (int pwr, int rotation)MotorEncoder[motorRight]=0MotorEncoder[motorLeft]=0While(abs(nMotorEncoder [motorRight] Or, in human terms, turn left. But Zippy isn't human, he's a robot, and behind Zippy stands a six-person team consisting of home-schooled high school students, four

  • Airmen build hospital in Chile

    Airmen from an Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team along with members of the Chilean army are building a mobile hospital here March 10 through 12 to help augment medical services for nearly 110,000 Chileans in the region. About 60 medical Airmen will work alongside local Chilean medics to

  • First Sergeant Academy curriculum, organization mirrors total force

    The life of an Air Force first sergeant is truly a tale of two experiences. There exists the joy of watching Airmen receive well-deserved promotions and recognition, and there is the disappointment and sadness at receiving a 3 a.m. phone call from a law enforcement desk or casualty affairs. These

  • Joint Chiefs chairman to speak at Academy graduation

    Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is scheduled to give the commencement speech for this year's graduation ceremony.This event marks the first time the Academy will host the JCS chairman as the graduation speaker. Admiral Mullen, a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy,

  • Multilateral team helps more than 1,500 Thai residents

    Military medical staff members from the United States, Singapore and Thailand assisted more than 1,500 patients during a medical civic assistance project held here March 1 through 12 as part of Cope Tiger 2010. Cope Tiger, held this year primarily at Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Bases

  • McGuire Airmen return from deployment

    Officials from the 305th Air Mobility Wing here welcomed home Airmen from the 6th Airlift Squadron March 2 as they returned from supporting operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.Throughout their four-month deployment, the C-17 Globemaster III squadron Airmen executed more than 3,000 sorties,

  • Pilot for day visits 56th Training Squadron

    A 6-year-old quadriplegic became a pilot for a day Feb. 26 at Luke Air Force Base.Brandon "Hulk" Davis, visited Luke AFB with his mother, Tina Davis; aunt, Jess Davis; future uncle, Chris and his home nurse, Emmy.Brandon was selected to participate in the pilot for a day program at Luke after he was

  • Employment program to resume for enrolled spouses

    The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program, commonly known as MyCAA, will resume March 13 for the more than 136,000 spouses who already have established an account, the Defense Department official who heads up the program announced March 11 here. Officials announced a temporary halt in

  • American servicemembers help Afghans make strides

    Some Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul military members will soon prepare to travel back to their duty stations after assisting their Afghan partners with improvements in Zabul province communities.Over the course of 10 months, the collective staff completed more than 65 projects, totaling more

  • Defense secretary comments on tanker competition, other issues

    The recently released request for proposals for the Air Force's next-generation tanker aircraft was fair, the Defense secretary said here March 11, and he expressed disappointment that Northrop-Grumman has withdrawn from the competition for the $35 billion contract. Secretary Robert M. Gates also

  • VA targets $39 million for homeless veterans

    The Department of Veterans Affairs is allocating $39 million to fund about 2,200 new transitional housing beds through grants to local providers."VA is committed to ending the cycle of homelessness among Veterans,"said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "We will use every tool at our

  • Manpower agency officials name annual award winners

    Air Force Manpower Agency officials recognized their 2009 top performers recently during an annual awards luncheon here.The awards recognized the top military members, civilians and teams throughout the Air Force Manpower Agency."The winners represent the best across the Air Force at helping

  • Policy to mandate head injury evaluations

    Defense Department officials said they expect to launch a new policy in the coming months that will make head-injury evaluations mandatory for all servicemembers who may have concussions. The current guidelines for treating servicemembers with such injuries allows for them to come forward on their

  • WASPs awarded Congressional Gold Medal

    The first female military pilots received the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in the Capitol March 10. Almost 70 years ago, the Women Airforce Service Pilots were disbanded with little fanfare, but this ceremony was a way to make things right for the trailblazers, said Secretary of the Air

  • 'Legends of Aerospace' visit Airmen in Southwest Asia

    The first and last men to walk on the moon, the commander of Apollo 13, the last Air Force pilot "Ace" and the SR-71 chief test pilot, all "Legends of Aerospace,"  were the honored guests of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing March 8 at an air base in Southwest Asia.Hundreds of servicemembers flocked

  • Airmen rewarded in Thailand exercise

    Reservists and guard members took time away from their civilian jobs to participate in the Exercise Cope Tiger 2010 to help with civic assistance programs in early March. These Airmen have joined nearly 500 U.S. servicemembers from around the country who are taking part in the multilateral exercise

  • Air Guard officials tweak recruiting Web site

    Considering today's explosive popularity of social media and online research it may come as no surprise that military recruiting Web sites are rushing to keep up with new technologies and trends.Air National Guard officials are riding that wave with more personal interactivity in their public

  • Female World War II pilots lay wreath at Air Force Memorial

    More than 1,000 civilians and servicemembers watched as World War II Women Airforce Service Pilot corps remembered their sisters-in-arms during a wreath-laying ceremony March 9 at the Air Force Memorial here.Several WASPs, many clad in their World War II-era service uniform, placed roses next to the

  • 2009 Air Force safety awards announced

    Officials at the Air Force Safety Center here have released the list of recipients of the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and Chief of Safety Awards for 2009.  These awards, according to safety officials, exemplify the best of the Air Force safety teams and the hard work of the winners.

  • Officials emphasize importance of hiring disabled veterans

    Federal officials are taking action to reverse years of decline in the percentage of people with disabilities in the federal workforce, speakers said at a March 5 training session held to prepare for a Federal Hiring Event for People and Veterans with Disabilities scheduled for April.The percentage

  • Women pilots of World War II inspired generations

    Under a clear blue sky, beneath the spires of the U.S. Air Force Memorial here, military aviators gathered March 9 here to pay homage to the achievements of the first women to fly military aircraft during World War II. The memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony, with a reception afterward, was

  • U.S., Pakistan air forces conduct air refueling information exchange

    Pilots and aircrews from the U.S. and Pakistan air forces participated in a joint aerial refueling information exchange as part of an on-going effort to enhance cooperation and develop the air refueling capabilities of both nations in early March at Pakistan air force base Chaklala.Pilots and

  • Remnant of Lackland's past gets new home

    The last of three remaining remnants from Lackland's World War II-era housing facilities, a military open-bay barracks, was moved to a site behind the History and Traditions Museum.The only basic military training dormitory left from the 1940s, Bldg. 6351 was loaded by a crane onto a flatbed trailer

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine available

    In the latest issue of Airman magazine, the "Ghostwalkers," Airmen with a unique mission hone their skills for action outside the wire.Whether they are called to secure a captured airfield or provide force protection in a combat zone, these security forces warriors depend on each other. Intensive

  • U.S. South Korean militaries kick off joint exercise

    American and South Korean military members kicked off Exercise Key Resolve/FOAL Eagle 10 March 8 and will train for 10 days here. The annual joint/combined command post and field training exercise is defense-oriented and designed to ensure the South Korean and U.S. alliance is prepared to defend

  • VA secretary seeks improved Agent Orange claims process

    Veterans Affairs officials announced March 9 an aggressive new initiative to solicit private-sector input on a proposed fast-track Veterans' claims process for service-connected presumptive illnesses due to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. "This will be a new way of doing business and a

  • Airmen to train Iraqi air force college students

    Airmen will teach the first Iraqi air force college pilot-training course beginning in March with Iraq's new T-6A trainer.The tandem-cockpit aircraft, that began arriving in Tikrit, Iraq, Dec. 16, is the platform Iraqi airmen will use to transform the college into a cornerstone of Iraqi air

  • Airmen set to arrive in Chile, will begin relief efforts

    An Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is scheduled to arrive in Santiago, Chile, March 9 aboard three C-17 Globemaster aircraft, where it will assist citizens affected by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the nation Feb. 27.The team,

  • Air Force medics deploy to support Chilean medical efforts

    An Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team composed of more than 80 Airmen deployed to Chile March 8 from here to aid local medics in their response to victims of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake Feb. 27 in Chile.The Airmen from 13 different bases left Lackland Air Force Base aboard C-17

  • U.S. Air Force medics train fledgling Afghan medical corps

    Airmen assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here are teaching Afghan soldiers at the Afghan National Army Air Corps Command Air Corps Medical Service Clinic the skills necessary to keep their soldiers on the battlefield. "The standards we are setting here are critical," said

  • New Military Health System site makes information accessible

    Military Health System officials have launched a new Web site that provides a single point of entry to military health news, information and resources. The site, Health.mil, is part of the Defense Department's continued commitment to make health information available and easy to find, officials

  • Air Force mortuary staff ensures dignity, honor for fallen

    Under a deluge of rain, the 757 touched down here late at night, returning Army Staff Sgt. Michael David P. Cardenaz home. He had been killed just a few days before in an enemy attack in Afghanistan. With family and friends near, an Army carry team marched in slow, measured steps to the aircraft,

  • Secretary Gates: Elections show Iraq's progress

    The Iraqi election process shows how far the country has come, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said March 7 here.Secretary Gates received reports on the Iraqi election from Army Gen. Ray Odierno, the U.S. commander in the country. General Odierno had expected a high number of high-profile attacks

  • Beale Airmen 'Read Across America'

    Airmen from the 9th Communications Squadron here joined in the nation's largest reading celebration March 2, at Arobga Elementary School, here. The Airmen interacted with schoolchildren as they read their favorite books during the National Education Association's Read across America week. The

  • American servicemembers help bring education to Afghan community

    The American Provincial Reconstructive Team in Zabul and 451st Air Expeditionary Wing leaders joined the provincial governor and community leaders as they gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 25 of the newly-built all-boys Sheik Mati High School and dormitory here. The 240-bed facility will

  • Air Force officials set developmental education deadline

    Officers have until April 5 and civilians have until April 26 to submit applications for consideration by the selection board for intermediate or senior developmental education in 2010.Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit a hard copy application to the Air Force

  • AFMC leader visits Tinker, highlights civilian issues

    The Air Force Materiel Command executive director called upon civilians to broaden their career paths, as a changing Air Force turns to more civilian leadership, during a visit that began Feb. 22, here. During the visit, Dr. Steven Butler had breakfast with the junior force council, spoke to

  • 'Dot Mil Docs' celebrates 100th episode

    Dot Mil Docs, the Military Health System's official podcast, celebrates its 100th episode this week. Dot Mil Docs is a weekly audio podcast that features military medical professionals and other military health experts from across the DOD. The program upholds the Military Health System's commitment

  • Yokota Airmen participate in large-force exercise

    Airmen and aircraft from the 374th Airlift Wing here participated in the Ryukyu Air Warrior exercise Feb. 22 at Kadena Air Base, Japan.The exercise was designed to enhance aircrew exposure to large force exercises, inter-flying with different aircraft, air-to-air counter tactics and defensive

  • Incirlik members honor fallen defender

    Friends, handlers and fellow military working dogs gathered Feb. 25 at a memorial service for a 39th Security Forces Squadron military working dog who died Jan. 10 due to health complications.Nine-year-old Ronnie was a member of the 39th SFS for eight years, and has served the wing and its

  • U.S., Luxembourg partnership supports U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan

    As President Barack Obama's plan to plus up U.S. forces in Afghanistan goes into motion, members of the 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron here are helping one of U.S. Air Force's in Europe's largest movement of war readiness materiel since Operation Desert Storm in 1991."The pure size of it alone

  • Budget balances security, economics, Lynn tells Congress

    The fiscal 2011 defense budget request includes modest but necessary spending increases in line with President Barack Obama's effort to balance national security with economic needs, the deputy defense secretary told Congress members March 4 here. The $708 billion request "reflects the

  • Lockheed to speed development of F-35

    Defense Department leaders and Lockheed Martin executives explained to international partners changes that have been made in the joint strike fighter program. Ashton B. Carter, the department's undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, and Robert Stevens, the chief operating officer

  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe leader discusses future challenges

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander recognized the contributions of 86th Airlift Wing Airmen to the U.S. military, as well as to all of Europe during his visit here March 2.Though a frequent customer of many of the services the wing provides due to his residency here, Gen. Roger A. Brady's visit

  • Exercise builds NATO partnerships at Ramstein

    The latest U.S. Air Forces in Europe Silver Flag Exercise offered Airmen from Italy to England to participate in a week long contingency operations training exercise Feb. 21 through 28, here. The exercise opened the door for international partners, allowing members of the Croatian army to observe

  • Global Positioning System continues improvement initiative

    Building on the January 2010 upgrade to the Global Positioning System ground control segment, Air Force Space Command engineers will be installing another software release primarily designed to support the pending mid-2010 launch of the first GPS IIF space vehicle. Engineers at the Global

  • C-130 low-cost, low-altitude combat airdrops now operational

    A C-130 Hercules aircrew conducted a new method of airdrop that makes deliveries more accurate and flexible for resupply of small, mobile forces Feb. 6, in Afghanistan. The C-130 aircrew from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, performed the first-ever low-cost, low-altitude combat airdrop to re-supply

  • Defense secretary asks entire department to reinforce trust

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has called on every member of the Defense Department to play a personal role in creating a secure environment that will help to prevent more tragedies like the Nov. 5 shooting rampage that left 13 people dead at Fort Hood, Texas. Secretary Gates issued a memo March

  • 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' review seeks broadest input

    The Defense Department's review on the potential impact of repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military will solicit input from troops of every service and rank -- as well as their families -- through surveys, focus groups and social media tools, the team heading up the review told

  • Photo essay: 'Yellow Bird' comes to life

    Wright "B" Flyer "Yellow Bird" comes to life with the help volunteers from the Wright "B" Flyer Inc. Feb. 27, 2010 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. They assembled two Flyers in San Antonio for the Centennial of Military Aviation event held March 2. View slideshow.

  • Military scientists study ionosphere

    At a facility in a remote part of south-central Alaska, the largest radio transmitter on Earth sends high-frequency signals into the ionosphere to help scientists better understand the influence of charged particles on radio communications and satellite surveillance systems. Surprisingly, it also is

  • A1 annual award winners announced

    The deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services recently announced the 2009 award winners for the A1 community."The A1 community is ready, engaging and constantly leaning forward to support Airmen and taking care of their families," said Lt. Gen. Richard Newton. "While celebrating the

  • Bilateral training hones U.S., JASDF capabilities

    U.S. and Japanese military aircraft joined to practice defending Okinawa from simulated enemies during joint bilateral training here Feb. 22 through 26. The training involved a variety of aircraft flying simulated hostile scenarios aimed at training personnel for joint planning and execution of

  • AFSOC hosts physical ability stamina test for special tactics Airmen

    The Air Force Special Operations Training Center staff is scheduled to host a physical ability stamina test at 7:30 a.m. March 12 at the Special Tactics Training Squadron for applicants interested in joining the pararescue, combat control or special operations weather career fields.Applicants will

  • Retiree dental coverage available for purchase

    Good oral health is an important part of maintaining overall health and a military retiree's access to dental coverage doesn't end when they hang up their uniform. With the Tricare Retiree Dental Program, retired servicemembers can purchase affordable dental coverage for themselves and their

  • DOD board to reassess service disability ratings

    Recommendations from a congressionally directed Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review resulted in 61 percent of applicants having their status changed from a medical separation to retirement on the permanent disability list, said Michael LoGrande, president of the PDBR.PDBR

  • Museum remembers 'Aztec Eagles'

    National Museum of the Air Force officials revealed a new exhibit Feb. 26 here dedicated to Mexican airmen who fought alongside U.S. forces in World War II.Members of the Mexican air force Escuadron 201, commonly referred to as the Aztec Eagles, are featured in the exhibit. "The Mexican Air Force,"

  • Brain Injury Awareness Month highlights facts about head trauma

    Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, has been labeled a "signature injury" of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also occurs in non-combat settings in association with motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, assaults and falls. In 2009, Department of Defense officials reported 20,199

  • Doctors perform military first hand transplant

    A group of military and civilian doctors performed a historic surgical procedure at Wilford Hall Medical Center here Feb. 17.  They transplanted a human hand from one woman to another.The patient is the first female and only the 10th person in the United States to undergo this surgery. This also is

  • Eglin optometrist keeps eye on goal

    An Eglin Air Force Base optometrist was recently named the Optometrist of the Year for The Armed Forces Optometric Society, Association of Military Surgeons and the Air Force.Lt. Col. Annette Williamson of the 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadron here also served as the lead optometry consultant for the

  • DOD social media policy balances Web 2.0 with security

    The new Department of Defense policy allowing access to social media from computers connected to the military's unclassified network balances the mission value of Web 2.0 tools and the need for security, a top defense official said. Since being hired as principal deputy assistant secretary of