NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Research officials outline funding process

    Providing U.S. warfighters with a technological edge in battle is a huge responsibility and the staff of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research is actively involved in the process. Each year, AFOSR program mangers evaluate thousands of basic research proposals received from scientists and

  • Latest Roll Call focuses on AFSO 21

    This week's Roll Call features Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, also known as AFSO 21, which is a program that encourages Airmen to maximize value while minimizing waste. AFSO 21 is about results. Senior leaders have identified the major result areas, which are called "Five North

  • Panjshir team aids mosque repair

    Thanks to the cooperative efforts of an Afghan village, coalition forces and an engineering firm, a mosque that was in the way of a road construction project here has been repaired. A temporary bridge had to be erected while the permanent bridge across an irrigation canal in Bazarak was being

  • Air Force may hold RIF board if goal not met

    The Air Force will convene an officer reduction in force board in June if it fails to meet its force-shaping goal, said the service's senior most officer for manpower and personnel. "While the goal has been to reduce active-duty end strength through voluntary programs where possible, if at the end

  • Americans, Djiboutians build relationships

    Reminiscent of a neglected, one-room schoolhouse, the Horsed Private School of English sits on a dusty, goat-lined road in the Balbala section of Djibouti City, Djibouti. Students pack the schoolhouse and sit on makeshift benches, eagerly waiting for members from Camp Lemonier and the Combined Joint

  • Air Force plans to deactivate Willow Grove wing

    Air Force Reserve Command officials briefed congressional leaders today on plans to deactivate the command's 913th Airlift Wing located at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Willow Grove, Pa. The deactivation process would result in personnel authorizations being removed Oct. 1, 2007. The Air

  • Some South Dakota veterans eligible for bonuses

    The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers.Bonuses are available for servicemembers who:-- were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.-- are currently on active duty or were honorably

  • 2006 a year of transformation for Airmen

    In a year when Air Force operations around the globe helped positively impact countless lives affected by violence, intimidation and natural disaster, 2006 also served as a platform for evaluating how such missions can be accomplished more proficiently by capitalizing on training and technology.

  • Vehicle readiness squadron jumps onboard with AFSO 21

    Airmen everywhere are coming up with new ideas to improve their work areas as part of the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program. The Airmen with the 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron here are no different. When Senior Airman Yan Voskanov first came to the squadron, he noticed

  • Medical team goes extra mile for wounded servicemembers

    The importance of the aeromedical evacuation mission cannot be overstated, with aerovac crew members providing advanced life-saving care to wounded servicemembers.Even with providing this care, crew members often go above and beyond to help out their patients. That's how the "Treats for Troops"

  • PACAF command chief meets with Japanese airmen

    The command chief master sergeant for Pacific Air Forces stopped by Kumagaya Air Base last week to meet with Japanese Air Self Defense Force, or JASDF, members and tour the base.Kumagaya Air Base is home to the Fourth and Second JASDF Technical Training Schools, and serves as their basic training

  • NCO awarded $10,000 for money saving IDEA

    A New Hampshire Air National Guard sergeant came up with an idea that saved the Air Force thousands of dollars and earned him some cash, too. Tech. Sgt. Frank Stephens was awarded $10,000 through the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, or IDEA, program on Nov. 21. The

  • Airmen to provide support for Ford's memorial services

    Airmen from the Air Force Band and Air Force Honor Guard will be involved over the next five days with the memorial services planned for former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford who passed away Dec. 26.Bandmembers from the Air Force Band of Flight out of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the

  • Patient-loaded C-17 from Iraq 1st to try Ramstein's low-vis landing system

    On Christmas Day, a C-17 Globemaster III departed Iraq carrying 14 patients requiring medical care at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. Due to a low-ceiling visibility, the C-17 requested the first-ever CAT II instrument landing system approach to a Ramstein runway, just three days after

  • Space Command civilian volunteers to deploy down range

    In January, a civilian from Air Force Space Command will be going down range in support of the war on terrorism. The volunteer, assigned the Logistics and Warfighting Integration Directorate, stepped up to fill a base-level planner position for the Air Force. Michele Kantak, a wife and mother of

  • National Civic Outreach Program keeps public informed

    The mission of informing the public about the military can be a difficult task and one of the tools of the trade is the base tour. The focus of the tour can be local or national. Capt. Rob Lazaro, deputy director of the Air Force National Civic Outreach Office, said that national tours are a bit

  • Letter exchange cheers Airmen away from home

    Since Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here can't be home for the holidays, a group of elementary students from Florida have been sending season's greetings by exchanging letters."It started with 10 letters, and the school in Orlando called up, asking if we could get 10

  • Officials select civilians for leadership program

    Sixty nine Air Force civilians were selected recently for a new leadership development program that provides a total force development vision for Air Force civilians in the GS-15 grade, preparing them for senior roles in the Department of Defense. The civilians were selected from 115 candidates by a

  • Ellsworth continues record of excellence in environmental compliance

    Region 8 of the Environmental Protection Agency announced the deletion of portions of the Ellsworth Air Force Base site from the National Priorities List on Dec. 4. "This milestone is a result of a tremendous amount of hard work by some highly dedicated professionals not only at Ellsworth, but at

  • Balad leads from front in season of giving

    No matter what holiday you celebrate -- Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other -- this time of year is generally regarded as the season for giving and a time to share. One might wonder, then, why the spirit of this season isn't observed all year. But it is here at Balad, where many Airmen

  • Pentagon Channel documentary focuses on storied 'Old Guard'

    They are the very public face of ultimate military discipline. They wow stadiums packed with football fans with their complex rifle drills. They honor fallen comrades with solemn processions. They guard the Tomb of the Unknowns around the clock at Arlington National Cemetery. And on Dec. 15, they

  • Task force on future of military healthcare established

    Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England announced Dec. 22 the names of the 14-member future military healthcare task force; the task force will evaluate and recommend alternatives to ensure the stability of military medicine over the long term. As directed by Congress in the National Defense

  • Bowl game pays tribute to servicemembers

    The game may have been all about football, but the overall event was a tribute to 1.2 million very special people -- the men and women of the United States armed forces. The Universities of Utah and Tulsa took to the field Dec. 23 at Amon G. Carter Stadium for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

  • Deputy defense secretary named Great American Patriot

    Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England was presented with the first Great American Patriot Award Dec. 23 at a halftime ceremony during the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Secretary England, a Fort Worth resident, said he was very humbled by the award. "Also in a way

  • Antarctica joint task force medevacs two

    Thirteenth Air Force's Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze took on an emergency short notice mission late on Dec. 23 (Antarctica time) to medevac two patients: a 74-year-old female passenger from the Russian cruise ship Kapitan Klebnikov, and a seriously ill resident of

  • Pep rally heightens excitement for Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

    Team spirit was evident throughout the streets of the downtown area here known as Sundance Square. Whether it was the wearing of school colors of two teams ready to take each other on in a gridiron challenge or the uniform pride of armed force members, there was no doubt this was an all-American

  • Eglin performs largest 'cook-off' test ever

    No one does cook-offs bigger than the members of the 46th Test Wing here. Members of the 780th Test Squadron suspended a rocket motor Dec. 14. over a 2,622 square foot pan full of approximately 28,000 gallons of jet fuel and lit it on fire, which is called a fast cook-off test.This test, which took

  • Sesame Street's Elmo to educate Americans on deployments

    Elmo and the characters of Sesame Street are going to give Americans at large a chance to see what military families go through when their loved ones deploy to war zones. Sesame Street will air "When Parents Are Deployed" on most Public Broadcasting System stations Dec. 27, and Armed Forces Network

  • 10 Globemaster IIIs fly in formation over Washington state

    Like an iron alligator in the sky, a band of 10 C-17 Globemaster IIIs flew in formation Dec. 21 from Puget Sound to eastern Washington . Taking off in five-minute intervals from McChord AFB, C-17s with aircrews from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings rendezvoused in the sky to align into a single file

  • C-17 makes 1st-ever airdrop to Antarctica

    Another airpower milestone was reached Dec. 20 with the completion of the first C-17 Globemaster III airdrop mission that delivered about 70,000 pounds of supplies to the South Pole.The airdrop's success is due to the combined effort of people from Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica

  • TRANSCOM commander visits Air Mobility Warfare Center

    Saying he was impressed by the remarkable people and their wide-ranging missions, the commander of the U.S. Transportation Command wrapped up a two-day tour Dec. 14 of units at McGuire Air Force Base, nearby Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, the Air Mobility Warfare Center here, as well as

  • Pilots, air battle managers to receive incentive pay

    The fiscal 2007 Aviator Continuation Pay program will offer eligible pilots and air battle managers a monetary incentive to continue their service. A five-year, fixed-length agreement is available to initial-eligible pilots and air battle managers who apply. The agreement values in annual pretax

  • Trainees given chance to shop, ship presents

    For more than 3,100 basic trainees, Dec. 9 brought an opportunity to get into the holiday spirit. Under the Shop-A-Trainee program, trainees in the first, second and fifth week of training, plus trainees on medical hold, were able to go to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Main Exchange to

  • BASH lowers Eglin aircraft incidents nearly 75 percent

    While most Air Force bases around the world have a Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program, Eglin AFB officials have refocused and enhanced their efforts to more effectively deal with the diverse and rather large wildlife population. Eglin's wildlife strikes dropped by almost 75

  • Air Force Small Business Program gets boost

    In exceeding goals in all five categories of its Small Business Program performance, Air Force Materiel Command is at the top of the Air Force list for dollars awarded to small businesses in fiscal 2006. Specifically, AFMC's Small Business Office awarded more than $4.6 billion - or 52.8 percent - of

  • New security base established in Laghman Province

    On a scenic plateau above the Alishang River in northern Laghman Province laid the earthly remains of some 20 Afghan mujahedeen fighters who occupied this land and fought to the last man against the Soviet Army. This hallowed ground is once again the focal point in the battle against tyranny and

  • Air Guard leaders explore ways to reset force

    The challenges for resetting the Air National Guard became more apparent to its senior leaders here Dec. 11 to 13 when Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, director of the Air National Guard, hosted the senior leadership conference, Minuteman Heritage -- Preparing for New Horizons. More than 1,000 leaders

  • TacSat-2 launched into space with flawless liftoff

    Successfully launched onboard a Minotaur I rocket, the TacSat-2 spacecraft has commenced operations on a planned six to 12-month experimental mission Dec. 16 from the NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility near Wallops Island, Va. Within minutes after leaving the launch pad, the micro satellite,

  • Safeguarding information technology vital to DOD

    Safeguarding and protecting vital computer-accessed information is the job of everyone working at the Defense Department, a senior DOD official said. "It's the responsibility for everyone to be sensitive to the security of their information, their passwords, the use of their (common access) cards to

  • Air Force leaders advocate Voluntary Protection Program

    Air Force leaders here are advocating an enhanced safety program that focuses on developing and caring for the safety of Airmen, civilians and their families. The Voluntary Protection Program originates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and focuses on incorporating the Air

  • Reservists add major adjustment to T-1 training

    Four or five months after graduating from Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, students from the T-1A Jayhawk tanker and airlift track may very well find themselves flying over the not-so-friendly sky in support of the war on terrorism. Two members of the 5th Flying Training

  • 6th SOPS delivers critical weather data to warfighters

    The motto, "Get data or die" holds special significance for the 6th Space Operations Squadron, an Air Force Reserve Command unit here whose Airmen must deliver data to their customers within 10 minutes of downloading it from their satellites.The squadron's data transforms weather from a force of

  • Air Force announces top recruiters for 2006

    Twelve Air Force recruiters garnered top honors in their field for fiscal year 2006 as winners of Operation Blue Suit XXVIII, Air Force Recruiting Service officials announced Dec. 18. The winners include:-- Master Sgt. Richard Cuddeford, 343rd Recruiting Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb.-- Tech. Sgt.

  • Enlisted aircrew training winds down at Keesler

    Although packers are busy disconnecting and crating equipment, training continues for the last 10 students in the 1A3 airborne mission system specialist course in the 332nd Training Squadron here. The last Keesler class graduates Tuesday as part of the transition to the Career Enlisted Aviator

  • New antenna begins testing

    The 23rd Space Operations Squadron here began operations confidence testing of its newest Air Force Satellite Control Network antenna Dec. 14. Operational testing will verify the antenna is fully prepared to conduct satellite supports as part of the squadron's 24-hour mission, said station manager

  • Air Force releases KC-X draft request for proposals

    Air Force officials announced Friday the release of an updated draft Request for Proposals for the KC-X, the aerial tanker replacement aircraft. "This continues our open and transparent acquisition process," said Sue Payton, the Air Force senior acquisition executive. "We're releasing this document

  • Airforce.com: Online link to 'Cross into the Blue'

    For seven years, the official Air Force recruiting Web site has provided the public information on officer and enlisted careers as well as benefits the Air Force offers. Monday through Friday six decorated, retired recruiters man airforce.com chat lines, each managing up to seven chats at a time and

  • Engineers contribute to F-35 initial flight success

    The Dec. 15 initial flight of the new F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, or JSF, came after more than six years of development and testing at Arnold Engineering Development Center here. The flight of the conventional takeoff and landing F-35 variant began at 12:44 p.m. CST at Lockheed Martin in

  • CMSAF visits Southern Command Airmen

    After three days of travel to U.S. Southern Command bases, the Airmen he has met have impressed Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. The chief said Airmen serving at forward-operating locations in the region "are doing wonderful things for our Air Force." The chief said they do an

  • Basketball: Falcons crack Associated Press Poll at No. 24

    It may be finals week at the Academy, but the Air Force men's basketball team has been acing tests all season.The Falcons slammed Norfolk State 70-47, Dec. 13 following a Dec. 7 record-breaking 82-31 thrashing of neighboring Division III Colorado College, both at Clune Arena, a graveyard for

  • Academy officials open training facility at Pueblo Airport

    Officials from the Air Force Academy's 306th Flying Training Group will officially open a new facility Dec. 15 at the Pueblo Airport Industrial Park east of Pueblo, Colo. Staff members from Detachment 1 of the 306th FTG have been overseeing a contracted Air Force Initial Flight Screening program in

  • Combat Hammer tests air-to-ground bombing capabilities

    Eglin Air Force Base's western range, Bravo 70, was the site for the largest-ever Combat Hammer weapons system evaluation program Dec. 4 to 8, sponsored by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. More than 40 precision-guided weapons were dropped, including laser-guided bombs, joint direct attack

  • Secretary Wynne visits Ramstein

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne visited here Dec. 12. The focus of his visit was the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program.The secretary's stay included visits to the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron and the 86th Maintenance Group and its Propulsion Flight. He also

  • Christmas comes early for San Antonio families

    The holiday season can be a time of cheer, but often is tough for many military families. Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance to military members and their families, along with Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and America Supports You, joined forces to make

  • Airmen challenged to make better choices

    "Work hard and play smart" may soon be a new mantra for Airmen after duty hours. In February, the Air Force kicked off a new program titled "Culture of Responsible Choices." The program, called CoRC for short, is more of a change in mindset than an actual new formal program. It is a mindset where

  • Military health care making advances

    The military has made tremendous advances in health care in the last decade and specifically since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the top Defense Department official for health care said here yesterday. Body armor, eyewear, new surgical techniques and improved medical data collection

  • Chief McKinley says roll call good for Air Force

    Some Airmen are not getting information they need to make them better and more productive, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley said. That is why he believes the start of a roll call program, which he said could start "within days," will help bridge the communications gap between

  • DOD, U.K. sign next stage Joint Strike Fighter agreement

    United States and United Kingdom officials signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 12 to begin future cooperation in the production, sustainment and follow-on development, called PSFD, phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England and United Kingdom

  • AFMC leaders plot 'One Materiel Command' course

    "Pushing widgets out your door but having those widgets stack up in front of another Air Force Materiel Command unit's door really hasn't helped the enterprise." With that statement, Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, explained his concept of 'One Materiel Command' to 103 AFMC senior leaders

  • Prevention, education key to winning war against HIV

    In the military's fight against HIV/AIDS, prevention is the key to winning the battle, said Dr. Judith Delmar, a staff physician with the Air Force's HIV program at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Speaking at the sixth annual international HIV/AIDS Strategic Planning and Policy Development course, the

  • Schedule announced for release of tax statements

    Servicemembers, military retirees and annuitants, and federal civilian employees paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can expect to receive their 2006 tax statements beginning this month, DFAS officials announced today. DFAS customers with access to the secure, Web-based "myPay" system

  • Kadena Airmen live life of Japan self defense force

    Six Kadena Air Base NCOs recently had the opportunity to experience what life is like in the Japan Air Self Defense Force. As part of the NCO Bilateral Exchange Program they traveled in JASDF aircraft Dec. 5 to Tsuiki Air Base in mainland Japan. There, they spent nine days living and working

  • Hurlburt Airmen grant Honduran Christmas wish

    A group of Airmen here are taking a break from their holiday hustle and bustle to make a special trip and grant Christmas wishes for others. More than a dozen Airmen from the 6th Special Operations Squadron, 15th SOS and 73rd SOS travel Dec. 11 to La Ceiba, Honduras, to carry out Operation Christmas

  • Space shuttle on way to space station

    Space Shuttle Discovery successfully launched from Cape Canaveral at 8:47 p.m. EDT Dec. 9 and is on its way to the International Space Station. Mission STS-116 carries a crew of seven, three of them Sailors, and is Discovery's 33rd mission. The shuttle and its crew will deliver another truss segment

  • New features available on myPay

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials announced several improvements have been made to myPay providing customers continued ease for on-line transactions. A new feature has been added for military service members on the Savings Deposit Program that allows service members serving in

  • Four more F-16s to be delivered to Poland

    Four more F-16s are scheduled to arrive in Poland Dec. 14 as part of a second wave of a 48-aircraft delivery and a $3.8 billion program executed by Aeronautical Systems Center and the Air Force Security Assistance Center here.The F-16 deliveries are part of the Poland Peace Sky Program, a Foreign

  • NATO team ensures safe sky during Riga Summit

    While Airmen around U.S. Air Forces in Europe were gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving, duty called for more than 450 other Airmen in seven European countries to support the NATO Riga Summit in Latvia. Called Operation Peaceful Summit, the military effort enhanced ongoing Baltic Air Policing

  • General talks to next greatest generation

    The four-star general looked into the crowd of eager-eyed cadets -- the next generation of Air Force leaders looked back at him. General Paul V. Hester, the Pacific Air Forces commander, visited Houston for the strategic outreach plan "Air Force Road Show" and took time to talk with the University

  • General briefs Air Force mission to Houston group

    Ken Scott and other members of the Houston Forum were briefed about the Air Force Mission by General Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, Dec. 7 here at a JW Marriott hotel auditorium. Mr. Scott owns a public relations and communications company in Houston and he knows how hard public

  • 2006 suicide numbers not start of trend

    The number of suicides among Airmen in fiscal 2006 rose about 14 percent above a ten year average for the service, but the increase is not likely the start of a trend, an Air Force official said. "The suicide rate for 2006 is most indicative of the random variations year-to-year of suicides," said

  • Air Force allergy doctors win FIT competition

    A 59th Medical Wing allergy team won the 15th Annual American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Fellows-in-Training Bowl held Nov. 6 in Philadelphia. Allergy specialists Maj. (Dr.) Stephen Scranton and Capt. (Dr.) Chris Calabria, with the 759th Medical Operations Squadron at Wilford Hall

  • 4 Airmen vie for GEICO awards

    Four Airmen have been chosen to represent the Air Force to compete for the 2006 Government Employee Insurance Company Military Service Awards. Their records will compete against those of other members of the armed forces in four categories. Master Sgt. Shawn Ricchuito of Robins AFB, Ga., will

  • Football: Hennings inducted into college hall of fame

    A former U.S. Air Force Academy football player was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Dec. 5 in New York City. Chad Hennings, a 1988 academy graduate, was inducted into the 2006 College Football Hall of Fame Division I-A Class at the 49th Annual Awards Dinner. A unanimous first-team

  • Air War College receives joint Phase II certification

    Air War College, the Air Force's senior service school, located at Air University here, received Joint Staff J-7's recommendation for Joint Professional Military Education Phase II certification at the culmination of a visit by a certification assessment team in late November. The recommendation

  • IMAs, units to share Reserve personnel reductions

    Faced with eliminating 7,700 personnel authorizations, Air Force Reserve Command officials have decided to divide those cuts between individual mobilization augmentees and unit reservists. "To do our part in the Air Force's recapitalization and modernization efforts, as well as participate in

  • Air Force launches new television program

    A long-format, weekly news show titled "Today's Air Force" is now available. The new program, which first aired Oct. 30, was introduced to help tell Air Force stories in a more in-depth manner. "We have daily news programs, but they don't provide enough time to get deep into a subject and provide

  • Air Force Week locations selected for 2007

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 5 the six locations to host "Air Force Week" in 2007. They are Phoenix from March 19 to 25; Sacramento from June 4 to 10; St. Louis from July 2 to 8; New England from Aug.18 to 26; Honolulu from Sept. 10 to 16; and Atlanta from Oct. 8 to 14. The inaugural Air Force

  • Fighter pilot balanced tactics, safety, effectiveness

    I'd hate to see an epitaph on a fighter pilot's tombstone that says, "I told you I needed training"... How do you train for the most dangerous game in the world by being as safe as possible? When you don't let a guy train because it's dangerous, you're saying, "Go fight those lions with your bare

  • Orientation program highlights best practices

    Air Mobility Command mission support group commanders recently traveled to five AMC bases to learn about and evaluate best practices as part of the annual Excellent Installation Orientation Program. Commanders visited MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; McGuire AFB, N.J.; Grand Forks AFB, N.D.; Fairchild

  • Families receive $178 million in retroactive benefits

    Base-level casualty assistance representatives around the Air Force have been instrumental in identifying eligible families to receive more than $178 million in retroactive death benefits. The payments, made by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, come from recent changes enacted by Congress

  • Florida teaching certification to benefit CCAF instructors

    Qualified instructors from the Community College of the Air Force can now take a state-issued subject-knowledge exam to meet requirements for K-12 teaching certification in Florida, negating the need of additional schooling, after Florida legislators recently amended their educator certification

  • Moody maintainers take initiative with AFSO 21

    A handful of Moody AFB maintenance professionals brought Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century to the forefront during a meeting Nov. 20 and 21 that reflected on improving inspections for the HC-130P. Sixteen Airmen from the 723rd Maintenance Squadron, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and

  • Thrift investment board ups '07 TSP contribution limits

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has announced a $500 increase in regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions to $15,500 for 2007 elective deferral maximum contributions. "TSP is a long-term retirement savings plan, which everyone should consider," said Janet Thomas, a human resources

  • Next generation: A-10C arrives at Davis-Monthan

    The A-10C Thunderbolt II made its official roll-out debut here Nov. 29, revealing its transformation and its enhanced capabilities under the Precision Engagement program.The Precision Engagement program will offer the A-10 the most significant modifications it has ever received in its 30-year

  • Sibling tanker pilots connect 7,700 miles from home

    Being in different services, they never thought their military paths would cross, but two Kaysville, Utah, brothers are sharing a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Torbensen family learned Marine Corps Capt. Jason Torbensen and Air Force 1st Lt. Dustin Torbensen would serve together at a

  • Kunsan F-16 fleet prepped for 'Falcon STAR'

    The Block 30 F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron here are set to enter upgrade in the Air Force's Falcon Structural Augmentation Roadmap program aimed at extending the service life of the aircraft. The improvement to the fleet follows previous air-to-ground dominance to

  • Moment of silence Dec. 1 to honor CAP 65th

    Civil Air Patrol members and advocates nationwide plan to honor the volunteer organization's 65th anniversary with a nationwide moment of silence Dec. 1 at noon Eastern time. The moment of silence is part of the yearlong celebration of CAP's anniversary, punctuated with events both national and

  • Stepping out of the blue for Army green

    Change is good, as one Airman in the 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron here finds out as he changes from "Into the Blue" to "Army Strong." Senior Airman Mike Goldman, 16th EWS journeyman, will become Specialist Goldman Dec. 28, as he enlists into the Army through the "Operation Blue to Green"

  • Career fields meld expertise in recovery missions

    Airmen from three career fields have worked for the past five years to bring the guardian angel weapon system, or GAWS, online for the Air Force to provide rapid recovery of servicemembers. Made up of survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists, pararescue jumper called PJs, and combat

  • Region Air Force commander visits Kadena

    The importance of the 18th Wing's mission in fighting the war on terrorism and its peace-keeping efforts in the Pacific region were key topics of discussion by the commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force during his visit here Nov. 15. Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, visited the base for an in-depth

  • Technology transfers benefit warfighter, first responders

    The Defense Department's technology transfer program, which shares newly developed DOD technologies with civilian first responders, benefits both communities in cost effectiveness and mission accomplishment, the DOD official in charge of the program said here Nov.21. Congress mandated the technology

  • Pentagon Channel 'Recon' program focuses on military children

    "I send him off with a kiss goodbye, although I understand that he may die." Those are words from a poem written by a third-grader named Gloria who lives with her family at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. She concludes her poem this way: "I serve too." That child's sentiment is the subject and title

  • Dirt runway testing increases C-17 safety, agility

    In an effort to expand the capability of the C-17 Globemaster III, about 40 people from the C-17 Integrated Test Force are in the midst of a four-phase test program to determine the C-17 takeoff and landing performance on non-paved surfaces. Engineers and pilots are testing the aircraft in extreme

  • Operation Homecooking offers a taste of home

    Going through basic military training is always difficult on trainees, especially over the holidays. That is why for the past 31 years, Operation Homecooking has tried to serve up the flavors, family and feelings of the Thanksgiving holiday to hundreds of the Air Force's newest family members --

  • Air Force training makes Airmen safer, more aware

    Staff Sgt. Jason Lowery knows that preparing for combat duty is something many Airmen do not know much about. But training Airmen to be safer and more aware of the dangers they face around the world is not a new concept. Air Force Combat Skills Training is just the newest method of providing today's

  • 18th Wing key component in war on terrorism

    The importance of the 18th Wing's mission in fighting the war on terrorism and its peacekeeping efforts in the Pacific region were the key topics discussed by the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander here Nov. 15.Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright visited the base for an orientation tour of the wing

  • Life at Incirlik means getting involved

    Incirlik is known affectionately by its residents as "the small community with the big heart." Senior Master Sgt. Raul Ruiz, the 39th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, embraces this small-town environment by being an active member of the community. "My family and I are involved in everything

  • People should get annual flu shots, DOD official says

    All people, particularly very young and older citizens, should obtain an annual flu shot, a top Department of Defense health official said here Nov. 21. The influenza virus is a contagious respiratory illness that annually kills about 36,000 Americans and hospitalizes 200,000, Dr. David N. Tornberg,

  • Colonel receives Bronze Star during Alabama-Auburn game

    An instructor from Maxwell Air Force Base's Air War College was honored at his Alma Mater during the University of Alabama rival football game Nov. 18, against Auburn University Saturday.Col. Duane Lamb was presented the Bronze Star medal by his former commander, Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc, who served

  • Attorney general speaks to U.S. Air Force Academy cadets

    U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told cadets here Nov. 18, that terrorists will not rise to the example of the United States. The judge addressed civil liberties and war on terrorism issues during his lecture to 700 cadets."The United States has rightfully positioned itself in this conflict