Combat rescue officers ready for field

Nineteen men began their Sunday morning Oct. 21 with a three-mile run and 1,500-meter swim here. The intensive physical training test set the stage for six days of grueling workouts and evaluations -- so demanding, in fact, that by Friday only eight men were left. Those eight men are now combat

'Perspective' comments on promotion release system

In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman comments on the new way to release promotion results which will resolve several issues with the current notification process. "The new process has been extensively tested, and we'll begin using this promotion release avenue

Thunderbirds receive first upgraded F-16

Hill Air Force Base officials rolled out the first of 11 configured F-16 Fighting Falcons for the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.During a ceremonial hand over Oct. 24, attended by incoming 2008-2009 Thunderbirds commander and lead pilot Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, and a full house of

Airmen visit Tok Mok orphanage

Candy and chocolates are quickly eaten, toys and games eventually lose pieces or break, and clothes and shoes are outgrown over time. But the one gift all of these material things bring that lasts a lot longer, perhaps even a lifetime, is the knowledge that somebody genuinely cared enough to help

Pachyderm PCS: Elephant finds new home courtesy of Air Force

As the sun crested over the foothills of San Andreas, Calif., and the compound's gate opened, she knew she was home. Maggie, the Alaska Zoo's only elephant, arrived at the Performing Animal Welfare Society's ARK 2000 Wildlife Sanctuary Nov. 2, exiting her crate some 15 hours after leaving

New legislation affects Tricare supplements

Many Tricare beneficiaries are getting letters from their employer stating they will no longer offer Tricare supplements as an employer-sponsored medical option effective January 1, 2008. Tricare beneficiaries should look closely at their health care options. A provision of the John Warner National

Nov. 3 airpower summary: A-10s provide airpower

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired on enemy combatants

Operation Maggie Migration: a mammoth mission

Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and Travis AFB, Calif., took part in the transport of an unusual traveler Nov. 1 -- possibly their largest airlift passenger ever. Maggie the elephant arrived at Travis for a quick stop before being transported to her final destination at the Performing Animal

Officials announce virtual enlisted promotion release

Beginning with the November 2007 chief master sergeant promotion announcement, Airmen will be able to access the results of their promotion consideration on their own from anywhere in the world. Through the new virtual enlisted promotion release system, promotion lists will be posted on the Air

Honor guard transitions to new funeral guidelines

Beginning Nov. 1, honor guard teams across the Air Force will support retiree funeral missions with seven members for standard funerals nationwide. While funerals at Arlington National Cemetery will continue to receive military honors supported by Air Force Honor Guard Airmen, funerals for retirees

Air Force's top financial manager visits Keesler for schoolhouse opening

John G. Vonglis, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller, visited Keesler Oct. 29 for the unveiling of the new financial management officer schoolhouse here. The event marked the official opening of the newly-renovated schoolhouse facility and

Air Force energy group wins presidential award

Every year, the president recognizes outstanding teams of federal employees for their support, leadership and efforts in promoting and improving federal energy management. This year, the Air Force Senior Focus Group on Energy, a top-level leadership organization focused on energy programs for the

Operation Maggie Migration flies elephant to California

The Air Force is flying Maggie, a 25-year-old African elephant, from the Alaska Zoo to her new home in California on a C-17 Globemaster III. Maggie will start her Air Force journey at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska and finish it at Travis AFB, Calif., on Nov. 1. Officials with the Alaska Zoo and

Researchers create family of composite materials

Scientists funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research have constructed an entirely new class of materials that potentially could aid Air Force missions. Dr. David Avnir, Head of the Institute of Chemistry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, led scientists to a surprising

Tinker unit designs new welding process for B-2

When the B-2 Spirit systems support manager here needed three spar caps refurbished for a spare right aft deck kit, he uncovered a larger problem. The aft deck panels on the stealth bomber were not originally designed to be replaced, so there were only a couple of spare right aft deck kits produced.

Defense, VA officials to coordinate on patient care

The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have partnered to put in place 10 federal recovery coordinators charged with managing the care of severely injured servicemembers and their families for as long as a lifetime. Officials from the two departments signed an agreement Oct. 31 outlining the

TF33 jet engine shop up and running at Tinker

The Air Force's lone TF33 Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance shop here achieved full operational capability status in October. "This marks a shift of engine workload from field units to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, enabling the warfighter to focus more on expeditionary capabilities and

Large crowd gathers for first air, space expo

An estimated 85,000 air and space enthusiasts attended the 2007 Holloman Air and Space Expo here Oct. 26 to 28. "This was the first ever live-fly air and space show in the nation," said Brig. Gen. David Goldfein, the 49th Fighter Wing commander. "It was the first time to bring together air and space

Tactical airlift initiatives further Air Force's total force integration

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced four proposed initiatives Oct. 31 concerning C-130 Hercules tactical airlift, each of which furthers the service's vision for a seamless total force. The initiatives, which would impact communities in Tennessee, New York, Georgia and

Airman's Roll Call highlights feedback and evaluation

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on feedback and assessment of Airmen performance. With the introduction of new feedback and performance report forms, Air Force supervisors and rating officials have more viable tools to provide honest feedback and accurate assessments of the Airmen they lead.

Open season begins Nov. 12 for civilian benefits programs

Office of Personnel Management officials have announced an open season will be held Nov. 12 through Dec. 10 for three civilian benefit programs. The three programs are the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, and the Federal Flexible

Kunsan Airmen strive for smarter ways to execute with less

Doing things smarter is something the 8th Fighter Wing is striving for, especially with the entire Air Force having to now accomplish the mission with less. With every commander's call and opportunity senior leaders have had to speak with the Airmen here, they are taking to heart Air Force Smart

CSI Honduras: JSF teaches crime scene processing to Honduran police

The joint security forces unit here hosted 70 local police officers and police academy students Oct. 24 and 26 for a course on crime scene processing. The course is one in a series of classes taught this year, with other lessons involving handcuff procedures, high-risk traffic stops and riot

A-10 pilot awarded Mackay Trophy

Capt. Scott Markle received the Clarence Mackay Trophy during a ceremony here Oct. 29 for his actions while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom last year. Captain Markle, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot from the 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, directly engaged a

AF anniversary concert airs nationwide Nov. 2

The mission of the U.S. Air Force Band often places its Airmen in the spotlight of large audiences. Starting in November, the band's concert in honor of the Air Force's 60th anniversary will play on public television from coast to coast. The band recently performed the concert at the The Music

Falcons self destruct in 34-31 loss

It was easy to put a finger on why Air Force lost, 34-31, to New Mexico Oct. 25 in Mountain West Conference play at University Stadium in Albuquerque -- the Falcons couldn't keep their hands on the football. The bluesuiters lost a season-high five fumbles, three in the fourth quarter, which turned a

Industry, academic leaders pool brainpower to address IED threat

The head of the Defense Department's counter-improvised explosive device effort challenged some of the best minds in industry, academia, the national laboratories and the military to come up with better ways to thwart these deadly weapons. Retired Army Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, director of the Joint

New safety plan to hit Fairchild

A new side of safety will be seen here in the coming days, months and years as the Voluntary Protection Program makes its debut. Fairchild will be the third base in Air Mobility Command to implement the program. The VPP is a program that is "designed to recognize outstanding safety and health

Air Force to fly elephant from Alaska to California

Air Force members will fly Maggie, a 25-year-old African elephant at the Alaska Zoo, on a C-17 Globemaster IIIs cargo aircraft to her new home in California Nov. 1. Maggie will fly from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, to Travis AFB, Calif., aboard the Alaskan-based C-17. Officials with the Alaska

Air Force leaders testify on strategic, budget initiatives

People, equipment and money were the main topics Oct. 24 when the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee. Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley answered questions from the committee about warfighting resources required

Buddy Wing Program teams up U.S., Korean Airmen

Pilots and maintainers from the 80th Fighter Squadron participated in a Buddy Wing Program exercise Oct. 23 to 25 at Jungwon Air Base, South Korea. The Buddy Wing program is a way for U.S. Air Force and South Korea air force members to develop teamwork, exchange ideas and improve tactics. "It's very

Space Command welcomes new leader

"Space capabilities have shaped the American way of warfare in the 21st century, just like airpower did in the 20th," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler as he assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here Oct. 24 presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.

Kabul Airman brings gifts, smiles to local children

Thanks to the efforts of an Airman deployed to Kabul International Airport and supporters back in the United States, 47 local youth soccer players are now a little better equipped.Master Sgt. William Whitt, a fuels mentor with the Air Corps Advisors Group here, worked with his wife, Lea-Ellen Whitt,

Beale expands environmental cleanup ability

Beale Air Force Base environmental members, in conjunction with environmental consultants, recently completed a project that greatly expands the base's ability to perform critical environmental cleanup operations. The project uses a revolutionary process that naturally cleans contaminated

Air Force leaders discuss priorities at summit

Air Force leaders met here Oct. 23 to discuss the future beddown of weapons systems over the next several years, outlining a strategy to address the Air Force's most pressing need: recapitalization and modernization of its aging fleet. The discussion focused on maintaining, evolving and expanding

Leaders unveil new partnership for acquisition

Air Force Materiel Command officials here and acquisition professionals at the Pentagon have recently formed a new partnership to overcome weapon-system acquisition challenges, according to senior Air Force leaders.Sue C. Payton, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and Gen.

DOD officials name new senior tribal liason

Department of Defense officials have announced that David Sanborn, an enrolled member of the Penobscot Nation, will be the department's new senior tribal liaison. The DOD senior tribal liaison has primary responsibility for providing guidance and oversight for the department's American Indian &

Program encourages scientific collaborations

As panel members convene for the organization's 50th annual meeting, a five-nation program geared toward collaboration in defense science and technology is looking at its past and charting its future, a senior Defense Department official said. Andre van Tilborg, deputy undersecretary of defense for

Servicemembers deliver food to Honduran mountain village

Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, hiked Comayagua Mountain to deliver approximately 450 pounds of food to citizens in the remote Bella Vista village Oct. 20. The hike, rated as "physically challenging" by its organizers, took approximately four hours as the

'Today's Air Force' features the MQ-9 Reaper

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the Air Force's newest unmanned aerial vehicle, the MQ-9 Reaper. Also featured is the ongoing operation that protects America's skies, Noble Eagle. Finally, get an inside look into raising and training military working dogs. The 30-minute, weekly

Global Hawk passes fuel test

The 452nd Flight Test Squadron pushed the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 20 to its fuel system limits during a week-long starvation test here. The testing involved tilting the aircraft to a 20-degree angle while running the aircraft out of fuel inside the weight and balance hangar. "The testing is very

Bagram Airmen help bring better life to Afghan families

A group of Bagram Airmen joined with their civilian and sister service counterparts Oct. 17 to help bring a better life to the people of Afghanistan, one family at a time. Dubbed Operation Care, the all-volunteer effort collects and delivers clothing, toys, candy, school and hygiene supplies to

Air Force retiree funerals change due to manpower cuts

Base honor guards across the Air Force will be changing the way they perform retiree funerals starting Nov. 1 due to manpower cuts and high operations tempo as well as a higher number of retiree funerals than ever in Air Force history. The formal 10-person funeral will no longer be authorized for

Chief McKinley visits Robins, discusses Air Force priorities

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley traveled to Robins Air Force Base Oct. 11 and spoke with Airmen throughout the base. Chief McKinley met with several base units and told enlisted Airmen that the Air Force has a vision and that includes helping Airmen be better prepared to win

Worldwide weather system installations completed

The Electronic Systems Center here has wrapped up a five-year, $70 million effort to replace 110 fixed-based weather sensing systems at sites across the globe. The center and the prime contractor, Coastal Environmental Systems of Seattle, Wash., completed the final installation in Southwest Asia

Joint team helps build Afghan air corps

As the Afghan national army air corps begins to spread its wings and take to the air, a group of U.S. servicemembers are by their side, mentoring and advising them every step of the way. Almost 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are working alongside their Afghan counterparts as part of the

Bagram Airmen directly support 72-hour battle

During the last week of September, crews of the 774th Expeditionary Air Squadron conducted one of the largest series of air drop operations in Afghanistan's history, getting nearly 150 tons of food, water and ammunition to coalition troops in the field. However, excitement at the accomplishment

Air Force armada all about the ammo

Not many people know the Air Force has a navy. Ask the typical Airman if he can name even one of the service's ships and he would most likely shrug and say, "Ship? We don't have ships. We fly airplanes." But the fact is the Air Force does have ships. Called the Afloat Pre-positioned Fleet, the

C-130s hit the ice

A pair of specially equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft, belonging to the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, left here headed for Antarctica Oct. 17. The team hit the ice at McMurdo Statio, Antarctica, one of the coldest, windiest, most inhospitable places on the globe, as part of

Eielson's last A-10 carried on final flight

The last Eielson Air Force Base A-10 Thunderbolt II was strapped in and transported via C-5 Galaxy Oct. 6 from here to its new home at the Museum of Aviation Flight and Technology Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.The aircraft, tail number 75-0305, was being used for weapons ground training at

DLA-Warner Robins activated Oct. 15

The Defense Logistics Agency gained 240 employees Oct. 15 when DLA-Warner Robins stood up here. The "new" employees will provide supply, storage and distribution support to the maintenance activities for Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. DLA activated the new detachment of its aviation supply and

Total force Airmen participate in Chilean exercise

Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Airmen from across the Southwest came together Oct 15 to 19 in Iquique, Chile, to participate in WILLKA, Chile's first exercise with their new F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-5 Freedom Fighters and the U.S. Air Force.Approximately 130 Airmen will train with their

Online resource can help deal with life's challenges

A new online educational resource offers Tricare beneficiaries a secure, safe environment to seek information, educational materials and self-assessment tools on behavioral health, addiction and recovery, life events and daily living skills. "AchieveSolutions" can be accessed through the behavioral

Air Force doctors train Pakistanis in battlefield surgery

Air Force medical professionals are part of an ongoing defense mission to teach their international military counterparts the latest combat-related surgical techniques. A five-person team of Air Force doctors recently returned from Rawalpind, Pakistan, after teaching a five-day course to Pakistani

AFMC helps develop hybrid truck technology

When it comes to heavy-duty, special purpose vehicles, some Americans may imagine a gas-guzzling engine and tons of unfriendly emissions taking their toll on the environment. But the Air Force's Advanced Power Technology Office, or APTO, here is working to change the stereotype and prove heavy-duty

Chain of successes leads to Reaper operations

The new MQ-9 Reaper has flown daily missions over Afghanistan since late September.The 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron, in the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Wing, comprises the team of program managers, functional supporters, testers and logisticians who were behind the team effort of getting the

Global Cyberspace Integration Center mission formalized

The Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center here took a step forward in the Air Force's effort to "Fly and Fight in Cyberspace" following the signature of a new mission directive. The directive, signed by Lt. Gen. Michael W. Peterson, Air Force Warfighting Integration and chief information

Researchers fine-tune F-35 pilot-aircraft speech system

When the first F-35 Lightning II rolls out in 2008, communications between pilot and aircraft will enter a new era thanks in part to testing and analysis conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate. The F-35 will be the first U.S. fighter aircraft with a speech

Mobility Operations School introduces new maintenance simulator

The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School begins its first classroom use of the new Aircraft Maintenance Production Simulator, or AMPS, in October for its Maintenance Supervision and Production Course, or MSPC. The AMPS is a conversion and upgrade of the Aircraft

Air Force officials release new annual training plan details

Air Force leaders have released the details about the new annual training requirements program for the Total Force. As of Oct. 15, all Airmen will use the new "block instruction" plan that combines nine ancillary training courses into three 30-minute blocks of training, saving more than 6 million

Hill fighter squadron excels with Total Force Integration mission

Being the Air Force's first Total Force Integration fighter association, gives the phrase "one team, one fight" a whole new meaning for Hill Air Force Base's 388th and 419th Fighter Wings. As of July this year, the wings entered Phase III of TFI. Now the 419th FW, a Reserve wing, no longer flies and

Recruiting quality Airmen remains top priority

Despite an increasingly challenging recruiting environment, the Air Force reached its 2007 enlisted recruiting goals by 100 percent, bringing in 27,801 new Airmen during the past fiscal year. "The Air Force maintains high standards for recruits in (regard to) aptitude, medical (condition) and

New JCS chairman visits Bagram

The military's top servicemember visited here Oct. 7 to check on operations in Afghanistan and hear the concerns of military members. Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked servicemembers for their sacrifices during an All-Hands Call for E-6s and below. The

Reaper UAV now flying in Afghanistan

The Air Force announced Oct. 11 that the MQ-9 Reaper, the service's new hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle, is now flying operational missions in Afghanistan. The Reaper has completed 12 missions since its inaugural flight there Sept. 25, averaging about one sortie per day. Capable of striking

New Iraqi air force continues to grow

The Coalition Air Force Transition Team, 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron, is continuing its efforts to populate the new Iraqi air force. A combined graduation was held Oct. 10 for four Iraqi air force maintenance officers, five maintenance supervisors, eight fuels supervisors and 54 enlisted

Patent no longer pending for cadet

A cadet's father brought an industrial air filter design problem to his son's attention to pass the time during a holiday break. "I had a general idea of a solution but just could not make it work," said David Nicholas, father of Cadet 2nd Class James Nicholas. "I brought the problem home to Jay,

Raven B has landed in Southwest Asia

A small unmanned aerial vehicle is now being used to increase the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's force protection capabilities. Maintained and operated by the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, the Raven B is the wing's sixth and smallest aircraft, weighing 4.2 pounds with a wing span of

Deployed unit turns fuel into freedom

Members of the 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here are supporting the war on terrorism with their fleet of more than 20 KC-135 Stratotankers. During the past four months, members of the 340th AMU supported more than 3,200 sorties, which provided 107 million pounds of fuel to more than 14,000

AF's first active associate unit deploying to Balad

The Air Force's first active associate unit is preparing to deploy here this month to support the war on terrorism.Activated in July 2006, the 30th Airlift Squadron is the first active duty Air Mobility Command squadron to operationally report to an Air National Guard unit, the 153rd Airlift Wing in

Interest in space wanes despite America's space dependency

Too many Americans feel the "dark void" above them is of little consequence, but nothing is further from the truth warned one congressman during the Space Education Symposium held by Air University's National Space Studies Center in Montgomery, Ala., in September. In a video presentation at the

Airmen patrol the streets of Baghdad

Baghdad's international zone is surrounded by a network of security and entry control points aimed at keeping insurgents out of the area. However, law and order within the area rests solely in the hands of Airmen.Approximately 45 security forces Airmen from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; Grand

LeAnn Rimes headlines Air Force holiday radio special

Multiple Grammy-award winner LeAnn Rimes recalls her fondest holiday memories as the featured artist in the "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio special to be released in November. Produced and marketed by the Air Force Recruiting Service's strategic communications division, the one-hour

Air Force meets, exceeds recruiting goals for eighth year

The Air Force met its active-duty enlisted recruiting goal for the eighth year in a row and exceeded its chaplain and Officer Training School accession goals for fiscal 2007. "I'm proud of our highly professional recruiting force, who continue to exemplify the Air Force core values of integrity,

Air Force to transform installation acquisition

Air Force leaders have announced a comprehensive restructuring of installation acquisition to strategically source goods and services in support of all Air Force installations in the continental United States. During the past 18 months, Air Force acquisition leaders conducted a comprehensive

Future of Air Force energy discussed at industry forum

Air Force officials announced their intent to lease underutilized Air Force property and apply other tools to attract the support of private industry for energy projects at installations during an industry forum in September in Ontario, Calif.The Air Force Enhanced Use Lease Energy Industry Forum

Teamwork, skepticism lead to early finish for project

The motivation to prove skeptics wrong and a strong foundation of teamwork set the stage for the recent completion of an important new ramp here. The $8.9 million construction project, started in 2005, created a 270,000 square-foot concrete ramp to replace the corrugated "steel beach" that had

Airmen train for Wideband Global SATCOM

Five Airmen from the 3rd Space Operations Squadron here were the first to finish training recently for the Wideband Global SATCOM system, which is scheduled to launch Oct. 9. Wideband Global SATCOM, or WGS, is the successor to the Defense Satellite Communications System and will offer 12 times the

Operation Deep Freeze main season underway

Air operations in support of the 52nd Operation Deep Freeze main season are underway.A C-17 Globemaster III from the 62nd Airlift Wing, at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., completed three missions this past week from Christchurch, New Zealand, kicking off the 2007 to 2008 season for the 13th Air

Joint Chiefs officials meet with Afghan leaders

Less than three months after the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited this small southern district, three additional members of the Washington-based Joint Staff stopped by for a meeting with the provincial governor here Oct. 7. Marine Lt. Gen. John Sattler, the Strategic Plans and Policy

Kunsan receives upgraded fighters

The 8th Fighter Wing received its initial group of Block 40 F-16 Fighting Falcons here this week under the Common Configuration Implementation Program. The aircraft arrival marked the first group of upgraded F-16s flown to Korea. The aircraft were flown here from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, by

Basic trainees begin to receive ABUs

A huge step in the Air Force's transformation to the Airman battle uniform occurred Oct. 3 at the basic training equipment issue at Lackland Air Force Base. The trainees who entered the door at the uniform facility this week got a little something different in their duffel bags than the previous

Fall 2007 Airman now available online

The F-22 Raptor is coming into its own, flying high and turning heads. Its pilots and maintainers are discovering just how much the stealth jet can do. The Airmen are finding there is no other aircraft that even comes close to matching the Raptor's capabilities -- the new benchmark for

Air Force Reserve stands up first F-22 Raptor unit

Air Force Reserve officials activated the first F-22 Raptor unit, the 477th Fighter Group, in a ceremony here Oct. 2, giving the Reserve a valuable part of America's newest and most sophisticated weapons system. "This is a most wonderful day for the AFRC because we have officially stood up our first

Iraqi air force flying training school opens at Kikuk

The Iraqi air force flying training school opened its doors Oct. 1 and began to train Iraqi aviators with the assistance of American Airmen. The planning for the school has been in the works for approximately two years and is all part of the plan to return Kirkuk Air Base back to the Iraqi air

Today's finest teach tomorrow's pilots

Three local children diagnosed with serious illnesses suited up and jumped into the cockpit of an F-15 Eagle during the "Pilot for a Day" event here Oct. 2. The 95th Fighter Squadron hosted the children and their families for a fun-filled event allowing them to experienced a day in the life of an

Balad medic takes 'fit-to-fight' to extremes for charity

Fitness training is vital for Airmen to be prepared to meet the physical challenges of being deployed. An Airman here has taken physical fitness to a new level by using it to help others. Senior Airman Brendan Brustad, with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group, is preparing for a 100-mile marathon

Team re-engineers network environment

What was a maze of 35 antiquated routers, switches and load balancers used to direct millions of e-mails each day is now a streamlined set of seven all-in-one nodes that saves time, money and resources. "It's like trading in your Chevy truck for a BMW," said Capt. Drew Masur, a network and boundary

Prime BEEF stamps hoof prints on Gitmo

Airmen from the 474th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron have started the process to transform Guantanamo's McCalla Airfield into an expeditonary legal complex here last month. The airfield resembles a military construction site in Iraq, complete with blowing dust, heavy equipment and a sprawling

New chapter for Air Force Special Operations begins

Cannon Air Force Base Airmen stood up the newly designated 27th Special Operations Wing during a unit redesignation and change-of-command ceremony Oct. 1 here, which began a new chapter for Air Force Special Operations Command. As the 27th Fighter Wing, an Air Combat Command asset, inactivated, the

Officials complete transfer of two more California bases

With the closure of six major Air Force installations in California by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, the state has been going through a tremendous transformation since 1988. That is when it was announced that Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino would close. In 1993, March AFB in

New JCS chairman tours Southwest Asia

General Corley takes command of ACC

Gen. John D.W. Corley assumed the reins of Air Combat Command from Gen. Ronald E. Keys Oct. 2 in a ceremony here. "Today we transition Air Combat Command from one great American to another," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff. "I'm proud to be able to hand over the watch to

Double deck aircraft mockup aids firefighting research

Responding to operational challenges posed by the new generation of large double deck aircraft, Air Force Research Laboratory engineers here have developed a mockup to research how to best fight fires and save lives in the event of a crash. The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Airbase

Eglin team receives national award

The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center's Small Diameter Bomb Test Team received the Air Force Association's 2007 Test and Evaluation Team of the Year Award Sept. 24 at the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington. The nine-member test team from Eglin Air Force

'Setting the Conditions for Victory' video premieres online

The secretary of the Air Force video "Setting the Conditions for Victory" made its online debut Oct. 3. The 8-minute video, a follow-up to last year's "How We Fight" presentation, outlines the Air Force role in the war on terrorism and how the service succeeds in its domains of air, space and

Active-duty, Guard wings pave future alliances

Two Fairchild Air Force Base air refueling wings merged Oct. 1 and forged into Air National Guard and active-duty wings. In response to the Congress-mandated 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process, the last of the KC-135 Stratotankers belonging to the Washington ANG's 141st Air Refueling Wing

Commandant of cadets flies new C-17 Globemaster III home

Servicemembers make mountain trek to deliver food

What started as a small group of friends wanting to explore the Comayagua Mountain Valley in Honduras quickly grew to a large group of servicemembers on a hike for a "higher power."A group of approximately 55 military volunteers delivered 450 pounds of donated dry goods, consisting of items such as

Hypersonic vehicle completes inaugural flight

A hypersonic vehicle comprising five innovative payloads accomplished a successful, six-minute flight during its initial mission Sept. 20 here. The hypersonic vehicle was designed and developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

Task force readies Eglin for F-35 mission

With the next generation of fighter aircraft slated to arrive here in less than three years, the Eglin Air Force Base F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Site Activation Task Force is already working to get the base ready. Led by Col. George Ross and consisting of a 12-man, joint-service team,