F-15E pilot receives American Fighter Aces award

An F-15E Strike Eagle pilot from the 4th Fighter Wing here received the American Fighter Aces Association's Francis S. Gabreski Award June 27 at an awards ceremony in Austin, Texas. Capt. Shannon Lippert, currently a member of the 336th Fighter Squadron, competed against pilots of all aircraft types

Iraqi air force soars through U.S.-guided exercise

Members of the Coalition Air Force Training Team assigned to the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here have been training and mentoring Iraqi air force members in their functional areas for years. Recently, the 370th AEAS staff partnered with members of the 447th Air Expeditionary Group at

Historic capsule makes trip to body shop

A relic from NASA's Apollo program was an eye-catching sight as it was transported via flatbed truck from its home July 1 at the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing here to Port Canaveral. The white, 11-foot by 13-foot, 9,000-pound space capsule, on loan to the 920th Rescue Wing from the

Airmen's support of California fires goes into seventh day

Airmen of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group here have launched their seventh day of support missions July 2 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in northern California. Operating out of McClellan Airfield in Sacramento, the Airmen fly C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with the Modular

AETC officials welcome new commander

Air Education and Training Command officials welcomed their new commander in a change-of-command ceremony July 2 at Randolph Air Force Base. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz assumed command of AETC as Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, the Air Force vice chief of staff, presided over the ceremony.General Lorenz is

Hurlburt Airmen work together to save life

Two Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen here have been credited with helping save the life of a local man recently at an area YMCA after the man suffered a heart attack. Spending a hot, muggy afternoon watching children play tee ball, a man and his wife were walking with their grandchildren

Air Force strives to enhance communications networks

Officials from the Air Force, Army and Navy are now funding a Finnish research program that explores new approaches for improving telecommunications network management. The ultimate goal is to build on this basic research and create a cognitive network that will use rational decision-making methods

National Guard ordered to battle California wildfires

Approximately 200 California National Guard members were ordered by the state governor July 2 to provide direct ground support to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to extinguish wildfires in the northern part of the state. There are already more than 500 Guard Soldiers and

Air Force, Army leaders discuss new concept of operations

Air Force and Army leaders met June 30 to discuss developing a new joint unmanned aerial system concept of operations and maximize the contributions these systems provide to joint forces in the field. Gen. John D.W. Corley, Air Combat Command commander, met with Army Gen. William S. Wallace, Army

Cyberspace career fields, training paths, badge proposed

Air Force officials recently proposed a plan to develop its enlisted and officer corps into Airmen who specialize in establishing, controlling and fighting in the cyberspace domain. That's according to Maj. Gen. William T. Lord, the Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) commander who referenced

Recruit sheds weight to join Air Force

A Charleston-area resident weighing 253 pounds lost more than 80 pounds in eight months to meet weight requirements to join the Air Force in time to go to Basic Military Training July 1. "I wasn't surprised that I weighed too much (then), but I really didn't know the weight limit would be that low,"

'Letter to Airmen' recommits to high standards

In his first Letter to Airmen, the acting secretary of the Air Force focuses on how the Air Force will direct attention to the nuclear mission to overcome cultural, systemic and institutional challenges. "To begin restoring our inner confidence and credibility, I have directed the establishment of a

Class of 2012 arrives at Academy

The 1,369 members of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2012 arrived to begin Basic Cadet Training June 26 here. The Class of 2012 boasts the largest percentage of women entering Basic Cadet Training in Academy history at 21.48 percent, surpassing last year's previous all-time high mark by 0.7

Pilot tackles Typhoons during exchange duty in England

When an American F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot was given the opportunity of applying for an exchange posting, he had no hesitation in selecting a tour to fly the F-2 Typhoon with the Royal Air Force. "I was attracted by the opportunity to fly a new airplane, to go somewhere different and be part of

July-August Airman magazine now available

In the latest issue of Airman magazine, Airmen who maintain the twin-tailed A-10 Thunderbolt II in Afghanistan know their gun-toting jets spread fear among insurgents.So maintainers do whatever it takes to keep the aging ground-attack fighter jets -- which they call the "hog" -- flying in the war on

Wounded warriors tour Randolph

A training accident that caused the loss of his left leg, multiple burns and resulted in 15 surgeries couldn't keep Marine Capt. Ryan Voltin out of a cockpit June 27 here. Captain Voltin flew a T-6A Texan II simulator after hoisting himself into an actual T-6A on the flightline as Randolph Air Force

Tuskegee Airman dies

Retired Lt. Col. Charles Dryden, 87, one of the famed "Tuskegee Airmen" who broke the military's color barrier by becoming a World War II fighter pilot, died June 24 in Atlanta. Colonel Dryden was born Sept. 16, 1920 in New York City to Jamaican parents. He graduated from Peter Stuyvesant High

Airmen give dead engine new life

There is life after death. Airmen of the 934th Maintenance Squadron here took a T-56-A-7 turboprop engine with more than 22,000 hours of total time running destined for the "bone yard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and now use it to train unit members. The engine was condemned and its

'Today's Air Force' features Midwest flooding

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the efforts of Air and Army National guardsmen and the battle of what has been called, the 500-year flood. Guardsmen are working with local officials to re-enforce levees, keeping an evacuation mission from becoming a rescue mission. And RED

Officers may apply for Test Pilot School

The next annual Air Force Test Pilot School Selection Board will convene Oct. 27 through 30 at the Air Force Personnel Center here, and officers interested in applying should submit their applications to AFPC by Sept. 15. The school trains pilots, navigators and engineers to develop, test and

Airmen donate medical equipment to Bulgarian hospital

Airmen from Homestead Air Reserve Base recently raised $2,800 to purchase a new cardiac monitor for the children's ward at local hospital during a deployment to Graf-Isnatievo Air Base, Bulgaria. Reservists from the 482nd Fighter Wing deployed with 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons to train with Bulgarian

Air Force swimmers head to U.S. Olympic Trials

Three current Air Force swimmers are set to participate in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials being held June 29 through July 6 in Omaha, Neb.U.S. Air Force Academy rising seniors Bryan Avery from Mililani, Hawaii, and Justin Day from Peyton, Colo., as well as rising sophomore Benjamin Gunn of

Memorial visit a family affair for top enlisted Airman, uncle

When Army veteran Richard McKinley visited the World War II Memorial here for the first time June 24, the Air Force's top enlisted man -- his nephew -- was there to greet him. The Ohio resident was visibly moved by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, his brother's son, taking time

Hercules, Globemaster IIIs support joint training

Air Force officials announce OTS selection board results

A total of 178 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced June 26. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 722 applications as part of Officer Training School

National Guard on duty from coast to coast

About 2,300 Air and Army National Guard members remain on duty in the Midwest, down from a peak of more than 5,700, officials reported. Meanwhile, officials in California called for more aircraft to fight the wildfires. While the number of guardmembers needed on the ground went down, the number of

Airmen bring joy through cooking at Center for the Intrepid

The apartment-style kitchen on the fourth floor of the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio was bubbling with excitement June 24 as the sound of conversation and the smell of delicious foods permeated the air. The Center, located near Brooke Army Medical Center, provides traumatic amputee

Citizen Airmen prepare for war on fire

Airmen, deployed to California for firefighting support, are getting ready to take the fight to nature's fury. "I'm proud both the Air Force Reserve and (Air National Guard) are able to support such a vital national mission," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Bailey, a loadmaster with the 302nd Airlift Wing at

South Korean army UAVs enhance training at Kunsan

Airmen from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron here and South Korean army soldiers teamed up for combined nuclear, biological and chemical training June 23 and 24 at Kunsan Air Base. The two-day training course presented the two forces with scenarios requiring them to protect and sustain mission

Berlin Airlift vets return to Germany for anniversary

For 50 years, Dub Southers recalled the grueling hours he worked at an air base in northern Germany at the start of the Berlin Airlift, not the historical significance of what he helped achieve as a flight engineer and crew chief. He remembered well the stacks of coal being shipped in from local

Whiteman Airmen make first all-air Guard B-2 flight

Airmen of the 131st Bomb Wing here completed the first B-2 Spirit sortie flown and launched by Missouri Air National Guard members June 18 at Whiteman Air Force Base. Col. Gregory Champagne, the 131st Fighter Wing vice commander, and Maj. David Thompson, a 131st FW pilot, were launched by Master

4 athletes with Air Force ties prepare for Olympic trials

Four athletes with ties to the Air Force track and field program will travel and compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials starting June 27 at Eugene, Ore. Gunning for a spot on the U.S. team for the Olympics are Paul Gensic in the pole vault and Dana Pounds in the women's javelin throw, who are both

Program helps deployed Airmen with career decisions

Expeditionary Top IV members here are helping Airmen to make major career decisions while deployed, and far away from career advisors and other personnel specifically trained to help.The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Top IV Mentor/Shadow Program, currently managed by Master Sgt. Judy Quintana, gives

Reserve pilots utilize A-10s in support of Total Force Integration

Air Force Reserve Command pilots recently took flight in an A-10 Thunderbolt II here in support of an Air Force-wide initiative designed to integrate reservists, guardsmen and civilians with active-duty Airmen. The Total Force Integration initiative, which was established by Air Force officials at

Unit becomes Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence

The Air Force Institute of Technology and the Center for Cyberspace Research here were designated as the Air Force's Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence June 19 by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force. The Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence, or CyTCoE, is chartered to be

Cadets train in survival, evasion, resistance, escape

Iraqi airmen reach maintenance goals, keep fleet soaring

While Iraqi air force pilots continue flying sorties to aid stability in their nation, Iraqi maintainers on the ground here have recently achieved important benchmarks to keep their fleet in the air. Airmen with the Iraqi air forces' 3rd Squadron took over a wide variety of maintenance duties on the

Mullen urges Joint Staff to speed up warfighter support

The nation's top military officer called on the Joint Staff today to speed up efforts to get new capabilities to warfighters and to focus on building capabilities needed to win not just the current war, but future wars as well. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told

Born of controversy: The GI Bill of Rights

It has been heralded as one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever produced by the federal government, one that impacted the United States socially, economically and politically. But it almost never came to pass. The Servicemembers' Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill

Eglin team prepares Small Diameter Bombs for warfighters

Guided munitions such as the Small Diameter Bomb have helped change the way wars are fought. SDBs, prepared by 681st Armament Systems Squadron members here, give aircrews the ability to destroy targets that would normally be passed over due to the proximity of friendly troops, civilians, structures

Cadets experience real-world deployment

Nineteen cadets from the senior class of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., are visiting the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here during the month of June to experience an active-duty deployment as part of the academy's Operation Air Force program, which allows students to visit bases

Chairman calls homeless veterans 'hugely important issue'

Calling the issue "hugely important," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here June 23 that the nation must fully integrate efforts to help homeless veterans. "How do we reach out to them, and how do we create opportunities?" Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen asked an audience of about 200

Global Engagement readies Academy cadets for future

Thirty subject matter experts from all over the United States are leading approximately 1,200 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets through intensive training with the Global Engagement course this summer here.The advantage to future Academy graduates in completing the course is that it gives cadets a

New leaders take helm as Air University reorganizes

Air University officials welcomed their new commander as well as one of the organization's newly minted centers of excellence also installed its new leader in a dual change-of-command ceremony June 23 at Maxwell Air Force Base's Air Park. The ceremony, which involved three successively-higher

Firefighters saving lives, money

Kadena Air Base is now home to a rescue technician course designed to help Pacific-region firefighters save lives and at the same time save the Air Force dollars. The three week course is offered by Detachment 1, 554th Red Horse Squadron, who teaches firefighters how to manage personnel and

Airman teaches CPR to Afghan medical providers

Six Afghan medical providers learned basic lifesaving skills at a Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team CPR course held June 18 at the Rokha Clinic in Rokha. Staff Sgt. Janine Duschka, a PRT medical technician deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., taught the course. "It is important to teach

Donley in as acting Air Force secretary

Michael B. Donley is the new acting secretary of the Air Force, succeeding Michael Wynne, who held the position since November 2005. Mr. Donley was previously the administration and management director for the Secretary of Defense, a position sometimes referred to as "mayor" of the Pentagon. The

UPDATED - SECAF salutes Airmen during ceremony

Beneath the spires of the Air Force Memorial erected under his watch, the secretary of the Air Force bid farewell to Airmen June 20, his last day as their senior civilian official. Secretary Michael W. Wynne addressed the crowd of Airmen, civilians and media in a ceremony at the memorial, speaking

Wilford Hall team treats ENT patients in Honduras

A 14-person medical team from Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, completed a two-week readiness training mission in Honduras June 19, after performing numerous ear, nose and throat procedures. The surgical team accomplished 240 patient evaluations and more than 40 surgeries and a

JCS vice chairman: break service barriers

Nattily attired in his khaki-and-olive uniform, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James E. Cartwright squinted through the stage light glare before beginning to speak at the second annual Air Force Cyberspace Symposium here June 19. Looking out at a sea of blue uniforms and business

Korea, U.S. join forces for Exercise Max Thunder

Airmen and aircraft from units across the Pacific Air Forces descended June 16 to participate in Exercise Max Thunder here. Hosted by Kunsan Air Base officials, Max Thunder is a bi-lateral training exercise intended to increase interoperability between Korean and U.S. forces. The exercise will

General counsel honors AFMC Ethics Program Office

Members of the Air Force Materiel Command's Ethics Program Office received the Air Force General Counsel's Excellence in Ethics Program Award for 2007 during a presentation ceremony June 11 at the General Counsel's Acquisition Conference in Dayton, Ohio. Mary L. Walker, the Air Force general

ACC commander speaks at Joint Warfighting Conference

Gen. John Corley, Air Combat Command commander, gave the plenary address here June 20. General Corley addressed dominance, relevance and readiness during the third and final day of the Joint Warfighting Conference 2008. On this date in 1944 the battle of the Philippines Sea, a major battle during

Air Force-funded scientists earn DOD fellowships

The Department of Defense officials have selected four Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded professors to be among the first class of six scientists with the National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship program. DOD officials launched the fellowship program last year to

Senior leaders discuss need to control cyber domain, build new command

In separate speeches June 18 during the second annual Air Force Cyberspace Symposium in nearby Marlborough, Mass., two senior leaders explained the critical need for the Air Force to control the cyberspace domain and reasons why a new command is needed to do so. First to speak was Lt. Gen. Robert J.

AF nominates 114 officers for astronaut training

The Air Force Astronaut Nomination Board has forwarded 114 nominations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for consideration in the pilot and mission specialist categories. The board was held May 13 to 15 and the medical screening panel was held May 20 to 22. More than 200 noninees

Bombers drop sea mines to end deployment

B-52 Stratofortress bombers dropped 162 inert sea mines 80 miles off Guam's south coast during a recent training exercise to finish a four-month rotation to the Pacific island. Aircrews from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron dropped the MK-62 sea mines on strategic spots to deter "enemy forces"

Strike Eagles roar above the Pacific

Eighteen F-15E Strike Eagles and more than 400 Airmen from the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, arrived June 4 here to help maintain deterrent capabilities in the Pacific. The mission is part of a scheduled air expeditionary force rotation for the 389th EFS,

Academy glider lands on Colorado golf course

A U.S. Air Force Academy TG-15 glider landed safely on the Garden of the Gods Golf Course June 18 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The pilot, Cadet 1st Class Kurt Cloutier, landed the aircraft near the western-most hole of the golf course in a manner preventing injury to pedestrians and damage to private

Training warriors

Secretary Wynne speaks at cyber symposium

While the Air Force has made great strides in cyberspace during the last three years, it remains an arena that will require the continued efforts and innovation of all Airmen and warfighters, said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne to attendees at the second Air Force Cyberspace Symposium

Cadets learn mission through Operation Air Force

Eighteen U.S. Air Force Academy cadets visited McChord Air Force Base June 13 to experience operations and day-to-day experiences in the Air Force.The cadets visited McChord AFB during the first phase of Operation Air Force, a career-broadening program, and then flew on board a C-17 Globemaster III

JTACs train in complex art of coordinating close-air support

Exercise Atlantic Strike VII kicked off June 14 in the swampy pinegroves of the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex as more than 800 joint and coalition warfighters from around the world gathered to practice and train in the complex art of coordinating close-air support for ground maneuvers. The

Airman found guilty, sentenced in court martial

Airman Basic Justin M. Rosado was found guilty by a military judge of 16 violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Airman Rosado, who is not a cadet, is a member of the10th Security Forces Squadron here.The violations included failing to obey orders, dereliction of duty, making false

Aircrew flight equipment award winners announced

Air Force officials announced the 2007 Outstanding Air Force Aircrew Flight Equipment career field award winners June 17. The 2007 Aircrew Flight Equipment award winners are: -- Headquarters Staff Member of the Year is Master Sgt. Troy J. Bauerbach, Hurlburt Field, Fla. -- Officer of the Year is

Nurse commissioning program selectees announced

Officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here selected 31 enlisted Airmen to attend the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program beginning in either fall 2008 or spring 2009. Those attending fall 2008 are: Tech. Sgt. Meki Bocage Tech. Sgt. Michele Bortvit Tech. Sgt. Samuel Cash Tech. Sgt. Samuel

Technology, training force multiplier for security forces Airmen

While security forces members receive training in technical school, the multiple threats faced by members today requires continual sharpening of their skills. Airmen from the 354th Security Forces Squadron here participate in daily flight-level exercises as well as mandatory squadron training. The

Air University officials reflect on ABC enlisted degree program's success

It's been a year since the Community College of the Air Force launched the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program for enlisted Airmen and Air Force officials are pleased with the program's results thus far. When the program started June 15, 2007, Air University officials

National Guardsmen in two states prepare for flooding

More than 600 National Guardsmen in Illinois and Missouri will continue sandbagging operations along the Mississippi River June 16 in an effort to thwart the floodwaters that are subsiding in Iowa. The Illinois and Missouri rivers flow into the Mississippi north of St. Louis. Unlike 1993, flooding

12 Airmen live among thousands of Iraqi Soldiers

Twelve Airmen working together for the past nine months at the remote Iraqi Military Training Base of Kirkush, located in the Diyala Province just over 10 miles from the Iranian border, are hoping to work themselves out of a job.As the only Americans living among thousands of Iraqi Soldiers and

'Today's Air Force' features the service's heritage

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" focuses on the service's heritage with a visit to the National Museum of the USAF  where a Peacekeeper Missile exhibit dedication took place.  During the ceremony, it was announced that Air Force officials were bringing back the old ICBM missile crewmember

Sergeant named Air Force Ophthalmic Technician of Year

An NCO here has been named the 2007 Air Force Ophthalmic Technician of the Year. Staff Sgt. Adam Smith, who currently works at the Reid Clinic, is a member of the 37th Aerospace Medicine Squadron.Sergeant Smith has been stationed at Lackland for five and a half years and has seen patients for a wide

101 Critical Days of Summer, 365 days a year

In the continental United States, Air Force members are in the full swing with the "101 Critical Days of Summer" safety campaign. Here, however, those 101 days are 365. Temperatures reach 100 degrees in March and continue to rise through October. Sandstorms, high humidity, and 12-plus-hour work

Soviet kitsch gets 'Aggressors' into bad-guy role

The walls are decorated with old Soviet Union propaganda, urging admirers of the art to note a "Glory to the Soviet People -- The Creator of Powerful Aviation", and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics flags with the infamous hammer and sickle graphic are spread throughout the building. However,

Deployed fathers find ways to keep in touch with families

This Father's Day, many deployed servicemembers have mixed feelings about being away from their children and having their "area of responsibility" shift from the home front to the war front. But many fathers in the AOR feel their commitment to their families is also a big part of their identity

Airman, Sailor save Peruvian soldier

An Airman and Sailor saved the life of a Peruvian soldier supporting Task Force New Horizons-Peru 2008 June 8 here. Tech. Sgt. Christopher Clark, a medical technician for Task Force New Horizons, and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brennen Lawson helped care for the Peruvian soldier who suffered from

German air force trains at Red Flag-Alaska 08-3

Two German crew chiefs prepare a Tornado for take off to participate in Red Flag-Alaska 08-3 June 9 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Red Flag-Alaska is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. forces, providing joint offensive counter-air, interdiction,

Osan gets technologically advanced protective masks

Osan Air Base Airmen began receiving their new M-50 protective masks, replacing the MCU 2 protective mask, during a mass re-issue process June 9. The M-50 mask is one of the latest initiatives in fielding "joint" equipment, said Tech. Sgt. Peter Garcia, who is with the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron

Guard unit welcomes Predator, reconnaissance mission

Members of the 147th Fighter Wing here said goodbye to their F-16 Fighting Falcons and made room for the MQ-1 Predator as the Air National Guard unit became the 147th Reconnaissance Wing June 7.The Predators at the Houston Air National Guard Base are expected to enhance both U.S. military

TPS confers its first master's degrees

The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School achieved a milestone May 27 by officially receiving accreditation to present its graduating students with a master's degree. Eighteen students from Class 07B were the first to be granted a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering during a graduation ceremony

Ceremony honors 241 medical graduates

Dr. Kenneth Torrington, dean of the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, honored 241 physicians and allied health care providers during the annual SAUSHEC awards and graduation ceremony June 6 in the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio auditorium. SAUSHEC

Airmen teach Iraqis Western-style command, control

As part of an ongoing process to stabilize Iraq, Airmen are teaching command and control techniques to their counterparts at the Iraqi air operations center at Camp Victory near Baghdad's international airport. The operations center is the hub that controls all Iraqi air force missions, where

Medical team returns from Honduras mission

A team of pediatricians, nutritionists and linguists from Wilford Hall and Brooke Army medical centers in San Antonio; Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, Va.; and South Dakota State University, S.D, recently returned from a 12-day expedition in Honduras. The San Antonio Military Pediatric Center team

Pave Low pilot named Kolligian Award recipient

An Air Force helicopter pilot was named the 2008 recipient of the service's top safety award June 9. Lt. Col. Eugene V. Becker from the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was presented the Koren Kolligian Jr. trophy during a ceremony at the Pentagon. Vice Chief of Staff

Forum draws senior Air Force leaders

Air Force senior leaders came together here for a quarterly Process Council meeting to discuss issues facing the service today and in the future. A highlight of the June 2-3 forum was the review of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives designed to help provide substantive

Afghan soldiers master driving Humvees

Humvees will soon become the Afghan National Army's vehicle of choice on the battlefield, but not until every soldier is qualified to safely operate them. For this reason, Air Force Capt. Todd Klusek and Army Capt. William Snyder, combat service support senior mentors assigned to the Combined

Improvements target morale for troops in Afghanistan

A genuine caring attitude drives the morale, welfare and recreation Airmen who continuously work to improve the MWR facilities and events for Airmen and Soldiers here. Assigned to the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, two of the three MWR Airmen arrived in March to discover a facility

AFOSI is 2008 AFA Team of the Year

It wasn't exactly the welcome he was expecting, but Special Agent Timothy Rivera said it was pretty unforgettable as he stood in line to in-process at Balad Air Base, Iraq, during his deployment in 2006. "It was my first day, not even my first hour on the ground, and we were getting incoming

Airmen help Iraqi air force become self-sustaining service

High above the desert terrain, they fly in providing security to the people of Iraq. The airmen are vigilant, alert and ready to engage the enemy while patrolling the sky over Iraq. They are the new breed of Iraqi airmen. The Iraqi air force has evolved by leaps and bounds in recent years, and

Wing medics train with Thai counterparts

Medics assigned to the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron returned here May 31 after participating in an aeromedical evacuation exercise in Bangkok, Thailand with the Royal Thai Air Force as part of a humanitarian-assistance mission. The 18th AES trained with the RTAF during the 13th Air

Officials bring back missile badges, wings

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced the return of the missile badge with operations designator for intercontinental ballistic missile crews June 6. He also announced that the three ICBM wings of Air Force Space Command's 20th Air Force will return to the convention of being

Guard, Harley-Davidson join forces to improve processes

Air Force and Harley-Davidson officials pooled their knowledge on process improvement for the benefit of both organizations in May at Harley-Davidson University here."Everything we do is a process, whether it's building a motorcycle or reviewing an airplane to get it back in flight," said Steve

Fairchild aircrew saves woman

A five-man UH-1N Huey crew from the 36th Rescue Flight here responded to an emergency call June 3 and rescued a 44-year-old woman reported lost by her husband in Ellensburg, Wash. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Department requested assistance from the Air Force the morning of June 3 after ground

B-1B sniper pod aims to hit summer target

Air Force officials say the B-1B Lancer sniper pod could be operational as early as this summer after accelerated testing cut the length of the sniper pod program from nine to three months. Air Force Materiel Command's Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base, along with Air

Airman shows tenacity, extends twice to meet goals in Iraq

An Air Force major will return to the U.S. from Iraq -- more than a year after he expected to be home.Maj. Jiro McCoy, the 770th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Mi-17 (multi-role helicopter) commander of advisers, who voluntarily extended for more than 18 months on what was supposed to be a

Manas soars with total-force operations

The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing here has a combined staff of Air National Guard crews and maintenance teams alongside active-duty Airmen working together as an integrated team for U.S. Air Forces Central. That team already had members of the Reserve and active duty, and added members of the Air

'Iron Man's' wingman, Terrence Howard, talks Air Force

Air Force and Department of Defense officials agreed to highlight Air Force capabilities and Airmen to a worldwide audience in the summer blockbuster "Iron Man," primarily because the story included character Lt. Col. James Rhodes, played by Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard. "The character of

Doctor receives Canadian award

A member of the 59th Medical Wing has been awarded the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal for his life-saving contributions to Canadians and coalition soldiers while deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Col. (Dr.) Thomas Seay, the 59th Radiology Squadron commander, was assigned to the Combined

Enlisted members give highest honor to AETC commander

The commander of Air Education and Training Command received the highest honor the Air Force enlisted corps can bestow at a formal ceremony May 30 in San Antonio. Gen. William R. Looney III was formally presented the Order of the Sword on behalf of the men and women of AETC by the Air Force's top

Captain leads Airmen up highest peak in North America

When HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot Capt. Mark Uberuaga hits the fitness center's treadmill, he wears five-pound weights around his ankles and a 50-pound expedition pack on his back. His training is intense, but so is the task that lies ahead of him, to complete the  "Seven Summits Challenge," which is