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U.S. Air Force News

  • New assistant secretary sworn in

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne swore in the Air Force's new assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs in a ceremony at the Pentagon Jan. 24. Craig Duehring, a 28-year Air Force veteran, is a political appointee, heading a four-division department that deals

  • Summit solidifies operational, strategic doctrine

    More than a dozen active duty and retired general officers formulated doctrine to support joint warfighting operations through the construct of a critical liaison to Air Force commanders called an Air Component Coordination Element Jan. 23 and 24 at Maxwell Air Force Base.The two-day "Gathering of

  • OTS starts unarmed combat training

    Officer Training School trainees completed the school's first combat skills training class Jan. 29 as part of the effort to expand the expeditionary officer training curriculum here. The course is part of the more than 70 hours of expeditionary skills training now being taught to Officer Training

  • McChord Airmen provide lifeline in Pacific

    More than 140 Airmen from 446th Airlift Wing here are participating in the Pacific Lifeline exercise Jan. 26 through Feb. 9 in Hawaii. Pacific Lifeline is a total-force exercise designed to exercise the military's ability to rapidly arrive and leave a trained, equipped team anywhere in the Pacific

  • Air Force officials activate first air ground operations wing

    The unit activation and assumption of command of the Air Force's first wing solely dedicated to supporting battlefield Airmen took place during a ceremony here Jan. 25. The activation of the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing marked the first of its kind for the Air Force and added another volume to

  • Troops to receive retroactive pay next month

    Active duty troops will receive retroactive earnings next month, followed weeks later by a supplemental payday for non-active personnel, a Pentagon official said today. The National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 28 by President Bush stipulates a 3.5 percent military pay raise. This

  • Abused Afghan woman to receive plastic surgery

    A 16-year-old woman brutally attacked by her husband in December is set to receive plastic surgery in Kabul following close coordination between the Afghan government and Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat, a joint U.S. Air Force and Army unit here. Nazia Hookum Darr was beaten and disfigured by

  • Airmen help wounded troops survive journey home

    The Air Force Theater Hospital's 98 percent survivability rate for injured U.S. servicemembers would be meaningless if the wounded were unable to survive their journey out of the combat zone. Four years into the war, the process of saving lives and then safely transporting critically injured and ill

  • Squadron commanders, first sergeants meet senior leaders

    Squadron commanders and first sergeants had an opportunity to meet with the chief of staff of the Air Force during a conference here Jan. 24 and 25.  Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley called in Airmen from around the Air Force to get a candid perspective from the field while sharing

  • Wrestling: Air Force picks up three wins at Borah Duals

    Finishing six matches in two days, the U.S. Air Force Academy wrestling team went 3-1 at the Borah Duals hosted by Western State Jan. 26. After falling to the host Mountaineers, the Falcons, who switched their lineup throughout the day, rattled off victories over Grand Canyon, Mesa State and New

  • CMSAF focuses on Airmen development

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader emphasized the importance of each Airman's contributions, as well as their responsibilities in the development of their Airmen and their own careers during a Jan. 18 enlisted call at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Echoing the sentiments of the three Air Force

  • Tyndall squadron prepares for 'pipeline' Raptor pilots

    Opportunities to train on the F-22 Raptor are highly competitive, and pilots picked to fly the world's premier fighter have been chosen from the ranks after logging years on other airframes -- until now. Four first lieutenants currently at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., have been selected as the first

  • Manas center helps Airmen return home quicker

    Members of the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Expeditionary Theater Distribution Center here tested a new process to help Airmen deployed for "in lieu of" taskings for the Army return to their families faster. "Air Force teamwork streamlined all processes that ensured inventory,

  • Air Force general praises joint success

    Air Force and Army officials synchronized to eliminate threats to ground forces in southern Iraq in what was called a "relentless pursuit of the enemy" during Operation Marne Thunderbolt in January. Aircrews of F-16 Fighting Falcons, B-1B Lancers, Navy F/A -18 Hornet pilots, Army 3rd Infantry

  • ACC pilot hearing protection combines with headset

    Air Combat Command pilots are now using a new customized hearing protection system that not only protect the pilots' hearing but also provides a platform for radio communication. The ear plugs, known as Attenuating Custom Communications Earpiece System, are used by pilots in the cockpit and on the

  • Children, parents get fit together

    Do you want to get your kids away from the television, and get a workout in for yourself? Parents and children in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, Germany, have new fitness programs that help them do just that. Renee Champagne, a physical trainer who has worked with kids for more than 16

  • Randolph, Civil Air Patrol kick off new support program

    A new pilot program between the Air Force and Civil Air Patrol officials is set to kick off with a meeting and orientation tour Jan. 28 at Randolph Air Force Base. "The new program called Volunteer Support to the Air Force will provide greater opportunities for citizens through the CAP while

  • Surf the Internet, discover benefits

    Military beneficiaries can find the latest information at their fingertips at the Defense Commissary Agency's new and improved Web site.DeCA has retooled its Internet site to include fresh new graphics that change with each season and a new section that promotes health and wellness. The single

  • AF team addresses local province women's needs

    The needs and issues of the Afghan women of the Kapisa Province were addressed for the first time Jan. 22 in an unprecedented meeting with the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team. More than 20 women representing six districts in the province traveled various distances to not only bring their

  • Elmendorf Airmen move toward initial operational capability

    Airmen in the 90th Fighter Squadron are completing steps to declare initial operational capability, with the overall goal of declaring full operational capability. The 90th FS and 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit exercised a mock bomb drop over the Alaska training range Jan. 16. "This was an excellent

  • General shares successes, challenges of Afghan air corps

    The Afghan army air corps is going through rapid growth, but it will take eight years for the force to be self-sustaining and independent, the commander of the Combined Air Power Transition Force said from his headquarters in the Afghan capital of Kabul Jan. 24. Brig. Gen. Jay H. Lindell told

  • Dover housing to claim award

    The 436th Civil Engineer Squadron housing management team here and the civilian partners of Pinnacle and Hunt Development Group were selected as the 2007 Professional Housing Management Association Outstanding Housing Installation Team Award winners and are scheduled to receive the award Jan. 31 in

  • Air Force develops friend vs. foe identification system

    Air Force Research Laboratory officials here recently have developed a technology that helps identify friendly forces during combat exercises. Working with Lumitex Inc. of Strongsville, Ohio, members of AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate developed and fielded the Target Recognition

  • Air Force funds research into oil repellent surfaces

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here currently are funding investigations into super oil repellent surfaces because of their potential utility in cleaning up jet fuel spills and protecting aircraft or rocket parts from fuel absorption. Drs. Gareth H. McKinley and Robert E. Cohen,

  • Center's core mission remains constant during the years

    By the time the Air Force Flight Test Center was established here on June 25, 1951, Edwards AFB had already become well known as the place where "the rubber meets the ramp" and the de facto center of American flight research, development, test and evaluation. The turbojet revolution in America had

  • Brooks to serve as initial venue to test fit new service coat

    About 150 Airmen from Brooks City-Base, Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases in Texas, will participate in a fit test of the new Air Force Heritage service dress coat here Jan. 28 - Feb. 1. Subsequent fit tests in February and March are slated for the Air Force Academy and Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.

  • Ammo keeps fighters supplied in quest for Iraqi freedom

    Airmen can fly, fight and win in any wartime situation, but being able to do that is only possible if pilots are properly equipped with the right munitions for their target. Ensuring there is no shortage of munitions for combat aircraft are the Airmen here in the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance

  • Defense authorization bill impacts potential degree programs

    With the finalization of the 2008 defense authorization bill, Air University will have the authority to grant a new master's degree in flight test engineering to graduates of the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. That program, which already resembled an academic degree

  • Providing shelter is a BEAR

    Air, water, food and shelter are the basic essentials for life. But when Airmen deploy to an environment where no one has lived before, these essentials need to be brought in. Anywhere in the world and within a matter of days, a Base Expeditionary Airfield Resource, commonly referred to as a BEAR

  • Total force provides seamless airlift support

    Nearly 60 Air National Guardsmen finished a 10-week tour of duty Jan. 11 with the 38th Airlift Squadron here where they'd collectively hauled more than 283 tons of cargo throughout Europe in 109 sorties on C-130 Hercules aircraft.Their mission was a testament of how seamlessly Guard, Reserve and

  • Air-to-ground missile launched from drone

    For the first time, an air-to-ground missile was launched from a full-scale aerial target drone, or FSAT.  The test was performed Jan. 9 by Airmen here with Detachment 1 of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron. The FSAT is an unmanned QF-4 Phantom drone that was operated by remote control from a ground

  • Weather center offers Web-based broadcasts

    In an effort to offer servicemembers, their families and other Department of Defense personnel stationed overseas access to timely weather updates, American Forces Network Weather Center weathermen here now include daily forecasts on their Web site. In what is a typical 11-forecast daily programming

  • Kunsan, Eielson swap F-16s

    Officials from the 8th Fighter Wing received 18 modified F-16 Fighting Falcons in mid January from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, as the two bases exchange fighter aircraft. Currently, 80th Fighter Squadron pilots at Kunsan AB are flying Block 30s, which will transition to the aggressor squadron

  • General Brady assumes command of USAFE

    General Roger A. Brady ceremonially assumed command of U.S. Air Forces in Europe Jan. 17. General Brady, who previously worked as the deputy chief of staff for Manpower and Personnel at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, begins his term as USAFE commander eight years after he last left the

  • 480th Intelligence Wing realigned

    Air Force officials announced Jan. 14 the transfer of the 480th Intelligence Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency at Lackland AFB, Texas. Formal realignment of the affected units will occur on or before March 1. The 480 IW,

  • Museum unveils F-22 public display

    National Museum of the U.S. Air Force officials here unveiled the new F-22 Raptor exhibit Jan. 17 available to be viewed by all visitors to the public museum.Several high-ranking officials, distinguished guests and many employees from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, gathered to witness

  • Maintenance unit completes upgrade of 100th A-10

    An upgraded A-10 Thunderbolt II, which took off in early January for Moody Air Force Base, Ga., represents another production milestone for the Air Force.Aircraft 80-0172 is the 100th A-10 to go through the Precision Engagement program, started in the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group in July 2006.

  • Communications agency looks to protect data

    Air Force Communications Agency members here are aggressively developing a solution to protect personal and other sensitive information from being stolen and misused. Several government agencies have been victims of compromised data stored on stolen or lost computers during the past few years,

  • New Airmen 'do something amazing' in the snow

    Thirty-four new Airmen joined the Air Force Jan. 12 at a World PowerSport Association Snowmobile Tour event in Shakopee, Minn. More than 25,000 fans at the Air Force Canterbury SnoCross event witnessed the young adults take the Air Force oath of enlistment for the first time, led by Brig. Gen.

  • Pilot mushes dogs for noble cause

    A pilot with the Alaska Air National Guard and a team of 27 Siberian Huskies are currently breaking new strides while mushing through the icy Interior of Alaska to help children in need. Maj. Blake Matray, 168th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 pilot and weapons and tactics chief here, joined forces

  • Squadron deployment tests Kunsan's readiness

    A South Carolina-based unit began arriving here Jan. 15 as part of an air and space expeditionary force deployment as a measure to maintain a credible deterrent posture and presence in the Pacific region. The 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, one of three flying squadrons of the 20th Fighter Wing

  • Mirror therapy shows promise in amputee treatment

    Army Sgt. Nicholas Paupore is using a large mirror  to help adjust to the loss of his leg after suffering injuries in an explosion while on duty in Iraq. By using the mirror, the right leg that was destroyed when an explosively formed penetrator ripped through his Humvee just south of Kirkuk, Iraq,

  • DOD officials select new government travel charge card

    Department of Defense officials announced the selection of Citibank to provide travel charge card services for its members under the General Services Administration's umbrella SmartPay® 2 master contract Jan. 16. The new official travel cards will activate on Nov. 30, 2008. DOD currently has 1.2

  • New financial manager-comptroller sworn in

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne swore in the Air Force's new assistant secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller in a ceremony at the Pentagon Jan. 15. John H. Gibson is now the Air Force's trusted advisor on all matters financial. His mission is to provide

  • Tops In Blue names 2008 team members

    Officials of Tops In Blue, the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment group, have announced the names of 25 new members of the 2008 "Deja Blue" tour. "Our 2008 team is made up of some of the most talented members we have had join us in many years," said Jeri White, production manager for Air Force

  • German airman assists with Holloman ceremony

    Attendees at the 49th Fighter Wing change-of-command ceremony were treated to a strange sight if they looked closely at the honor guard detail that was presenting the colors Jan.11 here as one member of the six-man team stood out, due to the fact that he was wearing a different uniform and carrying

  • Airmen featured on Food Network's 'Dinner: Impossible'

    Television viewers nationwide will see a renowned chef attempt to feed 1,000 people at Sheppard Air Force Base when the Food Network airs a new episode of "Dinner: Impossible" in the coming weeks. Chef Robert Irvine and his culinary crew were given 10 hours to feed members of the base and visiting

  • 4 new pilots begin F-22 training

    The first Air Force pilots selected to fly the F-22 Raptor without previous fighter experience entered the 63rd Fighter Squadron for the Raptor Lead-in course Jan. 14 here. The four pilots are 1st Lt. Austin Skelley, 1st Lt. Ryan Shelhorse, 1st Lt. Marcus McGinn, and 1st Lt. Dan Dickinson. Prior to

  • Personnel center leadership changes hands

    Air Force Personnel Center officials welcomed their 23rd commander during a change-of-command ceremony here Jan. 16. Maj. Gen. K.C. McClain, a 30-year career Airman, succeeds Maj. Gen. Anthony F. Przybyslawski, who was selected for reassignment as director of operations for Air Education and

  • Air Force announces top recruiters for 2007

    Fourteen Air Force recruiters were named tops in their field for fiscal 2007 by Air Force Recruiting Service officials here Jan. 14. The Air Force Blue Suit recruiters for 2007 are: -- Master Sgt. Russell Benigno of the 337th Recruiting Squadron at Fayetteville, N.C., -- Master Sgt. Brian Clark of

  • Airmen participate in dedication ceremony at South Pole

    Two Airmen attended the Jan. 12 Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station dedication ceremony, the culmination of the National Science Foundation's 12-year effort to construct a new station on Antarctica.Maj. Gen. Robert A. Knauff, the New York Air National Guard chief of staff and commander, and Col. Ron

  • Fellowship offers spouses portable skills

    Frequent military relocations can take a toll on spouses' careers unless they have a portable skill, which is exactly what one foundation has set out to provide them. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation has partnered with the Association for Financial Counseling

  • New ALS curriculum creates new challenges

    Airmen attending Airman Leadership School here and at all Air Force bases come into the new year with many changes to its core curriculum that may create a more challenging course for students ready to become NCOs. ALS institutions Air Force-wide are required to have a "historic, total rewrite" of

  • $92 million facility slated for trauma research

    The groundbreaking of a $92 million research center Jan. 11 marked the first Base Realignment and Closure construction project at Fort Sam Houston directed by the 2005 BRAC legislation. Once completed, the 150,000-square-foot Joint Center of Excellence for Battlefield Health and Trauma Research will

  • Biomedical maintainers ensure combat medical success

    Airmen of the 332nd Medical Support Squadron Biomedical Maintenance Flight here help save lives by ensuring proper preparation of patients prior to air evacuation from the theater of operations every day.The Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base is the hub for en-route patient care, and

  • Air Force official alters cold-weather gear policy

    The deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel here recently authorized commanders to use their discretion to authorize deviation from policy for wear of cold-weather battle dress uniform outer garments with the airman battle uniform during the coming winter months. "The original guidance was

  • Exercise trains next Horn of Africa task force leaders

    Leaders preparing to deploy to Djibouti as the next headquarters staff at Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa are wrapping up a week-long exercise to prepare them for the challenges they'll face.The mission rehearsal exercise is under way at U.S. Joint Forces Command's Joint Warfighting Center

  • Polish air force commander visits AETC

    The commander of the Polish air force visited several Air Education and Training Command locations during a visit to the United States Jan. 6-8. Lt. Gen. Andrzej Blasik, a 22-year veteran, was here primarily to focus on the Polish air force's F-16 Fighting Falcon and C-130 Hercules implementation

  • Balad Airmen help improve quality of life for Soldiers in Iraq

    A 13-man team from Balad Air Base made quality-of-life improvements, security repairs and facilitated more than 85 emergency maintenance repairs during a 30-day assignment in December and January to an Army patrol base in Samarra, Iraq. Among the improvements the group of Airmen made were

  • State-of-the-art battlefield system to integrate controllers

    Construction is scheduled to begin this month on a facility to house a state-of-the-art battlefield command and control system that will integrate air traffic management throughout Iraq. The $30 million Battlefield Command and Control CENTAF, or BC3, will house air traffic controllers from the

  • Dover exercise tests Airmen's combat environment skills

    Once fine tuned and sharpened with razor-edge precision, an ordinary axe became something magnificent during the Middle Ages. The battleaxe, a choice weapon due to its inexpensive cost and abundant availability, was a dangerous weapon on the battle fields of long ago. The methods of warfare have

  • Eielson maintainers use AFSO 21 to improve performance

    Members of the 354th Maintenance Squadron's Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight here recently implemented Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives to reorganize the unit to save resources and manpower.The flight reorganized into five cells for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance

  • Medical capability grows in Afghan province

    A joint Air Force and Army team helped build Afghanistan's medical capability as five men from the Zabul Province completed a three-month basic emergency medical technician training course Jan. 8 here. The course was facilitated by Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat members and is similar to a

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights new enlisted career tool

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on a new enlisted tool Airmen can use to plan their careers. The My Enlisted Development Plan, or MyEDP, is designed to help Airmen track their own careers and the careers of those they supervise or mentor. The one-stop website allows Airmen to play a bigger

  • Civilian personnel system offers workers opportunities, officials say

    In its second year of implementation, the Defense Department's new civilian personnel system is meeting its goal of shifting the department to a performance-based pay system while giving employees the power to boost their own careers, two officials with the program said here Jan. 7. The National

  • Virtual enlisted promotion release proving successful

    Since its introduction in November, the new virtual enlisted promotion release system has received positive reviews from the field.  And, while it may be a bit of a culture shock for some, the new system provides several benefits for Airmen of all grades. "The new process resolved several challenges

  • Pararescueman raises money for AIDS awareness

    An Airman battled body, mind and social stigmas to raise awareness about AIDS and HIV testing for African Americans by running from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 14 days in December, which was approximately 26 miles a day for two weeks. Tech. Sgt. Lejon Boudreaux, a California Air National Guard

  • AMC commander visits Airmen in Southwest Asia

    Deployed Airmen need modern aircraft and equipment to continue to effectively prosecute the war on terrorism, the commander of Air Mobility Command said in January during a recent tour of Southwest Asia air bases. Gen. Arthur J. Lichte made his first trip downrange since taking command of AMC in

  • 'Letter to Airmen' focuses on achievement

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force focuses on how Air Force people need to set personal and organizational goals for 2008. "I encourage each of you to set personal goals that will take care of your mind, body and your family so you are ready to defend our great nation

  • General Brady offers parting thoughts

    To many below the headquarters and major command levels, the title "AF/A1" may not mean much, but it should. AF/A1 is the office of the Air Force's senior officer in charge of all personnel issues from force shaping to education and training, and for nearly four years, Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady has

  • Air Force funds fiber laser research, considers applications

    The Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials have recently funded a project that creates fiber-lasers as thin as a human hair. The ultra-fast fiber laser development will provide compact and cost effective solutions across a number of technologies of direct relevance to the Air Force.

  • Commercial flights move servicemembers around Africa

    The secretary of defense recently granted a waiver to allow Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa members to partner with a civilian contractor to take American servicemembers from major cities in the area of operation and fly them to smaller, remote locations.Secretary Robert M. Gates approved

  • Wind tunnel helps determine impact of hypersonic speeds

    Funding provided by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research has resulted in the world's only quiet hypersonic wind tunnel, which researchers are now using to test the performance of vehicles traveling at hypersonic speeds, or approximately 4,000 mph. A team of researchers at Purdue University,

  • Airmen design everything from bridges to buildings for Army

    Airmen here are helping their Army brethren everyday in different parts of Iraq, improving their quality of life by creating the blueprints for what may be the next place the Soldiers rest. Those Airmen are the engineering assistants of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Det. 6. They're

  • New analysis tool boosts AF's wartime mission

    The Air Force has developed a new tool for personnelists and functional area managers that provides a complete and accurate accounting of deployment assets. For the first time, FAMs at the Air Force headquarters and major command level can look at their Air Force specialty codes and make accurate

  • 2007 a time of reflection, success

    The year 2007 was a time for reflection as Air Force people celebrated the service's 60th anniversary, but it was also a time of great success as Airmen across the world defended their nation through air, space and cyberspace. In celebration of the 60th anniversary, six locations across the country

  • Emergency airdrop rescues stranded ship

    Teamwork, flexibility and airpower were used to deliver critical repair parts to a stranded British fishing vessel, the Argos Georgia, and its 25-person crew Jan. 4. The vessel had lost all main power and been frozen in the ice flow off the Ross Ice Shelf since Christmas Eve, New Zealand

  • Project promises economic boost for Afghans

    A recently-approved $300,000 construction contract promises economic growth for Afghans here, according to the Airman leading engineering efforts for the Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team. The contract for the construction of four new agricultural buildings in the Mehtar Lam agricultural

  • Air Force cartoonist publishes book while deployed

    It's hard being only a figment of someone's imagination. Just ask 1st Lt. Kenneth Dahl, an F-15 Eagle fighter pilot with the imaginary 809th Fighter Squadron. Lieutenant Dahl, call sign "Barbie," is the star of the online Web comic Air Force Blues, and a hero, of sorts, to his Internet following.

  • U.S., Afghan partnership to bring prosperity to region

    "I make promises and my job is to fulfill these promises," Laghman Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal told more than 200 tribal elders during a shura, or tribal council, held here recently. Six weeks later, that declaration came true with the Dec. 31signing of an $8 million contract between the

  • Road warrior: Airmen honor fallen comrade

    One Airman's commitment to a fallen comrade came full circle with the dedication of "Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie Way," here Jan. 1. The road was dedicated in honor of Sergeant Gillespie, a career fuels specialist who died July 9 from wounds sustained during small arms fire near Herat, Afghanistan.

  • Calendar provides troop-support ideas

    New Year's resolutions frequently include good intentions, such as joining a gym, calling parents or organizing closets. But through its America Supports You program, the Defense Department is helping Americans resolve to support the nation's servicemembers throughout 2008. America Supports You is a

  • 'Wheel' saves lives in Afghanistan

    Days after deploying here, Tech. Sgt. Stephen Thackery saw first-hand the cost of the Taliban's war on the Afghan people, and responded as he was trained, by saving lives. The Hamilton, Va., native was on alert when the call came in to the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. A suicide bombing had

  • Airmen, Soldiers deliver wheelchairs to Hondurans

    A Civil Military Operations team from Joint Task Force-Bravo delivered 100 donated wheelchairs to disabled villagers along the Miskito Coast of Honduras Dec. 28. The Alabama non-profit organization Missions Unlimited contacted the U.S. Agency for International Development to coordinate the donation.

  • Operation Iraqi Child donations packed, ready

    More than 50 Airmen from across the 407th Air Expeditionary Group came together here  Dec. 22 to help sort through thousands of school supplies items, toys and more for children in southern Iraq. Hundreds of boxes filled with donations were gathered to support the Operation Iraqi Child project. "We

  • 'Today's Air Force' features the F-22 Raptor

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the F-22 Raptor.  Also featured are an air combat training exercise called "Red Flag" and the F-35 Lightning II. The F-22 reached initial operational capability two years ago, but until recently that operational presence was restricted to the

  • Enhanced health information sharing supports warriors

    Department of Defense officials here recently announced the organization-wide release of enhancements to share electronic health information with the Department of Veterans Affairs.DOD information will be shared through the Bidirectional Health Information Exchange and the Clinical Data

  • Deployed Airmen find ancient artifacts at Iraqi air base

    An Airman and his team discovered fragments of pottery, possibly dating back as far back as 2,000 years during a recent job at Kirkuk Air Base. Tech. Sgt. Kelly Wayment, a heavy equipment operator with the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here, was carrying out a routine operation near a

  • Time, and softball, heal old wounds

    Players from two senior softball clubs met here recent to play a historic game. The Kids & Kubs senior softball team from St. Petersburg, Fl., and the Over the Rainbows senior softball team from Japan played a game at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu.The players ranged in age from 75 to 88 years old,

  • Malmstrom Airmen replace missile guidance systems

    Missile maintenance Airmen installed the final replacement to the missile guidance system at each missile launch facility of the base's Minuteman III fleet Dec. 4 at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The NS-20 system has been replaced with the NS-50 system through the Guidance Replacement Program. The GRP

  • Tricare can help make New Year's resolutions reality

    Saving money, tobacco use and fighting the battle of the bulge are among the hot topics on most people's New Year's resolution lists, but this year Tricare officials can help. Saving money on regularly used prescriptions got a lot easier in 2007 with the new Member Choice Center.The MCC can save a

  • B-2 mission shows bomber flexibility

    Members of the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deployed here with B-2 Spirits from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., took off on a two-ship exercise destined to Alaska Dec. 18 when one bomber was diverted to a global power sortie. Global power missions, which are more than 20 hours long, demonstrate

  • Maxwell trainers develop Iraqi air force officers

    Four Officer Training School instructors returned here recently after spending the past several months in Iraq building the country's air force officer training program from the ground up. Maj. Scott Bergren and Capt. Michael Powell worked at Taji Air Base, Iraq, to establish a stand-alone officer

  • Delta II with GPS payload successfully launches

    Air Force space technicians successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster Dec. 21 carrying the fifth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite into space. The NAVSTAR GPS was launched at 3:04 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 17A here. The satellite will join the

  • C-17 polar airdrop capability successful

    During the winter season at the South Pole, temperatures often dip as low as minus 100 F and can paralyze an aircraft's hydraulic systems, crystallize the fuel and solidify lubricants. However, freezing temperatures did not deter Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze crews

  • Servicemembers celebrate school dedication in Djibouti

    American Servicemembers from the 486th Civil Affairs Battalion and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa were greeted with a traditional Djibouti dance by the students and community members of Kouta Bouya Dec. 17 as part of the school dedication ceremony here. During the five months of

  • AWACS' special mission: Track Santa

    Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing here will once again track the man in red and keep a watchful eye as he and his reindeer fly through the night to deliver presents to children all over the United States. Just before midnight on Christmas Eve, an E-3 Sentry and crew will leave Tinker Air Force

  • CSAF announces selectees for new senior officer program

    Seven senior officers were recently selected to be part of a new program directed by Chief of the Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley. As part of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellows program, these select officers will work directly for the chief of staff in lieu of serving as a

  • Behind the scenes, Airmen help to open hospital

    Airmen on a medical mentoring team have been working hard to ensure the successful opening of an Afghan national army hospital here for the past several months. The team's original mission was to mentor their ANA counterparts and teach them the necessary medical skills to treat Afghan military and

  • Airmen revamp Iraqi police training facility

    For Iraqi police to succeed in securing their nation from the hands of insurgents, they need proper training and equipment, and they get help from American servicemembers at the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, Det. 6.In five days, Airmen from the unit built a classroom, mock