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  • Aerial gunners provide cover for lifesaving mission

    Air Force combat search and rescue crews on HH-60G Pave Hawks fly throughout Afghanistan to provide airlift and medical care to servicemembers wounded on the battlefield. More often than not, this requires them to fly into and operate in extremely hostile and precarious situations and locations,

  • Hurricane Hunters prep for upcoming storm season

    Members of the Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron deployed to their detachment here recently to fly training missions over the Caribbean in preparation for the 2009 hurricane season. Unit Airmen are part of the 403rd Wing located at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and

  • World War II vets share wartime stories with Charleston Airmen

    A new generation of Airmen came face-to-face with the "Greatest Generation" when a group of World War II veterans from the 493rd Fighter Squadron visited Charleston Air Force Base June 29. Airmen from the 16th Airlift Squadron hosted the group along with Lt. Col. Michael King, the 493rd FS commander

  • Airmen can now apply to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

    Department of Defense officials began accepting applications from Airmen to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents June 29. "The Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer of benefits option is a landmark benefit to eligible Airmen," said Lt. Gen. Richard Newton III, deputy chief of staff for Air Force

  • Air Force reservists 'tweet,' blog, post their way to cyberspace

    A couple of times a day, Master Sgt. Collen McGee logs onto the 433rd Airlift Wing's Twitter account and "tweets" updates to 675 followers from around the world. Using the twitter handle of @AFRC_433, Sergeant McGee condenses messages to 140 characters, often including links to related Web sites.

  • Air Force bids farewell to Chief McKinley, hails Chief Roy

    After more than 30 years of service, the Air Force's top enlisted leader bade farewell to fellow Airmen in a June 30 ceremony here as a new Airman became the 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force. Along the manicured ceremonial lawn, hundreds of spectators cheered the service of Chief Master

  • Twelve-nation consortium ready for first C-17

    Officials of the12-nation Strategic Airlift Capability, or SAC, consortium will celebrate the activation of the operational unit, known as the Heavy Airlift Wing, and arrival of the unit's first C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Pápa Air Base, Hungary, in a ceremony on July 27. The wing's

  • Airman's Roll Call: Fourth of July safety

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on safety during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. The Air Force traditionally experiences the highest number of fatalities always between the July 1 through 7 timeframe. The Air Force developed the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign in the late 1960s to

  • New PTSD program answers need for comprehensive treatment

    Symptoms of combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder for wounded warriors include continual nightmares, avoidance behaviors, denial, grief, anger and fear. Some servicemembers battling these and other symptoms, can be treated successfully as an outpatient while assuming their normal duties,

  • Wounded warrior program assists Airmen, families

    Air Force officials here have developed a new program to assist Airmen in need because wounded warriors and their families remain a top priority. The recovery care coordinator is designed to be an "ultimate resource" for seriously wounded, ill, or injured service members. RCCs work closely with

  • June 28 airpower summary: C-130s deliver for warfighters

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flying cover for a

  • Couple remembered as 'best this nation has to offer'

    A former commanding general of the Washington, D.C., National Guard who was killed June 22 in a subway accident along with his wife was remembered in a June 29 ceremony celebrating his life and accomplishments. Retired Maj. Gen. David Wherley and his wife, Ann, a mortgage banker, both 62, were

  • U.S. servicemembers withdraw from Iraqi cities, move to main installations

    Under the Security Agreement signed between Washington, D.C., and Baghdad, Iraq, officials in November 2008, U.S. servicemembers are to withdraw from Iraqi cities, villages and localities by June 30.As a result of the agreement, some servicemembers are moving onto main installations such as Sather

  • New Air Force commercial highlights unmanned aircraft system

    An Air Force commercial highlighting the technology of the unmanned aircraft systems is airing nationally this week in television markets and select movie theaters across the country. The "UAS" commercial depicts a futuristic look at warfighting and how what was once considered science fiction is

  • Fairchild Airmen rescue hikers

    Airmen of the 36th Rescue Flight from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., rescued a hiker from Fort Lewis, Wash., who tumbled more than 1,000 feet June 14 down a mountain just west of Wenatchee, Wash.The 58-year-old man and his son were hiking around 3 p.m. when the older man stumbled down a mountain

  • New Zealand hosts multilateral talks

    "With your basket and with my basket, together we will feed everyone." This traditional New Zealand saying, translated into English from the Maori language, was referenced by New Zealand Air Commodore Gavin Howse during the opening seminar of the Pacific Rim Airpower Symposium and Senior Enlisted

  • June 27 airpower summary: Predator employs Hellfire missile

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a B-1B Lancer used guided bomb unit-38s to target

  • Air Force officials adopt personnel recovery as core function

    Air Force officials are transitioning their combat search and rescue motto to an over-arching name that encompasses all rescue assets under the same umbrella mindset with a more current operational focus. Personnel recovery fulfills a promise to never leave an American behind and the new slogan

  • Ground, flight tests yield zero interference for interrogator system

    Overseas ground and flight testing on a NATO Airborne Warning and Control System recently demonstrated that a prototype waveform designed to better distinguish friendly forces from foes did not interfere with European civilian air traffic control. This paves the way for 635th Electronic Systems

  • Hurlburt Field unit transfers to Cannon

    Officials from the 16th Special Operations Squadron held a squadron flag-transfer ceremony here June 19 to mark the official transfer of the squadron from Hurlburt Field, Fla., to Cannon Air Force Base. "The mighty (AC-130H) Spectre has arrived," said Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, the Air Force

  • Tinker Airmen make mark in 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'

    Airmen of the 552nd Air Control Wing's E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System here had a unique mission recently: helping Autobots fight off Decepticons in support of worldwide security. As seen in the newly released movie, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," an E-3 Sentry aircrew played an

  • Honduras airshow aids local hospital

    An international air show united aviators, air forces and Hondurans to share their love of flying to help save lives at a local hospital June 20 and 21 here. More than 30 U.S. Air Forces Southern Airmen, a KC-135 Stratotanker, two F-16 Fighting Falcons and an F-16 demonstration team deployed to the

  • Dover Airman defuses mid-air incident

    "I want to slit the captain's throat," is not what passengers want to hear an irate man, pacing up and down the aisles on an airline flight, shout over and over again. However, in the face of this peril on an international commercial flight to Italy, this is what one Dover mechanic discovered - and

  • June 25 airpower summary: A-10s target anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed anti-Afghan forces

  • ROTC commander, instructor positions open for total force officers

    Air Education and Training Command officials here announced June 25 projected Air Force ROTC detachment commander and instructor vacancies for summer 2010 and opened vacant 2009 instructor positions to air Reserve component officers. Lieutenant colonels may apply for the detachment commander

  • Altus team shoots for 'A' rating at AMC rodeo

    Members of the 97th Maintenance Directorate here give great attention to the smallest details everyday, and more recently as the maintainers prepare for the 2009 Air Mobility Command Airlift Rodeo. Larry Melton, KC-135 rodeo team chief, has his crew working diligently to prepare aircraft for the

  • Asia-Pacific nations meet to discuss relief operations

    Representatives from nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region are meeting here to discuss multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations June 23 through 27 here. The talks are part of the 2009 Pacific Rim Airpower Symposium, co-hosted this year by the Royal New Zealand Air

  • Bomber crews improve mission skills at Northern Edge 2009

    The 96th Bomb Squadron from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., deployed here for exercise Northern Edge 2009 to practice mission planning and war-time procedures. The 96th BS brought three B-52H Stratofortress long-range bombers to train in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex and over the Gulf of

  • Northern Warfare Training Center helps prepare SEALs

    A West Coast-based Navy SEAL team continued their training during Northern Edge 2009 with help from the Northern Warfare Training Center staff here June 17. The SEAL team learned and practiced several river crossing techniques to prepare them for overseas contingency operations. "The training that

  • AETC Future Learning Division staff 'tweets' for new programs

    Air Education and Training Command's Future Learning Division staff here plummeted into the social networking, micro blogging Web site Twitter last month in an effort to explore the site's potential uses in training today's Airmen for tomorrow. "[The future learning division is] looking into

  • Manas agreement awaits Kyrgyz parliament vote

    The Kyrgyz parliament is expected to vote in the coming days on agreements reached between the United States and Kyrgyzstan governments to extend U.S. access to Manas Air Base, a logistics hub that supplies troops in Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell confirmed June 24 here. While

  • Joint Base San Antonio moves closer toward implementation

    Representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and participating branches of the service met to finalize the way ahead for Randolph Air Force Base, Lackland AFB and Fort Sam Houston during a joint basing workshop hosted by Air Education and Training Command officials June 9 through 11

  • Medics perform 3-tier mission in Nangarhar

    The medics assigned to the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team boast a three-fold mission here. The medical team is responsible for running an aid station, providing combat support and helping with the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Nangarhar Province. As a recent addition to their

  • Airmen, aircraft on display at Paris Air Show

    Airmen stood alongside aviation industry members and an international mix of civilian and military pilots to parade a host of aircraft, reconnaissance platforms and weapon systems at this year's centenary Paris Air Show here June 18. Le Bourget airfield, located 10 miles north of Paris, drew nearly

  • Air National Guard members visit Polish air base

    Members of the 182nd Airlift Wing arrived at the 33rd Air Base here as part of the Illinois Air National Guard's role in the State Partnership Program. The visit is part of a continual endeavor by National Guard Units and European military forces to facilitate information exchange and

  • Web site to open sign-ups for Post-9/11 GI Bill transfers

    It's official. The Defense Department signed off June 22 on policies and procedures servicemembers will use to transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouses or children, a Pentagon official said June 23. Eligible servicemembers will be able to register their immediate family

  • Labor dispute ends at Vance

    The labor dispute at Vance Air Force Base that began June 8 ended June 23 after a collective bargaining agreement was reached.The agreement was reached between CSC Applied Technologies LLC, three of its sub-contractors -- PRI/DJI, DenMar and M1 Support Service -- and the International Association of

  • Elite team provides security for airlift assets

    An elite team of hand-picked security forces Airmen here are tasked with providing security for airlift assets that travel into unsecure locations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron fly-away security team travels with airlift assets

  • Airmen take reins on Army cargo movement mission

    As the dust settled after one of the worst sandstorms of the year, a small group of Airmen from the 22nd Movement Control Team took the reins of the Army's 258th MCT mission June 14 here. Sixteen Air Force logisticians are responsible for the processing and management of cargo and passengers

  • Suicide prevention message rolls through cities nationwide

    The Department of Veterans Affairs took to the road, literally, when it decided to advertise about its "VA Suicide Prevention Lifeline" on public transportation buses in 124 communities across the country. "We continue to look for new, innovative ways to reach our veterans," said Tammy Duckworth,

  • A-10 'assembly-line' maintenance concept a model of efficiency

    A-10 maintenance personnel from the 124th Wing are in the early stages of a new "assembly line" maintenance concept that may serve as a model for how Air Force aircraft maintenance is performed in the future. Dubbed the Consolidated Install Program, this program began June 1 and is projected to save

  • Streamlined ancillary, expeditionary skills training eliminates redundancy

    New policy, released in March, streamlined redundant and outdated ancillary training programs and aligned expeditionary skills training with warfighter requirements. However, Air Force leaders recently addressed the time requirement to complete ancillary training after discovering a common

  • Ground equipment Airmen show benefits of AFSO 21

    In March 2006 when former Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne called for a new way to evaluate how the Air Force operates, called Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO 21, he encouraged the elimination of unnecessary steps in any work process. He suggested Air Force people

  • CMSAF McKinley begins, ends Air Force career at Seymour

    The 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force returned to his first duty station for a tour of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base June 12. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley began his Air Force career as an emergency room technician here in 1974. This was the chief's last base visit

  • Test cell upgrades capability, reliability

    Another piece of the digital age arrived June 14 at the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron engine-test cell here as the operational test of a C-130 Hercules engine with a new 21D model engine-test cell brought the unit up to par with home station capabilities. The new digital model brought

  • Tactical comm Airmen keep military ops online, on target

    Performing missions within the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan requires the U.S. military to maintain an open line of communication at all times, especially when convoys take people outside the wire. For one Airman in particular, the role of tactical communications means knowing a variety of

  • New online housing support available to USAFE Airmen

    Airmen moving into or out of the United States Air Forces in Europe command now have a access to a new online housing support program. USAFE housing offices are implementing the new Internet-based Automated Housing Referral Network, AHRN.com, to facilitate the long-distance house-hunting process

  • Agency makes civilian development a priority

    The Air Force is paying more attention than ever to civilian career development, enhancement and expanding various developmental opportunities. The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency understands the direct correlation between civilian career development and mission

  • New prescription ATM eases patients' wait time

    The 61st Medical Group recently introduced a prescription dispensing machine during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Base Exchange here June 13. The ScriptCenter Express Prescription Refill and Pickup Center is the first of its kind in Los Angeles County, the Air Force, and the Department of

  • Student flies last T-37 training mission

    A familiar noise was missing from the 80th Flying Training Wing's aircraft parking ramp at about 2:30 p.m. June 17, one that has been prevalent in the Air Force's pilot training mission for 50 years -- the high-pitched screech of the T-37B Tweet. The final student training mission began at 1 p.m.,

  • Air defense exercise to test NORTHCOM response

    Months of planning and preparations are being tested as Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors participate in Exercise Amalgam Dart '09, a major U.S. Northern Command air defense exercise here June 18 through 20. The exercise is one of several North American Aerospace Defense Command and USNORTHCOM exercises

  • June 18 airpower summary: C-17s help sustain ops in theater

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations June 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an F-15E Strike Eagle executed strikes near

  • June 17 airpower summary: F-15Es deter anti-Afghan forces massing attack

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations June 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, B-1B Lancers conducted strikes over Tarin Kowt,

  • Airpower to protect Iraq security gains as forces withdraw from cities

    As U.S. forces in Iraq prepare to pull back from most major cities by June 30, U.S. air support will continue to enable and protect security gains made over the past two years, a U.S. commander said in a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable June 17. Col. Michael Fantini, commander of the 332nd

  • Air Force officials host first regional air chiefs conference

    Military and civilian leaders from Canada, Mexico and the United States attended the first North American Regional Air Chiefs Conference here June 8 to 12. It was hosted by officials of 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern). The attendees participated in a variety of mission briefings and interactive

  • Officials announce location for Global Strike command

    The Air Force announced Barksdale Air Force Base, La. as the permanent location of Air Force Global Strike Command headquarters June 18.  The new major command will focus on the nuclear and global strike mission. Barksdale was previously identified as the Air Force's preferred alternative for

  • AFRCC coordinates search and rescue for injured hiker

    The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center here helped coordinate search and rescue operations with local and state agencies to save an injured hiker in the mountains near Wenatchee, Wash., June 15. A group of hikers witnessed a man fall nearly 1,000 feet down Mt. Stuart, the second highest

  • Photo Essay: New engine test stand aids maintainers

    Maintainers at an air base in Southwest Asia now are able to test an engine on the spot rather than send it to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, for the same test.  An engine can be mounted on the new T56 test stand for engine run-ups and other maintenance procedures.  View new engine test stand slideshow

  • Coalition's Iraq withdrawal plans on track, officials say

    The withdrawal of American troops from Iraq cities is on track, Iraqi and coalition officials said this week. Iraqi security forces are set to assume responsibility for the areas, Iraqi spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said at a June 15 news conference. "The step of withdrawal of American forces from the

  • Air Force Reserve Command gets new command chief

    Chief Master Sgt. Dwight D. Badgett was selected as the Air Force Reserve Command's new command chief master sergeant by Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., AFRC commander, in May. "Chief Badgett is exactly the type of person Air Force Reserve Command needs as our command chief," General Stenner said.

  • Enhanced Global Hawk to roll out June 25

    Air Force and Northrop Grumman officials will roll out the first Block 40 RQ-4 Global Hawk June 25 at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif. The Block 40 carries the Multi-platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) enhanced sensor suite. The Air Force plans to purchase 15 of the Block 40

  • Texas students get taste of Air Force science, engineering

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here hope to whet the appetites of young science, math and engineering students, so they might later seek "blue chip" career paths, hopefully Air Force blue. Toward this end, AFPC's science and engineering career field management team have partnered with the

  • General McKinley: International alliances have matured well

    The National Guard's State Partnership Program started as a confidence-building measure between formerly hostile nations and has grown into solid, long-standing alliances, according to the chief of the National Guard Bureau.  "The relationship has matured well," Gen. Craig R. McKinley

  • Iraqi air force builds ISR foundation with help from Airmen

    The Iraqi air force is taking shape under the watchful guidance and support of Airmen. A team of air advisors from the Coalition Air Force Training Team, part of Multinational Security Transition Command - Iraq, has introduced current intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technology to the

  • June 14 airpower summary: A-10s provide convoy security

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and a coalition aircraft

  • Guardsmen plant seeds of hope in Afghanistan

    Teams of National Guardsmen from Missouri and 11 other farm-belt states are deploying to Afghanistan on year-long tours to help the country attain a level of self-sustainability through improved agricultural methods. These teams are called Agri-Business Development Teams and are made up of Guardsmen

  • AFOTEC hosts cadets for summer research program

    The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center is hosting the United States Air Force Academy's Cadet Summer Research Program for a second year at locations in California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada and Kirtland. During the program, cadets work on real-world Air Force projects during five-week

  • Super Car documentary debuts on airforce.com

    The making of the Air Force's newest national mobile marketing assets, the X-1 and Vapor, can now be seen in a 22-minute documentary featured on airforce.com. The documentary captures a team of Airmen chosen to work with a crew at Galpin Auto Sports to customize a white Ford Mustang (X-1) and a

  • American hospital in Afghanistan holds health fair

    The Staff Sgt. Heathe N. Craig Joint Theater Hospital here opened its doors June 13 to highlight a number of services available to servicemembers in the regional command east area of operations. In an event that involved weeks of planning, the hospital staff came together to construct unique

  • Airmen execute Project Liberty

    Eighteen months ago officials created a plan to bolster the Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission by adding a new platform to the ISR inventory. Now the Airmen assigned to the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Detachment 1 here at Camp Liberty, Iraq, are charged

  • Weapons school instructors validate first UAS, Raptor courses

    U.S. Air Force Weapons School instructors completed the school's first unmanned aircraft systems and F-22 Raptor validation course June 13. Consisting of 17 squadrons, the weapons school teaches graduate-level instructor courses that provide the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics

  • June 11 airpower summary: F-15Es respond to enemy attack

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations June 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb

  • June 10 airpower summary: C-17s move outsized loads

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and B-1B Lancer

  • Air Force officials update uniform board decisions

    Air Force officials today announced policy updates in the 98th Virtual Uniform Board decisions posted June 10. The following provides a snapshot of approved uniform wear. Follow-on messages will be released that contain detailed guidance and instructions. All information will be incorporated into

  • Memorial recognizes those killed in NATO operations

    NATO officials dedicated a monument here June 12 to personnel killed during alliance operations. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the stone marker outside the front door of the alliance's headquarters will serve as a reminder of the weight of the decisions made in the facility.

  • Merger provides Airmen chance to 'weld' new skills

    Pacific Air Forces vehicle mechanics solder their training skills in a merged career field by learning a new trade at a welding school here. The mechanics undergo an 80-hour course that includes 57 hours of lab instruction and a Community College of the Air Force accreditation after completion.

  • AFRCC coordinates SAR for downed N.M. helicopter

    Controllers from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center here helped local and state agencies search for a missing helicopter in the mountains near Santa Fe, N.M., late Tuesday night. The New Mexico State Police contacted AFRCC to ask for federal assistance in finding the helicopter and its three

  • New software system offers better accessibility, speed

    Intelligence analysts' hunt for a piece of data in the puzzle of situational awareness got a little easier with the delivery of the latest version of DCGS Integration Backbone or DIB version, a software system that puts more flexible features and services into warfighters' hands. "The key to this

  • Telephone news line set up for 'non-wired' retirees

    A toll-free telephone news line has been set up for those retirees and surviving spouses who do not have computer access.  People reading this release are encouraged to pass the information to those who don't have Internet access.By calling (800) 558-1404, retirees and spouses can stay informed

  • Admiral Mullen offers leadership lesson to National Defense University grads

    Flanked by rows of professors cloaked in traditional academic regalia, the nation's top military officer offered one final, brief lecture June 11 to a group of graduating senior military officers at the National Defense University here. But Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen

  • Officials look to colleges, universities for civilian employees

    As Air Force officials seek the best and brightest talent for the civilian workforce, they continue to actively recruit students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Student Career Experience Program, or SCEP, allows qualified college students to apply at participating state

  • Law gives military renters more protection against foreclosures

    President Barack Obama's latest efforts to look after home renters gives military members additional protection if the homes they rent are foreclosed, a Defense Department official said today. The president's Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009 was signed into law on May 20. The

  • Air Force official discusses 21st century ISR challenges

    In an environment marked by ever-increasing threats, Airmen must enhance an already-sharp focus on information gathering and sharing, a top Air Force official said during a forum held June 10 in Burlington, Mass. Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence,

  • 887th Airmen rebuild playground for visiting children

    Everyday, hundreds of visitors come to Camp Bucca to see a family member held at the Camp Bucca Theater Internment Facility. Each day, Airmen of the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron make contact with visitors and are sometimes the only coalition force presence the family members have

  • MC-12 flies first combat mission

    The Air Force's newest intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft flew its first combat sortie June 10 over Iraq.The MC-12 Liberty, assigned to the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, arrived in Iraq June 8 and took off from Joint Base Balad at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time

  • May recruiting shows across-the-board success

    May was a banner recruiting month for every military service, but especially for the Marine Corps, which topped its active-duty goal by 42 percent and its Marine Corps Reserve goal by 12 percent, Defense Department officials announced today.The Marine recruiting successes represent a particularly

  • MC-12 joins the fight in Iraq

    The Air Force's new MC-12 Liberty aircraft, a manned special-mission turboprop aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support coalition and joint ground forces, arrived June 8 to Joint Base Balad. Following the MC-12's arrival, the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance

  • Education activity lowers kindergarten pupil-to-teacher ratio

    Kindergartens at many Department of Defense Education Activity schools will have fewer students per teacher when classes resume in the fall. A student-to-teacher ratio that has ranged from 24-to-1 to 29-to-1 will drop to 18-to-1. "We've made the decision to place an additional classroom teacher and

  • Defense travel system to modify reservation process

    Minor changes are scheduled to take place within the Defense Department's travel reservation system later this summer to support the Transportation Security Administration's new pre-flight screening program, a Defense Department official said June 10. Under the current format, when travelers arrange

  • Guard looks to new media to attract recruits

    The end strength for the Army and Air National Guard remained above 100 percent in May due in part to various social media outlets, such as You Tube, Facebook and Twitter, currently being used by both services. "Social networking and new media as a whole is the fastest growing communication medium

  • Wilford Hall doctors bring eye care to Panama patients

    Members of the 59th Surgical Specialties Squadron Ophthalmology Flight at Wilford Hall Medical Center here participated in a humanitarian mission to provide eye surgery and exams for Panamanian patients May 9 to 22 at the La Regional Hospital in La Chorrera, Panama. The hospital is located

  • Coalition team restores Iraqi shrine

    Thanks to a partnership between Airmen and their Iraqi counterparts here, family and friends visiting an on-base cemetery and shrine for the first time in almost three decades were once again able to enjoy the beauty of this holy place. Airmen from the 506th Air Expeditionary Group and Iraqi airmen

  • Hanscom to lead Air Force efforts in interoperability demo

    Officials here are busy setting up a mock air operations center for the annual Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration, which will run June 15 through 25. Hanscom is once again serving as a major host site for CWID and the lead Air Force site. Operators from the Air Force, other services,

  • Thunderbirds announce 2010 officer selections

    The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the 'Thunderbirds,' announced incoming officer selections for the 2010 demonstration season. They are:- Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, serving at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., will join the team as the 33rd commander/leader of the

  • Manas Air Base reaches out to 'Twitter' users worldwide

    Keeping up with online technology and its growing user demands can be daunting for communicators. But the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Office has hopped aboard the Twitter 'twain' at full throttle in order to keep the world abroad in the know about the base's goings on. "I believe it

  • Operation Southern Partner servicemembers paint brighter future in Belize

    Nearly a dozen servicemembers of Operation Southern Partner found time between their subject matter exchanges to help renovate and enhance the New Stella Maris School for the Physically Disabled with a fresh coat of paint here June 8. The small, 13-classroom school in the Belize City center was

  • General Gould takes command of the Academy

    Lt. Gen. Michael Gould took command of the U.S. Air Force Academy as the 18th superintendent during a ceremony here June 9. General Gould is a class of '76 Academy graduate and the first superintendant to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Prep School.General Gould comes to the Academy from Scott Air

  • Air Force officials revise fitness program

    The need for a "clear, understandable and simpler" fitness program will mean significant changes to the Air Force's current fitness program, said the service's top officer during a senior leadership conference held June 4 through 6 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Air Force Chief of Staff