NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Chief of staff: Minot Airmen key to Air Force mission

    The Air Force chief of staff addressed more than 1,500 Airmen gathered here April 1 to discuss teamwork and excellence, key elements in mission accomplishment as well as in maintaining standards in the nuclear business.Gen. Norton Schwartz talked to Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile

  • Hmong-American patriot recognized by Air Force chief of staff

    Presumed dead for decades, a Royal Laotian Air Force fighter pilot received recognition from the Air Force's top uniformed officer here March 31 for his contributions during the Vietnam War.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Yia Kha with a certificate of appreciation for his

  • Original song competition at MyAirForceLife.com

    More than 70 years ago, Capt. Robert MacArthur Crawford, an Airman with the Army Air Corps, won an original song competition with an entry that eventually became the official song for the U.S. Air Force. Captain Crawford wrote the lyrics and music to "Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder."Starting

  • Yokota officials host bilateral safety conference

    Forty-two Japanese civilian general aviation pilots landed here March 20 for the Kanto Plain Mid-Air Collision and Avoidance Conference conducted by the staff of the 374th Airlift Wing Safety Office. The MACA conference brought military members together with civilian pilots from all over Japan, to

  • Guardsmen assist in Northeast states battling floods

    More than 1,500 National Guard members in three Northeast states are waging a war against rising flood waters after several days of rain combined with melting snow.Massachusetts officials have called up more than 900 Soldiers, including 116 Air Guardsmen, while Rhode Island and Connecticut officials

  • F.E. Warren members help fight brushfire in Wyoming

    F.E. Warren Air Force Base fire and emergency services members responded to a brushfire two miles southwest of the base after a mutual aid request by the Laramie County Fire District March 31.The fire began just before 1 a.m. and took two hours to contain through the combined efforts of the Warren

  • Airmen sustain increased airlift flow to Afghanistan

    Airmen at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan increased airfield operations recently in direct support of Marines during the U.S. troop increase called for by President Barack Obama to target the insurgency and secure key population centers.U.S. Transportation Command officials here requested 615th

  • Photo essay: Ellsworth team sets off big 'bang'

    The explosive ordnance disposal team from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron here set off shaped charges during training March 30. The training prepares the EOD team for real world problems. View slideshow

  • Beale family selected as Air Force FitFamily of the month

    The family of a 9th Support Division Squadron member here was selected as the Air Force's FitFamily of the Month for March after logging more points than any other Air Force family on the program's Web site.The FitFamily Web site provides a venue for families to participate in family activities and

  • Top enlisted leader addresses top issues facing Airmen

    The top enlisted Airman addressed some of the top issues facing Airmen during a visit here March 17 and 18.The role battlefield Airmen play in deployed operations is an area of focus because it ties into one of the Air Force's priorities, said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy. "I am

  • Global Hawk wet runway testing yields positive results

    Airmen, civilians and contractors of the 452nd Flight Test Squadron here conducted RQ-4 Global Hawk wet runway testing with positive results throughout March here.The wet runway test required the Global Hawk to demonstrate taxiing and stopping from 6, 12, 30, 50 and 70 knots.The Block 20 Global Hawk

  • Airmen medically treat, evacuate 46 Afghans in mass casualty incident

    Airmen here responded to a mass casualty incident in Helmand Province March 31 following an improvised explosive device explosion at a local market in Nahr-e Saraj.Shortly after 9 a.m. early reports indicated a large explosion occurred, resulting in a high number of casualties and within 10 minutes

  • USO officials announce Sesame Workshop tour dates

    The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families, a free traveling USO show based on Sesame Workshop's award winning "Talk, Listen, Connect" initiative and produced in partnership with Vee, is back in the United States after an around-the-world tour. The show, which is exclusively for military

  • Pentagon officials may extend tanker bid deadline

    Defense Department officials here March 31 informed companies interested in bidding on the KC-X aerial refueling tanker contract that if the European Aeronautics Defense and Space Co. formally expresses an intention to compete, the bidding deadline would be extended 60 days, the Pentagon press

  • New sexual assault response program created at Sheppard AFB

    A program is now in place that gives Airmen in Training here a bigger role in sexual assault prevention and response.Officials with the 82nd Training Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator office recently created the Air Force's first student advocate program. Students against Sexual Assault and

  • Academy cadet named Truman Scholar

    A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet was named one of 60 Truman Scholarship recipients in an announcement released by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation March 30.Cadet 2nd Class Jennifer Bandi, a native of Winchester, Mass., is the Academy's 16th Truman Scholarship winner. A political science

  • Team heads to Chile for air show, but not empty-handed

    Approximately 30 Airmen and two F-22 Raptors from Holloman Air Force Base headed to Chile to participate in an air show, but took more equipment then initially planned.The plan had been in effect for months for the Airmen and aircraft to support the 2010 FIDAE Air and Trade Show that would mark the

  • Photo essay: Dogs run final course

    Three military working dogs here are due to be medically retired April 6, and took a final run at the kennel obstacle course March 25.  The dogs and their partners are assigned to the 56th Security Forces.View the slideshow.

  • Kunsan Airmen train with South Korean fighter pilots

    Kunsan Air Base officials hosted an exercise with South Korean airmen March 15 through 17 here to operate effectively together for possible joint combat actions. South Korean air force F-16s from the 21st Fighting Squadron out of Seosan Air Base and F-15E Strike Eagles from the 391st Expeditionary

  • Operation Purple reconnects children, parents after deployments

    It wasn't a typical cross country skiing race where skill and speed are factors. In this race, it was all about cooperation. Three children and two parents, lined up like a caterpillar with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them, inching along in unison and trying not to trip

  • TRANSCOM officials to receive 'unsung hero' recognition

    The U.S. military command responsible for moving troops and cargo around the world will receive recognition for its role as one of the Defense Department's unsung heroes, the Pentagon press secretary said March 30 here. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is slated to travel to U.S. Transportation

  • First Iraqi weather officers graduate

    The first class of Iraqi air force meteorology officers graduated March 25 from a formal technical training course in Baghdad taught by U.S. Air Force weather forecasters.Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force officials have Airmen assigned to teach Iraqi personnel how to create a

  • American servicemembers, helicopters deploy to Haiti

    Joint Task Force-Bravo officials deployed 40 servicemembers, four UH-60 Blackhawks and equipment March 21 and 22 in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti's airlift operations in Haiti.Four C-17 Globemaster IIIs landed and were loaded during a three-day period to airlift more than 180,000 pounds of

  • Shaw dormitory earns national environmental award

    Shaw Air Force Base's newest Airmen's dormitory, building 421, has earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The award was presented in a ceremony here March 16.The building earned the distinction for a number of

  • Rescue crews fly into hostile zones to save lives

    Men and women of the 41st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here provide around-the-clock personnel recovery, commonly known as combat search and rescue, for American and coalition warfighters supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.But unlike past wars where aircraft were lost every week, the mission in

  • Elmendorf Airmen complete airdrop using 3-D weather technology

    Airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base completed the first improved container delivery system drop using new 3-D weather technology March 19 over Tin City, Alaska.The new system allows for better drop precision, factors in the altitude, wind speed, wind direction, terrain and other circumstances that

  • New Reserve group stands up at Seymour Johnson

    To keep up with the increasing demand for F-15E Strike Eagle pilots and weapon systems officers, a new group is standing up here.The Air Force Reserve Command's 414th Fighter Group may have only a handful of assigned personnel now, but about 340 people will fall under the group, the 307th Fighter

  • Elmendorf Airmen complete million push-up challenge

    In about 3.5 months, 425 Elmendorf Air Force Base Airmen accumulated more than 1 million push-ups to reach a unit goal.In an effort to improve physical training scores and build camaraderie, 3rd Medical Group leaders posed the 100-day million push-up challenge and unit medics began logging their

  • Circus entertains, honors military families

    The military and the circus have a lot in common.  They both have people from around the nation and assets from around the world. Both are highly trained units that perform sometimes unimaginable feats and handle unspeakable logistical details in carrying out their mission. And, most importantly,

  • Luke Airmen volunteer to assist disabled veterans at winter sports clinic

    Seven Airmen volunteers from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., are here primarily to help transport disabled veterans during the 24th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic March 28 through April 2.  But they also are assisting in other areas as the need arises.The winter sports clinic promotes

  • Photo essay: Kadena Airmen train for survival

    Members of the 909th Air Refueling Squadron train in proper survival and evasion procedures as part of a local operational readiness exercise here March 25. The exercise tests the readiness of Kadena Airmen. View the slideshow.

  • Airmen train Afghan C-27 loadmaster

    Airmen from the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Afghan soldiers with the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps completed a successful check ride for the nation's first qualified C-27 Spartan loadmaster March 28 here.During an almost two-hour International Security Assistance Force

  • Airmen work toward boxing championships

    Twelve potential Air Force boxers circled around a conference table March 19 to listen to the coach's goals for the 14-day boxing crash course at Lackland Air Force Base, which ends in the two-day Air Force Box-off April 2 and 3 at the Bennett Fitness Center here. From the outset, Air Force boxing

  • FitFamily program promotes healthy lifestyles

    Air Force officials launched FitFamily Jan. 30 to encourage and reward children and adults for leading an active lifestyle.The program is designed to increase fitness levels and supplements the Air Force's youth fitness program, FitFactor. "FitFamily promotes the importance of healthy lifestyle

  • Hawaii officials honor fallen war heroes

    The Hawaii State Senate and House of Representatives convened an afternoon joint session March 23 here to award the Hawaii Medal of Honor to recognize military servicemembers who have made "the ultimate sacrifice." Among the 28 servicemembers posthumously awarded the medal was 1st Lt. Roslyn

  • Airmen complete humanitarian mission in Chile

    Members of the Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team completed a humanitarian mission to build an expeditionary hospital and augment medical care for members of the Angol community here March 26. A team of Airmen built, staffed and equipped a field hospital to serve more than 110,000 people

  • Bagram Airmen keep F-16s in the fight

    As their F-16 Fighting Falcon pulled into its parking spot on the airfield March 23, the maintainers from the 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit had something to be proud of: tail number 2119 had returned from its 30th code 1 sortie over Afghanistan.Lt. Col. Brad Lyons, 34th Expeditionary

  • Kirkuk Airmen use small aircraft with huge capabilities

    Airmen here use the RQ-11B Raven, a small unmanned aircraft equipped with cameras, sensors and communications tools, to give coalition warfighters an advantage of eyes in the sky.There are many different types of unmanned aircraft, ranging in size and capability, but Kirkuk Regional Air Base Airmen

  • Air Force officials take step toward cleaner fuel, energy independence

    Air Force officials, embracing the national priorities of cleaner fuel and energy independence, took a step toward a greener, energy independent future when an A-10C Thunderbolt II here took to the air March 25 fueled with a blend of Hydrotreated Renewable Jet, or HRJ, and JP-8.This first-ever

  • Airmen help Afghans fly C-27 mission

    A joint aircrew of U.S. Airmen from the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Afghan soldiers in the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps completed an operational C-27 Spartan mission here March 24.Taking off from Kabul International Airport, the four-man aircrew flew Southwest to Kandahar

  • Ellsworth Airmen give children taste of deployment process

    Members of the 28th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center here taught base children, spouses of military members and local teachers about the deployment process March 13 here.The event, called Kids, Spouses and Teachers Understanding Deployment Operations, or KUDOS, SUDOS and

  • Air Force officials continue plans to modernize GPS

    Through the years, the Global Positioning System has become one of the most widely-used Air Force applications.Today GPS is used in everything from farming and aviation to public safety, disaster relief and recreation, not to mention its military purpose of providing precision navigation and timing

  • Afghanistan troop level to eclipse Iraq by midyear

    This summer will mark the first time since 2003 that the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan will overshadow the American presence in Iraq, the top U.S. military officer told Congress March 24 here. Driving the eclipse is the 30,000-troop surge President Barack Obama announced for Afghanistan in

  • Defense secretary to recommend Navy admiral to head F-35 program

    The Defense secretary will recommend President Barack Obama nominate Navy Vice Adm. David J. Venlet to oversee restructuring of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program, a Defense Department official told a congressional panel March 24 here. Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of Defense for

  • Airmen participate in ruck march

    Members from the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center here participated in the 436th Security Forces Squadron's 11th Annual Ruck March held March 20. The annual 6.2-mile march is a fundraiser to honor the veterans of the Korean War who fought in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. "About

  • Robins officials welcome returning members from Haiti mission

    Six members of the 53rd Combat Communications Squadron deployable initial communications element team returned here March 16 from a six-week deployment to Haiti where the team supported Operation Unified Response.The team consisting of Capt. Joel Nelson, Tech. Sgt. Turvon Casey, Staff Sgts. Jon

  • Misawa commander named honorary city mayor

    For a few hours March 23, the 35th Fighter Wing commander at Misawa Air Base served as honorary Misawa City mayor. Col. David Stilwell was appointed mayor for a day by Misawa City Mayor Kazumasa Taneichi. Additionally, his wife, Jan, was appointed ambassador to Misawa City and was presented with

  • 18th Munitions Squadron racks and stacks 'em

    Airmen from the 18th Munitions Squadron build Mark 83 bomb bodies during Beverly High 10-02 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 24, 2010. The 18th Wing is participating in a Local Operational Readiness Exercise March 22-26 to test the readiness of Kadena Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rey

  • Photo essay: Special tactics Airmen jump at night

    Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Training Squadron participated in a high altitude, low opening or HALO, mission near here March 16 during Exercise Emerald Warrior 2010. View the slideshow.

  • Yokota maintainers use AFSO21 to improve C-130 inspection process

    Twenty-one Airmen held a weeklong training scenario focusing on improving the C-130 Hercules isochronal inspection process in mid-March here.The inspection is a requirement that has recently changed from a 365-day requirement to a to a 450-day interval and one that requires cooperation from numerous

  • Ellsworth Airmen participate in cooking competition

    Food service workers from the Bandit Inn dining facility here participated in the second annual "Ellsworth Iron Chef" competition March 17 here.The competitors divided themselves into four teams and were tasked to create a multicourse meal with each dish featuring one of the two secret ingredients:

  • MC-12 aircrews complete 2,000th combat sortie

    MC-12 Liberty aircrews assigned to the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron completed their 2,000th combat sortie recently from Joint Base Balad.The MC-12 program took off in the fall as Airmen flew the first combat mission in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft that

  • Airmen aid medical support mission in Chile

    Two members from the 5th Combat Communications Group deployed to Angol, Chile, in support of relief efforts after the Chilean earthquake Feb. 27. The team left March 7 and arrived in Chile March 11. Staff Sgt. William Kidd and Senior Airman Patrick Walters from the 52nd Combat Communications

  • Former chief of staff laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery

    The 10th chief of staff of the Air Force was laid to rest in a full-honors ceremony March 22 at Arlington National Cemetery, but his legacy lives with today's Airmen through his emphasis on developing camaraderie, pursuing history and recognizing excellence.Gen. Lew Allen Jr. passed away Jan. 4 in

  • Joint team leads Afghan crew chief academy

    A team of Airmen from the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Soldiers from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Falcon, led the first class of Afghan National Army Air Corp soldiers through the Afghan National Security Forces Crew Chief Academy March 6 here.The joint team of

  • DOD, airline officials sign alternative fuels pact

    A new agreement between the Defense Logistics Agency's Defense Energy Support Center and the Air Transport Association of America will help to promote widespread commercialization of environmentally friendly aviation fuels with less reliance on fossil fuels. Representatives of the Defense Logistics

  • Air Force officials name 2009 public service award winners

    Air Force officials here recently announced the four Air Force winners and nominees for the 2009 Government Employees Insurance Company Public Service awards.Jeffery Hikes of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., James Ratliff of Scott AFB, Ill., Bill James of Lackland AFB, Texas, and Norman Morrisette of

  • Holloman Airmen train for worst in active shooter exercise

    Holloman Air Force Base members tested their preparedness during a simulated active gunman situation March 11 at the Domenici Fitness and Sports Center here.As 49th Security Forces Squadron patrolmen cleared the building in search of the suspects, a quick reaction force stood up and was en route to

  • Joint EOD training benefits 2 nations

    Kyrgyz army explosive ordnance disposal technicians visited the Transit Center at Manas March 15 through 19 for a subject matter information exchange with American EOD Airmen and Soldiers.The Airmen here regularly bring Kyrgyz soldiers to the installation and the EOD range to train together,

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Mountain Home Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited the 366th Fighter Wing Airmen here March 7 and 8 to see them firsthand, thank them for their sacrifices and gain a better understanding of their mission, capabilities and challenges.Gen. William M. Fraser III's visit included a dinner with Idaho Gov. C. L.

  • Airman's vigilance prevents aircraft mishap

    Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aborted an F-15E Strike Eagle mission minutes before takeoff March 12 here when a crew chief noticed an oddity with the flight controls of an aircraft.Staff Sgt. Justin Wilson, a 494th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew

  • Construction begins on new fuel pipeline at Southwest Asia base

    Construction on a new 2.7-mile pipeline to bolster ground refueling operations for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing began March 17 at a non-disclosed base here.The $5.7 million project calls for the construction of an above-ground 8-inch carbon steel pipeline from the existing tanker truck offload

  • Civil engagement program helps prepare Iraq for future

    As U.S. officials prepare to draw down troops in Iraq, efforts are being made to ensure the effect on the country's infrastructure is minimal. Joint Base Balad's civil engagement program maximizes the base's resources and abilities and helps more than 800,000 Iraqis in the Salah ad Din Province. The

  • USAFE officials visit command's newest wing

    Gen. Roger Brady, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE command chief master sergeant, visited the Airmen of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing March 16 to see the unique blend of capabilities the unit brings to USAFE.The visit allowed General Brady and

  • 'Today's Air Force' features taking care of Airmen

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the Air Force takes care of Airmen, while encouraging them to take care of themselves. Plus, with troops from more than 40 nations fighting alongside U.S. Airmen in Afghanistan, bilateral training is as important as ever. Find out how Airmen are teaming up

  • Air Force officials open aviation art gallery in Pentagon

    The World War I Skyfighters of France teamed with modern-day American Airmen in Afghanistan in an art gallery exhibit in the Pentagon dedicated March 18 by Air Force senior leaders. The exhibit showcases the work of the first aviation artist and displays the latest addition to the Air Force Art

  • Air Force official transfers hangar to Iraqi air force

    Members of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-U.S. Air Force and the Iraqi air force stood shoulder to shoulder during a ceremony at Kirkuk Regional Air Base March 10 as Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Amen, Iraqi air force commander,

  • Steering committee wraps up discussions

    Officials from 13 international air forces welcomed a new chairman after completing week-long discussions at the 59th Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Steering Committee March 12. The discussions, hosted by members of the 80th Flying Training Wing, covered the current syllabus, funding for the

  • Lajes officials take step toward solar power

    As part of the Air Force officials' renewable energy initiative, members of the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron have taken a step toward saving taxpayers money after installing and testing their first solar energy-producing panels in a military family housing unit Feb. 22 here. The panel unit costs

  • U.S., Philippine servicemembers visit school children

    Philippine and U.S. servicemembers joined together to provide much-needed clothing and other every day items to local school children March 15 here.The community relations project took place during Balikatan 2010, an annual bilateral exercise involving the Philippine military, Philippine civil

  • Leadership development participants back up book study with travel

    From Southbridge, Mass., to Seoul, South Korea, the 61 members of the 2010 Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program have been globetrotting to gain hands-on field experience geared toward sculpting their joint leadership skills. By exposing the participants to the various

  • Translators: providing a common language for a common goal in Chile

    With the help of dedicated translators, Chilean patients can describe their pain to Air Force doctors, Airmen can explain expeditionary  medical equipment to Chilean medics and local Chilean officials can relay the support they need to meet the medical needs of more than 110,000 people here, after

  • Airmen gain experience while supporting Canadian military training

    More than 50 Canadian airmen and six CF-18 Hornets deployed to Altus Air Force Base to conduct forward air control training with the Canadian army March 8 through 23 here. Altus AFB Airmen provided an estimated more than 50,000 gallons of fuel, air traffic control and radio approach control support,

  • Chief of chaplains announces corps' annual award winners

    The Air Force chief of chaplains recently announced the chaplain corps' 2009 annual awards. "All nominees are to be applauded for their amazing performance and exceptional dedication to duty," said Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson. "But the accomplishments of the winners exemplified first

  • Air Force leaders issue 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' message

    The three top Air Force leaders have issued a service-wide message explaining how Air Force people will support the Department of Defense working group evaluating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation.Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master

  • Joint STARS resumes re-engining program with two major contract actions

    The 751st Electronic Systems Group has successfully resumed the system design and development phase of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System re-engining program with the award of two large contract actions. The E-8C Joint STARS is an airborne battle management command and control

  • Precision airdrop training coming to Altus AFB

    A new training course will be soon implemented into the syllabus for all C-17 Globemaster III aircrew members attending technical training here.Air Force officials are relocating the improved container delivery system and joint precision airdrop system training to Altus Air Force Base in the coming

  • U.S., JASDF Airmen work side by side during ATR exercise

    Crewchiefs and fuels specialists worked side-by-side with their Japan Air Self Defense Force counterparts as a part of a cross-familiarization program during an aviation training relocation exercise March 8 through 12 at Tsuiki Air Base.   Staff Sgt. Curtis Roe and Airman 1st Class Curtis Watson,

  • Medical professionals save millions with common-sense concept

    Officials from the 86th Medical Special Operations Clinic have developed a way to maximize time spent by people traveling to Ramstein Air Base for a conference, saving the Department of Defense millions of dollars along the way.They use a simple yet, inspired concept called conference medicine most

  • Altus training operations begin to recover from ice storm

    Looking at Altus Air Force Base, the only signs of this year's ice storm are limbless trees that had to be trimmed down after the storm covered the base in a thick sheet of ice. However, members of the 97th Training Squadron are just now recovering from its lingering effects.The ice storm hit Altus

  • Photo essay: Crews train to fight fire

    Firefighters from the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing at Jacksonville, Fla., train with a live fire burn pit March 13 at the Air National Guard's Combat Readiness Training Center here. The burn pit re-creates most scenarios of a real aircraft fire. View the slideshow.

  • TRANSCOM gives U.S. key advantage, commander says

    One of the U.S. military's greatest advantages over its adversaries is its ability to move an enormous amount of equipment and people quickly anywhere in the world, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command told the House Armed Services Committee March 17. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb said he was

  • Tsuiki ATR exercise concludes

    The departure of the final two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Tsuiki Air Base March 12 signaled the end of a weeklong aviation training relocation exercise between the 35th Fighter Wing from Misawa AB, Japan and the Japan Air Self Defense Force. Approximately 90 Airmen and five F-16s were deployed from

  • SOUTHCOM provides support to relief operations in Chile

    U.S. military officials are providing support to the ongoing relief efforts in Chile following the 8.8- magnitude earthquake that struck the country in late February. "U.S. military personnel have been working with local and international responders to provide relief to the hard-hit areas," said

  • Five Academy fencers qualify for NCAA fencing championships

    Five Air Force Academy fencers have qualified for the 2010 National Collegiate Men's and Women's Fencing Championships. The field of 144 competitors will compete at Harvard University on March 25 to 28. The last time the Falcons had five qualifiers was in 2007.Making his fourth trip is senior Peter

  • Officials see decrease in activated reservists

    For the week beginning March 15, officials with the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force announced a decrease in activated reservists, while Coast Guard officials announced an increase. The Army had no change. The net collective result is 51 fewer reservists activated than the previous week.At any given

  • ISR Wing members contribute to the fight

    Members of the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing are assisting coalition forces with the expanding need for ISR data in Southwest Asia by processing, exploiting and disseminating information coming from remotely piloted aircraft.More than 4,100 Airmen, civilians and

  • 'Home of the Blue' campaign showcases privatized military family housing

    With an average of more than 500 new or renovated homes entering the privatized housing inventory each month, the Air Force goal of creating quality homes and thriving communities for Airmen and their families is well under way. Now officials at the Air Force Center for Engineering and the

  • Airmen train Iraqi EOD squad

    The eight Iraqi men drove up to the Ali Base main gate in two sparkling clean, white Ford F-350 trucks, replete with police badges emblazoned on the doors and light bars on the roofs . Waiting to meet them were three Airmen in a joint explosive ordanace disposal rapid response vehicle.The Iraqis

  • New ATC tower opens for business

    A newly constructed air traffic control tower opened for operation March 12, here."This is a monumental day for the U.S. Air Force, the Army Corps of Engineers and for the future of the Iraqi air force," said Lt. Col. Michael Richardson, the commander of the 407th Expeditionary Operations Support

  • Thunderbirds ready for 57th season

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" flew their acceptance show March 11 and were approved by Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, to start their 2010 show season."The acceptance show is the culmination of the hard work and dedication by our entire

  • Medical evacuation conference set to enhance Afghan army capabilities

    Members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps met with their coalition partners during a medical evacuation conference March 6 here. The purpose of the conference was coordination between ANAAC and coalition medical evacuation units to streamline and improve processes, said Maj. Peter Gross, an

  • C-130E completes last combat mission

    After 47 years of service, a C-130E Hercules completed its last combat mission March 6 here. Upon reaching its total aircraft hours of more than 33,220, the Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. aircraft was retired."It's a very sad day when an aircraft retires," said Capt. Bradley Allen, the 777th

  • Female pilots share stories at National Air and Space Museum

    The staff at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center hosted their annual Women in Aviation and Space Family Day March 13 where Airmen had to chance to talk to young girls about being a female pilot.For Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal, it was "an opportunity to show the young ladies that