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  • Maintainers prepare for Raptor

    The F-22A Raptor's unequaled capabilities bring some unique challenges to Air Force maintainers here. Not the least of which is gearing up a support machine to handle the maintenance workload when the first Raptors arrive for modifications in April. About 18 of the 21st century fighter aircraft will

  • Air Force announces preferred F-22A locations

    The Air Force's preferred alternatives for the third and fourth operational F-22A beddowns are Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and Hickam AFB, Hawaii, said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, today . “Although we must still complete the environmental analyses required under the

  • Special operations focus of senior leader discussion

    Senior leaders from the U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force Air Staff met recently to discuss the role of airpower in special operations. The talks involved 16 senior leaders, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Army Gen. Bryan Brown, commander of SOCOM. The

  • Flightline access goes high-tech

    Security measures have soared to new levels since the global war on terrorism began. The nation and most of the world has seen everything from expanded intelligence and law enforcement capabilities to bolstered transportation security and airline passenger screening. While the Department of Homeland

  • Air Force symposium promotes better environmental stewardship

    The 2006 U.S. Air Force Environmental Training Symposium, an educational training program for nearly 2,000 members of the Air Force, other government agencies and national academia began Feb. 27 and runs through March 3 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. "The United States Air

  • Defense Department working to prevent sexual assault

    Defense Department leaders are committed to preventing sexual assault, said the commander of the Department of Defense's Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. "To achieve this goal, in 2005, we have vigorously implemented a comprehensive sexual assault prevention and response

  • Post-deployment program shows early promise

    Although in its fledgling stages, a program designed to accurately identify post deployment physical and mental health issues has already produced promising results, a senior Defense Department official said Feb. 27.“The post deployment health reassessment is a way to show servicemembers we care

  • No typical day for OSI agents

    For many people, the three letters “O-S-I” conjure up images of intrigue, adventures, glamour and risk. However, for agents assigned to the Office of Special Investigations, the federal-level investigative service represents long days, serious work and countless hours of writing. “In a deployed

  • First deployed civilian sexual assault response coordinator arrives in region

    Airmen already know the pace here is much different than home. “Frenetic” is the word Donna Rathbun uses to describe the operations tempo on base. “The mission is always in the forefront,” she said. “There isn’t time for outside distractions or mistakes. Airmen are working long hours, and there’s

  • Program speeds up complaint processes

    Air Force officials here recently extended an Equal Employment Opportunity pilot program from 31 test bases to all installations worldwide. The program, called the Compressed Orderly Rapid Equitable process, or CORE, focuses on cutting EEO’s case-processing time. In conjunction with the General

  • Total force in action with Predator operations

    The U.S. Air Force Warfare Center’s implementation of total force initiatives continues as more Guard and Reserve members integrate into Predator operations here. In an Air Force first, the center selected Reserve Lt. Col. John Breeden, to command the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, one of three

  • Acquisition career track may be redirected

    Bringing more engineers into the Air Force acquisition career field is a priority for Air Force Materiel Command's top officer. Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, discussed this topic and other issues with 170 people attending the 2006 U.S. Air Force Acquisition Leaders Forum. The event was held in

  • Preschoolers tell Katrina stories with art

    Art is the key that unlocked the thoughts, fears and memories of some Keesler preschoolers after Hurricane Katrina. The hallways of the child development center and some doorways at the Keesler Medical Center now serve as galleries for storm-inspired artwork by 3- to 5-year-olds. The scribbles,

  • Training center uses combat lessons to evolve

    Security forces in Europe are preparing for deployment to war zones with an up-to-date curriculum. The mission of the 786th Security Forces Squadron’s regional training center, otherwise known as "Creek Defender," is to provide predeployment integrated base defense training for U.S. Air Forces in

  • Botswana Defense Force learns about warehouse management

    Five members of the Botswana Defense Force, or BDF, visited Ramstein last week to learn about the Air Force’s warehouse management procedures and operations. The 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron hosted the visit, touring the group through the base’s inbound cargo sections, receiving section,

  • International students receive eye-opening glimpse of America

    Twenty-one international pilots in training here visited Atlanta Feb. 18 to 20 for a glimpse into America’s history and culture. Maj. William Hendrickson, base international liaison officer, organized the trip to expose the international military members to a side of American culture not locally

  • Customer feedback needed for new Web site

    The Air Force Personnel Center is giving its customers an opportunity to ensure the new AFPC Web site will answer their personnel questions. The new searchable site is accessible via a link on the current AFPC homepage at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil and customers are encouraged to provide feedback as

  • Operational Raptors fire first missiles in evaluation program

    The 27th Fighter Squadron made history when two F-22A Raptor pilots fired air-to-air missiles Feb. 14. It was the jet's first official air-to-air weapons system evaluation since becoming operational two months ago.Nearly 40 Airmen from the Langley Air Force Base, Va., squadron participated in the

  • Recycling turns trash into cash

    The base’s recycling program is now in full swing, following nine months of implemention and acclimation to the program. There are about 200 blue and yellow recycle containers at various sites around the installation. The yellow containers are for aluminum cans and the blue bins are for plastic

  • Force shaping volunteer application deadline is March 1

    Officers scheduled to meet the 2006 Force Shaping Board have until March 1 to decide if they will leave voluntarily or meet the board. Officers planning to take advantage of the volunteer program must apply through their military personnel flights before the deadline. Through the voluntary Force

  • Global Hawk UAV welcomed home after three-year deployment

    After supporting the global war on terror for three years, Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle No. 3 (UAV-3) received its official homecoming Feb. 20 when its wheels touched down at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.During its overseas deployment, UAV-3 logged more than 4,800

  • Global Hawk UAV returns to America

    The Edwards flightline is the scheduled return landing site for Prototype Global Hawk Air Vehicle No. 3, an unmanned aircraft that has flown 4,245 hours in support of combat operations for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the Combined Task Force-Horn of Africa mission. This

  • Group sews globally for wounded troops

    The electronic age has helped give birth to a global sewing circle that creates unique clothing for America's wounded troops as they heal. With an executive director in Ohio, a president in Minnesota and more than 300 seamstresses scattered throughout the world, the members of "Sew Much Comfort" use

  • General Lord launches high frontier adventures

    Air Force Space Command’s senior leader headed back to the classroom this week, not to brush up on the latest space concepts, but to share some of his expertise with the students. Gen. Lance W. Lord shared his space experience with some of Discovery Canyon’s fifth and sixth graders. The AFSPC

  • Bolling Airmen share Valentine’s Day with veterans

    Ninety Air Force and civilian volunteers from Bolling and the Pentagon visited the Department of Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System Medical Center in Baltimore and the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation Center Feb. 14 as part of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week. Before the trip,

  • Going virtual: Flight training takes shape in cyberspace

    How do you get 30 bases, hundreds of personnel and tons of aircraft and equipment together in one place? The answer -- cyberspace. For the second time since its conception in September, aircrews from the 23rd Fighter Group stepped into a simulated exercise called Virtual Red Flag. The virtual war

  • Air Force regains decision authority on acquisition programs

    The Air Force recently regained oversight authority on some of the acquisition programs taken from it more than 10 months ago. The Department of Defense returned major milestone decision authority to the Air Force on 10 of 21 acquisition programs in January. The DOD had taken that authority from the

  • Missile flight test program targets new successes

    The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile flight test program added two more successes to its record during recent tests conducted at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The program, one of Air Combat Command's priority programs, flew successful test flights at the missile range Jan. 25 from a B-1B

  • Anti-terrorism techniques essential

    When Lt. Col. Ed O’Neal was on a training mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, two years ago, his hotel came under attack. A group of insurgents took over the building and held it hostage for most of the day before authorities were able to regain control. Colonel O’Neal eventually escaped, but was shot

  • AF director of staff visits hometown schools

    As a child growing up in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, the recently designated Air Force director of staff said he wanted to be Mickey Mantle. When he returned to his old neighborhood Feb. 9, he told the children at Sacred Heart Grammar School he was proud to serve his country in the military

  • Cyber crime investigators search for truth

    Tech. Sgt. Jeff Barefoot has a strong presence in the courtroom. Three times he's stepped up to testify in court, and three times the defendants suddenly took a plea deal to avoid Sergeant Barefoot on the witness stand. Not because of his imposing stature or his 20 years of military experience, but

  • International affairs specialists to enter training pipeline

    The Air Force recently selected 87 officers out of more than 400 volunteers to become its first class of international affairs specialists. Those officers will enter training this summer to become either Political-Military Affairs Strategists, or PAS, or Regional Affairs Strategists, or RAS. The

  • Groups combine resources, give troops valentines

    Two organizations have teamed up to send valentines to troops in Baghdad in an effort made possible by "America Supports You." Since November 2004, the Defense Department program to facilitate grassroots and corporate support for the nation's troops has worked to bond supporters, using a combination

  • Airmen to pay tribute to hospitalized veterans

    Airmen worldwide will be visiting Veterans Affairs medical centers, nursing homes, state veterans homes and other facilities this week to pay tribute to hospitalized veterans. They are helping celebrities, youth groups, community leaders, members of the general public and veterans service

  • ‘Speckled Trout’ -- Air Force bids farewell to unique plane

    A distinguished career came to a close here Feb. 10. After flying senior military leaders and undergoing rigorous testing for more than 31 years, the Speckled Trout tail number 61-2669 officially retired. "Speckled Trout was the primary transport aircraft for every Air Force chief of staff since

  • Keystone is key to future of joint operations

    Joint warfare is a way of life for servicemembers fighting the global war on terrorism. That wasn't the case 20 years ago when Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Thomas Hall enlisted. His training with armored infantry rarely brought him together with other services. While attending a course here for E-9s from

  • New personnel system presents opportunity

    The Defense Department's new National Security Personnel System, or NSPS, is on track for initial implementation, the system's program executive officer said Feb. 9. "We’re still on track to deploy folks into Spiral 1.1 in April," Mary Lacey said. "We've got over 11,000 (non-union) employees that

  • Air Force acquisition community 'Going Green'

    The Air Force acquisition community recently launched its own “extreme makeover” to achieve excellence. Many people across the Air Force acquisition community agree that the acquisition process needs improvement. “Going Green” capitalizes on the improvement concept. The objective of Going Green is

  • Top generals meet at Corona

    The Air Force’s top-ranking leaders met recently for a two-day forum at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., continuing a tradition that has shaped the service’s leadership since 1944. The Corona meetings happen three times per year and they allow Air Force senior leaders to come together for frank, open

  • Air Force medics set pace for treating patients in Ecuador

    It was a busy day for the 21st Medical Group -- 1,501 patients seen in eight hours during a medical readiness exercise here. The constant stream of Ecuadorians moved through the treatment areas like a quiet, but strong steam engine. There was a sense of calm and orderliness as the Ecuadorian Army

  • DOD proposes Tricare hikes for younger military retirees

    The Defense Department is proposing that working-age military retirees and their families pay higher premiums to help address health care costs that have doubled during the past few years, senior DOD officials said here today. The proposed changes would apply only to eligible military retirees under

  • C-5 Galaxy aircraft engine test successful

    The Air Force reached a milestone last month in the effort to modernize its C-5 Galaxy fleet. A successful test of newly mounted C-5 engines occurred Jan. 21 at a Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga. The test was part of the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, or RERP, said

  • Medical orchestra composes tribute to the troops

    U.S. servicemembers deployed worldwide will get a special Valentine's Day serenade from the largest medical musical group in the United States. The nonprofit Veterans Administration-National Medical Chorale and Symphony Orchestra performed a selection of classical, popular and patriot music before a

  • Military working dogs, handlers train for mission success

    Author Corey Ford once wrote, “Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.” For 12 highly trained servicemembers here, the military working dog, or MWD, is not only their friend but their trusted companion, loyal follower and No. 1 teammate. But, this team like so many others comes from lots

  • Air Force begins testing civilian self-service system

    The Air Force will begin testing My Biz, a new self-service system for Air Force civilians to view their personnel information Feb. 3. The Web-based self-service application will allow employees round-the-clock access to their personnel information from .mil domains. In My Biz, civilians can

  • QDR directs Air Force future

    The Department of Defense released the results of the quadrennial defense review Feb. 3 here. "The QDR guides and supports Air Force transformation in pursuit of key joint, interdependent combat capabilities that enable us to deliver more sovereign options for the defense of the United States of

  • Budgeting software benefits command and users

    Learning how to load software onto a computer was painful for Paul Grabiel. He is a budget analyst, not a “techie” and he couldn't seem to do his job without biting his lip in frustration. But thanks to a new software program, there's good news for Mr. Grabiel and his colleagues in financial

  • Engineer honored for innovations

    The editors of U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine have named 1st Lt. Robert Patton Jr. of the Air Force Research Laboratory as one of their "Modern-Day Technology Leaders for 2006" for outstanding leadership in engineering, science and technology. A native of Richmond, Va.,

  • Sensor increases battlefield awareness

    Air Force Research Laboratory engineers are developing a tool that will provide troops superior battlefield awareness with real-time threat information. The tool is the Cross Dispersion Prism sensor. According to William Ewing, one of the principal developers, the sensor is a passive electro-optical

  • New Orleans to be first AF Reserve BRAC closure

    Air Force Reserve Command's 926th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans will be the command's first wing affected by the most recent Base Realignment and Closure. Moved up a year, resources from the 926th will realign to four bases: Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.; Nellis

  • QDR focuses on protecting Americans

    Just as the fall of the Soviet Union led to changes in how the U.S. military is organized and operates, the post-Sept. 11 world requires continuation of that process, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here Feb. 1. At a Pentagon news conference, Mr. Rumsfeld and Navy Adm. Edmund Giambastiani,

  • Missileers reunite for 45th anniversary of first Minuteman launch

    The return of the “missileers” here Feb. 1 marked the 45th anniversary of the first launch of an Air Force Minuteman missile. About 100 people who worked on various intercontinental ballistic missile programs here during the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s gathered for a reunion in the city of Cape Canaveral.

  • Airmen coordinate relief airdrops for Afghan people

    The sounds of cargo aircraft echo through the Afghan hillside. Families huddle against their makeshift homes, watching air-dropped bundles glide to the ground. These deliveries contain blankets, firewood, medical supplies and food -- a gesture of compassion and a foundation to build on. Since

  • Adjustments essential to maintaining Tricare benefits

    Adjustments to the Tricare program are necessary to ensure military health benefits are maintained at a superior level for many years, said a Defense Department official here Feb. 1. The changes, which will be introduced next week with the release of the Quadrennial Defense Review and the

  • Air Force charity ball set for April 1

    After raising more than $630,000 the last two years, the Air Force’s official charity ball returns April 1 at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. The first official ball was in 2004. The committee will stop taking reservations Feb. 10. “We look forward to another successful event thanks to the

  • A hero’s philosophy on life may inspire others

    Articles and other news clippings commemorating a hero’s life lay safely tucked away inside a plastic box. Photos and plaques recounting his numerous achievements adorn the walls. In one corner, a stack of accident analysis reports and an actual piece of the Space Shuttle Columbia’s wreckage lie,

  • Air Force Assistance Fund campaign begins Feb. 13

    This year's Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, from Feb. 13 to May 5, will provide Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations. Now in its 33rd year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty,

  • Third country national escorts keep watchful eye

    They stand in the background, silently observing third country nationals, or TCNs, with a watchful eye. They call themselves “the ghosts of the base.” Their work almost goes unnoticed, but the 379th force protection security escort flight plays a critical role in base security. “As a second line of

  • AEF rotation perfect time to set goals

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief makes no bones about it at the Right Start Briefing. “You’re here for a rotation, and our mission comes first; but, it’s also a great time to set some goals and achieve them,” said Chief Master Sgt. Dwayne Hopkins, 379th AEW command chief. Tech. Sgt.

  • Military health system headed to joint future

    "Jointness" is the future for military operations, and the military health care system will be no different, two Defense Department officials said here Jan. 30. As the military health system transforms, the services will unite to provide more complete and efficient care to all servicemembers, their

  • New documentary showcases unique military careers

    A new documentary launched today will help to educate the American public about military service and clear up misconceptions, said a Department of Defense official. David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said the one-hour film, "Today's Military: Extraordinary People;

  • Air Force eliminates commissioned officer distinctions

    The Air Force will eliminate the distinction between active-duty regular and reserve officers by May 1. Previously, an officer who earned a reserve commission served in a sort of probationary period until promoted to major, when they could become a “regular” officer. The contract reserve officers

  • New contract begins for Tricare dental program

    Tricare Management Activity will begin its new Tricare Dental Program, or TDP, contract with United Concordia Companies Inc. Feb. 1. United Concordia will continue to furnish worldwide, comprehensive dental coverage to include preventive, diagnostic, restorative and maintenance services to all

  • Gunsmith shop gets new name, command

    The U.S. Air Force Gunsmith Shop is getting a new name and command. After 48 years of operations here under Air Training and then Air Education and Training Command, the shop is realigning under Air Force Materiel Command. Now known as the U.S. Air Force Gunsmith Integrated Product Team, the

  • Tuskegee Airmen leave strong legacy

    On July 19, 1941, the Army Air Force began a program in Alabama to train black Americans as pilots for the first time. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all black pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Ala., in 1941. They became known

  • Airmen pitch in to support Iraqi children

    Surrounded by stacks of school supplies, Senior Airman Aaron Smith stands in the middle of a mission that almost didn’t go. The supplies are donations from stateside groups and individuals and the mission is Operation Provide School Supplies. Without the Airmen of the 506th Air Expeditionary Group,

  • Headquarters Air Force realigns similar to 'J-staff' model

    The staff functions at Headquarters Air Force, major commands and warfighting headquarters will soon all share the same "A-staff" structure. By Feb. 1, the Air Staff at Headquarters Air Force here will adopt an organizational structure that closely mirrors the Army's "G-staff," the Navy's "N-staff"

  • Chilean air force receives F-16 Peace Puma

    The delivery of two new F-16 Peace Puma aircraft from the United States to Chile Jan. 24 kicks off a promising era of interoperability between the two nations. Over the next 10 months, the Chilean air force will receive eight additional F-16 C and D model aircraft from the contractor Lockheed Martin

  • Vance couple selected to pilot B-2s

    The Air Force's only B-2 Spirit bomber wing has announced a historical first -- the selection of a married pilot couple. Capts. Rob and Beth Makros, T-38 instructor pilots with the 25th Flying Training Squadron here, have been selected for assignment to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force

  • ‘Just another day at work’ for the 106th Rescue Wing

    Tred Barta claims to be one of the “best big game fishermen in the world,” with a reputation for doing things the hard way. His blunt talk and nonconformist style has made him a popular, if controversial, star of the television show, “The Best and Worst of Tred Barta,” and he’s teamed up with an

  • 'Why' Smart Ops 21?

    Why do we do the things we do, the way we do them in the Air Force? “Because that’s the way we’ve always done it,” is a common reply. While tradition is important to the existence of an organization, the growth required to propel an organization forward doesn’t happen without honestly applying the

  • High-speed air vehicles designed for rapid global reach

    For an aircraft to achieve hypersonic speeds, ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 mph (Mach 9 to Mach 22), and reach altitudes between 100,000 to 150,000 feet, it needs an airframe structure designed to survive intense heat and pressure. Such technology is in development by scientists and engineers with

  • Official outlines voting guidelines for overseas citizens

    U.S. servicemembers and federal employees stationed overseas need to act quickly to request absentee ballots for this year's primary and general elections, a Defense Department official said here Jan. 25. This year, U.S. citizens will elect 34 senators, the entire House of Representatives, 37 state

  • Small office comes up big for armament, munitions Airmen

    When it comes to handling munitions no one does a better job than the munitions materiel handling equipment focal point here. The focal point is an organization assigned to the agile combat support systems squadron. Its sole purpose is to support the entire Air Force armament and munitions community

  • Children experience 'deployment' firsthand

    For many children, it’s an experience they’ve already been part of when Mom or Dad prepare for deployment -- the processing, the goodbyes, the welcomes home. But this time they got to experience it firsthand in Operation Jr. R.A.P.T.O.R, or Real Air Patriots Training on Readiness. More than 190

  • DOD plans to boost access to military child care

    The availability of child-care services for military families will receive a boost from a multifaceted approach by the Defense Department, a senior official here said Jan. 26. "We project the (child-care) needs as greater than what we're offering at this point," said Jan Witte, director of DOD's

  • Italian pilot deploys with U.S. forces

    For four months an Italian air force pilot, as part of an exchange program, has been deployed to Southwest Asia with the U.S. Air Force. Capt. Daniele Poli, 738th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron pilot, has flown C-130 Hercules on more than 240 sorties, for more than 60 missions since September 2005.

  • Piece by piece, information can yield secrets when put together

    These days modems come built into computers and Internet access many times is cheaper than regular telephone service. It seems everyone has a license to cruise the information super highway. There are a variety of ways for people to interact across the globe, such as e-mail, chat rooms and instant

  • DOD encourages overseas voters to register for 2006 elections

    In 2006, U.S. citizens will elect 34 senators, the entire House of Representatives, 37 state governors and hundreds of state and local officials. Overseas voters and military personnel have a variety of means that will enable them to participate in the 2006 elections, starting with the primaries

  • Andersen kids lead FitFactor in participation points

    A brother and sister team from Andersen hold the most participation points in FitFactor, the Air Force-wide youth fitness program. Fenton and Cierra Fitzgerald, the son and daughter of Master Sgts. Fenton and Kimberly Fitzgerald, accomplished the feat by working their way through three of the five

  • Air Force ranks No. 1 for renewable energy use

    The Air Force purchased more renewable energy than any other member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s green power partnership last year, according to a report released Jan. 24 by the EPA. The partnership, which is sponsored by the EPA, consists of U.S. companies and organizations that

  • AMC Airmen deploying 'a little lighter'

    Air Mobility Command Airmen who deploy are traveling a little lighter -- nearly 90 pounds lighter -- thanks to the mobility bag pre-positioning initiative. The program, now in its second phase, will allow 5,000 Airmen -- about 1,000 from AMC -- to deploy without carrying the typical three mobility

  • LEAD deadline fast approaching

    Airmen looking for opportunities to enter the commissioned officer ranks can apply for the 2006 Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development, or LEAD, program until Jan. 31. LEAD is a program that allows commanders to nominate highly qualified Airmen for direct entry to the Air Force Academy or

  • Reserve command helps BRAC-affected personnel

    Air Force Reserve Command has created a new program to help Reservists and civilians navigate Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, changes. The programs include a BRAC guide, member-tracking codes, two clearing houses, e-mail boxes and an archive. All are designed to assist those affected by the

  • AFRL breakthrough furthers space optics

    Positioning three delicate, circular mirrors to one one-thousandth of the width of a human hair challenged scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s space vehicles directorate here. But, not anymore. For five years they studied the deployable optical telescope, or DOT. The telescope

  • 'Smart' cable helps protect aircraft

    In December 2003 and January 2004, several Air Force aircraft took fire near Baghdad, Iraq, but the missile warning systems failed to indicate the attacks. Air Force officials looked to the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center to fix this problem. An airlift defensive systems “tiger team” was formed

  • Portion size critical to losing weight

    The health and wellness center, or HAWC, here has now initiated a new program that emphasizes healthier eating habits and weight control called Portion Off the Pounds. The 10-week program offers weekly weigh-ins, nutrition education and an ongoing support group. "The concept of the class is to show

  • Force-shaping officers can go into Reserve

    "One weekend a month, two weeks a year." This catch phrase has been repeated on television commercials over the years, but for those facing the Air Force's force-shaping initiative, it may soon become a reality. Joining the Reserve is one option open to those lieutenants affected by force shaping.

  • Airmen survive on island showcased in 'Survivor'

    Capt. Kristen Bakotic first learned about Palau while watching the two-hour finale of the reality television show “Survivor.” When she found out the Air Force was looking for enlisted people to volunteer for a six-month tour here, she checked to see if they needed an officer. The Air Force had in

  • F-22A Raptor flies first operational missions

    The F-22A Raptor showed another of its capabilities when it flew its first two operational sorties over the United States in support of Operation Noble Eagle Jan. 21 and 22. The Raptor mission came one week after the 27th Fighter Squadron -- the first unit to fly the jet -- converted to the Air

  • Total force meets at Fort Dix for conference

    More than 20 senior officers from the air mobility total force met to improve practices during a director of mobility forces conference at the Air Mobility Warfare Center here Jan. 18 to 19. The conference was an opportunity for leaders in the mobility world to enhance practices in current

  • Leasing option increases Air Force land value

    Underutilized Air Force land does not need to sit idle any longer. The Air Force Real Property Agency converts underutilized land and infrastructure into real value for the Air Force, installations and communities through the enhanced use leasing option, officials said. "Enhanced use leasing is a

  • Team provides free clinic care to Palau islanders

    A physician assistant recently arrived here to provide free health care to islanders who cannot afford local hospital fees. Being the only health care provider on the largest Palau island, is a challenge that Capt. Dan Calderon is excited to undertake. “When I first heard about this (three-month

  • Air Force takes delivery of first production Global Hawks

    The first of two production Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles began flying missions in support of the global war on terrorism within hours of arriving in theater earlier this month. The aircraft -- managed by the Aeronautical Systems Center's Global Hawk Systems Group here -- are part of the 12th

  • 5+1+1 equals U.S. air superiority

    Five + one + one = the ability to direct the command and control of U.S. and coalition air power across the globe. “It also equals seven of course. That's the number of ‘Falconer’ air and space operations centers, and Falconer support centers, how online with common capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Rob

  • Beale squadron welcomes Brown Bag University

    The Air Force provides opportunities and financial support for school, both personal and professional. Many bases also offer on-base programs so Airmen don’t have to commute to a local college. For the first time at Beale AFB, a school is now coming right to a squadron. “The concept of Brown Bag

  • JSTARS adds blue force tracking capability

    The ability to distinguish between friend and foe, a concept known as blue force tracking, is critical to conducting effective network-focused military operations. The Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar Systems Group made its first steps toward that goal by installing a system called Force XXI

  • Wilford Hall becomes Air Force's cytology center

    New technology has made it possible for the Air Force’s seven cytology centers to be consolidated into one. Since Wilford Hall Medical Center’s cytology department is already the busiest center, performing 32 percent of all Air Force pap smears, it was recommended that the consolidation be handled

  • Start date for new personnel system pushed back three months

    Defense officials have scaled back the initial group of civilian employees to fall under the new National Security Personnel System to 11,000 from a previously scheduled 60,000, officials announced Jan. 17. The implementation date was also changed from Feb. 1 to April 30. Personnel officials have

  • ROBE upgrade sets KC-135 on forefront of battle communications

    A KC-135 Stratotanker here was fitted with upgraded communications equipment recently which will revolutionize battle space and the way the United States and its allies fight wars. After 18 months on the drawing board, the Roll-On Beyond Line-of-Sight Enhancement Spiral 2 program, ROBE, has been