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  • 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

  • Airmen teach islanders construction skills

    Members of the all-Air Force civic action team working here are not content with just building construction projects -- they want to teach Palauan how to do it. Eleven islanders are employed under the team’s apprenticeship-training program. Each works with a team member for training in the Airman’s

  • Reservists attend first safeguard training exercise

    While many Airmen were glued to the tube watching the NFL playoffs, the 939th Air Refueling Wing went to training camp to learn how to better survive and operate in a war, contingency or emergency. The 43 Reservists went to the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center at Camp Douglas, Wis., to

  • F-15 painters using new environmentally safer fluids

    Aircraft painters can breathe a little easier thanks to the development of a new material used for stripping and painting F-15 Eagles. The Air Force is continuing its path toward environmentally friendly mission execution. A partnership with the University of Missouri-Rolla; Air Force Research Lab,

  • Air Force to replace combat search and rescue helicopters

    Air Force combat search and rescue teams will use a new helicopter -- the now under development CSAR-X -- to help recover downed pilots around 2012. The new helicopter will replace 101 HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters Air Force combat search and rescue teams now use. The Air Force expects to begin

  • Think of safety first

    Keeping Airmen here safe is not a task taken lightly by the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s ground safety office. "Our job is to prevent the loss of life or damage to government equipment," said Tech. Sgt. Clyde Lathon, 332nd AEW ground safety manager. "We are the Air Force equivalent to the

  • Guam-based conservation helps save endangered species

    Conservation efforts here are protecting endangered species and allowing for the re-introduction of two bird types. Andersen Air Force Base has a national wildlife refuge covered by a limestone forest, a sensitive island ecosystem that supports native fauna and flora, including threatened and

  • Airmen extend knowledge and manpower to island of Palau

    For only the second time since the mid-1970s, the civic action team program in Palau is composed entirely of Airmen from around the world. Thirteen Airmen are living and working on the island made famous a year and a half ago on the reality television series “Survivor.” But the Airmen aren’t here

  • Rex the Dog finds new home

    A 21st Security Forces Squadron Airman is the first military working dog handler allowed to adopt her K-9 partner from active duty. Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana, a military working dog handler, has been waiting since August for the official word after she requested to adopt her K-9, Rex. The two were

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

    The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its quarterly demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force, as of Dec. 31. More information can be found at online at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics. Statistics rounded to the nearest tenth.

  • SERE instructor takes training to a new level

    As nightfall approaches, the temperature drops to single digits. The layers of clothing that seemed more than adequate earlier, now offer little protection from the bone-chilling breeze and icy ground. But, that is the least of the survivors’ concerns. “They’re not just surviving,” Tech Sgt. Micheal

  • Air Force looks to be best in acquisition

    The Air Force hopes to be the model within the Department of Defense for how best to procure goods and acquire weapons systems. "Five years from now, (we want) people to consider the Air Force the premier acquisition service in the DOD ... that we are heads and shoulders above everybody else in how

  • 45 selected for test pilot training

    Forty-five pilots have been selected for the Air Force test-pilot program by a selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center. Most of those selected will attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. One will attend the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent

  • Health and wellness centers help some keep resolutions

    Health and wellness centers Air Force-wide can help smokers kick their habit. Smoking cessation programs are offered for active duty personnel, retirees and Reservists. At the center here, the six-session program is combined with drug and patch therapy, psychological tips and physiological

  • Give and take, teach and learn -- building an Iraqi Air Force

    Reality is often at odds with expectations when Airmen deploy. This difference can be extreme when the mission is to provide military training to a recent enemy. But several Airmen near the end of six-month deployments as advisory support team instructors say they would rather stay here than go home

  • Wynne: AF needs to recapitalize

    With the combination of aging and heavily used equipment, the Air Force needs recapitalization across the board, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said. In past discussions about Air Force recapitalization, aircraft usually took center stage. Although aircraft still need to be

  • Privatized housing now available at Scott

    The Air Force closed a housing privatization deal recently at an Illinois base, bringing the total of privatized homes across the service to more than 16,000, said housing officials here. Scott Air Force Base, Ill., will benefit from $250 million in total development of 1,593 homes within the first

  • Mission is out of this world

    Its material is found nowhere else on Earth but here, while its mission is out of this world. Detachment 5, 22nd Space Operations Squadron has an antenna that uses a durable Kevlar mix as its cover, the first of its kind in the world. They use it because the material must withstand 195-mph typhoon

  • Leaner processes working at Kirtland

    The Air Force is becoming leaner without the help of fad diets or abs-crunching exercise regiments. Logistics and maintenance programs imported from the private business sector, like Lean, are turning once-bloated processes into models of streamlined efficiency. The payoff is less cost, improved

  • Air Force improving production with Smart Operations 21

    The Air Force used the best parts of several civilian efficiency programs to develop an Air Force-unique process-improvement program called "Smart Operations 21," Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said. The program will take the Air Force forward in a journey of self-improvement, the

  • Guard, Reserve benefit from 2006 defense authorization

    The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 6 provides new or enhanced benefits for National Guard and Reserve members, a senior defense official said. President George W. Bush signed the legislation Jan. 6, providing a variety of benefits designed to bring reserve-component

  • New Mexico Tech to build on Kirtland

    The Air Force conveyed more than eight acres of base land to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology during a ceremony here Jan. 6. The agreement is designed to stimulate business efficiencies and technological advancement through the construction of new facilities. The land conveyance, a

  • Group chops away at space system’s weaknesses

    Several times a year, a group of junior U.S. military officers and federal government employees use open source databases -- such as the Internet and libraries -- in an attempt to reveal potential weaknesses in the Department of Defense's space systems. More often than not, participants in the Space

  • California Guard to get the Predator

    As part of ongoing Total Force initiatives, the Air Force, the National Guard Bureau and the Adjutant General of California announced today that the California Air National Guard’s 163rd Air Refueling Wing, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., will become the home for a new MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial

  • Top docs discuss future of military trauma medicine

    The Department of Defense Combat Trauma Surgical Committee held their annual meeting here and the future of military trauma medicine was high on the agenda. The committee coordinates sustainable combat trauma surgery training programs and recommends tri-service policy changes to improve combat

  • Process speeds up IT acquisition

    The Secretary of the Air Force implemented Information Technology Lean reengineering improvements slated for the information technology acquisition process last month. The Electronic Systems Center's Operations Support Systems Wing will begin to use the process immediately, with the Air Force-wide

  • Chaplains: a spirit of service

    Since the time of the American War for Independence, the value of supporting the spiritual part of military members through the service of chaplains has been recognized. Here in Southwest Asia, the men and women of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition forces have the opportunity to

  • Murray: Enlisted joint military education available

    Joint professional military education will become a reality for enlisted Airmen throughout their careers. A new Department of Defense policy requires joint learning objectives in all enlisted levels. While the officer corps is mandated by law to include joint education, this policy specifically

  • 2005: an Air Force year to remember

    It’s going to be hard to forget 2005, with the war on terrorism, tsunami response, hurricanes and floods. But light did find its way through the darkness. Most memorable are the Airmen who lent a helping hand to those in desperate need. This year also brought new technology, a continued presence at

  • Wilford Hall, Malcolm Grow earn DOD awards

    Two Air Force medical centers earned Department of Defense Patient Safety Awards for their leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment to patient care. Getting awards are the 59th Medical Wing’s patient safety office at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas,

  • F-22A took long road to initial operational capability

    With the F-22A Raptor's initial operational capability declaration Dec. 15 came the capstone of a process that began 76 months earlier, in August 1997, when a C-5 Galaxy landed here and taxied down the expansive "Contractor's Row" with several crates and boxes in its cargo bay for what is now known

  • Routine commander’s call … sort of

    Many bases have a commander’s call right before the holiday season to see everybody off safely and wish them a merry vacation. It was no different  here … except for how the information was delivered.The stage of the base theater looked like a late-night talk show, complete with a band, desk, couch,

  • Space group to activate new unit

    Air Force Reserve Command’s 310th Space Group will travel deeper into the space program when it activates a new unit Jan. 7. Headquarters Reserve National Security Space Institute will be a Reserve associate unit to the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, Colo. The institute is

  • Implementation of BRAC begins this year

    Now that the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission has approved, modified or disapproved the Office of the Secretary of Defense's recommendations for the 2005 round of base realignment and closure, the individual services must plan the implementation of those recommendations. The Air Force

  • DOD releases sexual harassment, assault reports

    The Department of Defense today released the results of two reports on sexual harassment and sexual assault in the military: the 2004 survey of the reserve components and the Academic Program Year 2005 assessment at the three military service academies. Reserve components: The survey of about 76,000

  • Vandenberg activates Area Control Center

    The 30th Space Wing activated the first major center in the new Western Range Operations Control Center Dec 15. The WROCC will be used for command and control of all Vandenberg launches and to oversee the Western Range, an area that encompasses the west coast of the continental United States and

  • Pope Airman thanks Cookie Lady for desserts in desert

    Senior Airman Natalie Sanchez never imagined a care package she received last year while deployed to Iraq would lead to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Airman Sanchez, 43rd Communications Squadron who was deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, received a surprise in the mail when a care

  • Oklahoma Reservists producing Christmas miracles

    Within days of Christmas, a small group of Air Force Reservists are producing holiday miracles for those less fortunate. Members of the 507th Air Refueling Wing and 513th Air Control Group have again stepped forward to raise food, clothing and more than $10,000 during their traditional Operation

  • AWACS mission: Track Santa

    Members of the 552nd Air Control Wing will provide support to one of the North Pole's most notable residents this year -- Santa and his team of flying reindeer. Slightly before midnight on Christmas Eve, an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control systems aircraft and crew will leave here on one of

  • Airmen dedicates time to fight crime

    For one Airman here, protecting and defending all enemies foreign and domestic is something he takes to heart. Tech. Sgt. Tim Allen of the 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron, is a volunteer constable in South Carolina. In South Carolina, a constable is a law enforcement officer commissioned by

  • Sega: Integration key for space operations

    The under secretary of the Air Force and executive agent for space, Dr. Ronald M. Sega, sees space-based platforms continuing to be a vital asset to our nation’s military forces.He is looking to get back to the basics on space acquisitions, while aiming for increased integration of individual space

  • NORAD observes 50th anniversary of tracking Santa

    The North American Aerospace Defense Command is observing its 50th anniversary of tracking Santa Claus on his annual rounds, NORAD officials here said. The tradition of tracking Santa began in 1955, when a local Sears, Roebuck and Co. store ran a newspaper ad urging children to make a phone call on

  • Employees show generosity through Angel Tree program

    For the 10th consecutive year, members of the Air Reserve Personnel Center and Defense Finance and Accounting Service at Buckley Annex here came together and participated in the Angel Tree program which netted more than 100 toys for local charities. There were two Angel Trees set up in the centers.

  • Ramstein Airmen bring Christmas to Polish children

    What started out as a request to adopt a few children from a Polish mission for Christmas turned into a small support operation for the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron out of Würzburg, Germany. “We found out there were many more children at the center,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Dill, 2nd ASOS

  • Reservists act as ‘Santa’ for Veteran’s Home residents

    Santa visited the residents of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis Dec. 13, but this time he came in the form of the Air Force Reserve. Reservists from the Minneapolis-based 934th Airlift Wing purchased presents for 71 of the home’s residents and donated 73 miscellaneous gifts through the

  • PACAF continues to conserve energy

    It’s hard to pick up a national publication of any sort this winter and not see headlines screaming of impending financial peril because of sky-rocketing fuel prices. But, Pacific Air Forces has been combating energy resource concerns even before President Bush’s 2005 Energy and Fuel Conservation

  • 23rd SOPS volunteers donate time at local soup kitchen

    Among other items, the recipe calls for 14 pounds of ground beef, 12 eggs and one quart of milk. It yields 50 portions of meatloaf, just about right for another hot meal at the Sonshine Soup Kitchen. Since 1989, the small soup kitchen in Derry, N.H., has served about 40 hot meals to local area

  • TSA trains bomb dog teams for transit systems

    Six mass transit officers partnered with bomb dogs are graduating today at Lackland, marking the Transportation Security Administration’s first full-scale expansion into canine protection for people riding trains, light rail and buses in America’s major cities. The TSA office on Lackland is sharing

  • Coalition forces share small-arms skills

    Thirty people from the military security forces of five countries gathered for a coalition weapons training exercise at a desert air base Dec. 15. The training was a cooperative training program to enhance international understanding within the security forces, said Master Sgt. Kevin Follis of the

  • Air Force makes changes to BAH policy

    Beginning in January, the Air Force and the other military services will eliminate geographic rate protection for the basic allowance for housing. Over the last five years, geographic rate protection meant BAH rates around military communities could never drop, even when estimates for median housing

  • Special tactics Airmen train on submarine

    A U.S. fighter pilot has been shot down. He is injured and behind enemy lines. But he has established communications and is evading the enemy. Time is a critical factor. He needs to be rescued, and he needs to be rescued now. Submerged off the coast lies 19,000 tons of stealth in the form of a

  • C-5 airlift readies Soldiers for battle conditions

    The first-time loading of a new Army helicopter flight simulator into a C-5 Galaxy required Airmen to build new ramps. Members of the 436th Aerial Port Squadron loaded the Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer, a helicopter training simulator, onto the transport. But they had to build special

  • Air War College hosts diplomats

    When thinking of the war on terrorism at home and abroad, two pictures emerge for many Americans: the military on the battlefield and the diplomats working foreign policy here and overseas. Both work to ensure America's security. These pictures merged here when 19 Department of State officials

  • USAFE Airmen collect gifts for Afghan children

    Thousands of miles from the day-to-day bustle of holiday shopping and military missions, school children and orphans are receiving school supplies, toys and clothing -- from people they've never met. The children live in Afghanistan and they've been receiving these much-needed items through the

  • F-22A Raptor goes operational

    The F-22A Raptor -- Air Force’s most advanced weapon system -- is ready for combat, Air Force officials announced here today. In reaching initial operational capability, the Raptor is certified ready for operational use. The first combat-ready Raptors are flying with the 27th Fighter Squadron of the

  • Airmen earn awards for innovations, improvements

    Airmen from seven major commands received the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards and Air Force Best Practice certificates for mission process improvements. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Gen. Roger A. Brady presented the trophies and

  • Air Force leaders discuss current issues

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley met with the media at the Pentagon to discuss a wide range of topics and issues. The leaders provided updates on aircraft and the new Air Force mission statement at the Dec. 13 meeting. F-22A Raptor The

  • Directive boosts priority of stability operations

    Stability operations are now a major priority for the Defense Department, on par with combat operations, and will receive more planning and funding, two DoD officials said here today. The officials were explaining DoD Directive 3000.05, which was signed Nov. 28. The directive provides guidance on

  • Computer program crash was a good thing

    There's nothing like a computer program crash to ruin your day, especially when it’s used to track patients in the Air Force’s largest medical facility. But with luck, a computer expert can help figure out the problem. And if you’re really lucky, the solution can be even better than the original.

  • Pakistan gets two upgraded F-16s

    In the early 1980s, the Pakistan air force received its first F-16 Fighting Falcons from the United States. Since then, the maintenance support for the jets has been as unpredictable as world politics. It wasn't until late 2003 that the U.S. government agreed to assess Pakistan's F-16 fleet and

  • Conference paves way for efficient Air Force

    The Air Force is looking to civilian companies to find ways to streamline itself, eliminate waste and save money in the process. Civilian companies like General Electric and Toyota have been successfully using process improvement programs to cut waste and increase efficiency. Now the Air Force plans

  • Vandenberg helicopter crews help seize drugs

    The 76th Helicopter Squadron here helped seize $284 million of marijuana while supporting Joint Task Force North counterdrug operations this year. The joint task force bases operations on requests for Department of Defense assistance from the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Border Patrol in

  • ARPC automates 20-year and mortgage letters

    The Air Reserve Personnel Center set another transformation milestone with the self-service automation of the reissue of 20-year and mortgage letters. The letters are now available via the Virtual Personnel Center Guard/Reserve portal. The original 20-year notification letter is issued approximately

  • Air Force returns to Wood Brothers for 2006 Nextel Cup Series

    The Air Force's participation in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series continues in 2006 as an associate advertiser with the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing No. 21 car. The 2006 race season marks the sixth year the Air Force has been racing with the Wood Brothers racing team. NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader replaces

  • Supersonic Raptor drops first guided bomb

    An F/A-22 Raptor flying at supersonic speed dropped its first 1,000-pound guided joint direct attack munition over the range here. Since July, Raptor program have flown seven JDAM supersonic separation test missions under a variety of conditions. The aim is to prove the JDAM can safely separate from

  • Officers needed for advanced degree, cross-flow opportunities

    Qualified officers who apply by the Jan. 15 application deadline may compete for and earn a master's degree in the Program for Acquisition and Contracting Experience with follow-on cross-flow assignments. Eligible contracting and acquisitions officers must have between three and seven years of

  • Weather flight spins up 'Santa's Mailbag' program

    Air Force volunteers are once again hosting Santa’s Mailbag, a free holiday program that lets children from around the world request and receive a letter from Santa Claus postmarked from North Pole, Alaska. Members of the 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron started the program more than 50 years