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  • Strike Eagles 'rain thunder' on enemy

    When an F-15E Strike Eagle goes by low and fast, the ground shakes and even crew chiefs with years of experience with the aircraft can be surprised. With its advanced sensors and wide array of weapons, enemy forces don't have to see or hear the F-15E for it to strike them. "We can find targets on

  • Moody opens doors to new housing

    The base community celebrated the completion of the first new single family housing units with a ribbon cutting ceremony Jan. 31 at the new Magnolia Grove Housing area. The $52 million project provides 383 three-and four-bedroom homes in Magnolia Grove, each with no less than 1,630 square feet of

  • SECAF town hall meeting: Every Airman an ambassador

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke in front of a packed house January 31 during his town hall meeting at the Pentagon. During the meeting, the secretary discussed some of the issues facing the Air Force today as well as its strengths and his goals for 2007. One issue included the ages

  • Programs allow deployed Airmen to e-mail, chat with family

    Air Force officials continue to provide deployed Airmen and their families with Web-based communication tools, allowing e-mail and instant messaging from virtually anywhere in the world. The Air Force Instant Messenger and Global Internet Mail programs help ease the stress of deployments by keeping

  • Captain shares language with Japanese airmen

    An Air Force officer is making the most of his assignment to Kumagaya Air Base in Japan.Capt. Joseph Cook, a communications officer, is the only American stationed here as part of the Japanese Personnel Exchange Program.Captain Cook spends most of his time teaching English to new Japanese officers

  • Air Force women's soccer places 5 on academic all-conference team

    The Air Force women's soccer team placed five student-athletes on the Mountain West Conference Academic All-Conference Team. Senior Katherine Plichta led the way with her fourth academic all-conference selection. Plichta, a Littleton native, joins Jennifer Ford (class of 2004) and Amanda Cleland

  • Latest Roll Call addresses PCS moves

    This week's Roll Call highlights a topic that affects every Airman -- permanent change of station moves. Air Force leaders have developed new policies regarding moves in an effort to save PCS dollars and to stabilize and better develop Airmen. For the Air Force, it means money can be used to

  • Arnold teams provide NASA with test data

    Two teams at the Engineering Development Center's Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 here were recently involved in tests for NASA's next crew exploration vehicle. One team made use of conventional and advanced measurement techniques during the NASA-sponsored aerothermal testing on a scale model of the

  • Vehicle maintenance Airmen use AFSO 21 initiatives

    Airmen in the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance shop are improving safety in their workcenter using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century.Mechanics in this unit work on B-2 and B-4 aircraft towing vehicles every three to four years. When that time comes around, it

  • Spooky gunship armed with new cannons

    Spooky is about to get a little scarier. Crews at Hurlburt Field have put the finishing touches on the first AC-130U Spooky gunship armed with the 30 mm Bushmaster cannon. The rearmed Spooky retains its 105 mm cannon but replaces the 25 mm and 40 mm guns with Bushmasters. The project is a "win-win,"

  • Top personnel official: 'Jointness' key to future of military medicine

    As the military health care system transforms its governance structure, the services must work together to sustain the high quality of care servicemembers and their families receive, a top Defense Department official said here Jan. 30. The military health care community has transformed battlefield

  • Air Force recognized as top federal green power purchaser

    For the third year in a row, the Air Force heads the Environmental Protection Agency's list of Top 10 federal government green power purchasers in the Green Power Partnership. The list highlights EPA's federal Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through

  • Air University debuts strategic publication, seeks articles

    Air University officials have announced the debut of a publication that will serve as a forum for the critical examination of and debate about contemporary national defense topics. They are inviting authors to share their perspectives on strategic issues in today's headlines. Topics of discussion

  • Guard integration moves Airmen from Kulis to Elmendorf

    The 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska, and associated aircraft, will relocate to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, in accordance with the 2005 BRAC Commission recommendation. The 2005 BRAC Commission recommended that, contingent on the availability of adequate military construction

  • AFMC sets date to complete civilian development plan

    The Air Force Materiel Command's General Schedule-13 acquisition program managers have until Feb. 6 to complete their automated civilian development plan for this year's cycle. The suspense also applies to former GS-13, GS-14 or equivalent employees who converted to National Security Personnel

  • Tanker recapitalization proposal released

    Air Force leaders officially released a request for proposal for a replacement tanker aircraft Jan. 30. The RFP is the official invitation to manufacturers to begin making offers to build a replacement for the Air Force's aging "Eisenhower-era" fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers, said Sue Payton, the

  • C-130 mechanics beat repair deadline for gunship

    When Aircraft 89-0512, an AC-130U Spooky, arrived at Robins AFB for program depot maintenance, it was given an accelerated schedule of only 150 days to complete. This was 31 days less than the standard 181 days for such an aircraft and many wondered if the members of the 560th Aircraft Maintenance

  • Changes planned for ISR community

    The Air Force director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, recently discussed his plans for improving the service's ISR capabilities. During a recent roundtable with members of the press, Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula laid out his plans for overhauling the service's ISR functions.

  • USAFE, Ukrainian air force continue spirit of cooperation

    As the Ukrainian air force continues its steady progress, information exchanges with partnering nations such as U.S. Air Forces in Europe help further that development, said the chief of the Ukrainian air force. "A visit like this is a good opportunity to gain experience from USAFE, which relates to

  • Hickam Airmen strategize aircraft weight-reduction initiative

    Members of the Hawaii Air National Guard have been categorizing parts of a KC-135 Stratotanker to figure out what can come off during certain missions to save fuel and money for the Air Force. The project was initially launched when Dr. Ron Ritter, special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations

  • Wedding bells ring for couple at Elmendorf

    Wedding bells were ringing at Elmendorf Jan. 26 when an officer from the 611th Air Intelligence Squadron and his fiancee tied the knot in the 611th AIS conference room after he received news of a short-notice deployment to Iraq. Maj. Greg Soukup's notification came only 32 days before the large

  • Center for the Intrepid opens its doors

    An aircraft carrier that sparked the spirits of a nation following the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor during the dark, early days of World War II has become the namesake of the world's most technologically advanced rehabilitation center for amputees and burn victims unveiled during an

  • Initiatives save Airmen processing time

    First experiences here used to consist of waiting in lines, dragging bags, waiting in more lines -- and then meeting the people being replaced. Not exactly the warm welcome Personnel Support for Contingency Operations Airmen wanted to bestow upon new arrivals. New arrivals to this Southwest Asia

  • C-130 maintenance unit gets much needed upgrade

    Airmen of the 746th Aircraft Maintenance Unit who generate C-130 Hercules aircraft throughout Southwest Asia now have an upgraded maintenance facility to call home. The new complex replaces the hodgepodge of old tents, conexes and homemade wooden structures, which combined to form a complex

  • Missile overhaul creates big savings

    When U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials recently moved to shift serviceable rocket motors from older, first-generation AIM-120A advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and put them in unserviceable, but newer and more capable AIM-120B and C models, 435th Munitions Squadron Airmen volunteered to

  • Guard leaders commend Hickam's total force integration

    Senior Air National Guard officer and enlisted leaders were here recently to discuss current and future issues in the ANG as well as learning from the successes of Hickam's total force integration with the C-17 Globemaster III and how that can be reproduced elsewhere. The group of ANG leaders make

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 29

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 29. In Afghanistan Jan. 28, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near forward operating bases Carlson and

  • New complex expedites refueling

    A new petroleum, oil and lubricant complex here has commenced operations to meet the burgeoning growth of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in support of the war on terrorism. The $113 million complex, located near the north end of the flightline, boosts the capability needed to supply fuel for

  • 36 graduate from AFSO 21 class at University of Tennessee

    Thirty-six military officers and civilians graduated from the first class of Level II Experts in Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century Jan. 11 at the University of Tennessee.The University of Tennessee was selected for the six-month training for "their depth and breadth of knowledge, and

  • Hockey: Air Force blanks Bentley 2-0

    Senior Ben Worker recorded his first career shutout as Air Force blanked Bentley 2-0 in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Jan. 27 at the John A. Ryan Arena here. The U.S. Air Force Academy improved to 13-10-5 overall and 10-5-5 in league play. Bentley fell to 10-14-1 in all games and 9-11-0 in the

  • Track & Field: Beerse sets pole vault record

    Freshman Melissa Beerse rewrote the Academy's pole vault record ... twice ... as the Air Force track and field team hosted the annual Don Barrett Air Force Open Jan. 27 at the Cadet Field House. Beerse is one of four event winners for the Falcons in this non-team scoring event. Beerse won the pole

  • Swimming & Diving: Air Force falls to BYU

    The Air Force men's and women's swimming and diving teams were swept in a Mountain West Conference dual Jan. 26 at the BYU swimming and diving complex. The men's team lost 138-105 while the women lost 153-74. Senior Chris Knaute led the way for the Falcons, winning the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle

  • Airmen to see combat medal in April

    Since the Air Force started manning convoy operations in support of the war on terror, more Airmen have had an opportunity to put their rifle training to use in real-world scenarios. Today, explosive ordnance disposal and security forces Airmen, along with those performing in-lieu-of taskings, have

  • Latest Roll Call highlights National Security Personnel System

    This week's Roll Call highlights one of the most important segments of the Total Force -- government civilians. Air Force leaders believe it is important for all Airman to at least have a basic understanding of the new National Security Personnel System, or NSPS.NSPS is one of the secretary of

  • Bronze Star recipient chosen to attend State of Union Address

    When President Bush addressed the nation Jan. 23 for his annual State of the Union address, Airmen around the world listened via television, radio or the Internet. But one Airman watched from inside the U.S. Capitol building where the president gave his speech. Tech. Sgt. Michelle Barefield, an

  • Air Force to implement second DOS rollback

    The Air Force has adjusted its force-shaping numbers in response to better-than-expected retention rates in fiscal year 2006. In a message dated Jan. 26, officials said the Air Force must cut 3,090 Airmen by Sept. 30 in order to meet this year's force shaping goals. The Air Force will use three

  • Deep Freeze members commemorate base's 50th anniversary

    Members of Operation Deep Freeze participated in events to commemorate the base's 50th anniversary Jan. 20 at Scott Base on Ross Island in Antarctica. Antarctica New Zealand sponsored the event, which invited U.S. and New Zealand diplomats and political leaders. The National Science Foundation, as

  • Williamsburg Talks join international air forces

    Leaders from four international air forces gathered Jan. 18 through 21 in Williamsburg, Va., to discuss issues and share ideas regarding their respective services and discovered they all faced similar challenges. Hosted by Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff, the four-day event

  • Life at Thule

    Landing on a snow-packed winter runway 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle can be a harrowing experience for anyone who journeys here. Snow-blinding winds howling in excess of 50-miles-per-hour, temperatures plunging below zero, and 24-hours-a-day without sunshine are commonplace and make it unlike

  • Chief Parish helps honor new chiefs at Spangdahlem

    The eighth chief master sergeant of the Air Force was among those congratulating seven chief master sergeant selectees during a chiefs' recognition ceremony here Jan. 20.Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Sam E. Parish was the guest speaker at the event."It is a good hard, tough mission that

  • Air Force proposes adding 23 F-15s, F-16s at Nellis

    The Air Force is proposing to base 23 additional F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons here and to add about 520 people as a result of changes mandated by the recent Base Realignment and Closure process. Under the proposed action, the 64th Aggressor Squadron would receive five F-16 aircraft and the

  • Video teleconferencing connects military families

    Days away from home, eons away from loved ones ... at least that is how it feels to some when a military member is deployed. But new capabilities here can make the world a lot smaller for military families. Earlier this month, 10 Airmen from the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron who are deployed to Iraq

  • DNA registry unlocks key to fallen servicemembers' identities

    Deep within a nondescript warehouse in this Washington suburb lie millions of blood-smeared cardboard cards that hold the key to every servicemember's unique personal identity, captured in DNA. DNA is a substance within every person's cells that provides a personal blueprint, known as a DNA profile.

  • Air Force completes public transfer of former Castle AFB

    The Air Force completed the transfer of the former Castle Air Force Base, Calif., from military control to private ownership Jan. 22 with one of the base's former housing areas being accepted by a retirement village. Atwater Retirement Village II, LLC, accepted the final parcel of property,

  • Moody Airmen test new, nonlethal method of repelling enemy

    Airmen of the 820th Security Forces Group here are currently evaluating a long-range, nonlethal weapon system that could eventually save lives in the war on terrorism. The Active Denial System is designed to engage and repel human targets by projecting a beam of energy that creates an intolerable

  • Security forces Airmen complete 'Fly Away' course at Fort Dix

    Sixty security forces Airmen from across the Air Force prepared for an overseas deployment while attending the Fly Away Security Training, or FAST, Course 07-1 Jan. 18 here. Each student gained new skills in everything from hand-to-hand combat to anti-hijacking training. The FAST course is the first

  • New technology expands Air Force's combat capability

    The 820th Security Forces Group was selected recently as the first Air Force unit to purchase and deploy the Ground Situational Awareness Toolkit. The GSAT system, consisting of the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial system and ShotSpotter gunfire acquisition technology, will allow Airmen to identify

  • Staying involved key for parents, children

    Eight educators, health-care officials and family advocacy workers made presentations to parents during a "Let's Talk" conference here Jan. 18. The two-hour briefing served as a means to inform Yokota parents about a variety of resources readily available to them on base. Some of the forum's

  • 'Roll Call' now available through e-mail subscription

    "Roll Call," the new weekly publication designed to help supervisors explain important Air Force issues to their Airmen, is now available for subscription through Air Force Link. Roll Call covers one or two topics each week, and is written so supervisors can read it to their Airmen during morning

  • Fallen Airmen memorialized at Balad

    As light drained from the sky over Balad AB, 32 Airmen stood in formation at the position of attention, unmindful of the steady rain.A narrator solemnly read 32 names. As each was announced, an Airman from the formation took one step forward, acknowledging the life and spirit of a fellow Airman

  • Officials to dedicate Center for the Intrepid at Fort Sam

    Officials here are opening the Center for the Intrepid and two Fisher Houses Jan. 29 in a dedication ceremony at the Brooke Army Medical Center.More than 3,000 people, including wounded and recovering military service members and their families, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace,

  • AFSO 21 initiatives streamline PHA process

    Airmen at Misawa AB ushered in a new era as they now complete their yearly personal health assessments, or PHAs, online. The computer-based questionnaire asks the same questions that were asked on the paper worksheet during a hospital visit, but now Airmen just log into the secure Web site and

  • Gymnastics: Academy freshman earns honors

    An Air Force Academy freshman was named Gymnast of the Week by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for the week ending Jan. 15, league officials announced Jan. 23.During the Falcons' season opener with the 17th-ranked Denver University Pioneers Jan. 13, Michelle Denise, of Kennewick, Wash.,

  • Commando Sling provides stronger alliance

    Exercise Commando Sling is underway for Airmen at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore. The goal of Commando Sling is a stronger alliance and a safer Pacific Region."Commando Sling is primarily an air-to-air combat exercise where we have the opportunity to fly with the pilots from the Royal Singapore Air

  • AFA announces annual symposium

    Top military leaders will examine air warfare at the start of the new century and what the future may hold for the Air Force at the 23rd Annual Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 8 and 9 in Orlando, Fla. The theme for this year's Air Force Association symposium is "Striking the Balance: Today's War,

  • Spangdahlem Airmen deploy to fill Army billets

    It is hard to know what to expect on a first deployment. The mystery is even deeper for Airmen deploying as In Lieu Of Forces who are filling traditional Army billets.This was the case for 1st Lt. Ben Taber and Capt. Scott MacNeil of the 52nd Logistic Readiness Squadron as the two volunteered for a

  • Service secretaries visit Guam to analyze joint basing status

    William C. Anderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics, and his Navy counterpart, B J Penn, traveled to Guam to analyze the status of joint basing and future Guam development.Retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David Bice accompanied the assistant

  • A-10s set to soar in Al Anbar province

    A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Group landed one by one at their new home Jan. 17 here. A formation of more than 200 Airmen assembled for the 438th AEG activation and assumption of command ceremony Jan. 15 as the unit is in the Al Anbar province to provide close-air

  • Incirlik adopts new responsible choices program

    The 39th Air Base Wing's safety office recently began implementing the Air Force's Culture of Responsible Choices Program. The program aims to shift airmen's perceptions, habits and actions to keep them safe and ready to fight.Major Ken Ernewein, 39th Air Base Wing safety chief, said responsible

  • Hanscom welcomes heroes home

    A crowd of more than 500 gathered to welcome home 80 Hanscom deployers with praise and thanks at the Aero Club Hangar Jan. 19. The Heroes' Homecoming, the first event of its kind here, honored troops who returned from deployments over the past six months. Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 66th Air Base

  • Latest radio technology declared ready

    For nearly a year, the Air Force has developed and tested a communications system allowing commanders to talk directly to troops operating convoys outside the bases. Today, Radio over Internet Protocol Router network, or RIPRnet has earned its initial operational capablity title, achieving a

  • Airmen help pick up the pieces for those in need

    Five first-term Airmen from Eielson AFB brought in the new year with a determination to help those in need. They ventured from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico to help rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The group set up camp in Bay St. Louis, a small town west of Gulfport, Miss. Over the next

  • Core values make impossible happen

    The "Iceman Team" recently accomplished an enormous undertaking the Air Force way -- Airmen taking care of Airmen. Following the end of its 20-year Sprucewood Homes development lease in August, Eielson leaders made the difficult decision to relocate 241 families on very short notice. "Following

  • USAFE medics bring expertise to Liberia

    A team of eight medics from five U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases recently arrived in Liberia as part of a technical training initiative for the new Armed Forces of Liberia. The country, which was ravaged by nearly 15 years of civil war before it held a democratic election in November 2005, is

  • Basketball: Lady Falcons lose to New Mexico 60-46

    In the middle of its first conference road trip of the year, the Air Force women's basketball team lost to New Mexico, 60-46, Thursday evening at The Pit. The Falcons fall to 4-12 on the season, 0-5 in the Mountain West Conference, while the Lobos improve to 12-6 overall, 2-3 on the league. Senior

  • Baseball: Air Force announces 2007 schedule

    The Air Force Academy baseball team is slated to take on 18 different opponents in a 53-game schedule for the 2007 season. The Falcons open the season Feb. 3 hosting Colorado Christian. Air Force is slated to play 22 home games, and 28 games total in Colorado. Highlights of the non-conference season

  • Evaluation board application process moves to virtual MPF

    Active-duty Airmen seeking a correction to or removal of an evaluation report may initiate an appeal to the Evaluation Reports Appeal Board through the virtual Military Personnel Flight effective Jan. 22. Airmen may choose to apply to the board to seek a correction or removal of a performance

  • Dashboard tool allows snapshot of organizational status

    Air Force officials are rolling out a Web-based financial management tool this summer designed to help commanders and other Air Force decision makers.By summer 2007, the Air Force's Financial Management Dashboard will be available online through the Air Force Portal.This is a Web-based "dashboard"

  • JPADS continues 'revolution in airdrop technology'

    Since October 2005, the Air Mobility Warfare Center here has partnered in an effort to revolutionize the way the Air Force does its airlift airdrops in the expeditionary environment and around the globe with the Joint Precision Air Drop System, or JPADS, initiative."When it was said to make this

  • Career enlisted aviator positions open

    Opportunities are currently available for Airmen who wish to become career enlisted aviators. The Air Force has immediate openings for flight engineers, loadmasters, airborne mission systems, flight attendants, and airborne crypto logic linguists.First-term Airmen who have completed half of their

  • Charleston squadron helps build 'a room for Phillip'

    The Airmen of the Air Force Reserve Command's 300th Airlift Squadron have a history of reaching out to those in need. Each year, the squadron donates time and money to a deserving person or family. This year the 300th AS is doing more to aid a little boy who needs some big help. Led by Master Sgt.

  • Defense news, information now customized for mobile devices

    Defense Department news releases, articles and other information are now available in a new format that is customized for easier viewing on BlackBerries and other mobile devices, officials said. The new, mobile-device-friendly format can be accessed at www.dod.mil/mobile, officials affiliated with

  • Wing begins new chapter with F-15E

    Continuing to show a strong force and a visible presence in Afghanistan, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing added a new capability to its inventory Jan. 14. With more than 200 Airmen supporting its mission, the F-15E Strike Eagle deployed from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force

  • Eielson dental goes digital

    With the invention of the Internet, information can be accessed at the click of a button. Songs, pictures and computer files can be placed on flash drives that fit in the palm of a hand. Technological advancements are ongoing and the world has proven time and time again, if it can be imagined, it

  • Keesler's Flying Jennies receive final C-130J-30

    A crew from Air Force Reserve Command's 815th Airlift Squadron recently delivered the unit's final C-130J-30 aircraft here after accepting it from the manufacturer at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. Maj. Gen. Hanferd "Rusty" J. Moen Jr. piloted the aircraft from Georgia to Mississippi Jan. 9. General

  • DOD releases results of 2005 health-related behaviors survey

    The Department of Defense announced results Jan. 12 of its "2005 Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel." The findings show notable decreases in the use of cigarettes and illegal drugs since initiation of the surveys in 1980 and progress toward meeting selected

  • Sheppard implements new phase program

    Airmen here in technical training are enjoying more freedom and responsibility as Air Education and Training Command transitions into its new phase program. The new program, which took effect after Airmen returned from holiday exodus, became fully functional across Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas,

  • Academy cadet invited to gymnastics winter cup challenge

    A U.S. Air Force Academy junior was selected to participate in the Winter Cup Challenge this February, USA Gymnastics announced Jan. 10. Cadet Greg Stine of Houston is just the third academy gymnast in the history of the program to participate at the nationally-recognized meet, which will help

  • Red Flag ramps up, F-22 to make debut

    The first Red Flag exercise this year, dubbed "Colonial Flag," is scheduled to begin Jan. 16 at Nellis AFB, marking the 32nd year for Red Flag operations. This is the first of three Red Flags this year, and the F-22 Raptor is participating for the first time.More than 200 aircraft and about 5,200

  • Officials name top athletes for 2006

    Air Force Services Agency officials have chosen Capt. Linda Jeffery as Air Force Female Athlete of the Year and Master Sgt. Martin Bedford as Male Athlete of the Year for 2006. Captain Jeffery won the All-Air Force Women's Golf Championship and went on to lead the Air Force team to the 2006 Armed

  • Fallen EOD Airmen remembered during Sather memorial

    A memorial Jan. 10 honored the lives of three 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen killed in the line of duty Jan. 7. The members of "Team Lima" -- Tech. Sgt. Timothy Weiner, Senior Airman Daniel Miller, and Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki -- all deployed

  • 'Commando' Airmen continue heritage into future

    Keeping a promise is important to many people. But, keeping the Air Commando's promise -- to provide precise and reliable Air Force special operations air power, any time, any place -- is the motto Airmen of the 1st Special Operations Wing live by. The wing is the only active duty special operations

  • December recruiting numbers exceed goals

    Last month's recruiting figures for all military services exceeded goals, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in testimony Jan. 11 before the House Armed Services Committee."I'm pleased to report that all active branches of the United States military exceeded their recruiting goals for the month

  • 1st Special Operations Wing mission

    The 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the Air Force's only active duty special operations wing and falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command. The 1st SOW mission focus is unconventional warfare: counter-terrorism, combat search and rescue, personnel recovery,

  • First C-21 arrives in North Dakota

    The first official 119th Fighter Wing C-21 aircraft arrived Jan. 10 in Fargo.The aircraft marks the unit's transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the C-21 and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. "The Happy Hooligans have proven themselves as the best of the best in every mission they have

  • The Air Commandos

    A sign over the doorway of a squat white building near the Hurlburt Field, Fla., runway of Eglin Air Force Base declares, "The Mission of the Air Force is to Fight." (Editor's note: This article is reprinted from Airman Magazine, September 1962.) The men wearing tennis shorts and sneakers, flying

  • Historian revisits wing's past

    The 1st Special Operations Wing has a rich and honored history that began in Burma and continues at Hurlburt Field. The 1st SOW can trace its lineage back to "Project 9" which evolved into the 1st Air Commando Group during World War II. During the Quebec Trident Conference of August 1943, it was

  • Air traffic controllers take on new roles

    Air traffic controllers deployed to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa must sometimes take on new roles in accomplishing the daily mission.During the current deployment, the controllers aren't actually controlling the skies above Camp Lemonier. "We're here in the event there's a communication barrier

  • Engineer gains valuable experience in Afghanistan

    A day in the life of a project engineer fills up pretty quickly. Between meetings and constant walks around the base to survey projects, there's concrete to be poured, gravel to be delivered and contractors needing guidance. This will be the norm for Capt. Dave Lin over the course of his six-month

  • Bush outlines new strategy for course ahead in Iraq

    President Bush's new strategy for Iraq, announced Jan. 10 in a televised speech to the nation, includes more than 20,000 additional U.S. troops on the ground in Baghdad and Anbar province, increased responsibility for the Iraqi government and Iraqi security forces, and more diplomatic and economic

  • More provincial reconstruction teams to stand up in Iraq

    President George W. Bush's new strategy for Iraq includes expanding the number of provincial reconstruction teams from 10 to at least 18 to better support political and economic progress, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a news conference Jan. 11.Secretary Rice joined Defense Secretary

  • DOD announces changes to Reserve component policy

    Department of Defense officials are changing the way they will manage reserve-component forces, announced Dr. Robert M. Gates, secretary of defense Jan. 11.The first aspect of the policy change will involve the way the department manages deployments of reserve forces. Currently, reserve deployments

  • Reconnaissance aircraft, team reach milestone

    It may not have the stealthy skin of the B-2 Spirit or be able to hover vertically like the CV-22 Osprey, but the RC-135 Rivet Joint is the only aircraft that Airmen can claim to be deployed continuously for 6,000 days. This milestone can be touted by Airmen in the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance

  • Chief's perspective focuses on Roll Call

    The new Roll Call program is the focus of the latest Enlisted Perspective by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley.The chief said Airmen can add to their mission effectiveness by increasing their communications, but admits it's not an easy process."We all have access to good

  • SBIRS instructors hold keys to ground floor of new payload

    Future Space Based Infrared System crews will get in on the ground level of Air Force Space Command's most advanced payload when they begin training at the 460th Operations Group's Detachment 1 on Jan. 12. Training on SBIRS' newest satellite will give students a historic chance to involve themselves

  • Iraqi participation key to president's new strategy

    President Bush's new strategy in Iraq will hinge on the Iraqi government and security forces stepping up and making decisions they have avoided, a senior White House official said Jan. 10.White House communications director Dan Bartlett said Iraqi leaders have pledged to make these decisions. The

  • New law changes handling procedures for troops' remains

    A new law that took effect Jan. 1 changes the way the remains of servicemembers killed in combat are transported and handled. The 2007 National Defense Authorization Act states that the primary mode of transportation for remains of servicemembers being returned to the U.S. is military aircraft or

  • Hill mourns the loss of 3 Airmen

    Hill AFB leaders reflected on the loss of three Airmen who were killed in Iraq by a car bomb. Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner, 35, of Tamarack, Fla., Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, 23, of New Castle, Del., and Senior Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr., 24, of Galesburg, Ill., died in the Jan. 7 explosion

  • AETC commander addresses training changes

    As part of a visit to Pacific Air Forces here, the commander of Air Education and Training Command discussed training with other countries' air forces. During his visit, Gen. William R. Looney III explained the changing role of the Air Force and how training is changing to accommodate today's

  • Improvised explosive device kills three Hill Airmen

    Three Airmen from Hill AFB were killed Jan. 7 by a car bomb while performing duties in the Baghdad area. The explosion also injured a fourth Airman not assigned to Hill. The Airmen were assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight. While in Iraq, the Airmen were