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  • Air Force recognized for awarding veterans contracts

    The Department of Veterans Affairs recognized 23 Air Force bases for achievement under the Champions of Veteran Enterprise program during a conference June 27 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The 3rd Annual National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo honored installations with the Federal

  • Medical program keeps scoring high

    The Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Wilford Hall Medical Center scored in the top three percentile in the nation in June. Out of 152 emergency residencies across the country, the emergency residency at Wilford Hall scored above 97 percent of the other residencies on in-service training exams

  • President picks Army general to lead new command

    President Bush named Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward July 10 to help stand up U.S. Africa Command as its first commander.General Ward has served as deputy commander of U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, since May 2006. In that role, he has been responsible for the day-to-day activities for

  • Manas fuels team gets high praise

    When the 40 Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Fuels Management Flight pulled back on the huge 4,000 pound fuel bladder to put it in to place on July 9, they were actually leaning forward. For the second time in just over two weeks, the fuels Airmen replaced one of

  • Active-duty unit marks first year under Guard wing

    Airmen of the 153rd Airlift Wing celebrated the first anniversary that marked the assimilation of active-duty Airmen into the Wyoming Air National Guard July 7 here. One year ago, active-duty Airmen reported to Cheyenne Regional Airport as the 30th Airlift Squadron stood up as Air Mobility Command's

  • Robins Airman selected as top firefighter of the year

    Master Sgt. Shawn Ricchuito from the 778th Civil Engineer Squadron here has been named the Air Force Military Fire Officer of the Year. He will represent the Air Force at the Department of Defense level. Sergeant Ricchuito learned about the honor when Robins Fire Chief Donald Striejewske entered a

  • Navy admiral takes helm of U.S. Special Ops command

    Adm. Eric T. Olson became the first Navy SEAL to command U.S. Special Operations Command during a ceremony here July 9. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates presided as Admiral Olson assumed command from Army Gen. Bryan Brown. General Brown had led the command since September 2003. Two of the more

  • Medics bring relief to Senegal

    Airmen provided medical care to more than 4,400 people here as Airmen, Marines, Sailors and Soldiers formed Task Force 225 and conducted joint training during Exercise Shared Accord June 16 to 28 in Senegal. Fourteen Air Force Reserve Command medics teamed up with a battalion of Marine reservists

  • Airman flies to Soldier's aid, earns valor award

    An Airman attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with a "V" Device for Valor June 8 for his actions that led to the saving of a Soldier's life. Special Agent Travis Guthmiller, a member of Weapons Intelligence Team 10 of Task Force Troy was

  • Music venue sheds spotlight on Air Force

    People were on their feet for the Air Force here July 6 during Air Force Week St. Louis as Tops in Blue 2007 performed a musical "fly-by" of the past 60 years. Drawing a crowd of nearly 1,500, outside the Saint Louis Science Center, the Air Force's own "expeditionary entertainers" danced and sang

  • Dover C-17 supports Air Force-Navy exercise

    A Dover C-17 Globemaster III teamed up with Air Combat Command and Navy fighters in a joint Air Force-Navy training operation June 29 at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla. The large transport, which 436th Airlift Wing officials received June 21, teamed up with F-15 Eagles from Eglin Air Force Base,

  • Enlisted Heritage Research Institute honors WWII gunner

    The director of the Enlisted Heritage Research Institute here described July 3 as a grand day because Enlisted Heritage Hall museum officials had inducted retired Master Sgt. James Traylor into its ranks.He joins the many enlisted members the museum honors who have made major contributions to the

  • Airmen join forces for Talisman Saber

    More than 270 Airmen here deployed to Australia to conduct the field training exercise portion of Talisman Saber 2007.  The exercise ran from June 18-26 and was followed by combined training with the Royal Australian Air Force. During the exercise, 37 Airmen from the Maj. Richard Bong Air and

  • DOD officials offer $1 million prize for wearable power innovations

    A typical dismounted troop going out for a four-day mission carries as much as 40 pounds of batteries and rechargers in his pack. Defense Department officials want to reduce that load significantly, and they're dangling a $1 million carrot to entice people to help them do it. They launched their

  • Hill reservists say goodbye to last of F-16s

    The last of the 419th Fighter Wing's F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft left here June 28, signifying an end of an era and a beginning of another for the unit. The pilots and maintainers from the Air Force Reserve Command wing will now team up with Hill's active-duty 388th FW to carry out a joint flying

  • Concrete barriers save lives

    A simple slab of concrete is the difference between life and death at the Victory Base Complex here in Baghdad. Concrete walls surround everything, serving as a daily reminder of insurgent hostilities. The barriers are more than 12 inches thick and reinforced with steel rods. They are designed to

  • Air Force Week strikes a chord with America's heartland

    As Americans reflect on the nation's freedoms this Independence week, events throughout the St. Louis region are putting special emphasis on the Air Force. During the second day of weeklong events here celebrating Air Force Week St. Louis, a concert was held July 3 at Jefferson Barracks County Park

  • Latest Roll Call discusses ancillary training requirements

    This week's Roll Call discusses the decision by Air Force leaders to reduce the amount of ancillary training Airmen will perform each year. The numerous training briefings Airmen are required to attend annually will be combined into a new "block instruction" plan, which will be arranged to more

  • North Dakota ANG unit flies first unmanned mission

    Members of the 119th Wing flew its first unmanned aircraft system mission as an MQ-1 Predator flew July 2 from Fargo. Airmen of the North Dakota Air National Guard squadron is flying the Predator after converting in January to new missions of unmanned aircraft and the C-21 cargo aircraft.The

  • Air Force leaders send Independence Day message

    The following is an Independence Day message from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "To the Airmen of the United States Air Force: "On July 4, 1776, 56 men signed a document that established the foundation for new nation where "all men

  • VA guarantees home loans for servicemembers

    Servicemembers returning to the states from overseas can now take advantage of a valuable home buying guarantee from the Department of Veterans Affairs.Contrary to what some may think, the VA does not offer home loans, instead they offer a home-loan guarantee, said Tan Johnson, a VA representative. 

  • C-21 makes final flight at Yokota

    After more than 62,000 mishap-free flying hours and 21 years of service, Yokota Air Base's C-21 transport jet ended its service here as base officials held a ceremony honoring the final departure of the C-21 June 29. The base's four C-21s with the 459th Airlift Squadron have been replaced by three

  • Education benefits run out for too many, too often

    Education benefits are still among the top reasons many individuals join the military. Despite this fact, more than 40 percent of Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits go unused each year, according to officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs. One major cause: Time. "Unfortunately, G.I. bill benefits

  • Annual training requirements to be shortened to 90 minutes

    After examining how much time Airmen spend on annual ancillary training, Air Force leaders have decided that time should be allocated more efficiently. In effect as of Oct. 1, ancillary training requirements will be reduced to 90 minutes, as opposed to almost nine hours per Airman spread throughout

  • Airmen prepare base for lasting presence

    Several projects in various stages of completion at this Southwest Asian base will give Airmen an enduring presence and help them accomplish their mission supporting the war on terrorism. Members of the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and 379th Air Expeditionary Wing force protection

  • Tricare beneficiaries can skip co-pay during over-the-counter test

    A two-year test authorized by the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act allows Tricare beneficiaries to substitute over-the-counter versions of certain prescription drugs without a copayment. For now, the test includes the Tricare mail order pharmacy only.  Plans call for expansion to retail

  • Air Force, Navy join forces for combat training

    More than 200 Airmen and 16 F-15 Eagles from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., completed two weeks of joint training operations with the Navy June 29 at Naval Air Station Key West. The Airmen from the 60th Fighter Squadron participated in the dissimilar air combat training, or DACT, exercise with Naval

  • Health officials visit returning troops

    Lt. Gen. James G. Roudebush, Air Force surgeon general, and Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, visited wounded troops returning from overseas to Andrews June 26. Dr. Casscells was given a brief tour of Malcolm Grow Medical Center's Aeromedical Staging Flight by

  • Air Force officials complete transfer of Rickenbacker

    The deed for last parcel of the former Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, was presented to its local redevelopment authority by the director of the Air Force Real Property Agency June 26. The handover marks a significant milestone in the effort of Air Force officials to transfer former Air

  • Wounded NCO's will to fly remains undaunted

    An Andrews Air Force Base Airman remains committed to the Air Force and his love of flying even after being shot down over Iraq and nearly losing an eye. Life was good for Tech Sgt. Christian MacKenzie for nearly 10 years as he served in his dream job as a special operations flight engineer aboard

  • Air Force transfers former fuel supply site for redevelopment

    A former jet fuel supply depot in Michigan once used to supply a nearby Air Force base could soon enjoy new life as part of a waterfront resort development. Air Force officials transferred the 40-acre Defense Fuel Supply Point Escanaba on the shores of Lake Michigan June 18 to the Hannah Indian

  • Bush nominates Mullen, Cartwright to top military posts

    President Bush nominated Navy Adm. Michael Mullen to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright as his vice chairman, June 28.Speaking in the White House Roosevelt Room, President Bush called the two men "experienced military officers who are

  • Class of 2011 arrives with impressive credentials

    The 1,304 members of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2011 arrive June 28 to in-process and begin basic cadet training here.The Class of 2011 boasts the largest percentage of women entering basic cadet training in academy history at 20.7 percent, surpassing last year's mark by 0.3 percent. Of

  • C-130 upgrades geared to save Air Force $250M

    The latest modifications for the Air Force's tactical workhorse, the C-130 Hercules are set to debut with the installation of an improved landing gear, carbon brakes and a new anti-skid system. A team of engineers and specialists from the 463rd Airlift Group here, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and

  • 'Show Me State' shows greatest support for troops

    When it comes to showing support for America's troops, Missouri is living up to its nickname as the "Show Me State" by sending nearly 4,000 Base and Post Exchange gift certificates to Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines. Since the beginning of the year, supporters from 45 states and the District

  • Chilton: 'We cannot afford to be surprised'

    "Today, we're at the high water mark when it comes to integrating space capabilities and combat effects for the warfighter," the commander of Air Force Space Command said. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton delivered these words during the Space Warfare Symposium sponsored by the Lance P. Sijan Chapter of the

  • 12th Air Force hosts Blue Flag

    More than 900 U.S. and coalition forces from around the globe began battling a new enemy June 18:  the fictitious "Califon," an aggressive nation bent on controlling the mineral fields located on the island of "Pacifica." The scenario is part of exercise Blue Flag 07-2, an operational-level exercise

  • Maintaining healthy relationships key to mission success

    Military life presents a wide range of stressors for total force Airmen and their families. Deployments, increased operations tempo and decreased manning can have negative effects in both the workplace and the home if Airmen do not know where to turn for help. As part of ongoing efforts to educate

  • Couriers' missions deliver defense

    A two-person team secures a pallet of classified test equipment aboard a small military aircraft at Defense Courier Station Honolulu. Meanwhile, another two-person team leaves DCS San Diego via surface transportation, escorting classified material to a local customer. As these deliveries are being

  • Program seeks to preserve history with playing cards

    Defense Department officials will issue decks of playing cards to deployed troops starting July 31, but not for Texas Hold 'Em tournaments. The cards are training aids designed to help the servicemembers understand the archaeological significance of their deployed locations. "It has been my

  • Chief Pfingston loses fight with cancer

    Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gary R. Pfingston died of cancer June 23 in San Antonio. "Today the Air Force mourns the loss of a great enlisted leader," said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. "Gary's life was a shining example of service to our nation and we

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights six Airmen receiving the new Air Force Combat Action Medal presented by the Air Force chief of staff during a recent ceremony in Arlington, Va. Also in this week's edition, take a view from an air traffic control tower in Baghdad, and experience

  • Airmen train Iraqis on fuel delivery

    Airmen from the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Flight are training Iraqis here to fuel up their own C-130 Hercules aircraft without dependence on the Air Force. The training plan is broken down into a "crawl, walk run" process, said Master Sgt. Scott Addington, 447th ELRS

  • Air University reorganization yields new AF research group

    Air University is creating a new, independent research institute that will supplement AU idea-generating capacity and support air and space research inquiries from the chief of staff, as well as other top-level decision makers. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley emphasized in a recent

  • 'One command post' initiative beneficial to Airmen

    Wing and tenant unit commanders and command post leaders Air Force wide were recently directed to consolidate their command and control operations. Many Air Force bases have multiple command posts. The "One CP" initiative will consolidate those into one facility with a single staff. While One CP

  • AFCEE builds new C-17 hangar at Hickam

    Officials at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, are making room for eight C-17 Globemaster IIIs with the construction of various facilities, including a new corrosion control hangar to paint and wash the aircraft and another facility to perform maintenance functions. The Air Force Center for Engineering

  • Virginia Air Guard transitions to F-22 Raptor

    The Virginia Air National Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing has become the first Air National Guard unit in the country to fly the F-22 Raptor.  The transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the F-22 took place June 20.More than 20 pilots in the wing are trained to fly the F-22 and a growing number of

  • Air Force's cost experts analyze Academy's wind tunnel effort

    When officials from the Air Force Academy decided to pursue the possibility of building a new wind tunnel, they called on the Air Force's cost experts at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., for advice. The Financial Management Center of Expertise is the Air Force's single repository for cost analysis

  • Officials discuss new U.S. command with African leaders

    Leaders in five African nations see the U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, as a constructive approach to making the continent more stable, a senior Defense Department official said June 22. A delegation comprising officials from the departments of Defense and State and from the U.S. Agency for

  • Maintenance crews prep fighters at Cope North

    Maintenance Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., know how to pack a punch as they are deployed to Andersen AFB and currently participating in Exercise Cope North with Japan Air Self Defense Force members.The Cannon AFB Airmen load 2,000-pound bombs onto multimillion dollar aircraft as part of

  • Fuel upgrades improve Lajes Field mission

    Congress recently approved an $18 million project to upgrade and expand the fuel hydrant system at Lajes Field that will greatly enhance the base's mission to refuel aircraft flying across the Atlantic Ocean. Over the years, the existing fuel system began to show signs of age and use, but instead of

  • Thunderbird enters Forest of Friendship

    The first female Thunderbird pilot was inducted into the International Forest of Friendship June 16 here at the "Wings Over Pittsburgh" air show. Maj. Nicole Malachowski, who flies right wing for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, and retired Gen. Michael P.C. Carns, former Air Force

  • AF Space Command general garners White Trophy

    The Air Force Association announced this year's winner of the Gen. Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy this week. The award, which recognizes "outstanding contribution to the nation's progress in aerospace," goes to Lt. Gen. Michael A. Hamel, Space and Missile Systems Center commander at Los Angeles

  • SBA launches loan initiative for veterans, servicemembers

    The Small Business Administration launched the Patriot Express Pilot Loan as the latest extension to the financial, procurement and technical assistance programs the agency provides to the military community. Patriot Express is a streamlined loan product based on SBA's highly successful SBA Express

  • Air Intelligence Agency becomes Air Force ISR Agency

    The Air Intelligence Agency officially became the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency in a ceremony held June 15 here consolidating Air Force ISR functions to better serve the warfighter and the nation. The Air Force ISR Agency, commanded by Maj. Gen. John C. Koziol, was

  • History project honors vets with 'The Great War'

    The Veterans History Project, a program of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center, presents "The Great War," a tribute to World War I veterans, in a new section of its Web site at www.loc.gov/vets. Rich in personal detail, photographs, journals and letters, "The Great War" provides a

  • Career-enlisted aviator positions open

    Opportunities are available for Airmen who wish to become career-enlisted aviators. The Air Force has openings for first-term Airmen to retrain into the flight engineer, flight attendant and aerial gunner specialties. In addition to the first-term Airman openings, staff and technical sergeants

  • USAFE fighter squadron deploys to Kunsan

    Airmen of the 555th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy, reunited with the 8th Fighter Wing June 19 here after being away for years during the squadron's deployment to Kunsan AB. The 555th FS has lineage to Kunsan AB dating back to 1966 when the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron moved to Ubon

  • 'Rescue Dawn' tells true story of Vietnam POW rescue

    It was a movie premiere like few others. As the credits rolled down the screen here June 19, a Vietnam veteran in the audience -- not the Hollywood star with some 40 credits to his name -- got the louder applause and the standing ovation. Retired Air Force Col. Eugene Deatrick, 82, slowly ambled to

  • Airman's Roll Call addresses uniform updates

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on updates to the Airman Battle Uniform and physical training uniform. Air Force officials are cautioning Airmen to resist rushing to commercial manufacturers who have begun advertising the availability of the new Airman Battle Uniform. Officials said these

  • Airmen, Soldiers pay respects to fallen comrade in arms

    An empty pair of boots placed in front and, just behind, a helmet sat atop the inverted rifle that held hanging dog tags -- the memorial display stood center stage and served as a focal point for the many Airmen and Soldiers who had come to pay respects to an Airman whose ultimate sacrifice was

  • CSAF's Scope focuses on new medal, training

    The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. This month, Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues include the Air Force's Combat Action Medal and ancillary training. "Since 9/11, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number

  • National Air and Space Museum family day wows visitors

    More than 17,000 people got an up close and personal look at several civilian and military aircraft during the "Reach for the Sky" family day at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center here June 16. The event paid tribute to the Air Force's 60th Anniversary celebration, and featured a

  • Kadena wins White House recycling award

    The Pacific Air Forces' largest air base recently won a federal government environmental award. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, was awarded the 2007 White House Closing the Circle Award for recycling. The Closing the Circle awards recognize the significant contributions and positive impacts of

  • Air Force presents pro cycling event

    The inaugural Crystal City Classic cycling event presented by the Air Force June 16 is an effort to build an Air Force signature sports event in the Washington, D.C., area. The idea for the Air Force to sponsor a cycling event began last year after the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bike Ride

  • 23 nations join forces to evaluate warfighting needs

    Assessing technologies to determine their potential for meeting critical warfighting needs is the aim of operators during interoperability trials at the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration taking place here through June 21. An annual event, CWID is sponsored by the chairman of the Joint

  • Summer lab gives cadets engineering experience

    A group of Academy cadets are spending their first weeks of summer getting their hands dirty to gain practical engineering experience. The three-week Field Engineering and Readiness Laboratory exposes cadets to several aspects of civil engineering, including heavy equipment operation, steel bridge

  • Portable armories make munitions conveniently available

    Two newly acquired portable armories on base are streamlining the weapons processes for Airmen in theater here. The new armories will allow the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron to roll up operations at one of their two armory locations and eventually combine their operations at a

  • Mentoring program can go long way for Air Force cadets

    The Air Force Cadet Officer Mentor Action Program has been mentoring young Air Force officers and cadets for nearly two decades. Currently, there are 12 active chapters. Officials at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command say they would like to see more bases initiate chapters. The program, also

  • New C-17 checklist reduces redundancies

    A team here has developed a way to shorten C-17 Globemaster III preflight time by one hour and 30 minutes by reducing redundancies and eliminating overlap during the aircraft preflight procedures. The plan is to implement checklist changes at all Air Force bases flying the C-17s, which include C-17

  • Legendary fighter pilot Robin Olds dies

    Legendary fighter pilot, retired Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, died June 14 from congestive heart failure one month short of his 85th birthday.General Olds, rated a triple ace for having shot down a total of 16 enemy aircraft during World War II and the Vietnam War, served his country in assignments to

  • Uniform officials warn Airmen about knockoff ABUs

    Commercial manufacturers have begun to advertise sale of the new Airman Battle Uniform at various online Web sites. Air Force officials warn Airmen these uniforms are not the authorized items provided by the Air Force's official source, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, and may not meet the

  • Command, control battle lab closes doors after one decade

    The Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Battlelab held its official inactivation ceremony here June 14. The C2ISRB was one of seven battlelabs established by the Air Force in 1997 to address the acquisition system's inability to rapidly field technology and the

  • Army Air Force P-47 recovered in the Netherlands

    Though the Air Force is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, U.S. Air Forces in Europe is marking 65 years of service. One reason for this seemingly strange discrepancy was recently found deep in the muddy farmlands of the southwest Netherlands. Dutch workmen from the district water board

  • C-27J Spartan named as Joint Cargo Aircraft

    The U. S. Army announced a $2.04 billion contract award June 13 to L-3 Communications Integrated Systems for their C-27J Spartan to be the Joint Cargo Aircraft. This JCA program is a combined Air Force and Army effort to have an airframe that will meet warfighter needs for intratheater airlift.

  • Air Force, academia to partner in Air Force Marathon

    Leaders from the Air Force and Wright State University gathered at a press conference here June 13 to discuss their new Air Force Marathon partnership and other details of the September race. Standing on the flight line of the 445th Airlift Wing in front of a massive C-5 Galaxy -- the featured

  • Airmen can earn bachelor's degrees through Air University

    Starting June 15, Airmen can apply their Community College of the Air Force credits toward a bachelor's degree from a variety of universities and colleges. This can be done through the Air Force Virtual Education Center which links a prospective student to the new Air University

  • Eglin partnership helps endangered fish

    In another example of how the Air Force works with state and federal agencies on environmental issues, a project is under way here to aid the federally endangered Okaloosa darter, a fish species only found in six streams in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Construction continues on a project at the

  • Airmen receive first AF Combat Action Medals

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley awarded six Airmen the Air Force Combat Action Medal during a ceremony June 12 at the Air Force Memorial. These Airmen were the first in the Air Force to receive the new medal.Recipients of the award were Maj. Steven A. Raspet, Capt. Allison K. Black,

  • Middle school students get 'caught' being good

    No talking in class. No running in the halls. No chewing gum. Although the rules vary from school to school, some students often find themselves on the wrong end of a meeting with their teachers.There is no exception for students at the Lajes American School. With just more than 400 students in the

  • Modernizing an old design a challenge for medal makers

    The designer of the Air Force Combat Action Medal said it was a challenge giving the medal a World War I feel but at the same time modernizing it. Graphic designer Susan Gamble used artwork from photos of Brig. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell's aircraft to inspire the design of the medal, which was

  • Changes in Air Force to ultimately benefit Airmen

    An Air Force-wide plan to reduce the number of Airmen while saving money for equipment upgrades will be difficult, but ultimately, beneficial, said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. During an enlisted call here June 6, Chief McKinley spoke with Airmen about the Air Force

  • Elmendorf celebrates C-17 arrival

    Elmendorf officially received its first C-17 Globemaster III airlifter June 11 during a ceremony here. The C-17, "Spirit of Denali," was delivered by Alaska's Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell. "The C-17 is an exceptional aircraft and what a smooth ride," said the lieutenant governor. "This is a great day for

  • Air Force band is expeditionary instrument of peace

    There was no waiting for the world to change one recent spring day in Afghanistan when Air Force Band members took matters into their own hands and united with a group of local elementary school students for an afternoon of friendship and music. Singing pop songs by artists such as John Mayer, who

  • Civic leaders tour Travis during Air Force Week

    As part of Air Force Week California, an honorary commanders' tour was held June 7 at Travis Air Force Base. The event brought local civic leaders to the base to see first-hand how Airmen prepare for deployments. The visitors sat in on a deployment briefing, were issued Kevlar helmets and body armor

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Space Command and its multi-faceted mission, ranging from helping pilots navigate around the world to detecting and tracking objects in space above the United States and maintaining America's nuclear arsenal. And be part of an Air Force joint

  • Redesigned Tricare Web site will make getting info easy

    Getting information is going to get easier for the 9.1 million Tricare beneficiaries. Soon they will be able to access Tricare information tailored for them through the new My Benefits portal.In addition to simplified navigation, beneficiaries will be able to compare plans, get detailed information

  • Air Force units promo August Air Force Week event

    Air National Guard, active-duty and Reserve units from across New England teamed up June 6 to demonstrate and highlight aerial refueling as a way to kick off a summer-long celebration of 60 years of Air Force history.   The celebration promotes Air Force Week New England which will take place in

  • Combat photographer braves bullets to tell stories

    An award-winning Air Force photographer routinely braved bullets and bombs to tell the military's story through the lenses of his cameras to be named the Defense Department's Military Photographer of the Year for 2007. Combat photographer Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock also earned that honor in 2002 and

  • First Air Force Combat Action Medals to be presented

    The Air Force chief of staff is scheduled to present the first Air Force Combat Action Medals to six Airmen during an 8 a.m. ceremony June 12 at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. Gen. T. Michael Moseley will award the new medals to recognize Air Force members who were engaged in air or ground

  • Marines play along in Red Flag

    Marine Corps aircrews from the Yuma, Arizona-based 513th Marine Attack Squadron traded their desert landscape for Alaska's "last frontier" and found themselves players in a whole new game at this year's Red Flag-Alaska June 4. Joining fellow pilots from the U.S. and several allied nations, Marine

  • Misawa squadrons swap out Iraqi mission

    Two F-16 Fighting Falcons flying thousands of feet in the air track a pair of vehicles full of known al-Qaida insurgents on the ground. The vehicles stop at a location free of collateral damage, and command officials make a decision. The F-16s drop precision-guided munitions and destroy the

  • Travis unit marks 8 years of being DUI free

    Airmen of the 6th Air Refueling Squadron at Travis Air Force Base recently marked their eighth year without a driving under the influence incident. "From the day an individual arrives at the squadron, friends and supervisors mentor (new arrivals) on our program," said Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Zahn,

  • Defense secretary, servicemembers reflect on D-Day heroism

    The defense secretary was among hundreds of people who walked above the windswept cliffs and paused among fog-shrouded headstones here June 6 to honor those who died during the D-Day invasion 63 years ago. Secretary Robert M. Gates took a private moment in the American Cemetery, reflecting on row

  • 'FOX and Friends' to broadcast live June 8 from Wright-Patt

    The FOX News Network's "FOX and Friends" morning program will broadcast live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern time June 8 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as the show makes its third Air Force stop on its Salute to the Troops Tour. Co-anchor Brian Kilmeade will be on location telecasting reports to his

  • MegaPub offers one-stop shopping for Air Force doctrine

    The Air Force Doctrine Center has unveiled a new tool, making it easier than ever to reference and search operational-level doctrine. Known as MegaPub, the one-stop shopping solution offers easy access to the complete library of Air Force Doctrine Documents, or AFDDs."As Airmen, we should advocate

  • Incirlik medics train with new decon field equipment

    Air Force medics have a vital mission in the event of a chemical or biological attack as they must be able to decontaminate large groups of people quickly and effectively in the event of an attack.Incirlik Air Base Airmen are prepared for such an attack and the base is one of only two Air Force

  • Checkmate: Strategic studies group supports leaders

    The Air Force chief of staff announced June 4 the establishment of a new Air Force strategic studies group at the Pentagon that will carry a familiar name -- Checkmate. The new Checkmate will act as a catalyst for strategic initiatives and directly support the chief of staff and Air Force leaders

  • New Pentagon Channel show helps troops get 'Fit for Duty'

    Hosts of a new show coming to the Pentagon Channel want to make troops hurt, sweat and push them to their limits, but most of all the new show aims to ensure members of the U.S. military are "Fit for Duty." "Fitness is as much a part of the military as the uniform," said retired Master Sgt. Jim

  • Air operations center opens at Tyndall

    First Air Force celebrated the opening of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here June 1 with a ceremony and tour of the 37,000-square-foot, $30 million combat center. First Air Force, which also serves under the North American Aerospace Defense Command as the continental U.S. NORAD Region,