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  • New technology helps cardiac patient

    A cardiac patient from Kerrville Veteran's Administration Hospital in Texas is alive today because of new technology available at the Wilford Hall Medical Center here. The patient suffered a cardiac arrest recently and the VA hospital did not have the capability to provide the advanced care needed,

  • Troops bid former President Bush farewell at Andrews

    Military officials bid farewell to the outgoing commander in chief during a departure ceremony Jan. 20 at Andrews Air Force Base where he called leading men and women in uniform the highlight of his presidency. A joint service honor guard, military band and about 4,000 cheering, flag-waving fans

  • High-tech loss prevention safeguards base exchange benefit

    With a mission of providing quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices while generating earnings to support Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is enlisting the support of the latest in loss prevention technology to protect military

  • How up-to-date is your list of medications?

    Just as you wouldn't go commissary shopping with last year's grocery list, the same principle holds true for showing up at a medical appointment with an out-of-date list of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and related health products such as vitamin supplements and herbal teas. But

  • Airmen kick off inauguration day preparing for parade

    Maj. Geraldine Holmes-Barnett said she remembers boarding a bus in Ohio when she was just 9 years old to hear Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech" during the 1963 March on Washington. That memory came full circle this morning as the 54-year-old African-American nurse with the 779th

  • Airmen provide power to the people

    Twenty members of the 379th Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems shop at this air base in Southwest Asia give power to the people while giving them the energy they need to get through every day.Responsible for repairing and maintaining all lighting fixtures, street lights, power outlets and

  • Andrews officials launch tactical fitness center

    Base leaders here took a groundbreaking new stride in combat fitness training capability Jan. 15 with the ribbon-cutting of the Andrews Tactical Fitness Center. The center supports the 316th Wing's goal of "Airmen fit and ready to fight and win across the whole spectrum" with a new policy and

  • Disability board accepting applications for records review

    Department of Defense officials here are now accepting applications from certain medically-separated veterans to have their records reviewed, potentially increasing their disability rating. "To be eligible for a review, veterans must have been medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31,

  • Time to be tracked to 100 trillionths of second soon

    The ultra-precise timing technology that enables NAVSTAR Global Positioning Systems and high-speed Internet communication soon may resolve the measure of time to 100 trillionths of a second, according to the world's authority in time-keeping and celestial observation. "To know when an event

  • Hero of Hudson River crash landing got start in Air Force

    The pilot who crash-landed a crippled airliner in New York's Hudson River Jan. 15, saving 155 lives on board, is an Air Force Academy graduate who received his pilot training in the Air Force. Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger steered US Airways Flight 1549 toward the river when both engines failed

  • WASP served for love of flight

    When Betty Jo Reed was introduced to flying, it was love at first sight. She was 6 years old and her father paid $1 for her to take a ride in a Ford tri-motor airplane at a local fair in 1929. Once airborne, Ms. Reed was hooked. "I remember feeling free and happy, and loving the whole experience,"

  • Airmen keep eyes on the sky to protect warfighters

    Airmen of the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron keep vigilant eyes on the sky over the Gulf region to keep American and coalition forces safe and secure.The members of the squadron provide a constant and extensive radar presence over the entire Arabian Gulf region, and can identify anyone and

  • NASA debuts Global Hawk autonomous aircraft for Earth science

    NASA and the Northrop Grumman Corp. of Los Angeles have unveiled the first Global Hawk aircraft system to be used for environmental science research, heralding a new application for the world's first fully autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft. The debut took place Jan. 15 at NASA's

  • Airmen dedicate memorial to 1988 C-130 crew

    A lone C-130 Hercules propeller blade stands erect, chipped, worn and scratched, telling a silent story of an end to six lives on June 8, 1988. The blade -- obtained from the C-130 Hercules that crashed -- is a poignant symbol of the tragic loss of life that occurred that summer day. The memory of

  • DOD officials launch science-related online radio show

    Defense Department officials have launched "Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military," an online radio show. Armed with Science is a bi-monthly audio webcast, hosted on BlogTalkRadio.com that discusses cutting-edge scientific research and development sponsored by various

  • Clubs gain 10,000 new members, name prize winners

    The Air Force Clubs Division recently gained more than 10,000 new members during their annual membership campaign. This year's campaign featured a first-ever "card choice" option, where members chose the type of club membership card they want -- either the full use MasterCard or a limited use

  • New treatment offers hope for facial paralysis patients

    Patients seeking help for facial paralysis have a new treatment option available now offered by doctors at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Col. (Dr.) Alan Holck and Maj. (Dr.) Manuel Lopez are among only a few military or civilian surgeons in the country who perform a

  • Academy officials announce second hall of fame class

    Air Force Academy officials have announced the second class for induction into the Air Force Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. The six inductees -- Jim Bowman, Callie Calhoun Molloy, Dee Dowis, Terry Isaacson, Ernie Jennings and Ben Martin -- will be inducted May 8 at the Air Force Academy Falcon

  • Museum opens exhibit dedicated to 'Warrior Airmen'

    A new exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force now gives visitors a chance to see not only the service's past, but also its present and future.Called "Warrior Airmen," the new exhibit highlights how today's Airmen are contributing to the war on terrorism, both in the air and on

  • Air Force activates provisional Global Strike Command

    Air Force officials officially stood up a provisional Global Strike Command Jan. 12 at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C. The provisional command will be temporarily located at the Washington, D.C., base with supporting detachments at Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command. Its charter is to lead

  • Airmen in sky give warriors on ground situational awareness

    Airmen of the 7th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron from this air base in Southwest Asia provide constant situational ground assessment from the air to coalition forces supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Inside the E-8C Joint STARS, the aircrew give airborne battle

  • Air Force inauguration participation represents another historic event

    On Jan. 20, when President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office, U.S. servicemembers once again will participate in a time-honored tradition which began with President George Washington for his first inauguration in 1789. Among those servicemembers participating with the new president will be

  • Travis Airmen contribute to Darfur airlift operation

    Members of the 615th Contingency Response Wing here recently deployed to Africa in support of humanitarian airlift missions into the Darfur region of Sudan. Nearly two dozen Travis Air Force Base members departed Jan. 1 for Kigali, Rwanda, to support the operation, which will airlift equipment from

  • Nuclear Weapons Management panel recommends changes

    Pentagon officials here need to bolster internal management systems that address nuclear weapons issues, said the leader of a special task force appointed by the Defense secretary here Jan. 8. Since the Cold War ended, the nuclear deterrence force "has sometimes been neglected within the Department

  • Alaska Air Guard members save 167 lives in 2008

    Alaska National Guard members saved 167 lives here in Alaska and around the world in 2008. Officials of the 11th Rescue Coordination Center, the sole Alaska representative responsible for all aeronautical search and rescue cases in Alaska, released their end of year statistics Dec. 31. The Alaska

  • VA launches partnership to benefit veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have launched a new partnership to help non-government organizations, or NGOs, plan, improve and carry out their own programs on behalf of veterans, their families and their survivors. "VA has a track record of success in working with non-profit groups and

  • Make 2009 healthier

    The holidays are over and a new year has begun. And with that, many look to live healthier lives in 2009. The Air Force Materiel Command Wellness Support Center is one available tool to make that goal a reality. "AFMC's Wellness and Safety Program encompasses all facets of wellness: physical,

  • Washington Guard mobilized for snow removal

    The Washington National Guard officials plan to mobilize up to 200 citizen Soldiers and Airmen over the next few days in response to record snow fall in the Spokane area. Their mission starting Jan. 7 will focus on removing snow, which has accumulated on the roofs of area schools. "The unprecedented

  • Force protection Airmen learn to use another tool

    Force protection augmentees with the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here have added an intermediate item to their tool belt when they began training on how to use a collapsible baton here recently. The batons allow Airmen to engage an opponent using nondeadly force in accordance with

  • AAFES, Pentagon Channel launch monthly benefit show

    The Army & Air Force Exchange Service and the Pentagon Channel have teamed up to bring original, exchange-focused programming to more than three million viewers around the world. On Jan. 7, the Pentagon Channel began broadcasting the monthly 30-minute show, focused on what makes AAFES special

  • Africa Command to airlift peacekeeper equipment to Darfur

    U.S. Africa Command officials are laying plans to airlift heavy equipment to Sudan to support African Union and U.N. peacekeepers involved in the country's Darfur region, an AFRICOM spokesman said Jan. 6. AFRICOM members will transport about 75 tons of heavy equipment -- water tankers, fuel tank

  • Voice recognition system helps manage patient records

    It's faster, more accurate and highly maneuverable. What may sound like the latest weapons system is actually a new way of doing business for doctors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. With the introduction of Dragon Medical speech recognition software, the process of documenting patient medical

  • Radio program enables speedy personnel recovery

    Officials of the Electronic Systems Center delivered the 20,000th Combat Survivor Evader Locator radio to operators in the fall of 2008, and now are on track to deliver an additional 20,000 to warfighters. Credited with saving many lives, CSELs have been in use in Iraq and in Afghanistan for several

  • Airmen prep for Patriot's debut at Southwest Asian base

    Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here are laying the groundwork to welcome more than 200 Soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas, as they set up a Patriot battery here for the first time. Airmen from more than a dozen units have been actively involved in myriad activities and projects to include

  • Study reveals hazards of severe space weather

    A NASA-funded study describes how extreme solar eruptions could have severe consequences for communications, power grids and other technology on Earth. The National Academy of Sciences in Washington conducted the study. The resulting report provides some of the first clear economic data that

  • Team combats waterborne illness in Afghan province

    Doctors and medics with the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan's Zabul province are teaching medical providers to purify water and reduce waterborne illnesses. PRT members taught five medical providers in Shajoy district how to operate, clean and sustain a new water purification machine

  • New badge part of historic change in force support

    A new career badge made its debut when 57 officers graduated from the inaugural force support officer training course last month at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. After nine weeks of initial skills training, the officers are the first to showcase the badge of the new 38F Force Support Air Force

  • Responsibility for Green Zone security transferred to Iraqis

    United States officials formally transferred the Republican Palace back to the Iraqi government Jan. 1, a concrete symbol of the continuing improvement in the country. The transfer came about as the status of forces agreement, or SOFA, between the United States and Iraq took effect. The agreement

  • CMSAF McKinley, graduating Airmen honor enlisted heroes

    Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley and more than 700 Airmen preparing to graduate from basic military training honored the Air Force's enlisted heroes during today's dedication of the new Enlisted Heroes Walk here. Several dignitaries, including Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, commander

  • Deployed servicemember returns home half the Airman he used to be

    "I knew I was unhealthy and had to make some changes, especially when I thought about my five-year-old looking up at me," said Senior Airman Jarvis Johnson. "Without changes, I wouldn't be around to see him and my daughters grow up." When you ask someone what they can accomplish in six months --

  • Armed Forces Bowl puts military might on display

    The sixth annual Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl football game featured the Houston Cougars (7-5) taking on the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons (8-4) on Dec. 31 at the Amon G. Carter Stadium here. Kickoff for the Armed Forces Bowl was noon Eastern, but the event started more than 24-hours prior to

  • Air Force falls to Houston at Armed Forces Bowl, 34-28

    A record-setting ground game couldn't help the Air Force Academy Falcons overcome early mistakes, as the University of Houston Cougars downed the Air Force 34-28 in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 31. The Falcons fumbled the ball on the opening kickoff, and Houston's Brandon Brinkley recovered the

  • "Cart-Starts" make a quick launch for B-52s

    Airmen assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron have recently been showcasing the B-52 Stratofortress's ability to respond to threats at a moment's notice. Throughout the month of December, Airmen from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., have been launching aircraft by a method known

  • DOD inaugural committee moves into high gear

    Exactly three weeks before inauguration day, the buzz of activity at the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee here is a notable exception to the traditional holiday lull that settles over the nation's capital between Christmas and New Year's Day. More than 400 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and

  • Improved drilling process is safer, saves money

    In another example of a Lean initiative, an improved process for drilling a duct-liner is proving to be safer, faster and on course to save the Air Force $47,000 a year. For seven years, mechanic Jerry Heiskill dealt with the frustration and discomfort of using a hand-held drill to re-drill holes

  • Hockey: No. 11 Air Force falls to Quinnipiac, 4-2

    Quinnipiac built a 3-0 lead in the second period and held on for a 4-2 win over No. 11 Air Force in the championship game of the Toyota/UConn Classic Dec. 30, at the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum in Storrs, Conn. Air Force fell to 14-3-1 overall this season and 11-1-1 in Atlantic Hockey. Quinnipiac

  • Guard's counterdrug warriors endeavor to test one and all

    Finding a single drug abuser among thousands of servicemembers can compare to a shell game, but National Guard officials are placing all odds in their favor. Officials are striving to keep the Guard's Citizen-Airmen and -Soldiers drug free through an increase in drug tests and the integration of new

  • Nearly 11,000 survivors receiving retroactive VA payments

    Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs have identified nearly 11,000 surviving spouses of deceased veterans who will receive a lump-sum payment before the new year to correct an error in their VA benefits. Also documented were more than 73,000 who previously had been paid. VA officials

  • TACPs provide vital link between pilots, ground troops

    Although they make up one of the Air Force's smallest career fields, their mission leaves a huge impact on the battlefield and can mean life or death for troops on the ground. Tactical air control party Airmen serve as liaisons between ground commanders and pilots in the sky to eliminate the enemy's

  • AF firefighters relocate, expand Iraqi fire training course

    Iraqi firefighters are were more than half-way through the firefighter apprentice course being trained in Baghdad's International Zone before being moved. The class was previously taught at Taji Military Base just north of Baghdad, but the location lacked advanced live fire trainers and had limited

  • EOD Airmen stay 1 step ahead of the enemy

    Bombs may not be exploding at this Southwest Asian air base, but in a war where the enemy is always finding new ways to inflict damage, Airmen in one shop remain one step ahead of the bad guys. Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit here use

  • Air Force engineers answer the call from Soldiers in Iraq

    "Answering the call" is a motto 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen believe in, and it's something Soldiers can attest to. This team of combat-trained engineers, assigned to the 732nd ECES Det. 6, will build anything, anywhere to help Soldiers in Iraq accomplish their mission or to

  • Airman saves lives in Afghanistan

    An Air Force Special Operations Command Airman saved lives in Afghanistan April 6 during a lengthy battle by calling in airstrikes to protect his team. Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner, a special tactics combat controller assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., was

  • DOD announces change to 2009-2010 kindergarten program

    The entrance birth date for the Department of Defense Education Activity Kindergarten Program will change from Oct. 31 to Sept. 1, DODEA officials announced recently. The change means a child must be 5 years old by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten. This aligns DODEA with national trends as well as

  • Iraqi aeromedical evacuation capability continues to develop

    Iraqi medical airmen took a step in the evolution of the air force as an effective fighting force Dec. 20 as they conducted an aeromedical evacuation mission from the Air Force Theater Hospital here to the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad. Three wounded patients, an Iraqi police officer and

  • Officials streamline overseas outprocessing guidelines

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced a new initiative that will streamline final processing for Airmen retiring or separating from overseas areas. With this change, additional travel to a separation processing base, or SPB, is no longer required. The new procedure is part of

  • Future Airman gains confidence, loses 160 pounds

    Leo Knight-Inglesby is more determined than ever, and for the past 15 months has pushed himself beyond the limits he, and his loved ones, ever thought possible. The 22-year-old Silver Spring, Md., native is so set to "Do Something Amazing" in the Air Force that he shed more than 160 pounds to meet

  • AFPC officials to offer personnel course for commanders

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here are launching a new course designed to provide squadron commanders outside the personnel career field with the latest military and civilian personnel programs and procedures.The course also provides information on the air and space expeditionary force

  • JABS knock out communication problems for warfighters

    Joint Airborne Battle Staff members here are similar to 911 operators in the air as they ensure convoys operating throughout Iraq are never without communications. JABS crews flying on board C-130 Hercules aircraft fill in the gap wherever ground communication is limited in the war zone, which is

  • Program raises awareness about global AIDS epidemic

    The Defense Department's HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, or DHAPP, is making progress with partner nations by supporting implementation of HIV prevention, care and treatment programs, educating their militaries and creating awareness of the global epidemic, a senior official working in the program

  • AFSO 21 experts tour Robins

    Military and civilian leaders came to Robins Air Force Base Dec. 16 to see how Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century efforts have found better ways to get things done here. Nineteen general officers toured parts of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center then spent an afternoon discussing

  • Admiral Mullen sends best wishes for the holiday

    Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sends the following holiday message: Throughout our history, when faced with war at this special time of the year, American servicemen and women have risen with crisis and fought with valor while providing their fellow citizens precious

  • UAS students graduate from inaugural class

    Nine lieutenants graduated from the first combat familiarization program for pilots slated to fly unmanned aircraft systems Dec. 22 at Randolph Air Force Base. The four-week Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fundamentals Course, or UFC, began instruction Nov. 21 taught by 563rd Flying Training Squadron

  • Today's Air Force' features personnel recovery exercise

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Angel Thunder, a personnel recovery exercise in New Mexico with more than 850 ground recovery forces. Also, the Base Realignment Committee, or BRAC, is allowing the U.S. military to become a more integrated force with many services. See how the Army and

  • President Bush sends holiday greetings to all

    President Bush has taped a special video message to servicemembers and their families this holiday season. "Laura and I send greetings to all the men and women of the United States military this holiday season," he says in his one minute and 30 second message.  "In this dangerous time, I thank you

  • Policy update to make civilian hiring quicker

     To increase the efficiency in filling civilian vacancies, effective Jan. 1, selecting officials will have 45 days instead of 90 to choose the best-qualified candidate. "We continue to refine the civilian hiring process where we can to speed up the hiring action," said Maj. Gen. K.C. McClain, Air

  • First security guardsmen dispatched into missile fields

    Officials at the Minot-based 219th Security Forces Squadron of the North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing have dispatched security Airmen into the missile fields at Minot Air Force Base for the first time. "Putting guardsmen into the field to work side by side with the active duty is a

  • ACC leaders discuss current, future challenges

    The commander of Air Combat Command and members of his A-staff spoke to 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen about current and upcoming events surrounding Air Force combat operations during an Airman's Call here earlier this month. Gen. John Corley discussed the impact of current economic trends on

  • Iraqi general visits Luke, flies in F-16

    Ten years ago, Iraqi air force Brig. Gen. Ali al-Aaragy was flying F-1 Mirage fighters for his country's air force, but on Dec. 15 he was flying in an F-16 Fighting Falcon over Arizona.The general, who works as his country's air force adviser to the minister of defense, visited Luke AFB to enhance

  • Harlem Globetrotters put on a show at Andersen

    The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters visited Andersen Air Force Base, toured operations, conducted a sports clinic and a played an exhibition game with the Washington Generals Dec. 14 here. Using their "C.H.E.E.R. for Character" program, the Globetrotters held a basketball clinic for Andersen AFB

  • Airmen take time to help terminally ill children

    Airmen at Forward Operating Location Curacao volunteered their free time to paint, landscape and provide comfort for 13 children at the Siloam Children's Hospice, a home for orphaned, abandoned and terminally ill children in Curacao. For the past four months, dozens of 429th Expeditionary Operations

  • PACAF officials centralize fitness testing

    Airmen across the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility soon will see a change in their fitness testing procedures as command officials move to centralize the testing under base health and wellness centers by March of 2009. After receiving feedback from across the command, Gen. Howie Chandler,

  • Kyrgyzstan parliament members visit Manas

    A delegation of Kyrgyzstan's parliament led by Vice Speaker Kubanychbek Isabekov visited Manas Air Base Dec. 15. Following weeks of planning and extensive preparation, 17 members of the Kyrgyz parliament came to tour the base. The delegation was greeted by Col. Christopher Bence, the 376th Air

  • Secretary announces provisional Global Strike commander

    The secretary of the Air Force here selected a commander for the provisional Air Force Global Strike Command Dec. 18. Secretary Michael B. Donley chose Brig. Gen. James M. Kowalski to lead the provisional command.Air Force officials will propose a three-star general lead the permanent command. The

  • Geothermal heating to save money, energy at Minot

    Geothermal heating has been used since the time of the Romans as a way of heating buildings, and now it has come to Minot Air Force Base. The 5th Bomb Wing headquarters building here is currently undergoing construction to use geothermal heating by having 39 ground source heat pumps installed in the

  • Trainees slew the BEAST in new basic training program

    The first group of Airman Basic trainees in the newly extended 8.5-week Basic Military Training program conquered the BEAST Dec. 15 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The BEAST, which stands for Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills and Training, is the centerpiece of the new two-week expansion that

  • Well project brings water to Afghan villages

    The Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team here completed an eight-well project that will bring much-needed water sources to six districts throughout the eastern Afghanistan province. The PRT-funded project, which combined several individual well projects into one, costs $30,000 and was

  • Course gives officers new outlook on force support

    Officials at the first Force Support Officers' Course here graduated 57 officers Dec. 11 with Lt. Gen. Richard Newton on hand to congratulate the officers on their achievement. "These outstanding officers made history as they walked across the stage," said General Newton, the deputy chief of staff

  • Kadena Airmen participate in Japanese cultural ceremony

    Several Kadena Air Base Airmen participated in a traditional Japanese New Year celebration at the conclusion of a weeklong training exercise Dec. 12 at Japan Air Self Defense Force's Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, Japan. Five of the approximately 70 Kadena AB Airmen training at the Japanese base

  • C-17 revolutionizing logistics in Antarctica

    Airmen assigned to the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron supporting Operation Deep Freeze completed the first operational C-17 Globemaster III airdrop to the Antarctic Gamburtsev Mountain Province Nov. 26. Thirty bundles of fuel and other supplies were delivered to a scientific camp in the

  • Airman's Roll Call: Make safe decisions during holidays

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Airmen making safe decisions regarding drinking and driving during the holidays. The holiday season between Thanksgiving and the new year is one of the most dangerous times on America's roadways, due to an increase in the number of people who are driving

  • New terminology recognizes contributions of Airmen

    The Air Force is adopting new terminology to better reflect participation in today's joint fight, the Air Force chief of staff advised in a letter to the field. Airmen who were previously categorized as filling non-standard or "in lieu of" taskings now will be referred to as filling a joint

  • UAS beta program underway; officials seek more applicants

    Air Force officials selected 10 Air Force officers to begin the first-ever unmanned aircraft systems beta test program to produce operators of the MQ-1 Predator. The 10 selectees will begin training Jan. 5 at Pueblo, Colo. "We were encouraged by the extremely strong interest in this program," said

  • Ecuadorian air force edges U.S. Air Force 26-25

    Members of the U.S. Air Force fell to the Ecuadorian air force 26-25 Dec. 9 during a basketball championship game between forces assigned to Forward Operating Location Manta. The lead for the game went back and forth all the way to the end as a crowd of nearly 100 American Airmen, Ecuadorian air

  • Officials set military housing allowance rates for 2009

    Housing allowances for military members will go up an average of 6.9 percent in 2009, Defense Department officials announced Dec. 15. The increase comes to an average of about $95 per month across the board for the 950,000 servicemembers expected to draw basic allowance for housing, or BAH, in 2009,

  • McChord Airmen fuel Operation Deep Freeze

    Airmen assigned to the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron in support of Operation Deep Freeze completed the first operational C-17 Globemaster III airdrop Nov. 26 to the Antarctic Gamburtsev Mountain Province. Thirty bundles of fuel and other supplies were delivered by the members of the from the

  • Air Force leaders send holiday message

    The following is a holiday message from Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley:"The holidays give each of us an opportunity to reflect our accomplishments of the past year and cherish

  • Air Force recruiting Web site redesign launched

    Incorporating the latest Internet technologies while reflecting the way ahead for the service, Air Force Recruiting Service officials launched their redesigned Web site Dec. 15 at airforce.com. The Web site serves as the Air Force's official recruiting site and offers potential recruits and the

  • Thermal curtains offer protection to B-52 aircrews

    Engineers here are designing a product to protect B-52 Stratofortress aircrews from a nuclear attack's blinding light. Designed by members of the 540th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron's B-52 Communications Navigation and Weapons Flight, prototypes for the thermal curtains will be ready sometime in

  • Kyrgyzstan mayors visit Manas

    Mayors and deputy mayors of the six largest villages that surround Manas Air Base met the Airmen and learned the mission of the base during a Dec. 10 tour here. Base and village leaders meet one another, discussed issues that affect both and developed stronger ties through which to resolve issues of

  • Air Force officials honor top recruiters for 2008

    Fourteen Air Force recruiters were named tops in their field for fiscal 2008 by Air Force Recruiting Service officials here in December. Operation Blue Suit program recognizes the best recruiters worldwide for their efforts in recruiting a diverse, high-quality volunteer force to fill career fields

  • Congress authorizes paternity leave

    Eligible Airmen are now authorized 10 days of nonchargeable paternity leave following the birth of their newborns, courtesy of the 2009 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress. The law applies to married, active-duty Airmen. The Airman's wife must have given birth to the

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Airmen training Iraqis

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Air Force officers are sharing valuable leadership skills in an effort to train the Iraqi military on the proper tools to maintain security throughout their country. And while the use of technology facilitates our daily missions from

  • Attacked Air Force recruiter in stable condition

    The Air Force recruiter who was stabbed outside her Harlem, N.Y., recruiting office Dec. 11 remains in stable condition. Staff Sgt. Sarah Charles, a recruiter with the 313th Recruiting Squadron, was speaking with a potential applicant when she was attacked by a female assailant. The recruiter

  • B-1B aircrews bring unique capabilities to the fight

    B-1B Lancer aircrews of the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron guard warfighters from high above Iraq and Afghanistan while carrying the largest payload of any aircraft in the theater. Squadron members are responsible for close-air support, nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

  • Multinational recovery exercise kicks off at Davis-Monthan

    More than 850 ground recovery forces and 51 aircraft from the Department of Defense and numerous other countries kicked off a personnel recovery and combat search and rescue exercise Dec. 8 here. The two week-long Angel Thunder 2008 exercise allows U.S. and international military forces and numerous

  • Civil engineer crews improve Bagram infrastructure

    Airmen of the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron work around the clock to improve Bagram Airfield's infrastructure to support Operation Enduring Freedom. There are 25 active construction projects valued at more than $73 million, with more than $221 million in construction is scheduled for

  • Arizona officials aim to end scams, predatory lending

    Financial scams and predatory lending against servicemembers and veterans is so common that the Arizona attorney general has created an advisory board to stop it. "We got so many complaints that were related to either veterans or active-duty military on our consumer line that I felt it was necessary

  • Air Force leaders chair first nuclear oversight board

    Air Force leaders gathered to discuss efforts related to reinvigorating the service's nuclear enterprise Dec. 10 at the Pentagon. This was the first meeting of the newly-created Air Force Nuclear Oversight Board, which was created as part of the Air Force Nuclear Roadmap released Oct. 24. The board

  • National Guard celebrates 372nd birthday

    National Guard officials are celebrating their 372nd birthday recognizing Dec. 13, 1636, when the Massachusetts Bay Colony divided its citizen-soldiers, or militia, into the North, South and East Regiments. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was seven years old in 1636 when about 5,000 men, women and