Global cyberspace center delivers 'Warfighter's Edge'

A two-year effort for the Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy's Institute for Information Technology Applications culminated Oct. 31 when the Warfighter's Edge, or WEdge, was initially released to the field. WEdge, a base-level command and control tool

Warriors for a day

More than 200 children received their official tasking and prepared for a mock deployment at Hangar 1here Oct. 24. The day-long deployment began with the young warriors in-processing and picking up their air and space expeditionary force cards, helmets and web belts. Immediately after suiting up,

Flight attendants provide world-class service

Presidents, generals and prime ministers count on the support from Airmen of the 89th Airlift Wing here who provide safe, comfortable and reliable transportation while keeping world leaders connected and protected on special air missions around the globe. Tech. Sgt. Pete Kana of the 1st Airlift

3rd Wing activates second F-22 squadron

The 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base activated the 525th Fighter Squadron during a ceremony at the base Oct. 29. The second active-duty F-22 Raptor squadron took its place in wing history nearly three months after the aircraft officially landed on base. Lt. Col. Chuck Corcoran assumed command of

Researchers create family of composite materials

Scientists funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research have constructed an entirely new class of materials that potentially could aid Air Force missions. Dr. David Avnir, Head of the Institute of Chemistry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, led scientists to a surprising

USAFE security forces train at Creek Defender course

TF33 jet engine shop up and running at Tinker

The Air Force's lone TF33 Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance shop here achieved full operational capability status in October. "This marks a shift of engine workload from field units to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, enabling the warfighter to focus more on expeditionary capabilities and

B-2s train with JTACs, drop bombs on target

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber deployed here practiced weapons drops in the Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii Oct. 23 without using built in state of the art targeting system. This time, the fliers were conducting operations with joint terminal attack controllers on the ground to allow the specially

Battlefield Airmen train for JTAC role at Pohakuloa Training Area

Tactical air control party members from the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron practiced and honed their skills calling in air strikes for B-2 Spirit stealth bombers during a week long training session as part of Exercise Koa Lightning. These battlefield Airmen serve as joint terminal attack

Air Force women's symposium kicks off

The Air Force Women's Heritage to Horizons Training Symposium kicked off here Oct. 31with about 600 Airmen from around the globe in attendance. For the next three days, attendees will sit in on various forums and discussions, ranging in topics from professional development to women in combat. Guest

Ramstein Airmen join team in Iraq

Six takeoffs. Six landings. Twelve hours. All in a day's work for aircrew members of the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron taking on the mission known as the "pain train." "It's called the pain train because there's just 30 minutes between each stop," said Capt. Robin Cadow, 737th EAS pilot. "At

Tactical airlift initiatives further Air Force's total force integration

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced four proposed initiatives Oct. 31 concerning C-130 Hercules tactical airlift, each of which furthers the service's vision for a seamless total force. The initiatives, which would impact communities in Tennessee, New York, Georgia and

Children of fallen troops honored at remembrance ceremonies

Ten children of servicemembers killed during the war on terrorism were honored for their sacrifices on behalf of the nation at ceremonies here and in Iraq Oct. 29. At the Russell Senate Office Building last evening, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen and Army Chief of

CSI Honduras: JSF teaches crime scene processing to Honduran police

The joint security forces unit here hosted 70 local police officers and police academy students Oct. 24 and 26 for a course on crime scene processing. The course is one in a series of classes taught this year, with other lessons involving handcuff procedures, high-risk traffic stops and riot

Father pins Distinguished Flying Cross on son

A pilot from the 510th Fighter Squadron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross here Oct. 29 for his aerial combat support of friendly forces in the vicinity of An Najaf, Iraq, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from a local training mission over the Dolomite Mountains,

Industry, academic leaders pool brainpower to address IED threat

The head of the Defense Department's counter-improvised explosive device effort challenged some of the best minds in industry, academia, the national laboratories and the military to come up with better ways to thwart these deadly weapons. Retired Army Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, director of the Joint

Officials offer programs for domestic violence awareness

While stress is not the sole cause, it can be a major contributor to domestic violence among Air Force members and their families, according to Air Force family advocacy experts. In 2006, there were 3,914 reports of domestic abuse involving Airmen as either the victim or offender. Of those, 50

Firefighting aircrews face unique challenges

The military crews in the planes dropping fire retardant on wildfire flames in southern California face hazards and challenges unique to their humanitarian mission. First is the low altitude at which they fly and the sudden, violent updrafts and downdrafts caused by the heat of the fire. Factor in

Randolph Airmen pay respects to fallen Soldier

Hundreds of Airmen, Air Force civilians, and their family members lined both sides of the main street here Oct. 26 to pay their respects to a Soldier killed in Iraq. U.S. Army Spc. Vincent A. Madero, 22, died Oct .17 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated

Anti-terrorism office helps Balad Airmen stay safe

With terrorists and extremists trying their hardest to shake the drive and fortitude of deployed Airmen, this two-man shop, by thinking like an adversary, turns a possible terrorist success story, into another notch in the belt of prevention. Such is the duty and responsibility of the 332nd Air

Vandenberg firefighters extend helping hand

Vandenberg Air Force Base firefighters answered the call for help in the Southern California area as more than 26 fires that have burned more than 1,800 homes and 550,000 acres in late October.  In a whirlwind of smoke, flame and ash, more than 1,800 homes and 550,000 acres have burned, but

Lifesaving training

Airmen practice water rescue

Part of participating in a local operational readiness exercise is practicing skills and tactics that many hope they never have to use. Such was the case when a water survival and rescue exercise was conducted Oct. 24 by members of Kadena Air Base, Japan, off the coast of Okinawa as part of  local

Air Force moving hybrid battalion into Darfur

Air Force members are providing airlift support to the Rwandan military, moving United Nations armored personnel carriers, Rwandan soldiers, food, medicine and equipment in and out of the Darfur region Oct. 24.The Rwandan battalion is one of two working as the United Nations-African Union Hybrid

Manas medics participate in professional exchange

The Manas Air Base surgical team visited the Kyrgyz Republic national surgical center to donate training supplies and other usable items and see local doctors perform surgical cases Oct. 24. "We have excess supplies we gave them to use in training and some for their practices," said Maj. Karla

Airmen, Marines team up for Djibouti humanitarian mission

Smiles and laughter filled the air as Airmen and Marines provided live entertainment, toys and water to the residents of Nagad village Oct. 23 in Djibouti. Nagad was the site of a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa civil affairs engagement, teaming Airmen of the U.S. Central Air Forces'

Buddy Wing Program teams up U.S., Korean Airmen

Pilots and maintainers from the 80th Fighter Squadron participated in a Buddy Wing Program exercise Oct. 23 to 25 at Jungwon Air Base, South Korea. The Buddy Wing program is a way for U.S. Air Force and South Korea air force members to develop teamwork, exchange ideas and improve tactics. "It's very

Hill volunteers recover long-missing Phantom

An Air Force recovery team scaled a mountain peak just shy of 9,000 feet on the Utah-Nevada border Oct. 17  to recover pieces of an F-4 Phantom. The aricraft crashed into the Deep Creek Mountains on the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Indian Reservation nearly 30 years ago. The crash claimed the

Mobile surgical team trains under cover of darkness

In the middle of a seemingly deserted field shrouded in darkness, a once vacant spot of grass became home to a fully functioning operating room Oct. 18 here. Under the cover of night, using little more than flashlights and carefully coordinated teamwork, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element's

Service demographics offer snapshot of force

The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force, as of Sept. 30. More information can be found at the center's analysis branch website: http://wwa.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics/. Statistics are

Space Command welcomes new leader

"Space capabilities have shaped the American way of warfare in the 21st century, just like airpower did in the 20th," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler as he assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here Oct. 24 presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.

Kabul Airman brings gifts, smiles to local children

Thanks to the efforts of an Airman deployed to Kabul International Airport and supporters back in the United States, 47 local youth soccer players are now a little better equipped.Master Sgt. William Whitt, a fuels mentor with the Air Corps Advisors Group here, worked with his wife, Lea-Ellen Whitt,

Air Force Reserve unit deploys to fight California fires

Two Air Force Reserve Command firefighting C-130 Hercules aircraft left Oct. 23 to help battle the raging wildfires in Southern California. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, requested Department of Defense assistance in fighting the fires which put the wheels in motion for the

Airmen help Afghans stand up flight medicine clinic

Like many Airmen around the world, Maj. Mical Kupke's day starts with a brief meeting to plan out the day's events. But that's where the similarity ends. The flight surgeon and her team's day involves mentoring members of the Afghan national army air corps in the field of flight medicine and

Airmen deploy to Kunsan to practice medical skills

More than 60 reservists from the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., along with 4th and 10th Air Force members and two instructors from Brooks City-Base, Texas, deployed to Kunsan Air Base to build an expeditionary medical system theater hospital facility in late October.The Airmen

Leaders unveil new partnership for acquisition

Air Force Materiel Command officials here and acquisition professionals at the Pentagon have recently formed a new partnership to overcome weapon-system acquisition challenges, according to senior Air Force leaders.Sue C. Payton, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and Gen.

Airmen support space shuttle launch

Members of the 45th Space Wing here supported NASA's successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery Oct. 23 from Space Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center on the 23rd mission to the International Space Station. The wing's support included providing weather forecasts, helping organize and train

Medics provide care in Honduran villages

Airmen and Soldiers from the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element provided care for residents of seven Honduran villages Oct. 19 and 20, with aid ranging from preventative medicine to dental procedures. Overall, this medical readiness training mission, or MEDRETE, educated 785 Hondurans on

Wargame explores Air Force options for 2030

While exercising the strategic proverb of a legendary 16th Century samurai warrior, 130 military strategists and planners gathered here Oct. 14 through 19 to explore future Air Force constructs based on technologies and concepts of the year 2030. Miyamoto Musashi stressed the importance of making

Officials select 14 Airmen for physician assistant training

Air Force officials selected 14 Airmen to attend the Tri-Service (Phase I) Physician Assistant Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The September 2007 Physician Assistant Board met at the Air Force Personnel Center here to consider 47 applicants. In addition to those selected to attend training, the

Program encourages scientific collaborations

As panel members convene for the organization's 50th annual meeting, a five-nation program geared toward collaboration in defense science and technology is looking at its past and charting its future, a senior Defense Department official said. Andre van Tilborg, deputy undersecretary of defense for

A Sunday unlike any other

Capt. Dennis Hargis will never forget Oct. 14, and it's likely those whose lives he saved won't either. The 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10 pilot from San Antonio was mere days away from the end of his six-month deployment here when he received the call that nearby friendly troops were in

'Today's Air Force' features the MQ-9 Reaper

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the Air Force's newest unmanned aerial vehicle, the MQ-9 Reaper. Also featured is the ongoing operation that protects America's skies, Noble Eagle. Finally, get an inside look into raising and training military working dogs. The 30-minute, weekly

Air Force assists in Darfur troop movement

Airmen from the 786th Air Expeditionary Squadron, along with two C-17 Globemaster IIIs and aircrews from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., provided airlift for 400 Rwandan soldiers Oct. 20 who are supporting the African Union peacekeeping mission in the Darfur region of Sudan. This is the seventh

Australians train to save lives on C-17

Five Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, showed 11 members of the Royal Australian Air Force's Health Services Wing how the Air Force uses the C-17 Globemaster III for medical evacuations. Medical teams use mobile equipment during aeromedical evacuation to

Seminar delivers 'transfusion' to senior Air Force executives

The Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center's four-day Senior Executive Seminar held here delivered a "blue-blood transfusion" to civilian executives Oct. 9 through 12. Targeted at senior Air Force civilians not familiar with today's doctrine issues, the course indoctrinated 16

Military working dog dies defending freedom

When warriors deploy together to fight the war on terrorism, one doesn't imagine coming home without his partner, but a Robins Air Force Base NCO had to.Staff Sgt. Marcus Reaves, a military working dog handler in the 78th Security Forces Squadron's military working dog section here, was deployed to

Air Force retiree funerals change due to manpower cuts

Base honor guards across the Air Force will be changing the way they perform retiree funerals starting Nov. 1 due to manpower cuts and high operations tempo as well as a higher number of retiree funerals than ever in Air Force history. The formal 10-person funeral will no longer be authorized for

Chief McKinley visits Robins, discusses Air Force priorities

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley traveled to Robins Air Force Base Oct. 11 and spoke with Airmen throughout the base. Chief McKinley met with several base units and told enlisted Airmen that the Air Force has a vision and that includes helping Airmen be better prepared to win

Joint team helps build Afghan air corps

As the Afghan national army air corps begins to spread its wings and take to the air, a group of U.S. servicemembers are by their side, mentoring and advising them every step of the way. Almost 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are working alongside their Afghan counterparts as part of the

Bagram Airmen directly support 72-hour battle

During the last week of September, crews of the 774th Expeditionary Air Squadron conducted one of the largest series of air drop operations in Afghanistan's history, getting nearly 150 tons of food, water and ammunition to coalition troops in the field. However, excitement at the accomplishment

German general strengthens partnership with U.S.

During a 10-day visit to the U.S., the commander of the German air force training command said he wanted to strengthen the German-U.S. military partnership. Brig. Gen. Gerd Bischof visited German trainees stationed at several U.S. locations Oct. 7 to 16, and received tours and briefings that

Eielson's last A-10 carried on final flight

The last Eielson Air Force Base A-10 Thunderbolt II was strapped in and transported via C-5 Galaxy Oct. 6 from here to its new home at the Museum of Aviation Flight and Technology Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.The aircraft, tail number 75-0305, was being used for weapons ground training at

Total force Airmen participate in Chilean exercise

Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Airmen from across the Southwest came together Oct 15 to 19 in Iquique, Chile, to participate in WILLKA, Chile's first exercise with their new F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-5 Freedom Fighters and the U.S. Air Force.Approximately 130 Airmen will train with their

Misawa partners with city for disaster exercise

Emergency responders from the city of Misawa and Misawa Air Base came to the rescue to a simulated earthquake in Misawa City Oct. 14. The Disaster Preparation Exercise held at the Ice Arena in Misawa City prepared first responders in the city and on the base in the event of an actual earthquake.

Air Force doctors train Pakistanis in battlefield surgery

Air Force medical professionals are part of an ongoing defense mission to teach their international military counterparts the latest combat-related surgical techniques. A five-person team of Air Force doctors recently returned from Rawalpind, Pakistan, after teaching a five-day course to Pakistani

Spirits set to soar over Pacific

B-2 Spirits recently deployed here from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., are scheduled to fly their first missions over Guam in mid October as part of a continued bomber presence in the Pacific region. The B-2s are at Andersen AFB to enhance regional security, demonstrate the nation's commitment to the

Training helps Elmendorf Airman save man's life

He did what his training taught him to do, he said."I was at my desk and I overheard some co-workers talking about someone in a room having a heart attack," said Master Sgt. Robert Campbell, the 3rd Services Squadron NCO in charge of Lodging at Elmendorf Air Force Base's North Star Inn. The

Chain of successes leads to Reaper operations

The new MQ-9 Reaper has flown daily missions over Afghanistan since late September.The 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron, in the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Wing, comprises the team of program managers, functional supporters, testers and logisticians who were behind the team effort of getting the

Geospatial system development team honored

A team that developed a system that allows users at North American Aerospace Command and U.S. Northern Command to quickly and easily access detailed geospatial data has been selected to receive the 2007 United States Geospatial Foundation's achievement award in the military category. The four

Air mobility leaders rally for combat success

Nearly 130 air mobility leaders gathered here Oct. 10 to 12 for Phoenix Rally -- a three-day, focused look at Air Mobility Command's priorities, roles and missions. "The global reach delivered by air mobility forces truly is America's bridge to combat success," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the AMC

Latest doctrine signed on foreign internal defense

The latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2-3.1, Foreign Internal Defense, has been approved by Maj. Gen. Allen G. Peck, Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center commander.Although Air Force officials can perform foreign internal defense, or FID, across the range of military

Awards shine spotlight on Air Force's best, brightest

The efforts of the best and the brightest scientists, technicians and engineers were honored at the Air Force Scientist & Engineer and Science & Technology Awards ceremony that took place here Oct. 4.Among the award winners was 2nd Lt. Robert Bethancourt, recognized for his outstanding contributions

Camera action, 3-D program promote DOD safety

When the Secretary of Defense called for a 75 percent reduction in mishaps throughout the Department of Defense in May, two Air Force Materiel Command bases answered the call. Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is serving as lead installation for the DOD Safety and Occupational Health Council, or DSOC,

Researchers fine-tune F-35 pilot-aircraft speech system

When the first F-35 Lightning II rolls out in 2008, communications between pilot and aircraft will enter a new era thanks in part to testing and analysis conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate. The F-35 will be the first U.S. fighter aircraft with a speech

Security forces Airmen receive cognitive function screening

Inbound members of Det. 3, 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, became the first "in-lieu-of" Airmen in the Air Force to be evaluated for cognitive functioning before their deployment to a combat environment. The purpose of the Automated Neuro-Psychological Assessment Metric 4 is to collect

Mobility Operations School introduces new maintenance simulator

The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School begins its first classroom use of the new Aircraft Maintenance Production Simulator, or AMPS, in October for its Maintenance Supervision and Production Course, or MSPC. The AMPS is a conversion and upgrade of the Aircraft

Air Force officials release new annual training plan details

Air Force leaders have released the details about the new annual training requirements program for the Total Force. As of Oct. 15, all Airmen will use the new "block instruction" plan that combines nine ancillary training courses into three 30-minute blocks of training, saving more than 6 million

JTF-Bravo runs 388 miles in remembrance of POW/MIAs

Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors here completed a remembrance run Oct. 12 in honor of prisoners of war and those missing in action. Approximately 170 runners took part in the 24-hour ceremony held at the base track. Laps were completed with each runner carrying a baton and reflecting on the sacrifice of

First Mach flight propels Yeager, Air Force into history

It was just another test mission for Capt. Chuck Yeager. Captain Yeager arrived at Muroc Air Force Base, Calif., the morning of Oct. 14, 1947, for what would be his ninth powered flight piloting the Bell X-1. Each of the previous flights demonstrated incremental speed increases as the aircraft

Airmen visit schools as part of Air Force Week Atlanta

They came from the air. They came with spinning rifles. They came showing the best they have to offer. Air Force Week Atlanta continued Oct. 9 through 11 as Airmen traveled to three Atlanta-area schools to show students from Marietta, Etowah and Lovejoy high schools what the Air Force is all about.

CENTAF commander meets with Airmen in Afghanistan

The commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces visited with 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen here and at Kandahar Airfield Oct. 8. Lt. Gen. Gary North also used the visit to Afghanistan to view the newest addition to the Air Force's close-air-support inventory -- the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial

New Iraqi air force continues to grow

The Coalition Air Force Transition Team, 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron, is continuing its efforts to populate the new Iraqi air force. A combined graduation was held Oct. 10 for four Iraqi air force maintenance officers, five maintenance supervisors, eight fuels supervisors and 54 enlisted

Former Doolittle Raider passes away

Former Lt. Nolan A. Herndon, a member of the famed Doolittle Raiders, died of pneumonia Oct. 8 at the age of 88. The lieutenant was a navigator-bombardier on one of the B-25 bombers that took off from an aircraft carrier on April 18, 1942, to strike targets in Japan. Led by Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle,

Combat search and rescue training

AFSOC Airman readies for rugby's wrath

The grass feels soft on your face as you lay there peacefully, until suddenly, someone's cleat-covered foot scrapes down your unprotected side, awakening you to the game in which you find yourself--that game is rugby, and it's no flag football game. No stranger to the game, 2nd Lt. Daniel Griffin,

Robins officer makes a splash with Air Force swim team

When not crunching numbers as a budget analyst, one Air Force first lieutenant is busy making a splash in the pool. Ryan Fitzgerald, former team captain for the Air Force Academy swim team was recently selected for the Air Force swim team. Fitzgerald, who specialized in long distance events, is a

Deployed unit turns fuel into freedom

Members of the 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here are supporting the war on terrorism with their fleet of more than 20 KC-135 Stratotankers. During the past four months, members of the 340th AMU supported more than 3,200 sorties, which provided 107 million pounds of fuel to more than 14,000

Air Force week showcases Tops In Blue Airmen

The Air Force's Heritage to Horizons motto took on a musical twist as the Air Force's premier entertainment group performed in front of 1,000 Georgians Oct. 9 at the Mableton Amphitheater here. The Airmen of Tops In Blue serenaded the Peach State audience as part of Air Force Week Atlanta to

DCFACC talks airpower, Airmen

The mobility machine came to the forefront again just as recently as Airmen assigned to Air and Space Expeditionary Forces 7 and 8 rotated out of the theater and AEFs 9 and 10 came in. According to Maj. Gen. Maury Forsyth, deputy combined forces air component commander, the transition was seamless.

Interest in space wanes despite America's space dependency

Too many Americans feel the "dark void" above them is of little consequence, but nothing is further from the truth warned one congressman during the Space Education Symposium held by Air University's National Space Studies Center in Montgomery, Ala., in September. In a video presentation at the

Expeditionary entertainers need musicians for 2008 tour

Every year, Tops In Blue brings smooth choreography, flashy costumes and great singers to audiences across the world with help from a group of performers who cause toes to tap at every show. The group, a live 10-piece band, sets Tops In Blue apart from other touring shows and keeps the pulse of the

Air Force meets, exceeds recruiting goals for eighth year

The Air Force met its active-duty enlisted recruiting goal for the eighth year in a row and exceeded its chaplain and Officer Training School accession goals for fiscal 2007. "I'm proud of our highly professional recruiting force, who continue to exemplify the Air Force core values of integrity,

B-2s deploy to Guam

Four B-2 Spirits from the 393rd Bomb Squadron, deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., arrived here Oct. 7 as part of a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap

Airmen train for Wideband Global SATCOM

Five Airmen from the 3rd Space Operations Squadron here were the first to finish training recently for the Wideband Global SATCOM system, which is scheduled to launch Oct. 9. Wideband Global SATCOM, or WGS, is the successor to the Defense Satellite Communications System and will offer 12 times the

Airlifters deliver the goods

To keep troops off the road is an important consideration in the war on terrorism. One way to keep more troops off the road is with airdrop operations. Recently, Airmen from the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron used two C-130 Hercules aircraft to drop 31 Container Delivery System bundles over a

Total force tanker operation comes to Andersen

Airmen here are used to seeing tanker units come and go, but this time a deployed contingent of aerial refueling specialists from Ohio are here to stay for about two months instead of the usual two or three weeks. "We want to fully integrate with the 36th Wing and be a part of team Andersen," said

Kunsan receives upgraded fighters

The 8th Fighter Wing received its initial group of Block 40 F-16 Fighting Falcons here this week under the Common Configuration Implementation Program. The aircraft arrival marked the first group of upgraded F-16s flown to Korea. The aircraft were flown here from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, by

Basic trainees begin to receive ABUs

A huge step in the Air Force's transformation to the Airman battle uniform occurred Oct. 3 at the basic training equipment issue at Lackland Air Force Base. The trainees who entered the door at the uniform facility this week got a little something different in their duffel bags than the previous

Rescue Flight crew makes toughest save of careers

When a rescue team that's been saving lives for more than a decade calls one rescue "by far the toughest," you know it's time to sit up and listen, they've got a story to tell. The life-saving men of the 36th Rescue Flight performed the memorable rescue Oct. 1. Over the course of that evening and

Iraqi air force flying training school opens at Kikuk

The Iraqi air force flying training school opened its doors Oct. 1 and began to train Iraqi aviators with the assistance of American Airmen. The planning for the school has been in the works for approximately two years and is all part of the plan to return Kirkuk Air Base back to the Iraqi air

Today's finest teach tomorrow's pilots

Three local children diagnosed with serious illnesses suited up and jumped into the cockpit of an F-15 Eagle during the "Pilot for a Day" event here Oct. 2. The 95th Fighter Squadron hosted the children and their families for a fun-filled event allowing them to experienced a day in the life of an

Airmen test their limits at autocross

Airmen were able to put the pedal to the metal and the rubber to the road at the third annual Nellis Airmen Autocross event held Sept. 29 to 30 on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. More than 1,300 Airmen from Nellis and Creech Air Force bases attended the two-day autocross, which offered three main

Balad medic takes 'fit-to-fight' to extremes for charity

Fitness training is vital for Airmen to be prepared to meet the physical challenges of being deployed. An Airman here has taken physical fitness to a new level by using it to help others. Senior Airman Brendan Brustad, with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group, is preparing for a 100-mile marathon

Team re-engineers network environment

What was a maze of 35 antiquated routers, switches and load balancers used to direct millions of e-mails each day is now a streamlined set of seven all-in-one nodes that saves time, money and resources. "It's like trading in your Chevy truck for a BMW," said Capt. Drew Masur, a network and boundary

Officials complete transfer of two more California bases

With the closure of six major Air Force installations in California by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, the state has been going through a tremendous transformation since 1988. That is when it was announced that Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino would close. In 1993, March AFB in

Air Force helicopter crew rescues man injured in wilderness

A helicopter crew dispatched from the 36th Rescue Flight here successfully rescued a 77-year-old man critically injured Oct. 2 in the Selway Wilderness near Mink Peak, Idaho. At approximately 5 p.m. Oct. 1, members of the 36th RQF dispatched a UH-1N Huey to the coordinates provided via satellite

General Corley takes command of ACC

Gen. John D.W. Corley assumed the reins of Air Combat Command from Gen. Ronald E. Keys Oct. 2 in a ceremony here. "Today we transition Air Combat Command from one great American to another," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff. "I'm proud to be able to hand over the watch to

Double deck aircraft mockup aids firefighting research

Responding to operational challenges posed by the new generation of large double deck aircraft, Air Force Research Laboratory engineers here have developed a mockup to research how to best fight fires and save lives in the event of a crash. The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Airbase

Some NCOs may apply to reenter old career fields

 Air Force officials here are offering some active duty staff, technical and master sergeants the opportunity to reenter previously held career fields now in demand, provided they apply by Oct. 31. The Air Force initiated the fiscal 2008 NCO Limited Reclassification program due to unexpected