C-17s airlift Qatari mobile hospital to Pakistan

An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transported a Qatari mobile hospital to Pakistan in support of earthquake relief operations Oct. 15. Airmen loaded seven Qatari soldiers and 90,000 pounds of cargo on the aircraft, and flew to Islamabad, Pakistan. The group included two medics, two drivers and three

Airmen help with Guatemala relief

Nine Airmen from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, deployed here as part of a Joint Task Force-Bravo team supporting Hurricane Stan relief operations in this Central American country. The hurricane, which hit the country Oct. 4, caused massive flooding and land slides and displaced thousands of people.

Antarctica Deep Freeze mission resumes

One of the most difficult Air Force missions -- Operation Deep Freeze -- is about to resume. Deep Freeze is the Air Force’s resupply mission for the National Science Foundation and U.S. Antarctica operations. Aircrews from the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard stopped at here on their

First F/A-22 deployment is for training

The Raptors are leaving the nest for their first deployment. Nearly 170 Airmen left here Oct. 15 on a two-week deployment to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. This may sound like a run-of-the-mill temporary duty assignment. But for the Langley Airmen, it is far from a typical out-of-town operation. It is

Air Force, small business specialists top Defense awards

The Air Force is the top performing major defense agency in the Department of Defense Small Business Program for fiscal 2004, defense officials said. Also, two Air Force small business professionals earned awards, rounding out the top honors for the Air Force. The recognition is the highest DOD

Air Force continues Pakistan aid

The Air Force continues to provide humanitarian aid to Pakistan after it suffered a 7.6 magnitude earthquake Oct. 8. Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs, KC-10 Extenders and C-130 Hercules aircraft have transported more than 630,000 pounds of humanitarian relief, including food, tents, cots, medical

General McNabb takes command of AMC

Gen. Duncan J. McNabb took command of Air Mobility Command during a ceremony here Oct. 14. During the ceremony, the general discussed the importance of the command now and in the future. "It has been six years since I left here as commander of the (Tanker Airlift Control Center)," said General

Lifesaving trauma team provides care within one hour of injuries

Should deployed troops need on the spot surgery, there is a five-person mobile forward surgical team on standby, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice to help them. The team -- an MFST -- can deploy in 24 to 48 hours. It is the smallest forward-deployable surgical team that can do field surgery. The

Blood donations still in high demand

The U.S. military always needs blood in war zones and now, more than ever, it is depending on troops at stateside bases to donate. That is because troops that deploy “down range” cannot donate blood for one year after they return home, said Maj. Julie Zwies, officer in charge of the Expeditionary

Air Force continues aid to Pakistan

Oct. 12 marked the fourth straight day the Air Force airlifted aid into the devastated region of Pakistan. Four U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and two C-130 Hercules aircraft transported more than 408,000 pounds, including more than 60 pallets loaded with supplies like tents, cots and

Globemasters deliver more relief aid

A huge C-17 Globemaster III delivered more relief supplies here Oct. 11 that will go help victims in this country’s earthquake-devastated region. The C-17 and its crew of five, from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, flew in approximately 50 tons of food and shelter equipment.

AMC assists initial earthquake response

The Air Force deployed more than 45 members from the 621st Contingency Response Wing here to Islamabad, Pakistan Oct. 10 in the wake of a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck the country Oct. 8. Members of 621st Contingency Response Group Element deployed to support humanitarian airlift operations

Airlift honored

AFMC air logistics centers garner Shingo Prize

Industry leaders recognized Air Force Materiel Command's three air logistics centers for their practical implementation of Lean Transformation practices, ensuring America's warfighters success on the job. Lean is a methodology designed to create value, eliminate waste and allow an organization to

'Gateway to Europe' ends 60-year airlift legacy

Although 60 years of airlift legacy came to a close, the “spirit” of this base will endure. The long-time airlift hub closed during an Oct. 10 ceremony attended by U.S. and German dignitaries. A C-17 Globemaster III bearing the name “Spirit of Rhein-Main” was unveiled by Lt. Gen. Christopher Kelly,

DOD begins earthquake relief efforts

Department of Defense officials announced Oct. 10 that Navy Rear Adm. Michael Lefever will establish a humanitarian coordination center in Islamabad, Pakistan. Admiral Lefever will coordinate Defense Department support to the State Department, other U. S. government agencies and to the Pakistan

Airmen deliver first relief supplies to Pakistan

The first relief supplies from the United States arrived here on a C-17 Globemaster III less that 48 hours after the devastating earthquake that left thousands dead and injured. The C-17 and its crew, from the 7th Airlift Squadron, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., delivered 12 pallets -- almost 90,000

Edwards, DARPA explore new C-17 capability

Soaring 6,000 feet above the sun-baked California desert, a pair of Edwards aircraft -- a C-17 Globemaster III shadowed by a C-12 Huron observer aircraft -- carried out an unusual mission with an even more unusual cargo recently. The rear of the aircraft yawned open, and at the prompt of "five,

Moseley: C-17 'worth weight in gold' in Pacific

Basing C-17 Globemaster IIIs in Hawaii will boost Pacific Air Force’s airlift capabilities in the region, the Air Force chief of staff said Oct. 6. Gen. T. Michael Moseley said with the huge transports flying out of Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command

Cope Thunder exercise begins

Cope Thunder 06-1 participants are using the 62,000 square miles of airspace at this remote base to “fly, fight and win” during Pacific Air Force’s premier combat airpower exercise. The two-week exercise, which will run through Oct. 21, is the command’s largest air combat training exercise,

Reserve wing welcomes change to flying mission

The 445th Airlift Wing received its first of 11 C-5 Galaxy aircraft Oct. 3. Air Force Reserve Command wings do not change aircraft very often, and the 445th AW is no exception, having flown C-141 Starlifters since the wing’s activation Oct. 1, 1994. All that will soon be history. The C-141s are

A-10 phase dock keeps OEF frequent flyers flying

A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft here flew 500 sorties in September over Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Direct close-air support missions accounted for 380 of those sorties. Whether supporting ground troops in the war or conducting a training mission at their home station, A-10

Web-based system changes how orders are processed

Individual mobilization augmentees have a new way to get military orders through a Web-based system. Air Reserve Order Writing System-Reserve, which began Oct. 1, allows IMAs to initiate the orders process from any computer worldwide. Units can start using the system as early as Nov. 1, said Air

Intel officer assumes command of Air Intelligence Agency

A career intelligence officer assumed command Oct. 6 of the Air Force organization charged with providing information warfare capabilities to air component and joint force commanders around the world. Maj. Gen. John C. Koziol became the 28th commander of the Air Intelligence Agency and Joint

Total force proves beneficial to hurricane recovery

More than 6,900 active-duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen supported Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief operations, proving that the total-force concept works, said the Air Force chief of staff here recently. “America’s Air Force answered the call for emergency assistance in this crisis,” said Gen. T.

USAFE, Rwandan security forces protect airlift mission

A joint U.S. and Rwandan security forces team is keeping the people and aircraft supporting humanitarian operations here safe. Sixteen Airmen with the 786th Security Forces Squadron from Sembach Air Base, Germany, and six Airmen with the 435th SFS at Ramstein AB, Germany, are working with Rwandan

Capability assessment helps AF prepare for future

Air Force leaders use a future capabilities assessment to assist in planning for 2025 and beyond. More than 100 participants from the Air Force's planning, operations, research and development communities gathered Oct. 4 in Herndon, Va., to play out scenarios that may threaten the United States in

Air Force named executive agent for Katrina-related funds

In a recent memorandum, defense officials named the Air Force as the executive agent for Hurricane Katrina funding. As the executive agent, Air Force officials will ensure services within the Department of Defense are reimbursed for expenses incurred while providing Hurricane Katrina relief support,

U.S. delivering F-15s to South Korea Air Force

The two newest F-15 Eagles off the Boeing production line in St. Louis are on their way to South Korea. South Korea Air Force officials purchased 40 fighters from Boeing for $4.2 billion, and the first two stopped here Oct. 2 on their way to Seoul. “We have been coordinating with Pacific Air Forces

407th ECES brings boxes together, expands clinic

The magazine selection has not changed, but everything else about the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron medical clinic here has. Fifteen Airmen from several occupational specialties came together recently to double the clinic’s work space. Patients now have more privacy during screenings and

USAFE returns African Union troops to Rwanda

Two U.S. Air Forces in Europe C-130 Hercules returned about 80 African Union peacekeepers from the Darfur region of the Sudan on Oct. 2. The AU troops are the first of 200 scheduled to be redeployed by the 86th Air Expeditionary Group from Sudan to Rwanda , following about six months providing

Cutting-edge communications essential in emergency response

Communication is like water, heat or air conditioning -- it is virtually invisible when the system is operating smoothly. No one notices it unless it stops. While most military communications technicians understand that attitude and generally stay out of the spotlight, the Incident Commanders,

Returning crews brave thunderstorms, land safely

It is the stuff movies are made from: A thunderstorm wall as high as 45,000 feet and two aircraft -- one with limited radar coverage -- 100 miles from their intended course. After unloading 70 passengers and their cargo at El-Fashir airstrip in Darfur on Sept. 30 as part of the African Union

Air Force posthumously awards Bronze Star

An Air Force chaplain’s assistant was posthumously recognized in a Brewer, Maine, ceremony Sept. 27 for his participation in a Korean War airlift that saved nearly 1,000 orphans. Staff Sgt. Merle Y. Strang played a key part in evacuating orphans from war-torn Seoul, South Korea, to the safer

Rhein-Main mission ends, but not its legacy

Bob Keffer is looking for work again. But at age 70, he knows it won’t be easy.But he has no choice. There is no future for him at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany -- outside Frankfurt -- where he worked for the past 31 years. The base closes this year.Still, he’s optimistic. If he can just find a

Dividends from OEF, OIF pay off for medics in Katrina aftermath

The Air Force Medical Service’s response to Operation Katrina drew from a process that began in Operation Enduring Freedom, broadened in volume in Operation Iraqi Freedom and paid dividends in the huge military medical response to a devastating domestic disaster, the Air Force surgeon general

Air Commandos build bonds with African country

A select team of combat aviation advisors from the 6th Special Operations Squadron here recently deployed to the edge of the Sahara desert to train with the fledgling Niger Air Force.Because the 6th SOS has been to Niger numerous times, the air commandos understand how to adapt to living and working

Air Force engineers get regional airport up, running

Two Airmen with the 147th Civil Engineer Flight here provided critical support to the Southeast Texas Regional Airport by restoring power to the facility after it was disabled by Hurricane Rita.Senior Master Sgt. Michelle Milliard, the engineer flight noncommissioned officer in charge, along with

Reservists reducing hurricane-born insects

Hurricane Katrina did more than claim lives and destroy property. The deadliest storm in U.S. history flooded acres of land with standing water, providing a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes and filth flies.To counter a mass increase in mosquitoes in the Gulf Coast region, Air Force reservists

C-141 approaches historical conclusion as last flight nears

Since its first flight Dec. 17, 1963, the C-141 Starlifter has enjoyed a prestigious history.The last chapter of that history will be written in October when the Air Force's last C-141 unit, the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, starts replacing its Starlifters with the

C-141 flies last mission from combat zone

For the last time in its long career, a C-141 Starlifter aircraft will fly military patients out of a war zone Sept. 30.The flight from Iraq will end a five-day mission to the Middle East for the airlift plane from the 445th Airlift Wing here. The aircraft first started airlifting the sick and

Relief supplies, people continue arriving at Ellington Field

More than 100 tons of relief supplies have left this airfield for hurricane-affected Gulf Coast areas via CH-47 Chinook helicopters since Sept. 24. The airfield, which is the central hub for Texas relief operations, is home to the 147th Fighter Wing and its fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. Wing

Air Force national museum adds ‘Wild Weasel’ exhibit

An exhibit commemorating the accomplishments of the "Wild Weasels" during the Vietnam War was unveiled recently at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.The exhibit contains an F-105G "Thunderchief" aircraft; an SA-2 surface-to-air missile and launcher; items such as maps, flight gear, helmets,

Predators fly first four-ship sorties

The latest upgrade to the MQ-1 Predator, known as the Multi-Aircraft Control, or MAC system, entered operational testing with the first two-ship and four-ship Predator sorties being flown over a four-day period.Testers performed two-ship sorties Sept. 12 and 13 and progressed to four-ship sorties

Rescue teams switch to stand-by mode

Search-and-rescue aircrews here will fly as needed, but are no longer launching on pre-planned missions to find victims of Hurricane Rita, officials said Sept. 26.The changes come as four HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters moved from here to Ellington Field, near Houston. They also will be on stand-by

All-female combat crew takes it in stride

A crew of six Airmen at a forward deployed location climbed aboard a C-130 Hercules together recently for the first time in their careers. But something distinguished this mission from others they had flown --it was the first time an all-female C-130 crew flew a combat mission. Capt. Carol

Airmen stand ready in wake of Hurricane Rita

Approximately 800 Air Force people, 91 aircraft and 31 equipment packages with a variety of capabilities have actively supported Hurricane Rita response efforts, or continue to stand ready to do so.Pararescue teams with the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and

Guard unit supports hurricane relief operations at Ellington

Hurricane Katrina relief operations had just slowed down when Airmen with the 136th Tanker Airlift Control Element had to quickly pack their bags to support another hurricane relief operation -- this time in their home state.The 10-person TALCE team and 26 Airmen from the 136th Aerial Port Squadron

McGuire unit returns from Hurricane Rita mission

Twenty members of McGuire Air Force Base’s 621st Contingency Response Wing deployed to Beaumont, Texas, Sept. 22 to assist hurricane evacuation efforts for more than 1,900 people at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport.During the vital few hours the Airmen were on the ground, they helped move about

Ellington Field ramps up for relief operations

Airmen who rode out Hurricane Rita at Ellington Field -- near Galveston -- left shelters there to set up an airlift hub to help storm relief efforts.The 147th Fighter Wing cleaned up storm debris Sept. 24 hours after the storm passed through. And by the time the weather cleared enough for flight

President Bush monitors 'Rita' from U.S. Northern Command

President George W. Bush arrived here Sept. 23 to keep a personal watch on Hurricane Rita from U.S. Northern Command headquarters where military support for the storm is being coordinated.The president received a series of briefings from NORTHCOM troops concerning the hurricane’s progress.President

ROVERs aid in search and rescue

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, local recovery authorities needed helping seeing what was happening on the ground. That is when Airmen brought in ROVER, the Air Force’s cutting edge combat technology to the table, to support combined rescue operations. The Remote Operations Video Enhanced Receiver

Lessons learned aid preparation for Hurricane Rita

With Airmen still working recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina, the Air Force prepares for the second major hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast in just over three weeks.Lessons were learned from Hurricane Katrina, and the Air Force wasted no time in implementing them.Airlift aircraft and helicopters

Lackland Airmen among thousands on pre-Rita duty

As Hurricane Rita forces millions to evacuate the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast, Airmen at many bases are ready to join first-response relief operations.The Air Force joins a massive Department of Defense mobilization that will send thousands of troops into areas affected by the hurricane. Defense

Air Force busy before the storm

Waiting for Hurricane Rita is now a national vigil -- but the Air Force has not been idle, waiting for the storm to hit.Instead, it mobilized.Some Airmen moved to locations nearer to where the hurricane will make landfall -- along the Texas-Louisiana border. They need to be close when the order

AMC 'chasing the clock' to move Hurricane Rita evacuees

As a second major hurricane bears down on the Gulf Coast region, Air Mobility Command Airmen are helping evacuate hundreds of people from the path of the storm.Hurricane Rita, a Category 3 storm boasting 125-mph winds, is expected to hit the Texas Gulf Coast in the early morning hours of Sept. 24.On

Rebuilding of Hurricane Hunters' home begins

Reservists from the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., continue flying hurricane tracking missions from their temporary working location at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., while dealing with personal loss suffered from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.Although many of their neighborhoods

Keeping the mission going at home, away

It has been nearly six months since the runway here closed for construction and more than 300 base Airmen “deployed” to Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., to continue the wing’s mission.Since then, a great relationship between the two bases, said Lt. Col. Paul Schultz, the 905th Air Refueling Squadron

Historic C-9 heads to Andrews for retirement

The last remaining active-duty Air Force C-9 Nightingale received a red carpet farewell Sept. 20 when it departed for Andrews Air Force Base, Md.The final C-9, Tail 876 assigned to the 76th Airlift Squadron here, was flown to its new and final resting place at the air museum at Andrews.This

Keesler gets $90 million to repair infrastructure

The Air Force has distributed nearly $90 million to speed repair of the storm-ravaged infrastructure at Keesler Air Force Base.Air Force officials estimate Hurricane Katrina caused nearly $1 billion in damage when it swept across the Gulf Coast facility Aug. 29.“Keesler’s recovery team has done a

Air Force mobilizes for Hurricane Rita

As Hurricane Rita churns through the Gulf of Mexico, the Air Force is mobilizing forces in anticipation of the storm hitting the Texas Gulf Coast.The Category 5 hurricane -- some are already calling it a “monster storm” -- could make landfall near Galveston by late Sept. 23 or early Sept. 24,

Air Force streamlines regional supply system

In a significant reorganization of the Air Force supply system, two logistics support centers will soon replace and assume the responsibilities of five regional supply squadrons.Beginning in April 2006, the Mobility Air Forces Logistics Support Center here will begin handling supply back-shop

Technology for war helps save lives in New Orleans

Night-time flying through the darkened, flooded streets of New Orleans presented unique challenges to rescuers from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crews constantly had to look out for power lines, buildings and other rescue aircraft in the area,

Airmen deliver medicine to Marshall Islands

A C-17 Globemaster III departed here Sept. 17 at 9:17 a.m. for Majuro, Marshall Islands, bringing much-needed supplies and medicine to hospital staff and patients after a fire ravaged the capital city’s hospital. With less than 24 hours of medicine on hand at the city’s only hospital, time was of

Kirkuk unit controls Iraqi sky

The 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron Detachment 1 here provides instantaneous and continuous information superiority by providing commanders and pilots with a real-time view of northern Iraq’s airspace.The detachment’s Airmen give operators at nearby Balad Air Base a key airspace picture,

Fuels team assists in hurricane recovery efforts

Plowing through 5 feet of water and providing fuels assistance to those who request it is not the typical job for an Air Force fuels team, but here they did what needed to be done.A fuels team with the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron left Barksdale Air Force Base, La., on Sept. 1 to assist with

Keesler hospital recovery picks up

Part of the huge medical center at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. -- closed by Hurricane Katrina damage -- could open sooner than base officials estimated less than a week ago.The section, on the hospital’s first floor, could open in as little as two months, said Brig. Gen. (Dr.) James J. Dougherty,

Systems group adds technology to Katrina relief support

While tons of relief supplies are flowing into the Gulf Coast daily, the Operations and Sustainment Systems Group here is shoring up the vital flow of communications to the hurricane-stricken region.Hours after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the group's team of communications, logistics,

Eagle Eyes in action

Two men were spotted at the end of the runway at a nearby Air Force base, one holding a large metal tube on his shoulder and the other with a camera.The incident caused airborne planes from that base to land here at McConnell. The suspicious activity was found not to be credible; however, it was

Vandenberg launches Minuteman III

Vandenberg Airmen successfully conducted the final force development evaluation launch of the year from North Vandenberg Sept. 14 at 1:01 a.m. An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched to ensure the weapon system is operationally effective. Testing the reliability and

Officials to determine course for Keesler Airmen

Officials here should find out soon a more definitive future for the more than 1,200 Airmen trainees from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., who arrived here Sept. 1 after Hurricane Katrina hit their base.Until a decision is made, Airmen will shadow permanent-party Airmen in the career field they are

Recapitalization highlighted at AFA conference

Modernizing and investing in the aircraft inventory and technology is an ongoing process that will never go away, said the Air Force's senior-most civilian and military leaders.During the Air Force Association's 2005 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 12, Air Force Chief

Reserve conducts aerial spray mission over Louisiana

The Air Force Reserve continues to save lives in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath by conducting the first of many aerial spray missions that began Sept. 12 over Louisiana in an attempt to reduce mosquito and filth fly populations.The Department of Defense’s only fixed-wing aerial spray unit, the 910th

ANG offers opportunities for active-duty Airmen

The Air National Guard is one of the components of the Air Force’s total force, and it has openings for Airmen wishing to transition from active duty to part-time military service.“The Air National Guard has been one of the best kept secrets in the Air Force,” said Master Sgt. Sean Strong, an ANG

U-2 aids in Katrina relief

The reconnaissance mission here has long been the cornerstone of providing critical information to commanders worldwide, but after hurricane Katrina that mission has moved much closer to home.For almost two weeks, the 9th Reconnaissance Wing here has supported relief efforts by flying U-2S missions

Keesler helping restore Gulf Coast medical infrastructure

The Air Force joined a unified medical command of local, state and federal agencies aiming to restore primary care services to Mississippi’s ravaged Gulf Coast.The area needs a unified response since Hurricane Katrina crippled its medical infrastructure and scattered many of its health-care

Raptor advances to next phase of acquisition

The F/A-22 Raptor recently finished avionics engineering manufacturing development testing here and surpassed 2,592 flight hours, pushing the aircraft one step closer to taking its place as the premier weapon system of the U.S. Air Force."This mission-avionics testing tied in system effectiveness,

Geren: AF fighting three wars

The Air Force is now fighting three "wars," said the service's senior-most civilian leader. Those three wars are the war on terrorism, the effort to provide disaster relief in the United States, and the push for reform of the Air Force acquisition process, said Pete Geren, acting Secretary of the

Airman views devastated hometown from air

Airmen with the 822nd Security Forces Squadron are used to deploying into war-ravaged regions and securing airfields -- that is their primary mission. But for one of the squadron’s Airmen, the 822nd’s current mission to provide security here in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has been

COMM ensures information gets to rescuers, Air Force

The safety of those stranded in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast could hinge upon 450 Airmen deployed here as part of the 347th Expeditionary Rescue Group and their ability to communicate rapidly and effectively across vast distances.From setting up Internet connections and radio systems to

Air Force medics help Katrina victims locate loved ones

Searching through handwritten passenger manifests and scouring computer databases is not in the usual day’s work for Air Force medics. However, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, medics with the 4th Air Expeditionary Group are doing just that for families separated from loved ones airlifted from

Maintainers keep rescue helicopters flying

As Air Force rescue helicopter aircrews plucked survivors from flooded New Orleans and other Gulf Coast areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina, they drew upon adrenaline to keep going during the 10- to 12-hour missions.However, to keep their HH-60G Pave Hawk aircraft flying, they relied on a

Schriever brings total-force support to Katrina relief

Space experts here are working around the clock to provide space system capabilities to civilian and military agencies, allowing the agencies to save lives and provide food, medicine and clothing to people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Airmen with the 50th Operations Group here provide navigation

97th AEG stands up at Keesler

When the call comes in for an air expeditionary group to deploy, it is usually to a destination with sand, located on foreign soil. Although the sand is still present, this time the group was called to deploy inside the United States -- right at Keesler.The 97th Air Expeditionary Group, comprising

Keesler commander: Don’t count us out

Two weeks after Hurricane Katrina caused $500 million in damages at this training base, it has become a vital staging area for Gulf Coast disaster relief efforts.The base has a new transitional mission supporting relief efforts, said Brig. Gen. William T. Lord, 81st Training Wing commander. And the

International aid continues to arrive at Little Rock

More than 30 international aid flights have landed here, the hub and clearing house for all international aid going to help Hurricane Katrina victims in Louisiana and Mississippi. More the 94 countries and international organizations have offered aid for the hurricane victims, according to a

Riding on empty: Coping with rising gas prices

Master Sgt. Tony Frazier was just doing what anyone else would do when running low on gas -- he went to the gas station, pulled up to the gas pump and filled up his car’s tank. Before he knew it, the price on the pump read $43 and climbing.“I must have looked silly standing there with my mouth open

War veterans care for peacetime victims

Within 48 hours of Hurricane Katrina slamming the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, Capt. Frances Robertson was ready to go save lives.She reported for duty at 6 a.m., realizing the gravity of the situation, and promptly called her mother and asked her to watch her children, warning her it might be several

Air Force reservists fight fires in Idaho

Two specially equipped C-130 Hercules and 29 reservists from here are helping squelch forest fires in Idaho.In the first three days since arriving Sept. 4 in Boise, Idaho, the C-130s and Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command flew 14 sorties and dropped 36,500 gallons of fire retardant supporting of

Edwards' testers 'propel' Hurricane Hunters through Katrina

It has been labeled the greatest disaster in this nation's history by government officials. Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall Aug. 29, has devastated the Gulf Coast and left thousands homeless.As Air Force bases nationwide work to provide immediate aid through airlift, medical support,

Airmen, Soldiers provide hurricane support

Air Force reservists with the 939th Air Refueling Wing here are providing around-the-clock support to airlift the Oregon Army National Guard’s 41st Brigade deploying to the area affected by Hurricane Katrina. Since Sept. 2, the 939th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 83rd Aerial Port Squadron

C-130s to spray for insects in states affected by hurricane

Two C-130 Hercules and 50 Air Force reservists from the 910th Airlift Wing left Youngstown Air Reserve Station on Sept. 8 to fly aerial spray missions in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.In coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control, the Air Force

Geren: People, equipment top Air Force priorities

Beginning with operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern and Northern Watch and operations in countries such as Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, the Air Force has been on war footing since the summer of 1990, said the acting secretary of the Air Force."The men and women of the Air Force

Little Rock welcomes China hurricane aid

A China Southern Cargo 747 aircraft laden with 100 tons of humanitarian aid from China landed here Sept. 7 as part of Hurricane Katrina relief operations.Little Rock is the hub for receiving international humanitarian aid for hurricane relief.The flight, which originated in Beijing with a stopover

AFRC steps forward to help hurricane victims

From coast to coast, people assigned to and associated with Air Force Reserve Command are stepping forward to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.Pararescuemen, aeromedical caregivers, airlift crews, aerial porters and reservists from dozens of other specialties have logged hundreds of missions,

552nd Air Control Wing supports hurricane relief efforts

For the past week, news stations have been running nonstop coverage about the devastation in the Gulf Coast region.People have seen heroic rescues from rooftops and flooded homes, families opening their homes to those in need, and countless people and organizations donating money, supplies.Airmen

AFSPC helicopter deployment aids Hurricane Katrina relief efforts

Air Force Space Command deployed eight helicopters and their crews to Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., to aid in hurricane relief efforts beginning Sept. 2.This is the first time the command has assigned helicopters outside its normal area of operations.“The helicopters assigned to 20th Air Force are

Reservists charge into aeromedical evacuation effort

Nerves of steel, the patience of a saint and the ability to forego substantial eating and sleeping for days at a time.Anyone seeking a job coordinating the aeromedical evacuation of thousands after a major disaster need not apply unless they have those traits. Some dry-erase markers, a telephone and

Air Force rescues top 4,000 mark

Since Air Force helicopters first started search-and-rescue operations 34 hours after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Airmen here have rescued more than 4,000 people as of Sept. 7.Of that number, active-duty rescue units picked up more than 2,800, said Lt. Col. Bob Thompson, spokesman for the

PJs airlift those devastated by Hurricane Katrina

Nearly 3,000 people have been airlifted out of the New Orleans area and taken to local care centers in the arms of 374th Expeditionary Rescue Group pararescuemen.Pararescuemen from three rescue squadrons nationwide are deployed here participating in what has been described as the largest