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  • Reserve, active duty units partner for 'win-win' training

    On board the C-130 Hercules, as the "patient" struggled to breathe, the medical technicians and flight nurses from the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron gave their best efforts to save his life. In addition to having respiratory problems, he had suffered bilateral burns on the eyes. As his

  • Security forces Airmen protect Sather Air Base

    Every week, more than 2,000 foreign nationals bring an average 600 vehicles in and out of Sather Air Base -- Baghdad's only passenger and cargo airfield. Many of these foreign nationals go unescorted in the rest of the Victory Base Complex -- and for this reason, strict precautions are required.

  • Pilot crusades for safer skies

    One man's personal mission to help improve flight safety is making headway through the aviation community. Lt. Col. Ned Linch, 12th Air Force chief of flight safety, is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the cockpit of the F-16, experimental aircraft and airliners. He is

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' highlights efficiency, management

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Airmen at bases around the world are continually looking for ways to help the Air Force become more efficient. The war on terrorism has Airmen all around the world doing their part, whether in Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere around the globe.

  • July 21 airpower summary: C-17s key to airlift operations

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in operations July 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted shows of force with

  • English a common denominator at Red Flag-Alaska

    Speaking in English is the common denominator for all players at Red Flag-Alaska, but for those whose native tongue is not English, this proves to be a challenge. Non-English speaking pilots quickly become task-saturated as they process a large amount of information in a different language. More

  • 'Living Legends' offer Airmen historical perspective

    The three-part "Living Legends" series concluded at the Pentagon Conference Center July 19. The "Living Legends" series included three seminars featuring panels of past and present Air Force leaders who discussed advancements in air power from World War II to the present day war on terrorism. The

  • First Senior Enlisted Leader Summit to convene

    The Air Force's senior enlisted leader convenes the first Senior Enlisted Leader Summit at Gunter Annex here July 22 to 27. This year, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley expanded the list of invitees to include professional military education commandants, career field managers

  • Art exhibit draws crowd to Air Force heritage

    A collection of art illustrating Air Force heritage since before the service's beginning through today's expeditionary operations was the spotlight for local military, civic and business leaders during a gathering July 18 in honor of the Air Force's 60th Anniversary. The exhibit, titled "Heritage to

  • AU provides curriculum, manpower for Iraqi officer training

    When Air University officials received a request in November to develop a curriculum for two Iraqi air force officer training schools, it produced the material in less than three months. "It took 79 days from beginning to end," said Dr. Charles Nath, director of curriculum at the Air Force Officer

  • International teams build relationships at AMC Rodeo

    A record-breaking international presence here marks this year's Air Mobility Command Rodeo, under way now through July 27. The last of nine international teams touched down here July 17, with observers from 25 additional countries arriving by the end of the week.In total, 296 international guests

  • Air tactics evolve to achieve effects for war on terrorism

    Achieving airpower objectives more effectively is what more than 200 of the most proficient expeditionary Airmen gathered recently to discuss at the quarterly Weapons and Tactics Conference in Bahrain in July. The Weapons and Tactics Conference is a venue for Air Force weapons officers along with

  • Unexpected delivery made at Ramstein's gate

    Three-week-old Jordan Christina Dixon doesn't know it, but she made Ramstein Air Base history. At 5:18 a.m. July 1, 6-pound, 15-ounce Jordan Dixon was the first baby born into the hands of the 435th Civil Engineer Squadron fire, crash and rescue team at Ramstein AB's West Gate."It was amazing to be

  • ROTC cadets complete inaugural 'Props and Wings Challenge'

    More than 330 ROTC cadets were pushed to their mental and physical limits during Air University's first Props and Wings Challenge here July 17. The challenge culminated nearly four weeks of rigorous field training for incoming junior classmen at universities nationwide who plan to get their Air

  • New service coat to better represent Airmen set for testing

    Air Force officials are now set to begin fit and wear tests of the new service coat to better establish a dress uniform that fits the "warrior ethos" Airmen have today. It's important for the uniform to represent the roles and accomplishments of Airmen, said Brig. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, the Airmen

  • Tankers keep aircraft in the fight at Red Flag-Alaska

    Tankers are patrolling the Last Frontier ready to provide in-flight refueling to aircraft in need to keep fighter aircraft participating in Red Flag-Alaska focused on fighting. Red Flag-Alaska is a multinational exercise from July 12 through 27 that provides realistic combat training in a safe and

  • New communications platform helps EOD save lives, time

    Explosive ordnance disposal teams deployed to the areas of responsibility throughout Southwest Asia now have one more tool to help them fight the war on terrorism. The very small aperture terminal, or VSAT, is a computer system that gives EOD teams the capability to make DSN calls and send and

  • Military team to conduct humanitarian assistance in Oceania

    Approximately 50 Air Force, Army and Navy members will travel to the Pacific islands of Vanuatu, Kiribati and Nauru July 20 to 30 to provide medical, dental and engineering support and training to local residents there. This mission displays the Air Force's ability to quickly deliver relief in the

  • Agency helps expedite C-130 sale to Norway

    A quick turnaround by Air Force Security Assistance Center officials and other Air Force Materiel Command Foreign Military Sales organizations helped strengthen the tactical airlift capability of the Norwegian air force by arranging for the sale of four C-130J Hercules aircraft. The $516 million

  • Air Force and Better Business Bureau partner

    Representatives from the Air Force and the Council of Better Business Bureaus signed a memorandum of understanding July 16 at the Pentagon that will benefit Airmen and their families. Tim Beyland, assistant deputy chief of staff for Manpower and Personnel, and Steven Cole, chief executive officer of

  • Exercise Angel Thunder trains combat search, rescue

    About 200 Davis-Monthan Airmen from the 563rd Rescue Group, the 943rd Rescue Group, the 355th Operations Group and the 55th Electronic Combat Group, along with the 12th Air Force Plans Shop and Personnel Recovery Coordination Center, are participating in Exercise Angel Thunder July 9 to 20 here. The

  • Fairchild security forces team trains for Rodeo

    It's 9 a.m. and already getting warm as three security forces Airmen run to the first of nine checkpoints in a multi-stage field training exercise July 13 at Fairchild Air Force Base. The 92nd Security Forces Squadron's Air Mobility Command Rodeo 2007 team is training for the competition, which runs

  • Japanese forces arrive for Red Flag-Alaska

    Airmen from the Land of the Rising Sun arrived in the Land of the Midnight Sun July 11 in preparation for the Red Flag-Alaska air combat training exercise. After a seven-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean, six Japanese F-15s from Hyakuri Air Base near Tokyo and a U.S. KC-10 Extender carrying 21

  • Excercise tests Reserve C-130 unit's re-supply capabilities

    Airmen in the Air Force Reserve Command's 911th Airlift Wing here conducted Exercise Bold Effort July 14 to hone their transport and re-supply skills vital during a time of war.The exercise began when eight C-130s departed the airfield here and headed for Rickenbacker International Airport

  • CENTAF chaplain visits Djibouti orphanages

    The U.S. Central Command Air Forces command chaplain visited Camp Lemonier July 10 to 13 to meet with servicemembers and spent time at two local orphanages where he and members of the Alaska Air National Guard joined the boys in a basketball game.Chaplain (Col.) Gregory Tate also looked at the

  • Afghan military leader visits Randolph

    The top air boss for the Afghanistan military visited Randolph Air Force Base July 9 as part of a tour to see how the U.S. Air Force can be an example for his country's efforts in creating a proficient training model and establishing an independent air force.  Maj. Gen. Mohammad Dawran, the Afghan

  • Air Force chief of staff initiates MQ-1 Predator plus-up

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley is accelerating delivery of the Defense Department's December 2009 goal of 21 daily MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle combat air patrols, or CAPs, by one year.At the chief of staff's request, Air Force officials coordinated deployment actions with

  • Airmen support Afghan presidential mission

    A Phoenix Raven security team with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia provided security for a C-17 Globemaster III and its crew July 11during an Afghan presidential support mission at a remote airstrip here. Staff Sgt. Mike Kincaid and Airman 1st Class Joseph Celata made up the

  • Air Guard opens new combat training runway

    It's a 3,500-foot-long stretch of cement with a few hundred feet added on, just in case. That's not much space on which to safely land a heavily loaded, half-million pound cargo plane, but officials here say it's the perfect runway for Mississippi Air National Guard pilots to train on. Mississippi

  • AETC Symposium set for Sept. 5 to 7 in San Antonio

    The 2007 Air Education and Training Command Symposium giving insight into today and tomorrow's Air Force is scheduled for Sept. 5 through 7 at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio.The symposium offers attendees the chance to ask a panel of commanding general officers a question

  • Airmen hold munitions exercise at Kunsan

    Airmen from across the Air Force are participating in the annual Combat Ammunition Production Exercise July 10 through 13 here. CAPEX is a three-day non-rated exercise that provides Pacific Air Forces and Air Combat Command units with training in mass-munitions assembly in support of aircraft sortie

  • Flag officers train for theater-level combat leadership

    Eighteen Air Force, Navy, Marine and international general officers attended Air University's Combined Forces Air Component Commanders course offered by the College of Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education recently. The purpose of the course is to prepare flag officers for theater-level combat

  • Luke officials release statement on fallen Airman

    A Luke Air Force Base Airman died July 9 after succumbing to wounds sustained as a result of small-arms fire while deployed with the 755th Air Expeditionary Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom outside of Camp Stone, a forward operating base near Herat, Afghanistan.Master Sgt. Randy J.

  • Air Force streamlines officer, enlisted evaluation forms

    Air Force officials are introducing new officer and enlisted evaluation forms as it transforms its personnel processes. The major part of this effort has been directed at reducing the workload associated with preparing officer and enlisted performance reports while ensuring the evaluation process

  • General brings Air Force story back home

    A once-young usher who worked at Busch Stadium, home of the World Series multi-champion Cardinals, is a man who now ushers in technologies which go way out of the ballpark. Nearly 40 years after his days of escorting people to the stands at Busch Stadium, Maj. Gen. Thomas F. Deppe, the 20th Air

  • Fairchild Airmen train for Rodeo 2007

    Airmen who will represent Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., at the bi-annual Air Mobility Command Rodeo 2007 teamed up with their counterparts from McChord AFB, Wash., for four days of training recently at the Grant County International Airport here. This year's "Rodeo," the name given to the major

  • Airmen lead multinational effort for Iraqi bombing victims

    Airmen from the 506th Air Expeditionary Group here coordinated and carried out a multinational effort to receive and airlift 21 injured Iraqi civilians for treatment in Turkey July 8. The civilians, ethnic Iraqi Turkmen, were victims of the July 7 market bombing in Tuz Khurmato, Iraq, which

  • CMSAF observes USAFE missions, visits wounded troops

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force completed an aeromedical evacuation mission from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., to Ramstein Air Base and back July 7 through 10 to observe the process firsthand. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley wanted to experience step by step what the

  • Air Force recognized for awarding veterans contracts

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

  • Training, communication key to success for A-10 pilots

    When A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots throughout Southwest Asia respond to a ground commander or joint terminal attack controller's call for close-air-support, pilots on alert respond with the appropriate ordnance loaded to accomplish the mission. Putting those bullets and bombs on target doesn't just

  • Medical program keeps scoring high

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

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Air Force's latest unmanned vehicle and first hunter-killer UAV, the MQ-9 Reaper. More powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, the MQ-9 is designed to go after time-sensitive targets and can destroy or disable

  • Active-duty unit marks first year under Guard wing

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

  • Robins Airman selected as top firefighter of the year

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

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

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

  • Medics bring relief to Senegal

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

  • General McNabb enlists city's future heroes

    For 40 women and men at the Cardinals vs. Giants baseball game July 7, their thoughts may not have been focused on whether Barry Bonds would break Hank Aaron's lifetime home-run record. Right hands raised, this young group, standing at Busch Stadium home plate in front of a huge crowd, was sworn

  • Army medics save Air Force broadcaster's life

    The quick actions of Army medics following a June 28 mortar attack here proved critical in helping save an Air Force broadcaster's life.Tech. Sgt. Jeramie Brown, an Air Force broadcaster with a news team at Forward Operating Base Murray was injured from shrapnel from a mortar and two Soldiers

  • Medical element helps Honduran village

    Approximately 40 American and Honduran servicemembers from the medical element at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, provided medical care for more than 1,000 people during a two-day Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the village of El Horno, Honduras. Airmen and Soldiers of the medical

  • Diverse trauma training saves lives

    A hands-on medical trauma training course being conducted at a local university medical center here is using the experience of medical crews who have treated thousands upon thousands of wounded warriors to teach others. The Air Force Expeditionary Medical Skills Institute's Center for Sustainment of

  • Chief Pfingston laid to rest at Arlington

    Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gary Pfingston was laid to rest July 6 at Arlington National Cemetery. The 10th CMSAF, an Evansville, Ind., native, lost his battle with cancer June 23. He served as the highest ranking enlisted Airman from August 1990 to October 1994. "Chief Pfingston

  • Dover C-17 supports Air Force-Navy exercise

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

  • Air Force General Estes Jr. passes away

    The general who once led the command charged with re-supplying deployed U.S. forces passed away July 2 at his home in Bethesda, Md. From July 1964 until he retired in August 1969, retired Gen. Howell M. Estes Jr. was the commander of the Military Air Transport Service, later known as the Military

  • Enlisted Heritage Research Institute honors WWII gunner

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

  • Airmen join forces for Talisman Saber

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

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

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

  • Training mission results in real-life rescue

    A series of coincidences and an alert helicopter crew from Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing here saved the life of a 66-year-old Florida man. Several miles off of the coast of Florida's Daytona Beach, Lt. Col. Paul Nevius and his crew were piloting an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter back to

  • NORTHCOM officials set base force protection levels

    Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta are the four levels of force protection applied to every American military installation, with Alpha being the lowest level and Delta being the highest. And it's the commander of U.S. Northern Command who determines what the minimum force protection level will be for

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

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

  • Latest Roll Call discusses ancillary training requirements

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

  • North Dakota ANG unit flies first unmanned mission

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

  • Wright-Patterson Airmen take over Hickam air operations

    Airmen of the 87th Aerial Port Squadron from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, flew into Hickam AFB and took over air operations here. For two weeks, Reserve Airmen from the 87th APS will be responsible for running the air terminal operations center, freight, fleet, passenger services,

  • Fairchild rescue flight saves woman

    A four-man crew from the 36th Rescue Flight here saved a 19-year-old woman June 30 after she was bucked off of a mule in rough terrain near Sherman Pass, Wash.After receiving a 3 p.m. call for search and rescue support from Air Force Rescue Coordination Center officials from Langley Air Force Base,

  • Materiel Command on track to deliver more F-22s

    With F-22 Raptor deliveries consistently on or ahead of schedule, Air Force officials received authorization from Congress to pursue multi-year agreements for Lots 7, 8 and 9, with the potential for cost savings in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The contracts with Lockheed Martin and Pratt &

  • Summer 2007 Airman magazine now available

    Coalition forces fighting terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan can't get enough of the Air Force's unmanned aircraft, the MQ-1 Predator. The persistent Predator gives commanders an unparalleled, bird's-eye view of the battlefield. And the real-time intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance

  • AFSOUTH outlines U.S. cooperation with South America

    The Air Forces Southern commander outlined how American Airmen interact with South American nations to build understanding between the nations. "Military-to-military relationships are only the beginning of our mission," said Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip. "AFSOUTH Airmen are actively engaging our South

  • Annual training requirements to be shortened to 90 minutes

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

  • June 30 airpower summary: F-16s provide close air support

    Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb unit

  • Air Force, Navy join forces for combat training

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

  • Child becomes first missileer for a day at F.E. Warren

    Two special children got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to "launch" intercontinental ballistic missiles June 11 from F.E. Warren Air Force Base.  Ariana Ruskey-Moffett and her family visited F.E. Warren AFB to participate in the base's first Missileer for a Day Program, where sick or disabled

  • June 26 airpower summary: Fighters provide close-air support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles searched locations over

  • Former Falcon to join All-America Hall of Fame

    A 1993 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy will be inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America Hall of Fame at the 20th annual induction banquet July 1 in San Diego.Maj. Lance Pilch is the sixth academy graduate to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,

  • Buddy Wing Program improves communication at Kunsan

    Airmen of both the 35th Fighter Squadron from Kunsan Air Base and the South Korean 155th Fighter Squadron from Junwon AB are teaming up for a Buddy Wing Program exercise June 27 to 29 here. The purpose of the Buddy Wing Program is to exchange ideas, introduce tactics and improve interoperability

  • Air Guard F-15 crashes during training mission

    Coast Guardsmen have recovered the remains of the pilot June 27 of an Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Eagle that crashed June 26 in the Pacific Ocean approximately 35 nautical miles west of Cannon Beach, Oregon, during a training mission. Officials from the Oregon Air National Guard said the next of

  • Class of 2011 arrives with impressive credentials

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

  • Chilton: 'We cannot afford to be surprised'

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

  • 12th Air Force hosts Blue Flag

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

  • Maintaining healthy relationships key to mission success

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

  • Couriers' missions deliver defense

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

  • Program seeks to preserve history with playing cards

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

  • Chief Pfingston loses fight with cancer

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

  • Airmen train Iraqis on fuel delivery

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

  • June 23 airpower summary: Recon aircraft capture big picture

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations June 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired 30mm cannon

  • Lackland remembers fallen agent

    On June 18, Airmen gathered in honor of Special Agent Matthew Kuglics. Instead of celebration, however, they paid tribute; instead of a steady drum beat, the sounds of memories and personal reflection filled the air. Agent Kuglics, a member of the Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 352

  • Newest 'Week in Photos' features Airmen around the globe

    The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. Challenging himself, Staff Sgt. Matthew Zimmer pumps out as many push-ups as he can during the physical fitness portion of the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape

  • Education key to fight current, future air ops

    The U.S. Central Command air component commander said the Air Force has better-trained Airmen today fighting the war on terrorism, but also said all Airmen must continue to prepare for today's fight and tomorrow's wars. Lt. Gen. Gary North was here June 20-21 to address current senior leaders in the

  • Air Force firefighters fuel flames for fire training

    The deaths of nine firefighters in South Carolina June 18 has spotlighted the dangers of the job and the importance of training. At Eglin Air Force Base, officials took advantage of base housing slated for demolition as part of the base's housing privatization initiative to provide base firefighters

  • Virginia Air Guard transitions to F-22 Raptor

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

  • Some reservists won't have to repay portion of GI Bill

    Some Air Force Reserve Airmen who are no longer able to participate due to Base Realignment and Closure or Program Budget Decision 720 actions, will not be required to repay a portion of their Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve entitlement. Members in their initial six-year enlistment who are

  • Rescue flight crews provide help from above

    On a moonless night, the glow from a red and green instrument panel illuminates the faces of the crew of Blade 79er, a UH-1N Huey flying a night-vector mission over the tree-covered mountains of northern Washington. Suddenly, the radio crackles."Rescue, Rescue, Rescue ... Phaser 1-2 calling in

  • Officials push for incentives, integration for reserve forces

    The reserve components are vital to the military and its ability to fight the war on terror, so it's essential that they're properly managed and compensated, the service personnel chiefs told the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves June 21. The chiefs shared insights into better ways to

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

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

  • Space operations streamlined

    The redesignation June 18 of the 614th Space Operations Group as the 614th Air and Space Operations Center will help streamline communications at the operational level between combatant commanders and the service components, Air Force space officials said. The redesignation included the inactivation

  • Maintenance crews prep fighters at Cope North

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

  • 'Living legends' discuss Air Force of yesterday, today

    In keeping with the Air Force's 60th anniversary theme, "Heritage to Horizons," a panel of four war veterans gathered June 14 at the Pentagon Conference Center to discuss the challenges and triumphs of air power over the years. The theme of the discussion was, "The Jet Age: Korea, Vietnam, Cold

  • KC-135, C-17 crews rendezvous for refuel readiness

    A KC-135 aircrew from the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan flew to Hawaii to meet up with Hickam Air Force Base's C-17 Globemaster III crew to practice in-flight refueling procedures. Kadena AB's crews don't get many opportunities to work with cargo aircraft like the C-17. At home they work

  • SECAF visits Toyota plant for process alignment ideas

    The secretary of the Air Force and a group of senior officers recently visited the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant in an effort to see quality work in action. TMMK uses the "Toyota Production System," which involves the alignment of management goals from the Japan headquarters all the way

  • USAFE fighter squadron deploys to Kunsan

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

  • Reserve Airmen test mobilization at Lackland

    With the start of the Air Force "Push-Pull 2007" exercise here June 18, some 320 Individual Ready Reserve Airmen from across the country have been called to active duty.  A push-pull exercise, typically conducted every two years, tests the mobilization process and evaluates the skill level of the

  • Air Guard retires last F-16A in service

    The last operational F-16A Fighting Falcon flew its final mission here June 15, taking off from the Air National Guard base for indefinite storage at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The 162nd Fighter Wing, having flown the A and B models since