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  • Air Guardsmen fly critical equipment to wildlife refuge

    California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing assisted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials Feb. 17 and 18 by transporting critically needed facility batteries to the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, located approximately 30 miles off the shore of San Francisco in the Pacific

  • Kyrgyz government finalizes decision to close Manas

    The government of the Kyrgyz Republic finalized the decision to close Manas Air Base, Feb. 20, after seven years of support to operations in Afghanistan. Following a vote Feb. 19 by the Kyrgyz Parliament to close the base, the president signed the law and the formal diplomatic notification was

  • Research to improve fiber optics and computing

    An internationally celebrated physicist and researcher, funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the National Science Foundation and NASA, has overseen work leading to the first successful manipulation of coherent optical information. Dr. Lene Hau has discovered applications through

  • Manas Air Base 'not irreplaceable,' official says

    Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted Feb. 19 to close Manas Air Base, a key logistics hub for the U.S. military, but a senior Pentagon official said the base closure would not affect operations in Afghanistan. "[Manas Air Base] is an important base for operations in Afghanistan, but it's not

  • Holloman receives new communication system

    Government computer users here recently received the capability to view news channels streamed over the network courtesy of Internet Protocol Television. IPTV is a system which allows the user to view media from broadcast cable channels through their computer desktop by using the base network. "IPTV

  • 'Perspective' highlights service before self

    In the latest "Enlisted Perspective, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman reflects on the Air Force core value of  "service before self" and how Airmen incorporate this value in everyday life."When we deploy; when we take a new assignment even though it isn't the location or the timeframe we may have

  • Center helps with psychological health, traumatic brain injury

    A new 24-hour outreach center now provides information and referrals to military service members, veterans, their families and others with questions about psychological health and traumatic brain injury. Operated by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain

  • Iraqi Minister of Defense discusses military, political issues

    The Iraqi Minister of Defense said Feb. 18 that Iraq's military requires an air component capable of supporting its soldiers on the ground, and that it would begin focusing more efforts on enlarging and equipping its air force. Minister Abdul Qader made the comments during a visit here at the Air

  • Civilian job announcements changed to help managers, applicants

    Air Force Personnel Center officials recently changed how civilian job announcements are listed to improve the civilian hiring process. "AFPC is improving our civilian hiring process and reducing the time it takes to fill civilian position vacancies. Changing the way we list our civilian job

  • Charleston reservists fly donated children's shoes to Belize

    A Charleston-based C-17 Globemaster III carrying more than 15,000 pounds of shoes landed in Belize in early February as part of a humanitarian mission to the Central American country. The Denton Amendment allows the U.S. military to transport, on a space-available basis, humanitarian supplies from

  • JCS chairman visits Minot AFB

    Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited here Feb. 18 to discuss the importance of family support, concern for the current economic crisis and the base's role in nuclear deterrence as the Air Force's only dual nuclear base. During a town hall meeting, Admiral

  • Wing program helps Airmen get fit to fight

    Officials in the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing have developed a unique program called the Body Mass Reduction Program which is designed to aid Airmen in achieving a healthy lifestyle while improving their mission capability and contributions to the wing. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney

  • B-52 accident report released

    An improper stabilizer trim setting caused the July 21 crash of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft northwest of Guam, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report released Feb. 13. Analysis of aircraft parts found during salvage operations revealed the aircraft's stabilizer

  • Deploying physicians to use acupuncture

    At the acupuncture clinic here, Col. (Dr.) Richard Niemtzow and Col. (Dr.) Stephen Burns run the service's first full time acupuncture clinic. For them, acupuncture treatments are a full-time job. The Air Force surgeon general announced recently that a pilot program to train a cadre of active duty

  • WHMC leaders participate in Valentines for Vets program

    Every year around Valentine's Day, military and civic leaders in South Texas set aside a special time to honor the service and sacrifice of hospitalized veterans by participating in the annual "Valentines for Vets" program at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio. Participants

  • 2009 Newman's Own Award competition announced

    Fisher House Foundation officials have announced the start of the 2009 Newman's Own Award competition, jointly sponsored by Newman's Own, the Fisher House Foundation and the Military Times Media Group.The program awards grants to organizations with innovative solutions to improving quality of life

  • Air Force conference focuses on test and evaluation

    The 2009 U.S. Air Force Test and Evaluation Days Conference brought more than 400 professionals from the acquisition and warfighter communities together in Albuquerque, N.M., Feb. 10-12 with a primary focus on operationalizing the Air Force test and evaluation enterprise across the domains air,

  • Airman's Roll Call: Air Force Good Conduct Medal returns

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the return of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal after a three-year hiatus. On Feb. 11, Air Force officials brought back the Air Force Good Conduct Medal for enlisted members. This change is effective immediately and retroactive to when the medal was

  • Airborne networking team works to meet challenges

    The mention of an airborne network conveys the sense of one monolithic entity, and someday, if all goes well, that is what it will be. Right now, however, "we have a lot of disparate networks," Mike Therrien, Airborne Networking division chief, told the Hanscom Representatives Association members at

  • Additional career enlisted aviator positions open

    Air Force officials recently added 20 openings for first-term Airmen to retrain into the airborne mission systems (1A3XX) and airborne operations (1A4XX) specialties. First-term Airmen interested in retraining into the flight engineer specialty will also find more than 30 positions available in the

  • Feb. 16 airpower summary: F-15E bombs encampment

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, F-15E Strike Eagles struck an encampment with guided bomb

  • 'Letter to Airmen' takes pride in AF diversity

    In his current Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force focuses on the strength of Air Force people and how the large tapestry of the nation is represented in the Air Force total force. "We join together from all walks of life to collectively serve our nation and its flag. Whether Regular,

  • Academy honored for community service

    The U.S. Air Force Academy was honored for its community service efforts when it was named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Feb. 9 by officials from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest

  • Army, Air Force overhaul joint ISR training

    A key group of Army and Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance professionals met at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., recently for a working group to discuss what is needed to ensure America has the best ISR forces on the ground and in the air. The two-day conference was one of two

  • Maxwell virtual ops center becomes AF 'Best Practice'

    The Maxwell-Gunter Virtual Operations Center was named an Air Force Best Practice for 2009, and its creator was honored as a "Top 10 Performer" at the Air Education and Training Command Symposium in January here. Using existing Sharepoint software, Maj. Scott Loller, 42nd Air Base Wing Plans and

  • Medical Group focuses on efficiency and reorganization

    It seems common for an employee to utter the phrase, "Things would run so much more efficiently if ..." at least once in his or her career, yet it seems rare for a business to dedicate time and money into making such improvements. Officials in the 75th Medical Group here have broken that trend and

  • Charleston gateway for deployed locations

    More than 180 Airmen from 67 installations from across the Air Force deployed from Charleston AFB Feb. 7. Active-duty, National Guard and Reserve Airmen from all functional areas stationed at bases located throughout the U.S. and some Pacific Air Force bases aggregated, or gathered, here to deploy

  • JET Airmen support Soldiers at forward operating base

    Twenty joint expeditionary tasking, or JET, Airmen are building a 64-tent living area for more than 700 Soldiers in one week here. "Our challenge and main mission is to complete a 64-tent living area beddown to support 780 personnel of an entire Army battalion and then some," said Master Sgt. Jason

  • New Predator takes flight in Iraq

    The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing received a new MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft and immediately put it into action here Feb. 13. "As far as getting a new aircraft, it's not very often in the Predator community you are launching a brand-new plane that's never been flown operationally before," said

  • Wounded special ops weatherman keeps eyes forward for new battle

    In an instant, Senior Airman Alex Eudy went from battling the enemies of Afghanistan to battling for his life. It was just after 1 a.m. Jan. 24. He was only two months into his first deployment after graduating from advanced-skills training here in September 2008. The special operations weather team

  • Ops officials conduct new warfighter training

    Positive progress continues for the Air Forces Northern Distributed Mission Operations program as the first individualized warfighter training event was held at the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here Jan. 28. DMO is a complex and comprehensive series of interconnected, manned command,

  • Coming Feb. 22: single 800 number for all Airmen

     Members of the total force -- regular Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, civilian and retired Airmen -- are on line to have one central phone number for help with their personnel questions starting at 5 p.m. Central Standard Time Feb. 22. Members of the Air Force community should

  • ARPC 'pushes' retirees for upcoming exercise

    For the first time, retired active-duty majors and master sergeants are being asked by Air Reserve Personnel Center officials to participate in the biennial "Push-Pull" exercise, an end-to-end test of key mobilization systems and processes. As part of what is called the "pretrained individual

  • Generals re-enforce 'Citizenship Day' with core values

    Two Air Force generals visited a Greenpoint neighborhood elementary school in Brooklyn, N.Y., Feb. 11 during the school's Citizenship Day, as part of school-wide programs to instill pride in America and community service. The generals, Maj. Gen. Darren McDew, director of Air Force Public Affairs,

  • Suicide prevention hotline saves veterans' lives

    Help is only a phone call away for military veterans considering suicide. Nearly 100,000 veterans, family members or friends of veterans have reached out for help by calling the Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. The hotline was launched July 2007. The VA

  • Niagara Falls firefighters respond to airliner crash

    The 914th Airlift Wing fire department from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station here responded to a call for assistance from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport fire department at 12:57 a.m. Feb. 13. The 914th AW fire department responded with a P-19 fire truck and a foam trailer, two

  • Cannon Airmen prepare for gunship arrival

    The 27th Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron Munitions Flight completed new training on the combat aircraft parking area here Feb. 6 to ensure they are ready when additional aircraft arrive. Twenty-six Airmen make up the flight that is responsible for supplying live and training

  • Airmen help Iraqi aircrew perform night-vision missions

    An initiative that has been in the works since August 2008 is now a realization as members of the Iraqi air force continued their quest toward night-vision operations with the help of U.S. Air Force aircrews. Airmen from the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisor Squadron, who train Iraqi aircrew members,

  • NORTHCOM/AFNORTH earn national search and rescue award

    Air Forces Northern, on behalf of United States Northern Command, was presented the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue's Eagle award Feb. 10. The Eagle award is a traveling trophy presented annually by the NIUSR to the person or organization that exhibits extreme courage in disastrous

  • Air Force firefighters rescue baby camel trapped in manhole

    Many people associate firefighters with rescuing cats out of trees. For the firefighters assigned to the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at Ali Base, they weren't expecting this animal rescue call where a baby camel was trapped in a manhole Feb. 9. "This was the weirdest call I've ever

  • When pigs fly... with ospreys

    What do you get when you cross an osprey with a warthog? For a zoologist, the question may seem preposterous. In Air Force terms, instead of an odd looking winged-swine hybrid, the result is immense firepower and unparalleled close-air support capability for the rapid infiltration and exfiltration

  • Program keeps heavy-lift aircraft in the air for decades

    When the first C-5M Super Galaxy, named the "Spirit of Global Reach," touched down at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Feb. 9, it signaled the first success of a $7.7 billion acquisition program designed to keep the heavy-lift transport in the air until 2040. Perhaps still young compared to other

  • Tinker Reserve unit performs vital maintenance mission

    The 10th Flight Test Squadron is a unique squadron within its own right. The squadron is home to roughly 35 Air Force Reserve Airmen and situated on the flight-line, separate from most other Tinker Air Force Base units. The 10th FLTS belongs to the 413th Flight Test Group at Robins AFB,

  • AF officials standardize training for nuke inspectors

    Inspectors throughout the Air Force attended the first Nuclear Surety Inspector's Course from Feb. 2 to 6 at the Air Force Inspection Agency, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. As the Air Force reinvigorates its nuclear program, the implementation of this class was a top priority. The objective of the

  • Wilford Hall team transports critically-ill infant

    A team from Wilford Hall Medical Center rushed to Temple, Texas, Feb. 9 to save the life of a critically-ill baby. An 8-month-old little girl was suffering from respiratory failure at Scott and White Hospital in Temple. Despite the efforts of the medical team there, she was near death and her

  • Air Force Good Conduct Medal reinstated

    Air Force officials announced Feb. 11 the reinstatement of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal for enlisted members, effective immediately and retroactive to Feb. 6, 2006, when the medal was discontinued. Airmen who are eligible should see an update automatically in their records on the virtual

  • Air Guardsmen supply generators to local school district

    Generators from the Arkansas Air National Guard have enabled a local school district to resume classes after an 11-day break here. Classes were cancelled after an ice storm swept through northeast Arkansas Jan. 26. About 500,000 state residents lost power as a result.Arkansas Guard officials said 13

  • WW II pilot awarded Distinguished Service Cross

    In a long overdue award ceremony here Feb. 2, an American hero was presented the Army's Distinguished Service Cross for leading a formation of B-24s on an extremely dangerous mission during World War II. Then-Capt. Walter T. Holmes, operations officer for the 68th Bombardment Squadron, 44th

  • 380th AEW mission expands with Navy Global Hawk program

    The joint mission of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing expanded with the recent addition of the first operational Navy Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system, part of the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance program. "It's a good feeling to finally get the aircraft here," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. John McLellan,

  • Project Sanctuary provides retreat for military families

    Whether it's sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows in the winter or standing in the middle of a creek fishing during the summer, a Colorado troop-support group is promising a week-long retreat full of fun and relaxation for 80 deserving military families this year. Project Sanctuary will

  • Application deadline set for degree, exchange programs

    Officers considering advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs in 2010 have until April 30 to apply. Officers in space/missiles operations, intelligence, weather, logistics, program management, developmental engineering, communications and information, public affairs, personnel and

  • Airmen prevent thermal event, save mission, assets

    During a routine maintenance inspection recently, a Block 15 aircraft battery began to deteriorate into a condition known as thermal runaway. The battery became dangerously hot, emitted an excessive amount of hydrogen gas and began spewing electrolytes everywhere in the 437th Maintenance Squadron's

  • Air Force chief of staff praises special operators

    Though the United States has the most technologically advanced armed forces in the world, the individual knowledge and skills U.S. special operators bring to the table are the keys to success against persistent conflicts enduring around the globe, the Air Force chief of staff said here Feb. 11. Gen.

  • Special ops 'fight' persistent conflicts around the world

    A panel of experts provided insights on persistent conflicts throughout the world to more than 300 participants in the 20th Annual Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict symposium here Feb. 10. Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Lawrence P. Farrell Jr., president and chief executive officer of the

  • U.S. commitment to Pacific region showcased in India

    About 150 U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense civilians are among the thousands of people from around the globe taking part in the Aero India 09 air show here. A cross-section of U.S. military aircraft and equipment, including the C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Hercules, F-16 Fighting

  • Feb. 11 airpower summary: F-16 levels bunker complex

    Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged anti-Afghan forces with

  • Cope North 09-1 comes to end

    U.S. and Japanese forces completed an annual two-week bilateral exercise Feb. 14, that was designed to increase interoperability between the two nations. Cope North 09-1 is a Pacific-Command sponsored exercise that was designed and developed by 13th Air Force, Detachment 1, to increase combat

  • Heithold assumes command of Air Force ISR Agency

    Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Heithold assumed command of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency from Maj. Gen. John C. Koziol in a ceremony here Feb. 11. Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at the Pentagon, presided

  • AFTAC continues excellence as part of Air Force nuclear enterprise

    When Gen. Norton Schwartz was appointed the 19th chief of staff of the Air Force Aug. 12, he emphasized a renewed focus on the nuclear enterprise as one of the Air Force's top priorities. Air Force Technical Applications Center Commander Col. Lisa Ann Onaga, having assumed command only five days

  • Air Force takes top spot in NFL Military Challenge again

    As the Hickam-rostered Air Force team went for their fourth straight victory in the NFL Military Challenge Feb. 6 and 7 at Oahu's Kapiolani Park, the storyline bordered on stale. So like any good movie sequel, in addition to the returning villains -- Army, Navy, Marine and Coast Guard teams -- a

  • Airman's Roll Call: Operation Homecoming

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses Operation Homecoming, a highlight in Air Force history. This week, 35 years ago, Air Force began airlift operations to return American servicemembers, being held as prisoners of war by North Vietnam, back home to the United States. For more information about

  • Leaders meet for series of high-level 'warfighter talks'

    Chief of Staff of the Army General George W. Casey Jr. and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz, along with 35 other general officers from both services, met Feb. 10 in the Pentagon for a day-long exchange to discuss areas of mutual interest regarding interdependency and

  • Airman earns Army combat spurs

    A time honored Army tradition took place here Feb. 10, as many Soldiers earned their combat spurs. But what made the ceremony even more unique was among the recipients was an Airman. Senior Airman Keith Booze, Multi-National Corps-Iraq Assistance Group personnel technician, was presented his combat

  • Exercise demonstrates special ops capabilities

    Air Force Special Operations Command officials are hosting a field exercise at Hurlburt Field Feb. 2 through 13 designed to train forces in combat scenarios. Called Emerald Warrior, the exercise is taking place at training grounds on Hurlburt Field and nearby Eglin Air Force Base, and focuses on

  • Deadline approaching for Air University's online master's program

    If you've been toying with the idea of getting your master's degree, time is running out on one of the best deals around and it is virtually free. The Air Command and Staff College is offering a distance learning master's program in Military Operational Art and Science for a select number of

  • Spirit of Global Reach lands at Dover

    The Spirit of Global Reach arrived at Dover Air Force Base Feb. 9, putting itself in the history books as Team Dover's first C-5M Super Galaxy. The Spirit of Global Reach is the first of three C-5Ms Dover will receive for operational testing and evaluation. "Today we see the fruits of a long-term

  • Malmstrom completes Limited Nuclear Surety Inspection

    Much progress has been made, but you can't stop here was the message from Col. Michael Fortney, 341st Missile Wing commander, at the Limited Nuclear Surety Inspection outbrief held Feb. 9. "Our Airmen at the 341st Missile Wing performed in an exceptional manner during this re-inspection," said

  • Officials host first Nuclear Surety Inspector's Course

    Inspectors throughout the Air Force attended the first Nuclear Surety Inspector's Course from Feb. 2 to 6 at the Air Force Inspection Agency, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. As Air Force leaders reinvigorate the nuclear program, the implementation of this class was a top priority. The objective of the

  • Air Forces Africa officials engage on Nigerian air safety, security

    Statistically, traveling by air is often cited at the safest way to travel. While taking to the sky has some inherent risk, advances in technology, coupled with stringent maintenance requirements and rigorous training procedures for aircrews have contributed to a safe aerial environment in most

  • NASCAR crew learns what drives basic training success

    NASCAR driver Reed Sorenson, who drives the No. 43 Air Force-sponsored car, and his crew got a taste of a basic military trainee's life during a recent two-day visit to Lackland Air Force Base. The tour was part of an effort by Air Force Recruiting Service officials to prepare Mr. Sorenson and the

  • JASDF redeployment group bids final farewell

    The last of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force redeployment group members lowered their colors for the last time before departing for Japan Feb. 10, bringing an end to the final chapter of the JASDF's Iraq Reconstruction Support Airlift Wing mission after almost five years. More than a hundred

  • 2008 Air Force Medical Service awards announced

    The Air Force surgeon general's medical force development directorate has announced the winners of the 2008 Air Force Medical Service award competition. The Air Force Recognition Ribbon is authorized for individual award winners only, according to Air Force Medical Service officials.  They recommend

  • Guard Bureau chief visits Soldiers in Balkans

    The National Guard's support of NATO peacekeeping operations in southeastern Europe is making an important contribution in helping the citizens of Kosovo, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said here Feb. 4. Gen. Craig R. McKinley visited Missouri National Guard soldiers deployed to

  • ESC group delivers operational comm need on-time, on-cost

    The 751st Electronic Systems Group here has now completed an effort to provide operators at workstations onboard the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System the ability to chat, e-mail and browse the Defense Department's secure Secret Internet Protocol Router Network from any location. The

  • Joint self-nomination system achieves success

    A Web-based self-nomination system officers can use to have their war zone or other experiences evaluated for joint-service qualification has proven to be highly successful, a senior U.S. military officer said here Feb. 10. "We are truly a joint warfighting force now, and this [self-nomination

  • Tricare officials launch beneficiary bulletin podcast

    As part of a continuing effort to keep beneficiaries informed, Tricare officials have added a news podcast to the Tricare Web site. The Tricare Beneficiary Bulletin brings listeners the latest news about their benefits every week in a quick, easy-to-digest format. The debut podcast contains updates

  • U.S. military to participate in Aero India 09

    The United States military will be represented at the Aero India 09 air show at Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bangalore, India, Feb. 11 to 15. A cross-section of U.S. military aircraft and equipment will be present, including the C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Hercules, F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-135

  • Tricare reps reach out to providers during National Conference on Autism

    Officials from Tricare's regional offices and managed care contractors were among the exhibitors at the 2009 Autism Conference Feb. 6 to 8 in Jacksonville, Fla. Their mission was to educate attendees about the Tricare Autism Demonstration Project. Representatives from Tricare's managed care support

  • 31 Airmen selected for Tops in Blue team

    Thirty-one Airmen were recently chosen for the Tops in Blue team for 2009. For 10 days, 80 Air Force singers, dancers, musicians and comedians competed for the Tops in Blue slots during January's Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. After completing a training

  • Air Force Space Command puts AFSO 21 to work

    Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century is an Air Force initiative that challenges Airmen to look at all ways to accomplish the Air Force mission more effectively and efficiently without sacrificing quality.In order to alleviate challenges from new and evolving mission requirements,

  • Airmen demonstrate JTAC training, equipment for Congress

    Airmen from the Warrior Preparation Center were on Capitol Hill last week to demonstrate to Congress how Airmen work with joint partners to provide close-air support for troops on the ground. Specifically, the Airmen displayed their simulation training gear used to train joint terminal attack

  • Air Force clean up gives former Griffiss AFB new life

    The Air Force's environmental clean-up program is hitting a high-water mark as Environmental Protection Agency officials consider removing more than 2,900 of 3,552 acres at the former Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y., from the list of potentially hazardous sites. After more than two decades and $138

  • Medical team hikes into mountains to care for children

    During a two-week exercise in early February, a team of 16 medical doctors, nurse practitioners, dietitians and medical students conducted pediatric nutrition evaluations for families without the means or access to regular medical care in the remote mountains near Marcala, Honduras. The team

  • AFMC commander visits Southwest Asia

    Gen. Donald Hoffman, Air Force Materiel Command commander, visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Feb. 9 as part of a multi-base tour of bases in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The trip is the general's first to the AOR since taking command of AFMC in November. "I'm here to

  • Military partnerships important in preventing future calamities

    The development of international, military-to-military relationships built through the National Guard's State Partnership Program will become vitally important in preventing future world calamities, a senior National Guard official said Feb. 5. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Iraqi election support

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the security help Airmen provided during the Iraqi elections. Jan. 31 marked the first elections for the people of Iraq since 2005. And February is a time when we, as a nation, celebrate the accomplishments that African Americans have made throughout

  • Operational weather squadron picks up new responsibilities

    The 15th Operational Weather Squadron here will assume short-term back-up responsibilities for the National Weather Service's Aviation Weather Center and Storm Prediction Center on April 1. AWC provides aviation warnings and forecasts of hazardous flight conditions at all levels within domestic and

  • Airmen train firefighter managers, Iraqis graduate

    The Iraqi air force took another step toward becoming more independent Feb. 4, this time in the form of firefighting capability, thanks to the joint training effort from the U.S. Air Force, the Iraqi air force and the Army National Guard. Seventeen civilian defense and Iraqi air force members

  • Predator crashes in Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed in southern Afghanistan Feb. 8 at approx 11:35 a.m. local time. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board will be convened to investigate

  • Gen. Schwartz addresses top ROTC cadets

    The top Air Force ROTC cadets from around the country gathered in the nation's capitol and met the top uniformed Air Force officer as guests of the George C. Marshall Foundation while attending a leadership and networking seminar Jan. 30 through Feb. 1. The cadets each were the recipient of the

  • Iraqi and American pilots learn from one another

    Maj. Terry Bloom returned from his deployment at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, in October 2008 with a stronger appreciation for not only the security and freedom America provides its citizens, but also for Iraqis' determination to restore their country to its former grand status in

  • AFOTEC announces mission realignment

    The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center has begun realigning its mission capability to support cyber operations. This realignment will shift about 70 personnel during the next 18 months from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., to three other AFOTEC Detachments located in California, Colorado

  • Constructing an air corps from the ground up

    Airmen from the U.S. Air Force and the Afghan National Army Air Corps are working side-by-side to provide an airpower capability to the nation of Afghanistan. The Afghan Army was created six years ago with the air corps element subsequently created four years later. The training mission to grow

  • KC-135 crew airlifts wounded from Afghanistan

    A few Airmen from the 931st Air Refueling Group spent their Super Bowl weekend resting from a 12-day aeromedical evacuation mission in Afghanistan. Eight reservists from the 931st manned a specially equipped KC-135 Stratotanker that made four back-to-back trips to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to

  • Record of Decision signed on beddown of Joint Strike Fighter

    Air Force officials have decided to bed down 59 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and to allow associated construction at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to begin, implementing a BRAC 2005 decision. The decision also imposes temporary operational limitations on JSF flight training activities both to

  • Student's AF-funded research to work complex problems

    A doctoral student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is designing Air Force Office of Scientific Research-supported computer models that can describe the pattern of complicated scenarios ranging from finding oil underground to pinpointing suspicious behaviors in urban settings. Emily

  • Captain explains SARC program to House subcommittee

    Capt. Daniel Katka was on Capitol Hill Jan. 28 to discuss how the Air Force helps victims of sexual assault. Captain Katka, a sexual assault response coordinator at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, joined a panel of sister service representatives to answer questions from the Military Personnel

  • AFSO 21 project yields award payload

    An AFSO 21 project prompted by Col. Jeffrey Glass, 507th Air Refueling Wing commander, has resulted in a payload of Air Force awards for wing members. "I have known for a long time how some Airman may go 15 to 20 years without receiving an Air Force award," Colonel Glass said. "It's appalling how

  • Weather-center forecasts now just a click away

    The latest, up-to-date weather forecasts from around the globe are now just a few mouse clicks away thanks to the staff at the American Forces Network Weather Center here. AFNWC personnel recently updated their Web site to include daily weather forecasts for Europe, Southwest Asia and the Tropics.

  • Joint basing efforts under way at 3 AMC bases

    Three Air Mobility Command bases are in the process of merging with two Army posts and a Naval Air Station as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission which identified that these military facilities could be combined to streamline operational efficiency and save taxpayers' money.