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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Mobility key to outpost sustainability

    For service members assigned to small military outposts strategically placed throughout Afghanistan's most rugged landscape, air mobility is the key to mission success."We have outposts all over the place here," said Army Lt. Col. David Preston, a member of a support battalion for Task Force

  • Airmen will be on the field, onstage, airborne during Super Bowl XLV

    Two Airmen from The U.S. Air Force Band and one from The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard will be cheering for every service member in blue during Super Bowl XLV, regardless of which team walks away with the Vince Lombardi trophy. The Bandsmen and Honor Guard color team member were selected to assist in

  • Petraeus discusses troop transition options

    As the start of the drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan approaches, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the senior commander of U.S. and coalition forces there, said the transition of forces could take a number of forms."Progressively over time, obviously, we do want to reduce our numbers in specific

  • Leaders call operational Reserve 'a new DOD efficiency'

    The new role and future direction of the Department of Defense's reserve components was the focus of the Reserve Officer Association gathering attended by more than 600 people at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel here Jan. 29 through Feb. 2.Senior DOD leaders here discussed how the Reserve programs

  • Rubber removal begins at Bagram Airfield

    Since Jan. 30, Airmen who work on the flightline here have seen a new vehicle crossing the runway. The vehicle, a TrackJet TJ-24, is a surface-treatment system with high-capacity vacuum suction capability. It looks like a water tanker with a vacuum attached to the front. Since its arrival, the

  • Center officials award Space Fence preliminary design contracts

    Electronic Systems Center officials have issued two competitive contract orders, each worth $107 million, for preliminary design of the Space Fence program. They awarded the contracts to Raytheon Corp.'s Integrated Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin Corporation's Mission Systems & Sensors Division.

  • AOC Weapon System moves toward single computing environment

    Electronic Systems Center officials recently put out a request for proposal to modernize the Air and Space Operations Center Weapon System."We're looking to have a single computing environment for the AOC Weapon System," said Lt. Col. John Barrette, AOC WS 10.2 program manager. "Right now, there are

  • Government officials unite to improve child, youth programs

    The government's new military family-support effort will have a resounding impact on resources and programs for military children and youth in the months and years ahead, a Defense Department official said."It is earth-shattering," said Barbara Thompson, the director of the Pentagon's office of

  • Chaplain assistant bolsters morale, mission focus from a unique perspective

    While the chapel staff here offers worship services and a seemingly endless supply of steaming hot coffee, there's one thing that sets it apart from all the rest. As the 447th Air Expeditionary Group's only chaplain assistant for the hundreds of service members here at Sather Air Base, Staff Sgt.

  • Air Force fighters prep for Super Bowl XLV

    Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region fighters will be busy well before Super Bowl Sunday preparing to protect the sky around Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.Exercise Amalgam Virgo 11-05A, a NORAD air defense exercise, was held Feb. 2 in the greater Arlington area to

  • Researchers harness wave energy in research simulations

    Researchers here recently harnessed more than 99 percent of the energy in a simulated ocean wave and are preparing to take their emerging technology to the next level.The energy research is part of a National Science Foundation-funded project to create the world's first free-floating, fully

  • Hickam C-17 drops a Navy boat over Pacific

    It was 'zero-dark-thirty' and only the blue line of runway lights met the joint Air Force and Navy crew under the wings of a C-17 Globemaster III.A 535th Airlift Squadron aircrew from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Navy Special Warfare Unit One from Guam teamed up to drop a

  • C-17s deliver largest OEF fuel resupply

    Three C-17 Globemaster IIIs carrying 120 bundles dropped the largest resupply of fuel ever to a remote military outpost in Afghanistan.Throughout the span of two days, Jan. 29 through 30, Soldiers hustled to collect the pallets, store them and then prepare for the next C-17 pass."When these drops

  • Global Strike mission continues during winter storm

    While Americans face hazardous road conditions and closures this week with a major winter storm blowing across the heart of the country, it is wintertime business as usual at most Air Force Global Strike Command bases, officials said.The command's responsibility for northern bases, which serve both

  • New website promotes military info sharing

    Whether they're moving into a new contingency operation or upgrading operations for an existing one, U.S. forces have a new weapon at their disposal when setting up or reconfiguring their command-and-control architectures.Thanks to the new "C2 Central" website established by U.S. Joint Forces

  • Legends Panel links past, present communications Airmen

    Air Force Network Integration Center Airmen had a unique opportunity to meet with and ask questions of some of the organization's past commanders and members of the Communications and Information Hall of Fame during the AFNIC Legends Panel session here Jan 26.The panel was part of a two-day heritage

  • Air National Guard fighter wing preps for alert missions at Tyndall

    U.S.-based alert pilots train to shoot down enemy aircraft over American soil. They run exercise scenarios on a constant basis, preparing for that call to scramble. But all the dry runs in the world can't prepare a pilot for that moment when a live missile is released from the jet. That's why

  • Rescue Airmen respond to helicopter crash

    Air Force reservists from the 943rd Rescue Group here responded to a Department of Public Safety helicopter crash in a rugged valley northwest of Tucson Jan. 31.Around noon, 943rd RQG Airmen were conducting two rescue helicopter training missions in the local area when they heard radio chatter

  • Photo essay: Osan Airmen take part in operational readiness exercise

    Airmen participate in Beverly Bulldog 11-01, an operational readiness exercise here Jan. 28. The exercise allows Airmen to demonstrate their ability to complete the mission in simulated chemical environments while executing their primary duties, practicing self-aid and buddy care, and conducting

  • Officials announce Sijan Award winners

    Air Force officials announced the winners of the 2010 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award.The Sijan Award annually recognizes four Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities. Officer and enlisted honorees are chosen in senior and junior categories.Lt. Col. Tony Millican of Nellis Air Force

  • Tops In Blue to perform at Super Bowl XLV

    Tops In Blue, the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment unit, is scheduled to perform "America the Beautiful" during festivities leading up to Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas, Feb. 6.The group will perform alongside actress Lea Michele during pre-game activities. Tops In Blue performed as the

  • Kehler succeeds Chilton as commander of Strategic Command

    Air Force Gen. Kevin P. Chilton passed the flag of U.S. Strategic Command to Air Force Gen. C. Robert Kehler Jan. 28, giving the nation's nuclear deterrent mission a new commander.General Chilton, a pilot who served 10 years with NASA and flew three space shuttle missions, retired after 34 years of

  • F-15E pilot selected to receive Jabara Award

    An F-15E Strike Eagle pilot and 2004 graduate of the Air Force Academy was selected Jan. 25 to receive the 2011 Col. James Jabara Award for Airmanship.Capt. Michael Polidor, a member of Air Force Global Strike Command, distinguished himself through heroic actions in an Operation Enduring Freedom

  • CSAF calls for more collaboration amid budget pressures

    Intense budget pressure, made worse by the failure to pass the fiscal 2011 defense appropriations bill, requires increased joint and total force collaboration across the U.S. military, according to the Air Force chief of staff. Gen. Norton Schwartz made the comments during remarks at the Reserve

  • AFNORTH officials give Civil Air Patrol a technology boost

    When Air Forces Northern officials need an aircrew to fly a search and rescue mission, run counterdrug support or play the bad guy, they frequently call on the members of the Civil Air Patrol, who are always more than eager to lend a helping hand. In an effort to make the job easier and more

  • High-tempo training prepares maintainers for war

    Aircraft maintainers are working day and night during Red Flag 11-2, so pilots can fly the missions needed to prepare for aerial combat, but not only aircrew members benefit from the Red Flag experience.The high-tempo mission requirements of Red Flag provide maintainers an environment that

  • MacDill officials use multi-pronged approach to save aircraft fuel

    Drivers who stay aware of their right foot, keep their engine tuned and adjust their car's tire pressure can save a few cents a day in gas costs. When the professionals who plan the flying missions at here get frugal, it can save thousands of dollars a day. That's why the 6th Air Mobility and 927th

  • Advisers fight fire with knowledge

    Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air advisers provided critical training to Iraqi firefighters at New Al-Muthana Air Base Jan. 24. The class, spearheaded by NAMAB's Base Transition Team - Det. 3, taught 24 Iraqi firefighters how to safely handle a fire aboard an Iraqi C-130 Hercules. The class is

  • Deployed medical team saves critically injured member

    Medics from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing provided self-aid and buddy care to a critically wounded patient during a recent attack against Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.The team of four Airmen provided immediate assistance to a critically wounded patient, giving him the chance to receive more

  • Airmen, Soldiers participate in medical evacuation training

    Approximately 40 Airmen from the 8th Medical Group participated in medical evacuation training here Jan. 19. The Airmen also trained with Army medics and pilots from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.The 8th MDG Airmen, who were mainly flight surgeons, doctors, nurses

  • Air Force officials announce NASCAR sponsorship for 2011

    Air Force recruiting officials announced Jan. 21 that they are renewing the NASCAR partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports and the No. 43 car for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. "This is our tenth season in NASCAR and we look forward to competing and winning with the Richard Petty team," said

  • Officials to issue new camouflage uniforms to deployers

    Airmen deploying to Afghanistan in 2011 will see a new uniform issued to them as part of their deployment gear beginning in March. While Airmen have been faced with a slew of uniform changes in recent years, this new uniform is not a matter of image or heritage but instead has resulted from a joint

  • First U.S.-trained Afghan helicopter pilots begin Mi-17 qualification course

    The first two Afghan air force helicopter pilots to complete basic pilot training in the U.S. recently began the initial Mi-17 qualification course meant to convert them into Mi-17 helicopter pilots at the Afghan air force base in Kabul. A hybrid of Croatian and U.S. helicopter training syllabi, the

  • Officials plan first 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal briefing

    The first in a series of briefings to describe the Defense Department's progress in implementing repeal of the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law is coming soon, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Jan. 26.Clifford L. Stanley, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, and

  • Program helps service retain RPA, rated pilots

    Air Force officials announced their plans Jan. 26 for the fiscal 2011 Aviator Continuation Pay program to help retain active-duty pilots and combat-systems officers who are trained as remotely piloted aircraft pilots.The ACP program allows some active-duty, rated aviators to qualify for a monetary

  • Fairchild rescue team saves man with broken hip

    Airmen from the 36th Rescue Flight here rescued a 65-year-old man Jan. 22 near Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.Argyle Mydland was walking back to his house when he slipped on a patch of ice and broke his hip. He was able to use his arms to crawl back inside to call for help. Because of weather restrictions

  • Red Flag 11-2 provides combat experience

    The first pilots flew into a simulated combat environment designed to give them the skills needed to survive in war during Red Flag 11-2 here Jan. 24. "The mission of every Red Flag is to expose our combat aircrew to realistic training," said Col. S. Clinton Hinote, the Red Flag 11-2 Air

  • New fitness requirements for deploying Airmen

    Airmen preparing to attend Army-taught Combat Skills Training prior to deploying to a joint expeditionary tasking in direct support of combatant commander or joint task force ground component missions will soon be required to possess a current and passing fitness assessment, according to new Air

  • Officials announce Air Force Warrior Team training camp attendees

    Air Forces Services Agency officials have invited 32 athletes to the 2011 Air Force Warrior Team training camp Feb. 7 through 11 in San Antonio. Retired Chief Master Sgt. Damian Orslene, one of the members of the 2010 Air Force team, will be at the training camp, hoping to be selected for this

  • Iraqi Air Force College trains pilots and ground support officers

    For future pilots and ground support officers, the gateway to Iraqi air power opened Sept. 1, 2010, at the Iraqi Air Force College here.There are 143 cadet pilots studying courses in avionics and aviation theory, along with geography, history, and an extensive core curriculum in the English

  • System for military disaster relief takes shape

    A system is being created that is intended to strengthen the ability of service members to contribute to civilian-led disaster response in the Western Hemisphere, a Defense Department official said here Jan. 24.Paul Stockton, the assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas'

  • Guard, Reserve legal communities gather for intense training

    More than 500 judge advocates and paralegals from throughout the Air Reserve component gathered here for two days of training at the annual ARC Survey of the Law Jan. 21 to 22.The legal professionals from the Air National Guard, the traditional Reserve and the individual mobilization augmentee

  • Rescue Airmen take on 'Titan' training

    An unused rocket-assembly building here is finding new life as a training facility to teach high-altitude, high-angle and confined-space rescue techniques. Air Force Reserve pararescuemen and combat rescue officers from the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing here, joined their active-duty

  • Airmen demonstrate capabilities during life-like exercise

    Airmen here recently participated in Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise that used scenarios to gauge Airmen's ability to react and respond to different situations and base emergencies.In one scenario Jan. 19, firefighters, security-forces and flight-medicine professionals

  • Webcasts highlight civilian education opportunities

    Two webcasts Jan. 27 offer civilian Airmen and their supervisors a chance to learn about the many education and development opportunities available.Officials from the Air Force Personnel Center Directorate of Civilian Force Integration will host the two webcasts to explain civilian developmental

  • 386th AEW transit keeps Marines moving

    Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron recently helped move the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to a forward location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.After being aboard the USS Kearsarge, USS Ponce and the USS Carter Hall of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready

  • Airmen, Soldiers join to put out fires at Ramstein AB

    Five Army firefighters from the Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, Germany joined some of their Air Force counterparts for joint training here Jan. 18.The Soldiers, assigned to the 18th Combat Support Sustainment Regiment's 23rd Ordnance Company, are working side-by-side with Airmen from with the 886th

  • Nuclear weapons center attains full operational capability

    The commander of the Air Force Materiel Command declared full operational capability for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center during the change of command ceremony Jan. 20 here.Gen. Donald Hoffman, the AFMC commander, spoke about the center's growth and said the center was the "single bellybutton

  • F-15E flies with new radar system

    Officials took a step forward in the F-15E Strike Eagle's continuous technological evolution as the Air Force's most versatile combat aircraft here Jan. 18.Officials from the 46th Test Wing launched the fourth generation fighter for the first time with a new and improved radar system, the

  • Afghan air force help desk receives upgrade training

    The Afghan air force and the NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisers recently started a new computer training course here Jan. 17. A+ training provides the basic fundamentals on desktop computers and networking. Upon completion of the course, the AAF technicians or individuals will be able to

  • CMSAF visits Davis-Monthan AFB

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Airmen and their families here Jan. 13.During his visit he sat down for an interview and discussed many topics, including the new physical training procedures, the drawdown in Iraq, suicide in the Air Force and other issues and concerns.Fitness

  • Assistant Secretary of Air Force visits Baghdad

    Airmen deployed to Iraq in 2011 will play a historic role as U.S. military forces drawdown under the 2008 bilateral security agreement, said a senior Pentagon official."This is a particularly important time in Iraq," said Daniel Ginsberg, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and

  • Deadline nears for O'Malley Award nominations

    Air Force officials would like to remind Airmen that the deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award to the Air Force Personnel Center is March 15.The O'Malley Award annually recognizes the wing commander and spouse team whose contributions to the

  • Air Force secretary honors AETC heroes

    Nearly one thousand Airmen from across the command gathered here Friday to hear Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during the Air Education and Training Command Ball.The ball, the largest formal event hosted by the command, concluded the AETC Symposium and Exposition. More than 3,500 Airmen,

  • Airmen consolidate flying missions, free space for Afghan unit

    Officials from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing recently began moving assets here as part of a long-term project to consolidate the wing's missions and to free space for the expanding Afghan unit. The move of the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron marked the first of 10 units and two groups to be

  • Alaska F-22 AIB on recess

    Accident investigation board officials for the Alaska-based F-22 Raptor crash recessed, Jan. 14, per the direction of Gen. Gary North, the Pacific Air Forces commander. The board is set to resume when weather conditions allow further recovery operations of the crash site located near Cantwell,

  • KC-10 marks 20 years of deployment, nearly 30 years of operations

    Jan. 17th was a special day for the KC-10 Extender community. It marked the day KC-10s, aircrews and maintainers have been on continuous deployment for 20 years -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year -- to Southwest Asia in support of combat operations.Facts show the KC-10 will pass a

  • Commander says headquarters' job is to make wings successful

    Air Force Global Strike Command's new top leader addressed his headquarters staff Jan. 12, less than a week after taking command. His message: the headquarters is responsible for ensuring the success of its subordinate units.Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski visited each of the command's installations Jan. 7

  • First Delta IV Heavy launches from Vandenberg AFB

    A Delta IV Heavy Launch Vehicle was launched from here Jan. 20. It was the first Delta IV HLV to be launched from the West Coast of the U.S., and it carried a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office."The teamwork between the 30th Space Wing, the National Reconnaissance

  • Air Force chief of staff releases 2011 reading list

    The Air Force chief of staff announced his latest professional reading list Jan. 21. "Effectively operating within our increasingly dynamic, interconnected and complex world requires steadfast commitment to personal and professional growth," Gen. Norton Schwartz said in a letter to

  • Edwards officials developing new parachute system

    Officials here are creating a guardian angel system to help Air Force members who parachute to land safely and softly.Officials are replacing the Air Force's nearly five-decades-old parachute system with a new one, called the Guardian Angel Advance Parachute System, which is designed for safer

  • More nuke treaties remain on agenda, official says

    With one major arms reduction treaty nearly to the enforcement stage, more work lies ahead to advance the nation's nuclear security, a senior State Department official said Jan. 19.Rose Gotemoeller, the State Department's assistant secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and

  • Photo essay: Static-line jumps over Guam

    Airmen from the 535th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, flew training missions for the 36th Contingency Response Group's static-line proficiency training here Jan. 13.View the slideshow.

  • Reserve C-130 special mission units learn from each other

    Air Force Reserve aerial spray, aerial firefighting and hurricane hunting units gathered at the command's C-130 Special Missions conference learned that they share common issues, though they perform vastly different missions. That was the focus of the two-day conference that ended here Jan 13."This

  • CSAF meets with PRT, local leader in Afghanistan

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz met with members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul Jan. 20 here, during a trip to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.General Schwartz received a mission briefing from PRT staff members and thanked the team members for their hard

  • Air Force chief of staff visits Thunder Lab

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz spent time with members of the Afghan air force and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan members during his visit here Jan. 18.General Schwartz visited the Thunder Lab, an innovative English immersion project located on the base, where he was briefed by

  • Japanese minister of defense visits Kadena AB

    Landing at a helicopter pad here, Jan. 20, Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa met with Brig. Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, the 18th Wing commander, for a mission briefing and a base tour. During the visit, Mr. Kitazawa expressed his appreciation for the leadership, cooperation, and hard work

  • Afghanistan airdrop levels set record in 2010

    Mobility Airmen supporting operations in Afghanistan airdropped 60.4 million pounds of cargo airdropped throughout the country, setting a record.In all, the 60.4 million pounds is nearly twice the previous record year of 2009, where just over 32.2 million pounds of cargo was airdropped, Air Forces

  • CSAF meets with Airmen during Bagram visit

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited the Airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing here Jan. 18 through 19 during a trip to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.The Air Force's 19th chief of staff also took time to present Purple Hearts to Capt. Gil Wyche and Senior

  • CSAF presents two Purple Hearts at Bagram Airfield

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented two Airmen with Purple Hearts during a ceremony here Jan. 19. Capt. Gil Wyche, a security forces officer assigned to the 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron, and Senior Airman Brandon Cullen Towle, a joint terminal attack controller assigned to

  • Consumer advocates seek military's input

    Leaders implementing the federal government's new consumer protection agency met with Joint Base San Antonio service members here Jan. 18 to discuss the unique financial issues facing military families.Elizabeth Warren, the assistant to the president and special adviser to the secretary of the

  • AFOSI Airman selected Language Professional of the Year

    An agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations was recently selected as the Air Force Language Professional of the Year. Special Agent Slava is being recognized by the LPOY program for his linguist work with Department of Defense missions overseas, where he advised senior DOD

  • Personnel recovery division stands up at ACC

    In December 2010, Air Combat Command's Personnel Recovery Division, designated A3J and headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Va., officially stood up and was created to ensure that the Air Force is prepared for the challenge of rescuing Airmen from hostile deployed environments. The division is

  • Deadline near for AFA awards

    The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year and the 2011 Verne Orr awards to the Air Force Personnel Center is March 1.The Air Force Association sponsors both awards annually.The Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award honors the significant contributions

  • McKinley: Relationships vital to National Guard domestic operations

    The National Guard's ability to respond to a domestic response depends largely on relationships established prior to an incident, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said Jan. 19 at the 2011 National Guard Bureau Domestic Operations Workshop here. "You establish these relationships in your

  • McChord crew chiefs 'get the job done'

    Maintainers here say no airlift wing can provide global airlift for America without ready and available aircraft. No aircraft can deliver global airlift without proper maintenance. The 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs here ensure the 62nd Airlift Wing's C-17 Globemaster IIIs are safe,

  • Air Force boxing back on base

    The Air Force School of Boxing is back in session at the boxing gym here.As of Jan. 8, Air Force boxing coach Steven Franco has been leading his pupils through his brand of "boxing 101."For camp veterans, such as All-Air Force light heavyweight Larry Hampp, two-time Air Force boxer Gary Griffin and

  • Hickam aircrew maximizes training in Guam

    It took 23 passes over designated drops zones and a 12-hour tactical duty day of training to finish a single day of airdrop training in Guam.An aircrew from the 535th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, dropped four training pallets, five container delivery system bundles,

  • Milestone for Afghan air force means better trained pilots

    The Afghan air force reached a new milestone with the opening of the pilot training program recently here. The first Afghan pilots began their eight-week instruction course early in January with a four-day academic schedule before beginning flight instruction on the Mi-17 Hip H. "We are helping the

  • RAT helps 493rd EFS get home

    After completing their NATO Baltic air policing mission rotation, Airmen from the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron only have one thing left to do: get home.According to Senior Airman Scott Knight, an air transportation journeyman with the 493rd EFS Redeployment Action Team, that is where the

  • Falcons have strong showing at 2011 All-Comers Meet

    The Air Force track and field team kicked off the 2011 season with a strong showing at the annual Air Force All-Comers Meet Jan. 14 at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Cadet Field House. Several Falcons added new entries to the women's record books, while the combined squad accounted for 11 top finishes

  • IndyCar drivers take pit stop at Ramstein

    Former IndyCar racing rivals teamed up to visit service members here during a 10-day tour that will bring them through Europe and Southwest Asia to boost morale of service members serving overseas.Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr. and Larry Foyt are a few who have visited service members here at the

  • Hockey: Falcons split 2-game series against Black Knights

    The Air Force Falcons split a two-game series against the Army Black Knights Jan. 14 and 15here The Falcons bludgeoned the Black Knights in the first game of the series, winning 5-1 on goals by Tony Thomas, Ryan Timar, Jacques Lamoreux, Paul Weisgarber and Brad Sellers and 27 saves by Falcons goalie

  • F-16s' arrival brings 'battle rhythm' to joint strike fighter wing

    After 17 months of silence, the 33rd Fighter Wing flightline here finally roared back to life Jan. 13. The 33rd FW received four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 56th FW at Luke AFB, Ariz. The jets will help establish a "battle rhythm," as the wing stands up the first joint training center for the

  • Congressional commission studies women in combat

    Defense Department officials will review the recommendations of a congressional commission studying the role of women in combat when the group's report is complete, a DOD official said Jan. 14.Congress established the Military Leadership Diversity Commission as part of the 2009 National Defense

  • Photo essay: JB Langley Airmen prepare for readiness

    Members from the 1st Maintenance Squadron sharpen their skills during an operational readiness exercise here Jan. 8. The exercise works as a test to prepare Airmen if faced with a disaster, imminent threat or short-notice orders to deploy.View the slideshow.

  • Warfighters gather at Nellis for WEPTAC

    More than 1,300 U.S. and coalition forces members participated in the 2011 Weapons and Tactics Conference held here Jan. 10 through 14.Held annually, WEPTAC brings together U.S. and allied warfighters from across the combat air force to discuss current issues, look at future issues, and provide

  • Air Force officials automate active-duty assignment notifications

    Air Force officials are automating active-duty assignment notifications for Airmen in the ranks of lieutenant colonel and below beginning Jan. 21. Airmen will receive an e-mail notification about their new assignments and have seven days to acknowledge their assignments through the Virtual Military

  • CSAR Airmen airlift injured Soldier

    Timing is everything. As the rotors of an HH-60G Pave Hawk wound down from a recently completed training scenario, a real-world medical response was requested. The launch of a combat search and rescue team was perfectly timed for a Soldier needing medical attention on a secluded outpost.The crew was

  • Restoration officials recycle bombs, save money

    Environmental restoration officials here are shredding their way through 50,000 practice bombs. So far, they have recycled more than one million pounds of metal from the BDU 33 and Mark 106 bombs.The effort is part of the Air Force's military munitions response program. The mission of the MMRP is to

  • Vice president thanks Airmen and service members in Iraq

    A crowd of more than 200 service members, many of them Airmen, and civilians deployed in support of Operation New Dawn listened to Vice President Joe Biden during his recent stop at Al Faw Palace here."It makes me feel like we have the support of the people back home," said Staff Sgt. Pearl Alomar,

  • Crucial training prepares flag officers for deployment

    Experts here are preparing flag officers for deployments by familiarizing them with the language and culture they may encounter.The Air Force Culture and Language Center's General Officer Pre-Deployment Acculturation Course is tailored to the general officers' needs and takes into consideration

  • Director calls personnel system transition 'rewarding'

    The Defense Department's transfer of more than 170,000 civilian employees out of the National Security Personnel System since 2009 has been smooth, the transition's director said Jan 13.John H. James Jr. said much of the credit for the transition goes to the services."The components have done a very

  • SOUTHCOM chief praises Haiti quake response

    A year after his headquarters staff jumped into action to coordinate the military response to a devastating earthquake in Haiti, Gen. Douglas Fraser, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, offered high praise Jan. 12 for the hard work and dedication they demonstrated. General Fraser, during his

  • Civil engineers bring home three Air Force-level awards

    Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Group here received three "Best in the Air Force" awards for their accomplishments in 2010. The 18th CEG, which is composed of the 18th and 718th Civil Engineer Squadrons, was awarded the Major General Clifton D. Wright Award, the Harry P. Rietman Award and the