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  • Senior leaders discuss need to control cyber domain, build new command

    In separate speeches June 18 during the second annual Air Force Cyberspace Symposium in nearby Marlborough, Mass., two senior leaders explained the critical need for the Air Force to control the cyberspace domain and reasons why a new command is needed to do so. First to speak was Lt. Gen. Robert J.

  • Bombers drop sea mines to end deployment

    B-52 Stratofortress bombers dropped 162 inert sea mines 80 miles off Guam's south coast during a recent training exercise to finish a four-month rotation to the Pacific island. Aircrews from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron dropped the MK-62 sea mines on strategic spots to deter "enemy forces"

  • New radar facility to open

    Officials from the Ellsworth Air Force Base and Minot AFB, N.D., Radar Approach Control Facilities are preparing to open the Dakota Air Traffic Control Facility this summer here.The facility will be a noncontiguous, co-located RAPCON and will service both bases and the region. "The current Ellsworth

  • Secretary Wynne speaks at cyber symposium

    While the Air Force has made great strides in cyberspace during the last three years, it remains an arena that will require the continued efforts and innovation of all Airmen and warfighters, said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne to attendees at the second Air Force Cyberspace Symposium

  • Cadets learn mission through Operation Air Force

    Eighteen U.S. Air Force Academy cadets visited McChord Air Force Base June 13 to experience operations and day-to-day experiences in the Air Force.The cadets visited McChord AFB during the first phase of Operation Air Force, a career-broadening program, and then flew on board a C-17 Globemaster III

  • Air National Guard works to corral Mississippi

    The men and women of the 185th Air Refueling Squadron from Sioux City, Iowa, are teaming with local farmers to maintain the 20 miles of levees, keeping the flooded Mississippi from inundating the 14 thousand acres of homes and farmland here. The river is flowing 23 feet over flood levels and 20 feet

  • Air National Guard's Airmen of the Year announced

    Air National Guard officials identified six Airmen as their Airmen of the Year for 2008 following their arrival here June 15 for a week-long celebration and tribute to their achievements. This year's Airmen of the Year were chosen through a process of unit, state and national selection panels and

  • JTACs train in complex art of coordinating close-air support

    Exercise Atlantic Strike VII kicked off June 14 in the swampy pinegroves of the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex as more than 800 joint and coalition warfighters from around the world gathered to practice and train in the complex art of coordinating close-air support for ground maneuvers. The

  • Air Force officials name 2008 LULAC award winner

    Air Force officials have selected Capt. Elisa Valenzuela from the Air Force Materiel Command as the winner of the 2008 League of United Latin American Citizens Excellence in Military Service award. The award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to the advancement of minority

  • Computational analysis improves I-500 warhead survivability

    Air Force Research Laboratory engineers here conducted dynamic computational analysis geared toward improving the survivability of a proposed I-500 warhead design. Ongoing computational analysis suggests that resulting changes should significantly increase the warhead's structural survivability

  • Special concert given for some special children

    The U.S. Air Forces Central Band Falcon gave a special performance to some special children at the Belvodosky Orphanage June 14 in Kyrgyzstan. The band members, who are deployed from the Heartland of America Band at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., sang about a dozen songs for about 80 children. The

  • Air War College to launch revised distance learning program

    The Air War College will make significant changes to its distance learning program this summer and discontinue the previous 16th edition. The revised distance learning program that closely parallels the resident course will soon be available to senior military officers and equivalent civilian

  • Sather Airmen foster relationships with local community

    The sounds of children laughing fill the air as they run across the dusty soccer field. Despite the heat and dirt, parents and friends cheer and join in to play from time to time. Yet, this scene isn't from a typical Saturday afternoon in suburban America. This is Iraq and another example of how

  • AF engineers create thermal control system for space use

    Air Force Research Laboratory engineers here have successfully integrated two existing technologies to create a thermal emission management system suitable for space use. Achieving operationally responsive space capabilities requires versatile satellites that can adapt as needed to accomplish

  • Robins implements philosophy to help maintainers

    Maintainers here are implementing a new philosophy that allows them to complete maintenance and get aircraft out to the fight faster, thanks to innovative changes suggested by members of the high velocity maintenance high performance team. The search for a change began because Warner Robins Air

  • Restraint system improves aircrew safety

    A new restraint system based on the same technology that brings speeding roller coasters to a smooth stop may soon help save warfighter lives and reduce military mobile aircrew injuries. Air Force Research Laboratory engineers teamed with Wolf Technical Services, Inc., under a Small Business

  • Renamed U.S. military base in Iraq reflects joint status

    The home of the Air Force's only wing in Iraq and the Army's logistical headquarters for supplies and shipments in the country has been renamed to reflect the dual nature of the base. Joint Base Balad is the new name for what used to be called Balad Air Base by the Air Force and Logistics Support

  • Air Force scientists develop transparent transistors

    Air Force Research Laboratory scientists have demonstrated world-record performance of transparent transistors created from thin-film nanocrystalline zinc oxide which can function, undetected, on clear surfaces such as glass or plastic. Lead investigator Dr. Burhan Bayraktaroglu of AFRL's Sensors

  • Changes to current Course 12, 14 enrollments announced

    Before senior NCOs are eligible for a senior rater endorsement, there are certain educational requirements that must be met. The first is a Community College of the Air Force degree, and the second is completion of either Course 12 or 14, which are senior NCO professional military education distance

  • Technology, training force multiplier for security forces Airmen

    While security forces members receive training in technical school, the multiple threats faced by members today requires continual sharpening of their skills. Airmen from the 354th Security Forces Squadron here participate in daily flight-level exercises as well as mandatory squadron training. The

  • Air University officials reflect on ABC enlisted degree program's success

    It's been a year since the Community College of the Air Force launched the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program for enlisted Airmen and Air Force officials are pleased with the program's results thus far. When the program started June 15, 2007, Air University officials

  • Indiana Guard begins next mission -- recovery

    Some Indiana National Guardsmen began returning to their homes on June 15, while others began the next phase of their flood duty in the southwest part of the state -- recovery. Joint Task Force - 81 will have 60 of its 1,300 deployed Soldiers stay behind in the vicinity of East Mount Carmel and New

  • Citizenship path for Airmen now a total-force reality

    In support of Total-Force integration, U.S. citizenship application forms, checklists and other supporting documents recently became available to Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members through the virtual Personnel Center-Guard Reserve link on the Air Reserve Personnel Center Web

  • Guard units provide real-time video of flood damaged areas

    Flying at 8,000 feet above flood ravaged Wisconsin, members of the Wisconsin Air National Guard with assistance from Air Guard units from Arkansas and Mississippi provided emergency management officials with "eyes in the sky" to help with disaster relief efforts. Recent heavy rains have left

  • Marathon registration figures on pace to shatter '07 record

    If current figures are an accurate predictor, the 2008 U.S. Air Force Marathon appears well on its way to shattering last year's registration record of more than 6,700 runners and could approach the 10,000 mark. As of June 13, the total number of runners registered for the 12th annual event stood at

  • Soviet kitsch gets 'Aggressors' into bad-guy role

    The walls are decorated with old Soviet Union propaganda, urging admirers of the art to note a "Glory to the Soviet People -- The Creator of Powerful Aviation", and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics flags with the infamous hammer and sickle graphic are spread throughout the building. However,

  • Deployed fathers find ways to keep in touch with families

    This Father's Day, many deployed servicemembers have mixed feelings about being away from their children and having their "area of responsibility" shift from the home front to the war front. But many fathers in the AOR feel their commitment to their families is also a big part of their identity

  • EOD facility at Hickam named in honor of fallen Airman

    The 15th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal facility was dedicated in memory of a fallen Airman before family, friends and other military servicemembers June 7 at Hickam Air Force Base.Senior Airmen William Newman was 23 and on his 98th combat mission when a projectile he was

  • Air Force charts new course for 2009 force shaping

    Air Force officials here currently are deciding how to carry out force shaping plans in the coming year following an announcement by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Monday to halt personnel cuts. Active-duty end strength was projected to decrease from 328,600 to 316,600 by the end of fiscal 2009.

  • Airman, Sailor save Peruvian soldier

    An Airman and Sailor saved the life of a Peruvian soldier supporting Task Force New Horizons-Peru 2008 June 8 here. Tech. Sgt. Christopher Clark, a medical technician for Task Force New Horizons, and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brennen Lawson helped care for the Peruvian soldier who suffered from

  • Osan gets technologically advanced protective masks

    Osan Air Base Airmen began receiving their new M-50 protective masks, replacing the MCU 2 protective mask, during a mass re-issue process June 9. The M-50 mask is one of the latest initiatives in fielding "joint" equipment, said Tech. Sgt. Peter Garcia, who is with the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron

  • Guard unit welcomes Predator, reconnaissance mission

    Members of the 147th Fighter Wing here said goodbye to their F-16 Fighting Falcons and made room for the MQ-1 Predator as the Air National Guard unit became the 147th Reconnaissance Wing June 7.The Predators at the Houston Air National Guard Base are expected to enhance both U.S. military

  • Air Force launches NASA gamma ray study

    The Air Force successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster carrying NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, satellite into space at 12:05 p.m. June 11 from the Space Launch Complex here. The launch will deliver the GLAST observatory into a circular orbit around the

  • Trip was gesture of respect to Airmen, Gates says

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' trip to Langley Air Force Base, Va., Peterson AFB, Colo., and Scott AFB, Ill., was a gesture of respect and confidence in Airmen following a rough week for the Air Force. On June 5, Secretary Gates asked for and received the resignations of Air Force Secretary

  • Airmen teach Iraqis Western-style command, control

    As part of an ongoing process to stabilize Iraq, Airmen are teaching command and control techniques to their counterparts at the Iraqi air operations center at Camp Victory near Baghdad's international airport. The operations center is the hub that controls all Iraqi air force missions, where

  • Safety video promotes driving, recreation safety

    The top Air Force safety officer appears in a video for the service's annual "101 Critical Days of Summer" safety campaign, which started May 23 and ends Sept. 2. In the production, Maj. Gen. Wendell Griffin, the Air Force chief of safety and commander of the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland AFB,

  • In his honor: Street named for Airman killed in action

    Approximately 400 servicemembers gathered June 10 here to honor a vehicle operator who died June 10, 2007, as result of an improvised explosive device attack.Airman 1st Class Eric Barnes, 20, of Lorain, Ohio, was deployed from the 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base,

  • New video focuses on cyberspace

    The Air Force Institute of Technology's Center for Cyberspace Research has produced a new  video that delves into the importance of cyberspace, the third domain of the Air Force in addition to air and space. The video, New Domain - New Warrior, can be viewed on the CCR Web site. The Center for

  • Secretary Gates cites Air Force's value in war on terrorism

    America's war on terrorism would grind to a halt without the contributions of the Air Force, said the Defense secretary June 9 at Langley Air Force Base. "Every day, amazing Airmen are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan," Secretary Robert M. Gates said. "Beyond that, you support all the services

  • Defense secretary: Increase focus on nuclear mission

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates spoke candidly to Air Force Space Command members here June 10 about the resignation of top Air Force officials and problems of leadership and accountability in the control of nuclear assets. He charted a new course for the Air Force leaders at all levels. "The

  • Altitude in Peru presents challenges, won't stop mission

    The air is a bit thinin the mountainous region of Ayacucho, Peru, where Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine servicemembers are participating in New Horizons-Peru 2008, a humanitarian mission set on improving the quality of life of underprivileged Peruvians. The altitude in Huamanga is more than 9,000

  • Final record scan moves AFPC closer to total virtual service

    Blanca Rubio, a contract scanning team leader at the Air Force Personnel Center here, performed an electronic scan of the Air Force's last paper unit personnel record June 3.  This was an important digital milestone because it completed the paper conversion to a Web-based, around-the-clock "virtual

  • Pave Low pilot named Kolligian Award recipient

    An Air Force helicopter pilot was named the 2008 recipient of the service's top safety award June 9. Lt. Col. Eugene V. Becker from the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was presented the Koren Kolligian Jr. trophy during a ceremony at the Pentagon. Vice Chief of Staff

  • Air Force announces Reserve F-22 squadron at Holloman

    Air Force Reserve Command officials announced June 6 that a second F-22 Raptor fighter squadron will be established at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Reserve officials will relocate the 301st Fighter Squadron from Luke AFB, Ariz., to Holloman AFB and form a classic association with the active duty's

  • Forum draws senior Air Force leaders

    Air Force senior leaders came together here for a quarterly Process Council meeting to discuss issues facing the service today and in the future. A highlight of the June 2-3 forum was the review of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives designed to help provide substantive

  • Afghan soldiers master driving Humvees

    Humvees will soon become the Afghan National Army's vehicle of choice on the battlefield, but not until every soldier is qualified to safely operate them. For this reason, Air Force Capt. Todd Klusek and Army Capt. William Snyder, combat service support senior mentors assigned to the Combined

  • Improvements target morale for troops in Afghanistan

    A genuine caring attitude drives the morale, welfare and recreation Airmen who continuously work to improve the MWR facilities and events for Airmen and Soldiers here. Assigned to the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, two of the three MWR Airmen arrived in March to discover a facility

  • Airmen keep servicemembers, families connected

    Staying connected to their loved ones back home is a priority for the more than 24,000 Airmen deployed throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, Southwest Asia and the Horn of Africa. Hoping to make that easier, a group of 17 Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer, Communications and Force Support

  • Airmen help graduate Afghan's newest firefighters

    Eleven members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps recently became the first graduates of the Air Corps Firefighting School May 29 at Kabul. The graduates completed four months of class work, countless hands-on exercises extinguishing various types of fires and practicing lifesaving techniques

  • SECDEF makes Air Force leadership recommendations

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today recommended to President Bush his nominations for the top civilian and military leadership positions in the Air Force. Secretary Gates recommended Michael Donley to serve as secretary of the Air Force and Gen. Norton Schwartz to serve as chief of staff. Mr.

  • Airmen help Iraqi air force become self-sustaining service

    High above the desert terrain, they fly in providing security to the people of Iraq. The airmen are vigilant, alert and ready to engage the enemy while patrolling the sky over Iraq. They are the new breed of Iraqi airmen. The Iraqi air force has evolved by leaps and bounds in recent years, and

  • Wing medics train with Thai counterparts

    Medics assigned to the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron returned here May 31 after participating in an aeromedical evacuation exercise in Bangkok, Thailand with the Royal Thai Air Force as part of a humanitarian-assistance mission. The 18th AES trained with the RTAF during the 13th Air

  • Officials bring back missile badges, wings

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced the return of the missile badge with operations designator for intercontinental ballistic missile crews June 6. He also announced that the three ICBM wings of Air Force Space Command's 20th Air Force will return to the convention of being

  • Interagency task force targets 'violent actors'

    U.S. Central Command is part of an interagency task force for irregular warfare, a CentCom operations section initiative that recently stood up to track and target "violent and extreme actors" in the command's area of operations, said the general who is spearheading the effort. "Regionally, we look

  • Guard, Harley-Davidson join forces to improve processes

    Air Force and Harley-Davidson officials pooled their knowledge on process improvement for the benefit of both organizations in May at Harley-Davidson University here."Everything we do is a process, whether it's building a motorcycle or reviewing an airplane to get it back in flight," said Steve

  • Hanscom to play vital role in coalition demo

    Hanscom Air Force Base officials are setting up to serve as a major host site for the June 9 through 20 Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration, an annual event sponsored by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and directed by U.S. Joint Forces Command.  The primary goal -- at Hanscom

  • Incirlik first in USAFE to stand up force support squadron

    Incirlik Air Base officials will continue the Air Force-wide merger of services and mission support squadrons when its 39th Services Squadron and 39th Mission Support Squadron officially combine to become the 39th Force Support Squadron. The wing is the first U.S. Air Forces in Europe unit of any

  • Gate dedicated to Lakenheath hero

    A quiet reverence overtook Gate 2 here June 1 as members of the 48th Security Forces Squadron dedicated the new gate to a fallen member of Royal Air Force Lakenheath. Senior Airman Jason D. Nathan deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was mortally wounded by an improvised

  • Top two Air Force leaders resign

    The Air Force's top civilian and uniformed leader tendered their resignations to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates June 5. "Recent events convince me that it is now time for a new leader to take the stick and for me to move on," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne in a statement.

  • B-1B sniper pod aims to hit summer target

    Air Force officials say the B-1B Lancer sniper pod could be operational as early as this summer after accelerated testing cut the length of the sniper pod program from nine to three months. Air Force Materiel Command's Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base, along with Air

  • Airman shows tenacity, extends twice to meet goals in Iraq

    An Air Force major will return to the U.S. from Iraq -- more than a year after he expected to be home.Maj. Jiro McCoy, the 770th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Mi-17 (multi-role helicopter) commander of advisers, who voluntarily extended for more than 18 months on what was supposed to be a

  • AFPC officials provide service virtually

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here opened the virtual communication lines when monthly Internet based information sessions launched late last year for military and civilian personnelists around the Air Force. The intent of the monthly Internet conferences, known as Webcasts, is to provide

  • Servicemembers take humanitarian mission to Peru

    Air Force, Army, Marine and Navy servicemembers arrived here June 1 to kick off New Horizons Peru 2008, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored humanitarian event that will benefit thousands of Peruvians in the Ayacucho area. One hundred and thirty-nine members traveled to Ayacucho, an Andean region

  • 'Iron Man's' wingman, Terrence Howard, talks Air Force

    Air Force and Department of Defense officials agreed to highlight Air Force capabilities and Airmen to a worldwide audience in the summer blockbuster "Iron Man," primarily because the story included character Lt. Col. James Rhodes, played by Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard. "The character of

  • Doctor receives Canadian award

    A member of the 59th Medical Wing has been awarded the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal for his life-saving contributions to Canadians and coalition soldiers while deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Col. (Dr.) Thomas Seay, the 59th Radiology Squadron commander, was assigned to the Combined

  • Manas fire department switches to contract services

    Officials of the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron turned over fire protection and prevention responsibilities to civilian contract firefighters in a small ceremony June 2 at Manas Air Base. The 36 military firefighter positions seen over the past six years have now switched to about 28

  • Thunderbirds announce 2009 officer selections

    Officials of the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the Thunderbirds, announced incoming officer selections for the 2009 demonstration season June 2 here. Maj. Derek Routt, an F-15 Eagle pilot stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, will become the operations officer and serve as

  • New road to bring prosperity to Afghan province

    More than 1,000 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new $6 million road May 28 in Barak of the Bazarak District in the Panjshir province. During the ceremony, Afghan officials from the highest levels of government discussed the critical importance of the road, which will extend from

  • Remote maintenance saves Air Force millions of dollars

    Air Force Materiel Command members are using remote maintenance technology to repair air traffic control and landing systems, or ATCALS, and perform remote flight inspections, saving the Air Force millions of dollars. The upgrade to acquire and implement the new ATCALS navigation equipment that

  • Air Force officials look at hydrogen as potential fuel source

    Few car owners would ever think of pouring water down the gas tank; however, as Air Force officials here continue initiatives to redefine the Air Force's energy culture, more Airmen might picture water as an energy source. Some Robins Air Force Base Airmen may be among the first to see the use of

  • USAFE Airmen beat the heat, manage airshow crowd

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen are all smiles despite the heat and crowds of people wanting to tour of their aircraft at the 2008 Berlin Airshow here. USAFE has about 20 Airmen here, showcasing two F-16 Fighting Falcons, two F-15 Strike Eagles (models C and E) and one KC-135R Stratotanker here at

  • Bolling, Reserve officials honor famous actor, Airman

    Actor James M. Stewart was a Hollywood legend who flew bomber missions with the Army Air Forces during World War II and rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve. Officials from the 11th Wing from Bolling Air Force Base and Air Force Reserve Command members participated in a

  • AEF evolves for stressed career fields

    Air Force officials here will soon implement an amendment to the air and space expeditionary force deployment cycle that will better reflect the deployment-tempo of stressed career fields. Currently more than 45 percent of the 35,000 Airmen fighting in the war on terrorism are deployed out of their

  • Medical team inspects remote health clinic

    Appearances can be deceiving. The Jegdalak Medical Health Center, standing alone atop a rock-strewn hill overlooking Jegdalak, looks nothing like a medical facility. The clinic, however, serves a remote region of more than 30,000 Afghans. Located approximately 100 miles east of Kabul, Afghanistan,

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force transformation

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how the Air Force continues transforming to meet the needs of the 21st Century. The transformation begins with Airmen taking advantage of professional education, training and networking opportunities.Also featured is a segment on how Airmen are

  • Air Force Week Philadelphia culminates with McGuire air expo

    Officials opened the gates here for an air expo to highlight the men, women and equipment of the Air Force May 31 and June 1 to culminate Air Force Week in Philadelphia. The weather hampered aerial demonstrations May 31, but base and New Jersey officials still held a wreath-laying ceremony to open

  • Doolittle Raiders return to Eglin

    Hundreds of people and seven Doolittle Raiders assembled to witness three B-25 Mitchell bombers perform a reenactment of the war heroes' historic training mission at Duke Field here, May 31.The reenactment was one of the last events of the Doolittle Raiders Homecoming celebration held May 28-31.

  • Cambodian cattle moo for Pacific Angel staff

    If asked, most people would guess that a humanitarian medical mission run by the U.S. Air Force is to give aid and assistance to people from third-world countries, or provide humanitarian relief to a place that has been hit by natural disaster or devastation. But one team on Operation Pacific Angel

  • AMC stands up first overseas wing

    Air Mobility Command officials will stand up a new wing June 5 as part of its en route structure in the Pacific. The 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, will be the first wing AMC officials have established overseas since the command's formation in 1992. Supporting

  • U.S.-German exchange pilots showcase interoperability

    Enhancing the U.S.-German military-to-military relationship and promoting standardization and interoperability of equipment are key themes of the Berlin Airshow.Lt. Col. Marc Beutler, a German air force pilot assigned to the 14th Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and is aircraft

  • Centralization at AFPC of separation actions complete

    Under the Personnel Services Delivery Transformation initiative, beginning May 30 the Air Force Personnel Center here became the service center for all separation actions to include providing Airmen with their separation orders and DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

  • Ghost-imaging could have satellite application

    Investigators funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research are conducting research under the name of "ghost-imaging," where a visual image of an object is created by means of light that has never interacted with the object. The new technology may result in a more versatile use of field

  • 2-time Oscar winner presents film at Air Force Week

    Military medicine and wounded warriors took center stage in the "Fighting for Life" documentary produced by Terry Sanders shown during Air Force Week in Philadelphia May 28 at the Levitt Auditorium of the University of the Arts here. Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Terry Sanders and

  • CE Airmen complete projects to benefit U.S., Iraqi army

    Airmen from Detachment 6 of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron recently returned here from forward deployed locations where they were instrumental in building infrastructures for coalition and joint forces in Iraq. One project was to build a joint combat outpost in the Diyala River

  • Aggressors give Blue Forces realistic training

    Every good novel needs an antagonist, every good movie needs a bad guy and every good air force exercise needs an aggressor, commonly known as the Red Forces. F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 64th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., are screaming across Canada's open skies playing

  • KC-135: 50 years of refueling the fleet

    In an effort to modernize its aging tanker fleet, the Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to build the KC-45 aerial refueling aircraft in February. The new tanker is set to augment and eventually replace the KC-135 Stratotanker, currently the oldest airframe still in use by the Air Force.

  • Vice chief, legendary pilot commemorate 60th anniversary of Berlin Airlift

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb and legendary airlift pilot retired Col. Gail Halvorsen participated in a commemorative panel discussion of the Berlin Airlift May 27 in Berlin. The Air Force Association sponsored the panel to highlight the historic importance of the mission and

  • Academy Class of 2008 achieves long-awaited goal

    Cool temperatures with an overcast sky and a threat of rain made it no less bright for the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2008 when 1,012 graduates tossed their hats following a speech delivered by their commander-in-chief at the Academy May 28. "I am so pleased to stand before the future leaders

  • AFOSI agent serves as grand marshall in National Memorial Day parade

    The 2008 National Memorial Day Parade kicked off right on time at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., with three Airmen as the parade grand marshalls aboard the lead float with actor Gary Sinise. Special Agent (Master Sgt.) Jac Christiansen, Air Force Office of Special Investigations,

  • Airmen trace roots of independence during Air Force Week in Philadelphia

    Airpower roared over the birthplace of American independence as Airmen on the ground and in the air showed local citizens what the Air Force is all about May 27 during festivities supporting Air Force Week in Philadelphia. Throughout the Independence National Historical Park here, Airmen talked with

  • Chief McKinley awards rank of honorary chief

    An "Airman among Airmen" was awarded the honorary rank and title of a chief master sergeant in the Air Force during a ceremony here May 23. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, joined by more than 450 senior enlisted leaders attending the Airmen's Heritage Banquet during the 2008

  • Phillies recognize Air Force heroes, newest Airmen

    Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to experience the Air Force. The Philadelphia Phillies saluted the Air Force with festivities both on the field and around the ballpark as part of Air Force Week in Philadelphia ceremonies on Memorial Day here as the Phillies dismantled the Colorado Rockies

  • Safety video promotes driving, recreation safety

    The Air Force's top safety officer appears in a video for the service's annual "101 Critical Days of Summer" safety campaign, which began May 23 and ends Sept. 2. In the production, Maj. Gen. Wendell Griffin, the Air Force chief of safety and commander of the Air Force Safety Center, addresses

  • CSAF honors World War I aviators

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, along with several hundred American and French citizens, paid homage to a special group of World War I aviators May 24 at the Lafayette Escadrille memorial ceremony that took place outside of Paris. The Airmen of the Lafayette Escadrille were the

  • Seven countries hone fighter pilot skills during Maple Flag

    Fighter pilots from seven different countries, including the United States, participate in Maple Flag 41May 5-16 and May 19-30 at Cold Lake in Alberta, Canada. "Ask any U.S. fighter pilot and he'll tell you the best part about flying here is the unrestricted air space," said Maj. Derrick Johnson,

  • Modernized asset provides increased capabilities

    Airmen from the Rhode Island, California and Maryland Air National Guard deployed with the Air Force's newest Hercules C-130J and C-130J-30 to enhance airdrop and airlift capabilities supporting military and civilians in Afghanistan. "The biggest advantages are its capabilities in terms of what it

  • 30 servicemembers become citizens

    Thirty military members from 14 countries took the oath of citizenship and officially became U.S. citizens in a ceremony at the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago May 23.  Brig. Gen. Darren McDew, director of public affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, was the keynote speaker at the

  • Officials select acquisition regional directors

    The Air Force Installation Acquisition Transformation initiative to streamline installation-level purchasing across the continental United States continued to move forward May 21 as Air Force Materiel Command named provisional directors for the new Installation Acquisition Center and the five

  • San Antonio area Air Force, Army medical centers to merge

    Medical care for military families in the San Antonio area is changing. Not in what it offers, but where, officals said. Wilford Hall and Brooke Army Medical Centers are set to merge by 2011 as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations. Combined, the two medical

  • Airmen honor fallen veterans in Paris

    Inside eight lanes of swarming traffic on western end of the Champs-Elysees, hundreds of tourists and local Parisians silently watched Gen. Roger Brady, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, join French and American hosts in laying a wreath of flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Framing