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  • Airman's Roll Call: Military training instructors

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the Air Force's need for more military training instructors to meet the demands of increasing end strength. Air Force officials will recruit about 4,000 additional enlisted Airmen per year during the next two years to boost manning to 332,700. Currently, the

  • NFL, military continue Super Bowl traditions

    From fighter jet flyovers to military performances at halftime shows, the National Football League and U.S. military have shared more than 40 years of Super Bowl history. The tradition continues Feb. 1 in Tampa, Fla., during Super Bowl XLIII, with Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S.

  • Official thanks military blood donors

    As Armed Services Blood Program officials join with the rest of the nation in observing National Blood Donor Month, the program's director expressed gratitude for the more than 165,000 donations from Defense Department military, civilians and their families in 2008. "January is designated every year

  • Anticipating threats key to success, commander says

    Anticipating threats is the key to readiness, the chief of the combatant command responsible for the military role in homeland defense said. Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, said that when he took over the reins two years

  • President Obama thanks troops, pledges support

    President Barack Obama thanked U.S. troops and pledged to provide the resources they need to accomplish their missions Jan. 28 in his first visit to the Pentagon as commander in chief.President Obama spoke to reporters here after meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Secretary Robert M.

  • President to meet with defense secretary, joint chiefs

    Iraq and Afghanistan likely will be among the discussion topics when President Barack Obama makes his first visit to the Pentagon this afternoon to meet with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a senior Defense Department official said here Jan. 28. "This meeting is part

  • Dover aircrew delivers humanitarian supplies to Nicaragua

    A Dover Air Force Base C-17 Globemaster III aircrew airlifted 18,000 pounds of humanitarian cargo from here to Nicaragua Jan. 17 through 19. The Air Force Reserve Airmen from the 326th Airlift Squadron delivered desks, chairs, file cabinets and books for the new library at Ave Maria University,

  • Little Rock Airman convicted, sentenced in court-martial

    A Little Rock Air Force Base Airman was found guilty of participating in a gang initiation that resulted in the 2005 death of a Soldier stationed at a military base in Germany in a court-martial Jan. 23 here. Staff Sgt. Jerome A. Jones Jr., assigned to the 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was

  • 'Perspective' highlights military training instructors

    In the latest "Enlisted Perspective, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman focuses on the importance of military training instructors, how they mold future Airmen for their entire career and the shortage the career field is anticipating during the next few months.    "I still remember the military

  • Nurse commissioning program seeks enlisted applicants

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here will conduct the annual Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program board May 4 through 8 to select candidates for fall 2009 and spring 2010 semester start dates. The program offers active-duty Airmen the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a high-need

  • American servicemembers aid Iraqi communications

    Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq directorate of communications officials in Baghdad currently are using Air Tasking Order concepts to shape the cyber battlefield for the Iraqi government. "We are trying to help people build a nation and create national self-sufficiency," said Col.

  • Air Force officials to use prop planes as ISR platforms

    To better fill combatant commanders' needs for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, Air Force officials will begin using C-12 Huron turboprop planes as ISR platforms. The program, called Project Liberty, involves Airmen operating a fleet of 37 C-12 aircraft providing ISR full-motion video

  • Program improves patient safety through enhanced teamwork, communication

    A Defense Department program is transforming military health care during deployment by enhancing communication and teamwork skills among health care professionals, a master trainer in the program said. Developed by specialists with the Defense Department's Patient Safety Program, Team Strategies and

  • President's defense budget submission delayed

    President Barack Obama's 2010 defense budget request will be delayed, possibly until April, White House and Defense Department officials said. The president's annual budget request usually is submitted to Congress the first Monday in February. However, with only a week in office, the new

  • Dining facility feeds leaders of tomorrow

    For most dining facilities, the thought of feeding an entire wing at one time is not a pleasant one. For the staff at Mitchell Hall, the cadet dining facility at the United States Air Force Academy, this is simply business as usual. The dining facility, named after military aviation pioneer Brig.

  • Hockey: No. 20 Air Force sweeps Army with 3-2 win

    Derrick Burnett scored two goals in the first period and the U.S. Air Force Academy held off a furious U.S. Military Academy rally for a 3-2 win in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Jan. 24 at the Cadet Ice Arena here. The Falcons also won 5-1 Jan. 23 to sweep the series for the first time since

  • Servicemembers search for Americans in capsized boat

    Servicemembers from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa participated in a three-day rescue operation in an effort to save three Americans from a capsized sailboat 260 miles off coast of Madagascar in late January. One of the three Americans was found alive after being spotted by servicemembers

  • Military secretaries stay on, help ensure smooth transition

    Each U.S. military service secretary has agreed to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' request to stay in office for at least several weeks to help ensure the Defense Department's smooth transition under the President Barack Obama administration, Pentagon officials here said recently. "They have been

  • Largest deployment of F-22s under way

    Twenty-four F-22 Raptors and hundreds of Airmen deployed to the Pacific region for a three-month deployment in support of the Pacific global deterrence mission.Twelve F-22s deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived Jan. 18 to Andersen AFB, Guam, and the week prior 12 F-22s from Langley

  • AFPC officials begin health records transfer mission to VA

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here will begin to transfer health treatment records of retired and separated active, Guard and Reserve Airmen to the Department of Veterans Affairs Feb. 1.AFPC will become the central transfer gateway to improve the flow of Air Force health treatment

  • Academy researcher develops satellite imaging technology

    A research associate at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Laser and Optics Research Center here is developing a new capability that will allow satellites to be seen and see clearer. Dr. Geoff Andersen developed the process, called holographic adaptic optics, that uses sensors and lenses that can correct

  • New culture course now available online to enlisted

    Through the efforts of the Air Force Culture and Language Center and Community College of the Air Force, enlisted members now have a distance learning course that will aid them in understanding world cultures. Introduction to Culture, the first course of its kind in the military and is currently

  • Major's medal, artifacts on display at Air Force museum

    One of the first Airmen to earn an Air Force Combat Action Medal donated his award, alongside others, to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Maj. Steve Raspet, the 12th Operations Group T-6A Texan II standards and evaluation branch chief and an

  • Administration sets agenda for veteran care

    President Barack Obama has promised to deliver the care and benefits the nation's military veterans deserve while transforming the Department of Veterans Affairs into a 21st century organization, according to an administration agenda posted on the White House Web site. "Keeping faith with those who

  • Obama directs military to plan 'responsible' Iraq drawdown

    President Barack Obama directed key defense and military officials he met with Jan. 21 to come up with plans for "a responsible military drawdown in Iraq." President Obama declared Jan. 21's meeting on Iraq productive and valuable. Participants in the late-afternoon session during his first day in

  • Vance pilots use self-aid, buddy care to save the day

    Two Vance Air Force Base pilots used the skills learned in self-aid and buddy care training to aid three civilians who were in a small plane that crashed Dec. 19 near Kalaeloa Airport in Oahu, Hawaii. Capts. John and Katie McGregor were on vacation in Hawaii from Dec. 16 to Dec. 25 with family when

  • National Guard members support inaugural mission

    About 9,300 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen joined thousands of active-duty and Reserve military members from all services to support President Barack Obama's inauguration Jan. 20 here. "We've always depended on the National Guard," Al Roker, the weather anchor for NBC's "Today Show" said from

  • Academy football coach agrees to new 5-year contract

    Officials of the U.S. Air Force Academy Athletic Association and Academy head football coach Troy Calhoun agreed on a new five-year contract that runs through the 2013 season, Academy officials said Jan. 21 here.Director of Athletics Dr. Hans Mueh said the AFAAA has also agreed to new contracts for

  • Officials investigate video camera found in base locker room

    Air Force officials found a digital video recorder hidden in a locker in the women's main locker room Jan. 16 at the fitness center on Grand Forks Air Force Base. Investigators from the 319th Security Forces Squadron immediately began an investigation. Recorded video of an isolated area of the

  • Obama vows not to waver in America's defense

    President Barack Obama pledged a "prudent use" of military power as the nation works toward "ushering in a new era of peace" in his inaugural address to the nation Jan. 20 here. "Our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and

  • Shaq shares hoops clinic with Buckley children

    More than 265 children from Buckley Air Force Base had more than just a basketball clinic in common with a 7-foot-1-inch, 325-pound four-time National Basketball Association champion Jan. 14 here. Just like Shaquille O'Neal was, the hopeful hoopsters are military family members. Children ages 6 to

  • Decisions loom for Joint Strike Fighter Program

    Decisions about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor aircraft programs are expected early in President Barack Obama's administration. The F-35 program manager said Jan. 15 he sees strong support for the F-35 from the services, allied partners and, so far, on Capitol Hill. Based on initial

  • USAREUR driver's license -- success in your hands

    Stress during a permanent change of station move is inevitable, but proper planning before leaving a current station is one way to mitigate some of the pressure and anxiety that can occur after arriving at a new duty location. For members and dependents PCSing to Germany, one big stressor is passing

  • Troops bid former President Bush farewell at Andrews

    Military officials bid farewell to the outgoing commander in chief during a departure ceremony Jan. 20 at Andrews Air Force Base where he called leading men and women in uniform the highlight of his presidency. A joint service honor guard, military band and about 4,000 cheering, flag-waving fans

  • High-tech loss prevention safeguards base exchange benefit

    With a mission of providing quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices while generating earnings to support Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is enlisting the support of the latest in loss prevention technology to protect military

  • Registration opens for Africa Command symposium

    Registration is open for the Air Force's U.S. Africa Command Symposium scheduled to be held March 31 through April 2 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The policy-focused event will ponder the Air Force's contribution to AFRICOM and engage participants in the creation of a set of proposals for the

  • Airmen kick off inauguration day preparing for parade

    Maj. Geraldine Holmes-Barnett said she remembers boarding a bus in Ohio when she was just 9 years old to hear Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech" during the 1963 March on Washington. That memory came full circle this morning as the 54-year-old African-American nurse with the 779th

  • Deployed F-22 Raptors arrive at Andersen

    Twelve F-22 Raptors deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived here Jan. 18, for a three month deployment in support of Pacific Global Deterrence mission. As part of the continuing force posture adjustments to address worldwide requirements, additional forces like the 90th Expeditionary

  • Andrews officials launch tactical fitness center

    Base leaders here took a groundbreaking new stride in combat fitness training capability Jan. 15 with the ribbon-cutting of the Andrews Tactical Fitness Center. The center supports the 316th Wing's goal of "Airmen fit and ready to fight and win across the whole spectrum" with a new policy and

  • Disability board accepting applications for records review

    Department of Defense officials here are now accepting applications from certain medically-separated veterans to have their records reviewed, potentially increasing their disability rating. "To be eligible for a review, veterans must have been medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31,

  • Airmen transport, care for wounded warriors

    Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron airlift warriors on military aircraft out of locations throughout the war zone and to military medical treatment facilities.Consistent and readily available airlift is usually the difference between life and death for servicemembers

  • Time to be tracked to 100 trillionths of second soon

    The ultra-precise timing technology that enables NAVSTAR Global Positioning Systems and high-speed Internet communication soon may resolve the measure of time to 100 trillionths of a second, according to the world's authority in time-keeping and celestial observation. "To know when an event

  • WASP served for love of flight

    When Betty Jo Reed was introduced to flying, it was love at first sight. She was 6 years old and her father paid $1 for her to take a ride in a Ford tri-motor airplane at a local fair in 1929. Once airborne, Ms. Reed was hooked. "I remember feeling free and happy, and loving the whole experience,"

  • F-22s begin training in Japan

    F-22 Raptors took to the sky over Japan Jan. 14 as members of the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron began flight operations with Kadena Air Base officials. More than 200 Airmen and 12 F-22s from Langley Air Force Base, Va., are operating out of Kadena AB to demonstrate the continued U.S.

  • Airmen keep eyes on the sky to protect warfighters

    Airmen of the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron keep vigilant eyes on the sky over the Gulf region to keep American and coalition forces safe and secure.The members of the squadron provide a constant and extensive radar presence over the entire Arabian Gulf region, and can identify anyone and

  • Airmen, Soldiers team up to keep working dog in the fight

    Dental Airmen teamed up with Army veterinarians to give an Air Force working dog a root canal and get her back into the fight Jan. 15 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Airmen of the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group and Soldiers from the 218th Medical Detachment to work on 5-year-old Belgian

  • NASA debuts Global Hawk autonomous aircraft for Earth science

    NASA and the Northrop Grumman Corp. of Los Angeles have unveiled the first Global Hawk aircraft system to be used for environmental science research, heralding a new application for the world's first fully autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft. The debut took place Jan. 15 at NASA's

  • Lajes Field Airmen help disabled French aircraft

    Airmen at Lajes Field were ready to lend a helping hand as a disabled Air France 777 passenger aircraft was diverted here Jan. 4 then assisted with getting the jet airborne again. At 6 p.m. Jan. 4, the Lajes Field command post staff was notified of an in-flight emergency on the Air France jet over

  • Airmen dedicate memorial to 1988 C-130 crew

    A lone C-130 Hercules propeller blade stands erect, chipped, worn and scratched, telling a silent story of an end to six lives on June 8, 1988. The blade -- obtained from the C-130 Hercules that crashed -- is a poignant symbol of the tragic loss of life that occurred that summer day. The memory of

  • DOD officials launch science-related online radio show

    Defense Department officials have launched "Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military," an online radio show. Armed with Science is a bi-monthly audio webcast, hosted on BlogTalkRadio.com that discusses cutting-edge scientific research and development sponsored by various

  • Airmen begin Darfur airlift operations

    Airmen have begun airlifting Rwandan peacekeeping equipment and supplies Jan. 13 from Kigali to the Darfur Region of Sudan as part of the United Nations-Africa Union peacekeeping mission. The first mission was completed by a C-17 Globemaster III and aircrew deployed to Africa from Travis Air Force

  • New treatment offers hope for facial paralysis patients

    Patients seeking help for facial paralysis have a new treatment option available now offered by doctors at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Col. (Dr.) Alan Holck and Maj. (Dr.) Manuel Lopez are among only a few military or civilian surgeons in the country who perform a

  • Airman's Roll Call: Presidential inauguration

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the more than 5,000 servicemembers who will march in formations, perform in military bands and color guards, and serve in salute batteries and honor cordons for the 56th presidential inaugural parade and swearing-in ceremony Jan. 20. The group responsible

  • Academy officials announce second hall of fame class

    Air Force Academy officials have announced the second class for induction into the Air Force Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. The six inductees -- Jim Bowman, Callie Calhoun Molloy, Dee Dowis, Terry Isaacson, Ernie Jennings and Ben Martin -- will be inducted May 8 at the Air Force Academy Falcon

  • Malfunctioning component delays satellite launch

    Air Force officials here are delaying the launch of Tactical Satellite-3 until repairs to a spacecraft avionics component, critical to the system's operational capability, are complete.Although scheduled to launch in late January, the program team is working with the manufacturer to resolve the

  • Vice president-elect meets Airmen in Southwest Asia

    Vice President-elect Joe Biden met Airmen from the 387th Air Expeditionary Group here as part of his tour of American bases in the Southwest Asia region.  Vice President-elect Biden is scheduled to visit Iraq after meeting with officials in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He takes office Jan. 20 along

  • DOD suicide prevention conference under way

    An Army staff sergeant who had lost Soldiers in the war zone was called a coward, a wimp and a wuss from a leader when he mentioned he might need psychological help. It is this type of stigma from toxic leadership that can kill, and that is being examined by scientists, clinicians and specialists in

  • McChord Airmen earn top marks in nuclear inspection

    Air Force inspectors gave members of the 62nd Airlift Wing here the highest-possible grade Jan. 12 following a weeklong inspection of the wing's role as the nation's primary nuclear airlift force. Airmen evaluated in the final phase of a Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection here Jan. 7 through 12

  • 'Year In Photos' highlights 2008

    Throughout the past year, Airmen, deployed and at home, successfully carried out the Air Force mission to Fly, Fight and Win in air, space and cyberspace.  Whether it was maintaining and launching an unmanned aircraft, tending to a wounded warrior, helping to reinforce a levee during a major flood,

  • Air Force officials look at robots for aircraft ground refueling

    Air Force Research Laboratory's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate officials here are developing an automated aircraft refueling system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Successful development and testing of the system will provide a feasible alternative to manual refueling of aircraft. The

  • Academy track coach inducted into hall of fame

    Air Force track and field head coach Ralph Lindeman was inducted into the Arizona Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame Jan. 9 at a banquet in Glendale, Ariz. Mr. Lindeman, who is entering his 20th season at the helm of the Falcons' track and field program, is one of four members of the Class

  • Pilot program helps streamline disability evaluation process

    Department of Defense officials here are working with the Department of Veterans Affairs staff to expand a pilot program that simplifies the current disability evaluation process for wounded, injured and ill servicemembers. The Disability Evaluation System pilot program is aimed at assisting wounded

  • American Airman teaches Iraqi air force cadets

    Teaching leadership in a foreign land was never part of his career plan, but that's exactly what Capt. Tom Fiordelisi has been doing for the last 12 months at a forward operating base near Baghdad. Captain Fiordelisi served as commandant of cadets for ROTC Det. 630 at Kent State University in Ohio

  • Servicemembers assist following earthquake in Costa Rica

    Thirty-four American servicemembers and four helicopters from Honduras-based Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Costa Rica Jan. 10 to assist with disaster response efforts in areas affected by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake near San Jose. The team, comprised of Army and Air Force aviation crews, rescue,

  • Air Force inauguration participation represents another historic event

    On Jan. 20, when President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office, U.S. servicemembers once again will participate in a time-honored tradition which began with President George Washington for his first inauguration in 1789. Among those servicemembers participating with the new president will be

  • Travis Airmen contribute to Darfur airlift operation

    Members of the 615th Contingency Response Wing here recently deployed to Africa in support of humanitarian airlift missions into the Darfur region of Sudan. Nearly two dozen Travis Air Force Base members departed Jan. 1 for Kigali, Rwanda, to support the operation, which will airlift equipment from

  • 17th Air Force members plan support for Darfur operation

    Airmen will soon begin airlifting special equipment for Rwandan peacekeepers in the Darfur region of Sudan to mark the kickoff of the first major operation engineered by officials of U.S. Africa Command's air component, 17th Air Force.Members of 17th Air Force, also known as U.S. Air Forces

  • Agreement expands beneficiaries' access to bariatric surgery

    A resource sharing agreement between the Nix Health Care System in San Antonio and Wilford Hall Medical Center doctors here will provide increased services to bariatric patients. The agreement allows Wilford Hall providers to perform surgeries at the Nix Hospital using Nix equipment and support

  • Nuclear Weapons Management panel recommends changes

    Pentagon officials here need to bolster internal management systems that address nuclear weapons issues, said the leader of a special task force appointed by the Defense secretary here Jan. 8. Since the Cold War ended, the nuclear deterrence force "has sometimes been neglected within the Department

  • Academy among nation's top 100 'best value colleges'

    The U.S. Air Force Academy was named as one of the nation's top 100 best value colleges for 2009 by The Princeton Review Jan. 8. The Best Values College List features 50 public and 50 private colleges. The Princeton Review selected these institutions as its "best value" choices for 2009 based on its

  • Disney, Army resort offer affordable vacations for troops

    A Disney vacation just got more affordable for military members and their families. With the "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" offer, active and retired military personnel, including active members of the Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reserve, can enjoy complimentary,

  • Air Force Band prepares for inauguration day

    Members of the Air Force Band prepared for the presidential inauguration parade in a hangar and through the winter rain Jan. 7 at Andrews Air Force Base.The 99-member Air Force Band will join the other military service bands to march from the U.S. Capitol to the White House during President-elect

  • Airmen to deliver peacekeeping equipment to Darfur

    Airmen will assist a U.S. Africa Command-led operation to airlift equipment into the Darfur region of Sudan in support of United Nations and African Union peacekeeping missions, Air Mobility Command officials said here Jan 8. The operation was announced Jan. 5 by President George W. Bush during a

  • Airman leads team in managing enemy's weapons cache

    An Airman with the Taji National Depot sees the war on terrorism succeeding every day as coalition forces collect and destroy enemy weapons here. Capt. Ted Yang is the liaison officer for Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq's J4 collective weapons section, and his joint team of Airmen,

  • VA officials assist veterans with health care costs

    For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, Department of Veterans Affairs officials offer an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost. Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may be able

  • Airman's Roll Call: Enlisted promotion process

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the enlisted promotion process, and features some information Airmen should consider as they prepare for their next promotion.Testing is one process Airmen need to prepare for. The purpose of promotion testing is to measure Airmen's specialty and general

  • Make 2009 healthier

    The holidays are over and a new year has begun. And with that, many look to live healthier lives in 2009. The Air Force Materiel Command Wellness Support Center is one available tool to make that goal a reality. "AFMC's Wellness and Safety Program encompasses all facets of wellness: physical,

  • Eielson Airmen research alternative energy resources

    Air Force Technical Applications Center Airmen operating at 12 remote locations throughout Alaska are pursuing alternate means for energy.The Airmen of Det. 460, a tenant unit at Eielson Air Force Base, operate in units powered by propane, but now solar power may become a reality even though there

  • 21 Air Force civilians receive 2008 Presidential Rank Award

    Twenty-one Air Force senior executives and senior professionals received the 2008 Presidential Rank Award for sustained achievement in government service. President George W. Bush announced the recipients at the Pentagon Sep. 30, 2008, and Air Force officials will honor the award recipients at a

  • AAFES, Pentagon Channel launch monthly benefit show

    The Army & Air Force Exchange Service and the Pentagon Channel have teamed up to bring original, exchange-focused programming to more than three million viewers around the world. On Jan. 7, the Pentagon Channel began broadcasting the monthly 30-minute show, focused on what makes AAFES special

  • Africa Command to airlift peacekeeper equipment to Darfur

    U.S. Africa Command officials are laying plans to airlift heavy equipment to Sudan to support African Union and U.N. peacekeepers involved in the country's Darfur region, an AFRICOM spokesman said Jan. 6. AFRICOM members will transport about 75 tons of heavy equipment -- water tankers, fuel tank

  • Voice recognition system helps manage patient records

    It's faster, more accurate and highly maneuverable. What may sound like the latest weapons system is actually a new way of doing business for doctors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. With the introduction of Dragon Medical speech recognition software, the process of documenting patient medical

  • Airmen build rapport with community

    Airmen of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Host Nation Coordination Cell here are liaisons between American forces and host nation officials to keep the wing mission flowing. "The primary mission of HNCC is to facilitate and coordinate all interaction between the U.S. military and the (host nation)

  • U.S. officials seek more supply routes for Afghanistan

    As Pakistani troops apply renewed pressure on militants who have threatened a major supply line, military transportation officials are seeking alternate routes for supplying U.S. and NATO troops deployed in Afghanistan. Pakistani forces Dec. 30 renewed offensive operations targeting militants who,

  • CMSAF McKinley, graduating Airmen honor enlisted heroes

    Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley and more than 700 Airmen preparing to graduate from basic military training honored the Air Force's enlisted heroes during today's dedication of the new Enlisted Heroes Walk here. Several dignitaries, including Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, commander

  • Deployed servicemember returns home half the Airman he used to be

    "I knew I was unhealthy and had to make some changes, especially when I thought about my five-year-old looking up at me," said Senior Airman Jarvis Johnson. "Without changes, I wouldn't be around to see him and my daughters grow up." When you ask someone what they can accomplish in six months --

  • Armed Forces Bowl puts military might on display

    The sixth annual Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl football game featured the Houston Cougars (7-5) taking on the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons (8-4) on Dec. 31 at the Amon G. Carter Stadium here. Kickoff for the Armed Forces Bowl was noon Eastern, but the event started more than 24-hours prior to

  • DOD inaugural committee moves into high gear

    Exactly three weeks before inauguration day, the buzz of activity at the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee here is a notable exception to the traditional holiday lull that settles over the nation's capital between Christmas and New Year's Day. More than 400 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and

  • Guard's counterdrug warriors endeavor to test one and all

    Finding a single drug abuser among thousands of servicemembers can compare to a shell game, but National Guard officials are placing all odds in their favor. Officials are striving to keep the Guard's Citizen-Airmen and -Soldiers drug free through an increase in drug tests and the integration of new

  • Officials seek 10 enlisted for AFIT degree program

    Air Force Institute of Technology officials are offering 10 noncommissioned officers the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Ten NCOs from around the Air Force will be selected in February to attend the

  • Officials initiate surgical specialty training in Iraq

    Optimally managing the unique head and neck injury patterns seen in Iraq and Afghanistan has led to a successful initiative out of Wilford Hall Medical Center here: sending the first surgical fellow to a war zone for a surgical rotation. In the past, medical and surgical residents and fellows were

  • AF firefighters relocate, expand Iraqi fire training course

    Iraqi firefighters are were more than half-way through the firefighter apprentice course being trained in Baghdad's International Zone before being moved. The class was previously taught at Taji Military Base just north of Baghdad, but the location lacked advanced live fire trainers and had limited

  • Air Force engineers answer the call from Soldiers in Iraq

    "Answering the call" is a motto 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen believe in, and it's something Soldiers can attest to. This team of combat-trained engineers, assigned to the 732nd ECES Det. 6, will build anything, anywhere to help Soldiers in Iraq accomplish their mission or to

  • DOD announces change to 2009-2010 kindergarten program

    The entrance birth date for the Department of Defense Education Activity Kindergarten Program will change from Oct. 31 to Sept. 1, DODEA officials announced recently. The change means a child must be 5 years old by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten. This aligns DODEA with national trends as well as

  • Tops In Blue Airmen entertain forces in South Korea

    Airmen of Tops In Blue performed for more than 700 Army, Air Force, Navy and South Korean air force members and their families Dec. 19 at the South Korean armed forces headquarters.The visit was part of the 2008 World Tour titled "Deja Blue" where 37 members of the Air Force's premiere entertainment

  • Yokota Airmen strengthen bonds with Japanese military

    Yokota Air Base Airmen participated in bilateral training events with Japan Air Self Defense Force members Dec. 17 at Iruma Air Base, Japan. American Airmen were able to train and share ideas with their Japanese peers to share how each country manages flying squadrons and maintainers. Normally,

  • NCO earns Bronze Star for actions in Iraq

    A 425th Air Base Group Anti-terrorism Force Protection NCO here received the Bronze Star at Izmir's Collocated Club for his efforts during a 12-month deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Tech. Sgt. James Thompson received the fourth-highest combat award for the U.S. armed forces from Col. Richard

  • AAFES reps deliver troops' 'favorite things' this holiday season

    Energy drinks, beef jerky, candy bars and DVDs. These items topped the wish lists of American troops shopping at more than 80 Army & Air Force Exchange Service locations throughout operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In fact, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors picked up nearly four

  • Officials streamline overseas outprocessing guidelines

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced a new initiative that will streamline final processing for Airmen retiring or separating from overseas areas. With this change, additional travel to a separation processing base, or SPB, is no longer required. The new procedure is part of