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  • Falcons win hockey tournament

    Peter Foster recorded his fourth shutout of the season, and Brian Gineo netted the Falcon's only goal as the Air Force Academy beat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the championship game of the 54th annual Bank of America/Rensselaer Holiday Tournament here Nov. 27.Foster, the national leader with

  • Four-legged sentinels key to force protection

    Dogs are rarely permitted anywhere these days. Whether it is the grocery store or a crowded rock concert, dogs are often turned away at the door. However, at a forward-deployed location here, the dogs have free reign and an important job to do.From detecting explosives to searching buildings and

  • Holidays come early for reservation

    When it comes time to think of reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving, four families on the Rosebud Indian Reservation will not have to look far for inspiration.Four housing units were moved from here to Rosebud on Nov. 22, where they will become new houses for 26 American Indians who have been

  • Deployed Airmen record storybook videos for children

    Airmen and Soldiers assigned to Camp Sather here are making storybook videos for their children back home. The “read to your child/video greeting program” is operated by the 447th Air Expeditionary Group services flight.The program, which began Nov 19, lets troops record a video of them reading a

  • Building relationships one mile at a time

    The road between Djibouti City and Hol Hol has not gotten any shorter, but traversing this vital link between these two cities in the East African country of Djibouti is becoming much quicker and safer because of 823rd Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron Airmen.The 22-mile rough and tumble road is the

  • 'Defend America' helps Americans support troops

    One often-repeated question from forward-deployed Airmen is some form of: "Does America support what we're doing over here?"Judging by the number of Web sites devoted to that support, the answer is a resounding, "Yes!"But as times have changed, so have the ways to support the troops. Just because

  • Air Force 'e-exams' provide instant results

    Whether at home or in the field, the answer will come sooner when it comes to taking an Air Force examination.By January, Air Force Institute for Advanced Distributed Learning officials at nearby Gunter Annex will have fully implemented the e-exam computer-based testing program which will provide a

  • F-35 ‘flies’ above central New York

    Perched atop a pedestal overlooking a rural valley in central New York sits the nation's air warrior of the future.Sophisticated antenna testing is under way on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Newport antenna research and measurement facility.The full-scale F-35

  • DOD launches 'America Supports You' to showcase support

    Department of Defense officials launched a new program Nov. 19 to showcase America's support for the men and women of the armed forces and the myriad ways people are expressing that support."America Supports You" is designed to gather information about the many activities and programs Americans have

  • Senator praises Air Force secretary

    A leading member of Congress praised Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Nov. 19, just days after the secretary announced his resignation.Sen. James Inhofe paid tribute Secretary Roche’s service, specifically pointing to his efforts at revitalizing

  • Now showing: Nov. 22 edition of AFTV News

    The roles of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, are spotlighted in the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Staff Sgt. Melissa Allan talks to the commanders of Air Force Reserve Command and the National Guard Bureau about how the

  • NASA X-43A rockets to Mach 9.8 at Edwards

    After postponing the mission because of a problem with the X-43A hypersonic research aircraft, NASA officials said they could not have hoped for a better flight than the one they had here Nov. 16."It was a great mission," said Joel Sitz, X-43A project manager. "It was 90 seconds of terror, but once

  • Duck hunting William Tell style

    “It’s just like duck hunting ...” Well, maybe not just like duck hunting. The “duck” is a 40-by-8 foot target being hauled 2,000 feet behind a Learjet flying about 20,000 feet over the Gulf of Mexico. Otherwise, it is really similar to duck hunting.During William Tell, F-15 Eagle pilots compete

  • Boy wishes to be Thunderbird for a day

    Matthew "Buddy" LaFontaine has wanted to be a Thunderbird since he was 3 years old. Now, at the grand old age of 9, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Airmen, his wish has come true. Buddy was a Thunderbird for a day Nov. 12.Buddy experienced the

  • ROTC cadets use marathon to reinforce core values

    Nine Air Force ROTC cadets used the Marine Corps Marathon to help them become better leaders.The University of Notre Dame cadets from Air Force ROTC Detachment 225 traveled from Indiana to Arlington Va., recently to compete in the 29th Marine Corps Marathon.The detachment’s athletic goals are to

  • Big Brother reunites with ‘little’

    After losing his life possessions to a fire, his parents separating and losing motivation to do daily activities, one boy found help from an Airman now stationed here.As a preteen, Xzavior Hill said he had no direction to his life. His goal was simply to pass each day with as little effort as

  • Airman receives 'Grateful Nation Award'

    An Airman was among six servicemembers honored for heroism in the war on terrorism at an award dinner Nov. 15 in Arlington, Va.Tech. Sgt. Robert Jeeves received the award as a tactical air coordinator attached to U.S. Army Special Forces. The honorees performed acts of heroism, putting the mission

  • Airman achieves dream to fly 'into the wild blue yonder'

    The anticipation shines in his eyes. The smile on his face is genuine and easy. His demeanor exudes an infectious energy.Capt. Terry Tyree Jr. gets to fly today.It has taken him 14 years, three technical schools and a positive attitude to achieve his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot.He

  • DOD investigating contracts, reviewing procedures

    The Defense Department's director of acquisition announced Nov. 9 actions being taken to investigate contracts made by Darleen Druyun and initiatives to eliminate future potential for unethical behavior.Earlier this year, Mrs. Druyun pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Title 18, Section 208 of

  • Airmen providing civil engineering support to Soldiers

    About 50 Airmen from the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron here, along with four from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, low crawled and convoyed their way to becoming an “Army of One.” This prepared them to deploy downrange to provide civil engineering support for the Army.The team is the first from U.S. Air

  • Roche submits resignation

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche announced his resignation Nov. 16."I'm honored to have served the president, the secretary of defense and the terrific Airmen I've come to know and love in the past few years as the secretary of the Air Force,” he said. “I've served with talented

  • Space assets critical to winning war on terrorism

    Space-based assets are proving critical to winning the war on terrorism, according to the commander of Air Force Space Command.“You cannot go to war and win without space,” Gen. Lance W. Lord said during a live appearance on “Fox and Friends” here Nov. 11.The command comprises about 40,000 space

  • AAFES offers support to servicemembers

    With the holidays quickly approaching, many Americans are searching for ways to reach out to troops stationed overseas. Anticipating a rush of mail from well-wishers, Department of Defense officials remind people that, "Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the DOD no longer

  • Abizaid asks Congress to help stop unsolicited mail

    The commander of U.S. Central Command is asking Congress for help in eliminating unsolicited mail to servicemembers.Army Gen. John P. Abizaid said the military mail service is running at capacity, and he noted the propensity of America to be especially generous during the holidays."I would greatly

  • Air Force seeks navigators

    Air Force officials are providing more opportunities to active-duty officers who want to become navigators.Officers who meet basic qualifications must submit their application package by Dec. 29 to be considered by the Feb. 8 to 10 undergraduate flying training selection board at the Air Force

  • New AMC delivery process speeds shipments to troops

    A new Air Mobility Command program, dubbed "Pure Pallet,” is simplifying and speeding up airlift shipments into the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.The program involves building and shipping individual aircraft pallets with cargo for a single customer, AMC officials said.Lt. Col. Steve

  • Falcons drop regular season volleyball finale to UNLV

    The Air Force Academy volleyball team ended the regular season with a 3-0 loss to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas on Nov. 13. The Falcons dropped consecutive sets of 30-20, 30-28 and 30-25 to the visiting Rebels in the team’s final match at the academy for the season.Kristin Hamlett opened the

  • Ex-smoker encourages ‘smokeout’

    A 46-year-old health assistant technician decided to get a jump on the Nov. 18 Great American Smokeout when she took part in a tobacco cessation program. She said she went into the program expecting a challenge.A 30-year veteran of smoking, Debra Wolfe said she was watching a family tradition of

  • Air Force offers ACP program in fiscal 2005

    Certain rated officers can request an aviator continuation pay bonus option under fiscal 2005 program guidelines.A five-year, fixed-length agreement option is available to eligible pilots, navigators and air battle managers.Other options have been offered in recent years, but were curtailed this

  • Three children give to peers at local hospitals

    As a child, it is not very difficult deciding where your money goes: toys, toys, and if there is a little left over, toys. For three children here, the decision was a little more difficult.Riley and Sydney Beris and Elizabeth Horejsi are the “Three Amigos,” a charity organization that has pet sat,

  • Developmental teams get voice in officer PME selection

    More than 1,100 officers will get the chance to attend intermediate or senior developmental education schools thanks to the Developmental Education Designation Board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here in October.The board combined inputs from the central selection promotion boards and

  • Air Force aims for ‘weapons-grade’ vision

    In June, the Air Force vice chief of staff and surgeon general approved wavefront-guided LASIK surgery for aviators in aircraft flying at altitudes of less than 14,000 feet. WFG-LASIK is a new generation of laser eye surgery that maps subtle irregularities in the cornea before the procedure,

  • Air Force shows off new ‘tent city’

    Airmen of the 435th Materiel Maintenance Squadron here showed off their newest asset, the “550 I” Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources base kit in Sanem, Luxembourg, on Nov. 9. The kit, known as “tent city,” is the first of its kind in the U.S. Air Force. It is staged there at the U.S. Air

  • Unmanned aircraft gain starring role in terror war

    Unmanned aerial vehicles are earning star status in the war on terrorism. They are becoming the most-requested capability among combatant commanders in Southwest Asia and use has increased fourfold in that theater during the last year alone, said the deputy director of the Pentagon's UAV planning

  • Veterans send gifts to deployed Airmen

    Servicemembers and DOD civilians serving here began receiving military assistance communication kit packages Nov. 4.The MACK Packs were donated through a Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary VFW program called Operation Uplink. The packs contained a writing tablet, holiday cards with

  • McChord civilian cashes in on IDEA

    A civilian employee here was presented a $10,000 check for a suggestion he submitted through the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program.Kevin Shupe, an aircraft environmental systems specialist, worked with the manufacturer of aircrew oxygen tanks who agreed to recertify

  • Airmen help Santa answer letters

    Air Force volunteers from the combat weather flight here will once again help Santa send out thousands of signed, North Pole-post marked letters to children worldwide.The Santa’s Mailbag program started 50 years ago by 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Airmen, and it has been carried on by those

  • 50th anniversary of William Tell kicks off at Tyndall

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe team jumped off to an early lead after officials kicked off William Tell 2004 here Nov. 8. The start marked the 50th anniversary of the Air Force air-to-air weapons meet.This year's meet has put to rest the longest gap in its history after an eight year hiatus because

  • Air Force, contracting officer earn DOD honors

    Department of Defense officials honored the U.S. Air Force with two small business awards -- one for outstanding performance within an individual small business emphasis area, the other recognized the contracting professional of the year. The Air Force received recognition for its leadership in

  • Air Force honors spouses with pin

    Air Force officials have expanded the pin program to recognize and thank those who support the efforts of Airmen around the world by introducing the Air Force spouse pin. This pin joins the Air Force employer pin and parent pin as one of the service’s most visible public outreach programs.Peter B.

  • Paper LES program shredded to make way for digital delivery

    Airmen will get one less piece of mail now that the Defense Finance and Accounting Service stopped sending paper leave and earnings statements this month. Airmen will not go without the critical information the LES provides because it is now available via the service’s myPay Web site, said Colonel

  • Now showing: Nov. 8 edition of AFTV News

    Air Force operation of the large medical facility at Balad Air Base, Iraq, spotlights the Nov. 8 edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Joy Josephson spent a week at the hospital, chronicling the treatment of wounded servicemembers by Air Force medics. Tech. Sgt. Bill Scherer also

  • Air Force’s top leaders visit Southwest Asia

    The Air Force’s top civilian, officer and enlisted leaders visited more than 5,000 Airmen at this forward-deployed location Nov. 4 as they kicked off their swing through Southwest Asia.Sporting the Air Force’s new proposed utility uniform, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, Chief of

  • Air Force selects 32 captains for intern program

    The Air Force Intern Program Central Selection Board selected 32 captains from among 487 candidates nominated by senior raters from across the Air Force. The board was held Sept. 20 to 24 at the Air Force Personnel Center here.The 18- to 24-month program combines hands-on experience as an intern in

  • Military family support professionals gather

    Directors of family support centers from across the Air Force gathered nearby in Landsdowne, Va., to discuss how to better serve Airmen and their loved ones. The weeklong conference, Strengthening the Home Front, focused on two areas: integrating the Air Force One Source program into base

  • Third DOS rollback takes effect

    As a part of force shaping, Air Force personnel officials have implemented a third enlisted date of separation rollback.The program “rolls back” the date of separation of enlisted Airmen with specific re-enlistment eligibility codes, or assignment availability codes. These Airmen will have less

  • Commissary scholarship program enters fifth year

    Applications are now available at commissaries and online for $1,500 academic scholarships for children of active-duty, Guard and Reserve servicemembers and retirees. The application window for the 2005 Scholarships for Military Children program closes Feb. 16.In five years, the Defense Commissary

  • Airmen may wear medals while awaiting system updates

    Air Force officials want to assure Airmen that wearing eligible decorations is authorized, even if they are not currently reflected in the military personnel data system.The affected decorations include the Korean Defense Service Medal, Gallant Unit Citation/Meritorious Unit Award, Global War on

  • American Indian business ‘proud provider’ to Uncle Sam

    During the War of 1812, a group of American Indians living in Alabama supported the United States in that war against Great Britain. Today, Poarch Creek Indians in Atmore, Ala., own and work in a company whose products find their way to Air Force warfighters.The tribal-owned small business, whose

  • Officials stress troop support mail policy

    Department of Defense officials announced the continued suspension of the “Any Servicemember” mail program Nov. 2. Accordingly, the general public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to servicemembers during the holiday season.During this time of the year, the number

  • New York Airmen provide medical equipment for refugees

    Thousands of Nicaraguans needing treatment received help from New York guardsmen when the Airmen gathered to sort through a hospital full of dusty medical equipment.Sister Deb, or Debbie Blow, executive director of the North Country Mission of Hope in Plattsburgh, N.Y., has an ongoing mission to

  • Airman plays roadie for rock ‘n’ roll legends

    The arena lights dimmed and thousands of fans cheered as the stage lights came to life revealing rock ‘n’ roll legends Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar.While Eddie played his guitar, Staff Sgt. Scott Viers stood in the second row enjoying the fruits of his labor.Sergeant

  • DOD schools launch customer-satisfaction survey

    Department of Defense Education Activity officials want to hear the opinions of students, parents and teachers. They launched the 2004 customer-satisfaction survey Nov. 1.The survey is open to all 4th- to 12th-grade education activity students, their parents or sponsors, and teachers. The survey

  • Officials select officers for developmental education

    Boards here selected more than 300 company-grade officers from 14 career fields to attend developmental education programs beginning in the summer, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Nov. 1.The development team special program selection and Air Force Institute of Technology boards

  • Defense Act increases pay, provides benefits

    P resident Bush signed the $420.6 billion National Defense Authorization Act on Oct. 28.This makes up 19.9 percent of the total fiscal 2005 federal budget and 3.6 percent of the gross domestic product. Last year, the percentages were 20.2 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively.The authorization act

  • Air Force seeks scholarship program applicants

    Air Force officials are offering qualified officers the opportunity to participate in the Information Assurance Scholarship Program, established to increase the number of qualified people entering the information assurance career field. A board will convene at the Air Force Personnel Center here

  • For Armed Services YMCA, November all about family

    Military Family Week began about two decades ago as part of The Great American Family project.Then in 1996, the Armed Services YMCA expanded the week, which occurred around Thanksgiving, into Military Family Month, which began Nov. 1.Just as the week grew into a month-long celebration, military

  • CMSAF addresses top issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray addressed hundreds of troops attending the 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium on Oct. 29, an event he has been unable to attend in years past.Chief Murray gave his insight on three main topics he said he feels are the backbone of the

  • Law allows write-in ballot for U.S.-based troops, families

    The fiscal 2005 National Defense Authorization Act has made two changes available for some stateside voters, effective, where applicable, for the Nov. 2 election. Changes are: -- Servicemembers on active duty, in the Merchant Marine or a family member living in the United States but not at their

  • AFIT honors 2004 distinguished alumni

    The Air Force Institute of Technology honored two 2004 distinguished alumni here Oct. 29. Retired Maj. Gen. Robert R. Rankine and Dr. Edward T. Curran were selected for their pioneering roles in science, engineering and education.“The title of ‘distinguished alumnus’ is the highest honor that AFIT

  • Picture-perfect painting

    Aircraft leaving the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center here make one final stop to complete the cycle of programmed depot maintenance.That stop is the paint hangar. What comes in are aircraft fresh from their test flights. What rolls out are planes freshly primed, painted and stenciled.The

  • Pennsylvania extends absentee-voter deadline

    Military and civilian residents of Pennsylvania living overseas received an eight-day extension on the deadline to get their absentee ballots counted.The extension came about when a federal judge settled a lawsuit Oct. 29 between the governor of Pennsylvania and the parents of two servicemembers,

  • Tricare benefits improved significantly for reservists

    The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2005 significantly improves the overall health benefits available to guardsmen, reservists and their families. It also makes permanent several of the Tricare benefits authorized “temporarily” under defense legislation, while extending secretarial

  • Civilian health-care ‘open season’ offers 18 new plans

    Office of Personnel Management officials announced new health-care options that may provide better financial opportunities for employees.Eighteen new high-deductible health plans will be offered by the federal employees’ health benefits program for 2005. The new health plans, when used with a health

  • 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association convention convenes

    Signifying the tremendous role that reserve forces play in the air mobility mission, the leaders of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve kicked off the 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association Convention here Oct. 29. Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, ANG director, and his reserve component colleague,

  • Air Force institute honors researchers

    Air Force Institute for National Security Studies officials honored two researchers Oct. 26 at their annual conference here.Majs. William Casebeer and Troy Thomas received the Maj. Gen. Robert E. Linhard Award in recognition of their research titled: “Violent Systems: Defeating Terrorists,

  • CMSAF addresses fitness, training

    Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray spoke to a crowd of nearly 400 Airmen at an enlisted seminar here Oct. 22.He discussed issues facing the Air Force, and fielded questions and concerns from those in attendance. He started by asking how many in the audience had heard of Airman

  • Domestic violence offenders: the rest of the story

    Domestic violence is a problem nationwide, and the military is not exempt. However, Department of Defense officials have made a substantial commitment of resources over the past two decades to address domestic violence in the military.Domestic violence happens in military families of all ranks and

  • DOD officials 'pause' anthrax vaccination program

    Department of Defense officials are "pausing" the anthrax vaccination program while they review a preliminary injunction issued Oct. 27 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.The injunction did not question the safety and effectiveness of the anthrax vaccine or the DOD immunization

  • Leaders call for evaluation of suicide prevention efforts

    Air Force senior leaders are calling for commanders to conduct full reviews of suicide prevention efforts and to ensure that all Airmen are aware of resources such as life skills and other support agencies to address the service’s highest suicide rate in nine years.As of Oct. 27, 46 active-duty

  • Airmen take part in Operation Pencil Box

    About 20 Airmen from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing were greeted with smiles, cheers and the classic thumbs-up sign as they delivered school supplies and toys to a nearby elementary school Oct. 23 as part of Operation Pencil Box.More than 150 Iraqi children welcomed the group as they went from

  • Deploying troops getting priority for laser eye surgery

    Many people choose laser eye surgery because they think it will make them more attractive or save them from having to grapple to find their glasses.But for an increasing number of servicemembers, laser eye surgery is not a cosmetic or convenience issue. It is about saving lives on the

  • Physical medicine team keeps ‘sprains and strains’ down

    Things do not ever seem to slow down for the physical medicine team here. The staff of six -- an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and four physical medicine technicians -- has seen more than 1,000 patients since Sept. 20. “There’s just a continual flow of patients here,” said Maj. Brian

  • Now showing: Oct. 25 edition of AFTV News

    The continuing cleanup and relief support given victims of four Florida hurricanes highlights the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Staff Sgt. Kevin Nichols reports from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., the staging point for tons of supplies and materials on their way to Florida and

  • AWACS tests new identification system

    Years of preparation paid off for the Airborne Warning and Control Systems Program Office during the test of a capability which will reduce the possibility of friendly-fire accidents.The test, held recently at the Navy test range at Patuxent River, Md., examined a new AWACS Identification Friend or

  • New system tracks parts data

    Technicians in the avionics and instruments division now have a faster way to get the parts they need. The Lean Depot Management System tracks data on parts, and technicians, engineers and managers said they are noticing several benefits.The system can determine if a part is available and if so,

  • Officials announce 2004 awards for air mobility excellence

    Airlift/Tanker Association officials recently announced the 2004 award winners for excellence within the air mobility community.The association recognized 27 people in five categories. These Airmen will be honored at its annual convention in Dallas on Oct. 29.The Young Leadership Award is presented

  • Online write-in absentee ballot offered for overseas voters

    Deployed or stationed overseas and still waiting for your state absentee ballot to arrive in the mail? There's no need to sweat it out any more.The online federal write-in absentee ballot gives U.S. citizens overseas who haven't yet received the absentee ballots they applied for the chance to vote

  • DOD program provides technology for disabled workers

    A Department of Defense program that provides the technology and services disabled workers need to use computers and other basic office equipment evens the employment playing field for the disabled. It also makes it easier for managers to hire them, said Dinah Cohen, the DOD official who has run

  • DOD officials issue 'green' procurement policy

    Department of Defense officials issued a new procurement policy this week urging employees and the military to "buy green."The policy requires the department's civilian and military people to purchase products and services that benefit the environment, said Alex Beehler, DOD's chief of environmental

  • Air Force surgeons train Hondurans

    In a Third World country like Honduras, trauma-care surgeons are in short supply, forcing first-line doctors to perform life-saving operations on demand.A seven-person team from Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, joined with support people from the medical element at

  • Elmendorf 'charged' by new technology

    Firefighters here may not look like modern-day energy pioneers, but they are, because of an innovative fuel cell project that is being tested in a fire station here. The project sounds a lot like a chemistry experiment."The fuel cell uses electrochemical energy conversion that combines oxygen and

  • Drug testing program targets those most likely to use

    A recent change to the Air Force's drug testing program aims to further reduce the number of substance abusers by targeting Airmen most likely to use them. The Air Force began its "Smart Testing" program Oct. 1, at three major commands. Under the program, individuals in the group shown to most

  • Airman cashes in on pair of IDEAs

    An Airman’s pair of suggestions to have depot-level maintenance done at the wing level saved the Air Force more than $2.7 million and earned him two checks for $10,000 and $8,000 respectively, from the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program.Tech. Sgt. Mark Kobayashi, an Air Force

  • Air Force receiving OIF artwork

    About 150 artists from around the country will donate more than 200 paintings to the Air Force during a ceremony Oct. 29 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.The artwork features works by artists who traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to cover the Air Force mission during operations Enduring Freedom and

  • Study finds little risk from depleted-uranium particles

    A new study finds the health risks from inhaling airborne particles of depleted uranium are very low. The Capstone study found that even servicemembers in armored vehicles hit by DU munitions would still not suffer health risks from inhaling the particles. Of course, officials said, they would

  • Kirkuk firefighters train Iraqis

    A siren pierces the early evening night calling attention to the bright yellow firetruck speeding toward a pillar of smoke in the distance.People here are accustomed to the sounds and sights of the emergency response crews as they hurry to save lives and property, but this crew is different.Instead

  • Lajes more than speck in television history

    Fifty years ago, the tiny island of Terceira -- more specifically Lajes Field -- made television history. It was an event that brought the people of Portugal and the United States closer, helped define an Air Force specialty and would become one of the first quality-of-life necessities for Airmen

  • General Jumper visits Pacific Coast Air Museum

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper visited here Oct. 16 for a dedication ceremony at the Pacific Coast Air Museum.At the event, a restored F-106A Delta Dart was dedicated in honor and remembrance of General Jumper’s father, Maj. Gen. Jimmy Jumper, and the 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,

  • Officials activate National Security Space Institute

    Air Force Space Command officials stood up a space education and training organization here recently that they said will provide the foundation to creating a new generation of space professionals. The National Security Space Institute will be the Department of Defense's single focal point for space

  • POL Airmen help turn C-130 into flying gas station

    For Staff Sgt. Chris Cooper and Senior Airman Pete Kaplan, being fuels specialists is what they joined the Air Force to do. But the two petroleum, oil and lubricant experts had no idea they would be donning body armor and flying a 3,000-gallon fuel bladder around the desert, refueling much-needed

  • Babysitting club teaches teens responsibility

    What started out as just an after-school club to occupy free time, turned into a well-known organization here dedicated to teaching teenagers responsibilities of adulthood.Sherry Franklin, a program’s director at the youth center, started the babysitter club in 1999. Since then, their services have

  • Thrift Savings Plan kicks off open season

    The federal government's Thrift Savings Plan kicked off its 2004 "open season" Oct. 15 with slogans to remind servicemembers and civilian government employees that they can increase their retirement coffers substantially by investing in TSP, a 401K-type savings program.Open season -- the period when

  • Family support centers target programs

    Family support centers around the Air Force are changing the way they do business to better serve the needs of communities.“Traditionally, we served customers who came into the center,” said Linda Olivia Smith, chief of Air Force family matters. “Now we’re doing more outreach -- going to the

  • New government Web site offers one-stop financial education

    The Defense Department is part of a multiagency effort that resulted in the debut of a federal government Web site devoted to financial education Oct. 12.The mymoney.gov site has been in the works since March, with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission taking the lead role in its development, DOD

  • Flu shots set for servicemembers, high-risk people

    Deployed and deploying servicemembers are among the priority groups to receive the flu vaccine, Defense Department officials said here Oct. 13. Chiron, the main supplier of flu vaccine has a plant in Britain. Recently British regulators halted production there. While DOD is affected by the British

  • Hope, awareness keys to suicide prevention

    Problems come unexpectedly, and things like deployments and family troubles can be big stressors for many servicemembers. But one thing care providers want to get across is that suicide is not the right answer.More than 40 Airmen Air Force-wide have committed suicide this year, and though leaders

  • Officials allowing more wounded troops to remain on duty

    Defense Department officials have long been leaders in providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities; however, they have taken a major step forward by allowing disabled troops to remain in the military if they want to and can continue to perform, DOD's disability program manager

  • Air Force names public service award nominee

    Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kazimer III is the Air Force’s nominee for the 2005 National Public Service Award.Sergeant Kazimer is the assistant noncommissioned officer in charge of communications maintenance for the 702nd Munitions Support Squadron at Buechel Air Base, Germany.The sergeant is credited with

  • Student Civil Air Patrol program takes flight

    While some middle-school students spend their free time playing video games or watching television, a recently chartered organization here is giving future Airmen the opportunity to experience crossing into the blue as Civil Air Patrol cadets.Unlike ROTC, the cadets’ involvement is not graded as a