HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • B-52 gets new sniper pod

    The 2nd Bomb Wing made its first live run with a new addition to the aging bomber.With constant upgrades bringing the more than 60 year-old bomber into the 21st century, the addition of the sniper pod gives the B-52H Stratofortress better integration with ground forces and laser-guided bombs for

  • B-52 integrates, trains with French allies

    A B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, conducted a long-range training sortie April 20, to train and integrate with the French air force.

  • B-52 lands at Moscow air show

    One of the most famous Cold War icons, the B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber, landed here Aug. 20 to participate in the 6th Moscow Space and Aviation Show. This is the first public display in Russia for the B-52, an aircraft designed to deliver nuclear bombs into the former Soviet Union during

  • B-52 Litening II pod used in combat

    For the first time in combat history, a B-52 Stratofortress used a Litening II targeting pod to strike targets at an airfield in northern Iraq on April 11, according to officials at the U.S. Central Command's combined air operations center.Using the Litening II system,a crew of reservists from the

  • B-52 pilot still flying high after 33 years

    During the evacuation of Quang Tri in 1972, 1st Lt. Bill Jankowski, an O2-A pilot, flew out of DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, to find enemy targets and bring air support assistance to South Vietnamese who were resisting North Vietnamese. Quang Tri had Americans within the area, and Jankowski's role was

  • B-52 presence welcomed by U.S., coalition forces

    Thirty thousand feet above Afghan terrain, the presence of B-52 Stratofortresses is felt. Their presence is welcomed by U.S. and coalition forces fighting in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, but not welcomed by the terrorists who operate from there. Maintaining the fleet of B-52s here is no

  • B-52 sees biggest improvement in 15 years

    After three years of planning, Air Force flight test experts here introduced a new offensive avionics system for the B-52 Stratofortress.Flight testing of the B-52 Avionics Midlife Improvement, known as AMI, began in mid-December and is scheduled to continue through March 2004, with 80 sorties

  • B-52 simulator plays big role in exercise

    A B-52 Stratofortress simulator is allowing 11th Bomb Squadron students to train with Soldiers and Airmen near Fort Polk, La., taking part in the live fire portion of exercise Air Warrior II. The simulator provides Airmen here a unique training opportunity -- and an alternative to participating in

  • B-52 simulators receive overhaul

    With 19 years and more than 3,000 flying hours piloting the B-52 Stratofortress, Lt. Col. Tom Silvia is the right person to ensure the bomber' s simulator is realistic as overhauls are completed to bring it up to date.Realism was lacking previously in the simulators, the colonel said. The view of

  • B-52 still a force to be reckoned with

    More than 50 years after the first B-52 bomber rolled off a Boeing assembly line, the Stratofortress is still making believers out of those who would oppose the United States.The latest convert? Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.The B-52H has topped 100 missions flown in support of Operation Iraqi

  • B-52 Stratofortress ages like wine

    First deployed in 1955, the B-52 Stratofortress is already twice the age of many Airmen who maintain it. Despite its age, Airmen assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing here have an affinity for flying and maintaining this Air Force legacy aircraft and recognize its relevance today. "She gets finer with age

  • B-52 Stratofortress joins coalition team

    U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrived at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, April 9, in support of theater requirements and Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the threat they pose to Iraq,

  • B-52 takes part in joint training 'down under'

    The Air Force will send a B-52 and KC-135, operating from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin later this week to take part in short term joint training with the RAAF. The B-52 is assigned to Andersen AFB as part of U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Air Force

  • B-52 testers complete leaflet bomb drops

    An important part of U.S. military operations overseas is communicating with the local population. This can be done in a number of ways including something as simple as distributing leaflets.  In psychological operations, leaflets with messages are often dropped from aircraft in order to reach a

  • B-52 tests alternative jet engine fuel

    The Air Force accomplished another aviation first when a B-52 Stratofortress flew using an alternative fuel Sept. 19. The flight test involved running two of the bomber's engines on a synthetic fuel, made from a 50-50 blend of traditional crude oil-based fuel and a Fischer-Tropsch fuel derived from

  • B-52 undergoes HERO testing at Edwards AFB

    A B-52 Stratofortress from the 96th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, is undergoing Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance testing in the Benefield Anechoic Facility (BAF) here.

  • B-52 undergoes synthetic-fuel cold weather testing

    A B-52 Stratofortess powered by a mix of synthetic fuel arrived here Jan. 17 for cold-weather testing, the last step in the testing and certification process to help reduce Air Force dependence on imported fuel. The aircraft, permanently assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing here, will undergo ground

  • B-52 undergoes worldwide testing

    The B-52H Avionics Midlife Improvement project recently completed two missions to test new hardware and software upgrades in extreme conditions around the world.The missions were part of the research and developmental test for the project before it moves to operational test and evaluation, allowing

  • B-52 upgrade to increase smart-weapons capacity

    Tinker AFB Airmen will update ground maintenance and mission planning software in support of a new Air Force contract that will increase the B-52 Stratofortress's "smart-weapons" capacity by 50 percent.

  • B-52 veteran recalls close call on Desert Storm mission

    “Pilot, we have a lock-on,” the B-52 Stratofortress electronic warfare officer called out in surprise. Capt. Jim Bowles, a B-52 instructor pilot, gritted his teeth, looked downward and sure enough, an SA-6 surface-to-air missile had been launched in his direction.

  • B-52H reaches retirement

    The first B-52H Stratofortress reaches retirement after more than 45 years of dedicated service to the country July 24 here on its final flight to Davis-Monthan  Air Force Base, Ariz. "It is a truly sad time when we decommission a plane," said Lt. Col. Bill Stahl, 5th Maintenance Group deputy

  • B-52s bring persistent airpower to Exercise Pitch Black 12

    The 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., took to the skies of Australia's Northern Territory Aug. 2 to 18 as the lone U.S. Air Force unit flying in Exercise Pitch Black 12.With more than 2,200 personnel and up to 100 participating military aircraft, Exercise Pitch Black 12

  • B-52s demonstrate bilateral, joint force integration in Indo-Pacific

    The bombers, currently deployed to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, are supporting Bomber Task Force missions to demonstrate the United States’ unwavering commitment to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

  • B-52s demonstrate global reach, power

    Airmen of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here flew to the Pele Bombing Range in Hawaii to drop inert weapons as part of Exercise Koa Lightning Sept. 16 and 17. Different from previous Koa Lightning exercises, bomber aircrews dropped ordnance as they were talked into the targets by joint

  • B-52s demonstrate strategic reach

    Two B-52 Stratofortresses assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, returned July 2 from a 44-hour, nonstop mission to Australia.

  • B-52s head to Guam for continuous bomber presence rotation

    Six  B-52H Stratofortresses and nearly 350 Airmen here left June 1 for Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to start a six-month deployment.The 5th Bomb Wing's role in U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence mission "is vital to national security," said Col. Charles Patnaude, the 5th Operations

  • B-52s lead joint training across Hawaiian Islands

    Air and ground force elements came together across the Hawaiian Islands this week to jointly participate in close air support (CAS) training with U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

  • B-52s participate in Green Lightning, Australian air show

    Andersen Airmen flew to the land 'down under' this week to demonstrate the capability and flexibility of the B-52 Stratofortress bomber to their Australian partners. They completed a series of scheduled Green Lightning exercise sorties at the Delamere Bombing Range while also providing aerial

  • B-52s provide RIMPAC 2012 air capability

    Members from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., participated in nine sorties in support of this year's Rim of the Pacific exercise July 11-31 in and around training areas surrounding the Hawaiian islands. Six B-52 Stratofortresses from the 69th EBS, accompanied by more

  • B-52s roar over Guam during bomber surge

    Members of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flew surge missions and launched six of its B-52 Stratofortresses on a large scale training flights Sept. 4 and 5 from here. The training mission allowed crewmembers to practice more than the standard two-ship deconfliction plan while maintaining

  • B-52s strike Iraqi targets

    Bomber aircraft from this deployed location participated in their first strike operations March 21 and continue to pound targets in the U.S. Central Command theater of operations in a coalition effort to disarm the Iraqi regime.All of the bombers deployed for the mission returned without incident.

  • B-52s to receive communications upgrade

    Installation of a communications system upgrade earmarked for the venerable U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber fleet is scheduled to start here in July.The Combat Network Communications Technology system will enable aircrews to send and receive information via satellite links, allowing them

  • Babies help parents workout

    Balancing a career, family and fitness program is not always easy.A training routine, created by fitness trainer Mindy Mylrea here, may help new parents get fit and spend quality time with their babies.The routine is designed for mothers and fathers with a 20- to 30-pound baby and should be done

  • Baby arrives during hurricane via C-section by flashlight

    Hurricane Katrina’s awesome power could not keep a baby from making her debut at the medical center here during a cesarean section illuminated by a ring of flashlights.“Our team delivered a healthy, robust baby girl -- definitely not a shrinking violet,” said Maj. Betsy Majma, a nurse anesthetist.

  • 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

  • Back pain becomes Childs’ play

    Capt. John Childs, a physical therapist, is literally taking on a pain in the backside. By studying how patients respond to certain treatments, Captain Childs is aiming to reduce lower back pain, a condition that afflicts millions of Americans.Captain Childs, an Air Force Institute of Technology

  • 'Backbone' of Real Thaw 14 pushes through final week of exercise

    Whether loading training munitions by day or turning wrenches at night, maintainers from the 31st Fighter Wing are continuing to support the 555th Fighter Squadron during their inaugural participation in Real Thaw 14, an international exercise hosted by the Portuguese air force here.

  • Backscatter technology leaves bad guys no place to hide

    Members of the 820th Security Forces Group here are set to employ a new high-technology search system in the war on terrorism that will help increase base security that also can deter acts of aggression against coalition forces. Known as the Z backscatter van, the $1.2 million, 13,000-pound,

  • BACN improves communication for deployed troops

    There is an aircraft that is so unique, you can only find it in one place – not even the pilots who fly the aircraft can touch it until they are deployed to this specific location.

  • Bacteria research could protect Airmen from radiation

    An Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded scientist has identified manganese complexes in the bacterium Deinococcus radioduran that resists the damaging effects of radiation. The goal of the research is to investigate biomaterials that offer protection to Airmen from various environmental

  • Bad checks, AWOL net Airman confinement

    Writing $18,000 in bad checks and being absent without leave for six days netted a 377th Security Forces Squadron Airman here a bad-conduct discharge, six months confinement and demotion to airman basic.Airman 1st Class Jessica Morris was convicted by a general court-martial. Military judge, Lt.

  • 'Bad guys' add realism to capabilities exercise

    An Army Special Forces team jumped out of an MC-130W Combat Spear and deployed their parachutes to slowly descend to the landing zone. After hitting the hard New Mexico soil, they fanned out and moved toward their objective.This began the scenario of the Cannon Air Force Base capabilities exercise

  • Baghdad marketplace not a target

    A Baghdad marketplace reportedly rocked by an explosion killing 14 people was not targeted by coalition forces, Defense Department officials said March 26 during a Pentagon press briefing.Army Maj. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, vice director for operations on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, said

  • Bagram A-10s surge for summer offensives

    Six U.S. and coalition troops peer out from a remote position on a ridge top in Afghanistan. At sunset on the third day of their vigil, a large force of Taliban extremists carrying heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades surround and pin down the team.By design, an Air Force joint tactical

  • Bagram A-10s take fight to enemy

    A-10 Thunderbolt IIs continue taking the fight to the enemy by providing close air support to U.S. and coalition forces participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.  Shortly after deploying in September to this base at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountains from Davis-Monthan Air Base, Ariz., the

  • Bagram aircrews drop treats to Soldiers on fourth

    Aircrews from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron airdropped something special on the Fourth of July for Soldiers at some of the most remote forward operating bases throughout Afghanistan. The 230th birthday of the United States proved to be another hot, dusty day here, but thanks to the C-130

  • Bagram Airfield attack kills 2 U.S. servicemembers, wounds 6

    Two U.S. servicemembers were killed and at least six other personnel were wounded June 21 during an early morning indirect-fire attack on Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, officials said. The injured were taken to a U.S. medical facility for treatment. "On behalf of the Combined Joint Task Force 82

  • Bagram Airfield service members honor Air Force hero

    Men and women from every military service dedicated their day to honoring one of the Air Force's fallen heroes here March 4. The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted a ruck march, remembrance ceremony and celebratory barbecue to honor the 10th anniversary of pararescueman Senior Airman Jason

  • Bagram Airman gives all for the families

    A Bagram Air Base Airman is making a difference for servicemembers and their families as she has one of the most difficult jobs in the area of responsibility.Senior Airman Sekina Moye, a services journeyman assigned to the 755th Air Expeditionary Group, is filling a six-month in-lieu-of tasking with

  • Bagram Airman makes difference on 2 fronts

    An Airman deployed to Bagram Air Base is not only making a difference in the war on terrorism, but also in his Louisiana hometown. Tech. Sgt. Bruce BeeJay Johnson, an information manager from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and deployed with the 755th Air Expeditionary Group, has been positively

  • Bagram airmen boost village morale

    It is austere here. The rules are strict, the environment is harsh, and the enemy is near. Everyday is a workday. Alcoholic beverages and civilian clothes are prohibited. People cannot go anywhere unarmed. They eat and sleep with their weapons.Maintaining high morale in an environment like this

  • Bagram Airmen build bombs

    Building up flares and guided bombs is all in a day’s work for ammunitions troops here, as it is for conventional munitions technicians throughout the region. Being assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron ammunitions unit is about keeping the munitions supply lines flowing,

  • Bagram Airmen celebrate Air Force's 60th birthday

    Airmen celebrated the Air Force's 60th birthday at a dinner and celebration held Sept. 8 at Bagram Air Base. Festivities included a POW/MIA/Fallen Comrade Ceremony, several slide shows and videos focusing on the advancement of airpower since its inception, and a guest speaker, Maj. Gen. Kevin J.

  • Bagram Airmen celebrate season

    Airmen in Afghanistan found ways to celebrate the holiday season while providing continuous airpower and combat support for U.S. and coalition forces throughout the country. While family and friends back home marked the holiday season with gifts and celebrations, deployed Airmen in Afghanistan

  • Bagram Airmen celebrate Thanksgiving with parade

    Airmen witnessed a bunch of turkeys roaming around Bagram Airfield Thanksgiving Day. Also some kite flyers, a mock F-16 Fighting Falcon and even jolly ol' St. Nick. The cast of characters were part of the first Thanksgiving Day parade at Camp Cunningham, where the majority of Airmen stationed here

  • Bagram Airmen directly support 72-hour battle

    During the last week of September, crews of the 774th Expeditionary Air Squadron conducted one of the largest series of air drop operations in Afghanistan's history, getting nearly 150 tons of food, water and ammunition to coalition troops in the field. However, excitement at the accomplishment

  • Bagram Airmen fly outside the box

    The job of locating and returning servicemembers throughout the area of responsibility has taken a back seat for Airmen of the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here who now help save lives. Bagram Air Base Airmen provide aeromedical evacuation with their HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters for injured

  • Bagram Airmen get call from AF top leader to ring in new year

    Four 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen received New Year's Eve phone calls from the Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James.The secretary wished them a happy new year and wanted to let the Airmen know the Air Force leadership team was thinking of all the deployed Airmen and their families

  • Bagram Airmen help bring better life to Afghan families

    A group of Bagram Airmen joined with their civilian and sister service counterparts Oct. 17 to help bring a better life to the people of Afghanistan, one family at a time. Dubbed Operation Care, the all-volunteer effort collects and delivers clothing, toys, candy, school and hygiene supplies to

  • Bagram Airmen keep F-16s in the fight

    As their F-16 Fighting Falcon pulled into its parking spot on the airfield March 23, the maintainers from the 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit had something to be proud of: tail number 2119 had returned from its 30th code 1 sortie over Afghanistan.Lt. Col. Brad Lyons, 34th Expeditionary

  • Bagram Airmen keep safety a priority

    Air Force safety rules are just as important here, in the heart of the worldwide war on terrorism, as they are at bases outside of the “war zone.”Challenges to maintaining a safe environment are all around here -- literally. There are land mines placed by the former Soviet military and the Taliban.

  • Bagram Airmen launch 'care strikes' to spread cheer

    For the last two months, a group of Airmen have been conducting what some are calling "care strikes," to enhance morale among servicemembers here. Capt. Ken Valardi, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Chaplain and his assistant, Staff Sgt. Aaron Smith, began the project in September with the delivery

  • Bagram Airmen move Army Force Provider camps

    A familiar sight at this Afghanistan airfield involves American C-17 Globemaster IIIs landing and maneuvering as Russian-built IL-76 cargo aircraft taxies for departure. While one aircraft is being unloaded, another is waiting next in line to take off while another prepares to land. Airmen from one

  • Bagram Airmen move Marmal

    Airmen forward deployed from the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron at Bagram Airfield are helping to provide a vital role in moving personnel and supplies in northern Afghanistan. Members of the 455th EAPS Detachment 3 are tasked with loading and unloading every U.S. aircraft that that comes

  • Bagram Airmen operate new transporter

    The Air Force high deck patient loading platform was designated operational with the transfer of five patients during a KC-135 Stratotanker channel mission from Afghanistan to Germany April 9. The HDPLP is a special-purpose vehicle with an enclosed lighted and climate-controlled cabin designed to

  • Bagram Airmen partner with local Afghans for burial ceremony

    Recently there was a solemn burial outside a mosque in the town that borders Bagram Airfield. A small group of mourners and the local mullah were in attendance as prayers were said for the deceased. It was not an event of major significance except to those who attended and those who had a hand in

  • Bagram Airmen provide humanitarian assistance after landslide

    Airmen from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here delivered more than 17,000 pounds of supplies to Afghanistan's Balkh province April 7. The emergency drop, which included food, water and blankets, was part of the Air Force and Army's aid effort for the residents of the northern province,

  • Bagram Airmen provide training to Afghan police

    Approximately one dozen Afghan National Police from several districts gathered in the Processing Coordination Center at the Parwan Provincial ANP Headquarters in the Charikar district April 22 to receive training. Airmen assigned to the Bagram Police Technical Advisory Team provided the training

  • Bagram Airmen receive taste of America

    With hand-written messages like, “We support you 100 percent,” and “Thanks for protecting our country,” on every package, reinforcements recently arrived here from the United States.More specifically, about 150 boxes of Girl Scout cookies sent by Brownie Troop 2859 from Marlboro, Mass., showed up at

  • Bagram Airmen recover crippled aircraft

    More than 120 Airmen, Defense Department civilians and contractors removed a crippled C-17 Globemaster III from the runway Feb. 2 at Bagram Airfield after receiving damage while landing Jan. 30.Emergency response crews sprang into action shortly after the aircraft screeched to a stop and base

  • Bagram Airmen recover hundreds of pallets

    The numbers 88- by -108 by -2.25 inches and 290 pounds represent lifeblood for the Air Force’s logistics readiness officers and air transporters.They are the measurements of a pallet type used to carry combat supplies in and out of war zones … and they are “wanted.”A critical shortage of these

  • Bagram Airmen respond to aircraft emergency

    Airmen assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group here were some of the first responders on the scene after an Airbus A300 crew performed an emergency landing March 1 here.The aircraft, contracted to DHL International, was carrying mail and cargo when an unsafe gear indicator alerted the

  • Bagram Airmen spread cheer, share smiles

    Airmen fighting the global war on terrorism from nearby Bagram Air Base took time to spread cheer and share smiles with the people of a village here. As part of an adopt-a-village visit Nov. 3, Airmen distributed more than 1,200 pounds of winter clothes, blankets, school supplies and toys, said

  • Bagram Airmen work to deliver link to home

    The men and women of the 455th Expeditionary Communication Squadron Knowledge Operations Management Office dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to provide a valuable service to 455th Air Expeditionary Wing personnel and its Air Force tenant units...mail call. Although it is not within their

  • Bagram C-130 crew airdrops GPS-guided supplies in Afghan valley

    Earlier this month in Afghanistan, a small unit of coalition ground forces traveled a great distance to support an operation aimed squarely at the Taliban and exhausted their food and water. While, navigating through a deep gorge in a mountainous river valley, the situation was quickly

  • Bagram C-130s drop high-tech cargo delivery system

    The same global positioning technology that helps fighter and bomber pilots deliver smart bombs with pinpoint accuracy now allows cargo bundles dropped from cargo planes to steer themselves to drop zones. A C-130 Hercules from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here dropped supplies to a U.S.

  • Bagram dedicates dining facility to fallen Airman

    A dining facility here was dedicated July 6 to fallen Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, who was killed in action April 29 while on a combat patrol. In the sea of digital camouflage during the ceremony, Airman Yelner's spirit stood out amongst the crowd of mostly-Army servicemembers -- and those

  • Bagram duty has its hazards

    Talk of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' win in the Super Bowl stopped abruptly Jan. 27 when a work crew uncovered an unexploded bomb at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.A team working in an area behind the base's control tower unearthed an unexploded Russian-made anti-personnel bomblet. The Air Force