NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Balad radar air traffic controllers run skies of Iraq

    It looks simple in theory. All you have to do is keep little blips on a screen from bumping into each other. Now consider that those blips represent billions of dollars of government assets and hundreds of lives, all relying on one person's ability to control air traffic. This is the job of the

  • Balad remains one busy airfield

    Aircraft pack the flightline here and operations are non-stop and intense. C-130 Hercules, MQ-1 Predators, F-16 Fighting Falcons and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters all call this busy base home. The men and women who support the aircraft say Balad has the busiest single-runway airfield in the Department

  • Balad servicemembers strengthen bonds with community, Iraqi children

    e first Iraqi Kids Day of the year here served as part of the ongoing base effort to positively engage the local populace April 24.Although past events of this kind had an underlying theme to teach the children about health and safety, this event was held for one purpose, to have fun. Thirty-four

  • Balad squadron serves as Iraq's 'guardian angels'

    Coalition military members in Iraq have plenty of equipment, tactics and techniques at their disposal in the event of a worst-case scenario in the field. However, if those safeguards fail, a team of operators from the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron is standing by, ready to help. "Our primary

  • Balad team helps Iraqi women learn beekeeping trade

    The local buzz around Balad isn't just about a new agricultural development program, it's also literal.A beekeeper taught Iraqi women and families how to care for bees during a three-day class in Yethrib, a sub-district of Balad, to help spur economic independence and benefit local agriculture.In a

  • Balad trauma doctors gather to hone skills

    Approximately 20 deployed military doctors, U.S. civilian doctors and Iraqi doctors gathered at the Air Force Theater Hospital to share information about operations at their respective hospital facilities and discuss and how they could work to be more interoperable here March 24 and 25. The Joint

  • Balad’s pharmacy techs help save lives

    Within the chaotic center of the Air Force Theater Hospital here is a group of Airmen whose job is to ease pain and help people heal faster.The Airmen in Balad’s pharmacy ensure people on the way to surgery or on the way out of the hospital have their medications.“We support the whole hospital,

  • Balad's medics move into new facility

    Approximately 150 base volunteers and 380 Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group moved patients and equipment as they closed the doors on the old Air Force Theater Hospital and opened the doors to their pre-engineered facility here Aug. 3. Starting at 4 a.m., Airmen in each tent tunnel

  • Balance keeps trailblazer on course

    Betty Mullis is quick to speak about her inspirations. The retired Air Force major general served more than 33 years on active duty and in the Guard and Reserve, and accomplished many firsts along the way. Now she uses that wealth of experience and inspires other women to advance in their careers.

  • Balancing capability portfolios key to Air Force success

    Every day, news headlines tout successes of the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan, but seldom make mention of Air Force contributions. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D. W. Corley told lawmakers and defense industry insiders on Capitol Hill June 14 that that lack of coverage doesn't mean

  • Balancing career, family through career intermission program

    Being in the U.S. military can be a tough balance between career and family. For some, it comes down to a choice between the two; however, for Katie Evans, a temporarily separated captain and the former 18th Force Support Squadron manpower and personnel flight commander here, it's about keeping

  • Balancing force top priority say senior Air Force leaders

    Finding the right balance of regular, Reserve and Guard forces is the key to future Air Force capabilities and budget cuts senior leaders said Sept. 19, at the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here.More than 8,000 industry leaders, lobbyists, media, and

  • Balancing Reserve force discussed at Commander and Spouse Forum

    Air Force Reserve wing commanders and their spouses attended the annual Air Force Reserve Commander and Spouse forum here July 6 to 8 to gain increased awareness of the needs of Citizen Airmen and their families.Attendees engaged with Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., the chief of Air Force Reserve

  • Balloon reconnaissance marks 150th anniversary

    The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support critical to operations in Afghanistan got its start 150 years ago in June, when a balloonist showed then-President Abraham Lincoln how a gas-filled balloon could help the Union Army prevail in the Civil War.Thaddeus Lowe met with President

  • Baltic air policing mission complete

    The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, United Kingdom, relinquished command of the NATO Baltic air policing mission to the German air force at Lithuania Air Force Air Base here Jan. 5.The 493rd EFS, deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, assumed responsibility for Lithuanian, Latvian and

  • Baltimore hospital provides pre-deployment trauma training

    Master Sgt. Charles Halcome stood at a hospital bed, laying out vials and pointing out medical instruments to be used to treat an incoming patient.A 63-year-old woman was walking her dog when, in a freak accident, she got run into a tree and was basically scalped in the process. Her injuries were so

  • Band brings harmony to U.S., Russian relations

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band’s Check Six ensemble was music to Russian ears March 31 as they entertained and fostered relations between the United States and Russia.The command’s premier band served as musical ambassadors helping the U.S. Consulate General celebrate its 10-year anniversary

  • Band builds international relations through music

    Japanese and U.S. military bands performed here Sept. 9, building good community relations between U.S. Forces Japan and this town in the northwestern corner of mainland Japan that is home to a new military radar site."The way they joined together is a perfect example of the great relationship

  • Band builds partnerships through music

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band joined bands from seven other nations here at the Musikschau Der Nationen (Music Show of the Nations) Jan. 23 - 27 to remember veterans of all nations that fought in World War I and World War II. The five-day festival, which was attended by 22,000 people, displayed

  • Band kicks off holiday season with 4th annual flash mob

    Visitors at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum were delightfully surprised when their tour of the displays was suddenly interrupted by members of the U.S. Air Force Band and Honor Guard as they kicked off the holiday season with their fourth annual holiday flash mob Nov. 29.

  • Band makes impact on deployed members

    Approximately 200 U.S. servicemembers and coalition forces March 30 here were treated to the sounds of Max Impact -- an ensemble of the U.S. Air Force Band from Bolling Air Force Base from Washington, D.C. The traveling music group has been making its rounds in the deployed area of responsibility

  • Band member selected for ‘Hope’ award

    Air Force Personnel Center officials recently announced the U.S. Air Force Band’s superintendent here as the recipient of the 2005 U.S. Armed Forces Spirit of Hope Award for the Air Force.Senior Master Sgt. Ann Hinote has been a band member for 17 years.The Spirit of Hope Award is presented annually

  • Band members connect with Bishkek music students

    Members of the U.S. Air Forces Central Band Hot Brass treated approximately 200 students and faculty of the Bishkek College of Music to the sounds of rock 'n' roll, disco, country and classical music during a performance March 26 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The traveling Air Force band, which is

  • Band members, Kyrgyz babushkas share music

    Members of the U.S. Central Command Air Forces band, "Desert Ramblers," were treated to an impromptu show themselves on Oct. 19. The Desert Ramblers, a five-person ensemble that plays traditional and contemporary Celtic music, wrapped up a three-day visit here where they performed seven shows,

  • Band members, Kyrgyz citizens share culture through music

    Members of the Air Force Band Yuma played 10 concerts during an eight-day tour Sept. 4 through 11 throughout Kyrgyzstan. The band visited Manas Air Base and performed at a number of schools, orphanages and other venues in the local Kyrgyz communities. Yuma is a five-person band that fuses elements

  • Band of the Golden West rocks downtown Sacramento

    The Air Force Band of the Golden West's rock group, Mobility, performed for the downtown Sacramento community as part of Air Force Week during a June 7 performance at the Cesar Chavez Plaza here. The special lunch-hour performance was one of numerous events held in Sacramento as part of Air Force

  • Band of the Pacific-Hawaii participates in Red Ribbon Week

    One Band of the Pacific-Hawaii NCO here led a drive to use music to help spread the drug-free message of Red Ribbon Week by performing in concerts for local elementary schools in late October. Having three school-age children of his own created a desire in Tech. Sgt. Richard Vasquez, a Band of the

  • Band of the Rockies becomes academy band

    The U.S. Air Force Band of the Rockies will be renamed The U.S. Air Force Academy Band on Oct. 1. The band will continue its primary mission of "troop support" while refocusing its national touring mission to support the recruiting and community relations needs of the academy.This move realigns the

  • Band performs on 'Today' show

    Members of the Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass performed in New York City July 4 on NBC's "Today" show. The band has performed on every Independence Day since 1998 on the "Today" show, which reaches an estimated 5.38 million viewers each morning and more than 17 million on the Fourth of July. When

  • Band plays, audience rocks at space shuttle finale

    High Flight, the newest ensemble of the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, performed at the final landing of Shuttle Atlantis July 21 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The landing marked the end of NASA's space shuttle program."It has been an honor and a privilege to perform at this event," said Master

  • Band ramps up engagement as command position returns to Japan

    As U.S. forces rebalance to the Pacific, one group of Air Force musicians looks to play its way to new levels of engagement throughout the world's largest region.After a five-year absence, the command position for the Air Force's Band of the Pacific has returned to Yokota Air Base, Japan -- and with

  • Band rocks Bagram servicemembers

    The sound of music filled the air as members of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band Reserve Generation performed here as part of a two-month tour of the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility April 15 through 20. Bagram Airfield was one of the last stops for the band, deployed from Robins

  • Band rocks Pentagon on Air Force's 60th birthday

    The Air Force's birthday celebration at the Pentagon will be rocking as an Atlanta rock band is scheduled to perform Sept. 18 in the courtyard here.The band, Five Star Iris, will play several original songs for members assigned to the Pentagon as part of the Air Force's 60th birthday celebration.

  • Band sends July 4 greetings worldwide

    The U.S. Air Force Band and Air Force Reserve Command officials will present an Independence Day radio broadcast July 4, according to officials here.The show’s host will be radio personalities Crook and Chase. It features the U.S. Air Force concert band and Singing Sergeants. Guest artists include

  • Band to team with music legends for TV special

    Air Force Band members from here will be in the national spotlight in a Veterans Day extravaganza when the symphony orchestra and Singing Sergeants join celebrities and recording artists Nov. 10 on public television.Band members collaborate with two-time Grammy winner Patti LaBelle, country western

  • Band’s ‘Born of a Dream’ plays to the troops

    Following performances in Washington and Los Angeles, the U.S. Air Force Band’s Broadway-class musical, “Born of a Dream,” will be broadcast to troops worldwide on American Forces Network’s Spectrum channel.The musical, which celebrates 100 years of powered flight, will air once on Dec. 16 and twice

  • Bands bring tour to Europe, deployed troops

    Guest artists will join up with bands from Air Force Reserve Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe to entertain families and troops in late November. Country music artist Jaime O'Neal, entertainer of the air waves Delilah, John Popper of the platinum-selling group Blues Traveler, and the New England

  • Bands orchestrate aviation's first 100 years

    Celebrating the 100th anniversary of powered flight, Air Force Band of Flight musicians here are working with five professional composers to set history to music.This year marks the 100th anniversary of powered flight and celebrations are scheduled across the nation to honor the Wright brothers'

  • Bands spread Air Force message through music

    Air Force musicians took to heart the entertainment industry phrase "The show must go on" by performing in the greater Los Angeles area as wildfires burned in Southern California Nov. 15. "It's our job to get out there," said Master Sgt. Scott McPherson of the Air National Guard Band of the

  • Bandsman showcases talent on TV

    Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Trimmins talks with Jay Leno before showcasing his talents for playing a trumpet and flugelhorn simultaneously on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" which aired Nov. 28. Trimmins was the sole Air Force performer on Leno's second annual military Thanksgiving program. He is the

  • Bandwidth increasing for some bases

    The Department of Defense is planning to beef up Internet access at 92 military installations by the end of fiscal 2004 as part of the global information grid bandwidth expansion project.A little over a third of those installations will be Air Force bases, said John Gilligan, the service's chief

  • Bangladeshi airmen observe Cooperative Cope Thunder

    Observers from the Bangladesh air force are attending this year’s Cooperative Cope Thunder to help prepare for their first participation in 2007. Their observation included a facilities tour such as the flightline, hangar bays and ramp space. “While here, we’ve had many questions about Cope Thunder

  • Barbershop quartet creates 'buzz'

    When Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Tillman of the Alaska Air National Guard deployed to Southwest Asia last fall, he went with the goal to start a barbershop quartet. But how it fell into place, and the impact his deployed quartet is making, has created quite a buzz."Whenever I hear the national anthem

  • Bariatric surgery study looks at survival impact in older veterans

    In the first study to compare survival associated with bariatric surgery in mostly male patients, bariatric surgery was not significantly associated with decreased mortality, according to a research study published in the June 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. "At VA, we

  • Baristas donate tips to Japan relief efforts

    Watching the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that ripped through Japan March 11, cafe workers here have decided to give back."When you're here (in Japan) and you see the damage done, it hits home," said Amy Turner, a barista here. "We have a lot of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and

  • Barksdale AFB Airmen honor Ploesti Raiders

    Airmen had the opportunity to mingle with nearly 30 World War II veterans here Oct. 17-21 during the 98th Bomb Group Reunion. Members of the 98th BG Veterans Association hosted the famed Ploesti Raiders to highlight the achievements of the bomb group during World War II for their day-time raids

  • Barksdale AFB bomb wings support Cobra Warrior

    The exercise featured more than 50 fighter aircraft from Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Israel. The large-scale exercise, based out of RAF Waddingham, United Kingdom, had aircraft flying in simultaneously to participate in peer-to-peer scenarios.

  • Barksdale AFB hosts CAP Louisiana Wing Encampment

    For the 13th consecutive year, the Louisiana Wing Civil Air Patrol Cadet Encampment was held here July 15 through 25. The encampment is a 10-day course designed to give young CAP cadets the opportunity to experience Air Force customs and get an up-close look at various military careers. This year's

  • Barksdale AFB mourns fallen EOD hero

    Airmen and families here gathered to mourn the loss of a 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance technician Jan. 20.Senior Airman Bryan Bell, 23, was killed in action Jan. 5 by an improvised explosive device while performing his duties for Delta Company, 466th Explosive Ordnance Disposal

  • Barksdale AFB Reserve unit passes critical test

    The 307th Bomb Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit here, is now nuclear certified following an Initial Nuclear Surety Inspection March 14 - 18.The 343rd Bomb Squadron and 707th Maintenance Squadron, units under the 307th BW, are tasked to support the 2nd Bomb Wing's nuclear and conventional

  • Barksdale Airmen build homes for needy families

    More than a dozen Barksdale Air Force Base Airmen came together to help give a deserving family the gift of a lifetime March 20 in downtown Shreveport, La. The volunteers met up at the building site with Habitat for Humanity volunteers, family members and workers from the Military Entrance

  • Barksdale Airmen participate in EUCOM exercise

    A 2nd Bomb Wing B-52 Stratofortress aircrew conducted a long-range bomber mission from the United States to the U.S. European Command area of operations Sept. 17-18, where they participated in exercise Immediate Response 2015.

  • Barksdale Airmen recreate history

    Several units from Barksdale Air Force Base added their mark to a significant page in history Aug. 24 when they recreated a historical flight. The 2nd Bomb Wing, 53rd Wing, U.S. Air Force Weapons School and the 917th Wing came together for the first time to fly a maritime intercept mission. The

  • Barksdale Airmen restore B-17G for 8th Air Force museum

    Airmen, volunteers and contractors here are busy preserving, restoring and painting a B-17G Flying Fortress for the 8th Air Force Museum in honor of Maj. Gen. Lewis E. Lyle, a World War II B-17 pilot.The aircraft being restored will be preserved to the best extent possible and replicated as the

  • Barksdale Airmen take care of B-52 business 7,000 miles away

    The ground shakes and the flightline shudders as the eight engines of a B-52 Stratofortress beat gravity into submission lifting the giant bomber into the air. Each of the bomber's engines can produce more than 17,000 pounds of thrust along with a deafening roar, but for the Airmen assigned to the

  • Barksdale Airmen test ability during exercise

    Approximately 150 maintenance Airmen, 2nd Bomb Wing pilots and support members recently returned from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where they participated in the 10-day Exercise Red Flag-Alaska.The exercise is designed to provide realistic and demanding air-combat training to flying unit members

  • Barksdale Airmen test alternative jet fuel

    Airmen here assisted the Air Force's Alternative Fuels Certification Program staff in evaluating a new jet fuel blend known as alcohol-to-jet, March 26-30, 2012 here. Specialists from the Alternative Fuels Certification Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the TF34 Engine Program

  • Barksdale B-52s arrive in Guam, complete bomber rotation

    Airmen from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., and their B-52 Stratofortress bombers arrived in Guam recently to begin a four-month deployment here. The Louisiana-based aircraft, aircrew, support and maintenance members replaced the Minot AFB, N.D., Airmen who redeployed home as part of a

  • Barksdale B-52s drop bombs in exercise with Jordanian forces

    Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, returned May 24 from a 35-hour, 14,000-mile nonstop mission to Jordan as part of this year’s exercise Eager Lion with Jordanian Armed Forces.

  • Barksdale B-52s participates in CENTCOM exercise Eager Lion

    Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing in Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, returned May 18, from a 30-plus hour, 14,000 mile nonstop mission to the U.S. Central Command area of operations, where they participated alongside Jordanian and other multinational forces in

  • Barksdale bombers arrive at Andersen

    Approximately 300 Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., deployed here May 30 as part of the rotational bomber deployment here to maintain stability and security in the Western Pacific. Three Barksdale AFB B-52 Stratofortress arrived here May 30 after a 17-hour flight to support the Pacific

  • Barksdale bombers to fly in Koa Lightning

    Four B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and aircrew from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deployed here from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., are scheduled to fly to Hawaii and back this week to participate in the latest Koa Lightning exercise. The B-52s will fly more than 18 hours and 6,880 nautical

  • Barksdale couple donates fuel for Afghan women

    Thanks to a donation by two Airmen from here, Afghan women received 1,500 liters of heating fuel critical to help them through the winter.The donation was made by Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Melahn and Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Melahn, who is deployed as the Afghan National Army Embedded Training

  • Barksdale 'dePLAYment' program keeps children active

    Barksdale Air Force Base officials are participating in a program for families of deployed Airmen that allows them to enjoy base activities for free or reduced fees.To do so, the families receive "dePLAYment tags" that are used at Barksdale AFB facilities including the youth center, arts and crafts

  • Barksdale EOD team assists local community

    Barksdale AFB's explosive ordnance disposal team responded to a real-world scenario in Robline, La., Jan. 16.Natchitoches Parish Fire Department Number 7 requested the EOD team's assistance in disposing of a 12-inch by 5-inch mortar found at a local residence. Barksdale AFB EOD Airmen are

  • Barksdale helps hurricane evacuees, families

    The family assistance control center here continues to help relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina.Hundreds of servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians have fled to the Bossier City and Shreveport area in northern Louisiana seeking a safe haven, said Theresa Marvin, family support

  • Barksdale joins Bright Star 2005

    Airmen here recently engaged in a unique international exercise -- Bright Star 2005. The Bright Star exercise takes place every two years in Egypt and includes coalition forces from the United States, Egypt and 12 other countries. Airmen faced several challenges during the exercise which ran Sept.

  • Barksdale lends helping hand in filming movie

    Barksdale Airmen helped movie crews film “The Guardian” here Jan. 12 and 13. Although originally slated to shoot in New Orleans, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina quickly changed the movie’s plans. “We were planning on making the movie in New Orleans. Obviously, Katrina hit, and we had to move

  • Barksdale maintainers keep ‘Buffs’ flying

    Some people have compared the specialists at the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to gears in a watch. The watch can’t tick without the gears -- just as aircraft can’t fly without the Airmen. Within the squadron, specialists in each of the three aircraft maintenance units work behind the scenes to

  • Barksdale major court-martialed for online chat

    An officer here pleaded guilty at a general court-martial to two specifications of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman under Article 133, Uniform Code of Military Justice.While on temporary duty at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Maj. Paul McNeme engaged in a sexually explicit online chat

  • Barksdale officials complete Nuclear Surety Inspection

    Officials of the 2nd Bomb Wing here completed the first no-notice Nuclear Surety Inspection in mid-November, the first inspection without prior warning conducted in more than 15 years according to Air Combat Command officials. More than 45 experienced inspectors extensively evaluated the wing from

  • Barksdale officials host Charter Chief golden anniversary

    Officials from the 2nd Bomb Wing here hosted a golden anniversary celebration to honor Air Force pioneers Dec. 1.Exactly 50 years ago on Dec. 1, 1959, 625 Airmen were promoted and pinned as the first-ever chief master sergeants. Called the Charter Chiefs, these Airmen secured their place in history

  • Barksdale officials report fatality

    One non-Department of Defense civilian died in a natural gas line fire near an unpopulated area of the East Reservation of Barksdale Air Force Base at about 5:20 p.m., Jan. 6.Barksdale AFB emergency responders and Bossier Parish Fire Department officials responded to the scene. The fire is under

  • Barksdale pilots support Pilot for a Day program

    Pilots with the 2nd Bomb Wing here brightened the lives of seriously ill children May 1 by supporting Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Texas' Pilot for a Day program.Members of the 20th Bomb Squadron here recently flew a training mission to NAS Corpus Christi, that allowed them to do several passes

  • Barksdale reservist saves a life

    For the average worker, leaving the house every day doesn't lead to becoming a hero, however, for first responders that possibility is always there, as is the chance for disaster. When Bowie County Sheriff Deputy Kenny McMillen, who is also an Air Force reservist assigned to the 307th RED HORSE at

  • Barksdale sergeant streamlines maintenance process

    For Air Force maintainers, the shift is not over until the job is finished. This means every minute counts, and time is wasted every time an Airman has to wait in line for an aircraft part. Where most people saw an unavoidable delay, one Airman found a way to ensure Barksdale Air Force Base and the

  • Barksdale undergoes renovation, construction projects

    Barksdale Air Force Base members have seen 42 renovation and construction projects completed here with more than 130 on the way as Air Force Global Strike Command integrates with the 2nd Bomb Wing here. More than 50 percent of Barksdale AFB facilities are on the National Historic Register and while

  • Barksdale unit first to train with latest B-52 upgrade

    The last B-52 Stratofortress rolled off the assembly line in 1962, but while the airframe itself is well-seasoned, the internal components are continually upgraded to keep up with the demands of the modern battlespace. Efforts like the Military Standard 1760 Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade program aim

  • Barnes Center graduates first virtual class

    The virtual graduation included a guest speaker and each student's name being called aloud. This is the first class within the center to attend and graduate virtually.

  • Barnes Center rebuilds senior NCO education curriculum

    Developers and faculty at the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education kicked the level of learning up a notch with version 6 of the distance learning Senior NCO Course 14. The new version replaced version 5 in late 2013.

  • Barnes Center single voice for enlisted education

    Nearly one year ago, Air University officials embarked upon housing all Air Force enlisted professional military education under a single command at the Thomas E. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education here. The sweeping venture brought the Air Force First Sergeants Academy, the Air Force Senior

  • Barrel nut team gets C-130s back in the air

    A team of 30 Airmen across five units helped keep the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's mission effectiveness rates above 98 percent during a nine-day period when the wing had only three flyable C-130 Hercules aircraft. After an immediate action time compliance technical order, or TCTO, was issued by