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U.S. Air Force News

  • Holiday greetings team visits Gwangju

    A lot of “I love you” and well wishes were spoken here Oct. 12 when 126 Airmen and Soldiers sent their holiday greetings home.An Army and Air Force Hometown News Service holiday greetings team stopped here as part of a worldwide tour to film messages from servicemembers to air on their hometown

  • Reserve unit begins deactivating

    Already hard-pressed aircrews at this active airlift hub will be even busier starting in December when two Reserve squadrons begin deactivating after two years on active duty.The 97th and 728th Airlift Squadrons, of the Air Force Reserve’s 446th Airlift Wing here, mobilized in February 2003. Both

  • Airman, wife arrested in murder plot

    Civilian authorities arrested an Airman from here and his wife Oct. 13 in a murder-for-hire scheme. He was already in custody at a local holding facility facing separate Air Force charges.Staff Sgt. Matthew Gladue, a weather systems technician with the 51st Combat Communications Squadron, and his

  • USO honors Airman at gala event

    The United Service Organizations honored an Airman from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, at the 2004 USO Gala here Oct. 14 for his unhesitating courage in saving the lives of two children.Seeing smoke coming from a house and learning that children were trapped inside, Senior Airman Nicholas Semonelle,

  • Relationship, money issues face some returning combatants

    Money, intimacy and re-establishing their relationship as a couple and with their children are some of the challenging issues facing families when servicemembers return after months away in Iraq or Afghanistan. A team of mental-health professionals from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress,

  • 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

  • AEF Battlelab becomes Air Warfare Battlelab

    The Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab, which stood up here in July 1997, recently became the Air Warfare Battlelab. The change reflects the 2003 realignment under the Air Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and better matches operational and testing functions. The battlelab focuses on

  • C-141 schoolhouse closes at Wright-Pat

    Air Force Reserve Command officials shut down the C-141 Starlifter schoolhouse here Oct. 14.A ceremony marked the closing of the school, officially called the C-141 Formal Training Unit. It was managed by the 445th Airlift Wing. Use of the facility, the only one of its kind in the Air Force, ended

  • 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

  • Physician assistants strong support for military medical units

    Every 15 minutes, Maj. James Kahler lifts a medical record from the rack, enters an exam room, and his hunt begins anew.Part medical detective, part complaint department head, part confession-hearing priest, Major Kahler weighs verbal feedback against diagnostic examination to determine a prognosis

  • Tankers fuel war on terror

    The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s tanker squadron plays an essential role in the war on terror. KC-10 Extenders are a key part of the wings’ mission to provide coalition aircraft greater range and endurance for missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.Pilots of the 908th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling

  • Combat controllers call in big guns for troops in Afghanistan

    They are respectfully referred to as “the guys with the beards,” by their fellow Airmen here. It is distinction that few American servicemembers in Afghanistan can claim. Dressed in unmarked desert camouflage uniforms, these distinctive Airmen convoy across the Afghan plains, trek through mountain

  • Now showing: Oct. 11 edition of AFTV News

    The continuing Air Force role in Operation Enduring Freedom highlights the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Joy Josephson explains the resupply mission by Air National Guard C-130 Hercules units operating from Uzbekistan. Another aspect of the service’s contribution to peace

  • POL Airmen fuel the wing

    “Without fuel, pilots are pedestrians.” This is a phrase uttered by many fuels specialists over the years. At a forward-deployed location, it is no different; except the phrase should be expanded to people who drive vehicles and use air conditioners, generators and anything else not

  • William Tell competition resumes after eight-year break

    The Air Force’s first William Tell air-to-air competition in eight years takes flight at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 8 to 19.William Tell 2004 will test aircrew performance in the air dominance and air sovereignty missions, while evaluating weapons use and the tactics used. The meet also

  • Air Force receives top DOD-level award

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe communications and information directorate, which oversees the Air Force's communications and information-management effort in the European theater, was given top honors in the chief information officer awards team category Oct. 7.Defense Department officials honored

  • Uniform board incorporates feedback, alters design

    Based on feedback from the six-month wear test, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper decided to expand the current test program to include a pixelated tiger-striped pattern in a new color scheme on the proposed utility uniform.The expansion does not involve a full test; instead, there will

  • 'Master problem solver' wins Air Force award

    The challenge of keeping his computer customers connected is what drives Tony Bufford, winner of the Air Force’s Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award for 2004.Mr. Bufford, system administrator for the 81st Supply and Transportation squadrons, was also Keesler’s nominee for the award in 2000

  • Junior ROTC expands, seeks retirees to teach at new units

    Airmen planning to retire within the next couple of years and Airmen who have retired within the past five years may want to look to Junior ROTC before storing their uniforms, said Jo Alice Talley. She is the Air Force Junior ROTC instructor management chief.Air Force Junior ROTC will add 201 units

  • General Martin withdraws PACOM nomination

    Gen. Gregory S. Martin requested his nomination to be commander of U.S. Pacific Command be withdrawn hours after his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing Oct. 6.A Pentagon statement said General Martin “has requested that his nomination by the Bush administration to be the new U.S.

  • Myers: Changing military culture key to transformation

    The most important area for transformation is the space "between our warfighters' ears," said the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.During an interview, Gen. Richard B. Myers addressed the need for servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians to transform the way they think. He said DOD

  • Drum line teaches leadership

    Hearts race as walls pulsate, surrounded by the deafening beat of drums. The audience sits on the edge of its seat as quickening tempos bring the rhythm to new heights.This may be a common scene at any rock ‘n’ roll concert, but there are no paid performers laying down the beat. They are just

  • DEET first line of defense against insects

    Whether hiking in the woods at home or serving in the sands of the Middle East, Airmen need a repellent to shield themselves from biting insects.The active ingredient in most skin-applied repellents is commonly referred to as DEET. It is a must on almost every deployment checklist and for good

  • Officials unveil employment initiative for wounded vets

    Injured servicemembers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan will get individualized job training, counseling and re-employment services, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said Oct. 4.During a signing ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, Ms. Chao joined Army Maj. Gen. Kenneth Farmer

  • Memphis Belle to find new home at AF Museum

    Air Force officials announced plans Oct. 4 to relocate the World War II B-17 "Memphis Belle" to the Air Force museum near Dayton, Ohio.No date has been set, but officials said they expect the move to occur before the end of the year in conjunction with activities planned to observe the 60th

  • AMC officials recognize civil reserve employees

    Air Mobility Command officials have begun awarding hundreds of Aerial Achievement Medals and thousands of certificates of appreciation to the employees of commercial air carriers called to duty during the Civil Reserve Air Fleet activation in 2003.The fleet of commercial passenger and cargo aircraft

  • Former Air Force official gets nine months in prison

    Darleen Druyun, former principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisitions and management, was sentenced Oct. 1, to nine months in federal prison by a U.S. District Court judge.Earlier this year, Ms. Druyun pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Title 18, Section 208(a) of the

  • Tyndall's youth sports program earns award

    The youth center staff here will receive one of five 2004 Excellence in Youth Sports Awards from the National Alliance for Youth Sports and Athletic Business magazine. Baseball all-star Cal Ripkin Jr. will present the award Nov. 12 in Orlando, Fla.The award recognizes organizations worldwide that

  • DOD expands anthrax, smallpox vaccination programs

    Department of Defense is expanding its anthrax and smallpox immunization programs following an evaluation conducted by the Military Health System. Air Force officials released service-specific guidance recently.Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs,

  • Airmen use GBU-38 in combat

    During one particular night shift recently, a team primarily composed of Air National Guardsmen conducted the first successful drop of a GBU-38 bomb in combat.The majority of the people connected to the effort came from the Alabama Air National Guard and were supplemented by Airmen from Illinois and

  • Recruiter guilty in murder-for-hire plot

    After a two-week general court-martial, Tech. Sgt. Rodney Wells was found guilty here Oct. 1 of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted conspiracy to commit murder. Sergeant Wells was also found not guilty of a third charge, which included three specifications of solicitation to commit murder and

  • Reserve pilots not reserved when protecting ground troops

    Ammunitions troops here charged with reloading a wingman’s A-10 Thunderbolt II Gatling gun had a busy night recently, following his return. New Orleans Air Force Reserve pilots proved that they are anything but reserved when it comes to protecting U.S. ground troops in Afghanistan. In defense of a

  • Upcoming summit shapes new sexual-assault policies

    Decisions made at a senior-leader summit are expected to have a sweeping effect on the Defense Department's sexual-assault prevention and response efforts, said the task force commander charged with turning the group's recommendations into DOD-wide policies.The Oct. 6 summit, made up of senior

  • Airmen brace for new fitness test

    The Air Force chief of staff fired a shot across the bow in July 2003 that got the attention of Airmen everywhere.Gen. John P. Jumper forewarned that a new fit-to-fight program would replace the cycle ergometry test and encouraged everyone to get ready. Staff Sgt. Kurt Hartmann did not, and he paid

  • Academy Airmanship operations take flight under AETC

    The U.S. Air Force Academy’s airmanship operations realigned under the Air Education and Training Command as the newly named 306th Flying Training Group on Oct. 1.The operations are elective courses at the academy and are aimed at giving cadets firsthand knowledge and understanding of the flight

  • Air Force ROTC detachments remain open

    Five Air Force ROTC detachments previously identified for closure will remain open on a two-year period of evaluation, as recently approved by Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche.The detachments are at the University of Memphis in Tennessee; University of Cincinnati in Ohio; Wilkes

  • Missile crewmember deploys with refuelers

    Most Air Force missile crewmembers spend the majority of their time in an underground launch control center monitoring intercontinental ballistic missiles. But one missileer experienced deployed life in the flying world.First Lt. Joe Page, a missile combat crew commander from Minot Air Force Base,

  • ‘Eyes of the North’ steady as AF moves mission to Guard

    Defending the homeland is one of the key missions of the Air National Guard, and Oct. 1, the Alaska Air National Guard will officially assume operations of the Air Force’s regional air operation center here. The center’s mission is to provide ready teams to operate and maintain North American

  • Despite predictable weather, specialists still keep busy

    When an area averages an annual temperature of about 100 degrees and less than 1 inch of rain, a person could assume that the weather is fairly predictable. One could also assume that a bunch of weather specialists would not be gainfully employed at such a location. But then again, everyone knows

  • Despite danger, convoy Airmen keep on trucking

    The hours are long, and their jobs are dangerous, but Airmen keeping supply lines running on northern Iraq roads are determined to keep on trucking. That is because they realize the importance of what they do, said Capt. Harley Smith, commander of more than 140 Airmen assigned to Detachment 1 of the

  • Air Force wins 10th-straight Service Academy Golf Classic

    The Air Force Academy golf team extended its winning streak to 10 on Sept. 26 and 27 at the annual Service Academy Golf Classic, as the Falcons finished four strokes ahead of Army with a three-round total of 1,107. Navy was third in the team standings (1,132), while the Merchant Marines came in

  • Tennessee Guard moves, prepares for C-5s

    Air Force officials signed a land-exchange agreement with the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority on Sept. 20 allowing the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 164th Airlift Wing more space to convert from C-141B Starlifters to C-5 Galaxys.Fred Kuhn, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for

  • Airmen help save lives following UH-60 crash at Tallil

    Just after 9:20 p.m. Sept. 21, two Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters took off from the flightline here.Two minutes later, something went horribly wrong with one of them.“The first thing I heard was a loud, dull thud, kind of like a fist hitting a wooden wall,” said Senior Airman John Byrum, a

  • U.S. military supports South African trade show

    U.S. military equipment and Airmen from the New York Air National Guard are here for the Aerospace Exhibition.The event marks the first time aircraft and guardsmen from New York have participated in a South African air show, officials said.Visitors will get a close-up look at four static displays:

  • Gotta fix ‘em before you fly ‘em

    Nestled in a small, nondescript building among a dozen aircraft revetments here, the 353rd Maintenance Squadron’s consolidated tool kit section hums with activity around the clock.With more than 1,600 bench-stock items, 200 pieces of test equipment and 120 hazardous materials, it is the first and

  • Number of officers receiving command pay reduced

    Command Responsibility Pay now received by some field-grade officers in command positions will end in October.In a Sight Picture titled, “Recognizing the Responsibility of Command,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper announced the Air Force would reduce the number of command positions that

  • New joint command stands ready to defend capital

    A new headquarters here will concentrate the military mission to help defend the nation's capital.The Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region will guard America's "center of gravity," said Army Maj. Gen. Galen Jackman, the new organization's commander.The command unites all Defense

  • Air Force continues efforts to locate POWs, MIAs

    People of the missing persons branch at the Air Force Personnel Center here continue their efforts to account for Air Force prisoners of war and those missing in action. Their work goes on even after the annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day commemoratives have ended.Master Sgt. Cheryl Wells and

  • AFRL tests new firefighting technology

    A new method of extinguishing fires is currently being tested and may revolutionize the way the Air Force and the nation fight fires.The Air Force Research Laboratory’s deployed base systems branch here has been developing new firefighting technology for nearly two years. Dubbed the ultra-high

  • Command, control: Prescription for aeromedical-evacuation success

    A battlefield injury or illness poses a threat to those deployed worldwide. When that threat turns into reality, the Air Force’s extensive aeromedical-evacuation network ensures wounded warriors are moved rapidly to a medical facility to get the care they need. The expansive network includes Airmen

  • Special ops maintainers team up on Kadena's tiny troubles

    Ehren Wahl and Wesley Brown are both staff sergeants, they are assigned to the 353rd Maintenance Squadron, and they each have spent most of their careers here on Okinawa, a tiny island in southern Japan. That is where the similarities end.Sergeant Wahl is an outspoken, 24-year-old from New York who

  • Dental technician becomes U.S. citizen

    American citizenship for many people comes with birth in this country, while others choose it later on in life. For one Airman here, the teenage dream of American citizenship started by leaving the country of his birth, was realized Sept. 16 in a federal courtroom ceremony where he took the oath of

  • Deployed contracting makes it happen

    It is hard to believe that a stroke of a pen can cost the Air Force hundreds of thousands of dollars; it is even harder to believe that it is a staff sergeant’s pen that does this nearly every day.Such is the job of 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron Airmen at a forward-deployed location.

  • Flying dog’s parachute lands at U.S. Air Force Museum

    A parachute made for a dog that flew alongside pilots during the Berlin Airlift was recently added to the Berlin Airlift Exhibit at the U.S. Air Force Museum here.The parachute, donated by Clarence Steber, was worn by his boxer, Vittles, during their flights on C-47s and C-54s to help deliver food

  • Virginia Air Guard responds to Florida storms

    Nearly 50 Virginia Air National Guardsmen responded to hurricane relief efforts in Florida, making it the first time their unit has deployed to Florida for a natural disaster.The 203rd Red Horse Squadron from Virginia Beach deployed to assist in the clean-up efforts after Hurricane Frances and wound

  • Airman goes green to aid OIF medical mission

    When Senior Airman Gary Doran graduated from the Department of Defense biomedical equipment technician’s course in 2002 and moved to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., he thought his time at the joint-service school would be his last experience working with Soldiers for a long time. In fact, he said he

  • Academy water polo falls thrice at So-Cal Tournament

    Despite some gutsy performances, the 18th-ranked Air Force Academy water polo team was unable to record a victory in the So-Cal Tournament, held by the University of Southern California. The Air Force Falcons fell 12-1 in the first game to the USC Trojans on Sept. 18, before dropping a

  • Air Force announces team-excellence awards

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper announced the five teams selected for 2004 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards during a ceremony Sept 14.Fifteen teams were nominated for the awards, which recognize outstanding team performance and promote systematic process improvement. The awards

  • Air Force expands awards eligibility to recognize civilian teams

    The Air Force has expanded the eligibility criteria for the Time-Off Incentive Award to include recognition of civilian teams.The Civilian Team Incentive Award allows supervisors to grant a time-off award to individual employees who comprise a team. The team's joint achievements must contribute to

  • Air Force teams take two simulation awards

    Two Air Force teams are recipients of Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Awards.The Air Force winners are:Acquisition -- Simulation and Analysis Facility Joint Unmanned Combat Air System Simulation Team from the advanced computational analysis directorate at Wright-Patterson Air Force

  • Some retirees could get Medicare-surcharge refund

    A collaborative effort among officials at the Department of Defense, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Social Security Administration could prove beneficial to certain Medicare-eligible uniformed services beneficiaries.The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 provides a chance for

  • Minot officer dies after fall

    A lieutenant colonel here died Sept. 18 at about 12:30 p.m. from injuries sustained in a fall earlier in the day.Lt. Col. David Patterson, 5th Maintenance Group deputy commander, fell from an obstacle at the base’s confidence course while participating in a team-building exercise.The colonel arrived

  • AETC commander gives education update

    Right number, right skills, right training and right quality.That is the bottom line, said Gen. Donald G. Cook, commander of Air Education and Training Command, when he gave his stakeholders’ report at the Air Force Association’s 2004 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition on Sept.

  • Military astronaut trainees excited, ready

    When Maj. James Dutton Jr. returns from his first space mission, he hopes to bring back a U.S. flag -- but not just any U.S. flag.He is to focus on the one planted on the moon 35 years ago by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. At least, that is the request Major Dutton's oldest son, J.P.,

  • Hurricanes, home, mission focus of Gwangju Airmen

    Airmen deployed with the 3rd Air Expeditionary Group here focus daily on the task of ensuring the F-15E Strike Eagles can perform the mission and return safely. But for more than 100 of them, that focus is split between accomplishing the mission here and keeping their minds on the weather causing

  • Latest AFIT graduates earn degrees

    More than 70 scientists and engineers are the recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology.AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its graduation ceremony Sept. 14. The graduating class earned 67 master’s degrees and four doctorates.Air

  • Memo gives command license ‘to get things done’

    Upon receiving a high-level memorandum last year authorizing his command to reach out to improve the military's supply and transportation systems, U.S. Transportation Command's leader interpreted it in just one way.Gen. John W. Handy said Sept. 15 at the National Defense Transportation Association

  • Last active-duty C-141B Starlifter makes final flight

    The last two active-duty C-141B Starlifters in the U.S. Air Force inventory flew their final journey Sept. 16 after a special departure ceremony here.This final flight marked the end of nearly 40 years of service to the nation by C-141s and their crews.“If you look at the sum total of its history,

  • Not-so-common POW: Grandmother tells of imprisonment

    The many stories about American prisoners of war usually detail the experiences of servicemembers captured during combat overseas.The little-known tale of a teenage girl, now a grandmother in San Antonio, is also among the accounts deserving acknowledgement.Liz Lautzenhiser Irvine has scrapbooks

  • CSI: On the battlefield

    Some of today's most popular television shows feature crime scene investigations, but those pale in comparison to the real-life battlefield investigations an Air Force Research Laboratory scientist here carries out.In his role in the Air Force Reserve, Maj. Greg Moster, whose civilian job is with

  • EOD team enjoys ‘a booming business’

    Most boys dream of growing up to be just like their fathers. They imitate the way they walk, the way they talk and even the way they dress. Tech. Sgt. John Bell went a step further. He imitates the way his father made things explode.“I guess you can say blowing up things runs in the family,” said

  • Sailors, Airmen can 'go green'

    "Go Green" is not just the slogan of environmentalists anymore.The Army is increasing its end strength, and Operation Blue to Green is one method being used to assist in reaching the desired end strength, said Lt. Col. Roy Steed, recruiting policy branch chief at the Army's personnel

  • Special ops Airmen up to task of war on terror

    The war on terrorism has changed the way leaders think about managing conflict, but the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command said he is sure of one thing: His Airmen are right for the job.“(Sept. 11) redefined some key concepts,” said Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley, AFSOC commander. “It

  • Starlifters retire from active-duty service

    The last two active-duty C-141B Starlifter transport aircraft will retire Sept. 16 at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.During the past 40 years, the C-141 has proven versatile for troop and cargo transport, humanitarian- and disaster-relief operations and aeromedical evacuation. As such, the Starlifter

  • Squadron ‘cleans house’ to build new home

    Stepping out of the sweltering heat into the cool shadows of hardened aircraft shelter No. 21, many visitors might notice the new paint on the walls or the freshly swept floors and the spacious room.The former Soviet-era shelter was not always so fresh, clean and inviting. Formerly used as a

  • Chief of staff outlines plans for fewer combat aircraft

    The Air Force will have fewer fighters and strike aircraft, but the lethality of those that remain will increase, the service’s top general said Sept. 13 at the 2004 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper said the

  • Air Force Association’s 2004 conference opens

    Touting America’s superior air and space force, the Air Force Association’s 2004 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition opened here Sept. 13.Under the theme “Professional Development for the Total Force,” the conference features three days of workshops focused on furthering the potential

  • Air Force beats Army, wins softball championship

    The 2004 Armed Forces Men’s Softball Championship ended here Sept. 11 with the Air Force defeating the Army, 16-3, to win the gold.On Day 3 of the tournament, the Army had its second loss of the tournament to the Navy, but still could have taken it all since the championship game is a head-to-head

  • Record-breaking numbers ensure ‘boots on the ground’

    Airmen assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing had a record-breaking month supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Active-duty, Guard and Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft at the wing’s forward-deployed location had more flying hours and carried more pallets and passengers during

  • Air Force women’s soccer stormed 3-0 by Central Florida

    The Air Force Academy women’s soccer team ran into a furious tropical storm that was the University of Central Florida. Falling to the Golden Knights, 3-0, the game featured heavy rainfall. The Falcons fall to 3-3-0 on the season.Central Florida improves to 5-1-1 on the season and came into the

  • Survey will measure personnel services delivery

    Airmen can help make their personnel services delivery system better through survey feedback beginning Sept. 20.Air Force officials said they are transforming the way personnel services are delivered to make them more effective, efficient and timely. This PSD transformation uses technology to place

  • Air Force finishes in 8th place at Falcon invitational

    The Air Force Academy golf team saved its best round for last, shooting a 289 on the final day of the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational held at the par-71 Eisenhower Blue Golf Course here Sept. 11.The Falcons finished in a tie for eighth-place with Weber State University at 887. Southern Utah State

  • Airmen ensure medical lifeline in Pacific

    A ready, reliable and efficient war reserve materiel operation is the “heart and soul of medical readiness,” said Senior Master Sgt. Joe Alfaro, superintendent of the 374th Medical Group’s logistics flight here.WRM is pre-positioned equipment and consumable items needed to support Air Force

  • Civil engineers build ‘Airmen-Soldiers’ legacy

    Throughout Iraq, Airmen are working side-by-side with Soldiers performing what have been traditionally considered Army jobs. Among those blazing a trail for this new culture of “Airmen-Soldiers” are the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen.The more than 240 combat-trained engineers in

  • Employee celebrates half century of service

    You might say the Air Force and Steve Espinosa grew up together.For a fact, the two have shared more than five decades together. In uniform and as a civilian, Mr. Espinosa has served the Air Force for 54 years, nearly as long as the service has existed.A small-parts sheet-metal worker at the

  • General earns Dutch gold medal of merit

    An Air Force general was decorated Sept. 9 with the Dutch Medal of Merit in Gold at the Netherlands Embassy here.Maj. Gen. John L. "Jack" Hudson, assistant deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs, received the prestigious award for his role in bringing the F-35 Joint Strike

  • Logistics transformation roadmap takes shape

    In less than 18 months, Air Force officials are seeing the benefits of “eLog21,” the service’s logistics plan for the new century.“We’ve only just begun, and we’ve made great progress thus far,” said Lt. Gen. Donald J. Wetekam, deputy chief of staff for installations and logistics. “We’re more into

  • Radar techs keep combat zone airspace safe

    The sky over here is filled with aircraft around the clock -- A-10 Thunderbolt IIs share airspace with cargo aircraft and helicopters.Keeping those aircraft safe is an important and daunting task; but a team of Airmen recently installed new equipment to make that task a little easier.“We installed

  • Air Force team helps with Genesis return mission

    NASA scientists onboard a specially modified aircraft from here collected data as the world watched the unmanned Genesis spacecraft return to Earth Sept. 8. During the reentry, however, its parachute failed to deploy and Genesis crashed into a Utah desert.Although damage to the spacecraft and the

  • More aid heads to Russia

    A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules loaded with more than 10 tons of medical supplies arrived in Vladikavkaz, Russia, on Sept. 8 as part of the humanitarian response to the recent terrorist acts at a school in Beslan.The delivery of surgical supplies and burn-dressing kits from U.N. humanitarian

  • American Eagle flies in Swiss sky

    The F-15 Eagle West Coast Demonstration Team from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., thrilled nearly 400,000 people at the Air 04 air show here Sept. 4 and 5.This is the first time in more than 12 years there has been an air show in Switzerland, and air show officials said this is

  • Frances causes ‘little damage’ at MacDill

    Charley struck out while Frances was a base hit, but disaster readiness officials here said they are hoping Ivan is an opponent they will not have to face at all.Following the second hurricane scare within one month, and Hurricane Ivan drawing a bead on Florida, emergency preparedness experts here

  • Aircrew training ensures air superiority

    Superb people and state-of-the-art technology help make the U.S. Air Force the most formidable air power in the world. But the general who oversees flying training for more than 19,000 Airmen a year said the biggest single factor that makes America's military stand out from other countries is its

  • Routine medical travel changes for overseas retirees

    Effective Oct. 1, Pacific Air Forces officials will no longer purchase commercial tickets for retirees living or traveling outside of the United States for routine medical appointments as required by the Joint Federal Travel Regulation.Overseas retirees and their families are still eligible for

  • Electronic Systems Center tests Internet capability on Joint STARS

    Every day people use computers to send and receive e-mails and attachments to and from almost anywhere in the world. What if our deployed airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets were able to take advantage of these same capabilities? What if they could e-mail and send

  • Report shows space programs improving

    Space programs are improving and cultural change is under way, according to a recent review of the May 2003 Task Force on Acquisition of National Security Space Programs report.In the 2003 findings, the task force had called for a one-year progress report. The results of that progress report were

  • Report focuses on Air Force Academy instructors

    Service and Department of Defense officials have agreed with most of the findings in a congressionally mandated study of faculty at the Air Force Academy.The Study and Report Related to Permanent Professors at the United States Military Academy was directed by the 2004 National Defense Authorization

  • Medical warriors deploy to Iraq

    About 100 Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing at Wilford Hall Medical Center here left Aug. 30 to staff a field hospital in Iraq.They are the largest contingent of about 160 people from the medical center deploying to Iraq."We’re proud to be sending highly trained and qualified (medics)," said Maj.

  • Mechanic pulls in cash with IDEA

    A pneudraulics systems mechanic here earned $6,200 from the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program for developing a tool that keeps parts from being damaged during maintenance.Brett Harris earned his award for developing a tool to help with taking F-15 Eagle pitch trim controllers