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  • Family, friends gather to remember fallen crew of RAIDR 21

    The morning of July 21, 2008, six Airmen set out from Andersen Air Base, Guam, in their B-52 Stratofortress, call sign RAIDR 21, on what would be their final mission. Today, one year later, a small, solemn ceremony took place here in remembrance of the fallen RAIDR 21 Airmen: Maj. Chris Cooper,

  • Guard members bring unique skills to war effort

    A ground theater air control systems unit from the Wisconsin's Air National Guard deployed here in May brought experience and expertise to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The 128th Air Control Squadron from Volk Field, Wis., joined forces with their active-duty counterparts at the

  • Indonesian, U.S. team keeps water flowing for village

    Air Force civil engineers joined Indonesian military members and civilians to provide water to a rural Indonesian village here July 17. The Airmen, here as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2009, worked alongside Indonesian counterparts to install a water pump and more than 900 feet of water

  • Heritage activities offer chance to volunteer

    Have some spare time on your hands? Want to give back to the Air Force community? The heritage activities in Air Force Materiel Command are looking for volunteers to help support museum operations. In addition to the National Museum of the United States Air Force here, AFMC officials have 14

  • Disassembly project to provide data to F-15 maintainers

    In a small building in the nearby town of Byron, Ga., five people are working on a painstaking project that could significantly impact the future of the F-15 Eagle. The crew from S&K Technologies is completely disassembling an F-15D fighter jet. The purpose of the project is to give Air Force

  • Total force impact evident at Rodeo

    The Air Force's total force concept is clearly on display at Air Mobility Rodeo 2009 here. Not only are lessons learned from interaction with Marine Corps members and international counterparts participating in the competition, but also from the coordinating components within the Air Force -- the

  • July 20 airpower summary: C-130s transport troops, cargo

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Near Qalat, Navy F/A-18E-F Super Hornets and Air Force B-1B Lancers

  • Humanitarian assistance team completes evaluation at Andersen

    After three days of simulations and exercises, the Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team, or HARRT, successfully completed its first operational utility evaluation here July 13 through 17. Combining the capabilities of the people in the 36th Contingency Response Group and the 36th Medical

  • Air Force to hire civilians to manage unit programs

    Squadrons with more than 50 military and civilian members could start seeing relief in managing their additional duties as early as this fall, with a 1,200 newly created civilian unit program coordinator positions. Feedback from the 2008 Airman's Time Assessment revealed Airmen were being pulled

  • Airmen keep exercise participants flying high down under

    The Northern Australian Outback offers many dangers to those who venture across its terrain, including six of the most venomous snakes in the world, saltwater crocodiles, and multiple poisonous insects. However, it is the young tigers, eagles and hornets in Australia's sky that are garnering much

  • July 19 airpower summary: Pave Hawks save lives

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Near Konduz, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II's provided shows of force on

  • July 18 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Near Lashkar, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II's strafed an enemy position

  • Mother Nature never takes breaks, neither do weather Airmen

    Even with today's modern aircraft technology, one uncontrollable factor -- the weather -- is often the deciding factor as to whether an aircraft gets off the ground. But uncontrollable doesn't mean unpredictable. Here in Southwest Asia, the eight-member weather flight of the 379th Expeditionary

  • LULAC, DOD honor citizen warriors at awards breakfast

    The League of United Latin American Citizens conference and exposition focused on diversity, outreach and military partnership with a co-sponsored Department of Defense Armed Forces Award Breakfast at the Puerto Rican Convention Center here July 16. LULAC National President Rosa Rosales; Brig. Gen.

  • British cadets nurture 'spirit of adventure' at Ramstein

    England's Air Training Corps sent numerous cadets to Ramstein Air Base in July in hopes to guide their cadets "to foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship."As one of the goals for cadets according to the Air Cadet Organization's Web site, cultivating

  • Remote ground radar keeps AOR personnel safe

    Danger is ever present in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. In Southwest Asia, there is a squadron dedicated to keeping Airmen safe by providing a complete snapshot of the battlespace. The more than 100 personnel from the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron keep U.S. and coalition

  • Air Force officials establish core team for Nuclear Surety Inspections

    Air Force Inspection Agency officials here recently created a new team to increase the standardization and consistency of Nuclear Surety Inspections across the Air Force. The establishment of a centralized team of nuclear inspectors, known as the Air Force NSI Core Team, is another critical

  • Iraqi children get a kick out of donations

    Airmen and Soldiers here prepared and delivered donations from a stateside fraternity to Iraqi children who live near Joint Base Balad July 14 and 15. The Pennsylvania State University chapter of the social fraternity Phi Kappa Tau supports programs that increase the quality of life for terminally

  • Airmen open medical clinic in Indonesia

    Residents from this rural area of Indonesia were already waiting for medical services by the time American and Indonesian medical professionals opened a clinic at 8 a.m. July 16 at a local elementary school here.More than 300 patients were seen by medics in just the first day as word at the

  • DOD officials identify Air Force casualties from F-15E crash

    Department of Defense officials here July 19 announced the names of two Airmen who died supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in a nonhostile F-15E Strike Eagle crash July 18 near Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Killed were: -- Capt. Thomas J. Gramith, 27, of Eagan, Minn. He was assigned to the 336th

  • July 17 airpower summary: B-1Bs strike enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Near Surkhabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and B-1B Lancers released

  • Airmen, KC-135s support exercise in Australia

    Two KC-135 Stratotankers delivered 140,000 pounds of fuel to two B-52 Stratofortresses participating in Talisman Saber 09, currently underway in Australia, and scheduled through July 25. Talisman Saber is a U.S. Pacific Command-directed, bilateral command post and field-training exercise designed to

  • Air Guard flight crews undergo water survival training

    Thirty-five F-16 pilots and flight surgeons assigned to the 182nd Fighter Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base participated in required water survival and rescue training here. Members were briefed on the availability and use of tools contained in their survival gear. The water instruction ended with

  • UAS sensor operator training to begin at Randolph

    Air Force officials recently gave Randolph Air Force Base instructors the green light to begin training the next generation of enlisted sensor operators to support unmanned aircraft systems. Stemming from the high demand for unmanned aircraft and operators, the 1UOX1 Air Force Specialty Code career

  • Defense Department must end business as usual, Gates says

    Defense spending and program priorities cannot be divorced from the very real threats of today and the growing ones of tomorrow, the defense secretary told hundreds of members of the Economics Club of Chicago here July 16. "We stand at a crossroads," Robert M. Gates said. "It is time to draw the

  • July 16 airpower summary: F-16s support warfighters

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Near Surkhabad, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons demonstrated a show of

  • Airmen help hundreds in Timor Leste

    Thirty-seven Airmen from various medical and engineering units across the Air Force treated more than 300 East Timorese people as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2009 at a local school here July 16. Pacific Angel is a Pacific Air Forces humanitarian assistance operation aimed at improving military

  • AFOTEC members put unmanned aircraft through paces

    It's no secret that unmanned aircraft are widely used in today's war to provide information, surveillance and armed reconnaissance. What's not widely known is the evaluation process these aircraft go through before they are delivered to the warfighter. Members of Detachment 5 of the Air Force

  • USAFE officials stand up air ground operations wing

    The stand up of U.S. Air Forces in Europe's first wing solely dedicated to supporting battlefield Airmen took place during a July 16 ceremony at Ramstein Air Base. The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing takes over the mission previously performed by two 86th Airlift Wing units here -- the Contingency

  • Photo essay: Alaskan load crews compete

    Aircrews from the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here participated recently in a load crew of the quarter competition.  The competition demonstrated and tested quick weapons turn around.  View slideshow.

  • Task group recommends reconstruction of civilian personnel system

    A Defense Business Board task group has recommended reconstruction of the National Security Personnel System. Rudy DeLeon, the chairman of the group and former deputy defense secretary, said NSPS, a pay-for-performance system, tried to do "too much, too quickly," and his group recommended the

  • Chief Roy explains his road to CMSAF

    After completing high school, there wasn't much happening in Monroe, Mich., in 1982 for James A. Roy. He wanted to do something with his life where he could get some training and an education. He wanted to do something that wasn't what everyone else was doing. He enlisted as an airman basic in

  • Charleston officials provide dignified transfer training for Army chaplains

    More than 170 Army chaplain candidates gathered on the flightline here July 14 to receive training in the honors given to fallen servicemembers during dignified transfers of human remains. Last August, officials at the Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson, S.C., began coordinating with

  • 2010 Verne Orr Award nominations open

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here are now accepting nominations for the 2010 Verne Orr Award. The Verne Orr Award is sponsored by the Air Force Association and recognizes an Air Force unit which makes the most effective use of its human resources. The award is open to all Air Force units and

  • July 15 airpower summary: Reaper provides topcover

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Near Qalat, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper released several guided bomb

  • 12-nation Heavy Airlift Wing takes flight with first C-17

    Twelve nations saw their dreams of strategic airlift come true as the multinational Heavy Airlift Wing they've built from scratch in less than a year received the "keys" to its first C-17 Globemaster III July 14 in Long Beach, Calif. During a ceremony at Boeing's final assembly facility, Col. John

  • 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year highlighted

    The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year are selected based on superior leadership, job performance, significant self-improvement/ personal achievements and base/community involvement. The Air Force Chief of Staff reviews the selections. The selections for the 2009 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

  • Weapons loaders arm jets for the fight

    Without the work of Airmen who load munitions on aircraft, F-16 Fighting Falcons in the fight here would be no different than any commercial airliner in terms of strike capability. Combat missions occur around the clock here and weapons loaders from the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance

  • Photo essay: lock and load

    Airmen of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here protect the base and patrol around the perimeter.View the lock and load slideshow.

  • Airman's Roll Call: 12 Outstanding Airmen

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on this year's top enlisted members, the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.  An Air Force selection board recently selected them out of 33 nominees representing major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and the Air Staff. They are

  • July 14 airpower summary: F-15Es hit enemy positions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Asmar, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force to

  • Hobby earns Spangdahlem Airman $10K

    Simpler, easier to use and saves time. This is not an ad for a new cleaning product, these are qualities being used to describe a new Web-based program the intelligence office here is employing to track training requirements. The new program dubbed "SpIDER System" is the creation of Master Sgt.

  • July 13 airpower summary: A-10s protect coalition forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Ghazni, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force to

  • 17th Air Force members support presidential visit to Ghana

    Before President Barack Obama could land in Accra July 10, Airmen, Sailors and Marines were on the ground days in advance preparing for the visit.More than 150 Airmen in Accra and more than 1,000 Sailors and Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima came together to form a task force to support the

  • 1st Combat Comm Airmen support presidential visit to Ghana

    More than 150 Airmen of the 1st Combat Communications Squadron set up forward communications for the President Barack Obama's visit to Ghana in July. The Airmen joined Marines in Accra and more than 1,000 Sailors and Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima to form a task force to support the president's

  • July 10 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, near Lashkar Gar, several Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles

  • July 11 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Near Tarin Kowt, an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted strikes and destroyed

  • July 12 airpower summary: B-1B deters enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Near Badikhel, an Air Force B-1B Lancer released flares in a show of

  • Lakenheath air traffic controllers pick up NATO training mission

    Royal Air Force Lakenheath air traffic controllers trained eight Spanish air traffic controllers prior to their upcoming NATO deployment in July here. The Spanish controllers were here for two weeks, and they will be followed by another group of eight for two weeks prior to their departure to meet

  • Airman selected for Military Times Service Members of the Year award

    An Airman joined members representing each of the service branches for a recognition ceremony at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill July 9. Staff Sgt. MercedesKimble L. Crossland, currently assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office at Aviano Air Base, Italy, was nominated

  • Airmen build new Diyala operations center

    Officials from the U.S. Army and Iraqi security forces turned to Airmen of the Detachment 6, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron to build a new operations center outside of the city limits of Baqubah, Iraq.After years of cooperation between Iraqi and U.S. security forces at the Diyala

  • Airmen improve base in Iraq

    Airmen of the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron are changing the landscape of Contingency Operating Base Basra rapidly. Some buildings already have been built by engineering specialists from 76 bases throughout the United States have improved the operational capability of Multinational Division

  • Officials announce Predator, Reaper additional formal training location

    Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico will be the new location for an additional MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper formal training unit, announced the commander of Air Combat Command here July 13. Gen. John D.W. Corley, with concurrence from the chief of staff of the Air Force, announced the additional

  • Air Force officials release Reaper accident report

    Air Force officials here announced an MQ-9 Reaper that crashed March 20 at Fort Irwin, Calif., was due to an improperly assembled oil system temperature control valve, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released July 13 here. The Reaper, assigned to the 42nd

  • French unmanned aircraft protect Bagram Airmen, coalition forces

    Airmen of the French unmanned aircraft system operational squadron here are active on patrols in the sky over Afghanistan looking for any movement that could mean danger to friendly troops as they provide coalition and International Security Assistance Force troops with intelligence, surveillance

  • Latest Red Flag exercise begins at Nellis

    Southern Nevada residents may notice increased military aircraft activity as the Air Force begins Red Flag 09-4 July 13. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and

  • Airpower Summary for July 8

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, near Kandahar, an Air Force B-1B Lancer stopped an

  • Scholarship program rewards more than 600 military children

    The 2009 Scholarships for Military Children Program has awarded 625 scholarships worth $1,500 each to children across the United States and overseas. "We know education is the key to a better future," said Defense Commissary Agency Director and CEO Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. "And, over the past nine

  • Airmen pull motorist from burning vehicle

    Two members of the 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron rescued a resident of Belt, Mont., June 26 after his pickup struck a bridge, caught fire, left the road and came to a stop upside down in Belt Creek in Montana. Senior Airmen Christopher Zachary and Kyle Long where driving on Hughsville Road

  • Rescue Coordination Center officials help save 3 lives

    Air Force Rescue Coordination Center officials here helped coordinate three separate search and rescue operations in Utah, Washington and Colorado July 8 with local and state agencies saving the lives of three American citizens. The Beaver County Sheriff and Utah Department of Safety contacted the

  • Force Development announces new civilian orientation course

    As the Air Force continues developing its total force initiatives, heritage, culture and core values are now available to new civilians with the advent of a comprehensive online "bluing" program. The online Air Force New Employee Orientation, or NEO, course ensures civilian employees receive a solid

  • July 7 airpower summary: A-10s end enemy attacks

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, in the vicinity of Gereshk, an Air Force B-1B Lancer

  • Chief of staff visits with Elmendorf Airmen

    The Air Force's top uniformed member spent time with the men and women of Elmendorf Air Force Base July 6. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz received mission briefings from Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander; visited the 3rd Wing's award-winning hospital; and stopped in at Hangar 1

  • Lackland civilian, Asheville Airman selected for meritorious service award

    Air Force officials here selected a master sergeant and a civilian as the winners of the 2009 Society of American Indian Government Employees Meritorious Service Award. Master Sgt. Angela Tristan, assigned to the 14th Weather Squadron in Asheville, N.C., and Rhonda Battles, assigned to the 343rd

  • Airmen in EC-130H unit complete 2,000th combat mission

    An EC-130H Compass Call aircrew here completed their unit's 2,000th combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom July 8. The Airmen, assigned to the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, provided direct support to coalition ground forces in Afghanistan on the milestone

  • Remains of 7 troops killed in Afghanistan return home

    The remains of seven American troops killed July 6 during combat operations in Afghanistan returned to their nation during a dignified transfer July 8 here. Twenty-six family members from every region of the country stood on the tarmac witnessing their loved one's return. Subdued voices of the carry

  • Air Force accepting nominations for 2009 Lance P. Sijan award

    Air Force officials here are now accepting nominations for the 2009 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of officers and enlisted members who have demonstrated the highest quality of leadership in the performance of their duties and their personal

  • Doolittle Raiders to attend Air Mobility Rodeo

    Three of the remaining nine Doolittle Raiders will attend the Air Mobility Rodeo July 19 through 24 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. The Doolittle Raiders are special guests of Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command, and are scheduled to attend Rodeo competitions,

  • Air Force combat camera team discusses role of media in military

    The media has played a major role in every American military conflict, from the use of newspapers and pamphlets to stoke the American Revolution to embedded journalists in the Middle East. But a story often lost in the mix is that of the military journalists; those men and women in uniform whose

  • Hanscom team works to upgrade airborne comm for top U.S. officials

    A Hanscom Air Force Base team is working to acquire a comprehensive system that will provide highly reliable, secure and integrated voice, data and video equipment for airborne U.S. senior leaders. Those leaders include the vice president, secretary of defense, secretary of state, numerous senior

  • Air Force Safety Center wins 22 communications awards

    The Air Force Safety Center has won a total of 22 communications awards from two different programs that recognize excellence in communications.  Eighteen Awards of Excellence were presented by Communicator Awards and four Awards of Excellence were presented by APEX.Communicator Awards is the

  • Team keeps mission cool

    In today's technology-driven world, computer systems are integral to supporting missions and operations throughout U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. These mission-essential computer servers are kept ready thanks to the constant maintenance and upkeep by the 379th Expeditionary Civil

  • General Koziol recognized with Air Force's top management award

    Lt. Gen. John C. Koziol, the former commander of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency and now deputy under secretary of defense for joint and coalition warfighter support and the director of the Department of Defense Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task

  • Air Force wounded warrior visits White House

    Senior Airman Duane Dunlap enjoyed a very special Independence Day with President Barack Obama. Airman Dunlap, a security forces journeyman assigned to the 59th Patient Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, was one of five Airmen chosen to participate in a Fourth of July Salute to the Military

  • Airmen push endurance to limit with triathlon

    Thirty-eight Airmen and civilians participated in the Sprint Triathlon here recently.  It was a triathlon that proved to be anything but ordinary. The triathlon, hosted by members of the 39th Force Support Squadron, challenged the participants with three grueling events: run, bike and swim."The

  • Moody A-10s to receive new sniper pods

    Moody Air Force Base A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots operating over Iraq and Afghanistan this fall will be armed with new targeting pods designed to increase the already lethal capabilities. A number of the 23rd Fighter Group's A-10s will be upgraded to the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods, which are

  • Airmen provide presidential support in Moscow

    Two C-130 Hercules aircraft and aircrews from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, hauled a 17-member presidential support team, 10 portable light carts and a utility truck to Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport July 3 in preparation for President Barack Obama's visit to the region. Planning the travel

  • July 6 airpower summary: Tanker crews put in long hours

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired warning shots from

  • Officials mandate base housing for military families at Okinawa

    U.S. military leaders on Okinawa approved a policy to require all incoming military families to reside on base beginning Aug. 1. The change comes as an effort to save money as military family housing on Okinawa sits at just more than 50 percent capacity while families living off base are given an

  • AFPC officials accepting applications for Test Pilot School

    Officers interested in applying for the next annual Air Force Test Pilot School Selection Board should submit their applications to the Air Force Personnel Center here by Aug. 14.The selection board will convene Sept. 28 through Oct. 2 at AFPC for classes beginning in July 2010 and July 2011. "The

  • Flight engineers: Critical component to combat search, rescue mission

    If the actions of a combat search and rescue crew were viewed as a symphony, flight engineers would be the conductors. They are experts on the aircraft's weapons systems, know how to operate the hoist, serve as radio operators and operate the .50 caliber machine gun. In many ways, it's man in

  • Air mobility, tanker support key elements of Global Thunder

    Air Mobility Command airlift and tanker support were key contributors to Exercise Global Thunder 2009 that ran June 24 through 30, AMC officials said recently. Global Thunder 2009, a U.S. Strategic Command-led exercise, provided training opportunities for various service components, units and their

  • Airmen help shape future of 52nd Fighter Wing

    Wing leaders here are striving to continuously improve the way the mission is accomplished, and they want every member of the team, from the newest slick-sleeves and butter bars to retired chief master sergeants now in the civilian work force, to participate in the process. There are a number of

  • Air Force offers assistance with adoption expenses

    With thousands of children available for adoption in the U.S. alone, and with adoption fees that can reach well into the thousands of dollars, Air Force officials are helping ease the initial financial obligations for those military families opting to adopt. Through the Adoption Expense

  • 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

  • Photo essay: inspecting the mail

    A team from the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron must inspect mail that comes into Baghdad that is improperly labeled, doesn't have a return address or gets lost in the system.  The Iraqi government returns the mail to the Joint Military Mail Terminal, or JMMT,  on good faith, but the

  • AFSO 21 improves wash rack ops

    The group was assembled as part of the Air Force-wide implementation plan for Air Force Smart Operations for the 21 Century. Washes are part of a corrosion-control process used to extend the life and reliability of Air Force aircraft. Corrosive stuff is deposited onto the aircraft from various

  • Airmen train with Army to become JTACs

    Rain and mud may not have been forecasted for radio operators, maintainers and drivers' training in the wilderness, but Airmen geared up anyway to practice combat lifesaver skills, convoys, air-assault egression, and improvised explosive device reaction with one goal in mind: to become combat

  • Directive re-emphasizes protecting Afghan civilians

    A new tactical directive for coalition forces serving in Afghanistan re-emphasizes the importance of preventing civilian casualties. Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, released the directive July 2. It builds on

  • Commissary officials raising the bar on customer service

    Even with customer satisfaction at an all-time high, the Defense Commissary Agency's leaders are raising the bar and sending every one of their 18,000 employees to Dale Carnegie Training on World Class Customer Service. "We are focused on building upon our strengths so we can provide the very best

  • July 5 airpower summary: Helicopters rapidly transport patients

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado conducted a strafing run

  • Operation Pacific Angel set to begin

    The United States will join local authorities in three Pacific nations in July and September to provide medical, dental, and engineering assistance as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2009. More than 150 Airmen and Soldiers will fly via C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-130 Hercules, and KC-135 Stratotankers

  • Airmen rescue aids in 'Golden Hour' recovery of coalition forces

    Racing against the clock, rescue flights launch into action to retrieve wounded servicemembers and other battlefield casualties. As the helicopters hover over a hostile area, the Guardian Angel team rushes out to retrieve the wounded - often risking their own lives "so that others may live." The

  • July 4 airpower summary: Predators protect friendly units

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force trooops in Afghanistan during operations July 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer used guided bomb unit-31s to

  • July 3 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado used a Paveway guided

  • July 2 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft executed a strike with a guided

  • July 1 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs employed 30mm Avenger

  • Largest solar panel farm in Utah commissioned at Hill Air Force Base

    The largest photovoltaic array solar panel farm in Utah was commissioned at Hill Air Force Base during a ceremony June 25. "Currently the peak load of this system ... is 220 kilowatts," said Harry Briesmaster, 75th Civil Engineering Group director, during the commissioning ceremony. "That is enough