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U.S. Air Force News

  • Trio of deployed Airmen get holiday surprise

    Three Airmen deployed here from the 110th Fighter Wing at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Mich., received a welcome holiday message recently. Staff Sergeants Bryce Moore, Kevin Rynbrandt and James Liston received word on Dec. 21 that they all were selected for pilot training. "Our supervisor

  • Road warrior: Airmen honor fallen comrade

    One Airman's commitment to a fallen comrade came full circle with the dedication of "Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie Way," here Jan. 1. The road was dedicated in honor of Sergeant Gillespie, a career fuels specialist who died July 9 from wounds sustained during small arms fire near Herat, Afghanistan.

  • Calendar provides troop-support ideas

    New Year's resolutions frequently include good intentions, such as joining a gym, calling parents or organizing closets. But through its America Supports You program, the Defense Department is helping Americans resolve to support the nation's servicemembers throughout 2008. America Supports You is a

  • 'Wheel' saves lives in Afghanistan

    Days after deploying here, Tech. Sgt. Stephen Thackery saw first-hand the cost of the Taliban's war on the Afghan people, and responded as he was trained, by saving lives. The Hamilton, Va., native was on alert when the call came in to the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. A suicide bombing had

  • Airmen, Soldiers deliver wheelchairs to Hondurans

    A Civil Military Operations team from Joint Task Force-Bravo delivered 100 donated wheelchairs to disabled villagers along the Miskito Coast of Honduras Dec. 28. The Alabama non-profit organization Missions Unlimited contacted the U.S. Agency for International Development to coordinate the donation.

  • Cal's late rally beats Air Force

    Reserve quarterback Kevin Riley threw three touchdowns and ran for a fourth rallying the University of California to a 42-36 win over Air Force in the fifth annual Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, before a bowl-record 40,905 at Amon G. Carter Stadium and a nationally televised audience on Dec. 31

  • Air Force nurse helps save lives in rural Kansas

    Christmas is the season for giving. But giving is a year-round job for Air Force nurse Maj. Randy McBay. It's a given that things happen when we least expect it. And so is the case with Major McBay, an operating room nurse assigned to the Air Force's largest training hospital in the world, Wilford

  • Operation Iraqi Child donations packed, ready

    More than 50 Airmen from across the 407th Air Expeditionary Group came together here  Dec. 22 to help sort through thousands of school supplies items, toys and more for children in southern Iraq. Hundreds of boxes filled with donations were gathered to support the Operation Iraqi Child project. "We

  • 'Today's Air Force' features the F-22 Raptor

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the F-22 Raptor.  Also featured are an air combat training exercise called "Red Flag" and the F-35 Lightning II. The F-22 reached initial operational capability two years ago, but until recently that operational presence was restricted to the

  • Enhanced health information sharing supports warriors

    Department of Defense officials here recently announced the organization-wide release of enhancements to share electronic health information with the Department of Veterans Affairs.DOD information will be shared through the Bidirectional Health Information Exchange and the Clinical Data

  • Deployed Airmen find ancient artifacts at Iraqi air base

    An Airman and his team discovered fragments of pottery, possibly dating back as far back as 2,000 years during a recent job at Kirkuk Air Base. Tech. Sgt. Kelly Wayment, a heavy equipment operator with the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here, was carrying out a routine operation near a

  • Time, and softball, heal old wounds

    Players from two senior softball clubs met here recent to play a historic game. The Kids & Kubs senior softball team from St. Petersburg, Fl., and the Over the Rainbows senior softball team from Japan played a game at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu.The players ranged in age from 75 to 88 years old,

  • Malmstrom Airmen replace missile guidance systems

    Missile maintenance Airmen installed the final replacement to the missile guidance system at each missile launch facility of the base's Minuteman III fleet Dec. 4 at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The NS-20 system has been replaced with the NS-50 system through the Guidance Replacement Program. The GRP

  • Tricare can help make New Year's resolutions reality

    Saving money, tobacco use and fighting the battle of the bulge are among the hot topics on most people's New Year's resolution lists, but this year Tricare officials can help. Saving money on regularly used prescriptions got a lot easier in 2007 with the new Member Choice Center.The MCC can save a

  • B-2 mission shows bomber flexibility

    Members of the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deployed here with B-2 Spirits from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., took off on a two-ship exercise destined to Alaska Dec. 18 when one bomber was diverted to a global power sortie. Global power missions, which are more than 20 hours long, demonstrate

  • Maxwell trainers develop Iraqi air force officers

    Four Officer Training School instructors returned here recently after spending the past several months in Iraq building the country's air force officer training program from the ground up. Maj. Scott Bergren and Capt. Michael Powell worked at Taji Air Base, Iraq, to establish a stand-alone officer

  • Delta II with GPS payload successfully launches

    Air Force space technicians successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster Dec. 21 carrying the fifth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite into space. The NAVSTAR GPS was launched at 3:04 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 17A here. The satellite will join the

  • C-17 polar airdrop capability successful

    During the winter season at the South Pole, temperatures often dip as low as minus 100 F and can paralyze an aircraft's hydraulic systems, crystallize the fuel and solidify lubricants. However, freezing temperatures did not deter Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze crews

  • Servicemembers celebrate school dedication in Djibouti

    American Servicemembers from the 486th Civil Affairs Battalion and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa were greeted with a traditional Djibouti dance by the students and community members of Kouta Bouya Dec. 17 as part of the school dedication ceremony here. During the five months of

  • AWACS' special mission: Track Santa

    Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing here will once again track the man in red and keep a watchful eye as he and his reindeer fly through the night to deliver presents to children all over the United States. Just before midnight on Christmas Eve, an E-3 Sentry and crew will leave Tinker Air Force

  • CSAF announces selectees for new senior officer program

    Seven senior officers were recently selected to be part of a new program directed by Chief of the Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley. As part of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellows program, these select officers will work directly for the chief of staff in lieu of serving as a

  • Behind the scenes, Airmen help to open hospital

    Airmen on a medical mentoring team have been working hard to ensure the successful opening of an Afghan national army hospital here for the past several months. The team's original mission was to mentor their ANA counterparts and teach them the necessary medical skills to treat Afghan military and

  • Airmen revamp Iraqi police training facility

    For Iraqi police to succeed in securing their nation from the hands of insurgents, they need proper training and equipment, and they get help from American servicemembers at the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, Det. 6.In five days, Airmen from the unit built a classroom, mock

  • New eye exam technology improves productivity

    Air Force Materiel Command officials provided the 72nd Medical Group here with an early Christmas present, a new piece of optometry equipment that is saving the Air Force lost man-hours. The Optos 2000, a low-powered scanning laser ophthalmoscope, is eliminating the need to dilate a patient's eyes

  • Assistant Air Force Surgeon General visits LRMC, Germany

    During a recent visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Dec. 12, Maj. Gen. Melissa A. Rank interacted with staff and patients and commented on how armed forces medical care in Germany has evolved throughout her career. General Rank, the assistant Air Force surgeon general for medical force

  • AF officials set new course in future support operations

    When it comes to people programs, community support and quality of life, there will soon be one organization on base that will handle it all -- the Force Support Squadron. The new organization is the result of an ongoing Air Force-wide merger of Mission Support and Services Squadrons and is expected

  • Cookie drive delivers holiday warmth during Alaskan winter

    Volunteers gathered more than 5,500 cookies for the single Airmen living in the dormitories Dec. 14 during Operation Cookie Crunch at Eielson Air Force Base. "The importance of the cookie drive is for morale building," said Jeanette Pauer, OCC project coordinator and wife of Lt. Col. Brett Pauer, a

  • JCS chairman sends holiday message

    The following is a holiday message from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen."Whether this holiday season finds you celebrating Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa, I offer my very best wishes for a season filled with joy. "The holidays are a time to reflect on the past

  • Langley Winds spread holiday cheer

    Wearing battle dress uniforms with red Santa hats on, the Langley Winds from the Heritage of America Band spread holiday cheer Dec. 13 to Pope Air Force Base members. The band from Langley AFB, Va., toured around the base and sang songs such as "Jingles Bells," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,"

  • Travel policy change benefits military families

    Military families now can access military-supplied air transport to travel to their official "homes of record" located outside the continental United States when their sponsors are deployed for 120 days or more, thanks to a recent policy change, a military official said today. Before the change,

  • 'Today's Air Force' features cyberspace domain

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the Global Cyberspace Integration Center or GCIC at Langley Air Force Base. Also featured is TRICARE's new Web site for beneficiary enrollment and one of the most unique careers in the Air Force, Tops in Blue. See how the talented uniformed

  • Immunology laboratory named Center of Excellence

    The newest Center of Excellence for radioallergosorbent, or RAST, testing in the Air Force Medical Service lies within the Diagnostic Immunology laboratory at Wilford Hall Medical Center here. RAST testing is the process of using a patient's extracted blood to detect the antibodies associated with

  • Council co-chairmen send holiday message to retirees

    The following is a holiday message from Air Force Retiree Council Co-Chairmen retired Lt. Gen. Donald L. Peterson and retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray: As another year draws to a close, and our friends and family gather to celebrate during this holiday season, we offer

  • C-17 uses synthetic fuel blend on transcontinental flight

    The Air Force marked the 104th anniversary of powered flight Dec. 17 by completing the first transcontinental flight of an aircraft using a blend of regular aviation and synthetic fuel. A C-17 Globemaster III using the synthetic fuel blend lifted off shortly before dawn at McChord Air Force Base,

  • AFPC retools personnel services delivery

    Immediate access and ease of use form the foundation of the Air Force Personnel Center's ongoing efforts here to refine its personnel products available for Air Force customers. In the wake of significant cutbacks to the personnel career field, the center has leveraged technology to improve customer

  • Senior analyst receives top award

    An outstanding test team, initiative and imagination are what the 2006 Air Force Civilian Analyst of the Year award winner describes as key to his receiving this honor. Clyde Shook, the 8th Flight Test Squadron senior test analyst, received his award during a recent research symposium in Colorado

  • U.S. team opens shelter for Afghan women

    Officials of the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team unveiled a new women's shelter during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 13 in Kapisa Province.Khuweja Abubaker, the Kapisa Provincial governor; Safura Kohistani, the director of women's affairs for Kapisa Province; and members of the PRT were on

  • Aircrews bring joy to Western Pacific during Christmas Drop

    Visiting aircrews and several base Airmen pulled together Dec. 14 through 18 to initiate Operation Christmas Drop from Anderson Air Force Base. This operation is possible because of the Air Force's unique capability to deliver palletized warfighting supplies from the air to any place on the

  • Thunderbirds announce 2008 schedule

    The Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, has announced its 2008 airshow schedule. The team is scheduled to perform more than 67 shows in 25 states and Canada, as it commemorates the 55th Anniversary of the "Ambassadors in Blue." Lt. Col. Greg Thomas takes the reigns as the

  • USAFE hosts AFSO 21 Process Council

    The Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century Process Council was hosted by U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials Dec. 10 and 11 at Ramstein Air Base. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley kicked off the council with a round-table

  • Lackland near top of 'best place to raise a child' list

    In November, BusinessWeek.com reported a study that recognized Lackland AFB for being the eighth best place in the country to raise children. The study rated cities from all over the country in the following categories: school test scores, cost of living, recreational and cultural activities, number

  • Basic training instructors help mold Iraq's future leaders

    The bark of the military training instructor's command voice, when heard by many current and former Airmen, may bring back memories of one of the most stressful periods of their lives, basic training. However, for the Iraqi air force warrant officer candidates in training here, it is the sound of a

  • Iraqi Air Force Training School graduates firefighters, officers

    American Airmen helped the first 10 Iraqi firefighters graduate Dec. 11 and 28 more Iraqi officer candidates receive their diplomas and commissions as second lieutenants Dec. 10 at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here. The firefighter graduation marked another first in the milestones of

  • New eye treatment offers better outcome, saves money

    Two 59th Medical Wing team member's implementation of a new drug project to treat age related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, is helping patients and saving the Air Force $990 per unit dose.In recognition of their accomplishments, Pamela Singleton and Lt. Col.

  • Military mail record broken

    With holiday mailing in full force, Dec. 5 was a record-setting day for mail destined for American military personnel in the Iraq and Afghanistan war zones. Mail Terminal Services, a U.S. Postal Service-contracted company that prepares and ships mail to the war zones, processed 96 semi-trailers of

  • Football: 2 Falcons named to SI.com All-America Team

    Two U.S. Air Force Academy football players were named to the Sports Illustrated.com All-America team recently. Senior wide receiver and z-back Chad Hall and cornerback Carson Bird were named honorable mention team members by SI.com. Hall, who was listed on the team as a running back, was also a

  • New year brings higher housing allowance to most recipients

    Most servicemembers receiving a housing allowance will see more in their 2008 paychecks. The average increase more than doubled for 2008 at 7.3 percent over last year's 3.5 percent average increase. The Defense Department will pump an additional $600 million into the housing allowance program, for a

  • Senior NCOs mentor junior sergeants in Iraq

    More than 30 NCOs attended the Ali Base Top 3 Council's NCO Mentorship Seminar Dec. 8 here to enhance their professional development. A panel of three chief master sergeants gave Airmen a glimpse into what it takes to make E-9, and discussed the new performance report and feedback. "The role of the

  • Advanced CT scanner saves lives in Iraq

    In addition to having a standard X-ray machine, the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group Radiology Flight  has one of the most advanced CT scanners in Iraq, saving seconds that contribute to saving lives.Diagnosis is critical at the Air Force Theater Hospital here. For trauma victims the initial

  • FM chiefs attain bottom line at conference

    Financial management and comptroller chief master sergeants from across the globe gathered at Gunter Annex's Senior NCO Academy Dec. 3 to 7 to discuss the state of the Air Force financial management transformation.While attending the Financial Management Chief's Conference, 38 chiefs focused on the

  • Warfighting integration, cyberspace expands service's reach

    Shortening the "kill chain" and enabling commanders to make well-informed decisions are a priority for the Air Force, said the chief of warfighting integration at the recent Air Force Information Technology Day here. Technology and cyberspace are the two top components for that priority, said Lt.

  • Airmen named the 'Best of the Best' performers

    From a little bit of country to a whole lot of rock and roll, 56 Airmen from around the world displayed their talent before standing room only crowds, during free live performances this past weekend at the Bob Hope Theater at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. All have hopes of not only being named the

  • AFPC announces civilian personnel services transformation

    Civilian personnel services are transforming at the Air Force Personnel Center to ensure speed of personnel actions and enhanced self-service capabilities. "Overall the transformation is designed to improve the efficiency of delivering personnel services," said Charles Huerta, the AFPC Personnel

  • Officals use virtual in-system supplemental promotions

    The December in-system supplemental release, scheduled for Dec. 13 at 8 a.m. CST, will be the first use of the virtual enlisted promotion release for monthly in-system releases. The Air Force went to virtual notification Nov. 14 with the release of the chief master sergeant list. More than 400

  • Kehler: 'The future of Space is now'

    "Air Force Space Command performs a national, and in some cases, an international space mission," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler, the new commander of AFSPC. "The space capabilities we provide today are embedded in all of our combat operations," he said. "They're also embedded in our military

  • Keesler couple earns 2007 O'Malley award

    The former Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., commander and his wife, who led the base's recovery efforts the two years following Hurricane Katrina, recently won the 2007 Gen. and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso and his wife, Laura, received the award that recognizes the wing

  • Holiday generosity in motion for wounded warriors

    Strong and steady waves of donations are arriving daily at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.The wave of gifts and cards will usually crest toward the end of December, but chaplains, their assistants and a dedicated core of volunteers will be kept busy until January spreading the holiday cheer

  • Lieutenant's oversight mission vital to Air Force testing

    In his duties as the air propulsion test project manager at the Arnold Engineering Development Center here 1st Lt. Josh Frederik plays a key part in numerous multimillion dollar projects."You're dealing with these big numbers and as the representative on the government side you need to be a good

  • Key maintenance, logistics functions realign

    The alignment of fighter and combat search and rescue aircraft maintenance units under flying squadrons was announced by the Air Force chief of the staff  Dec. 7 here. Between July and November 2008, AMUs supporting fighter and CSAR flying squadrons will realign within those squadrons, Gen. T.

  • Vandenberg officals successfully launch Delta II rocket

    Officals at Vandenberg Air Force Base successfully launched a Delta II rocket Dec. 8 at 6:31 p.m. The rocket took off from Space Launch Complex-2 carrying the Thales Alenia-Space COSMO-SkyMed 2 Satellite. Col. Steve Tanous, 30th Space Wing commander, was the spacelift commander for this mission, or

  • 'Today's Air Force' features F-16 history

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the history of the first F-16 Fighting Falcon model flown in 1976, and the newest F-16 upgrades to include one of the most impressive feature of the new aircraft -- the helmets and visors. Also featured is a civil engineer squadron exercise

  • F-15s undergo extensive technical inspections

    Air Force maintainers continue to perform methodical and time-intensive inspections on all F-15 Eagle A, B, C and D model aircraft which are revealing more cracks in the aircraft longerons. The discovery of more structural damage in the F-15s prompted the Dec. 3 stand-down order from Air Combat

  • Commander retires after 38 years of service

    With one last review of a formation of Ramstein's finest Airmen, and along with it, one last coin challenge, Gen. William T. Hobbins, commander of United States Air Forces in Europe, was retired at a ceremony here Dec. 10 after more than 38 years of service. General Hobbins cited cooperation as key

  • Kunsan Airmen paint arctic F-16s for Eielson

    Airmen from the 8th Maintenance Squadron corrosion shop recently completed painting an arctic scheme on one of their F-16 Fighting Falcons -- a first for Kunsan and soon Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. In October, Kunsan received its initial group of Block 40 F-16 aircraft under the Common

  • Moody unit consolidates to support battlefield Airmen

    Members of the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing here will bring a new level of support to Airmen who specialize in ground-combat missions by consolidating units starting in January. The 93rd AGOW officials will consolidate the tactical air control party and battlefield weather specialties of the 3rd

  • Force protection Airmen keeps vigilance in the forefront

    Up before dawn, an 80-member team made up of 51 different Air Force specialty codes is armed and ready to roll at Ali Base, Iraq. The Airmen of the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron force protection serve to support Operation Iraqi Freedom as third country national escorts. Crew chiefs,

  • Joint Task Force in Honduras unveils new public Web site

    Officials from U.S. Southern Command's Joint Task Force-Bravo here recently unveiled its new public-access Web page. The site, which can be found at http://www.jtfb.southcom.mil, is regularly updated with current news and photos from the JTF-Bravo Public Affairs Office. The site is the official news

  • Cultural, language center expands Air Force-wide

    Air University's Culture and Language Center is beginning an evolutionary change toward becoming an Air Force-wide institution focusing on culture and language throughout the service. Beginning next year, the center's mission will expand to include service-wide responsibilities as it becomes the Air

  • Boxing trio visits Hurlburt Field Airmen

    Boxing promoter Don King and two world champion boxers talked to Airmen and signed autographs during a meet-and-greet session Dec. 5 at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Five-time boxing world champion Felix Trinidad and eight-time boxing world champion Roy Jones Jr., on their "We Care" tour, stopped at the

  • Operational readiness exercise tests Airmen, Marines

    Airmen from the 18th Wing joined with elements from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing to conduct a joint operational readiness exercise Dec. 3 to 7 here. During the week-long exercise, Kadena Air Base members and their Marine counterparts were tested on their ability to execute their wartime taskings,

  • Deployed Airmen remember Pearl Harbor

    More than 200 U.S. forces at an air base in Southwest Asia attended a memorial retreat in honor of the 2,340 killed and 1,143 wounded in the Dec. 7, 1941 attacks on U.S. military installations on Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. "We have come here today to pay honor and homage to our nations' heroes, the

  • Award winning program prevents suicides

    The 59th Medical Wing leads the Department of Defense in patient safety for significantly reducing the chances for inpatient suicides among high risk people. The 59th Mental Health Squadron's winning initiative, "Nurse/Mental Health Technician Change of Shift Safety Checks," led by Capt. Jose

  • Air Force receives 2 DOD disability awards

    Defense officials here lauded an Air Force civilian and 15 everyday heroes for overcoming disabilities, as well as named the Air Force an outstanding organization for hiring people with disabilities Dec. 4 in Bethesda, Md. Among the award recipients was Ronald Greenfield, the chief of staff for the

  • Lackland AFB earns environmental award

    A Texas Air Force base recently earned a 2007 Water Efficiency Leader award for its efforts in reducing, reusing and recycling water. A panel of national water experts chose Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio based on three criteria: leadership, innovation and water saved. Base officials use

  • Thrift investment board sets 2008 TSP contribution limits

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board here recently announced that 2008's elective deferral limit for regular TSP contributions is $15,500, which is the same amount for 2007.In addition, contributions for the catch-up plan will remain at the same $5,000 limit set in 2006 and 2007."TSP is a

  • NCO retraining program involuntary phase begins

    Airmen identified as required to retrain must submit a retraining request by Dec. 17 or separate from the Air Force under Phase II of the Air Force Fiscal 2008 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program. After meeting the Dec. 17 deadline, Phase II eligibles next must choose an Air Force specialty

  • USAFE answers call of wounded warriors

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials made a recent donation of two, four-story buildings, and the buildings have saved hours on the road for wounded U.S. forces. The former Air Force hotels, transformed by $2.5 million renovations, provide convenient lodging for 190 to 200 wounded warriors on the

  • Survivor assistance program manager receives new A1 award

    He provided around-the-clock assistance to more than 200 families who suffered the loss of an active-duty member, mentored 25 Airmen seriously injured or wounded in action, and was appointed by the secretary of Defense to serve on the Independent Review Group at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

  • Reserve commander delivers holiday message to Airmen

    The Air Force's top reservist offered a holiday message of thanks to deployed Airmen for their service during a Dec. 3 visit to Bagram Air Base. Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, spoke with scores of 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen during his daylong visit

  • Air Force engineers improve Marine quality of life in Iraq

    Airmen are improving the lives and operating conditions of Marines by constructing more than $9.8 million in aircraft shelters, taxiways and temporary shelters at Al Asad Air Base. Deployed in an "in-lieu-of" tasking in support of the 20th Army Engineer Brigade, 557th Expeditionary REDHORSE

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights stress during holidays

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on stress from family responsibilities, expectations, and meeting end-of-the-year deadlines during the holiday season. The Air Force has several resources to help Airmen and their families cope with stress, depression and financial woes. Some of these services

  • PERSCO teams do more than track 'boots on the ground'

    Every commander needs to know who is in the field and how those numbers affect Air Force readiness -- in short, how many "boots are on the ground." Each Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team's mission is to maintain deployed accountability and casualty reporting for all deployed Airman

  • Nellis to save $1 million annually with use of solar panels

    Officials from Nellis Air Force Base and SunPower Corp. are scheduled to finalize the commission of 15 megawatts in solar power to the base this month, making up North America's largest solar photovoltaic power system. When complete, the solar power will save the base $1 million annually. The switch

  • Misawa team forges international friendships on the field

    Bitter temperatures, rain and snow couldn't stop die-hard hard soccer players from coming out to play a game with local Japanese teams as part of a friendship tournament held between Misawa United and two Japanese teams from an off-base league here in November. Misawa United is a team comprised of

  • Operation Deep Freeze main season underway

    Active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, combined efforts to support the 13th Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze. The main season, which opened Sept. 28, is the

  • Christmas radio program arrives just in time for holidays

    More than 3,300 country music radio stations nationwide will get a present in the mail this week, courtesy of the Air Force. This year's "Red, White, and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio program CD, featuring multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist LeAnn Rimes, is not commercially available.

  • Communications network continues to evolve

    Two years after its standup, the Radio-over-Internet Protocol Routed network, or RIPRnet, has a very different mission and much greater reach than originally planned. The RIPRnet is a key communications network for both ground convoys and air operations throughout Iraq, consisting of 15 core sites

  • An Afghan education built from the ground up

    Coalition mentors stationed in northern Afghanistan continue to take interest in the country's future by investing time and money in the "younger generation." An embedded training team assigned to Afghan Regional Security Integration Command - North has partnered with members of the Afghan National

  • Virtual spouse support group holds conference at Fort Bragg

    Anticipatory grief, reintegration and relocation are terms that often resonate with military spouses. As servicemembers are fighting on the front lines, spouses at home are forming the support networks that are keeping families strong. This sacrifice and shared understanding was the focus of the

  • 50th anniversary of Air Force mission remembered

    On Nov. 27, 1957, at 6:59 a.m., six USAF pilots took off from Los Angeles and began what would be called Operation Sun Run. On that day, three new transcontinental speed records were established, and the speed and range of the McDonnell RF-101C was showcased. Years later, this mission would be

  • General focuses on mission, future of AWACS

    The E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control system aircraft and its crews have led the way into battle many times in the past and are achieving combat excellence today, the commander of the nation's only AWACS flying wing said Nov. 27. The focus now, however, is on the future, Brig. Gen. Lori

  • 'Mind of Mencia' entertains troops in Middle East

    American servicemembers were treated to a United Service Organizations show where they were exposed to the "Mind of Mencia" Nov. 28 in Southwest Asia. Comedians Carlos Mencia, who stars in the Comedy Central show "Mind of Mencia," and Brad Williams entertained more than 600 servicemembers with two

  • Military must understand, master change, JCS chief says

    The U.S. military needs to understand change and the pace of change if it will succeed in the future, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told students at the Army War College recently."Some of the change is happening so quickly we have no idea how (it) will end up," Adm. Michael G. Mullen

  • Testing center opens at Camp Bucca

    Air Force security forces members here will now be able to redeploy home with their career development courses completed as base officials opened a new testing center.With many Airmen arriving for duty in the middle of upgrade training, Air Force leadership at Camp Bucca decided a testing center was

  • Conference makes virtual training a reality

    The special weapons and tactics team quickly moves through the terrorist camp to the front of a safe house while forces from air and sea take out the rest of the camp. With precise and quick tactics, the team proceeds though the house, takes out the remaining terrorists, secures the hostage, and

  • DOD, VA begin disability evaluation program

    The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs recently implemented a test program for disability cases originating at the three major military treatment facilities and the VA hospital in the national capital region. The leadership of DOD and VA will review the program's progress over

  • CSAF's Scope highlights Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr.

    The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues is the recent death of Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot of the famous Enola Gay. "We all know General Tibbets as the pilot of

  • Tricare beneficiaries save with mail-order pharmacy

    Nearly 20,000 Tricare beneficiaries are saving money on their prescriptions after making the switch to mail order through the new member choice center. After only two months of operation, beneficiaries saved approximately $600,000 on prescriptions by switching from retail to the Tricare Mail Order

  • White Hawk soars, becomes Air Force warrior

    During the month of November we take time to recognize the contributions made by Native Americans to our nation's defense. Less than one percent of Airmen claim to be of Native American ancestry. Senior Airman Shiloh White Hawk, who is deployed here from the 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Langley

  • American servicemembers mentor Afghan maintainers

    American servicemembers are mentoring the Afghan national army's 205th Maintenance Corps to keeping its fleet of more than 1,300 vehicles operational at Forward Operating Base Hero in Afghanistan. Capt. Eric McGreevy and Army Staff Sgt. Mark Reynolds of the U.S. maintenance mentoring team here train