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  • A break from therapy

    Airmen and Sailors took time to visit a children's hospital here March 1, as part of a community outreach event during the Avalon 2011 Australia International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition.Five Airmen from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and eight Sailors

  • A breast cancer survivor shares her story

    “I never thought it could happen to me,” she said. Her morning routine April 4, 2001, changed her outlook on life and gave her a new respect for it. Her day-to-day routine of waking up and jumping in and out of the shower now involves taking steps to save her life.After discovering a lump in her

  • A chaplain’s story: Legacy, life, love

    As a young boy growing up in West Palm Beach, Florida, Matthew Boyd understood he was destined to serve. With two granddads who served in World War I and a father's return home after World War II, Boyd said he knew he was born to be a warrior.Now a major in the Air Force, he continues the family

  • 'A chief is a chief'

    With the growth of the women's movement evolving in the workplace in the 80s and 90s, military operations continued to see an increasing number of women climb the ranks of the armed forces. In the summer of 1990, while the U.S. moved men and women across the Atlantic in support of the Gulf War,

  • A chip that scrambles

    The Air Force’s new Mini Crypto chip will secure communications and data between systems like unmanned aerial vehicles and explosive ordnance disposal robots, while being “losable.”

  • A city underwater gets help from above

    With their homes and city underwater, many citizens of New Orleans have been looking to the skies for help from helicopter rescue crews of the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and active duty.Hoisted aloft from rooftops and carried aboard from broken bridge spans and other locations isolated by

  • A clean delivery

    Senior Airman Nathan Setser, a fuels operator at a forward-deployed location, checks the purity and odor of a liquid oxygen sample to ensure it is operational. Setser is assigned to the 321st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's fuels management flight. The flight's mission is to provide

  • A commander’s story of survival

    The sound of tire treads rolling over a smooth driveway was the only sound that could be heard on the street Col. John Boudreaux lived when he and his wife, Susi, pulled up to it. Susi shoved the gear shift to “Park.” She couldn’t do it fast enough, and sat back in the seat for a moment. She

  • A couple's first Christmas

    Airmen 1st Class Christopher and Heather Otis exchange gifts Christmas morning at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. This is their first Christmas as husband and wife. Both are crew chiefs deployed to the 379th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. (Photo by Master Sgt.

  • A cut above the rest

    Master Sgt. Ed Caffrey, superintendent of a heavy equipment section of the 219th Red Horse squadron here, has forged a new identity for himself.He is one of only 92 master bladesmiths in the world.Although he has always been interested in making knives, he did not take it up until after a visit to a

  • A dark night leads to a bright career

    “We didn’t know what the area below us really looked like,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy Leahy, Second Air Force commander. “It could’ve been rolling terrain and when we hit the ground, the helicopter could’ve rolled over and burst into flames. Everyone could’ve died.”

  • A day at the market

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche rings the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on March 18. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper spent two days in New York for television and radio interviews to answer questions on Air Force involvement in a potential war with

  • A day at the Port

    Senior Airman Andres Silvera, a 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron aerial port flight transportation specialist, guides a k-loader into place to offload cargo at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Airman Silvera is deployed from Pope Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Terri

  • A day for Old Glory

    Today we celebrate Flag Day by showing its respect to the national emblem that was adopted 235 years ago. The American flag, sewn by Betsy Ross, has seen multiple iterations and designs throughout its history. However, the care and respect of the flag has remained constant and paramount.The handling

  • A day in the life of a dental lab technician

    Dentures, crowns and night guards are just some of the unusual products made at the Peterson Area Dental Lab for personnel worldwide. Senior Airman Jonathon Stambaugh has been a lab technician for the ADL for more than two years, working on crowns along with other projects. He also trains and

  • A Day That Resonates

    JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- By looking at him you wouldn’t know it, but Tech Sgt. Trevor Brewer, 72nd Security Forces Squadron flight chief at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, has deep scars from a day that took the lives of two fellow Airmen and severely wounded two others. His wounds

  • A different angle on coaching

    As a basketball coach, 1st Lt. Dan Taylor has used a number of techniques to help his teams play better. Speed drills, sprints and fundamentals work are some of the usual tools he uses to help players reach their potential. However, coaching basketball at the Warrior Games here required this

  • A different path to citizenship

    Being an American citizen may seem ordinary for most, but for some Airmen, the path to citizenship is anything but ordinary. Senior Airman Michael Mwelwa, a 60th Comptroller Squadron military pay technician, was awarded U.S. citizenship in May at the age of 23. Mwelwa was born in Zambia, a country

  • A different way to take the pain

    Acupuncture has long been a form of medical care, originating in ancient China and moving west through the world. It has only recently started to gain momentum during the last few decades in the U.S.Recently, military medical officials have begun investigating a type of acupuncture and its benefits

  • A dog and his handler

    Senior Airman Tariq Russell and his dog, Ppaul, rely on the relationship they've developed with each other to create a safe working environment at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, while protecting Airmen.

  • A dream born from chaos

    In the early hours of Dec. 20, 1989, when most of Panama City was sleeping, a 10-year-old boy and his family were awakened by explosions and helicopters overhead. The family exited their home, only to witness pandemonium: buildings burning down, people running and screaming. War was reality for

  • A family affair: Former base now home to burrowing owl family

    In the midst of a bustling environmental cleanup project at the former McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif., a family of burrowing owls has carved out a serene existence on a small protected piece of land. Burrowing owls, which on average are slightly larger than the American Robin, are

  • A family affair: Gen. Warner Robins' grandchildren visit base, museum

    The namesake of the city of Warner Robins and Robins Air Force Base had three daughters. Brig. Gen. Augustine Warner Robins and his wife, Dorothy Gretchen, were the parents of Dorothy Robins Gray, Elizabeth "Betty" Warner Robins, and Helen Robins Guilfoyle. On Oct. 26, the three children of the

  • A family within a family

    A family atmosphere has long been rooted in the 145th Airlift Wing and the Dietz family champions this statement. Senior Airman Jonathan Dietz, of the 145th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is the youngest son of Chief Master Sgt. Susan Dietz of the 145th Medical Group.

  • A farewell message from Adm. Mike Mullen

    To the men, women and families of the armed forces of the United States,It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as your Chairman for the last four years. Everywhere Deborah and I went to see you and your families we walked away humbled by the magnitude of the responsibility you have

  • A father remembered

    Five numbers painted on the tail of a local parade’s float will pass by thousands of people, and they may not see what is between them.A string of numbers can represent anything from how much money someone has in his or her bank account, to phone numbers or even ZIP codes.71424 represents the life

  • A 'galaxy' far, far away

    Staff Sgt. Roger Vasquez and Airman 1st Class Chris Olmstead look inside a C-5 Galaxy in search of a mechanical malfunction Jan. 1 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The 721st Air Mobility Operations Group provides en route maintenance and support for the Air Force's C-5 and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The

  • A harrowing night in Afghanistan

    While deployed in Afghanistan in the winter of 2019, Staff Sgt. Michael Rogers, 57th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, was tasked to recover personnel when required.

  • A hero returns home

    Tears welling in the eyes of family members, a bugler playing Taps and honor guard members rendering a 21-gun salute are all part of the highest honor given to America’s sons and daughters who die on the fields of battle. A fallen serviceman who fought in Vietnam will finally receive those honors,

  • A hero’s philosophy on life may inspire others

    Articles and other news clippings commemorating a hero’s life lay safely tucked away inside a plastic box. Photos and plaques recounting his numerous achievements adorn the walls. In one corner, a stack of accident analysis reports and an actual piece of the Space Shuttle Columbia’s wreckage lie,

  • A history of 'there first' For AF special ops

    Although Air Force Special Operations Command was officially established in 1990, its history dates all the way back to World War II. From that time, Air Commandos have been heavily called upon for a wide assortment of missions - missions nobody else could do."Since 1975, at the end of the Vietnam

  • A honey of a mission: Airmen help save, relocate 25,000 bees

    Earlier this month, Malmstrom Air Force Base encountered a wildlife phenomenon, and through perseverance and understanding, handled what could have been a sticky situation in the most natural way possible. Airmen utilized quick thinking and humane treatment to save the lives of approximately 25,000

  • A legacy of sacrifice for fallen Airman

    Marine Corps Cpl. Jake Balcom had a unique opportunity to spend time with the 421st Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The 421st FS was formerly known as the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron during the war in Vietnam and was the squadron his grandfather, Col. Ralph Balcom, flew in.

  • A little flare: Solar observatory monitors sun’s activity

    Ninety-three million miles away from the Earth sits a fiery sphere of hot gas.It’s 332,946 times the mass of Earth and has surface temperatures reaching 9,932 degrees, which is capable of disrupting satellites, power grids and even pilots flying at high altitudes. The sun launches these attacks

  • A little help from a friend

    Airman Jimmy Garibaldi (right), from the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron here, hoses down Staff Sgt. Matthew McQuaig to start the decontamination process during the 52nd Fighter Wing's operational readiness inspection Sept. 20. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Cook)

  • A look back at Desert Storm, 25 years later

    Twenty-five years ago, the Air Force participated in Operation Desert Storm, the largest air campaign since the conflict in Southeast Asia. The campaign’s purpose was to drive the Iraqi military out of Kuwait, release the country from Saddam Hussein’s invasion and reestablish its sovereignty.

  • A love story: healing the wounded warrior

    He was a young Air Force officer healing from a recent trauma and she was a dedicated single mother of two. Whether it was friends or fate that first brought them together, neither would have suspected that their chance meeting in Florida would be the key to his recovery. Their introduction to each

  • A Minuteman moment

    An unarmed Minuteman III ICBM launched from here at 1:32 a.m. PDT on June 23. The missile’s unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled nearly 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes, hitting a predetermined target on Kwajalein Atoll in the western chain of the Marshall Islands. The mission was part of the Force

  • A mission of compassion

    The large bus weaved through the twisting roads of the countryside here, eventually, finding the end of the pavement and dashing off onto a small dirt road leading to a countryside grade school. In front of the school, hundreds of people gathered, many taking advantage of free haircuts being given

  • A new era of retrograde operations as squadron inactivates

    Ringing in not only a new year, but a new era of retrograde operations, the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron was inactivated during a ceremony here Jan. 1.In a time honored tradition, Lt. Col. Christopher Carmichael, the 455th EAPS commander, relinquished command of the squadron to Col.

  • A new way to go from blue to green

    While Airmen and new recruits at basic training still "cross into the blue," Airmen at Pacific Air Forces are looking for new ways to cross into the green -- through reducing energy demands, increasing energy supplies and changing the culture.These methods form the three pillars of the Air Force

  • A New WSINT: Win any fight now

    While the U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration, or WSINT, has not deviated much from its original training model, today’s training approach has taken a new form.

  • A night of candy, costumes and spooky escapades

    Halloween is a night of candy, costumes and spooky escapades, however; there are several precautions adults and children can take to ensure a safe and happy night of haunting. Airmen in the 1st Security Forces Squadron recommend the following safety guidelines for anyone participating in the

  • A Nighthawk in Raptor's clothing

    It took 10 gallons of dark gray paint, 5 1/2 gallons of light gray paint and 3 gallons of silicon paint to give one F-117A Nighthawk here an F/A-22 Raptor-style makeover.Lt. Col. Kevin Sullivan, the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group’s Detachment 1 commander, asked the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

  • A patient with patience

    An Afghan boy from the Aroki Province of Kapisa in Afghanistan waits to be seen by U.S. military medics Jan. 21. Airmen from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, along with soldiers from the 48th Combat Support Hospital and the 924th Korean Medical hospital, visited the province to offer health care

  • A patient's perspective in Iraq

    Airman 1st Class Emanuel White scrubs down the arm of a "patient" before surgery in the operating room Feb. 27 at the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Patient preparation and time management are crucial to an operation's success. Airman White is a 332nd Expeditionary Medical

  • A picture worth 1,000 words: 30 years of heritage

    Glancing over a 1985 family portrait, a man is awestruck at the image of his younger self. The snapshot of his mother cradling him as his siblings welcomed back their father from a deployment captured a moment that was stronger than words.

  • A place to belong

    Staff Sgt. Ruta Shibeshi is an Airman in the U.S. Air Force, and what sounds like a job title to most, to Shibeshi has meant family, friends and a place to belong.

  • A potential for disaster

    The two green lights staring down 1st Lt. Michael Seltzer were a problem. A third light, which remained dark, indicated trouble: the landing gear at the nose of the lieutenant's F-16 Fighting Falcon was not down and locked into place. Low on fuel after a five-hour mission over Iraq, and flying hot

  • A prescription for problems

    Making sure their medical records are up to date and accurate could save Airmen selected for a random drug test a lot of trouble.

  • A priceless $10.25

    Much has been said recently about our nation’s military and the operations it is involved in. Some people are supportive, while others are not so supportive, and each has his own way of showing it.Three local girls demonstrated their support by raising money to help the deployed people in

  • A rad reading

    Senior Airman Pamela Wiggins from the 810th Medical Operations Squadron here tests a 21st Security Forces Squadron member for radiation contamination during a weapons-of-mass-destruction exercise Dec. 11. The 21st Space Wing inspector general and a team of experts from Texas A&M University put the

  • A resilient rebel on eight wheels

    At nearly twice their ages and half their sizes, Lt. Col. Melanie Friedman stands out among those wearing the same uniform. The deputy director of intelligence at the Curtis E. Lemay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, known to her teammates and competitors as "BustHer Bunny," joins the

  • A revolution in the classroom

    In an era where computers and the Internet have changed almost every aspect of daily life, from shopping to working to entertainment, is it time for technology to change the way Airmen learn? For younger Airmen, it seems, the answer is yes. Air Education and Training Command officials recently

  • A room with a view

    Staff Sgt. Ricky Nedrow, from the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, looks out over Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Nedrow is one of more than 20 members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., to Bagram AB and supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo

  • A running bond, connects sisters and father

    For 2nd Lt. Abigail Webber, running became a shared activity within her family, especially between Webber and her father, a retired Air Force colonel who ran a closer pace to Webber than her Boston Marathon-running sister.

  • A safe unit is a ready unit

    The Human Factors Division at the Air Force Safety Center provides survey's to meet the Air Force’s safety mission to safeguard Airmen and Guardians, protect resources and preserve combat capability by addressing the number one cause of Air Force mishaps: human error.

  • A shared love, goal, mission

    Since beginning their careers in 2005, Majs. Regina Wall and Jared Wall have shared almost every duty station and multiple deployments together.

  • A simple test can save a life

    Many servicemembers know that donating blood can help others, but there is another way to make an even greater difference in someone's life -- donating bone marrow.A staff sergeant from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron here did just that, recently returning to full duty only two weeks after the

  • A snap with a map

    Senior Airman Daniel Avila Jr., an Air Force intelligence applications journeyman, works on maps at the Combined Air Operations Center at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Avila is assigned to the intelligence directorate supporting Operation Northern Watch that has been enforcing the no-fly zone over

  • A somber moment

    Army Chaplain (Col.) Richard Rogers leads a prayer March 25 for six airmen killed when their HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crashed near Ghazni, Afghanistan, on March 23. The helicopter crew was on its way to pick up two Afghan children for treatment in U.S. medical facilities at Bagram Air Base. The

  • A stealthy mission

    The first of two Air Force F-117 Nighthawks lands in the early morning hours at a forward-deployed air base on the Arabian Peninsula after a mission on March 20. Nighthawks from the 8th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron out of Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., are deployed supporting all ongoing

  • A Sunday unlike any other

    Capt. Dennis Hargis will never forget Oct. 14, and it's likely those whose lives he saved won't either. The 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10 pilot from San Antonio was mere days away from the end of his six-month deployment here when he received the call that nearby friendly troops were in

  • A Superior Private, a historian remembers

    It was a rather typical workday for 20-year-old Joe Muratsuchi. After rising, he swept the shop where he worked as a bookkeeper. It was a good job, and he liked the work, mostly because he was good at numbers. At certain hours of the day, he and a young co-worker would turn on the radio for the

  • A surprise homecoming at Broncos vs. Patriots game

    Maj. Wellington V. Philips II returned home from a six-month deployment in Southwest Asia to surprise his wife and son at the Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots football game Nov. 25, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

  • A Tale of Two Air Forces: How the Tuskegee Airmen bridged the divide

    The Tuskegee Airmen were not only pilots, they were support personnel as well – weather forecasters, communications professionals, aircraft mechanics, nurses, administrative people, and more. Even though the team was better known for flight, it takes many people to get a plane off the ground.

  • A timeless task

    In the dark confines of a deployable van, a Defense Department unit at Beale Air Force Base, California, provides the production, exploitation and dissemination of U-2 aerial film. To some, the operation could be considered a relic of the Cold War, but to the Airmen of the 9th Intelligence

  • A tradition of honor: Servicemembers share pride in service

    "Our servicemen and women are serving throughout the world as guardians of peace -- many of them away from their homes, their friends and their families. They are visible evidence of our determination to meet any threat to the peace with measured strength and high resolve. They are also evidence of

  • A tribute to a warrior, patriot and hero to all Airmen

    I am the very proud son of an American fighter pilot, one of that treasured group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave it an enduring example of courage and mission success. My dad was a hero. As a young man, I asked him who his combat heroes were; he gave me only two names. One

  • A tribute to Senior Airman Ashton Goodman

    On May 26, Senior Airman Ashton Goodman, Lt. Col. Mark E. Stratton II, the commander of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team, and Army Master Sgt. Blue Rowe were killed near here from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. Over the past few weeks, this senior airman on the

  • A true airpower giant

    We lost another Air Force hero this week. Brig. Gen. James Robinson “Robbie” Risner was part of that legendary group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave us an enduring example of courage and mission success.