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  • NASA selects servicemembers to explore space

    Four servicemembers were among 11 candidates NASA has chosen to be the next generation of space explorers, officials announced May 6.Maj. James Dutton, 35, and Marine Corps Maj. Randolph Bresnik, 36, were chosen to be space shuttle pilots. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Cassidy, 34, and Army Maj. Shane

  • Sergeant rescues boy from dog attack

    A sergeant assigned to Detachment 1 of the 7th Weather Squadron in Wurzburg, Germany, was honored with the Bavarian Rescuers Medal on May 7 for rescuing a young boy being attacked by two dogs. Tech. Sgt. Sean Hansen, a combat weather forecaster, is being credited with saving the 7-year-old German

  • Blood donors necessary in war, peace

    It may seem like blood centers are always asking for more. The fact is, there is a constant need for blood.Technological advances have a lot to do with this continuous need for blood, said Capt. Christine Murphy, the 48th Medical Group executive officer here. More and more, there have been

  • Meester court-martial set for June 7

    The judge in the motions hearing for Cadet 3rd Class Douglas Meester denied the motion to dismiss the case May 7, and the case now goes to court-martial June 7.Col. Barbara Brand, judge in the hearing, denied the defense’s motion that there was undue command influence in Cadet Meester being

  • Now showing: May 10 edition of AFTV News

    Man’s thirst for flight highlights the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Stories from Staff Sgts. Melissa Allan and Leigh Bellinger illustrate two different ways flying has occupied and enriched two people’s lives.Sergeant Allen profiles Maj. Andrew Lurake. Despite having his leg

  • Air Force reservist pitches for San Diego Padres

    When he is not wearing the blue and gray uniform of the San Diego Padres, relief pitcher Jason Szuminski switches to Air Force blue as a first lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve. The 6-foot, 4-inch, 220-pound right-hander is the only Air Force reservist in Major League Baseball. He is assigned to

  • Command post controllers key to information flow

    There is an organization that many people think is the place to go for information. In part they are; however, the unit is a lot more than that. Airmen in the command post do much more than just pass along information, especially in a combat zone. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s command post

  • Deployed reservists help charities in Kyrgyzstan

    Air Force reservists from here deployed to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, are supporting combat operations in Afghanistan. They also are helping to make life better for people near there.Airmen of Air Force Reserve Command’s 908th Airlift Wing arrived at the old Soviet airfield in early December to

  • Officials name aircrew life support award winners

    Air Force officials recently announced the 2003 Outstanding Air Force Aircrew Life Support of the Year award winners.These awards recognize the accomplishments of aircrew life support people and programs.The 2003 winners are:-- Outstanding Aircrew Life Support Headquarters Staff Member: Master Sgt.

  • Guardian Challenge champions announced

    The scores are in. Teams from 21st Space Wing, 91st SW and 45th SW garnered top honors at Air Force Space Command's Guardian Challenge 2004.Trophies were presented to AFSPC's top space and missile warriors during a ceremony here May 6.The 21st SW at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., earned the

  • Edwards fire training goes high-tech

    Firefighters here took part in a training exercise May 3 that was designed to keep them on their toes.The unit underwent interior fire-suppression training in a high-tech simulator that creates a realistic environment without causing any monetary damage, said Tom Keightley, 95th Air Base Wing’s fire

  • 2003 B-1B records become official

    Records set by a B-1B Lancer here during the 2003 Open House and Air Show were officially certified April 30 by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Switzerland.In two flights Oct. 25 and 26, the B-1B set 45 world records and broke five previously set records in the National Aeronautic

  • Mother reunites with daughter after 15 years

    It was a mother’s nightmare. Juanita Heismann’s daughter, April Turner, was gone without a trace. It was June 1988. Mrs. Heismann, estranged from April’s father, dropped off the first-grader for a scheduled visit with him in Lawton, Okla. When it came time for April to return a few days later,

  • Official: AF nurses provide key support in OEF, OIF

    Air Force nurses have provided tremendous support in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, treating more than 200,000 patients throughout Southwest Asia, Maj. Gen. Barbara C. Brannon told the Senate Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on defense April 28.General Brannon, the Air Force’s

  • Brother escorts brother in sister-service convoy

    When Lt. Col. Greg Harbin landed at the airport in Mosul, Iraq, he knew he had to travel to the operational headquarters on the other side of town. He also knew an Army convoy would be escorting him. What he did not know was that his brother would be the convoy commander.Colonel Harbin was there

  • Security forces provide protection on, off Bagram

    Besides their more traditional role of providing installation security, security forces Airmen here have taken on two other important combat-related responsibilities supporting the war on terrorism.Airmen assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron are providing security for convoys

  • 1st Air Force looks inward to keep America safe

    It was the day the screens went black. Sept. 11, 2001, was the day that breathed life into what some considered a “sunset mission.” It was the day when everything changed. In the hours before the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, 1st Air Force and the Continental United States North

  • Air National Guard unit fights wildfires

    California Air National Guardsmen from the 146th Airlift Wing launched aircraft outfitted for aerial firefighting May 5 to aid in the fight against Southern California wildfires.The wing's first missions of the day were flown against Santa Barbara County's Cachuma fire.The Ventura County-based

  • SECAF approves medal for tornado relief efforts

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche has approved awarding the Humanitarian Service medal to Airmen who directly participated in tornado relief for the civilian community surrounding Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., in November 2002.To qualify for the award, a person must have been assigned

  • Active-duty Airmen will test for HIV every two years

    Beginning June 1, all active-duty Airmen will be required to complete routine human immunodeficiency virus testing every two years. This is a Defense Department policy change geared toward standardizing testing across the services, officials said. The policy, recommended by members of the Armed

  • World War II ‘evaders’ congregate at memorial

    Their shoulders may be stooped, and their pace a little slow. Hearing aids are a common “fashion statement,” and their hair, what’s left of it, is a tad gray. But one look into their eyes is enough to know the old spirit of adventure is still there.About 80 members of the Air Forces Escape and

  • MacDill teams compete in Tampa's first dragon boat race

    Skinny, colorfully painted dragon boats swiftly paddled through Tampa's downtown Garrison Channel on May 1 during their Asia Fest. The boats, including one from the base here, competed in Tampa's first Dragon Boat Race.The MacDill team, composed of people from various base organizations, finished

  • History Channel features Predator on ‘Mail Call’

    The History Channel show “Mail Call” will feature a segment on the MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle on May 9.“Mail Call” is a weekly series that answers viewer’s questions about technology, weapons and equipment used throughout history by the armed forces. A production crew visited nearby

  • Airmen help warriors get home safely

    At an hour when most people are fast asleep, 59th Medical Wing medics from Wilford Hall Medical Center here were wide-awake anticipating the return of 14 servicemembers injured in Iraq.Standing sentinel, a row of 14 ambulances lined the San Antonio International Airport flightline awaiting the

  • Exhibit illustrates French, American cooperation

    The Air Force's vice chief of staff participated in the dedication of an exhibit here May 1 that honored some of the first Americans to fly aerial-combat missions.The exhibit, at the New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport, commemorates the heroism of American aviators who flew for

  • U.S. participates in multinational air combat exercise

    U.S. Air Force and Navy units are here participating in Maple Flag 37, an international air-combat exercise held May 3 to 14 by the Canadian air force.About 20 aircraft and 600 people from the United States are practicing combined air operations with air forces from Canada, Germany, France, New

  • Secretary of defense announces environmental awards

    Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced the winners of the 2003 Secretary of Defense Annual Environmental Awards on May 3. Air Force winners are:-- Natural resources conservation, small installations: Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.-- Natural resources conservation, individual: Gregory

  • Water polo team wins five games in tournament

    The Air Force Academy water polo team won five games in the Rocky Mountain Water Polo Tournament, including a four-overtime victory over the alumni/seniors team. Teams traveled from Florida and New Mexico to participate in the spring tournament, held here May 1 and 2. In the highlighted game of the

  • Presence policy helps define expeditionary force

    The secretary of the Air Force recently signed a policy clearly defining the structure and role of the air and space expeditionary force within the joint warfare environment. The Air and Space Expeditionary Force Presence Policy, among other things, defines AEF, outlines its command structure and

  • Air Force begins Raptor operational tests

    Operational testing on the F/A-22 Raptor began April 29 when the first two-ship sortie was flown and tested by members of the F/A-22 Combined Test Force here.After the operational testing is complete, a report will provide senior leaders with the information needed to approve the Raptor for

  • Astronautics offers cadets unique opportunity

    Not every college lets students build and launch monster rockets and earn undergraduate credit at the same time. Odds are they are more likely to be placed on a list at the Homeland Security Department unless they are going to the academy.Astronautical Engineering 452/453 Rocket Engineering is the

  • Air Force cadets thrive at West Point’s Sandhurst competition

    Eleven cadets conquered nine field events and maneuvered through about five miles of New York terrain to capture fourth place out of 45 teams at West Point’s annual Sandhurst competition April 24.“They did awesome!” said Brig. Gen. Johnny A. Weida, academy commandant of cadets. “This is exactly

  • Officials announce OTS selections

    Air Force officials here announced April 29 that 187 enlisted Airmen have been chosen to attend Officer Training School, and trade in their stripes for gold bars.Air Force Recruiting Service officials conducted OTS Selection Board 0404, which met here March 29 to April 2. The board considered 324

  • Officials name manpower, organization winners

    Officials have named the winners of the 2003 Air Force Manpower and Organization awards. They are:-- Headquarters-Level Field Grade Officer of the Year: Lt. Col. Timothy Clary from the Air Force manpower requirements determination squadron here.-- Headquarters-Level Company Grade Officer of the

  • ‘The Rocket’ lands at Offutt

    The all-time strikeout leader in American League history, Roger Clemens, visited here April 26 as part of a United Service Organizations tour.Mr. Clemens, known in baseball circles as “The Rocket,” also participated in a USO tour to Qatar, Kuwait, Afghanistan and the Arabian Sea about a

  • AF Climate Survey results reveal progress in most areas

    The 2003 Air Force Climate Survey results have been analyzed, and final reports have been released to unit-level leaders for action. The survey ran Oct. 1 to Nov. 23.“As the leaders of the world’s greatest air and space force, we share a commitment to continually seek improvement. The survey

  • Team brings medical aid to Sri Lanka

    A decades-long war has claimed tens of thousands of Sri Lankan lives, and land mines continue to maim an untold number of civilians caught up in the aftermath of the war. A team of 20 military medical specialists began a weeklong humanitarian surgical training mission here known as blast,

  • Airmen earn FAA certification through CCAF

    Two aircraft maintainers are the first to earn Federal Aviation Administration certification under a Community College of the Air Force program launched in 2002.Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Gunson of the California Air National Guard and Tech. Sgt. Mark Faught from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, earned the

  • Jabara award honors aviator’s contributions

    Academy officials named an Air Force pilot the winner of the 2004 Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship for his contributions to airpower during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Maj. Jason Hanover, a 1992 academy graduate, is assigned to the 352nd Operations Support Squadron at

  • ARC liaisons bring Guard, Reserve into circle

    Many Airmen are deployed to fight the war on terrorism; however, Col. Bill Simpson and Lt. Col. Mike Mounts are deployed to fight for Airmen.The colonels serve as air reserve component liaisons for more than 3,100 deployed Air National Guardsmen and Air Force reservists -- almost a quarter of the

  • Chief rescues woman from burning car

    An Air Force Reserve chief master sergeant assigned to Air Education and Training Command's security forces directorate here received the Airman’s Medal on April 27 for saving a woman’s life.Chief Master Sgt. Joseph P. Salvaggio, also a lieutenant with the San Antonio Police Department, saved the

  • Idaho Air Guard helps test new stackable cargo pallets

    As part of an ongoing Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab initiative, a team tested a new bilevel aircraft loading system aboard an Idaho Air National Guard C-130 Hercules here April 22.People from the battlelab, a think tank for new and innovative ideas based at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho,

  • First Air Force provides top cover for America

    While much of the Air Force is engaged overseas, one organization has remained behind to fulfill a mission equally important -- Operation Noble Eagle, the air-defense mission aimed at preventing terrorist attacks in the United States.The organization comprises Air Force active-duty and reserve

  • Combat controllers play key role in war on terror

    The largest class of future combat controllers is training at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., to provide critical skills required in the war on terrorism. The current class of 32 students will help bolster the cadre of 360 combat controllers -- special-operations forces who deploy quickly into

  • Pentagon Memorial Fund seeks donations

    The Pentagon Memorial Fund campaign was officially launched here April 22 during a ceremony on Capitol Hill.Almost $30 million is being solicited, according to a news release from the Washington public relations firm that is handling fund raising for the memorial.About $17.5 million of collected

  • Officials working to speed military mail system

    Acknowledging that problems persist in the military mail system, Defense Department officials said they are taking steps to improve the process.A report in April by the General Accounting Office, which oversees government agencies and spending, said long-standing problems with military mail delivery

  • Officials: TSP good way to increase wealth

    Defense Department officials urge servicemembers to invest in their future through the Thrift Savings Plan.Now is a good time for servicemembers to start paying themselves, officials said. The current TSP open season started April 15 and runs until June 30. This is the time servicemembers can

  • Base motorcycle clubs will promote rider safety

    The formation of motorcycle clubs on Air Force bases worldwide may increase mentoring, an important element for promoting safe riding, said the Air Force’s senior safety official.Air Force leaders are alarmed at the rate that the Air Force is losing its Airmen, not only in four-wheeled vehicle

  • DOD leader cites department's environmental record

    The Department of Defense is a good steward of America's environmental heritage, a top DOD official said.April 22 is Earth Day, and the department has had a stellar record on the environment, said Ray DuBois, deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment."There are awards that

  • Elmendorf jet-engine technician earns $10K for IDEA

    A simple idea can be worth a lot of money; at least that is the case for Staff Sgt. Kevin Jackson. The 25-year-old jet-engine technician was awarded $10,000 for his submission to the Air Force's Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program.Sergeant Jackson, assigned to the 3rd

  • Tanker aircraft delivers 1 billionth pound of fuel

    If you were to count from one to 1 billion it would take about 95 years. It took a little over a year for U.S. Central Command’s Combined Force Air Component Command-controlled tanker airlift to deliver 1 billion pounds of jet fuel. A KC-135 Stratotanker delivered 84,000 pounds of fuel to three

  • Air Force announces design awards

    Air Force officials recently announced the winners of the 2004 Air Force Design Awards Program and the 2004 Air Force Agent Awards. Awards will be presented to winners at a July 29 luncheon here. Winners for the 2004 Air Force Design Awards are: -- Honor Award, Planning Studies and Design Guides:

  • Bagram Airmen receive taste of America

    With hand-written messages like, “We support you 100 percent,” and “Thanks for protecting our country,” on every package, reinforcements recently arrived here from the United States.More specifically, about 150 boxes of Girl Scout cookies sent by Brownie Troop 2859 from Marlboro, Mass., showed up at

  • Air Force honors Marquez award winners

    Air Force officials announced the winners of the 2003 Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Maintenance Awards.Winners for aircraft maintenance are:-- Field Grade Manager: Lt. Col. James Weber from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.-- Company Grade Manager: Capt. Earl Williams III from Travis AFB, Calif.--

  • Online system reduces trips to education office

    Four features now available under the Air Force's virtual education system give Airmen more control of their academic pursuits.The Air Force Virtual Education Center is a Web-based system available to the total force that allows Airmen to do many of the things online that once required a trip to a

  • Air Force honors units for maintenance effectiveness

    The Air Force honored the winners of the 2003 Maintenance Effectiveness Awards at a banquet here.The 2003 Maintenance Effectiveness Award winners include:-- Munitions/Missile Category: 509th Munitions Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.-- Maintenance/Component Repair/Equipment Maintenance

  • NASA selects Air Force pilot for astronaut training

    An Air Force pilot was recently selected by NASA to be an astronaut candidate for the space shuttle program.Maj. James P. Dutton of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is the only Airman among 11 military and civilians to be accepted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration this year."Two

  • Sheppard sergeant becomes 250,000th CCAF grad

    An aircraft maintenance instructor from the 362nd Training Squadron here will leave a footnote in the history books of the world's largest community college when he graduates April 23.When Staff Sgt. Kalaeone Needham gets his associate degree, he will be the Community College of the Air Force's

  • AAFES necessity becomes collectible craze

    Since the inception of online Internet auction sites, collectors worldwide have been able to find exactly what they are looking for from the comfort of their own home.Historically, Americans have been collectors of countless types of things, from stamps and coins to military memorabilia and baseball

  • Know limitations, stay alert for safe motorcycle ride

    Bennie Brashear hopped on the motorcycle he had just finished repairing and took it for a spin to make sure everything was working right.The training manager for the 382nd Training Squadron here has been riding since he was 15 years old and drove a 30-mile paper route. As he was test-driving the

  • CES plays role in Honduras exercise, Airmen recount experiences

    It was a trip that two sergeants said they will not soon forget. They were among 48 Airmen from the 934th Civil Engineer Squadron who deployed here recently to participate in New Horizons 2004 as part of Joint Command Task Force Orengo.The main focus of the exercise was to build local schools,

  • Special investigators named Team of the Year

    The Air Force's Office of Special Investigations special agents have been named the Air Force Association's 2004 Team of the Year. The association selects a specific enlisted career field annually for recognition. Nominated individuals need only be assigned to the same career field to be eligible,

  • Immigrant brings music to military service

    From the capital of Peru to Wichita, Kan., the only zampoña player here is sharing his gift of music with the Air Force.Airman Fredy Pasco works on the commander’s support staff of the 22nd Maintenance Operations Squadron, but spends his off-duty time filling the air with the sound of an Inca

  • Nurses keep up heartbeat of 379th AEW

    In stark contrast to the white sheets of the hospital bed and a patient in a light blue paper gown, a nurse in a brown and tan desert camouflage uniform checks the patient’s vital signs on the nurse’s ward.In lieu of the clinically white uniform, the seven-person nursing team wears combat boots and

  • CMSAF becomes honorary master chief

    At the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy graduation here April 14, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray became an honorary master chief petty officer.Chief Murray spoke at the ceremony to salute four Airmen who were graduates.“What a great honor to be recognized by this

  • Officials: Radium poses no risk at Air Force facilities

    Official test results from six Air Force facilities indicate building occupants and visitors are not at risk from radioactive material left over from luminous paints used at the bases 60 years ago.Air Force Institute for Operational Health experts from Brooks City-Base, Texas, examined facilities at

  • Reservist earns Pitsenbarger award

    A reservist from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., has been named the 2004 Pitsenbarger award winner.Senior Master Sgt. Dale Berryhill, an airborne communications systems operator, was selected for his heroism while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Sergeant Berryhill was a crewmember aboard an MC-130E

  • Rescue team integral to contingency operations

    Imagine riding along outside the safety of a base and suddenly a rocket-propelled grenade blows a hole in the ground next to a Humvee in your convoy. The blast causes the vehicle to crash and flip upside down. One of your drivers is stuck under the wreckage; you have no equipment to help get him

  • Reserve rescue crews win Jolly Green mission award

    A daring, nighttime combat rescue last year in Iraq earned three aircrews from the 920th Rescue Wing here an award for heroism.The Jolly Green Association will present its 2003 Rescue Mission of the Year Award to HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crews Jolly 23 and Jolly 24, and HC-130 tanker crew King 50

  • Effort in Iraq ‘going to take time’

    People worldwide have to realize the coalition effort in Iraq is a long-term project, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here April 13.Gen. Richard B. Myers is here for meetings with Bahraini leaders. During the flight over, he said the problems in Iraq can be solved, but it will take

  • Readiness system saves time, money

    Robins is the test site for a new Web-based readiness system estimated to save the Air Force $79 million over the next five years. The system, called the deployment readiness service, will improve tracking and reduce the time and effort to keep people ready for deployments. It gives people access to

  • Officials announce 2004 Hennessy Trophy winners

    Air Force Services Agency officials announced the winners of the 2004 Hennessy Trophy Awards.Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the winner in the single-facility category, and Keesler AFB, Miss., is the winner in the multiple-facility category.The Air Force Reserve Command award winner is the 911th

  • Airman recalls West Nile Virus infection

    Officials here are wasting no time getting the word out about this year’s West Nile Virus threat.The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had 9,389 cases of the virus reported in 2003.One of those cases was 1st Lt. Chip Hollinger, 21st Mission Support Group executive officer at nearby

  • Two new medals recognize units

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche approved two new medals recognizing units for outstanding heroism in combat and for achievement or service in direct support of combat operations.The Gallant Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Award can be awarded to Air Force active-duty, Reserve

  • Guard, Reserve leaders address Senate subcommittee

    Reserve component leaders from the Air Force, Army and Marine Corps met before a Senate subcommittee reviewing the fiscal 2005 military budget here April 7.The leaders discussed transformation goals and spending requirements. They also touched on issues such as deployments, stress on the force and

  • Deployed servicemembers step up anti-malarial protections

    It is peak mosquito season in Iraq, and U.S. servicemembers deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom are taking steps to protect themselves against malaria.The high-risk season for malaria runs April to November, said Army Col. Fredric Plotkin, preventive medicine and force health protection

  • Software helps Airmen track fitness progress

    The Air Force recently released a tool to help Airmen keep track of their fitness efforts. The Air Force Fitness Management System is available to all Airmen through the Air Force Portal. The system provides a history of their fitness scores and allows unit fitness managers to enter new scores.

  • Leaders approve combat device for expeditionary ribbon

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper have approved the addition of a gold border to the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon to signify satisfactory participation in combat operations. "This gold border, signifying participation in combat

  • Air Force recognized for ethics program

    The Air Force was recognized April 7 at the Pentagon for outstanding achievement in developing and managing its ethics program.Marilyn L. Glynn, acting director and general council of the Office of Government Ethics, presented the 2004 Outstanding Ethics Program Award to Secretary of the Air Force

  • Jumper urges Airmen to 'stay encouraged'

    The war on terrorism, force shaping and the new fitness program are all major priorities in today's Air Force, said the service's senior leader during a visit here April 5. With the recent gruesome murders of four U.S. contractors and the almost daily loss of American servicemembers’ lives, the Air

  • Top chief discusses Air Force issues

    Force shaping, housing plans, the proposed uniform and fitness proved hot topics for the Air Force's top enlisted leader as he talked with Airmen during a visit here.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray said the retention rate for first-term Airmen is the highest the Air Force has

  • ‘The Simpsons’ deploy to Southwest Asia

    At first glance, these two Airmen share only a name: Simpson. One is a senior officer, the other is junior enlisted; one is a reservist, the other active duty; one works in an office, the other on a flightline.But a closer look reveals Col. Bill Simpson and Airman 1st Class Doug Simpson share more

  • Air Force wins sixth boxing championship

    The Air Force boxing team clinched its sixth consecutive National Collegiate Boxing Association title here April 3. Senior Clell Knight earned his second national title and was named the outstanding boxer of the tournament.Air Force won the national team title with 40 points, edging out Navy who

  • Air Force Reserve begins fitness testing

    Air Force reservists across the country are under the new Air Force fitness-testing standards as of April 1.Previously, fitness was measured by height-based weight restrictions, and reservists were tested on aerobic health through a 3-mile walk. The new standards include a waist measurement,

  • Idaho Guard helps train B-52 crews

    There’s a “war” going on. Every day deployed Airmen from the 266th Range Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, are shooting, eluding and attempting to destroy B-52 Stratofortresses flying here.However, no one gets hurt and no aircraft actually go down because the battle is done using

  • Compass Call crew details mission, OIF success stories

    At the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom, dozens of Iraqi soldiers waited patiently near the al Faw Peninsula for instructions being transmitted from higher headquarters to blow up key oil fields there.The message never came.In its place, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force’s EC-130H “Compass Call”

  • Official urges balanced treatment for reserve components

    With Reserve and National Guard forces now critical elements in the war on terrorism, the Defense Department's senior reserve affairs adviser told a Senate subcommittee here March 31 that the country must do more to care for them and their families. Thomas F. Hall, assistant secretary of defense for

  • Troop rotation to Iraq continues

    The largest rotation of U.S. forces since World War II continues in Iraq, Defense Department officials said March 31.In all, more than 250,000 U.S. servicemembers are affected.Planning for the rotation began months ago. New units worked with units already in Iraq to learn their mission and plan the

  • Weapons testing enters new era

    Engineers and technicians here ushered in a new weapons-testing era by dropping an inert, precision laser-guided bomb from an F-15E Strike Eagle that struck an offshore floating target 21 miles away.The test is the first in a program to build an offshore-scoring system on the Eglin Gulf Test Range,

  • Airmen recruit Iraqi military

    Two Air Force recruiters are using their training and skills to recruit a distinct group of people into an organization far different from the U.S. Air Force.Capt. Pete Ellum and Master Sgt. Greg Elmore are in Iraq recruiting that country’s new military. They are recruiting for the armed forces,

  • Academy cadet named Truman Scholar

    A cadet is a Truman Scholar and has won a $26,000 scholarship. The Harry S. Truman Foundation officially announced its winners across the United States on March 30.Cadet 2nd Class Andrew Sellers, a computer science major, earned the merit-based scholarship to attend a graduate or professional

  • Academy honors distinguished graduates

    Contributions to the Air Force and nation have earned two Air Force Academy alumni the school’s distinguished graduate awards. Retired Lt. Gen. Bradley C. Hosmer and Richard T. Schlosberg III have earned the 2003 Distinguished Graduate Award. The award is recognized by the academy and Association

  • Reserve employment information program begins

    A new Defense Department reporting system has begun so members of all seven reserve components can register their employers. DOD decision-makers need to know the civilian employers and government agencies of the department's nearly 1.2 million National Guardsmen and reservists, officials said. The

  • Flying ‘bug’ bites WASP early, pilot recounts service

    It was not Charles Lindbergh, but “a fella before him” whose name escapes her now. She remembers he came through Charleston, W.Va., when she was very young, and she said he inspired her to learn to fly.“I was about 7 or 8 years old when this famous flier came to town. Everyone turned out to see

  • Vital ‘phase’ of maintenance

    “Phase maintenance” are two words that may not mean a lot to someone who does not work on the aircraft maintenance or operations side of the Air Force.But spend a few minutes talking with the supervisor of the A-10 Thunderbolt II phase maintenance team that is deployed here from Davis-Monthan Air

  • Stopping corrosion before it stops mission

    Like cancer, it grows and spreads, risking men, machines and missions.In the docks where E-3 Sentries are sidelined for programmed depot maintenance, workers are as skilled at eliminating corrosion and its risks as surgeons are at cutting out a cancer.The work consists largely of inspections, checks

  • Air Force seeks to eliminate inadequate housing

    Air Force senior leaders spoke with members of Congress on March 30 about the service’s requests for military construction funding in the fiscal 2005 budget. In testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee on military construction, the Air Force civil engineer, Maj. Gen. L.

  • Beale receives Installation Excellence Award

    Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld has announced the winners of the 2004 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence. Beale Air Force Base, Calif., was selected as the Air Force winner.The other winners include:Fort Stewart, Ga.Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif.Naval

  • ROTC instructor duty now includes NCOs

    Air Force ROTC officials have just expanded instructor duty opportunities to include enlisted Airmen from diverse career fields.The secretary of the Air Force has approved a test program designed to incorporate enlisted perspectives into the curriculum. The addition of enlisted instructional staff,

  • Friendly fire investigation findings released

    U.S. Central Command officials released the findings March 29 of an investigation into a friendly fire incident between U.S. forces. The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding an incident involving an A-10 Thunderbolt II firing on a company of Marines in An Nasiriyah, Iraq, on March