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U.S. Air Force News

  • Vietnam wall speaks to both present and past

    At a time when wounds and memories of a long and bitterly protested war were still open and raw, when veterans were treated as villains instead of heroes, an Army veteran by the name of Jan Scruggs conceived the idea of building a memorial to honor those who served in Vietnam. Facing more opposition

  • Chief McKinley updates Airmen on Air Force priorities

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley recently reaffirmed the Air Force's three top priorities as winning the war on terrorism, developing and caring for Airmen and their families, and recapitalization and modernization. The Air Force's top enlisted Airman then spelled out where the

  • Service-disabled veterans key to meeting military missions

    Three Air Force winners were among 19 organizations and individuals honored at the first Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Awards Ceremony Nov. 5 at the Pentagon. The group of entrepreneurs and department acquisition officials earned praise from Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England

  • Warfighters gather to train for close-air-support operations

    More than 200 warfighters from around the world gathered to combat a simulated enemy force comprised of insurgent groups, roadside bombs and hidden snipers Nov. 6 through 9 at the Avon Park Military Training Complex in central Florida. Atlantic Strike VI, a semi-annual training event sponsored by

  • Subterranean bunker converted to historical display

    On the surface, Oscar One appears innocent. Underground, well, that's another story. The nondescript single-story building seems like any other on Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Mo. Just 50 yards away from "O-1," families stroll through Ike Skelton Park, picnicking, flying kites and feeding

  • AFRL wins workforce development award

    The Air Force Research Laboratory's director of personnel is excited about winning a highly coveted award, not just for her own organization, but because of what it says about the entire lab. "This is an AFRL award, an enterprise-wide effort, that says AFRL cares about its people," said Personnel

  • Airman takes next step toward her American dream

    One Airman's version of the American dream includes some children and a bakery of her own. It is a dream Airman 1st Class Olga Bilobol now has as a brand-new American citizen following a Nov. 6 naturalization ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base. "It means so much to me that I have a hard time

  • Upgraded A-10s prove worth in Iraq

    A new version of the A-10 Thunderbolt II has been flying over Iraq providing close-air support for the ground troops from Al Asad Air Base for nearly two months. As part of the Precision Engagement Upgrade Program, the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing has been converting it's A-10s from A to

  • Boxing: Air Force earns 6-4 decision over Army

    The Air Force boxing team earned a hard-hitting 6-4 victory over Army in the annual dual meet between the two programs, Nov. 2, in the Academy's upper boxing room. The Falcons, who opened the night with a pair of victories in front of the packed house, took the final three matches to secure the team

  • Live-fly exercise trains Airmen for combat mission

    More than 100 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern Airmen will train the way they fight as they participate in Mesa Fury 2007, a large force exercise Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. Mesa Fury 2007, a joint forces exercise, is designed to allow Airmen and participating Department of Defense combat units an

  • Football: Falcons ride record-breaker Hall over Army

    The way Air Force's Chad Hall gains ground would normally make an infantry soldier proud. Instead, the Falcon z-back broke the spirit of some future ground troops when he ran wild for 275 yards, leading the bluesuiters to a convincing 30-10 win over inter-service rival Army, before a season-high,

  • Reserve refuelers train with Egyptian fliers

    March reservists are conducting two weeks of air-refueling missions here with fighter pilots from the Egyptian air force. "I think this is a great opportunity for the entire U.S. Air Force," said Lt. Col. Al Oliver, the mission director and a tanker refueling scheduler with 4th Air Force at

  • Partnership offers Airmen better business support

    Building on the service's efforts to educate Airmen on consumer-related issues, the Air Force began an official partnership with the Council of Better Business Bureaus recently. The partnership encourages Airmen and their families to use the bureau's free programs, services and materials while

  • Injured servicemembers get away from hospital to fish

    A bad day fishing is a whole lot better than a good day at work, said one Soldier here. For 38 injured servicemembers from the Warrior Transition Unit from the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, a day of free fishing meant a day away from treatment to have some fun on this south

  • B-2 arrives at Whiteman AFB

    When 15-year John H. Belanger took his first flying lesson in Menominee, Mich., little did he realize he'd be making aviation history 27 years later by co-piloting the B-2 bomber during arrival ceremonies at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Nor did this lieutenant colonel realize exactly what he was

  • JTF-Bravo deploys to support Tropical Storm Noel relief

    A team of 19 Airmen and Soldiers and two helicopters from Joint Task Force Bravo departed here Nov. 5 heading for the Dominican Republic to assist with recovery efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Noel. The 19 servicemembers and two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were loaded on a C-5 Galaxy from the

  • AETC wins inaugural marathon major command trophy

    Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the Air Force's first recipient of the USAF Marathon MAJCOM Challenge Commander's Trophy. The announcement was made Nov. 2 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., by Gen. Bruce Carlson,

  • DLA-Warner Robins shop humming along following transition

    At a glance, you can't differentiate between Defense Logistics Agency employees and Air Force civilians in the F-15 Eagle wing shop here. Yet work continues to run smoothly following the mid-October activation of DLA-Warner Robins here in which DLA gained 240 employees from the Air Force. The new

  • Combat rescue officers ready for field

    Nineteen men began their Sunday morning Oct. 21 with a three-mile run and 1,500-meter swim here. The intensive physical training test set the stage for six days of grueling workouts and evaluations -- so demanding, in fact, that by Friday only eight men were left. Those eight men are now combat

  • 'Perspective' comments on promotion release system

    In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman comments on the new way to release promotion results which will resolve several issues with the current notification process. "The new process has been extensively tested, and we'll begin using this promotion release avenue

  • Thunderbirds receive first upgraded F-16

    Hill Air Force Base officials rolled out the first of 11 configured F-16 Fighting Falcons for the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.During a ceremonial hand over Oct. 24, attended by incoming 2008-2009 Thunderbirds commander and lead pilot Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, and a full house of

  • Airmen visit Tok Mok orphanage

    Candy and chocolates are quickly eaten, toys and games eventually lose pieces or break, and clothes and shoes are outgrown over time. But the one gift all of these material things bring that lasts a lot longer, perhaps even a lifetime, is the knowledge that somebody genuinely cared enough to help

  • Hockey: Falcons score five in the third for 6-2 win

    The Academy Falcons scored five third-period goals for a 6-2 win over the Mercyhurst College Lakers in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Cadet Ice Arena. The two teams split the series as the Lakers won on Friday, 5-3. With the win, the Academy improved to 4-2-0 overall

  • Pachyderm PCS: Elephant finds new home courtesy of Air Force

    As the sun crested over the foothills of San Andreas, Calif., and the compound's gate opened, she knew she was home. Maggie, the Alaska Zoo's only elephant, arrived at the Performing Animal Welfare Society's ARK 2000 Wildlife Sanctuary Nov. 2, exiting her crate some 15 hours after leaving

  • New legislation affects Tricare supplements

    Many Tricare beneficiaries are getting letters from their employer stating they will no longer offer Tricare supplements as an employer-sponsored medical option effective January 1, 2008. Tricare beneficiaries should look closely at their health care options. A provision of the John Warner National

  • Nov. 3 airpower summary: A-10s provide airpower

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired on enemy combatants

  • Operation Maggie Migration: a mammoth mission

    Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and Travis AFB, Calif., took part in the transport of an unusual traveler Nov. 1 -- possibly their largest airlift passenger ever. Maggie the elephant arrived at Travis for a quick stop before being transported to her final destination at the Performing Animal

  • Airmen, Soldiers help establish military academy

    Nearly, 2,000 young hopefuls descended upon the Afghan National Military Academy recently, all vying for the chance to be accepted into the academy and possibly study in the United States and Great Britain. A group of U.S. Airmen and Soldiers are currently working at the academy helping process the

  • Officials announce virtual enlisted promotion release

    Beginning with the November 2007 chief master sergeant promotion announcement, Airmen will be able to access the results of their promotion consideration on their own from anywhere in the world. Through the new virtual enlisted promotion release system, promotion lists will be posted on the Air

  • Honor guard transitions to new funeral guidelines

    Beginning Nov. 1, honor guard teams across the Air Force will support retiree funeral missions with seven members for standard funerals nationwide. While funerals at Arlington National Cemetery will continue to receive military honors supported by Air Force Honor Guard Airmen, funerals for retirees

  • Air Force's top financial manager visits Keesler for schoolhouse opening

    John G. Vonglis, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller, visited Keesler Oct. 29 for the unveiling of the new financial management officer schoolhouse here. The event marked the official opening of the newly-renovated schoolhouse facility and

  • Air Force energy group wins presidential award

    Every year, the president recognizes outstanding teams of federal employees for their support, leadership and efforts in promoting and improving federal energy management. This year, the Air Force Senior Focus Group on Energy, a top-level leadership organization focused on energy programs for the

  • Operation Maggie Migration flies elephant to California

    The Air Force is flying Maggie, a 25-year-old African elephant, from the Alaska Zoo to her new home in California on a C-17 Globemaster III. Maggie will start her Air Force journey at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska and finish it at Travis AFB, Calif., on Nov. 1. Officials with the Alaska Zoo and

  • Enola Gay pilot, General Tibbets passes away

    Retired Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot of the first atomic bombing mission, died of natural causes Nov. 1 at the age of 92 in Columbus, Ohio.The general was the pilot of "the Enola Gay," the B-29 Superfortress which dropped the first atomic bomb, "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan, on

  • 3rd Wing activates second F-22 squadron

    The 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base activated the 525th Fighter Squadron during a ceremony at the base Oct. 29. The second active-duty F-22 Raptor squadron took its place in wing history nearly three months after the aircraft officially landed on base. Lt. Col. Chuck Corcoran assumed command of

  • Researchers create family of composite materials

    Scientists funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research have constructed an entirely new class of materials that potentially could aid Air Force missions. Dr. David Avnir, Head of the Institute of Chemistry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, led scientists to a surprising

  • Tinker unit designs new welding process for B-2

    When the B-2 Spirit systems support manager here needed three spar caps refurbished for a spare right aft deck kit, he uncovered a larger problem. The aft deck panels on the stealth bomber were not originally designed to be replaced, so there were only a couple of spare right aft deck kits produced.

  • Defense, VA officials to coordinate on patient care

    The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have partnered to put in place 10 federal recovery coordinators charged with managing the care of severely injured servicemembers and their families for as long as a lifetime. Officials from the two departments signed an agreement Oct. 31 outlining the

  • TF33 jet engine shop up and running at Tinker

    The Air Force's lone TF33 Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance shop here achieved full operational capability status in October. "This marks a shift of engine workload from field units to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, enabling the warfighter to focus more on expeditionary capabilities and

  • Large crowd gathers for first air, space expo

    An estimated 85,000 air and space enthusiasts attended the 2007 Holloman Air and Space Expo here Oct. 26 to 28. "This was the first ever live-fly air and space show in the nation," said Brig. Gen. David Goldfein, the 49th Fighter Wing commander. "It was the first time to bring together air and space

  • Ramstein Airmen join team in Iraq

    Six takeoffs. Six landings. Twelve hours. All in a day's work for aircrew members of the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron taking on the mission known as the "pain train." "It's called the pain train because there's just 30 minutes between each stop," said Capt. Robin Cadow, 737th EAS pilot. "At

  • Tactical airlift initiatives further Air Force's total force integration

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced four proposed initiatives Oct. 31 concerning C-130 Hercules tactical airlift, each of which furthers the service's vision for a seamless total force. The initiatives, which would impact communities in Tennessee, New York, Georgia and

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights feedback and evaluation

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on feedback and assessment of Airmen performance. With the introduction of new feedback and performance report forms, Air Force supervisors and rating officials have more viable tools to provide honest feedback and accurate assessments of the Airmen they lead.

  • Open season begins Nov. 12 for civilian benefits programs

    Office of Personnel Management officials have announced an open season will be held Nov. 12 through Dec. 10 for three civilian benefit programs. The three programs are the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, and the Federal Flexible

  • Kunsan Airmen strive for smarter ways to execute with less

    Doing things smarter is something the 8th Fighter Wing is striving for, especially with the entire Air Force having to now accomplish the mission with less. With every commander's call and opportunity senior leaders have had to speak with the Airmen here, they are taking to heart Air Force Smart

  • CSI Honduras: JSF teaches crime scene processing to Honduran police

    The joint security forces unit here hosted 70 local police officers and police academy students Oct. 24 and 26 for a course on crime scene processing. The course is one in a series of classes taught this year, with other lessons involving handcuff procedures, high-risk traffic stops and riot

  • A-10 pilot awarded Mackay Trophy

    Capt. Scott Markle received the Clarence Mackay Trophy during a ceremony here Oct. 29 for his actions while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom last year. Captain Markle, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot from the 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, directly engaged a

  • Air Force wins fourth consecutive Armed Forces Rugby Tournament

    The Air Force rugby team pulled off a decisive 22-5 victory against the Army rugby team in the championship match of the 2007 Armed Forces Rugby Tournament Oct. 27 here. All five branches of service participated in the two-day tournament. The victory marked the fourth consecutive year of Air Force

  • AF anniversary concert airs nationwide Nov. 2

    The mission of the U.S. Air Force Band often places its Airmen in the spotlight of large audiences. Starting in November, the band's concert in honor of the Air Force's 60th anniversary will play on public television from coast to coast. The band recently performed the concert at the The Music

  • Hockey: Air Force earns split with 3-1 win at Bentley

    The Air Force Academy scored one goal in each period for a 3-1 win over Bentley College in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Oct. 27, at the John A. Ryan Arena in Waltham, Mass. The two teams split the AHA series. The Academy improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the AHA. Bentley fell to 1-5 overall

  • Falcons self destruct in 34-31 loss

    It was easy to put a finger on why Air Force lost, 34-31, to New Mexico Oct. 25 in Mountain West Conference play at University Stadium in Albuquerque -- the Falcons couldn't keep their hands on the football. The bluesuiters lost a season-high five fumbles, three in the fourth quarter, which turned a

  • Industry, academic leaders pool brainpower to address IED threat

    The head of the Defense Department's counter-improvised explosive device effort challenged some of the best minds in industry, academia, the national laboratories and the military to come up with better ways to thwart these deadly weapons. Retired Army Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, director of the Joint

  • Officials offer programs for domestic violence awareness

    While stress is not the sole cause, it can be a major contributor to domestic violence among Air Force members and their families, according to Air Force family advocacy experts. In 2006, there were 3,914 reports of domestic abuse involving Airmen as either the victim or offender. Of those, 50

  • New safety plan to hit Fairchild

    A new side of safety will be seen here in the coming days, months and years as the Voluntary Protection Program makes its debut. Fairchild will be the third base in Air Mobility Command to implement the program. The VPP is a program that is "designed to recognize outstanding safety and health

  • Vandenberg firefighters extend helping hand

    Vandenberg Air Force Base firefighters answered the call for help in the Southern California area as more than 26 fires that have burned more than 1,800 homes and 550,000 acres in late October.  In a whirlwind of smoke, flame and ash, more than 1,800 homes and 550,000 acres have burned, but

  • Air Force to fly elephant from Alaska to California

    Air Force members will fly Maggie, a 25-year-old African elephant at the Alaska Zoo, on a C-17 Globemaster IIIs cargo aircraft to her new home in California Nov. 1. Maggie will fly from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, to Travis AFB, Calif., aboard the Alaskan-based C-17. Officials with the Alaska

  • Manas medics participate in professional exchange

    The Manas Air Base surgical team visited the Kyrgyz Republic national surgical center to donate training supplies and other usable items and see local doctors perform surgical cases Oct. 24. "We have excess supplies we gave them to use in training and some for their practices," said Maj. Karla

  • Air Force leaders testify on strategic, budget initiatives

    People, equipment and money were the main topics Oct. 24 when the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee. Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley answered questions from the committee about warfighting resources required

  • Buddy Wing Program teams up U.S., Korean Airmen

    Pilots and maintainers from the 80th Fighter Squadron participated in a Buddy Wing Program exercise Oct. 23 to 25 at Jungwon Air Base, South Korea. The Buddy Wing program is a way for U.S. Air Force and South Korea air force members to develop teamwork, exchange ideas and improve tactics. "It's very

  • Hill volunteers recover long-missing Phantom

    An Air Force recovery team scaled a mountain peak just shy of 9,000 feet on the Utah-Nevada border Oct. 17  to recover pieces of an F-4 Phantom. The aricraft crashed into the Deep Creek Mountains on the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Indian Reservation nearly 30 years ago. The crash claimed the

  • Space Command welcomes new leader

    "Space capabilities have shaped the American way of warfare in the 21st century, just like airpower did in the 20th," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler as he assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here Oct. 24 presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.

  • Kabul Airman brings gifts, smiles to local children

    Thanks to the efforts of an Airman deployed to Kabul International Airport and supporters back in the United States, 47 local youth soccer players are now a little better equipped.Master Sgt. William Whitt, a fuels mentor with the Air Corps Advisors Group here, worked with his wife, Lea-Ellen Whitt,

  • Airmen help Afghans stand up flight medicine clinic

    Like many Airmen around the world, Maj. Mical Kupke's day starts with a brief meeting to plan out the day's events. But that's where the similarity ends. The flight surgeon and her team's day involves mentoring members of the Afghan national army air corps in the field of flight medicine and

  • Beale expands environmental cleanup ability

    Beale Air Force Base environmental members, in conjunction with environmental consultants, recently completed a project that greatly expands the base's ability to perform critical environmental cleanup operations. The project uses a revolutionary process that naturally cleans contaminated

  • Air Force leaders discuss priorities at summit

    Air Force leaders met here Oct. 23 to discuss the future beddown of weapons systems over the next several years, outlining a strategy to address the Air Force's most pressing need: recapitalization and modernization of its aging fleet. The discussion focused on maintaining, evolving and expanding

  • Leaders unveil new partnership for acquisition

    Air Force Materiel Command officials here and acquisition professionals at the Pentagon have recently formed a new partnership to overcome weapon-system acquisition challenges, according to senior Air Force leaders.Sue C. Payton, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and Gen.

  • DOD officials name new senior tribal liason

    Department of Defense officials have announced that David Sanborn, an enrolled member of the Penobscot Nation, will be the department's new senior tribal liaison. The DOD senior tribal liaison has primary responsibility for providing guidance and oversight for the department's American Indian &

  • Wargame explores Air Force options for 2030

    While exercising the strategic proverb of a legendary 16th Century samurai warrior, 130 military strategists and planners gathered here Oct. 14 through 19 to explore future Air Force constructs based on technologies and concepts of the year 2030. Miyamoto Musashi stressed the importance of making

  • Football: Falcons bowl-eligible after win over Wyoming

    The U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons capitalized on five Wyoming turnovers to rally past the Cowboys, 20-12, before a season-high 41,531 fans in football action Oct. 20 at Falcon Stadium here. One of the key plays was when Falcons safety Bobby Giannini's forced fumble recovery for an 85-yard touchdown

  • Program encourages scientific collaborations

    As panel members convene for the organization's 50th annual meeting, a five-nation program geared toward collaboration in defense science and technology is looking at its past and charting its future, a senior Defense Department official said. Andre van Tilborg, deputy undersecretary of defense for

  • Servicemembers deliver food to Honduran mountain village

    Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, hiked Comayagua Mountain to deliver approximately 450 pounds of food to citizens in the remote Bella Vista village Oct. 20. The hike, rated as "physically challenging" by its organizers, took approximately four hours as the

  • 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

  • 'Today's Air Force' features the MQ-9 Reaper

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the Air Force's newest unmanned aerial vehicle, the MQ-9 Reaper. Also featured is the ongoing operation that protects America's skies, Noble Eagle. Finally, get an inside look into raising and training military working dogs. The 30-minute, weekly

  • Global Hawk passes fuel test

    The 452nd Flight Test Squadron pushed the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 20 to its fuel system limits during a week-long starvation test here. The testing involved tilting the aircraft to a 20-degree angle while running the aircraft out of fuel inside the weight and balance hangar. "The testing is very

  • Bagram Airmen help bring better life to Afghan families

    A group of Bagram Airmen joined with their civilian and sister service counterparts Oct. 17 to help bring a better life to the people of Afghanistan, one family at a time. Dubbed Operation Care, the all-volunteer effort collects and delivers clothing, toys, candy, school and hygiene supplies to

  • Air Force retiree funerals change due to manpower cuts

    Base honor guards across the Air Force will be changing the way they perform retiree funerals starting Nov. 1 due to manpower cuts and high operations tempo as well as a higher number of retiree funerals than ever in Air Force history. The formal 10-person funeral will no longer be authorized for

  • Chief McKinley visits Robins, discusses Air Force priorities

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley traveled to Robins Air Force Base Oct. 11 and spoke with Airmen throughout the base. Chief McKinley met with several base units and told enlisted Airmen that the Air Force has a vision and that includes helping Airmen be better prepared to win

  • Worldwide weather system installations completed

    The Electronic Systems Center here has wrapped up a five-year, $70 million effort to replace 110 fixed-based weather sensing systems at sites across the globe. The center and the prime contractor, Coastal Environmental Systems of Seattle, Wash., completed the final installation in Southwest Asia

  • Web tool lets Airmen build online career path

    An Air Force officer's career goals now get broader exposure and move more efficiently through routing thanks to last month's launch of the Airman Development Plan capability, developed by 554th Electronic Systems Group officials and available now through the Virtual Personnel Services Center.

  • Joint team helps build Afghan air corps

    As the Afghan national army air corps begins to spread its wings and take to the air, a group of U.S. servicemembers are by their side, mentoring and advising them every step of the way. Almost 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are working alongside their Afghan counterparts as part of the

  • Bagram Airmen directly support 72-hour battle

    During the last week of September, crews of the 774th Expeditionary Air Squadron conducted one of the largest series of air drop operations in Afghanistan's history, getting nearly 150 tons of food, water and ammunition to coalition troops in the field. However, excitement at the accomplishment

  • Air Force armada all about the ammo

    Not many people know the Air Force has a navy. Ask the typical Airman if he can name even one of the service's ships and he would most likely shrug and say, "Ship? We don't have ships. We fly airplanes." But the fact is the Air Force does have ships. Called the Afloat Pre-positioned Fleet, the

  • German general strengthens partnership with U.S.

    During a 10-day visit to the U.S., the commander of the German air force training command said he wanted to strengthen the German-U.S. military partnership. Brig. Gen. Gerd Bischof visited German trainees stationed at several U.S. locations Oct. 7 to 16, and received tours and briefings that

  • C-130s hit the ice

    A pair of specially equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft, belonging to the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, left here headed for Antarctica Oct. 17. The team hit the ice at McMurdo Statio, Antarctica, one of the coldest, windiest, most inhospitable places on the globe, as part of

  • Eielson's last A-10 carried on final flight

    The last Eielson Air Force Base A-10 Thunderbolt II was strapped in and transported via C-5 Galaxy Oct. 6 from here to its new home at the Museum of Aviation Flight and Technology Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.The aircraft, tail number 75-0305, was being used for weapons ground training at

  • DLA-Warner Robins activated Oct. 15

    The Defense Logistics Agency gained 240 employees Oct. 15 when DLA-Warner Robins stood up here. The "new" employees will provide supply, storage and distribution support to the maintenance activities for Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. DLA activated the new detachment of its aviation supply and

  • Total force Airmen participate in Chilean exercise

    Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Airmen from across the Southwest came together Oct 15 to 19 in Iquique, Chile, to participate in WILLKA, Chile's first exercise with their new F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-5 Freedom Fighters and the U.S. Air Force.Approximately 130 Airmen will train with their

  • Online resource can help deal with life's challenges

    A new online educational resource offers Tricare beneficiaries a secure, safe environment to seek information, educational materials and self-assessment tools on behavioral health, addiction and recovery, life events and daily living skills. "AchieveSolutions" can be accessed through the behavioral

  • Air Force doctors train Pakistanis in battlefield surgery

    Air Force medical professionals are part of an ongoing defense mission to teach their international military counterparts the latest combat-related surgical techniques. A five-person team of Air Force doctors recently returned from Rawalpind, Pakistan, after teaching a five-day course to Pakistani

  • Air Force Week Atlanta wraps up

    Air Force Week Atlanta wrapped up as Airmen participated in the Great Georgia Air Show for thousands of Peach State spectators Oct. 13 and 14 in Peachtree City. The air show culminated weeklong events in Georgia as state residents celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Air Force and got to see

  • AFMC helps develop hybrid truck technology

    When it comes to heavy-duty, special purpose vehicles, some Americans may imagine a gas-guzzling engine and tons of unfriendly emissions taking their toll on the environment. But the Air Force's Advanced Power Technology Office, or APTO, here is working to change the stereotype and prove heavy-duty

  • Chain of successes leads to Reaper operations

    The new MQ-9 Reaper has flown daily missions over Afghanistan since late September.The 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron, in the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Wing, comprises the team of program managers, functional supporters, testers and logisticians who were behind the team effort of getting the

  • Global Cyberspace Integration Center mission formalized

    The Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center here took a step forward in the Air Force's effort to "Fly and Fight in Cyberspace" following the signature of a new mission directive. The directive, signed by Lt. Gen. Michael W. Peterson, Air Force Warfighting Integration and chief information

  • Latest doctrine signed on foreign internal defense

    The latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2-3.1, Foreign Internal Defense, has been approved by Maj. Gen. Allen G. Peck, Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center commander.Although Air Force officials can perform foreign internal defense, or FID, across the range of military

  • Researchers fine-tune F-35 pilot-aircraft speech system

    When the first F-35 Lightning II rolls out in 2008, communications between pilot and aircraft will enter a new era thanks in part to testing and analysis conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate. The F-35 will be the first U.S. fighter aircraft with a speech

  • Mobility Operations School introduces new maintenance simulator

    The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School begins its first classroom use of the new Aircraft Maintenance Production Simulator, or AMPS, in October for its Maintenance Supervision and Production Course, or MSPC. The AMPS is a conversion and upgrade of the Aircraft

  • Football: Falcons, Hall run roughshod over CSU

    At 5 feet 8 inches and 180 pounds, U.S. Air Force Academy senior Chad Hall is one of the smallest players in Division I college football. However, the Z-back (a combination wide receiver/running back) exploded for a Falcon single-game rushing record 256 yards on 31 carries and scored four

  • Air Force officials release new annual training plan details

    Air Force leaders have released the details about the new annual training requirements program for the Total Force. As of Oct. 15, all Airmen will use the new "block instruction" plan that combines nine ancillary training courses into three 30-minute blocks of training, saving more than 6 million

  • First Mach flight propels Yeager, Air Force into history

    It was just another test mission for Capt. Chuck Yeager. Captain Yeager arrived at Muroc Air Force Base, Calif., the morning of Oct. 14, 1947, for what would be his ninth powered flight piloting the Bell X-1. Each of the previous flights demonstrated incremental speed increases as the aircraft

  • Hill fighter squadron excels with Total Force Integration mission

    Being the Air Force's first Total Force Integration fighter association, gives the phrase "one team, one fight" a whole new meaning for Hill Air Force Base's 388th and 419th Fighter Wings. As of July this year, the wings entered Phase III of TFI. Now the 419th FW, a Reserve wing, no longer flies and