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U.S. Air Force News

  • Latest enlisted AFIT nominations due

    Air Force Institute of Technology officials are again offering noncommissioned officers the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.Eight NCOs from around the Air Force will be selected in early 2004 to attend the

  • Deployable civilians provide expertise

    When their units are called to deploy, they line up for their smallpox and anthrax shots, they pack camouflage uniforms and dog tags, they get weapons training, and brush up on their self-aid and buddy-care skills. But these warriors are not airmen -- at least not in the traditional sense.They are

  • Edwards program wins DOD award

    The Drug Demand Reduction program here received the 2002 Secretary of Defense Community Drug Awareness Award on Oct. 27 at the Pentagon.The Secretary of Defense Community Drug Awareness Award is an annual award presented to one base within each branch of the armed forces."The award is given to the

  • Falconer major player in Red Flag

    The airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s Falconer Air Operations Center are here integrating their craft with pilots and controllers who fly the missions over the “enemy” during Red Flag.The center is comprised of 100 airmen, mostly from the 32nd Air Operations Group at Ramstein Air Base,

  • Welch receives Fubini award

    Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz presented the 2003 Eugene G. Fubini Award to retired Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Larry D. Welch on Oct. 23.The Fubini Award is given annually to individuals from the private sector who have made significant contributions to the Department of Defense in

  • AF skeet team earns world championship

    For the fourth time in five years, the Air Force’s skeet team proved they are the best in the military during the 2003 World Skeet Championship held here Oct. 10 to 18.The Air Force has not enjoyed this much success since the late 1980s, according to Tom Clayton, from Charleston Air Force Base,

  • Air Force announces fiscal 2004 ACP program

    The Air Force is retaining the most popular Aviator Continuation Pay options under a fiscal 2004 program, with bonus options offered to eligible pilots, navigators and air battle managers.For eligible pilots, a five-year and a “to 20” years of aviation service option will be offered at $25,000 a

  • Sergeant wins voting-slogan contest

    Staff Sgt. Stephanie Csornok is the first-place winner for the Federal Voting Assistance Program's 2003 voting slogan contest.Her slogan, “It's Your Future. VOTE For It!” beat out more than 2,000 entries for top honors. It will appear in the 2004-2005 Voting Assistance Guide, on motivational

  • Langley names first Raptor squadron

    The 27th Fighter Squadron will be the first of three squadrons here to transition to the F/A-22 Raptor. The Air Force’s newest fighter begins arriving in late 2004, said Col. Frank Gorenc, 1st Fighter Wing commander.“A major factor in this decision is heritage,” Gorenc said. “The (27th FS) is the

  • Moseley discusses reconstitution

    Department of Defense leaders met with the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on readiness Oct. 21 to discuss force reconstitution. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley told committee members that reconstitution is one of the Air Force's top concerns."Our No. 1 task is to

  • AF plans to fill first sergeant slots

    Before the end of the year, Air Force officials will have taken the first step toward eliminating a 10-percent manning shortfall in first sergeant billets. In November, as part of the new First Sergeant Selection Process, Air Force officials expect to release a list of master sergeants selected as

  • Red Tail Express makes final delivery

    Trucks. Lots of trucks. Trucks with aircraft parts, refrigerators, wall lockers, office desks, computer equipment, construction vehicles -- some even hauling other trucks, along with hundreds of other odds and ends. All these items are loaded and strapped onto 18-wheelers and flatbed trailers,

  • AF releases fitness standards

    Air Force leaders released the fitness-scoring charts that will be used beginning Jan. 1.“The amount of energy we devote to our fitness programs is not consistent with the growing demands of our warrior culture. It's time to change that,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper in a Sight

  • Honor Guard recruits airmen

    Air Force Honor Guard officials are always looking for motivated and dedicated airmen and noncommissioned officers for what they call the world's best job.Located here, the 250-person unit seeks airmen E-4 through E-7 for their experience, said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Buckley, the Air Force Honor

  • AFIT honors 2003 distinguished alumni

    The Air Force Institute of Technology honored two 2003 distinguished alumni here Oct. 16. Retired Gen. Lawrence A. Skantze and Retired Lt. Gen. Richard K. Saxer were selected for their pioneering roles in science, engineering and education.“The title of ‘distinguished alumnus’ is the highest honor

  • DOE dominates Defender Challenger

    Air Force and British security forces teams already have their targets picked out for next year’s Defender Challenge competition: The men in black from the Department of Energy. The DOE federal agents may be a tough target to hit, based on the dominance of their 10-man team at Defender Challenge

  • Ellsworth K-9 team finishes fourth in nation

    The top military working dog team in the nation has been marking its territory atop the national rankings since the Ellsworth team formed more than two years ago. The team finished in fourth place at the U.S. Police Canine National Field Trials in Atlantic City, N.J., on Oct. 5 to10 For the second

  • Eagle Flag's importance stressed

    The Air Force’s top two leaders got a first-hand look Oct. 15 at the service’s newest flag-level exercise, Eagle Flag. They also talked about what they want every airman to know about the exercise.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper

  • Airman honors Army friend

    Tech. Sgt. Robert Moore wanted to do something for the friend he had made and lost while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. So he got permission to name an airport fuel storage facility after Army Sgt. Roger Rowe, an Army transportation specialist killed by a sniper July 9.Moore, a fuels

  • Falconer will control Red Flag sky

    America’s ability to dominate air and space during war is being tested Oct. 19 to 31. About 90 airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s 32nd Air Operations Group will descend on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to participate in Red Flag 2003.The airmen comprise what is called a Falconer Air Operations

  • Airman boosts host-nation relations

    During the pre-dawn hours of Oct. 11, Jackal Two, a 380th Air Expeditionary Wing security forces patrol, noticed a vibratory roller -- better known as a steamroller -- with its headlights on, parked outside the perimeter of the base fence. The night-shift patrol feared the worst at this undisclosed

  • TSP open season begins

    Civilian and military employees can sign up for, or change, their Thrift Savings Plan contribution amounts during the "open season" Oct. 15 to Dec. 31."TSP is an easy, long-term retirement savings plan, that everyone should consider," said Senior Master Sgt. Felipe Ortiz, superintendent of the Air

  • HVAC/R -- Al Udeid’s thermostat

    How fast can your day go from good to bad, from comfortable to hot?Give up? Fifty-nine minutes. That is how long it would take.Without air conditioning inside a tent, the temperature can increase by more than 35 degrees in less than an hour. Without the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and

  • The birdmen of Baghdad

    Some airmen who routinely go into harm’s way to assist others, have taken another injured creature of the air under their wings.The New York Air National Guard’s 101st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron has adopted a pigeon that was injured during the Operation Iraqi Freedom conflict.According to Staff

  • Airman reacts to vehicle accident

    While some Air Force reservists were just hitting the snooze alarm at 5:30 a.m., Senior Airman Stacey Miller was hopping fences and wading through mud to get to an accident victim recently.Miller, an aerial porter with Air Force Reserve Command's 49th Aerial Port Flight here, left her Indianapolis

  • Tanker units integrate for teamwork

    In a deployed location, one thing is for certain: Teamwork makes a unit. For the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron here, teamwork went beyond that of one unit, combining assets of five KC-135R Stratotanker units.For a short time the 340th EARS comprised planes and people from the 6th Air

  • Reserve working on force development

    At the 2002 Corona Top conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., the Air Force adopted a new vision for how best to develop its airmen and continue its evolution as an air and space force.The Air Force designed this new force development construct to ensure the right technical and leadership skills are

  • Travis firefighters dominate El Paso challenge

    Firefighter combat challenge teams take note: The Travis team is the real deal. At the regional Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge competition here Oct. 4 and 5, the firefighter team from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., dominated every aspect of the tournament, taking first place in four out of five

  • Airmen participate in Malaysian exhibition

    Rain did not dampen the spirits of Pacific Air Forces airmen showcasing their aircraft at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2003 exhibition here Sept. 30 to Oct. 5. LIMA is one of the biggest defense trade shows in the world and this year more than 800 companies from about 40 nations

  • Young Iraqis arrive at Ramstein

    Eighteen Iraqi children are now receiving long-awaited medical care from the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, thanks to the help of the U. S. Air Force.The children, ages 6 months to 16 years, arrived here Oct. 6 on a C-141 Starlifter from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., out of Baghdad International

  • Helmet saves airman's life

    Airman 1st Class Michael Lashbrooks made a critical decision this summer. The veteran motorcycle rider decided to spend nearly $500 on a top-quality helmet to wear while riding his 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 636. Call it personal risk management or plain common sense -- it saved his life.The scars on

  • Navy edges Air Force

    The U.S. Naval Academy’s 2003 football media guide lists fullback Kyle Eckel as having good size and speed, and being a player who should get better with experience.Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry calls him “possessed.”Eckel ran for 176 yards and a touchdown to lead the Midshipmen to a 28-25 win

  • Rescue mission moves to AFSOC

    A ceremony held at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Oct. 1, marked the official transfer of Air Force combat search and rescue to Air Force Special Operations Command.The transfer is a result of an Air Force chief of staff direction to align the CSAR mission and assets under one command -- Air Force

  • Air Force will test Eagle Flag

    The Air Force will begin its newest flag-level exercise Oct. 13, targeting expeditionary combat-support skills and testing them to the maximum extent. Eagle Flag is to the expeditionary combat-support community what Red Flag is to the fighter community, said Maj. Gen. Christopher A. Kelly, Air

  • Special-duty recruiting teams combine forces

    Two Air Force recruiting teams have combined forces to make it easier for airmen to sign up for special-duty assignments, particularly as recruiters or military training instructors.The dual recruiter and MTI recruiting team provides servicemembers one briefing to learn about these and other

  • Call-to-service enlistee swears in

    The first person to enlist under the National Call to Service program swore in Oct. 1 during a ceremony at the Military Entrance Processing Station in San Antonio. Brig. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., Air Force Recruiting Service commander, administered the oath of enlistment to Hector Barreto from

  • Changes limit quarterly IDTs for reservists

    Changes went into effect Oct. 1 limiting the number of inactive-duty-for-training periods a reservist may perform during a three-month quarter.The changes provide a training schedule policy for all Air Force Reserve Command airmen. They provide senior managers better management of training

  • AF Climate Survey kicks off

    People have the power to change the future when they complete the 2003 Air Force Climate Survey. It launched Oct. 1.“'Speak Today, Shape Tomorrow' is a great message for all of us,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray. “I strongly encourage you to participate in this survey. I

  • Cop becomes crew chief for a day

    On a typical day at work, Airman 1st Class Andrew Cox is an entry controller with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here, directing hundreds of cars through the entry control point. Recently, he spent his day directing a KC-135 Stratotanker into the air.The opportunity to launch a

  • Airmen nearly sweep DOD fire awards

    The Air Force nearly swept the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services awards program, winning five out of six award categories for the second year in a row. Air Force firefighters won the top awards for military firefighter, military fire officer, civilian fire officer and fire department

  • AFPC offers enlisted promotion tips

    Officials at the Air Force Personnel Center have released a list of things airmen should focus on to give themselves the best possible chance for promotion.Officials advise airmen to start preparing for promotion early, not get lax in study habits, and ensure study materials are current.To learn

  • Fighters benefit from Link 16

    A recent Electronic Systems Center effort has improved targeting accuracy and allowed air operations centers to change F-15 Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle mission variables “on the fly.”Members of the Tactical Data Link System Program Office equipped all 22 operational F-15 active-duty and Air

  • C-5 team achieves '23 in '03'

    Maintainers here cut four months off individual C-5 Galaxy programmed depot maintenance times in fiscal 2003 which allowed them to deliver a center-record 23rd cargo giant back to the warfighter Sept. 24.The 23rd aircraft represented the most C-5s center workers have ever taken through PDM in a

  • New ribbon recognizes deployed airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche has approved award of the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon to recognize servicemembers’ support of air expeditionary force deployments.The ribbon will be awarded to Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard members who completed a contingency

  • Guardsmen, reservists essential to war effort

    National Guard and Reserve forces "have been absolutely essential" to the war on terrorism, the commander of U.S. Central Command told the Senate Appropriations Committee. His comments came during a Sept. 24 hearing about the fiscal 2004 supplemental funding request for Iraq and Afghanistan."We

  • New R&R leave program set

    Servicemembers and Defense Department civilians on 12-month orders in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom now have a rest and recuperation leave program. The program allows them to take up to 15 days, excluding travel time, to visit family or friends in the United States or Europe.David S.C.

  • C-130 maintainers finish Herculean effort

    For two years, maintenance crews from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, have kept the 317th Airlift Group’s C-130 Hercules aircraft flying over lands far removed from the Lone Star State.This week, the unit ends 24 consecutive months of deployment and is heading home.Hercules aircrews with the 777th

  • DUI offenders relate experiences

    A Tyndall senior airman was leaving a Panama City restaurant parking lot when the tires of his sport utility vehicle squealed, gaining the attention of a city police officer nearby.As far as the airman was concerned, he had only consumed what he felt was a minimal amount of beer. He was startled to

  • Recruiting service names Blue Suit winners

    The Air Force Recruiting Service recently recognized the fiscal 2003 winners of Operation Blue Suite XXV. The program recognizes the Air Force's top recruiters worldwide."This is the first time I've received a Blue Suit award," said Tech. Sgt. Scott J. Wealton, from the 368th Recruiting Squadron in

  • October issue of Citizen Airman available

    Although thousands of Air Force reservists are still actively involved in supporting operations worldwide, Air Force Reserve Command officials are busy gathering lessons learned from current and recent operations.Read about the command’s effort to examine its performance in the October issue of

  • Guard F-16 crashes in Louisiana

    A Texas Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed during a routine training mission Sept. 22. The crash occurred in a wooded area approximately 200 miles northeast of Houston, near Rosepine, La. The pilot ejected safely and no one was injured on the ground.A search and rescue team from Fort

  • New Air Force guidance issued for frocking

    The Air Force has issued new guidance on frocking, the practice of pinning on a higher rank after selection for that grade but before the actual promotion date.One of the changes is delegation of the approval/disapproval authority to the Air Force Personnel Center commander for frocking to major and

  • Air Force names best commander, spouse team

    The Air Force’s best wing commander and spouse team was recently named by Air Force Personnel Center officials at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.The 2003 recipients of the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O’Malley award are Col. William A. Chambers, 11th Wing commander here, and his spouse, Bonnie.“My

  • AF officials announce marathon results

    More than 3,300 runners from 49 states and eight foreign countries ran in the seventh Air Force Marathon here Sept. 20.Opening ceremonies took place at 6:30 a.m. Wheelchair competitors began the 26.2-mile race at 7 a.m.; individual runners started at 7:05 a.m.; relay teams and half-marathon (13.1

  • AF announces team-excellence awards

    Air Force officials announced the five teams selected for the 2003 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award on Sept. 16 during the Air Force Association convention in Washington, D.C.A total of 15 teams were nominated for this year’s award, which recognizes outstanding team performance and promotes

  • Junior ROTC seeks teachers

    The Air Force needs more military retirees to take on teaching roles in high-school classrooms as the service expands its Junior ROTC program. The 744 units in high schools worldwide offer many opportunities for qualified, eligible applicants, said Jo Alice Talley, Junior ROTC instructor management

  • AF Climate Survey launches Oct. 1

    Air Force leaders at all levels want to know, “How is my organization doing?” The 2003 Air Force Climate Survey begins Oct. 1 to answer this question with the help of Air Force people.Their participation in the survey is critical, said senior leaders.“Leadership must be made aware of what’s really

  • Lab earns DOD modeling, simulation award

    Showcasing better and more effective ways to train, warfighter training research division experts here captured top honors in the Defense Department's 2003 Modeling and Simulation Award training category.The training systems technology team earned the award that recognizes units, organizational

  • Bases provide hurricane refuge

    Nearly 180 aircraft worth billions of dollars have safely taken refuge at four Air Force Materiel Command installations, moving away from Hurricane Isabel's wrath.The aircraft moved as part of previously-agreed-to contingency plans between the impacted base and the evacuation point, according to

  • CAP helps Air Force face Isabel

    As Hurricane Isabel makes landfall on the Eastern seaboard, Civil Air Patrol officials are helping the Air Force manage storm-related operations.The CAP is the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, located at Langley Air Force Base, Va., has moved its

  • Jumper addresses global chiefs

    The Air Force’s top uniformed leader addressed more than 90 air chiefs from around the globe Sept. 16 as part of the Air Force Association's Airpower Symposium. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper's comments covered a broad range of topics, including the making of today's heroes, the

  • OTS selection board results released

    Air Force officials are giving 13 enlisted airmen the chance to trade in their stripes for gold bars by choosing them to attend Officer Training School, officials announced Sept. 16.Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 307 applications as part of OTS Selection Board 0308, which met here

  • Outstanding airmen honored

    The Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2003 received a ceremonial tribute Sept. 15 at the Air Force Association convention here.Each year, the AFA honors the 12 airmen at its annual convention in Washington, D.C. The program was initiated at the organization’s 10th annual national

  • Squadron wins DOD maintenance award

    The 74th Fighter Squadron here has been named winner of the 2003 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award in the small category.The A-10 Thunderbolt II unit was the only Air Force winner out of six units in the small, medium and large categories.The selection panel looked at mission accomplishments,

  • Global chiefs discuss air power

    More than 90 air power leaders from around the world convened here to interact with each other, members of Congress, national dignitaries, industry leaders and diplomats.The last Global Air Chiefs Conference, held in Las Vegas in 1997, was during the Air Force's 50th anniversary. This year's

  • Distant cousins reunite in desert

    In a deployed environment, amazing things can happen. For Lt. Col. Kevin Turnbo and Tech. Sgt. Robert Turnbo, being deployed turned into a lesson in family history.“My first thought was, ‘Wow! There is a guy in the Air Force with the same last name and spelling as mine,’ ” said the colonel, who is

  • Dawn patrol flies in for rendezvous

    A trio of Fokker Dr. I triplanes approached the field from the north, emerging over a tree line as they began a measured descent. Their engines punctuated the air with a reverberating roar as the warbirds passed over the field and climbed to a higher altitude once again.For thousands of observers

  • AF wins softball championship

    The Air Force team won the 2003 Armed Forces Women’s Softball Championship held here Sept. 8 to 10. “Our goal was not to go undefeated; it was to win the gold,” said Air Force head coach Master Sgt. William Hardy, from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. This is exactly what happened. The Army team

  • 2003 AFA convention opens

    The 2003 Air Force Association convention began Sept. 15 including a gathering of more than 90 global air chiefs from around the world.Honor guardsmen posted flags from each nation represented at the convention, visually reinforcing the global nature of the annual gathering. The Global Air Chiefs

  • Now showing: Sept. 15 edition of AFTV News

    The contribution airmen make at the detainee center in U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is chronicled in the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Pachari Lutke has an exclusive look at how airmen are helping guard the hundreds of detainees being held at the center as part of

  • Thunderbird crashes at air show

    An Air Force Thunderbird demonstration team aircraft crashed during an air show here Sept. 14. The pilot, Capt. Chris Stricklin, ejected safely from his F-16 Fighting Falcon. He was treated and released by military medics. The Thunderbirds are based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. At the time of

  • Eielson forces respond to base fire

    Firefighters and security forces here contained a fire in base housing Sept. 7 at around 6 p.m.The heating unit of an empty waterbed in the bedroom ignited the fire, according to officials.“The fire crews did an awesome job. It was a textbook operation,” said Master Sgt. Shawn Ricchuito, 354th

  • KC-135s stay perfect during 17-day hot streak

    Really good or just lucky – which describes the 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron?From Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, all of the KC-135 Stratotankers here were ready, willing and able to get the job done in the sky over Afghanistan.The mission-capable rate target for Air Mobility Command

  • No plans to extend Guard, Reserve

    Air Force officials do not plan to extend the involuntary deployment of Reserve and Air National Guard airmen to Iraq.About 4,700 ANG and Reserve airmen are deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to a senior Air Force official, about 12,000 deployed Air Reserve Component airmen have

  • Airman rings ‘Bell of Remembrance’

    One of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year helped the U.S. Senate pay tribute to the victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on America.Senior Master Sgt. Thomas McConnell represented the Air Force in a ceremony Sept. 11 to introduce the Senate Resolution of Remembrance. McConnell is an

  • Airmen remember pain of Sept. 11

    Time is said to heal all wounds, but how much time heals emptiness left behind when more than 3,000 lives are instantaneously and mercilessly cut short? Two years have passed since Sept. 11, yet servicemembers here, like all Americans, continue to sort through the pain of personal and symbolic

  • Airmen set up staging facility in Bulgaria

    Airmen from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron set up an active mobile aeromedical staging facility here for Exercise Cooperative Key 2003.The squadron is one of four in the Air Force capable of the task.“Some of us have prior real-world (staging facility) experience in (operations) Enduring

  • Miss America contestants visit Andrews

    As part of their tribute to America’s armed forces, Miss America 2003 and the 51 women competing for her crown came here Sept. 5 to join airmen for breakfast at the Andrews Officers’ Club.The airmen ate with the contestant from each of their states.The contestants signed autographs and had their

  • Deployed aircraft given ISO inspection

    Maintainers recently completed a comprehensive inspection of a deployed aircraft here for the first time when a Kentucky Air National Guard C-130 Hercules underwent a complete isochronal inspection.Isochronal inspections examine numerous essential aircraft systems like propulsion and hydraulics,

  • BRAC e-mail story deemed a hoax

    An e-mail hoax has been circulating through inboxes. The e-mail contains a spoofed Air Force Print News story about proposed base realignment and closure actions allegedly affecting all services.Air Force public affairs officials were alerted to the hoax by a military officers’ association in

  • Airmen arrive in Poland for air meet

    U.S. pilots and maintainers arrived here Sept. 4 for an operation placing them with, and pitting them against, the world’s foremost fighter aircraft. NATO Air Meet 2003, a major recurring exercise, kicked off live-flying exercises Sept. 5 and runs through Sept. 19 here and at Powidz Air Base,

  • Air battle management system honored

    An Air Force program that cuts across service lines and allows automated and fully integrated air battle management has been selected to receive an award of excellence.The Theater Battle Management Core Systems was chosen to receive the Association for Enterprise Integration’s Government Award for

  • Airmen join nations in exercise

    More than 70 airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases arrived here Sept. 1 for Exercise Cooperative Key 2003. They joined servicemembers from eight NATO nations and 12 partner nations.According to officials here, the goal of the exercise is to enhance the interoperability of NATO and partner

  • Airmen donate items to Bulgarian children

    Airmen of the 86th Contingency Response Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, donated van-loads of clothing, toys, games and books to school children here Sept 2.They brought the donated goods with them as they deployed to participate in the NATO Partnership for Peace exercise, Cooperative Key

  • Officials announce OTS selections

    Air Force officials are giving 11 enlisted airmen the chance to trade in their stripes for gold bars by choosing them to attend Officer Training School, officials announced Sept. 3. Air Force Recruiting Service officials conducted OTS Selection Board 0307, which met here. The board considered 206

  • Combined Federal Campaign kicks off

    The 2003 to 2004 Combined Federal Campaign began Sept. 1 and will run for six consecutive weeks through Dec. 15 for bases within the continental United States. The overseas CFC campaign will be conducted for Oct. 1 through Dec. 15.Exact dates and campaign goals are established in each geographic

  • Airmen patrol enemy’s side of wire

    In a hot and dusty Afghani valley, there is land scarred with land mines and tied down with concertina wire fences separating American heroes from terrorists. The environment alone is hostile, featuring sweltering summers and bone-chilling winters. The habitat is a haven for venomous creatures and

  • Satellite launches in Florida

    The last Phase III Defense Satellite Communications System launched on board a Delta IV rocket from here Aug. 29. The satellite system will operate for the next 15 years and replaces another that was launched in 1995, according to 45th Space Wing officials. The Department of Defense satellite

  • Airmen supporting JTF in Cuba

    A handful of airmen are among those supporting Joint Task Force-Guantanamo charged with supporting the detainee mission here. More than 2,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and airmen are supporting the war on terrorism by providing humane treatment and care to approximately 660

  • Airmen attend Army weather course

    Several experienced Air Force forecasters completed a pilot version of a new course designed to help airmen provide weather support for Army operations.The first official staff weather officer course is scheduled for October. Its instructors teach Air Force weather specialists some of the Army’s

  • Medical-grade oxygen available at Ganci

    “E-DOCS” is now up and running here but it is not a Web-based replacement for the medical staff.The Expeditionary Deployable Oxygen Concentration System is a big step forward for medical care at this forward base, said Maj. Cheryl Bott, chief of aerospace medicine for the 376th Expeditionary Medical

  • 'Hunters' fly with hurricanes

    As the midway point of hurricane season approaches, the 53rd Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" here remain vigilant about tropical-weather threats.The Hurricane Hunters are part of Air Force Reserve Command’s 403rd Wing here. They are the only Department of Defense organization still

  • Base is first to test alternative fuel cell

    A new fuel cell is giving airmen here a sneak peek at the Defense Department's proposed plan for using hydrogen as an alternative fuel source. The test unit installed here is the fifth in the Department of Defense and the first to be evaluated on an Air Force base, officials said.Thirty military

  • Recruiting, retention outlook good

    Despite predictions to the contrary, Americans are continuing to volunteer for the military, and those already in are re-enlisting at a vigorous rate.Early in the war on terrorism, many critics predicted the United States would have to return to the draft to man the forces. But in this 30th year of

  • Fitness experts: Start training now

    Air Force fitness experts say airmen must begin preparations now if they want to pass the new fitness evaluations in January. "They need to start training today for year-round fitness to meet mission readiness. They must include running, push-ups and crunches into their program," said Sylvia Goff,

  • Former TAC commander dead at 76

    The general who led Tactical Air Command for more than six years died Aug. 26 in Las Vegas at the age of 76.Retired Gen. Wilbur L. “Bill” Creech, TAC commander from May 1, 1978, to Dec. 31, 1984, is survived by his wife Caroline A. Creech.Creech was a command pilot who flew more than 40 fighter,

  • Airmen play in national exercise

    Operations, logistics and medical experts here continue to assist state and federal agencies in a simulated nation-wide battle against the pneumonic plague, wildfires and bad weather, which began Aug. 18.The exercise, Determined Promise ‘03, was designed to test U.S. Northern Command’s

  • Teamwork reaches back to junior ROTC

    While flying combat missions over Iraq, 1st Lt. Brian Huster is never alone.As a co-pilot on a KC-10A Extender, he is part of crew of four aviators, and he is connected with the team of thousands of U.S. and coalition troops fighting the global war on terrorism. But for this new flier, there is an

  • Rumsfeld: Two options in terror war

    Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told servicemembers at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 25 the United States faced only two options in its war on terror: Fight the terrorists where they live today, or fight them in America tomorrow.Rumsfeld said the war on terrorism is unlike any the United

  • DOD students score high on national test

    Results show Defense Department school system students scored consistently higher than the national average on a standardized test.Numbers from the 2003 TerraNova 2nd Edition standardized test revealed DOD third-to eleventh-graders scored higher than the national 50th-percentile average in the