Transformation gives troops advantage in operations

If the Defense Department's training transformation effort was summed up into a simple bumper-sticker-type slogan, it would read, "Train as you operate," a senior Defense Department official told the Pentagon Channel. That's a concept that Paul Mayberry, deputy undersecretary of defense for

Airmen prepare base for return to Iraqi control

In order for coalition troops to leave Iraq, the Iraqis must first be prepared to take over operations from the coalition. Part of accomplishing that task involves coalition forces training and validating the new Iraqi military. Four Airmen assigned to a small forward operating base about 10 miles

Air Force accepting physician assistant applications

The Air Force is taking applications from active-duty enlisted Airmen for Physician Assistant Phase I training classes beginning in January, April and August 2008. The selection board convenes at the Air Force Personnel Center on March 27. Completed applications must arrive at HQ AFPC/DPAMW, 550 C

Allied aircrews train for action

More than 300 German and American aircrews are expanding their scope of modern coalition warfare during a two-week training exercise that concludes June 30. The exercise is the final stage of training for weapons instructors with the German Air Force Flying Training Center, or GAF-TC, stationed at

Chief of staff presents sergeant with Purple Heart Medal

A sergeant severely wounded in action in Afghanistan received the Purple Heart Medal today, pinned on his chest by the Air Force chief of staff. Staff Sgt. Israel del Toro Jr. accepted the medal from Gen. T. Michael Moseley at a ceremony at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San

F-22 excels at establishing air dominance

Beginning with Lot 7 production of the F-22 Raptor, the Air Force hopes to enter into a cost-saving, multi-year procurement contract with the aircraft and engine manufacturer. According to Maj. Gen. Richard B.H. Lewis, Air Force executive officer for the F-22 program, a multi-year procurement

Medical Airmen train with Honduran ENT residents

The hallways inside Hospital Escuela and sidewalks outside are lined with patients who have come here from throughout Honduras. The patients are waiting to be seen by medical residents at this training hospital specializing in the ear, nose and throat treatment. The residents have been joined by

Bilateral training benefits U.S., Japanese enlisted leaders

Nine Japan Air Self-Defense Force senior enlisted leaders took part in their first U.S. Air Force First Sergeant Symposium here as part of a bilateral exchange. Fifty-eight U.S. Air Force and Japanese senior NCOs participated in academics and training June 19 to 23 to learn how to be better first

Airmen teach skills to Afghans to rebuild their country

Saeed graduated from a Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team trade school eight months ago after learning carpentry and plumbing skills. Recently, the PRT trade school's mission of teaching life skills to the people of Afghanistan compelled Saeed to return to the school, not as a student, but as a

Airmen train Soldiers for protection mission

Airmen from the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here have found themselves performing a unique mission in the last month -- providing training to 164 Soldiers. "It wasn't so much training as (it was) refreshing their skills and letting them know some specifics about protecting Ali Base

Agriculture day in Afghan province brings hope

The future for residents here is full of hope thanks to programs and initiatives directed by Gov. Haji Bahlol and supported by the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team. The governor established education and agriculture as his top two priorities respectively, and he is following word with action.

Arizona Cardinal visits Incirlik

Running routes in 94-degree heat is nothing new to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. He does the same thing every summer in Tempe, Ariz., for training camp.But Tempe is a long way away from Incirlik, where Mr. Fitzgerald was running routes June 21 with a bunch of unlikely teammates

Khobar Towers changed Air Force focus on force protection

It was around 10 p.m. on June 25, 1996, when Staff Sgt. Alfredo Guerrero went to check the security post on the rooftop of an eight-story Khobar Towers apartment building at Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia. He asked the sentry on watch if everything was OK. Below them, residents in the rooms were

Air Force stands ready for 2006 hurricane season

With hurricanes Katrina and Rita still fresh on their minds, Air Force officials stand ready to face anything Mother Nature may throw at them this hurricane season, senior leaders here said. “We provide first-in, last-out support for humanitarian crises and natural disasters,” said Air Force Chief

International cadet program expands at academy

The U.S. Air Force Academy's first cadets from Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Belize and Madagascar begin their academy experience today. They are among 20 international basic cadet trainees who begin inprocessing to join the Class of 2010. The new international basic cadet trainees hail from:

Officials name aircrew life support award winners

Air Force officials here have announced the 2005 Outstanding Air Force Aircrew Life Support of the Year award winners. These awards recognize the accomplishments of aircrew life support people and programs. The 2005 winners are: -- Headquarters Staff Member of the Year: Master Sgt. Richard Colson,

Joint training at Valiant Shield

Air Force announces new mission at Cannon AFB

Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., will be the new home for an Air Force special operations wing, Air Force officials announced June 20.Air Force Special Operations Command will accept ownership of Cannon AFB and the Melrose Range effective Oct. 1, 2007. The decision came as a result of an eight-step

Airmen, Soldiers polish skills at Golden Medic

Air Force reservists from around the country deployed here June 10 to 19 to participate in the Army Reserve's largest medical exercise, Golden Medic 2006. About 200 Airmen set up a base at the city's regional airport. At nearby Fort Gordon, nearly 2,000 Soldiers took part in the exercise. More than

Air Force announces aviation resource management awards

Air Force officials have announced the 2005 Outstanding Air Force Aviation Resource Management of the Year award winners.The winners are: -- Airman of the Year: Senior Airman April Derrick, 384th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. -- NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Clayton Raub, 48th

Central Command's mission more than Iraq, Afghanistan

U.S. Central Command is responsible for more than fighting the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, and CENTCOM officials emphasize they are not ignoring the challenges in the rest of their area of operations. A senior CENTCOM official, speaking on background June 12, said the major enemy in the

Robins team gives fast assist to special ops warfighters

When MH-53 Pave Low crews discovered they were more vulnerable to small-arms fire than they thought, they put out a call for help. A team from the 330th Special Operations Support Group, now called the 580th Aircraft Sustainment Group, answered the call. What had alarmed one crew was finding that a

B-2s stay in shape with exercises

The 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron has spent the past three weeks refining the skills necessary to maintain the B-2 Spirit, one of the world’s most advanced weapon systems. During exercises Valiant Shield, continuing through June 23, and Northern Edge, which ran from June 5 to 16, B-2 aircrew

Squadron monitors sky over Afghanistan

If it’s flying over Afghanistan, Airman 1st Class Kyle Neill will be the first one to notice it. That is, as long as he is on shift as a surveillance technician with the 73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron here. Airman Neill's job is to manage data as part of a two-person team in an operations

Operation Air Force brings cadets to the fight

Nineteen U.S. Air Force Academy cadets have deployed to Southwest Asia for a month as part of Operation Air Force. The career-broadening program brought a total of 52 senior cadets to three air bases in the region to learn more about what they will do once they receive their commissions. It also

Chief Murray reflects on Air Force career

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray will retire Oct. 1 after a 29-year career. The chief was at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, on June 16 to help commemorate the 60th anniversary of Air Force basic training. After the ceremony he sat down for an interview with Air Force Radio

Northern Edge 2006 takes joint operations to next level

Exercise Northern Edge 2006, Alaska's largest joint training exercise, concluded June 16.Nearly 5,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen worked together against a simulated enemy for two weeks, destroying targets on land and in the sea, gaining control of the Alaskan sky and performing

Core values start with oath

For the Air Force core values program to be effective, those values must be linked to the oath taken when entering military service, said Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff, special assistant to the Air Force secretary and chief of staff for values and vision. "Core values (form) a framework for a vision," he

Smoke-free clinic encourages healthy lifestyle

Encouraging healthy lifestyles is the focus of a new policy at the 36th Medical Group here.A no smoking policy is now in effect for everyone assigned to the 36th MDG while they are on its campus, including the parking spaces adjacent to the clinic. Signs are being erected to request visitors keep

Academy grads team up for reality show

In a “quest for a promised hidden treasure,” a team of three former Air Force officers are competing against nine teams on NBC's new adventure series "Treasure Hunters." The team of U.S. Air Force Academy graduates includes husband and wife Matt and Brooke Rillos and their friend Matt Zitzlsperger.

Security forces get lifesaving training

Security forces Airmen here train for missions beyond the scope of their traditional roles. Thanks to the U.S. Army, they now have training that may save someone’s life. Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron completed a 40-hour combat lifesaving course.The Airmen learned basic

Exercise highlights Raptor synergy, joint capabilities

The final mission flies today at Northern Edge 2006, but the majority of the results are already in, and success is the buzzword from Alaska. During the two-week joint service exercise, several scenarios have proven that the interoperability and integration between American assets are stronger than

Andersen prepares for Valiant Shield

Air Force bombers, fighters, tankers and support aircraft from the Pacific theater are arriving and making preparations for Valiant Shield 2006. The U.S. Pacific Command exercise, which runs June 19 to 23, will be conducted in the vicinity of Guam. Valiant Shield focuses on integrated joint training

Zarqawi air strike shows aerial flexibility, general says

The attack that killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi demonstrates the flexibility that air assets give commanders, officials here said. Brig. Gen. Stephen Hoog, an air planner with Multinational Force Iraq, gave a timeline of the operation that resulted in the death June 7 of the most wanted terrorist in

Pararescuemen chance the extremes

From an altitude of 3,500 feet, Air Force pararescue jumpers, or PJs, leap from a C-130 Hercules in an effort to rescue three victims from the frigid waters of the Kachemak Bay in Alaska. This was one of three training scenarios for PJs deployed to Alaska for Northern Edge 2006. “Alaska’s different

Scientific researchers review molecular dynamics

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research here completed a periodic review of its molecular dynamics research program during an annual conference last week.More than 90 researchers and scientists attended the 2006 Contractors Meeting in Molecular Dynamics. Organizations represented included the

Lackland honors nine enlisted heroes

Nine enlisted heroes earned honors for their service and sacrifice to the Air Force and the nation during the Basic Military Training Memorialization Ceremony at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. At the June 14 ceremony, the base renamed and dedicated basic military training facilities to nine Airmen

RAF Lakenheath welcomes new mission, aircraft

The first two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the 56th Rescue Squadron arrived here from Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, via a C-17 Globemaster III June 12 and 13. Five aircraft and many operators and maintainers are moving here as part of the reallocation of the Iceland-based unit. “We’re

JIB communicates Northern Edge 2006 mission

Most people think of men and women in uniform wearing Kevlar vests and armed with rifles when they hear “military.” For the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines working here in the joint information bureau at Exercise Northern Edge 2006, pens, notebooks and cameras are just as critical as their

Tanker Task Force keeps Northern Edge flying

If a driver could fill up the car with gas without stopping, imagine how efficient driving would be. The Tanker Task Force here provides efficient service to drivers in the air at Northern Edge, Alaska’s joint training exercise. Seventeen tankers and 12 total force units from around the country

Air Force announces integration, information award winners

The winners of the Air Force’s annual Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer Awards for 2005 have been announced. “Each year, the quality of the nominations we receive shows we have troops at every level of command who continue to excel in conducting warfighter missions around the

International media focus on C-17 training

Australian TV Channel 9 focused its camera June 12 on 12 Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules and CC08 Caribou pilots and loadmasters here receiving transition training to the C-17 Globemaster III. About 3,000 aircrew members are trained here annually, along with 15 to 35 international students

Hawaii Airmen to deliver health care to Fiji

Pacific Air Forces and 15th Medical Group Airmen left here June 14 on a health care mission to Suva, Fiji, where they will train Fijian military leaders and participate in a humanitarian outreach program. “We’re going to be working with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Fiji School of Medicine to

FOD is Public Enemy No. 1

Tiny objects make big trouble for jet engines -- something smaller than a fingernail can destroy an engine worth hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars. Foreign object damage, or FOD, typically occurs when small objects such as hardware fragments from aircraft are ingested into the

Keesler newcomers face family housing hurdles

As this base struggles with housing shortages from Hurricane Katrina's wake, Airmen being assigned here accompanied by family members need to have a plan before they leave their current assignment. Due to Katrina, permission for servicemembers to bring their family members to Keesler has become much

Hurricane Hunters track down Alberto

Air Force reservists from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron’s “Hurricane Hunters” began flying the year’s first storm missions June 10 into Tropical Storm Alberto. The Hurricane Hunters found that the center of the cyclone had abruptly reformed near the deep convection and was relocated some

Air Force urologist receives first-place recognition

An Air Force urologist received first-place recognition for best urologist-in-training scientific paper at the national meeting of the American Urologic Association in Atlanta, an event attended by more than 10,000 international participants. Maj. (Dr.) Kyle Weld is the urology department assistant

Maintainers keep B-2s soaring during deployment

Maintaining the world’s most advanced multi-role bomber isn’t an easy job. It requires Airmen work long hours to ensure every inch of airframe is ready to launch at a moment’s notice. Anything less would jeopardize the safety of the aircrew, or in the case of this unique aircraft, compromise the

Airman trains Hollywood actors for 'Transformers' movie

For authentic military aspects, DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures looked no further than Air Force Airmen for the major motion picture production “Transformers.” Actors trained for their individual military parts with an Air Force senior NCO. Master Sgt. Ray Bolinger, combat controller with the 22nd

Virtual 'heavies' key to Northern Edge simulations

The days of deploying an E-3 Sentry and other command and control aircraft to military exercises may soon be a rarity. With a large crew and an aging airframe, airborne warning and control systems, or AWACS, are expensive to deploy for a two-week training opportunity. But thanks to powerful computer

Teams combine efforts to save lives

In an effort to build better relationships and save lives, the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s Fire Department and Manas International Airport Emergency Response team joined forces and trained June 6 to 7. “We have a memorandum of agreement that allows either party to request

Training exchange strengthens ties between U.S., Argentina

A delegation from the Argentinean air force completed a weeklong visit on June 9 to the 479th Flying Training Group here as part of an international exchange program. Capt. Gustavo Pollastrelli, Capt. Juan Sabalua and 1st Lt. Roberto Montaldo, all Argentinean instructor pilots from Mendoza Air Force

Bracing for the storm

It’s hurricane season again, and Air Force bases along the Southern coastline are bracing for what many experts are predicting could be another busy summer. In 2005, four major hurricanes -- Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma -- combined to produce more than $1 billion in damage to Air Force

Northern Edge aims for air, sea dominance

“Our end result (of Northern Edge 2006) is to establish complete dominance in the air and at sea,” said Col. John Marselus, chief of the Joint Exercise Division, or JED, for U.S. Alaskan Command.The focus of the annual joint-service exercise is to prepare joint forces to respond to crises in the

Commando Warrior prepares Airmen for war on terrorism

Weapons tactics. Night operations. Improvised explosive devices and convoy training. Knowledge of all four areas is important.  That knowledge aids in the survival and victory of a combat unit. But that knowledge isn't inherently known by everyone in the military; it has to be learned. That's where

Air Force announces annual Public Affairs Achievement Awards

On behalf of Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Col. Michelle Johnson, director of Public Affairs and deputy director of Strategic Communications here, announced the 2005 Public Affairs Achievement Awards.“My heartiest congratulations to

Joint training in Vermont mountains

VA beefs up data security procedures

The Department of Veterans Affairs is revamping its data security procedures following last month's theft of a VA laptop computer that contained personal information of veterans and military personnel still in uniform, the secretary of the VA told a congressional committee. "We will stay focused on

New squadron first step in C-130 training pipeline

The first stop C-130 Hercules aircrew members will make in the training pipeline before operating the "Herc" is at the newly created 714th Training Squadron here. Lt. Col. Thomas Anderson assumed command of the squadron in a ceremony June 5 in the base's newest C-130 hangar. Col. Andy Hamilton,

AETC deploys new pilot screening for fiscal '07

Air Education and Training Command officials here announced they will field a new psychomotor skills test to be required of all candidates meeting pilot selection boards after Oct. 1. The replacement of the Basic Aptitude Test with the new Test of Basic Aviation Skills represents a command

Missileers receive new computer capabilities

Airmen who pull alert in ICBM launch control centers deep underground in remote locations around the country are virtually cut off from the outside world. Ensuring America’s intercontinental ballistic missile force is ready at a moment’s notice may be considered a lonely, isolated job with an

Force shaping necessary for AF budgetary management

As Air Force officials continue to implement 2006 force shaping initiatives, they prepare for the majority of personnel reductions set for fiscal 2007. They plan to reduce the service's current size by 40,000 full time equivalent positions by 2011. This amounts to roughly 35,000 active duty

First group of Air Force civilians now part of NSPS

Although there have been only two pay periods since the Department of Defense’s new civilian pay system began, the transition to the National Security Personnel System has been smooth, said an NSPS official here. “The system conversion to NSPS went very well,” said Deborah Carlton, NSPS deputy chief

Cadets experience summer school for warriors

Summertime for university students is normally the chance to relax and unwind after surviving grueling semesters of cramming for exams and researching term papers. Some students spend this time at home with their family; some travel to tropical vacations spots. Some students go to a war zone.

DOD consolidates detainee medical care policy

The Defense Department issued an instruction June 6 detailing the standards of medical care in detainee operations. DOD Instruction 2310.08, "Medical Program Support for Detainee Operations," reaffirms the responsibility of health care professionals to protect and treat all detainees under their

Small aircraft take on some of the biggest missions

Patrolling the sky over Iraq for more than 2,250 hours in May, the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here leads the largest unmanned aerial vehicle operation in the world with one of the Air Force’s smallest aircraft -- the MQ-1 Predator. Providing “real-time eyes-in-the-sky,” the squadron

Medical wing stands ready for hurricane response

Commanders at Wilford Hall Medical Center have approved a plan slated to improve medical responses to hurricane emergencies throughout the continental United States. The 59th Medical Wing’s Critical Care Air Transport Team Rapid Hurricane Response Plan was approved and adopted May 26. Hurricane

24/7 personnel services are here

The Air Force is changing in shape and size, and military personnel flights, or MPFs, are part of this change. Their transformation is called personnel services delivery. Phase One of the transformation has seven groups of changes projected to be in place by December 2007. Two recent changes allow

Air Force family members participate in national spelling bee

Four Air Force families from around the world gathered here to support their children who were participating in the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee May 31 to June 1. These four families formed an unofficial team of support that came from their military connection and shared pride in their

Housing privatization reaches many milestones

The Air Force housing privatization office has reached several major milestones in its seven-year effort to improve base housing for Airmen and their families, an Air Force official said recently. “We are gaining momentum,” said Col. Michael Smietana, chief of Air Force housing. “We’re very close to

No flight plan, no Northern Edge

The echoes of jet engines roaring over the snow-capped Chugach Mountains are a thrilling byproduct of many moving parts comprised of U.S. servicemembers on the ground. The 3rd Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management Office here creates flight plans for more than 70 aircraft a day and

Command and control a 24/7 operation

The Combined Air Operations Center here, also known as the CAOC, is the command and control hub for all air operations within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Staffed and monitored around-the-clock, the coalition professionals working in the CAOC can seamlessly perform command and

SPORT provides eyes for Edwards mission

The room is dark. The only light comes from computer screens and monitors along with blinking lights on various machines. Seven people sit in front of monitors that project green dots and lines. It may look like this group is playing games in an arcade, but in reality they are playing a crucial role

Airmen pitch in for worthy cause in Iraq

Many Airmen deploy to foreign countries for months, never seeing the people whose lives they affect. They are either hundreds of miles from the conflict or are within the safety of their military compound for their entire tours. But for Airmen at Sather Air Base at Baghdad International Airport,

AETC housing privatization on track

Despite delays caused by Hurricane Katrina, Air Education and Training Command is still on track to meet its goal of privatizing 100 percent of military family housing. The Housing Privatization Initiative was approved by the Department of Defense in 1996 as a more timely and cost-effective way to

Hurricane Hunters ready to take on 2006 storm season

It was a quiet opening day of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron spent the day training and getting ready for what forecasters say will be another active season. Though the season officially began June 1 and ends Nov. 30, last year these

Secretary Wynne expects Airmen to continue to excel

While visiting various installations in the San Antonio area May 31 to June 2, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne talked about the importance of core values, technology and training facing today’s Airmen and the Air Force. The secretary focused on what the Air Force expects from its Airmen

Three F-16 wings deploy to Korea

Elements of fighter wings from three Air National Guard units have deployed here this week in support of their air expeditionary force rotations. Components of the 150th, 140th and 120th Fighter Wings from the New Mexico, Colorado and Montana Air National Guard, respectively, have been renamed the

Egress training

Australians learn from U.S. C-17 mission

Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, arrived here last week at the Australian Defense Force’s request. U.S. Airmen are moving Australian forces and equipment to Darwin, Australia, to allow the Australian military to quickly respond to unrest in neighboring East Timor. Each

Doctor named as examiner for national quality award program

An Air Force Reserve Command doctor has been selected to the 2006 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award. The award, created by public law in 1987, is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive. Col. (Dr.) William B.

Air Force Link inaugurates 'Perspectives'

The Air Force Link "Web exclusives" page for the month of June takes a unique look at three separate stories, not only through the lenses of three Air Force News photojournalists, but through their personal narrations as each tells the unique perspective of his story in his own words. Each

Rumsfeld voices confidence in academy graduating class

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld told the 879 second lieutenants who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy today that their challenge will be to go beyond a simple change of process. “Our country did not survive and become great through timid responses or aversion to risk,” he said. “Ours

Combat mobility element moves cargo quickly, safely

The 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, sent a pair of its C-17 Globemaster IIIs here to support the Australian Defense Force. U.S. crews are shuttling cargo and Australian military forces to strategic locations within the country.This operation involves moving massive amounts of cargo, and

Pencils and scalpels: Artists help providers illustrate the cure

For many communicators, success is measured by how accurate they are in providing information to help get bombs on target or assist with enemy kills. Yet, there is one group of communication specialists who measure success by lives saved through their ability to illustrate medical procedures.For

Vehicle searches provide first line of defense

During the early morning hours in Southwest Asia, the vehicle search team of the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron doesn’t get out of bed.They’re already at work. They’re up and about in the vehicle search area, or VSA, ensuring vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and other

From playing fields to battlefields

Sports and the military share a common bond journalistically. It’s not unusual to read about a classic battle, how a player had plenty of fight left, how a team showed a warrior mentality or how they were outnumbered.Sports have liberally borrowed clichés from the GI world for years. Now it’s the

AFSO 21 initiative leads to safer flying at Lakenheath

As Air Force Smart Operations 21 went Air Force-wide this year, the 48th Fighter Wing here jump-started its program with weekly AFSO 21 initiatives briefed at wing stand-up. “I want every Airman, civilian and (Ministry of Defense) employee on this base to understand, first of all, what AFSO 21 is,

Wild Blue Country headed yonder

Ten of the 74 academy bandsmen are traveling to the Middle East in June to provide entertainment support.Wild Blue Country, the country music group, will spend much of June and July traveling to forward operating bases that have never had live entertainment. They are the first musicians from the

Airmen train Iraqi soldiers on base defense

When most Airmen think of base defense, they may think about security forces checking ID cards at the gate. However, a U.S. team in Iraq is showing that base defense means much more. A group of five security forces Airmen and their Army commander have combined to form a base defense unit, or

Airmen set sail aboard USNS Mercy for humanitarian mission

Three Airmen from the 374th Medical Group here are deployed to the U.S. Navy hospital ship, USNS Mercy, as it travels through Southeast Asia on a humanitarian mission.The mission is an opportunity for a U.S. team consisting of medical professionals from the Air Force, Army and Navy to work with

Airmen expand horizons through education

The commandant and the superintendent of the Community College of the Air Force recently visited here and shared their views on the importance of pursuing higher education.Col. Thomas Klincar, the commandant, spoke of the bond he felt with the base.“I am especially excited to be here for the (CCAF)

AFSO 21 crucial to achieving new vision

Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century will be crucial to achieving the 50th Space Wing’s new vision, said Col. John Hyten, wing commander. “If someone asks you how we can do things smarter, tell them AFSO 21 gives us free rein to cut through red tape,” Colonel Hyten said. “With AFSO 21, we

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials release the airpower summary for May 26 to 29.May 29Coalition aircraft flew 36 close-air-support missions May 29 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The missions supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to

Mission of security forces constantly evolving

Through the eyes of Staff Sgt. David Brown, the mission of the security forces has changed since the beginning of the war in Iraq. After all, this is his eighth deployment since Operation Iraqi Freedom started. As a sign of things to come, Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

VA working to prevent future information loss

The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun a thorough examination of policies and procedures after the loss of 26.5 million veterans' personal information, the VA's leader told the House Armed Services Committee May 25. "I've formed a task force ... to examine comprehensively all of our

Raptors find new nest in Alaska

After flying more than 3,200 miles over land, ocean, mountains and glaciers, six F-22 Raptors arrived here May 23 from Langley Air Force Base, Va. Though it isn’t the first time the Raptors have flown over snow-capped mountains, it is the first time they have flown outside of the continental United

Air Force reconsiders retention for 192 lieutenants

The Air Force recently notified 844 lieutenants that they would not be retained as a result of the April 2006 Force Shaping Board. An anomaly with some records during the board process means 192 of the lieutenants not selected for retention will have their records reconsidered by a special board

Afghan fortress site of Taliban's last deadly siege

Just a few minutes drive from where an Air Force embedded training team is mentoring Afghan National Army soldiers is the site of the Taliban’s last deadly siege.It is also the location where the first American died in the war against terrorism following Sept. 11, 2001; where John Walker Lindh --

Kenney Headquarters maximizes support to joint warfighters

The Gen. George C. Kenney Headquarters reaches its one-year anniversary June 1. Known as KHQ, the headquarters staff commands air, space and information operations for joint forces throughout the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Korea. Consisting of three elements -- the Pacific Air Operations Center,