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  • Jets honor servicemembers with military appreciation day

    More than 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen participated in the New York Jets Military Appreciation Day prior to the football game Nov. 9 at Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. The game, played against the St. Louis Rams, kicked off with the unveiling of a giant flag by 60

  • First students graduate Raptor Basic Course

    Four student pilots at Tyndall AFB became the first graduates of the Air Force's F-22 Raptor Basic Course Nov. 1, setting another milestone in the fielding of the Air Force's most advanced fighter aircraft. These pilots are the first in the Air Force to have the F-22 as their first operational

  • Yellow Ribbon program focuses on reservists, families

    Air Force reservists in the 507th Air Refueling Wing at Tinker AFB, who return from long deployments, are finding the welcome mat waiting for them. A congressional directive in the 2007 Defense Appropriations Act mandated that Reserve components provide reservists and their families with additional

  • Navy pilots learning to fly Global Hawk

    In what could prove to be the first step toward creating a joint RQ-4 Unmanned Aircraft System training unit here, pilots of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron are teaching a class of Navy pilots the Global Hawk system. The class, consisting of three active-duty P-3 Orion pilots and one civilian

  • Alaskan Region best unit in NORAD

    While 2007 was a very challenging year for the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, known as ANR, and its partners, it ended up being a very rewarding year when ANR was named NORAD's outstanding unit for 2007. Col. Kevin Booth, ANR director of operations, accepted the

  • Marines celebrate Marine Corps' 233rd birthday at Manas

    When Marines go to war, regardless of where they are or what they're doing, they never fail to celebrate their beloved "Corps'" birthday and remember their heritage. Today a small group of 30 Marines deployed from the Okinawa-based 3rd Marine Division displayed the Marine motto of Semper Fidelis,

  • New UAS program at Randolph simulates air battle space

    A first-of-its-kind combat familiarization program for pilots slated to fly unmanned aircraft systems soon will launch at the 563rd Flying Training Squadron here. The four-week-long Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fundamentals Course will begin Nov. 21. It is designed to give 10 newly-winged graduates of

  • Nov. 9 airpower summary: tankers help sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb

  • Nov. 8 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s

  • SECAF looks ahead at Airlift/Tanker Association convention

    The Air Force's senior civilian leader stressed the importance of the air mobility mission, specifying that air refueling capability is fundamental to the United States' power projection across the spectrum of conflict.Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley told the audience of more than 1,000

  • Nov. 7 airpower summary: C-17s sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Nov. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and a coalition aircraft

  • 2009 Scholarships for Military Children Program is under way

    If you're a high school or college student and the child of a military family looking for ways to found your education, you might want to checkout the 2009 Scholarships for Military Children Program that began Nov. 3. Scholarship applications are available in commissaries worldwide and online

  • Airman volunteers as boy's 'instructor pilot'

    A little boy from Flagstaff, Ariz., touched the lives of guardsmen at the 162nd Fighter Wing here last year when he visited the wing to be a fighter pilot for a day, and he continues to inspire unit members to this day. At the age of 6, Dominic Magne underwent aggressive chemotherapy in his battle

  • Nov. 6 airpower summary: F-15Es conduct show of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper dropped guided bomb unit-12s and used

  • McChord Airmen help controllers train for new runway

    McChord Air Force Base Airmen shared their training simulator here with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport tower controllers to ensure they are certified and ready for operations when the civilian airport's third runway officially opens Nov. 20. Since September, members of the 62nd Operations

  • Vandenberg officials launch Minuteman III missile

    Vandenberg Air Force Base officials launched a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration test assembly at 1 a.m. PST Nov. 5 here. The launch was an operational test to determine the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. The

  • Airman helps make a difference in Afghanistan

    Since combat operations began in Afghanistan, Airmen have taken on new roles traditionally held by their Army counterparts. Staff Sgt. Don Elias, deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is a prime example. The sergeant joined the Air Force in 1998 and has served two tours in Iraq. He

  • Electronic performance report routing now standardized

    An Air Force Enterprise Information Management initiative to process officer and enlisted performance reports electronically became reality Oct. 1 when Air Force Personnel Center officials endorsed the first of three phases of AF Electronic Workflow Processing, or AF e-WP, thanks to a partnership

  • New AAFES chief dresses down uniform issues

    As the Army and Air Force Exchange Service enlisted advisor to the commanding general of AAFES, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm now has the distinct opportunity to impact not only the service he loves, but all branches of service about uniform issues. He plans to carry out his mission through

  • American servicemembers continue to provide promise

    The poverty-stricken neighborhoods of this bustling port capital of Trinidad and Tobago where crime, drug abuse and murder are facts of everyday life is not a place likely to attract American visitors. But for 15 engineers from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron's Prime BEEF, along with a handful of

  • Nov. 4 airpower summary: F-16s protect coalition forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircrafts dropped guided bomb unit-12s and enhanced

  • Newest mobile air shelter set up for training

    The newest model of deployable, mobile command posts is set up at the Air Force Expeditionary Center's main building here to give Airmen a view of what that may work on when they deploy in suppot of the war on terrorism.The Hard-sided Expandable Lightweight Air Mobile Shelter, or HELAMS, eventually

  • Air Force disabled employees vital to mission

    Raymond Jenks is a busy man. He is the flight chief of instructional technology for the 37th Training Support Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. His office is responsible for designing and developing computer based training, programs, and technology solutions for the 37th Training Group and

  • Forces combine to share disaster response techniques

    Military medics from Argentina, Uruguay and the United States came together to share medical disaster response techniques in November here.The information exchange was part of Operation Southern Partner, an in-depth subject matter exchange emphasizing partnership, cooperation and sharing of

  • Airmen hone contingency skills at Silver Flag

    A handful of Airmen scan their checklists to make sure their mobility bags and other essentials are in order, while others thumb through their Airman's Manuals to bone up on proper chemical warfare procedures. The Airmen are in a wooded 1,200 acre site at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and this is

  • Housing privatization projects sold to private company

    The sale of privatized military housing projects at four Air Force bases including Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; Moody AFB, Ga.; and Patrick AFB, Fla., and assumption of operations and management of the projects was announced Nov. 4 by the new owners, HP Communities LLC. The

  • Wounded warrior receives new ears

    Looking in the mirror, Marine Capt. Ryan Voltin couldn't get past his ears. Not that they were strange looking, but that they were there at all. He just wasn't used to seeing them. The AH-1 Cobra pilot lost his when the helicopter he was flying erupted in flames during a training accident last year.

  • 2009 aviator continuation pay details released

    Air Force officials here released Nov. 4 the details for aviator continuation pay for this fiscal year. For active duty Airmen, the program gives various rated aviators -- namely some pilots, combat systems officers and air battle managers -- the opportunity to sign an active duty service commitment

  • Warrior Care: Injured servicemembers go fishing

    Anglers from all over the state of Texas converged on Choke Canyon Reservoir Oct. 25 to participate in Fishing for Freedom V. Fishing for Freedom gives injured servicemembers the opportunity to team up with professional and semi-professional bass fisherman and enjoy a day on the water. Thirty-three

  • Civilians begin leadership training program at Air University

    Twenty-five Air Force civilians began the first Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training Program at Air University's Officer Training School Oct. 27 here.The program leads the 25-member group through a two-week course adapted from the OTS curriculum indoctrinated with Air Force leadership and

  • F-16 pilots receive Mackay Trophy

    Four F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots were awarded the Mackay Trophy at the National Aeronautic Association Fall Awards Banquet in the nation's capital Nov. 3. The award honors the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons or organization. This year's recipients were: -- Col.

  • Warrior Care Month highlights high-quality treatment

    In a campaign to highlight the medical and personal care available to wounded servicemembers, Department of Defense officials have designated November as Warrior Care Month. "This is a great opportunity for the Air Force family to understand that our care for our wounded warriors and their families

  • Nov. 3 airpower summary: C-130s sustain global airlift

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets

  • Airmen show true grit in Strongman competition

    Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers battled it out in a showdown of guts and glory at the Strong Man/Strong Mind Challenge Oct. 25 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Out of the 20 participants in the multiforce face-off, three Air Force warriors emerged victorious with the top three spots. Senior Airman

  • Football: Falcons top Army in slugfest

    Riding the strong leg of kicker Ryan Harrison, the U.S. Air Force Academy outlasted the U.S. Military Academy 16-7 in a defensive battle that saw two of the nation's top ten rushing offenses held to 100 yards below their average Nov. 1 here. With the eighth and fourth-ranked rushing attacks in the

  • Information center to ease transition to AF management

    Base residents seeking support services can receive assistance from an information center at the 332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group here once a joint-service initiative, called Base Operating Support-Integration, takes effect Nov. 6.BOS-I is a changeover of base support functions that

  • Airmen continue building South American partnerships

    More than 70 Airmen are spread across four South American countries learning and sharing with their partner nations' military members and performing community outreach events. Operation Southern Partner, a Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) led event aimed at providing intensive, periodic

  • Technical issues, more tests delay satellite's liftoff

    The Tactical Satellite-3 scheduled to launch in October from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility at Wallops Island, Va., is now scheduled for liftoff in January 2009 after the project team discovered and then fixed problems with the spacecraft's Star Tracker apparatus. The team subsequently required

  • Nov. 2 airpower summary: F-15Es strike enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s and

  • Airmen train Afghan cops

    Three Airmen trained and graduated 900 Afghan national police in Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar and Lagman provinces during a nine-month deployment as part of a Department of State program.The program provides a secondary-level of professional police officer education at the Jalalabad Regional Training

  • Red Horse Airmen renovate Chilean school's library

    Two Airmen completed renovations of a dilapidated library at a Chilean culinary and hotel service high school here Oct. 31 giving 80 students a comfortable and usable library the students and faculty can use for years to come. The renovation, the result of Operation Southern Partner - a two-week

  • Nov. 1 airpower summary: C-17s help sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s and

  • Hurlburt Field maintainers receive DOD award

    Maintainers from Hurlburt Field, Fla., were named the winners of the Department of Defense Phoenix Award, the highest field-level maintenance award within DOD, Oct. 29 in Denver. Representatives from the 1st Special Operations Maintenance group were on hand at the award ceremony during the 2008 DOD

  • Oct. 31 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft dropped guided bomb unit-38s and fired

  • Naval unit jack of all trades at air base

    A unit here has become a jack of all trades for the war on terrorism while remaining a master in its primary mission. Patrol Squadron 46's core mission is to provide anti-submarine coverage, but the squadron has spent the past four months here providing assistance in other ways. "We are very much a

  • Team seeks Airmen ready for 'something different'

    Air Education and Training Command officials here encourage Airmen seeking to do "something different" during their Air Force career to apply for special duty assignments. To spread the word, members of the Air Force Recruiting Service Recruiter Screening Team visit Air Force bases across the nation

  • Reserve medics train at Kunsan

    More than 50 medics from three Air Force Reserve units tested their wartime medical support capabilities alongside Kunsan Air Base members Oct. 18 through Nov. 1 here. The Reserve units, traveling from as far as Niagara Air Reserve Station, N.Y., conducted medical refresher training sessions and

  • Servicemembers saluted on 'The Price is Right'

    "Master Sgt. Robin Brooks, come on down! You're the next contestant on 'The Price is Right!'" "Having my named called was music to my ears," said Sergeant Brooks, the first sergeant for the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Although she had an

  • New Zealand aircrew assists U.S. Airmen during mission

    A Royal New Zealand Air Force aircrew assisted Airmen from the U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica by delivering a mission essential part Oct. 27 to a disabled aircraft at Pegasus White Ice Runway, Antarctica. An electronic engine controller and three Air Force aircraft

  • Oct. 30 airpower summary: F-15Es keep vigilant overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a guided bomb unit-38

  • Basic training couple graduate with honors

    More than 780 Airmen waited to hear if they were among the 10 percent announced as honor graduates from Basic Military Training Oct. 24 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Airmen 1st Class Melissa and Steven Lafollette, married only four months before basic training, were excited to hear their names

  • Chilean, U.S. Air Forces share perimeter defense methods

    Force Protection Airmen and a Canadian officer participating in Operation Southern Partner demonstrated the Small Unmanned Aircraft System to the Chilean air force's anti-aircraft artillery regiment Oct 29. Operation Southern Partner is an all-new, in-depth subject matter exchange emphasizing

  • Commissaries to promote Warrior Care in November

    The Defense Commissary Agency will join other Defense Department organizations in observing November as Warrior Care Month.The observance is designed to inform military members and their families about the many programs that are, and will be, available to assist wounded warriors. In a memorandum

  • Survey responses still needed as Nov. 26 deadline nears

    On Oct. 1, Air Force leaders opened the door for all Airmen to voice their concerns with the launching of the 2008 Air Force Climate Survey. Although that door is still open, it is slowly closing. The survey, which runs through Nov. 26, is designed to assess the opinions and perceptions of the Air

  • CAC login gives users access to Reserve personnel site

    Air Reserve Personnel Center officials launched a new enhancement Oct. 30 allowing Airmen to log into the virtual Personnel Center-Guard and Reserve using their Common Access Card.This enhancement gives Airmen the option to associate their vPC-GR account with their CAC, eliminating the need to

  • Oct. 29 airpower summary: C-130s transport troops, cargo

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18A Hornet and a coalition aircraft dropped guided

  • Joint Base Balad Airmen remember fallen wingman

    A memorial service was held here Oct. 27 for a 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron NCO who was found dead in his housing unit Oct. 23 at Joint Base Balad.Airmen held a town hall meeting here that started with a roll call. A senior NCO with the 332nd EMXS called out names of Airmen in the phase

  • Tuskegee Airmen address Air Force captains

    Riding the crest of the historic opening of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Oct. 10, four of the original Airmen spoke to hundreds of Air Force officers at Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base recently. In their speeches and subsequent panel discussions, the former fighter

  • Work continues to replace T-38 aileron levers

    To meet the challenge of building more than 1,000 aileron actuator levers for T-38 Talon aircraft, workers in the 532nd Commodities Maintenance Squadron's New Manufacturing and Repair Division literally had to start from scratch. The levers, which control moveable flaps on the T-38's wings, are

  • Materiel Command's top civilian outlines goals

    Air Force Materiel Command's top civilian here after just one month on the job is already working with the Pentagon and other agencies on establishing a clear civilian development model. It is one of several priorities for Dr. Steve Butler, the AFMC executive director, and creating the model is tied

  • U.S. forces participate in Hong Kong exercise

    American, Hong Kong and Chinese forces joined together for the Search and Rescue Exercise 2008 in mid-October off the coast of Hong Kong.Search and rescue units from the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons in Anchorage, Alaska, and the Coast Guard District 14 in Honolulu,

  • Small town donates $5 million for joint ed center

    The City of Jacksonville's 31,000 residents in Arkansas will soon donate $5 million to help construct a new education center for Little Rock Air Force Base and the local community. The citizens of Jacksonville raised $5 million through a 2003 sales tax to help the Air Force build a joint education

  • Oct. 27 airpower summary: KC-135 provides fuel support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft dropped guided bomb unit-12s onto a tree

  • Personnel center adds new mission; helps veterans, VA

    Air Force officials announced an added mission for the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas, beginning Oct. 30 to improve the accountability of medical records and aid in the timely processing of veterans' disability claims. Starting with Randolph AFB as the test base, AFPC will collect

  • Airmen receive cavalry spurs for building new base

    For their efforts in building more than 25,000 square feet of housing and administrative offices for 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 29 Air Force Airmen received cavalry combat spurs, symbolic of cavalry service in a combat zone, from the

  • Group surpasses $2 million in grants for military children

    "Our Military Kids," a nonprofit support group, recently reached a new milestone: $2 million in grants awarded for sports, fine arts and tutoring programs. "The Our Military Kids grant program has been a wonderful way for Americans to thank our men and women serving our country overseas by providing

  • Air Force wins EPA energy award

    Air Force officials received an Environment Protection Agency award for leading the federal government in purchasing renewable energy in October in Denver. The Air Force was named the winner of the 2008 Green Power Leadership Award in the Green Power Purchaser category. Air Force officials made an

  • Oct. 26 airpower summary: B-1B bombs enemy fighters

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s and

  • Chief of staff wraps up Middle East tour at Joint Base Balad

    The Air Force chief of staff finished a visit to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with a last stop to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Oct. 25 here. Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley learned about Airmen's accomplishments in theater,

  • Guard, Reserve warfighters chart tactics course

    Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve officials prepared the roadmap for weapons and tactics needs for their near- and long-term during a conference Oct. 20 through 24 in Tucson.The annual Weapons and Tactic Conference began at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., with opening remarks by Lt.

  • Nellis Airmen begin 'War on Waste'

    The "War on Waste", a new Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative, began at Nellis AFB, following an Enterprise Value Stream Analysis held here Oct. 6 to 8. The Enterprise Value Stream Analysis, conducted by the 99th Air Base Wing Executive Council, aligned the wing commander's

  • Air Force officials to establish new nuclear major command

    The Air Force will stand up a new major command specifically to manage its nuclear assets, the service's top official announced Oct. 24. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said the new command will fold into its ranks thousands of Airmen and all of the Air Force's domestic nuclear capabilities in

  • Mobility leaders focused on 'getting back to basics'

    About 80 air mobility leaders gathered for a three-day conference that focused on Air Mobility Command's priorities, roles and missions Oct. 22 through 24 here. The theme for this year's AMC Phoenix Rally was "Back to Basics: Executing Global Reach Fundamentals." Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the AMC

  • Top leaders bring praise, vision of future to Airmen in Iraq

    The Air Force chief of staff and chief master sergeant of the Air Force praised Airmen for their role in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and discussed the "way ahead" during their on-going visit to meet face-to-face with Airmen deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Oct. 24

  • Oct. 23 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired rockets and cannon

  • Oct. 24 airpower summary: F-16 strikes enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb

  • Chief of staff reenlists crew chief over Southwest Asia

    The Air Force chief of staff reenlisted a C-17 Globemaster III flight crewmember 32,000 feet above the U.S. Central Command area of operations Oct. 23. Gen. Norton Schwartz signed up Senior Airman Tyrell Haney, a 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, for another tour of duty -- his second

  • Air Force leaders work to develop cyberspace roadmap

    Air Force leaders here continue to create a roadmap of the service's cyberspace mission while adjusting to a new organizational construct outlined by Air Force officials in October. Officials from the Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) team here and Air Force Space Command are moving forward

  • Airmen speed delivery of lifesaving medicine

    Coordination and hustle between several American military agencies here enabled a lifesaving package to reach an Iraqi snakebite victim and save a life Oct. 15 here. The Army Medical Materiel Center Southwest Asia staff received an urgent request for anti-venom to help a young Iraqi woman who was in

  • Airman missing in action from World War II identified

    Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials announced Oct. 21 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and returned to his family for burial. 2nd Lt. Ray D. Packard of the Army Air Forces from Atwood, Calif., was buried Oct. 22

  • Cannon officials use AFSO 21 to improve inprocessing

    Cannon Air Force Base officials recently revamped its inprocessing program using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century to take a three week process into a four hour program. Beginning in July, base officials worked to improve and consolidate inprocessing for new base members and their

  • F-35 completes air-start test at Edwards

    The prototype F-35 Joint Strike Fighter AA-1 completed an air-start test validating the aircraft's ability to shut down and restart its engine in flight Oct. 23 here. This ensures the aircraft, which is called the F-35 Lightning II for the Air Force, can regain power and fly safely in the event of

  • Joint Base Balad Airman found dead in housing unit

    An Airman was found unresponsive in a housing unit at about 9 p.m. local time Oct. 22 and died at Joint Base Balad. Efforts to resuscitate the Airman, deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron here, were unsuccessful. The name of the Airman is being withheld pending next-of-kin

  • Student pilot gets first UAS assignment at Vance

    As part of an Air Force initiative to meet increased demands for its airborne intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, force protection and strike capabilities, student pilots in the Air Education and Training Command have a new potential assignment among the array of Air Force aircraft: unmanned

  • Keesler officials launch new force support officer course

    The first group of force support officers in a new Air Force Specialty Code began classes Oct. 6 at Keesler Air Force Base. The new 38F AFSC, which becomes official Oct. 31, is a combination of what used to be three separate career fields: personnel, manpower and services. Training previously was

  • ACC team effort vital to nuclear evaluation mission

    A three-month process, planned a year in advance, involving hundreds of man-hours of detailed coordination with people at more than four Air Force bases funnels down to one aircraft, one missile, one sortie and the push of a button. The aircraft is a B-52 Stratofortress flown by an aircrew from the

  • Oct. 22 airpower summary: B-1B bombs bad bikers

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto

  • Chief of staff tours Bagram, addresses Airmen's questions

    The 19th Air Force chief of staff accompanied by the chief master sergeant of the Air Force made his first official trip to Bagram Airfield Oct. 21. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz toured the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group to learn more about the growing efforts to support the mission here, and

  • Agility, flexibility, teamwork: Key components of airpower

    Examine most successful business or sports teams, and you may find their foundation is based on flexibility, agility and teamwork. The success of airpower in Iraq and Afghanistan incorporates these three traits on a daily basis, through the interaction with coalition forces and U.S. sister services.

  • Officials call energy efficiency 'huge priority' for Air Force

    As the largest consumer of energy in the federal government, the Air Force has made conserving resources a priority, a top official said Oct. 21. "We have to continue with our strategy of reducing demand and increasing [energy] supply and changing the culture within the Air Force," said Kevin

  • Airmen's rapid response to fire saves $52 million

    Four Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here protected $52 million in aircraft parts from being damaged or destroyed with their quick response to an electrical fire Sept. 22. Staff Sgt. Akeilee Murchison, Senior Airman Heather Libiszewski, Airman 1st Class Mayra

  • UAS volunteers sought for Air Force test program; deadline approaching

    Air Force officials are seeking up to 20 captains with four to six years of experience to volunteer for the unmanned aircraft systems beta test program. "This first run of the test-run program is open to captains who have no previous military pilot-training experience," said Col. Curt Sheldon,

  • Defense secretary honors two Air Force civilians

    Two Air Force civilians received Department of Defense Awards for their efforts in housing management and electrical engineering at a ceremony Oct. 21 in the Pentagon. Presenting the awards were Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Michael L. Rhodes, deputy director of administration and

  • Airman, medical response save Korean leukemia patient

    It took less than 24 hours for one Kunsan Airman and several base medical providers to respond to the needs of a 24-year-old Korean leukemia patient; ultimately saving her life. After finishing a 14-hour shift defending the base, Airman Tamarias Pope, 8th Security Forces Squadron, was alerted that

  • Oct. 21 airpower summary: A-10s provide escort for convoys

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto

  • Congressional team evaluates Airmen's living quarters

    A two-person House Appropriations Committee Studies and Investigations team spoke to Airmen and inspected dormitories on Ramstein Air Base and Kapaun Air Station in Germany in October. The inspection, conducted by Keith Baker and Adam Johnson are House Appropriations Committee staff

  • E-9A crews survey gulf, track missiles

    Tyndall Air Force Base aircrews flying the twin-turbo-propped E-9A help ensure the Gulf of Mexico waters are clear of boats and aircraft for live-fire missile launches during Air Force exercises. The E-9A is used as an airborne surveillance/telemetry data relay aircraft and its aircrews evaluate the

  • Iraqi air force pilots take flight into history

    The first three pilots graduated from Iraq's only fixed-wing flight training school at Kirkuk Regional Air Base Oct. 13. With cooperation from the Coalition Air Force Training Team and the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron at Kirkuk Regional AB, the Iraqi training wing presented the new

  • Air Force officials invest $12 million in research program

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here announced Oct. 17 they will award approximately $12.1 million in grants to 39 scientists and engineers who submitted winning research proposals through the Air Force's Young Investigator Research Program. The program is open to scientists and