Airmen, Afghan police set example

The Afghan National Police have been working to better their country with the help of some Airmen here. Special Agents from the Office of Special Investigations Expeditionary Det. 2405 and the ANP regularly partner together on a broad range of missions related to humanitarian assistance and

Americans text 'Thanks' to troops

For those seeking a quick way to show appreciation for troops' serving far from home this holiday season, look no further than "Giving Thanks," a new initiative from the Defense Department's America Supports You program. America Supports You connects citizens and corporations with military personnel

Vance helps celebrate Oklahoma's centennial

Four T-38C Talon planes from Vance kicked off the Oklahoma Centennial parade in Guthrie, Okla., marking 100 years of statehood. The planes from the 25th Flying Training Squadron symbolized the land rush that settled the Oklahoma territory in 1889. It was part of a full day of festivities in Guthrie

New IO course expands technology knowledge

Recent studies indicate more than one billion people worldwide digest information through the Internet alone. The Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center brought together 12 flag officers from across the defense department and governmental agencies Nov. 6 through 9 to learn how to

Gen. Hobbins honored with Order of the Sword

With all the pomp and circumstance the U.S. Air Forces in Europe enlisted corps could muster, some 800 guests witnessed the induction of Gen. William T. Hobbins, USAFE commander, into the Order of the Sword here tonight. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor enlisted Airmen can bestow on an

Air Force sharpshooters help commanders see the future

When servicemembers go outside the wire here, they occasionally have an extra set of eyes watching over them. Concealed, the members of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Close Precision Engagement Team observe, provide intelligence and, if necessary, neutralize threats. The CPET

'Today's Air Force' features homeland defense

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the combat alert cell and the Airmen responsible for watching and intercepting any perceived threat; and the Distinguished Flying Cross medal -- a surprised presentation from a father to his son. The 30-minute, weekly news show can be seen every

'In-lieu-of' Airmen keep Army rolling along

A team of Air Force professionals is keeping the Army rolling and the mission moving every day over the rugged terrain of Afghanistan. Deployed on a year-long "in-lieu-of" tasking to a forward operating base near the city of Qalat, Afghanistan, four Airmen keep more than 30 vehicles mission-ready

Luke maintenance group takes home DOD award

Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., took home their trophy Nov. 15 after being named one of the Defense Department's top maintenance units at a ceremony in Orlando, Fla. "This is an amazing achievement for the men and women of Luke (AFB)," said Col. Algene Fryer, the 56th Maintainance Group

SECAF honors international affairs office with award

The secretary of the Air Force presented members of the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs office with the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award November 15. "Air Force International Affairs has been recognized over the years as one of the premiere organizations

Officials announce new selective reenlistment bonus list

Following a selective reenlistment bonus review, Pentagon officials have released the latest SRB list, effective Dec. 15, containing 43 Air Force specialties. "Our SRB analysis process proved invaluable, and we were able to modify the list to apply bonuses to our most critical needs," said Senior

Close-air-support exercise tests Atlantic Strike participants

The cool evening was still as three camouflaged insurgents watched an Army patrol approach their village. Unbeknownst to the saboteurs, an Air Force targeting pod was closely watching their position and relaying information to the ground commander. Suddenly, a deafening explosion drowned out all

AFOSI commander: 'Can do' attitude makes agents stand out

Constantly on the hunt, Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents listen carefully and watch for clues, gathering information that will help them zero in on the insurgents they seek. They're after the improvised explosive device directors, makers and planters, and cell leaders who are

'Gifts from the Homefront' routes support to 'Any Servicemember'

When issuing suggested holiday mailing deadlines for military care packages, the Unites States Postal Service made sure to highlight that "all packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, as required by U.S. Department of Defense regulations." Since DOD suspended mail addressed

U.S. military showcased at Dubai Air Show

More than 325 American servicemembers participated in the 10th Dubai Air Show Nov. 11 through 15 here. Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers provided logistics, force protection and maintenance support to the various U.S. aircraft on display and performing aerial demonstrations. The Dubai Air Show is

Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008 underway

After many months of planning and preparation, the first quarter event for Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008 kicked off Nov. 5 and will run through Nov 16. As the lead agency for JEFX, the Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center, or AF GCIC, will conduct the experiment with

Pilots focus on air superiority, operations during Keen Sword

Honing their skills against enemy air threats over the skies of Japan, Misawa fighter pilots participate in a two-week long training exercise here. Exercise Keen Sword, which began Nov. 6, is a  joint and bilateral exercise simulating the defense of Japan using more than 60 military units from 24

AFRICOM helps partners confront stability challenges

The U.S. military's unified command responsible for operations across Africa will help nations there confront poverty, disease, terrorism and other challenges that affect regional security and stability, U.S. officials said here Nov. 14.However, U.S. Africa Command-sponsored initiatives will

Personnel center to deployers: Don't leave without guide

Most Air Force members being deployed to a foreign country have little knowledge of the culture they'll work in for the next four to 12 months. They don't know a Hijab from an Abaya or a Dishdasha from a Gutra. How many times a day can you say hello to someone in Kyrgystan? Why can't you eat with

U.S., Australia share new communications satellites

Representatives from the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force met at the Australian Embassy here to sign a memorandum of agreement that will provide both nations assured access to the Wideband Global SATCOM system, expanding the WGS constellation to six satellites. The expansion will

Kirkuk airspace returned to Iraqi control

Untied States Central Command Air Forces officials transferred control of Kirkuk air traffic control assigned airspace to the Baghdad Air Control Center Nov. 15. Under the U.S. CENTAF Airspace Transition Concept, airspace above 29,000 feet was transferred back to Iraq sovereign control. The Baghdad

Fallen Airmen, Soldiers honored at Aviano

Aviano Air Base officials held a memorial service Nov. 15 to honor the lives of four Airmen and two Soldiers who were killed when an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter attached to the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment here crashed Nov. 8. Friends and family members gathered to pay their respects

AF top JAG: 'Rule of law' critical for success in Iraq

A fair justice system, which holds people accountable for their actions, is vital in stopping the violence in Iraq, said the Air Force's top judge advocate general recently during a tour of Southwest Asia. Maj. Gen. Jack L. Rives visited the men and women of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing during a

Wing's emblem symbolizes the 'first'

The shield of the 509th Bombardment Wing is rich in tradition as each symbol on the shield represents some part of the past.  The wing's emblem was approved July 10, 1952 and has remained unchanged for 55 years. The yellow shield has a representation of an atomic cloud between a pair of blue

Air Force Reserve to operate with fewer reservists

Air Force Reserve Command will operate with a smaller force in 2008. The fiscal 2008 Defense Appropriations Act signed by President George W. Bush Nov. 13 funds an end-strength of 67,500 reservists. Last year the projected end strength was 74,900. The new legislation also approves 9,999 full-time

New initiative offers education, training funds for military spouses

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates joined Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Nov. 14 in supporting a new initiative to help military spouses get the education and other credentials needed to pursue careers in high-demand, high-growth occupations.Secretary Gates praised the new Military Spouse Career

Servicemembers deliver medical relief following storm

A medical team from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, set up a makeshift clinic to provide medical relief to the local population Nov. 13 from a school here following the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Noel to the region. As of Nov. 12, American and British aircrews had delivered more than 241,000

Officials seek 10 enlisted for AFIT degree program

Air Force Institute of Technology officials are offering 10 noncommissioned officers the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Ten NCOs from around the Air Force will be selected in February to attend the

Not just another day at the office

Staff Sgt. "Dean" was having a bad day at the office. As an Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller embedded with ground forces, his job was to serve as liaison between the ground commander and aircrews. On the afternoon of Oct. 27, the ten-vehicle convoy he was traveling with in Southern

Book offers lessons on fighting terrorism with airpower

Airpower is a valuable weapon in the fight against terrorism but only if it is applied with discrimination and care, according to a new study of the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War published by Air University officials. Widespread criticism of Israel for relying on its air force to attack Hezbollah

Air Force wins four motorcycle safety awards

Each year, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation acknowledges outstanding achievement and excellence in rider education and training, honoring agencies, organizations, programs, dealers, media and individuals who enhance motorcyclist safety. For 2006, the Air Force won four of the five MSF awards in

Kunsan Airmen show Thanksgiving spirit with South Koreans

Kunsan Air Base members hosted approximately 60 disabled South Koreans for a traditional Thanksgiving meal here Nov. 10. More than 20 volunteers from the Kunsan AB Company Grade Officers Council, Team 5/6 and other volunteers from across the 8th Fighter Wing hosted the South Koreans for a day of

Tricare to make access to dental care easier overseas

Presently, host nation dentists often require military families to make full payment up front, and then wait for reimbursement from United Concordia, the administrator of the Tricare Dental Program. Now, Tricare has modified their dental contract in an effort to eliminate the problem by seeking out

Airmen, 'Great Patriots' celebrate Veterans Day

It isn't very often that Mark Pavlovich Polushenko, an 83-year-old retired infantry lieutenant colonel with the former Soviet Union Army, has occasion to put on his military service dress uniform. The opportunity came again Nov. 12 during a special Veterans Day event here. Colonel Polushenko was

Medical mission becomes primary focus following Noel

Military members deployed to the Dominican Republic to assist the island nation recover from Tropical Storm Noel are gearing up for a new, more focused mission. A team of 13 servicemembers from Joint Task Force-Bravo's Medical Element, based at Soto Cano Air base, Honduras, arrived Nov. 8 to provide

Football: Falcons outfight Irish, 41-24

U.S. Air Force Academy all-purpose dynamo Chad Hall rushed for 142 yards while quarterback Shaun Carney threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third as the Falcons manhandled the Fighting Irish, 41-24, before a sellout crowd of 80,795 and a national television audience Nov. 10 at Notre Dame Stadium

Travis firefighters become four-time world champions

Under the lights of the original Las Vegas strip, firefighters from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., won a fourth consecutive Scott World Firefighter Combat Challenge here. In a time of 4 minutes, 37.89 seconds, the Travis team earned the right to keep their trophy another year. "It was amazing to win

DOD continues efforts to enroll marrow donors

Every 15 minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with a medical condition that requires treatment with bone marrow or a blood stem cell transplant. Every day more than 6,000 men, women and children around the world search the National Donor Program Registry for a life-saving donor.

Military dogs show their stuff

Airmen show respect to fallen servicemembers through community service

To show their support of fallen servicemembers from wars past and present, a small group of Airmen volunteers worked to ensure their brethrens' headstones were in proper formation for Veterans Day. The Airmen, assigned to the Air Force News Agency, straightened and reset the gravesite markers at the

Vietnam wall speaks to both present and past

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

Formal training scheduling to centralize

Scheduling of all Air Force-directed formal training historically accomplished by major command personnel and manpower directorates is being centralized at the Air Force Personnel Center here to streamline services and make maximum use of Air Force resources. Formal training includes all Air

Technical sergeant in business of saving a life ... twice

Being able to save a life is amazing, but having the opportunity to save the life of the same person twice, is remarkable. Tech. Sgt. Mari Navarro, NCO in charge of military personnel field activities for the manpower, personnel and services directorate at Air Force Space Command here, already saved

Chief McKinley updates Airmen on Air Force priorities

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

Crew chief meets childhood hero at Hill

"Okay buddy, how do you read me?" That simple phrase may not mean a lot to the average person, but for Airman 1st Class Jeremy Meyers, hearing it from his hero was unforgettable. "It's such a small world. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would be stationed with one of my heroes," Airman Meyers

Service-disabled veterans key to meeting military missions

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

Warfighters gather to train for close-air-support operations

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

Subterranean bunker converted to historical display

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

GI Mail offers safer way to stay in touch

Global Internet Mail is a personal e-mail program available to all servicemembers that can be used from any computer with Internet access, including government systems. While official government e-mail accounts are the most secure form of e-mail communication, messages sent between GI Mail accounts

Pilot missing from the Vietnam War is identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Nov. 6 that the remains of a serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Maj. John L. Carroll, Air Force, of Decatur, Ga. He will be

Mobile readiness team supports Army in Iraq

Members of the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Mobile Readiness Team are deployed here "in-lieu-of" Army forces and support the American Soldiers by recovering government assets that have been damaged, misplaced or unaccounted for in Iraq. The team recently deployed to Camp

AFRL wins workforce development award

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

Airman takes next step toward her American dream

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

U.S. Southern Command delivers supplies to victims of Noel

A C-130 Hercules, under the direction of U.S. Southern Command, delivered 27 crates of potable water to San Isidro Air Base in the Dominican Republic for distribution to victims impacted by Tropical Storm Noel Nov. 3. The C-130 relief sortie, supported by the Puerto Rico Air National Guard,

Reserve refuelers train with Egyptian fliers

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

Partnership offers Airmen better business support

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

Injured servicemembers get away from hospital to fish

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

AETC wins inaugural marathon major command trophy

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

Air Force officials to hold enhanced use lease industry forum

At an industry forum to be held Nov. 8 in Dallas, Air Force officials will meet with representatives from private industry to publicize and solicit feedback on the service's enhanced use lease program. The Air Force Enhanced Use Lease Program Industry Forum will address the service's program that

Thunderbirds receive first upgraded F-16

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

Scholarships for Military Children program begins

DeCA's 2008 Scholarships for Military Children program kicked off Nov. 1. Applications, available at commissaries worldwide and online through a link at www.commissaries.com and directly at www.militaryscholar.org, must be turned in to a commissary by close of business on Feb. 20, 2008. Applicants

Pachyderm PCS: Elephant finds new home courtesy of Air Force

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

AF leaders meet at CORONA Fall

Air Force senior leaders have just concluded the two-day CORONA Fall conference at the United States Air Force Academy. The goal of this CORONA summit was to ensure planning for tomorrow is not compromised by concentrating on today's fight. "Our current mission focus is waging and winning the long

Operation Maggie Migration: a mammoth mission

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

Airmen, Soldiers help establish military academy

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

'13-Fold' ceremony, other burial scripts approved

To ensure burial services at the 125 national cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs reflect the wishes of veterans and their families, VA officials have clarified the department's policy about recitations made while the U.S. flag is folded at the gravesite of a veteran. "Honoring

Air Force falls to Brock University, 66-63, in exhibition men's basketball

Rohan Steed's three-pointer with one-tenth of a second remaining lifted the Brock University (Canada) men's basketball team to a 66-63 victory over Air Force in an exhibition game at the academy's Clune Arena Oct. 31. Steed took a pass from Brad Rootes in the left corner after Rootes drove the lane

Honor guard transitions to new funeral guidelines

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

Officials select civilians for strategic leader program

Air Force officials have selected 84 civilians for the Civilian Strategic Leader Program, formerly known as the GS-15 Leadership Development Program. "The CSLP is designed to help institutionalize the total force development," said Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, chief of manpower and personnel for the Air

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

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

Warriors for a day

More than 200 children received their official tasking and prepared for a mock deployment at Hangar 1here Oct. 24. The day-long deployment began with the young warriors in-processing and picking up their air and space expeditionary force cards, helmets and web belts. Immediately after suiting up,

Flight attendants provide world-class service

Presidents, generals and prime ministers count on the support from Airmen of the 89th Airlift Wing here who provide safe, comfortable and reliable transportation while keeping world leaders connected and protected on special air missions around the globe. Tech. Sgt. Pete Kana of the 1st Airlift

Researchers create family of composite materials

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

Defense, VA officials to coordinate on patient care

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

TF33 jet engine shop up and running at Tinker

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

Large crowd gathers for first air, space expo

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

Mobility commander highlights AMC wartime successes, challenges

Air Mobility Command's Gen. Arthur Lichte underscored the command's wartime challenges, as he praised the accomplishments of mobility warriors, during the Airlift Tanker Association's 39th annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., Oct 25 to 28. General Lichte emphasized how the command's warfighting

Air Force women's symposium kicks off

The Air Force Women's Heritage to Horizons Training Symposium kicked off here Oct. 31with about 600 Airmen from around the globe in attendance. For the next three days, attendees will sit in on various forums and discussions, ranging in topics from professional development to women in combat. Guest

CSI Honduras: JSF teaches crime scene processing to Honduran police

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

Academy officials name 2007 Distinguished Graduates

A four-time NBA championship winning coach and a former president of National Defense University were named the recipients of the Academy's 2007 Distinguished Graduate Award. The U.S. Air Force Academy and the Academy's Association of Graduates announced Oct. 30 that Gregg Popovich and retired Lt.

Holiday greetings program producing more than 7,000 'Hi moms'

What began as a novel idea to give a handful of infantry soldiers in the Sinai a chance to say "hi" to family and friends back home during the holidays, has been transformed into a program that has thousands of servicemembers from around the globe appearing on TVs in virtually every state and

AF anniversary concert airs nationwide Nov. 2

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

Air Force runners dominate Marine Corps Marathon

Air Force runners took home bragging rights from the Marine Corps Marathon this weekend, with both the men's and women's teams winning first place in the military services division. The top times from the top four male and top two female runners are added together. The Air Force marathoners

Industry, academic leaders pool brainpower to address IED threat

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

'Perspective' focuses on family

In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman focuses on the Air Force family and National Military Family Month.  "Serving our nation takes desire, dedication and determination," Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley said. "Our families then go above and

AFMC helps return damaged B-1B to friendly environment

When a $283-million aircraft that's a segment of America's long-range bomber force loses one of its four engines - over the skies of Afghanistan - Airmen kick their fix-it instincts into high gear. Thanks to a unified effort led by Air Force Materiel Command, a maintenance team repaired a damaged

Officials offer programs for domestic violence awareness

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

Firefighting aircrews face unique challenges

The military crews in the planes dropping fire retardant on wildfire flames in southern California face hazards and challenges unique to their humanitarian mission. First is the low altitude at which they fly and the sudden, violent updrafts and downdrafts caused by the heat of the fire. Factor in

Randolph Airmen pay respects to fallen Soldier

Hundreds of Airmen, Air Force civilians, and their family members lined both sides of the main street here Oct. 26 to pay their respects to a Soldier killed in Iraq. U.S. Army Spc. Vincent A. Madero, 22, died Oct .17 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated

Air Force, forest service team to fight California fires

More than 50 years ago, the Air Force and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service teamed up to equip aircraft with the capability to fight large-scale fires -- a union that is yielding huge dividends in the battle against the raging wildfires that broke out in southern California earlier this

Airmen practice water rescue

Part of participating in a local operational readiness exercise is practicing skills and tactics that many hope they never have to use. Such was the case when a water survival and rescue exercise was conducted Oct. 24 by members of Kadena Air Base, Japan, off the coast of Okinawa as part of  local

Air Force moving hybrid battalion into Darfur

Air Force members are providing airlift support to the Rwandan military, moving United Nations armored personnel carriers, Rwandan soldiers, food, medicine and equipment in and out of the Darfur region Oct. 24.The Rwandan battalion is one of two working as the United Nations-African Union Hybrid

Manas medics participate in professional exchange

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

Airmen, Marines team up for Djibouti humanitarian mission

Smiles and laughter filled the air as Airmen and Marines provided live entertainment, toys and water to the residents of Nagad village Oct. 23 in Djibouti. Nagad was the site of a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa civil affairs engagement, teaming Airmen of the U.S. Central Air Forces'

Mobile surgical team trains under cover of darkness

In the middle of a seemingly deserted field shrouded in darkness, a once vacant spot of grass became home to a fully functioning operating room Oct. 18 here. Under the cover of night, using little more than flashlights and carefully coordinated teamwork, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element's

Service demographics offer snapshot of force

The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force, as of Sept. 30. More information can be found at the center's analysis branch website: http://wwa.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics/. Statistics are

Space Command welcomes new leader

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

Kabul Airman brings gifts, smiles to local children

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

Air Force Reserve unit deploys to fight California fires

Two Air Force Reserve Command firefighting C-130 Hercules aircraft left Oct. 23 to help battle the raging wildfires in Southern California. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, requested Department of Defense assistance in fighting the fires which put the wheels in motion for the

AFNORTH deploys air coordination team to California

Air Forces Northern officials are deploying an air component coordination element to support firefighting operations in Southern California. The air component coordination element, or ACCE, is an Air Force team designed to perform the command and control function for Air Force assets supporting the