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U.S. Air Force News

  • ABU wear policy effective immediately

    Air Force officials at the Pentagon released the wear policy for the new Airman Battle Uniform Feb. 7. The policy comes in time to help many of the Airmen deploying to the AOR in May, as these Airmen will be among the first to get the ABU. Further ABU distribution plans will be based on production

  • Swimming: Cadet earns fourth conference weekly honor

    A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet was named Mountain West Conference co-men's Swimmer of the Week, announced Feb. 8 by the conference office. Senior Chris Knaute has earned this honor four times this 2006-07 season and eight times in his career.The final Mountain West Conference Swimmer and Diver of

  • Units focus on bringing better capabilities to warfighters

    Senior leaders from Air Mobility Command, the Electronic System Center, and the Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center gathered for the 11th Exchange Day among the three organizations Feb. 7 here.Beginning in 2001, the biannual event has brought

  • Air Force Enlisted Village earns 4-star rating

    The Air Force Enlisted Village here recently received the highest rating possible from an online service that rates charities on their ability to efficiently manage and grow their finances.The four-star rating indicates the Air Force Enlisted Village outperforms the majority of nonprofit charities

  • Basketball: Air Force women fall to BYU, 70-40

    After scoring just 6 points in the opening half, the Air Force women's basketball team couldn't recover, falling to Brigham Young University 70-40 Feb. 8 at the Marriott Center. The Falcons drop to 4-17 overall, 0-10 in the Mountain West Conference, while the Cougars improve to 17-5 overall, 8-1 in

  • New trailer equipped for rapid response to biological agents

    A ceremony Feb. 6 here marked the first delivery in the Air Force of a laboratory response team trailer. The trailer is equipped with the Joint Biological Agent Identification and Diagnostic System, or JBAIDS, which provides rapid analysis of biological agents, an essential capability during an

  • Schriever Airmen assist during satellite program move

    The 6th Space Operations Squadron Airmen here are assisting with satellite control authority of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, augmenting National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration specialists who deployed to Schriever Jan. 29 from their facilities in Suitland, Md. NOAA

  • Dover reorganizes for C-17 mission

    A ceremony here Feb. 4 marked the end of a 30-year run of Dover AFB's sole C-5 Galaxy mission and the beginning of a new era as the base prepares for the first of 13 C-17 Globemaster IIIs scheduled to arrive this summer. Air Force Reserve Command's 512th Maintenance Group is reorganizing to

  • Air Force unit wins 2006 DOD Patient Safety Award

    The 59th Medical Wing staff was recognized as a Department of Defense Patient Safety Award winner for their use of new technology and innovation for patient care and safety tracking in an emergency department setting Jan. 30. The award was presented to Brig. Gen. (Dr.) David G. Young III, the 59th

  • The making of an air commando

    I had never heard the song before, but the melody was vaguely familiar: "Swamp rat, swamp rat, where do you hi-ide? "Come out in the open and I'll be your guy-ide." The raspy voice bounced off the tall pines in Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana: I'm a friendly guerilla who'll take you

  • Maintainers keep planes flying at Cope Tiger

    Maintenance personnel are in Thailand as part of Exercise Cope Tiger '07. The A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from Osan Air Base, Korea, are joined by planes from bases in Japan and Hawaii, all participating in the two-week multilateral exercise with Thailand and Singapore.With more than 60 planes in the air

  • Incirlik Airmen get new development center

    Incirlik AB's new Professional Development Center recently opened its doors to Airmen. The center features two large classrooms equipped with flexible seating and projectors, a computer lab with 20 network capable computers and the hall of history, which allows visitors a glance at Incirlik AB

  • Feb. 7 airpower: B-1s providing close-air support

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 7.In Afghanistan Feb. 6, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving small arms fire from Taliban extremists in a building near Qurya.

  • Reserve to form Distributed Ground System associate unit

    As part of the Air Force total force integration initiatives, Air Force Reserve Command is teaming up with Air Combat Command to form an associate unit with the 548th Intelligence Group in fiscal 2008 at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. The group operates Distributed Ground System-2 and Deployable

  • MyEDP provides real answers for real Airmen

    Airmen needn't look further than their computer screens for candid advice and information regarding their service careers, thanks to the My Enlisted Development Plan Web site, now up and running through the Air Force Portal.Designed as the Air Force's cradle-to-grave enlisted developmental tool,

  • Children follow in parents' footsteps on National Job Shadow Day

    After rushing through weekday morning routines, children and parents head off different in directions to begin their days, each wondering what the others' day will entail. Mackenzie Odom, a Spangdahlem Elementary School fourth grader, had the opportunity to see first hand what her father, Tech. Sgt.

  • Airmen to work alongside Soldiers in Afghanistan

    Troops arriving here are typically greeted by a welcoming committee, so when the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and his staff went to meet the servicemembers bound for Afghanistan disembarking off an aircraft Feb. 4, they fully expected to see Army Soldiers file off. But when more than 170

  • Chief of staff visits Air Force's combat airpower hub

    "We've been a nation at war since 9-11, but people declared war on us a long time before then," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley while speaking to deployed Airmen of Balad's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Feb. 4. The general cited terrorist attacks over the past three decades and

  • Manas Airmen making a difference in the local community

    After Manas Air Base was established here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Air Force and 376th Air Expeditionary Wing officials wanted to find a way to show their appreciation to their new neighbors. To achieve this, the Manas Air Base Outreach Society was established in December 2003. "For

  • Chief of staff: Warrior Airmen new culture of Air Force

    Today's Airmen are in the fight. As the war on terrorism continues in the Middle East and the war on drugs continues in South and Central America, Airmen are engaged in struggles across the globe. "We are warfighters," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff. "From the pilots who

  • Alamo Wing steps up schoolhouse operations

    The Air Force Reserve's 433rd Airlift Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, gained two new squadrons Feb. 6. The wing is home to the Air Force's C-5 Galaxy schoolhouse. At a formal ceremony, the 356th Airlift Squadron and 733rd Training Squadron joined the Alamo Wing. The wing, from which flies

  • DOD to establish U.S. Africa Command

    The U.S. military will establish a separate U.S. Africa Command to oversee military operations on the African continent, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced during congressional testimony Feb. 6."The president has decided to stand-up a new unified, combatant command, Africa Command, to

  • Cope Tiger participants provide humanitarian assistance

    Servicemembers from the United States, Thailand and Republic of Singapore took part in a humanitarian mission during Cope Tiger 2007 Jan. 30 at a Thai school. "It is an incredible feeling to come into an area like this and make an impact, show off the humanitarian side of the U.S. Air Force and

  • Feb. 6 airpower: Eagles shut down small-arms fire

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 6. In Afghanistan Feb. 5, F-15 Eagles provided show-of-force and overhead coverage for a convoy of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops near Ya Qubi who were receiving small arms fire and a

  • Senior leaders address deployments, total-force concept

    The Air Force has been deployed to the Middle East in one fashion or another for more than 16 years and, according to the service's top officer, Airmen should expect this trend to continue for at least the next 10. "I believe we will be in the Middle East for a very long time yet," said Gen. T.

  • Kadena Airmen ready for visiting Raptors

    As Kadena Air Base officials get ready to host 12 F-22 Raptors for the fighters' first overseas deployment, the base's most important focus right now is their readiness stance. "That readiness gives us piece and stability in the region," said Brig. Gen. Harold W. Moulton, 18th Wing commander. "And

  • Barksdale B-52s arrive in Guam, complete bomber rotation

    Airmen from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., and their B-52 Stratofortress bombers arrived in Guam recently to begin a four-month deployment here. The Louisiana-based aircraft, aircrew, support and maintenance members replaced the Minot AFB, N.D., Airmen who redeployed home as part of a

  • Air Force kicks off NASCAR season at Daytona

    The Air Force begins its seventh year of sponsorship in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series when the No. 21 car begins the 2007 season Feb. 10 at the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway, Fla. The Air Force No. 21 car, owned by Wood Brothers Racing/JTG Organization, features a new paint

  • Air Force FY 2008 budget includes pay raise, new facilities

    In the president's fiscal 2008 budget, released Feb. 5, Air Force leaders are asking Congress for about $110.7 billion. The Air Force budget request, about $6.2 billion more than it received in FY07, is divided into three primary areas: people, readiness and modernization and recapitalization. About

  • MacDill riders star in motorcycle safety DVD

    It was lights, cameras and action on the set at MacDill AFB the end of January and early February as trained motorcyle riders revved their high-powered bikes and dashed through a makeshift road course on the flightline. Their movie is destined for DVD release in the spring, although you will not

  • New technology takes pain out of major dentistry

    Dental work for deploying Moody AFB Airmen that once took six weeks can now be accomplished at the dental clinic in a number of hours because of a new computer-based system now in use. The $64,000 system frees laboratory technicians from the time-consuming process of molding plaster, shaping wax,

  • AFSO 21: Fairchild initiative reduces wait for critical parts

    A maintenance technician here used to wait up to an hour to get a screw and washer before he could complete a KC-135 Stratotanker repair on the flightline. Soon, thanks to an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century initiative at the 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, he is just minutes away

  • Budget proposal includes 3-percent pay raise

    President Bush's defense budget request for fiscal 2008 includes a 3 percent military pay raise as well as increases for housing, health care and other quality-of-life benefits and programs. Bush's proposed budget, submitted to Congress today, includes $137 billion in pay, benefits and health care

  • Vice chairman 'cautiously optimistic' about new Iraq approach

    The nation's second-highest-ranking military officer said he is cautiously optimistic about the new approach to Iraq after a three-day visit there that ended Feb 2."It is clear that most of the senior officials (from the) coalition, Iraq and United States I talked with during my time in Baghdad are

  • Air Force to accelerate realignment of Oregon wing

    Air Force Reserve Command officials announced plans to implement a second reduction in force in a move to accelerate the closure of the 939th Air Refueling Wing by June 2008 at Portland International Airport, Ore. Originally scheduled to be finalized in September 2010, the new plan allows about 244

  • 'Top Gun' instructor helps with Raptor integration

    What do you say when the Air Force chief of staff asks you to be the first F-22 pilot for the Navy? In Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Wosje's case, it was, "How could I refuse?" In a program that lets Navy pilots jump ship to train and integrate with the Air Force, this F/A-18C Hornet pilot from the USS

  • 379th fights GWOT 24/7

    Anyone who drives around the base at night will notice much of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing has a 24-hour operating schedule. Whether it's on the flightline or in a back shop, maintainers, operators and support personnel are working around the clock to generate combat sorties. Some people are

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Feb. 3

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 3.In Afghanistan Feb. 2, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Delaram. RAF M-2000s provided

  • Airmen race against time for Manta kids

    When the 171st Air Refueling Wing from the Pittsburgh Air National Guard heard they were going to deploy here to support the 478th Expeditionary Operations Squadron, boom operator Master Sgt. John Buckwalter asked, "What can we do to help the community when we arrive?" The answer? Collect 118

  • Strike Eagles 'rain thunder' on enemy

    When an F-15E Strike Eagle goes by low and fast, the ground shakes and even crew chiefs with years of experience with the aircraft can be surprised. With its advanced sensors and wide array of weapons, enemy forces don't have to see or hear the F-15E for it to strike them. "We can find targets on

  • Moody opens doors to new housing

    The base community celebrated the completion of the first new single family housing units with a ribbon cutting ceremony Jan. 31 at the new Magnolia Grove Housing area. The $52 million project provides 383 three-and four-bedroom homes in Magnolia Grove, each with no less than 1,630 square feet of

  • SECAF town hall meeting: Every Airman an ambassador

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke in front of a packed house January 31 during his town hall meeting at the Pentagon. During the meeting, the secretary discussed some of the issues facing the Air Force today as well as its strengths and his goals for 2007. One issue included the ages

  • Programs allow deployed Airmen to e-mail, chat with family

    Air Force officials continue to provide deployed Airmen and their families with Web-based communication tools, allowing e-mail and instant messaging from virtually anywhere in the world. The Air Force Instant Messenger and Global Internet Mail programs help ease the stress of deployments by keeping

  • Guam honors Andersen Airman

    A 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Airman has received two of the highest honors the government of Guam can bestow Jan. 26. In separate ceremonies, Staff Sgt. Ryan Ancheta, a structural craftsman with the squadron's vertical repair shop, was honored with a resolution from the Guam legislature and the

  • Captain shares language with Japanese airmen

    An Air Force officer is making the most of his assignment to Kumagaya Air Base in Japan.Capt. Joseph Cook, a communications officer, is the only American stationed here as part of the Japanese Personnel Exchange Program.Captain Cook spends most of his time teaching English to new Japanese officers

  • Air Force women's soccer places 5 on academic all-conference team

    The Air Force women's soccer team placed five student-athletes on the Mountain West Conference Academic All-Conference Team. Senior Katherine Plichta led the way with her fourth academic all-conference selection. Plichta, a Littleton native, joins Jennifer Ford (class of 2004) and Amanda Cleland

  • Latest Roll Call addresses PCS moves

    This week's Roll Call highlights a topic that affects every Airman -- permanent change of station moves. Air Force leaders have developed new policies regarding moves in an effort to save PCS dollars and to stabilize and better develop Airmen. For the Air Force, it means money can be used to

  • Arnold teams provide NASA with test data

    Two teams at the Engineering Development Center's Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 here were recently involved in tests for NASA's next crew exploration vehicle. One team made use of conventional and advanced measurement techniques during the NASA-sponsored aerothermal testing on a scale model of the

  • Vehicle maintenance Airmen use AFSO 21 initiatives

    Airmen in the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance shop are improving safety in their workcenter using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century.Mechanics in this unit work on B-2 and B-4 aircraft towing vehicles every three to four years. When that time comes around, it

  • Spooky gunship armed with new cannons

    Spooky is about to get a little scarier. Crews at Hurlburt Field have put the finishing touches on the first AC-130U Spooky gunship armed with the 30 mm Bushmaster cannon. The rearmed Spooky retains its 105 mm cannon but replaces the 25 mm and 40 mm guns with Bushmasters. The project is a "win-win,"

  • Competition challenges Airmen's warfighting abilities

    Twenty-one teams composed of 84 Andersen AFB Airmen competed Jan. 25 and 26 here in Warrior Day, a competition designed to simulate challenges Airmen may face in combat. "Warrior Day is an annual competition on Andersen," said Senior Master Sgt. Ray Johnson who is assigned to the 36th Security

  • Top personnel official: 'Jointness' key to future of military medicine

    As the military health care system transforms its governance structure, the services must work together to sustain the high quality of care servicemembers and their families receive, a top Defense Department official said here Jan. 30. The military health care community has transformed battlefield

  • Air Force recognized as top federal green power purchaser

    For the third year in a row, the Air Force heads the Environmental Protection Agency's list of Top 10 federal government green power purchasers in the Green Power Partnership. The list highlights EPA's federal Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through

  • Air University debuts strategic publication, seeks articles

    Air University officials have announced the debut of a publication that will serve as a forum for the critical examination of and debate about contemporary national defense topics. They are inviting authors to share their perspectives on strategic issues in today's headlines. Topics of discussion

  • Guard integration moves Airmen from Kulis to Elmendorf

    The 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska, and associated aircraft, will relocate to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, in accordance with the 2005 BRAC Commission recommendation. The 2005 BRAC Commission recommended that, contingent on the availability of adequate military construction

  • Don't monkey around with the Air Force

    At some point in our lives we've probably all been told to quit monkeying around, but for Senior Master Sgt. Michael Hartsfield, that was just part of his job here in late January. In a very unusual twist of events, a privately-owned Japanese snow monkey escaped from her owner in early December

  • AFMC sets date to complete civilian development plan

    The Air Force Materiel Command's General Schedule-13 acquisition program managers have until Feb. 6 to complete their automated civilian development plan for this year's cycle. The suspense also applies to former GS-13, GS-14 or equivalent employees who converted to National Security Personnel

  • Tanker recapitalization proposal released

    Air Force leaders officially released a request for proposal for a replacement tanker aircraft Jan. 30. The RFP is the official invitation to manufacturers to begin making offers to build a replacement for the Air Force's aging "Eisenhower-era" fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers, said Sue Payton, the

  • Ramstein control tower gets facelift

    Ramstein AB air traffic controllers left their 10-story tower in January for a one-story MSN-7 mobile control tower. During the next few weeks, the air traffic control tower will receive approximately $313,000 in upgrades that will transform the 1952 tower. "My pledge is to provide our outstanding

  • C-130 mechanics beat repair deadline for gunship

    When Aircraft 89-0512, an AC-130U Spooky, arrived at Robins AFB for program depot maintenance, it was given an accelerated schedule of only 150 days to complete. This was 31 days less than the standard 181 days for such an aircraft and many wondered if the members of the 560th Aircraft Maintenance

  • Changes planned for ISR community

    The Air Force director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, recently discussed his plans for improving the service's ISR capabilities. During a recent roundtable with members of the press, Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula laid out his plans for overhauling the service's ISR functions.

  • USAFE, Ukrainian air force continue spirit of cooperation

    As the Ukrainian air force continues its steady progress, information exchanges with partnering nations such as U.S. Air Forces in Europe help further that development, said the chief of the Ukrainian air force. "A visit like this is a good opportunity to gain experience from USAFE, which relates to

  • Hickam Airmen strategize aircraft weight-reduction initiative

    Members of the Hawaii Air National Guard have been categorizing parts of a KC-135 Stratotanker to figure out what can come off during certain missions to save fuel and money for the Air Force. The project was initially launched when Dr. Ron Ritter, special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations

  • Wedding bells ring for couple at Elmendorf

    Wedding bells were ringing at Elmendorf Jan. 26 when an officer from the 611th Air Intelligence Squadron and his fiancee tied the knot in the 611th AIS conference room after he received news of a short-notice deployment to Iraq. Maj. Greg Soukup's notification came only 32 days before the large

  • Center for the Intrepid opens its doors

    An aircraft carrier that sparked the spirits of a nation following the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor during the dark, early days of World War II has become the namesake of the world's most technologically advanced rehabilitation center for amputees and burn victims unveiled during an

  • Initiatives save Airmen processing time

    First experiences here used to consist of waiting in lines, dragging bags, waiting in more lines -- and then meeting the people being replaced. Not exactly the warm welcome Personnel Support for Contingency Operations Airmen wanted to bestow upon new arrivals. New arrivals to this Southwest Asia

  • C-130 maintenance unit gets much needed upgrade

    Airmen of the 746th Aircraft Maintenance Unit who generate C-130 Hercules aircraft throughout Southwest Asia now have an upgraded maintenance facility to call home. The new complex replaces the hodgepodge of old tents, conexes and homemade wooden structures, which combined to form a complex

  • Joint Intelligence Operations Center opens in Kabul

    The Joint Intelligence Operations Center, a strategic and operational breakthrough in Afghanistan-Pakistan border security, officially opened here Jan. 25 during a ceremony at Headquarters, International Security Assistance Force. The JIOC's debut publicly acknowledges ISAF's, Afghanistan's and

  • Missile overhaul creates big savings

    When U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials recently moved to shift serviceable rocket motors from older, first-generation AIM-120A advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and put them in unserviceable, but newer and more capable AIM-120B and C models, 435th Munitions Squadron Airmen volunteered to

  • CSAF's Vector discusses Air Force intelligence transformation

    The latest Chief of Staff's Vector outlines changes in the way the Air Force will transform its intelligence activities. "Our first step is to realign functions within the Headquarters Staff to establish the AF/A2 as the single focal point and lead for all Air Force intelligence, surveillance and

  • Guard leaders commend Hickam's total force integration

    Senior Air National Guard officer and enlisted leaders were here recently to discuss current and future issues in the ANG as well as learning from the successes of Hickam's total force integration with the C-17 Globemaster III and how that can be reproduced elsewhere. The group of ANG leaders make

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 29

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 29. In Afghanistan Jan. 28, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near forward operating bases Carlson and

  • New complex expedites refueling

    A new petroleum, oil and lubricant complex here has commenced operations to meet the burgeoning growth of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in support of the war on terrorism. The $113 million complex, located near the north end of the flightline, boosts the capability needed to supply fuel for

  • 36 graduate from AFSO 21 class at University of Tennessee

    Thirty-six military officers and civilians graduated from the first class of Level II Experts in Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century Jan. 11 at the University of Tennessee.The University of Tennessee was selected for the six-month training for "their depth and breadth of knowledge, and

  • Hockey: Air Force blanks Bentley 2-0

    Senior Ben Worker recorded his first career shutout as Air Force blanked Bentley 2-0 in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Jan. 27 at the John A. Ryan Arena here. The U.S. Air Force Academy improved to 13-10-5 overall and 10-5-5 in league play. Bentley fell to 10-14-1 in all games and 9-11-0 in the

  • Track & Field: Beerse sets pole vault record

    Freshman Melissa Beerse rewrote the Academy's pole vault record ... twice ... as the Air Force track and field team hosted the annual Don Barrett Air Force Open Jan. 27 at the Cadet Field House. Beerse is one of four event winners for the Falcons in this non-team scoring event. Beerse won the pole

  • Swimming & Diving: Air Force falls to BYU

    The Air Force men's and women's swimming and diving teams were swept in a Mountain West Conference dual Jan. 26 at the BYU swimming and diving complex. The men's team lost 138-105 while the women lost 153-74. Senior Chris Knaute led the way for the Falcons, winning the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle

  • Airmen to see combat medal in April

    Since the Air Force started manning convoy operations in support of the war on terror, more Airmen have had an opportunity to put their rifle training to use in real-world scenarios. Today, explosive ordnance disposal and security forces Airmen, along with those performing in-lieu-of taskings, have

  • Latest Roll Call highlights National Security Personnel System

    This week's Roll Call highlights one of the most important segments of the Total Force -- government civilians. Air Force leaders believe it is important for all Airman to at least have a basic understanding of the new National Security Personnel System, or NSPS.NSPS is one of the secretary of

  • Bronze Star recipient chosen to attend State of Union Address

    When President Bush addressed the nation Jan. 23 for his annual State of the Union address, Airmen around the world listened via television, radio or the Internet. But one Airman watched from inside the U.S. Capitol building where the president gave his speech. Tech. Sgt. Michelle Barefield, an

  • Air Force to implement second DOS rollback

    The Air Force has adjusted its force-shaping numbers in response to better-than-expected retention rates in fiscal year 2006. In a message dated Jan. 26, officials said the Air Force must cut 3,090 Airmen by Sept. 30 in order to meet this year's force shaping goals. The Air Force will use three

  • Deep Freeze members commemorate base's 50th anniversary

    Members of Operation Deep Freeze participated in events to commemorate the base's 50th anniversary Jan. 20 at Scott Base on Ross Island in Antarctica. Antarctica New Zealand sponsored the event, which invited U.S. and New Zealand diplomats and political leaders. The National Science Foundation, as

  • Airborne Laser returns for more testing

    The YAL-1A, a modified Boeing 747-400F known as the Airborne Laser, is undergoing a long-term test phase at the Air Force Flight Test Center here that includes test firing the aircraft's low-power lasers in flight for the first time. The Missile Defense Agency is testing and developing the Airborne

  • Williamsburg Talks join international air forces

    Leaders from four international air forces gathered Jan. 18 through 21 in Williamsburg, Va., to discuss issues and share ideas regarding their respective services and discovered they all faced similar challenges. Hosted by Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff, the four-day event

  • Life at Thule

    Landing on a snow-packed winter runway 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle can be a harrowing experience for anyone who journeys here. Snow-blinding winds howling in excess of 50-miles-per-hour, temperatures plunging below zero, and 24-hours-a-day without sunshine are commonplace and make it unlike

  • Chief Parish helps honor new chiefs at Spangdahlem

    The eighth chief master sergeant of the Air Force was among those congratulating seven chief master sergeant selectees during a chiefs' recognition ceremony here Jan. 20.Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Sam E. Parish was the guest speaker at the event."It is a good hard, tough mission that

  • DOD to discontinue remote home school program

    The Department of Defense Education Activity will discontinue its Remote Home School Program beginning in school year 2007-2008, DODEA officials announced Jan. 25."We understand this unique program is valued by our families," said Joseph D. Tafoya, DODEA director. "Unfortunately, with the funding

  • Air Force proposes adding 23 F-15s, F-16s at Nellis

    The Air Force is proposing to base 23 additional F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons here and to add about 520 people as a result of changes mandated by the recent Base Realignment and Closure process. Under the proposed action, the 64th Aggressor Squadron would receive five F-16 aircraft and the

  • Video teleconferencing connects military families

    Days away from home, eons away from loved ones ... at least that is how it feels to some when a military member is deployed. But new capabilities here can make the world a lot smaller for military families. Earlier this month, 10 Airmen from the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron who are deployed to Iraq

  • Airmen train with Marines for urban warfare

    Camp Hansen Marines recently taught sniper tactics to two Airmen from the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces Special Operations Training Group on Camp Hansen offers courses designed to enhance the training of servicemembers

  • Eielson Airmen return from deployment

    Blurry eyes brightened as each Airman walked trough the doors of the joint mobility complex here at 1 a.m. Jan. 23 to the welcoming applause of awaiting friends, family and co-workers. Tired from the long 36-hour flight trek home to Alaska, the midnight arrival ended the Airmen's months-long Air

  • DNA registry unlocks key to fallen servicemembers' identities

    Deep within a nondescript warehouse in this Washington suburb lie millions of blood-smeared cardboard cards that hold the key to every servicemember's unique personal identity, captured in DNA. DNA is a substance within every person's cells that provides a personal blueprint, known as a DNA profile.

  • Air Force completes public transfer of former Castle AFB

    The Air Force completed the transfer of the former Castle Air Force Base, Calif., from military control to private ownership Jan. 22 with one of the base's former housing areas being accepted by a retirement village. Atwater Retirement Village II, LLC, accepted the final parcel of property,

  • Moody Airmen test new, nonlethal method of repelling enemy

    Airmen of the 820th Security Forces Group here are currently evaluating a long-range, nonlethal weapon system that could eventually save lives in the war on terrorism. The Active Denial System is designed to engage and repel human targets by projecting a beam of energy that creates an intolerable

  • Security forces Airmen complete 'Fly Away' course at Fort Dix

    Sixty security forces Airmen from across the Air Force prepared for an overseas deployment while attending the Fly Away Security Training, or FAST, Course 07-1 Jan. 18 here. Each student gained new skills in everything from hand-to-hand combat to anti-hijacking training. The FAST course is the first

  • New technology expands Air Force's combat capability

    The 820th Security Forces Group was selected recently as the first Air Force unit to purchase and deploy the Ground Situational Awareness Toolkit. The GSAT system, consisting of the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial system and ShotSpotter gunfire acquisition technology, will allow Airmen to identify

  • Staying involved key for parents, children

    Eight educators, health-care officials and family advocacy workers made presentations to parents during a "Let's Talk" conference here Jan. 18. The two-hour briefing served as a means to inform Yokota parents about a variety of resources readily available to them on base. Some of the forum's

  • 'Roll Call' now available through e-mail subscription

    "Roll Call," the new weekly publication designed to help supervisors explain important Air Force issues to their Airmen, is now available for subscription through Air Force Link. Roll Call covers one or two topics each week, and is written so supervisors can read it to their Airmen during morning

  • 20 years of lethality: Ellsworth celebrates B-1's history

    The 28th Bomb Wing received its first B-1B Lancer on Jan. 21, 1987. Over the course of its 20 years of service with the wing, the aircraft and its mission have changed significantly. The B-1B has roots in the 1970s, when it became obvious that winning the Cold War required stepping up technology.

  • Fallen Airmen memorialized at Balad

    As light drained from the sky over Balad AB, 32 Airmen stood in formation at the position of attention, unmindful of the steady rain.A narrator solemnly read 32 names. As each was announced, an Airman from the formation took one step forward, acknowledging the life and spirit of a fellow Airman