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  • Airmen ready for Dolly's aftermath

    As Hurricane Dolly continues to pound the Texas-Mexico border with heavy rains and strong winds, Airmen remain on standby to help when needed. The hurricane made landfall July 23 as a Category 2 storm, with 85-mile-an-hour winds. Weather forecasters expect the storm to deposit 15 inches of rain

  • July 17 airpower summary: A-10s fire multiple weapons

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto an

  • Female pioneers of military aviation gather at McChord

    One woman flew military aircraft in the waning days of World War II while another woman is the first operational and combat-ready female F-22 Raptor pilot. Dorothy Olsen, a former member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, met July 20 at the McChord Air Expo 2008 with Capt. Jammie Jamieson, who

  • July 18 airpower summary: F-15Es bomb enemy snipers

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Royal Air Force GR-9 Harriers dropped an Enhanced Paveway II

  • July 19 airpower summary: F-16s provide armed aerial security

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers dropped an Enhanced Paveway II

  • Hurricane Hunters track Dolly

    Hurricane Hunters from the Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew repeatedly through Hurricane Dolly as it headed toward the Texas coast, relaying critical data to National Weather Service forecasters in Miami. Six-person crews from the squadron have been tracking the

  • Texas military forces ready for Hurricane Dolly landfall

    An approximately 500-member-strong joint task force is ready and waiting to help civil authorities save lives and support any evacuations for the Category 2 Hurricane Dolly hitting southern Texas July 23.Texas military forces -- a team made up of Texas Army and Air National Guard units  -- have set

  • Officials name downed B-52 aircrew members

    Air Force officials have released the names of the Barksdale crew members of the B-52 that crashed July 21 off Guam's northwest coast.  Five of the six crew members were stationed here. They are Maj. Christopher M. Cooper, 33, aircraft commander; Maj. Brent D. Williams, 37, navigator; Capt. Michael

  • July 20 airpower summary: C-17s support heavy airlift missions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s

  • U.S., African forces participate in medical exercise

    Malian medics, doctors and nurses put their skills to the test during a mass casualty exercise July 18, which kicked off in the village of Kati, Mali. Medics received a call July 18 of a bus crash -- with an actual bus and a vehicle on its side, blocking a roundabout. Patients were moulaged and

  • July 21 airpower summary: F-15Es deter anti-Afghan activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped guided bomb unit-38s

  • Search effort shifts from rescue to recovery

    Air Force officials here determined July 23 that none of the six crewmembers survived the B-52 Stratofortress crash July 21 off Guam's northwest coast. Search and rescue teams have now shifted their focus from rescue operations to recovery of the aircrew. The joint civilian and military rescue teams

  • July 22 airpower summary: B-1Bs hit enemy targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto

  • Senate committee reviews Air Force nominees

    Senate Armed Services Committee members presented a number of questions and challenges to Air Force civilian and military leader nominees July 22 on Capitol Hill. Michael Donley, the acting secretary of the Air Force, and Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, nominated to become the next chief of staff of the

  • 18 nations gather for Conference of the American Air Chiefs

    Air chiefs and representatives from 18 Western Hemisphere nations arrived July 19 for the 48th annual Conference of the American Air Chiefs in San Antonio. Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander led the AFSOUTH delegation during the week-long event. Attendees at

  • Lean Week comes to Randolph

    Gone is the Air Force before super computers and modern technology. Gone are the, "We used to do it this way," and "When I was an Airman..." mindsets. Even gone, is the Air Force of fifteen years ago. Today's Air Force is a highly streamlined, technology-driven entity that is tasked more and more

  • Tuskegee Airmen honored at McGuire ceremony

    McGuire Air Force Base members honored the Tuskegee Airmen with a rededication of Tuskegee Avenue July 17 here. "Team McGuire did extremely well," said Col. Samuel Douglas, the Air Mobility Command operations division chief. "They went above and beyond with the ceremony. It was great having both

  • Search effort continues following B-52 crash

    A joint-agency search continues for missing crew members following the crash July 21 of a B-52H Stratofortress bomber 25 miles off the northwest coast of Guam. The bodies of two of the six Airmen on board the aircraft have been recovered. Identities of the crew members are being withheld pending

  • Duke Field Airmen drop last 15,000-pound bomb

    Duke Field Airmen from the 711th Special Operations Squadron dropped the last operational Bomb Live Unit-82 from an MC-130E Combat Talon I July 15 at the Utah Test and Training Range. Nicknamed "Commando Vault" in Vietnam and "Daisy Cutter" in Afghanistan, the BLU-82 is a 15,000-pound bomb, and

  • Tuskegee Airman: Follow in the footsteps of these heroes

    A former Air Force colonel encouraged the next generation to follow in the footsteps of the World War II heroes during the Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Awards Gala of the 37th Annual Tuskegee Airmen Convention July 19 here. Dr. Guion Bluford Jr., the Aerospace Technology Group founder and president,

  • Top acquisition official: Tanker acquisition top priority

    Officials from the Government Accountability Office testified before Congress July 10 here about their decision to uphold Boeing's protests of the Air Force's selection of Northrop Grumman Corp. to produce 179 new tankers that would replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. In its report, GAO

  • Original Tuskegee Airmen share experiences

    The public learned more about the original Tuskegee Airmen during an open forum at the Tuskegee Airmen Convention July 19 here. Seven Tuskegee Airmen pilots spoke about their personal experiences as some of the first African-American pilots and answered questions posed by the audience. The Airmen

  • Servicemembers honored at Tuskegee Airmen convention

    Military members and Tuskegee Airmen were honored at the Tuskegee Airmen National Convention military luncheon July 18 here. "I want people to understand whose shoulders we are standing on and what those men did for us and our Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, the principal director to the

  • Air Force leaders share women's perspectives

    Servicemembers learned more about the perspectives of women in the military during a leadership forum here July 17. The forum was part of the Tuskegee Airmen Convention ending July 20. Senior leadership spoke about several issues, including the heroism of Tuskegee Airmen, the history of women in the

  • Medics in Panama see side effects of pesticide use

    Air Force medics treated approximately 3,100 patients suffering from the effects of pesticide during a medical readiness training exercise July 14 through 18 in Panama.Panamanian and U.S. Air Force doctors worked together to give free medical care to patients in remote locations during the

  • 'Today's Air Force' features combat search and rescue

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights a combat search and rescue unit where pararescue Airmen endure one of the toughest training in the Air Force and an explosive ordnance disposal team at Balad Air Base, Iraq, that uses robots capable of disarming bombs. Also featured are off-base

  • 302nd AEG conducts 23rd day of California wild fire support

    Aircraft of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 23rd day of aerial firefighting support missions July 18 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. On July 17, aerial assets of the 302nd AEG did not perform aerial firefighting missions. Eight Marine and Navy Reserve

  • Air National Guard members save lives by land, sea

    Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing launched a search and rescue mission from here July 16 to save a fisherman experiencing a medical emergency aboard a Canadian fishing boat off the coast of California. Responding to a pararescuemen headed to the 85-foot Ocean Marauder fishing boat

  • California firefighting commander: 'Great job' by Airmen

    People in California noticed the job Airmen at McClellan Airfield performed in fighting California's wildfires and could not stop telling the commander of U.S. Northern Command during his July 17 visit to Sacramento. "State leaders are stumbling over each other trying to thank you guys!" said Gen.

  • Kadena's K-9 warriors go airborne

    The ability to cope with anxiety and stress is an important skill for today's expeditionary Airmen as they face more frequent deployments in combat conditions. Recently, Airmen from the 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, the 33rd Rescue Squadron and 18th Security Forces Squadron teamed up to help

  • Combat-identification technologies tested

    War fighters from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are testing new battlefield systems that can discern friend from foe during the "Bold Quest Plus" joint military demonstration being conducted at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The demonstration's purpose is to provide warfighters with

  • U-2 nose art honors fallen Soldier

    Airmen added chalk art to a U-2 fuselage to honor the late brother of an Airman serving here as a crew chief July 14 at a Southwest Asian air base.The art was a tribute to Army Cpl. Gunnar W. Zwilling, 20, brother of Airman 1st Class Alexander Zwilling, who was deployed here as a member of the 99th

  • 302nd AEG conducts 22nd day of California wild fire support

    Aircraft and firefighters of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 22nd day of aerial firefighting support missions July 17 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. On July 16, the 302nd AEG military aviation assets performed a total of four air drops, delivering 5,600

  • Peru's chief of staff sees 'New Horizon'

    Dr. Luis Cabeña, Peru's Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defense, visited the New Horizons Peru 2008 base camp and project sites July 12 and 13. The U.S. Southern Command-sponsored program brings humanitarian assistance to the people of Peru.After reading reports and stories about the New Horizons

  • Pharmacist dispenses much-needed medicine for Malians

    Boxes filled the small supply room-turned pharmacy as servicemembers painstakingly sorted through more than 30,000 pills destined for thousands of Malians July 15. More than 90 doctors, nurses and medical technicians deployed to Mali for MEDFLAG 08, a multinational medical training exercise designed

  • Human performance training optimizes Airmen

    As the Air Force continues to scale down its numbers, it's more important than ever to have Airmen performing their missions at the highest levels. This means working smarter, not harder, and doing it safely. Helping to optimize the performance of members here is the goal for the 18th Aerospace

  • Airmen donate clothes, sports items to Malian

    Months of hard work came to fruition for Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, when they delivered boxes of clothing to a local orphanage July 16 in Mali. When Airmen from Aviano found out they were going to Mali for a medical mission, they joined efforts with the local community to gather more than

  • Officials offer incentive pay at Creech

    Air Force officials have authorized assignment incentive pay, or AIP, for Airmen assigned to and performing duty at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., effective immediately. Airmen who meet the eligibility criteria will receive $300 AIP per month for the first 36 months assigned to a Creech AFB unit, and

  • 302nd AEG conducts its 21st day of California wild fire support

    Aircraft and firefighters from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 21st day of aerial firefighting support missions July 16 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. On July 15, aerial assets of the 302nd AEG did not perform aerial firefighting missions due limited

  • July 16 airpower summary: A-10s conduct shows of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-31 and

  • AETC first to receive new acquisitions authority

    Air Education and Training Command became the first major command authorized to pursue services acquisitions valued at up to $500 million, following the signing of an agreement between the command and Air Force Acquisitions officials. The new agreement is expected to help streamline the acquisition

  • Lakenheath Airman gives someone a second chance at life

    Staff Sgt. James D. Kelley, 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron repair and reclamation journeyman here, is saving a life by donating peripheral blood stem cells July 18 to a hospital in Fairfax, Va.The PBSC transplant consists of shots for five days to increase the amount of stem cells in the

  • Airman under fire; Pararescueman saves two girls

    The day started out as normal as they do in a combat area of Afghanistan, said Tech. Sgt. Clinton Beck, a pararescueman with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron.He awoke with his team of elite special operators and began planning the day's mission, he said. As the team approached their target, they

  • Hurricane Hunters deploy to U.S. Virgin Islands

    Hurricane Hunters have deployed from the Air Force Reserve Command's 403rd Wing here to a forward operating location on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands to be in position for storm flights. After Citizen Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew missions into Hurricane Bertha

  • Airmen sail into Coast Guard Academy

    Two senior NCOs recently had the opportunity to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy in Petaluma, Calif. Master Sgts Christopher King and Chance Glascock took advantage of the advanced training offered to just 40 Air Force senior NCOs a year. The five-week course stresses

  • 'Send it our way, we'll get the job done!'

    Air Mobility Command Airmen in Southwest Asia work around the clock to ensure passengers and cargo move in and out of the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility, proudly proclaiming, "You need it, we move it." The 255 members of the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, a tenant unit of

  • Raptors set to deploy to Guam

    Six F-22 Raptors from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are set to deploy to Andersen AFB, Guam, July 18 to Aug. 2. The F-22s, along with associated maintenance and support personnel, will deploy to Guam to participate in the Jungle Shield exercise and conduct Cope Thaw

  • Malians learn life-saving techniques during exercise

    In a dimly lit, dusty classroom, 32 Malian medics and nurses received their first-ever mass casualty training July 15 in Kati, Mali, 15 kilometers outside the capital city of Bamako. More than 90 servicemembers deployed to Mali for MEDFLAG 08, a multi-national medical training exercise designed to

  • Gates recommends McKinley to be Guard's first four-star general

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has recommended the Air National Guard's director for a promotion that would make him the first four-star general in National Guard history. Pending nomination by President Bush and confirmation by the Senate, Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley would become the chief of the

  • Coast Guard provides maintenance support to 302nd AEG

    Coast Guardsmen from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento opened their hangar doors for maintainers from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group, making it easier for them to work on the modular airborne fire fighting system-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft that are assisting with fighting wildfires in

  • July 15 airpower summary: F-15Es disrupt enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s

  • Servicemembers take part in Baghdad Boilermaker

    The first Baghdad Boilermaker started with two Airmen from New York who just wanted to run the country's largest 15-kilometer race. Master Sgts. James Carrabba and Jeffrey Conant, both deployed from the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, N.Y., have run the original Boilermaker in Utica, N.Y., a

  • Air Force medics provide medical care in Panama

    A two-week U.S. Southern Command sponsored exercise designed to hone the skills of medical personnel while providing free health care in remote locations began here July 12 with the arrival of medics from seven military installations. The Medical Readiness Training Exercise, or MEDRETE, in Panama is

  • 302nd AEG conducts its nineteenth day of California wild fire support

    Aircraft and firefighters from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group stand ready to begin their 19th day of aerial firefighting support missions July 14 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. July 13, aerial assets of the 302nd AEG did not perform aerial firefighting missions due

  • Air Force Reserve rescuers change role, still save lives

    Air Force reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing are taking on a different kind of role and saving lives in Afghanistan. Since arriving in February, they have saved 132 people flying U.S. Army medical evacuations, said Maj. Kevin Merrill, director of operations for the 305th Expeditionary Rescue

  • 302nd AEG conducts its twentieth day of California wild fire support

    Aircraft and firefighters from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group stand ready to begin their 20th day of aerial firefighting support missions July 15 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. On July 14, aerial assets from the 302nd AEG did not perform aerial firefighting missions

  • Enlisted medical training to consolidate at Fort Sam Houston

    A ceremonial groundbreaking for the Medical Education and Training Campus here July 10 marked another step toward what leaders are calling the largest consolidation of training in the history of the Department of Defense. Upon completion in 2011, the joint campus, led by tri-service leadership, will

  • July 14 airpower summary: B-1Bs bomb enemy compound

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s

  • Working dog kennels receive massive renovation

    Military working dogs transitioning through a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility are receiving a "bone-a-fide" upgrade to their accommodations, courtesy of the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. The renovations, which included floor stripping and resealing, and the

  • Iraqi air force reaches 2,000-flying hour milestone

    The Iraqi air force reached 2,000 flying training hours here July 13, with the help of Airmen from the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron. The milestone comes 11 months after Lt. Col. Mark Bennett, the 52nd EFTS commander, arrived at Kirkuk. "This is very significant across the entire

  • 'The Swoose' finds new home at Air Force museum

    The Swoose, the oldest surviving B-17 Flying Fortress and the only "D" model still in existence, was transferred from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Shipment of this unique aircraft from Washington, D.C., is in progress and it is expected

  • EOD flights take out 'things that make you go boom'

    Improvised explosive devices account for more than 40 percent of all U.S. servicemember deaths, but a small group of professional Airmen make the roads of Baghdad a little safer by taking out any IED, explosively formed penetrator or unexploded ordnance that gets in their way. The 447th

  • Military aircrews continue California wildfire suppression support

    Airmen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 18th day of aerial firefighting support missions July 12 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. The Airmen and their military airborne assets performed 26 air drops delivering more than 67,200 gallons of fire retardant

  • Medical team deploys to Mali for MEDFLAG 08

    More than 90 servicemembers deployed to Bamako, Mali, July 11 for MEDFLAG 08, a multinational medical training exercise designed to enhance medical capabilities and readiness for U.S. and African forces. "MEDFLAG 08 gives us the opportunity to conduct medical training in a simulated mass casualty

  • Lackland doctor leaves Afghan legacy

    A doctor here, who recently returned from an Afghanistan deployment, left a lasting legacy at the neurosurgeon's former deployed base.Lt. Col. (Dr.) Randall McCafferty, from the 59th Surgical Specialties Squadron, was deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, where he established the first

  • Veteran helps others achieve American dream

    A bureaucratic mix-up. That's how Eugene Toni explained being drafted in the Army to his mother. If he had told her the truth, "she would have killed me," said the 58-year-old. In reality, there was no mix-up. Mr. Toni was attending Camden County College in New Jersey and working part-time at a

  • Airman's packaging idea cuts hazmat response time

    One Airman's initiative has cut the response times for hazardous material teams from hours to minutes, and his supervisors want civil engineer units throughout the Air Force to adopt the idea. Senior Airman Michael Blair, an emergency management equipment technician with the 332nd Expeditionary

  • Giant squids land at Dover AFB

    A Reserve aircrew from the 326th Airlift Squadron landed July 11 at Dover Air Force Base, Del., with two giant squids in their cargo compartment. The two sea creatures were transported in a C-17 Globemaster III from Europe and will be delivered to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

  • Enlisted education gets new namesake

    The official designation ceremony of the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education July 11 was the last in a series of events transforming Air University into streamlined centers for professional education, research and doctrinal development. The Barnes Center will serve as the umbrella

  • July 13 airpower summary: A-10s fire on anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit 31s and 38s

  • 'Today's Air Force' features accomplishing the mission

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" takes a look at how Airmen work together to put bombs on target. Also featured is a segment on the importance of knowing what the weather is while planning missions. And, while air traffic controllers let the pilots know when it's safe to land, who is

  • Airpower Summary for July 12: bombers fly close-air support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, near Orgun-E, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided

  • July 11 airpower summary: F-15E drops bomb on target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s

  • Military aircraft provide surge capability for wildfire response

    A continuing heat wave and an ongoing need for aircraft to support ground firefighters will likely keep Department of Defense aircraft very busy for the foreseeable future in support of the national wildland firefighting effort, the Army colonel in charge of coordinating that support said July 9.

  • Chief of staff retires after 37 years

    In a ceremony filled with military tradition, the 18th chief of staff of the Air Force, General T. Michael Moseley, retired July 11 after 37 years of service. "We honor here today the career of a warfighter, diplomat, historian and Airman," said former Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne, who

  • Fire retardant reload operations moved to Channel Islands

    The 302nd Air Expeditionary Group moved some critical fire retardant reloading equipment to the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station July 8 to increase the efficiency of modular airborne firefighting systems-equipped C-130 Hercules in battling wildfires in California. The purpose for setting

  • Eye doctors give patients new outlook

    Eye doctors deployed to the Air Force Theater Hospital in Iraq see more than twice as many eye traumas than they encounter at their homestations. Among their patients are Iraqis and American servicemembers who have suffered eyesight-threatening injuries. Ophthalmologists can't always save their

  • Hurricane Hunters fly first storm of 2008 season

    As the Hurricane Hunters prepared to fly their first storm of the 2008 hurricane season July 11, Hurricane Bertha lumbered on a wide path toward Bermuda. At the time, the category 1 hurricane kicked up winds of 85 mph. It was about 350 miles south southeast of the island, churning northwest at about

  • Beale Airmen prepared to welcome 450 of their neighbors

    Like Airmen at many other Air Force bases, the Airmen of Beale Air Force Base, Calif., are constantly working to be good neighbors with the civilian communities outside their front gate. The Beale community may soon have a chance to demonstrate just how far they will go as they make preparations to

  • July 10 airpower summary: F-15Es provide close-air support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-12s

  • Satellite's instrumentation providing scintillation forecast data

    Whether it's static interrupting a radio station, or crackling noises interfering with a theater commander's attempt to contact a deployed unit, scintillation can cause communication chaos. Scintillation occasionally occurs when radio waves transiting an unstable ionosphere, located 50 to 360 miles

  • Officials release MH-53 PAVE LOW accident report

    Accident investigation board officials have determined the failure of the mounting nuts and studs that secured the intermediate gearbox to the tail pylon of the helicopter as the cause of last year's crash of an MH-53M Pave Low. The MH-53, assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, 1st

  • Maintainers keep C-130's flying during wildfire operations

    As the fires in California continue to threaten lives and property, maintainers from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group ensure that the modular airborne fire fighting system-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft are ready to fly and drop fire retardant on time and on target. When it comes to getting the

  • Air Force to honor international contributions

    The secretary of the Air Force has established an annual award to honor outstanding and innovative contributions to international affairs. Launched in January, the Air Force International Affairs Excellence Award recognizes the one Air Force person judged to be most effective in building,

  • RED HORSE engineers move full-speed ahead in Peru

    A 64-member team of Air Force civil engineers are making speedy progress here in the completion of several construction projects supporting New Horizons-Peru 2008, a U.S. and Peruvian humanitarian effort to bring relief to underprivileged Peruvians. The Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational

  • MAFFS 'safety man' keeps people, environment safe

    Since firefighting operations started June 26, Airmen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group have been busy on the ground, keeping operations running smoothly at McClellan Airfield, Calif. The job to keep those Airmen safe goes to Senior Master Sgt. Aaron Smith, from Cheyenne, Wyo. Sergeant Smith is

  • July 9 airpower summary: F-16s perform shows of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s

  • Pentagon officials reopen bidding on tanker contract

    Defense Department officials have reopened the bidding process for a multibillion-dollar midair refueling tanker contract, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. The announcement comes after Government Accountability Office officials last month found improper practices related to the $35

  • Air Force unit flies 50,000th Noble Eagle sortie

    Continental U.S. NORAD Region, known as CONR,  pilots reached a significant milestone June 8 after they flew the 50,000th Operation Noble Eagle sortie conducted over the continental United States locally over South Carolina. Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force

  • Air Force video earns top awards

    A Secretary of the Air Force video describing the role of air power in the war on terrorism earned two top television awards recently. The Telly Awards honored the service's "Setting the Conditions for Victory" video with two Silver Awards, which is the highest honor bestowed to the best of local,

  • Traditional reservist named first sergeant of the year

    Air Force officials have selected Master Sgt. Jeffrey Gray as the winner of the 2008 First Sergeant of the Year award. Sergeant Gray, a traditional reservist, serves as first sergeant for the 328th Airlift Squadron, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. Sergeant Gray managed and cared for more

  • California fire support missions continue July 4

    Airmen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group launched their ninth day of Aerial support missions July 4 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. The aircrews, flying Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft, focused their firefighting efforts on the

  • Wilford Hall surgeon wins AFA award

    Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kirk A. Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist at Wilford Hall Medical Center here, has won the 2008 Paul W. Myers Award for his work at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and in the 59th Maternal/Child Care Squadron at Wilford Hall. The Paul W. Myers Medical Award was established in 1982 by Air

  • Airmen continue California firefighting support

    Aimen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group launched their eighth day of Aerial support missions July 3 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. The C-130 aircrews focused their firefighting efforts on the Gap fire in the Los Padres National Forest and the Piute fire located in

  • C-130s continue aerial firefighting operations in California

    Aircraft from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group continued aerial firefighting support missions July 5 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. C-130 Hercules aircraft flew 25 sorties in approximately 50 flight hours. Twelve sorties flew to the Goleta, or Gap, fire located

  • July 8 airpower summary: Reaper drops bomb on enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto enemy

  • California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visits 302nd AEG

    During a visit to the California National Guard fire fighting training facility at McClellan Airfield here, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger paid a brief visit to the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group to wish Airmen a happy 4th of July and thank them for their service in assisting with

  • Teamwork helps Airmen fight fires

    Airmen of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group continued to work with national agencies July 5 to support firefighting efforts in California. Launching from McClellan Airfield, eight Modular Airborne Firefighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft flew a total of 40 sorties July 5 and dropped a

  • Air Force names 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    Air Force officials have selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2008. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here considered 33 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and