Enhanced use lease will substantially benefit Air Force

The Air Force announced Aug. 17 the selection of Sunset Ridge Development Partners LLC as the highest ranked offeror for Phase 1 of the West Side Development Enhanced Use Lease, or EUL, project here. Kathleen I. Ferguson, deputy Air Force Civil Engineer at the Pentagon, selected Sunset Ridge

Space exec course reaches out to allies, Pentagon

August is a month of firsts for the National Security Space Institute as the school opens its senior-level class to international students and takes the course on the road to Washington, D.C. Called SOC-E, the Aug. 2 Space Operations Executive-level Course included its first international students

SOUTHCOM alerts additional medics for Peru relief

A 14-person Air Force medical team, consisting of six doctors, a physician's assistant, a pharmacist and medical technicians, will depart Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 18 en route to Ica, Peru to assist residents affected by the 8.0 magnitude earthquake Aug. 15. The medical readiness team

Soto Cano team responds to Peru earthquake

Approximately 30 Soldiers and Airmen departed here Aug. 17 in support of relief efforts following the Aug. 15 earthquake near Lima, Peru. The task force, composed of a mobile surgery team, communications specialists and a small security detail, departed the base aboard a C-130J assigned to the

Programs help Airmen, families prepare for deployment

As part of ongoing efforts to inform Airmen about ways to manage stress, Air Force officials here introduced a monthly campaign to highlight initiatives to help Airmen and their families cope with life's difficulties, and the initiative for August is deployment readiness.Air Force officials employ

Bolling dedicates theater to legendary actor, Airman

Officials of the 11th Wing at Bolling Air Force Base officially changed the name of Building 52 to the Brig. Gen. Jimmy Stewart Theater Aug. 13 as the old building had finally come full circle, historically speaking. Among the some 200 people in attendance were Carson Greene, president of the Jimmy

Academy academics rank among best in nation

The Air Force Academy was named the best baccalaureate college in the west, and received top rankings in several engineering programs, according to the U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2008 rankings, released Aug. 17. U.S. News & World Report evaluated the 320 universities in the

U.S. military women reach out to Djiboutian women

U.S. military women attached to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa visited the girls' orphanage Aug. 15 in Djibouti City. During the visit, the servicemembers taught the female students the "Alphabet Song," how to count to 10, how to say and spell certain words and how to introduce

Air Force doctrine gets new home at Air University

The Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center here stood up in August with the leaders of Air University, the 42nd Air Base Wing and local business and government agencies in attendance. The new center is the result of a merger between the Air Force Doctrine Center, which was stood up 10

SOUTHCOM medics respond to Peru quake relief efforts

 A joint U.S. military mobile surgical team from Joint Task Force-Bravo, based at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, deployed to Peru Aug. 17 as part of U.S. Southern Command's response to an 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the South American nation Aug. 15. The deployment follows a disaster

CSAF's Scope highlights force structure changes

The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues this month is the Air Force's force structure changes and "The High Ground." To facilitate effectively success of the future force

Final frontier: Closer to home than ever before

Air University officials here will host an educational symposium on the realm of space, America's dependence on the cosmos, and how military and civilian communities discuss the nation's space vulnerabilities Sept. 25 to 27 in downtown Montgomery, Ala. Headed by the National Space Studies Center at

No mountain too high, no bridge too far for Afghan PRT

Whether crawling over dirt mounds to inspect a school, hiking mountains 9,000 feet above sea level or handing out stuffed animals, members of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team are pushing progress in Afghanistan. "It's a very unique job," said Lt. Col. Christopher Luedtke, PRT commander

First Thunderbird commander dies

The first commander of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, died Aug. 12 of complications from pneumonia. Maj. Gen. Richard C. Catledge, the Air Force pilot known as Thunderbird One, formed and led the original Thunderbirds team as a major in 1953. "We were assigned a

Gen. Pace visits servicemembers in Djibouti

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff answered questions and addressed concerns from a large audience of servicemembers during a "Town Hall meeting" Aug.14 at the Thunder Dome at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. military, went to Camp

Exercise Valiant Shield wraps up

Exercise Valiant Shield 2007, the largest exercise of its kind in the Pacific, wrapped up eight days of flying operations Aug.13. During the field training exercise, more than 2,900 sorties were flown, with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders offloading 2.29 million pounds of fuel to airborne

Training builds foundation for deploying medics

The acrid, hazy smoke hangs over a scene that is straight out of a nightmare. A red substance that looks like blood is smeared all over the two vehicles, and one of the vehicles is tipped over on its side. Fake body parts and debris are scattered everywhere like a petulant child's unappreciated

Missing pilot from Vietnam War identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Aug. 15 that the remains of an Air Force pilot, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Lt. Col. Alton C. Rockett Jr. of Birmingham,

Air Force medics provide care aboard Navy hospital ship

A team of more than 60 Air Force medics is in South America participating in a four-month joint Medical Readiness Training Exercise aboard the USNS Comfort hospital ship. The medical team, along with Latin American and Caribbean health officials, is providing free medical treatment to underserved

USO takes to the road in new mobile canteens

One of three United Service Organizations' mobile canteens spent Aug. 11 here during drill week as part of an effort to reach out to servicemembers who are not often exposed to the USO. The USO, famous for taking the show on the road, is using the new set of wheels to help the agency travel to

Icelandic defense exercise kicks off

Leaders from the United States and Iceland joined NATO partners Aug. 13 to kick off an exercise to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the 1951 bilateral U.S.-Iceland defense agreement and reinvigorate air defense command and control capabilities of joint and coalition forces in Iceland. Exercise

Hurricane Hunters fly into Flossie

As Hurricane Flossie made its way across the Pacific, a few Airmen were doing the unthinkable -- making trips directly into the eye of the Category 4 storm. Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron's Hurricane Hunters out of Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., flew missions into the storm from

Cargo flight keeps warfighters moving

The Airmen with the 379th Logistics Readiness Squadron Cargo Movement Flight here serve as force multipliers by ensuring anything warfighters need gets to the proper place at the proper time. Members of the flight receive and ship supplies in and out of the base to and from anywhere in the world,

Rock band reaches out to Djiboutian villages

The U. S. Central Command Air Forces Expeditionary band "Thunder Roll" entertained audiences in local villages around Djibouti City during their summer concert series in Africa Aug. 8 to 10. Their stops included the villages of Hol Hol and Danerjog. The CENTAF band deployed to the area of operations

Command celebrates Air Force's 60th Anniversary

Airmen, family and friends from throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the United States Air Force here Aug. 11 with band performances, demonstrations and special guest speakers. "In addition to celebrating our historical anniversary, this year marks the

Recent ops eval challenges Lakenheath Airmen

While most Airmen either have participated in or are familiar with an operational readiness inspection -- both the Phase 1 and Phase II portions--some are scratching their heads over a recent evaluation exercise held here.  The operations evaluation, more commonly known as an "ops eval," looks and

Women's contributions to Air Force honored

In conjunction with the Air Force's 60th anniversary celebration this year, the country's youngest military service is paying tribute to women's contributions to its rich history and heritage. "Heritage to Horizons: Earning Our Wings and Reaching the Stars" is the theme of the 2007 Air Force

Retired Airmen don uniforms once again to teach JROTC cadets

More than 1,900 Junior ROTC instructors, who teach at 869 school units throughout the world, finished their initial instructor training here last week. Jo Alice Talley, chief of JROTC instructor management at Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools, said the newly hired instructors were

Recovery agency teams complete 100th Laos mission

Four recovery teams from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command recently completed JPAC's 100th recovery mission in Laos."The JPAC mission is as important in our effort to account for each missing American here as it is in Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Korea and everywhere else where we have unresolved

SERE training to be required for all Airmen

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley met Aug. 10 at the Pentagon with several Air Force leaders to discuss the road ahead for survival, evasion, resistance and escape training. Air Force leaders plan to broaden the focus of SERE training for all Airmen due to the threat of isolation and

Balad's medics move into new facility

Approximately 150 base volunteers and 380 Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group moved patients and equipment as they closed the doors on the old Air Force Theater Hospital and opened the doors to their pre-engineered facility here Aug. 3. Starting at 4 a.m., Airmen in each tent tunnel

Staff sergeant promotion rates announced

Air Force officials selected 15,130 of 36,608 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant for a selection rate of 41.33 percent, up 5.46 percent from last year. The staff sergeant promotion list will be released at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time Aug. 15, and score notices will be posted on

Secretary monitors Joint Tactical Radio System development

The secretary of the Air Force recently visited the Joint Program Executive Office in San Diego to discuss the current status of the Department of Defense-mandated Joint Tactical Radio System, or JTRS, program. Secretary Michael W. Wynne, who sits on the board of directors for the JTRS program,

Humble hero visits RAF Lakenheath

"I don't have anything really profound to say," said Col. Leo Thorsness, retired Air Force fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. The colonel, who visited RAF Lakenheath Aug. 7 to speak to Airmen about the importance of teamwork and families as part of a successful military, received the Medal

Ops center commands sky during Exercise Valiant Shield

Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines are working together in the 613th Air and Space Operations Center here and within the airspace around Guam to enhance joint combat skills and interoperability during Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 held Aug. 6 to 13. The week-long exercise tests the military's

General shares Tuskegee heritage with Balad Airmen

Airmen serving with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here got a chance to meet with a man who shared some heritage with them July 31. On his sixth visit to Balad Air Base in recent years, Maj. Gen. Darryl A. Scott, the son of a Tuskegee Airman, arrived with a number of purposes. As the commander of

Modeling, simulation expert receives lifetime achievement award

Dr. Jacqueline R. Henningsen received the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Moody Suter Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon Aug. 9.  Dr. Henningsen is the director for studies and analyses, assessments and lessons learned.  Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne made

Chernobyl children's group visits RAF Lakenheath

More than 20 Belarusian children huddled around a 494th Fighter Squadron pilot Aug. 3, staring curiously at an F-15E Strike Eagle. "Where does the fuel go?" asked one child through his interpreter. "Can the missiles fire while the plane is on the ground?" asked another. For most of these children,

Blood center supports U.S., coalition warfighters

Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group's blood transshipment center here have a tendency to make people's blood run cold -- literally. Blood transshipment center members are responsible for receiving blood from donors stateside, processing it, accounting for it, repacking it and shipping it

Legends inducted into Space, Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame

One man was a nuclear physicist who led the Air Force to create a command dedicated to space, while the second is an aviation legend famous for flying airplanes into space, and together they entered the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame Aug. 8 here. The 2007 Space and Missile Pioneer

Elmendorf welcomes F-22 Raptor

It was a historic day for Elmendorf as the base officially welcomed the first of its F-22 Raptor fleet during a ceremony here Aug. 8.Elmendorf became the second operational base and the first Pacific Air Forces installation to receive the Air Force's new superiority fighter. "These incredible

U.S. Air Force Marathon offers four-person relay race

Runners who are interested in participating in the 2007 U.S. Air Force Marathon here, but aren't interested in running the full 26.2-mile course, have another option: the four-person relay. Relay team members each run a specific leg of the marathon with the team's total elapsed time determining the

Rules change to require technicians to wear uniforms fulltime

When people visit an Air Force Reserve Command unit during a normal work week in the coming months, they are likely to see more people in military uniforms. Air Force officials changed three instructions Aug. 7 to require all air reserve technicians to wear military uniforms rather than civilian

Valiant Shield exercise brings services together

Kadena-based units departed Okinawa Aug. 5 on their way to Guam to join fellow Airmen and sister services in the joint Exercise Valiant Shield which runs through Aug. 14. The 44th Fighter Squadron, with elements of the 67th FS, and the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron and 909th Air Refueling

Enlisted aviator career fields open for retrainees

Opportunities for Airmen to retrain into one of eight career enlisted aviator career fields have just been released by Air Force officials here. The Air Force has openings for first-term Airmen to retrain into the flight engineer, flight attendant, and aerial gunner specialties. In addition, the

Airman's Roll Call highlights Airmen's education benefits

This week's Airman's Roll Call highlights the importance of education for the professional and personal development of all Airmen. Through base education centers and the Air Force Virtual Education Center, Airmen have countless educational benefits right at their fingertips. The Air Force Tuition

Ramstein Airmen support joint airdrop exercise

Airmen flying a C-130 Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron here supported high altitude-low opening airdrop training exercise Aug. 2 near Banja Luka, Bosnia.  Using the HALO technique, a jumper leaves an aircraft at a high altitude and free-falls to a much lower altitude before opening his or her

Deployed Airmen dish up a helping of gratitude

To show their appreciation for other's efforts and hard work, Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing have been volunteering to serve food to the operations personnel at the base's containerized deployable kitchen. Chaplain (Capt.) Kevin Humphrey, 380th AEW chaplain has volunteered to serve

3-D models of urban environments to aid military efforts

An Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded team at the University of California, Berkeley, has built 3-D models of urban environments for the first time in a fast, scalable and automated way. Dr. Avideh Zakhor, a professor of electrical engineering at the university, leads a team that has

Air Force leaders hold Heritage to Horizons summit

Air Force leaders past and present met with the Air Force chief of staff for the Heritage to Horizons summit Aug. 7 at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Gen. T. Michael Moseley led the group, which included retired Air Force chief master sergeants and general officers as the leaders provided

Full replacement value for personal property begins soon

Department of Defense customers, including servicemembers and DOD civilians, will soon be eligible for full replacement value protection on most DOD-funded personal property shipments. Full replacement value coverage will apply to personal property shipments with a pickup date on or after: -- Oct.

Center delivers new accounting, management system

A state-of-the-art financial management system that serves the Air Force and U.S. Transportation Command came to fruition last month when the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System Increment 1, Spiral 1 was successfully fielded at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The DEAMS program, a vision

To Stem the Tide - A Korean War Perspective

Warnings had sounded as early as March 10, 1950. The U. S. Korean Military Advisory Group had relayed a report through channels to Washington, D.C., that North Korea would likely cross the 38th Parallel and invade its neighbor to the south--possibly as early as June. But there were plenty of

NCO retraining program seeks to fill some 900 positions

The 2008 NCO Retraining Program began Aug. 7 as the Air Force seeks to fill approximately 900 shortage career field and special duty positions. NCOs notified of their vulnerability to retrain must submit the shortage career field choices they would most like to retrain into or apply for a special

Services, mission support merger complete at test bases

The merger of services and mission support squadrons at six Air Force bases is now complete. The new combined organizations, called "force support squadrons," are paying huge dividends through improved service to customers, better synergy between organizations and increased efficiency in processes

Info sharing allows realistic coalition training

Simulated air campaigns practiced during aircrew training scenarios gained an increased level of realism as members of the Distributed Mission Operations Center here implemented a complex, new electronic filter designed to bring more "reality" to virtual reality simulations. Exercise Northern

Airpower key to Exercise Valiant Shield

Members of the 613th Air and Space Operations Center at Hickam Air Force Base will provide command and control of flying operations above and around Guam during Exercise Valiant Shield Aug. 6 to 13.The 13th Air Force's 613th AOC staff delivers full spectrum capability for planning, directing and

Former secretary of the Air Force dies

Former Secretary of the Air Force John C. Stetson died Aug. 2 at his home in Lake Forest, Ill. Mr. Stetson was the 12th secretary of the Air Force, serving from June 1978 to May 1979. He was born in Chicago in 1920. He received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from

Chief of staff approves latest command, control doctrine

The Air Force chief of staff has approved the latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2-8, Command and Control. Gen. T. Michael Moseley endorsed AFDD 2-8 as one of 10 Air Force keystone documents. AFDD 2-8 provides guidance on command and control, or C2, operations to support national

Chinese military hosts PACAF commander

Airmen missing in action from Vietnam War identified

Officials from the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office here Aug. 3 announced the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors. They are Lt. Col. James H. Ayres,

Regional demonstrations encourage bright future

The Air Force along with 15 countries from Central America, South America and the Caribbean came together to participate in a Regional Coordination Center demonstration July 31 through Aug. 2 in Eagan, Minn. With joint efforts from the U.S. Southern Command, Air Forces Southern, and Lockheed Martin,

DOD, VA pass information sharing milestone

Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs officials here Aug. 3 announced the departments have successfully tested and deployed an interface that was developed to extend the reach and capabilities of the Bidirectional Health Information Exchange.With BHIE, the DOD and VA can share

CENTAF Band performs for Kandahar servicemembers

The U.S. Central Command Air Forces Band performed two concerts for deployed servicemembers at the Kandahar Airfield "Boardwalk" July 29 and 30. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen were entertained by a variety of music including Latin, rhythm and blues, rock, jazz, disco and country. Audiences

Air Force takes Gold, Silver at 2007 Armed Forces Triathlon Championship

The Air Force women's triathlon team took first and the men's team second at the 2007 Armed Forces Triathlon Championship held July 25 to 29 at Point Mugu, Calif.  The results are based on the raw scoring times of the men's top eight and women's top four competitors. The Armed Forces Championship is

Raptor maintenance training 'ramps' up at Sheppard

The world of F-22 Raptor maintenance is becoming as high-tech as the sophisticated fighter itself. Because of new equipment called Portable Maintenance Aids,  or PMAs, maintainers here have vastly improved capabilities over past procedures and the initial skills training will reflect this advanced

Airmen, Soldiers form relationships with Iraqi children

With little care for surrounding hostilities, a small Iraqi boy stomped his sandaled foot on Baghdad's dusty ground, and chanted an Arabic nursery rhyme. He clapped his hands to the beat and sung with several other children. All were gathered to watch a tall, muscled Airman dance to their song.

Airmen cross cultures, generations with babushka visit

They are from different continents and generations but, if only for a few hours, Manas Airmen brought joy and smiles to six babushkas during lunch July 27 at a restaurant in nearby Bishkek, Kyrgystan.These six "grandmothers" are part of the Babushka Adoption Foundation in Bishkek, one of the groups

Airmen support historic change of command in Afghanistan

Airmen provided support for a historic change-of-command ceremony that brought the International Security and Assistance Force's largest operating base here under NATO control July 31. The U.S. Central Command Air Forces expeditionary band performed a series of military marches and hymns during the

Airman's Roll Call highlights Senior Enlisted Leader Summit

This week's Airman's Roll Call highlights the first-ever Senior Enlisted Leader Summit which was held at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Gunter Annex. More than 360 senior enlisted leaders met July 22 to 27 to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Airmen today. Attendees discussed training

New active-duty competition to debut at Air Force Marathon

Which Air Force major command comprises the fastest, fittest flock of fine physiques? The answer may become clear Sept. 15 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base when a new type of competition for active-duty Air Force servicemembers debuts at this year's Air Force Marathon. The Major Command, or

Airmen teach Afghan police forces tactics, training

Members of the Police Technical Advisory Team here have trained more than 200 Afghan national police and Afghan national auxiliary police since April to help improve the security of Afghanistan.Team members train 10 to 20 Afghan national police and Afghan national auxiliary police every week and

Joint servicemembers convoy supplies to Afghan refugees

Dozens of joint servicemembers delivered clothing and supplies to an Afghan refugee camp near Kabul July 27 as part of a volunteer community relations program offered by the garrison chaplains at Camp Eggers. Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan members delivered a truck full of

Medical symposium strengthens ties in Kirkuk

U.S. Air Force and Army physicians welcomed their local Iraqi counterparts here July 22 for a gathering of medical knowledge and camaraderie in a region recently the focus of intense terror bombings. The medical symposium, a joint effort on the part of 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron officials

Humanitarian team returns from Pacific mission

A team of approximately 50 medical, dental and civil engineer servicemembers returned to Hickam Air Force Base July 28 after completing a mission to provide civil assistance and training to local residents of three Pacific islands. The team of Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers departed Hickam AFB for the

Assisted living residence gets perfect inspection score

The staff at Hawthorn House, the Air Force Enlisted Village's assisted living residence, recently earned a perfect score during an inspection by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. As one of the four official charities of the Air Force, the Air Force Enlisted Village provides a home

Enlisted leaders gain from summit outcome

The Air Force's first Senior Enlisted Leader Summit culminated at the Gunter Annex July 27. More than 360 professional military education commandants, career field managers, chief master sergeants, and other key senior enlisted leaders from the Air Force active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard,

Airmen mentor Afghan air corps soldiers

From firefighters to aircraft mechanics to squadron commanders, several Airmen are mentoring and training their Afghan National Army air corps counterparts as members of the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan here in the nation's capital. It's a job that's like no other, said Master

Artists document Rodeo competition

Whether it's the sound of a pencil scratching paper or the flash of light from their digital cameras, four artists with the Air Force Art Program are working to portray Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 2007 through their art at McChord Air Force Base. More than 2,500 competitors and observers from the

Beale Global Hawk deploys for first time

The 9th Reconnaissance Wing's RQ-4 Global Hawk program passed a significant milestone by completing its first operational Global Hawk deployment July 19 from Beale Air Force Base to Andersen AFB, Guam. "This is the first time in United States Air Force history that we've deployed the Global Hawk

Aeromedical evacuation teams test lifesaving skills at Rodeo

Within minutes, five Airmen transformed the empty bay of a C-17 Globemaster III into a medical care facility capable of hauling wounded military members from the war zone to a hospital for treatment July 23 not in Southwest Asia but at McChord Air Force Base. Having deployed in support of Operation

Former chief of staff visits Fairchild, praises AMC

"The primary purpose of the United States Air Force is to fight and win America's wars."With this statement, retired Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, the former Air Force chief of staff, summed up an address on the history of Air Mobility Command and the Air Force during his meeting with more than 400

Space institute hosts first international students

Four Australian military members recently traveled more than 10,000 miles to Peterson Air Force Base to expand their knowledge of U.S. space operations and the constantly changing global arena of space. Air Force Space Command officials invited these international students to attend the National

Korean War pilot achieves aviation first

From the time military aviators engaged in aerial combat during World War I, their exploits produced innumerable "firsts" in aviation history. One such "first" occurred during the Korean War on Nov. 8, 1950. That's when a 25-year old, first lieutenant flying with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor

Security forces Rodeo teams tested by the best

When it comes to adding realism to Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 2007 security forces tactics competition being held here July 21 through 28, the Airmen testing the competitors are among the best the Air Force has to offer. The approximately 30 role players and coordination and support staff for the

Exercise strengthens South Korean alliance

More than 250 Airmen and hundreds of other augmentees from the Marines, Army and Navy converged at Osan Air Base in July to participate in the 12th annual Reception, Staging, Onward-movement and Integration, or RSO&I, and Foal Eagle exercise. The exercise tests the military's ability to deploy

International officers observe Red Flag-Alaska

Eighteen senior military leaders from nations across the globe converged in Alaska to see first-hand the training capabilities offered through Red Flag-Alaska exercises. This year's Executive Observer Program shows that many international militaries have interest in participating in the exercise

Commander visits Japan earthquake relief team

Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, U.S. Forces Japan commander, visited with an earthquake relief team July 21 comprised of Navy Seabees and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members.  The team was working in the Niigata Prefecture, an area hit by an earthquake July 16. During the trip the general commended the

Airman missing 28 years comes home

For nearly 30 years, the family of a deceased Airman has been waiting for his return home. The wait ended July 18 when Staff Sgt. Donald Michaud's remains returned to New England and met by two members of the Patriot Honor Guard from Hanscom Air Force Base accompanied by Logan Airport firefighters

Heritage tailflash connects fighter past

In medieval times, knights and royal families used heraldic symbols to identify themselves and remember their heritage. With modern military traditions connected to that time of chivalry and honor, 51st Fighter Wing officials from Osan Air Base are bringing back a symbol that promotes its heritage.

Air Force NSPS update released

The Air Force has deployed more than 39,000 employees to the National Security Personnel System. When fully implemented, NSPS will cover more than 128,000 Air Force employees and affect civilian employees, civilian supervisors and military members who supervise civilian employees. The Air Force

Joint team works to improve care in Nauru

Life is unique in the world's smallest island nation -- the tiny South Pacific island of Nauru. It sits just slightly south of the equator, so most of the day is uncommonly hot. Electricity flows in a given facility for no more than 12 hours a day; it comes on for about six hours at a time on the

Kyrgyz air controllers view Manas from the ground

Kyrgyz Air Navigation controllers who help keep a watchful eye on the sky over Manas finally had a chance to get the "ground's eye" view of Manas Air Base in July. The controller crews toured the base as part of their ongoing English education program with members of the 376th Expeditionary

President visits Charleston, addresses military members

President George W. Bush visited servicemembers and talked about the war on terrorism July 24 at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. The president toured a C-17 Globemaster III, observed Airmen loading pallets on a plane in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, gave a speech, and had

Largest Air Force contingent rides across Iowa

At dawn on July 21, 148 Air Force Cycling Team bicyclists kicked off a 477-mile bike ride across Iowa. Sponsored by the Des Moines Register newspaper, the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI, is the longest, largest and oldest ride in America with 10,000 riders from all over

Airmen save the day for Turkish Rodeo team

When the Turkish C-130 airplane broke down just before the 2007 Air Mobility Command Rodeo competition began, American Airmen banded together to make the impossible happen. When all was said and done, a maintenance job that normally takes weeks was performed in five days, all in the spirit of Rodeo

Kyrgyz medical students see capabilities at Manas

Kyrgyz students from a local medical lyceum toured Manas Air Base July 18 to see how American and coalition forces are organized and equipped to handle medical situations. The students, ranging from 17 to 19 years of age, came to the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group and heard from Air Force medical

New tinted windows 'shades' light on tower

Air traffic controllers here now have a clearer view of commercial and military operations, thanks to the installation of new glass and lighting in the control tower. Base engineers accomplished the final inspection and accepted the work July 23 on more than $41,000 in upgrades. Previously, Kyrgyz

WWII vet awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

Retired Col. Vincent Fonke, who ended his 30-year career here, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross July 20 for actions he took during World War II while a bomber pilot assigned to the Army Air Corps 91st Bomb Group, 324th Squadron.The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded for heroism or

Cultures come together at Rodeo 2007

On the outside, the United Arab Emirates' tent looks just like the 20 or so others dotting Rainier Ranch, the off-duty area for the 2007 Air Mobility Command Rodeo competition at McChord Air Force Base. But the similarities end when the front flap of the olive-green tent is opened. In a scene that