Cyber warfare a major challenge, DOD official says

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England is the latest government official to express concern about the United States' cyberspace vulnerabilities. "Cyber warfare is already here," said Mr. England. "It's one of our major challenges." Describing the new battlefront, the deputy secretary said, "I think

Joint Chiefs chairman visits servicemembers in Kirkuk

The highest ranking U.S. military officer made a brief visit to meet American servicemembers at several deployed units March 2 at Kirkuk Air Base. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen attended meetings with the State Department Provincial Reconstruction Team, presided over a

Maintainers in Pacific gain top-down view of transformation

One of the top Air Force leaders involved in engineering a broad transformation in aircraft maintenance processes and organizational structures talked with senior leaders, wing commanders and maintainers throughout Pacific Air Forces March 3 here. "We're looking at the most fundamental

March 3 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activities

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper fired hellfire missiles in

GPS helps troops locate targets, one another

Members of the Joint Service System Management Office here provide global positioning systems-enabled technology in direct support of warfighters worldwide.Part of the 752nd Combat Sustainment Group, the JSSMO has representatives from all military branches. The unit maintains GPS receivers in the

Airman's Roll Call highlights a resource for all

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the Joint Force Quarterly magazine. As the Air Force becomes more and more involved in joint operations, all Airmen should strive to gain a better understanding of the joint environment and its missions. The Joint Force Quarterly is a publication that can

12th Air Force officials unfurl new flags during redesignation

Airmen from 12th Air Force here sheathed the guidons of several units and unfurled a new banner marking the command's transition from a traditional numbered Air Force to an Air Force component organization Feb. 29 here.Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip, the commander of 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern,

March 4 airpower summary: C-17s help sustain operations

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb unit-38

Energy Forum showcases environmental achievements

Approximately 500 Air Force, government and industry leaders gathered to discuss current and future energy and environmental programs during the service's second annual Energy Forum March 3 here. The event was divided up into numerous forums with topics ranging from facility energy management to

Global Hawk marks 10-year anniversary

A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle landed after an eight-hour mission Feb. 28 that marked 10 years since base officials witnessed its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base. On that first flight, the aircraft flew for one hour at an altitude of 32,000 feet, and today the Global Hawk has logged

Airmen prepare to airlift flood clean-up kits to Ecuador

Members of Kentucky's Air National Guard are scheduled to help flood-ravaged parts of Ecuador by transporting 162 clean-up kits in a C-130 Hercules March 6 from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., to Manta, Ecuador. The clean-up kits will be delivered to Ecuadorian disaster relief officials charged with

Air Force Reserve establishes first space wing

 Air Force Reserve Command officials are expanding the critical role reservists play in space operations by establishing AFRC's first space wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. Command officials will activate the 310th Space Wing March 7. The new organization is an expansion of the existing 310th

Commander holds six 'ACCES '

Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood, the Air Forces Korea and Korea Air Component Command commander, has six  'ACCES' spread out over the Korean peninsula helping him to stack the deck in the Key Resolve Exercise.Known as the Air Component Coordination Elements, or ACCEs, the Air Reserve Component officers

Replace aging aircraft or risk irrelevancy, general says

The commander of Air Force Materiel Command, which is responsible for delivering war-winning capabilities to the rest of the Air Force, said during a visit to Air University here that Air Force officials must develop and buy new aircraft or risk the service becoming irrelevant. The Air Force must be

DOD officials identify Air Force casualty

The Department of Defense announced March 5 the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Frost, 24, of Waukesha, Wis., died March 3 near Bayji, Iraq in a crash of an Iraqi Army Mi-17 helicopter. He was assigned to the 377th Air Base Wing, Kirtland Air

March 5 airpower summary: Predator destroys enemy target

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator dropped a hellfire missile in

Keeping Sather safe requires joint team effort

Airmen, Soldiers and Ugandan contractors who make up the 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here combine forces to patrol, protect and defend Sather Air Base every day.In addition to securing the base, 447th ESFS members patrol the area around Baghdad International Airport."While working

Selections to begin for new support squadron commanders

Development Team members will meet at the Air Force Personnel Center here during various dates from May through August to select new support squadron commanders, officials said today. Support squadron commanders will be selected in various career fields, including materiel, civil engineering,

ESC officials make digital air support possible

Electronic Systems Center officials here are giving Air Force tactical air control party Airmen on the ground and in the fight every available advantage to help win the war on terrorism. Tactical air control party Airmen, known as TACPs, must be able to communicate precise coordinates to pilots

Deployed Airman breaks Air Force refueling record

Gas, gas, gas ... Nope, this isn't a chemical warfare drill; this is what's been on Airman 1st Class Zechariah Coe's mind the entire month. Airman Coe, deployed here from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., as a fuels distribution operator with the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, broke the

Teamwork puts F-15E back in the fight

Airmen here worked together, and with outside agencies, to turn an unforeseen setback around and quickly bring a combat asset back to the fight. In late-January, Staff Sgt. Chris Petty, a 335th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit electro-environmental specialist, was troubleshooting an issue

NFL players kick off USO tour in Kyrgyzstan

Three National Football League stars and a senior sports writer visited Manas Air Base Airmen as part of a United Service Organizations tour March 4 here. San Diego Chargers Luis Castillo, Chicago Bears Tommie Harris, Carolina Panthers Mike Rucker and Sports Illustrated writer Peter King arrived in

New York City bomb targets military recruiting station

A bomb went off outside the U.S. military recruiting station in Times Square March 6, injuring nobody but causing minor structural damage, said Air Force Recruiting Service officials. The bomb went off at approximately 3:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, cracking the glass door, bending the door frame,

Officials talk green issues

March 6 airpower summary: C-130s support coalition forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, in order to deter enemy activities an Air Force A-10

Charleston Airmen deliver 2,000th MRAP

Charleston Air Force Base Airmen recently delivered the 2,000th mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP, to warfighters overseas. As the only Air Force base with aircrews delivering MRAPs to deployed locations, members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron met and exceeded Secretary of Defense

Air Force officials announce officer promotions

Air Force officials here March 5 announced the 2007B line of the Air Force, line of the Air Force-judge advocate, medical service corps and chaplain central selection boards selected 24 lieutenant colonels, 1,094 majors and 94 captains for promotion. The entire list can be found on the Air Force

Officials announce 2007 Air Force Media Contest winners

A panel of civilian journalists, photographers, broadcasters, teachers and public relations professionals selected the best individuals and units in Air Force print, photo and broadcast journalism for the 52nd annual Air Force Media Contest. The media contest is sponsored annually by the Secretary

World's first astronautics department celebrates 50 years

The world's oldest astronautics department celebrates its 50th anniversary on March 7. The academic department is home to the nation's only undergraduate satellite program, and is also busy designing rapid, responsive sounding rockets, and controlling the Air Force Academy's growing space fleet. "As

Academy, Singapore university team up for research

Singapore's Nanyang Technological University may seem worlds away from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. But thanks to a new cooperative research and development agreement, or CRADA, between Nanyang and the Academy, the world has gotten a lot smaller. The agreement, signed Feb. 28, by Dean of the

Council conducts operational review of AFSO 21

Several top Air Force leaders convened the Air Force Process Council here March 3 for their quarterly operational review of the service's Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley

Airmen contribute to counter-drug mission

After 210 metric tons of their illegal drugs were blocked from coming into the United States in 2007, drug runners in the Pacific region are probably quite familiar with the work of U.S. Southern Command members. More than 350 Airmen stationed at forward operating locations in Manta, Ecuador and the

Philadelphia, McGuire AFB to host Air Force Week

The Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, recently selected Philadelphia as one of three locations to host "Air Force Week" in 2008. Activities in the Philadelphia region will begin on Memorial Day, May 26, and culminate with an Air Exposition -- featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds

Tuition assistance allows Airmen to reach educational goals

The Air Force Military Tuition Assistance program, which allows Airmen to reach educational goals, recently identified an opportunity to link force development initiatives with the program after receiving feedback from the 2007 Air Force Audit Agency. "Historically, MilTA has been used as a

AETC commanders meet, discuss way ahead

More than 100 Air Education and Training Command senior leaders gathered at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., to participate in the AETC commanders' and command chiefs' conference Feb. 25-29. The conference, held twice annually, provided an opportunity for Gen. William R. Looney III, AETC commander, and

Airman found dead in dormitory room

An Airman assigned to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, was found dead in a dormitory room March 7. At 8:50 a.m., base officials discovered the Airman unresponsive and with injuries consistent with a stab wound. The Airman was immediately taken to United Regional Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas, and

Air Force officials announce E-8 selections

Air Force officials here announced March 7 that 1,284 master sergeants have been selected for promotion to senior master sergeant. The promotion list will be released publicly at 8 a.m. Central Standard Time March 12 on the Air Force Personnel Center's homepage and on AFPC's "Ask" Web site. The

March-April Airman magazine now available

One of the Air Force's top priorities is helping rebuild Iraq's shattered Air Force from the ground up. It's what Airmen are doing all over Iraq and in Afghanistan. "Giving Iraq new wings," is just one of the feature stories in the March-April 2008 issue of Airman, now available in print and online

Women prove they have the 'right stuff' to fly

Throughout history, women have made a lasting impression on the fabric of the United States. In colonial times, women helped their husbands defend their farms from Indian attacks. During the American Revolution, women such as Mary Hays McCauly (better known as Molly Pitcher) took care of their

March 7 airpower summary: A-10s provide close-air support

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Mar. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

March 8 airpower summary: Shows of force deter enemy

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Mar. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a general-purpose

On patrol

'Today's Air Force' features modernizing the force

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Air Force officials are modernizing more than just aircraft.  Air Force officials are using anthropometric surveys to design gear, supplies and crew ensembles. The surveys were necessary to determine the safety requirements of ejection seats,

Aerial porters receive advanced training

Airmen in the Air Force air transportation career field, also known as "aerial porters," can advance their training and capabilities here through the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Aerial Port Operations Course. Held approximately 12 times a year at either Fort Dix or an away location such as

Dyess Airmen help airborne operations return to Fort Hood

"Stand up! Hook up!" More than 20 personnel heard these words as they rushed to jump out of a C-130 Hercules on the first airborne operation conducted in more than 10 years for Fort Hood Soldiers.Airmen of the 317th Airlift Group from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, partnered with Fort Hood officials

March 9 airpower summary: C-17s deliver supplies to front

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a general-purpose

Officials announce Air Force safety awards for 2007

Air Force safety officials have announced the winners of the 2007 safety awards. A. Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award Category I: Air Mobility Command Category II: United States Air Force Academy B. Maj. Gen. Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award Air Mobility Command C. Col. Will L. Tubbs

Air Force Wrestling Team selects athletes for 2008 season

Thirteen Airmen have been selected for the 2008 Air Force Wrestling team by officials here recently.After almost two dozen athletes from around the Air Force traveled here to participate in the All Air Force Wrestling Camp, which started Feb. 13, the final wrestling competition held March 1

Unit stands up to improve communications across, for Iraq

Multi-National Force - Iraq officials here have recently established a new team of experts to help improve coordination of communications policy, services and infrastructure initiatives throughout Iraq. The Iraq Communications Coordination Element recently began operating under the direction of

Airpower brings unique capability to U.S., Korean exercise

Ensuring peace and stability throughout the region takes a solid relationship between Republic of Korea airmen and the U.S. Airmen here -- one cannot accomplish the mission without the other. This month, Airmen in Korea are testing this relationship through Exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.

Air Force Enlisted Village earns second consecutive four star-rating

The Air Force Enlisted Village, one of the four official charities of the Air Force, recently received its second consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest charity evaluator. The AFEV's rating places it among the top charities of the more than 5,000 evaluated by

Officials highlight training vision to industry leaders

More than 70 representatives from 44 corporations met here March 6 to consider ways the civilian industry might partner with Air Education and Training Command officials to make the vision of the future of education and training a reality. Attendees at the AETC Industry Forum came from all parts of

Secretary Wynne salutes Airmen

In the latest Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force salutes all those who provide support to operations around the globe. "I am continually amazed at the Air Force's ability to project combat power to any spot in the world from non-deployed locations," Secretary of the Air Force Michael

B-1B destroys al-Qaida torture compound in Iraq

A B-1B Lancer aircrew destroyed an al-Qaida torture compound and prison with six guided bomb unit-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions at 2:07 p.m. March 10 in Zenbaraniyah.The bombing marked a change of fortunes for the village, where local villagers began standing up to the terrorists a little more

Command chief outlines future of cyber warfare

The Air Force is leading the way in controlling the warfighting domain of the 21st century, and the formation of the newest Air Force major command is progressing well, the command chief of Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) said during a March 4 visit here. "Cyberspace is a warfighting domain --

March 10 airpower summary: B-1Bs conduct show of force

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

Assistant surgeon general visits Balad hospital

The assistant Air Force surgeon general for nursing services and medical force development met with deployed medics March 3 and 4 at Balad Air Base. While touring the Air Force Theater Hospital, Maj. Gen. Melissa A. Rank visited with Airmen assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Medical Group and

Airmen aid coalition ground forces one leaflet at a time

American Airman here and members of the Australian Defence Force recently teamed up to deliver critical information to Iraqi civilians in southern Iraq. Flying in a C-130 Hercules, Airmen from the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, worked in conjunction with Australians from Overwatch Battle

45th Space Wing Airmen support NASA's successful launch

With support from Airmen with the 45th Space Wing, Space Shuttle Endeavour blasted off safely from Kennedy Space Center March 11 at 2:28 a.m. (EDT), starting NASA's 25th mission to the International Space Station. The 45th SW's support included providing weather forecasts, helping organize and train

Keeping them rolling

Into the fire

Kadena officials go to great lengths for OPSEC

Members of the 18th Wing operations security team are going to extremes to ensure wing members adhere to OPSEC principles. The team members randomly visit units on base and dive into the dumpsters to try and find sensitive material that has been thrown away, as part of an overall effort to raise

Aircrew brings WW II comrades back from watery grave

A Kansas Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker crew from the 190th Air Refueling Wing returned the human remains March 3 to American soil after a recovery team recovered from a downed B-24 Liberator shot down near the Pacific island nation of Palau Sept. 1, 1944. According to military reports, the

556th becomes newest UAS squadron

The 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron became the Air Force's first operational test squadron for unmanned aircraft systems during a ceremony March 5 here. The stand-up is concurrent with the inactivation of the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group Det. 4. The Airmen, employees and equipment of the

Biofuel research could result in alternative energy source

Air Force-funded biofuel researchers are investigating ways to produce large quantities of hydrogen gas using photosynthetic microbes, commonly known as algae and cyanobacteria. In large quantities, the hydrogen gas could function as a renewable, cheap and clean energy source for future military

Cadets receive cold-weather training in Alaska

Cadets from both Eagle River and West High School Junior ROTC programs participated in an overnight stay at Otter Lake on Fort Richardson, Alaska, to gain cold weather survival training Feb. 29 to March 1. Arriving early Feb. 29, the cadets began marching the eight-mile trail to the lake, carrying

Secretary Gates accepts resignation of CENTCOM chief

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today reluctantly accepted Navy Adm. William J. Fallon's letter of resignation as commander of U.S. Central Command and request for retirement. Admiral Fallon's resignation will take effect March 31, Secretary Gates said during a Pentagon news conference. His

Multi-location, simultaneous sortie a success

Four B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and 26 crew members assigned to the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron made history at 10:15 a.m. local time March 6 as they simultaneously hit targets at four separate locations throughout the Pacific. Deployed to Andersen Air Force Base as part of U.S. Pacific

Stealth fighter honored at Wright-Patterson

The Air Force-industry team responsible for providing program oversight to the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter aircraft said farewell during a ceremony March 11 here. More than 350 Airmen, base employees, industry partners and family members gathered for one last close-up look at the F-117, which

U-2 squadron continues to fly high

Airmen of the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here continue to add to the U-2's 51-year history by being the only U-2 squadron in the area of responsibility supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Since its introduction in 1957, the U-2 and the Airmen who support it have

Air Force Uniform Board goes virtual

Airmen now will be able to submit ideas for improving Air Force uniforms with a few simple clicks of a mouse. By logging into the Air Force's IDEA Program Web site, Airmen can select a link that allows them to submit an idea for a uniform change or update. Once submitted, ideas are routed through

Air Force officials respond to Boeing protest

Air Force officials received a copy of Boeing's formal protest March 11on the KC-45A contract award, recently submitted to the Government Accountability Office. It is the company's right to formally submit a protest. Air Force members will carefully evaluate the protest, defend their source

Airman's Roll Call highlights new Virtual Uniform Board

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on submitting ideas for improving dress and appearance standards to the new Virtual Uniform Board. This program allows individuals to submit uniform change requests through the Air Force's Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program -- known as

March 11 airpower summary: F-15s bomb enemy combatants

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

Balad Airmen rescue U.S. teachers in Iraq

Airmen from the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here were called out to rescue two American citizens lost on a hiking trip March 2. "We initially started hearing information about a possibility of American citizens getting lost during a hiking trip at around 4 a.m.," said Navy Lt. Evan Scaggs, a

Computer protection: Good IDEA

Buying software to protect your home computer ensures it is safe from Internet viruses and hackers. When Air Force officials buy intrusion detection software for the service's computers, they don't browse through the aisles of the local computer store.The Intrusion Detection Exploration Analysis

Air Forces Central general visits deployed Airmen

The general charged with ensuring the success of air mobility directly supporting the war on terrorism visited Airmen March 8 at a Southwest Asia air base. Brig. Gen. Thomas Haynes, the U.S. Air Forces Central director of mobility forces, visited various units throughout the 386th Air Expeditionary

International Women's Day brings unity, call for peace

Nearly 100 Afghan women gathered together to celebrate International Women's Day March 8 in the Zabul province. The event began with a reading of an article in the Holy Quran, followed by speeches and gifts for those women who attended the celebration as well as 30 patients in Qalat Provincial

Battling the heat

48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters extinguish a simulated battery fire inside an aircraft fire trainer March 8 at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. Firefighters must train constantly to stay proficient in their aircraft rescue and firefighting skills. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Perry

Fighters respond to Temporary Flight Restriction violation

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons and a Coast Guard helicopter under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted a small Cessna aircraft flying through the Temporary Flight Restriction zone March 12 over the National Capitol Region. The civilian aircraft entered the TFR from the

Alaskan villages benefit from joint military medical outreach

Mixed teams of Army, Navy and Air Force health-care providers are spent a week treating hundreds of medically-underserved people as part of Operation Arctic Care 2008 in six remote villages in March in Alaska. Residents of Karluk, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, Port Lions, Akhiok and Larsen Bay invited the

Army shows off Apache at Kunsan

Ramstein team gives planners Eagle Vision

The availability of accurate imagery is critical when planning an operational mission. The responsibility to provide this vital information to those mission planners resides in the capable hands of eight members of an Air Force team here dubbed, "Eagle Vision-1." The vision for the program came

Vandenberg Airmen launch Atlas V rocket

Vandenberg Air Force Base Airmen successfully launched a Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-3 at 3:01 a.m. PDT March 13 here. The launch was the product of the combined efforts of officials from the 30th Space Wing, the National Reconnaissance

Instinctive action by Bagram Airman prevents catastrophe

An Airman's quick action following an explosion of a jet fuel starter Feb. 26 that sent shrapnel across the Bagram Air Base flightline averted a possible explosion of an F-15E Strike Eagle.Staff Sgt. Jonathan Billie was working on the flightline near a fellow Airman prepping an F-15E when the small

March 12 airpower summary: C-130s support coalition forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer, an F-15E Strike Eagle and an

Rwandan Defense Force air traffic controllers visit Ramstein

Ramstein Air Base officials recently hosted four air traffic controllers from the Rwandan Defense Force, giving them a first-hand look at how the U.S. Air Force takes care of business on the airfield. The Rwandans visited the 86th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight and the 1st

Airmen complete first Air Advisor Course

The first class of Airmen headed to Iraq and Afghanistan to train foreign military members on Airmanship graduated here March 7. A total of 59 Airmen completed the course, developed to prepare instructors to train Iraqi and Afghan airmen to re-establish their national air forces. The U.S. Air Force

Services tests 'pallet to palate' philosophy

From "pallet to palate" is the philosophy behind an 18th Services Squadron capability tested during the Pacific Air Forces Operational Readiness Inspection held March 9 to 15 here. Wherever Airmen deploy, the single pallet expeditionary kitchen, or SPEK, can go with them to provide support. "The

Aerial pit stop

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing waits as two F-22 Raptors from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, fly in for refueling. With the KC-135's mission of air refueling, the F-22 can accomplish its mission of global

RC-135 surpasses 50,000 flying-hour mark

A 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron RC-135 Rivet Joint surpassed the 50,000 flight-hour mark during a mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom March 12. RC-135 Tail No. 132 boasts an impressive resume of tours over the years including Vietnam, operations Southern and Northern Watch to

AF leaders focus on the future during CORONA South

"Securing the Future" was the central theme of this year's CORONA South, held at Bolling Air Force Base here. The discussion and debate among the Air Force's senior leaders focused on preparing the Air Force to meet tomorrow's challenges as well as the potential need to restructure the force to

First OTS hand-to-hand combat-trained class graduates

Dutch air chief predicts continued cooperation

His air force has a history of training pilots in the United States that dates back to 1941. It's a long relationship Lt. Gen. Hans de Jong would like to continue. General de Jong, commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, said he expects his country to not only maintain its aircrew training

Balad Airmen teach contractors lifesaving skills

When it comes to rescuing someone trapped in a vehicle, using the "jaws of life" can mean the difference between life and death -- but only if the tool is used properly. Members of the Balad Air Base Fire Department recently led refresher training sessions for U.S. government contracted personnel

Arresting development

Tech. Sgt. Emmanuel Ramirez lays out the turn buckles and spacers before driving four-foot stakes into the ground to prevent the arresting barrier system from shifting during an emergency landing March 12 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The system is composed of a cable stretched out across the runway

Space Command hall of fame inductee honored

The Navy rejected him for far-sighted vision he "might" develop later in life. So he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree on D-Day, June 6, 1944. By 1946 he was selected to serve in the super secret Manhattan Engineer District -- the

Airpower's advantages unlocked via sound strategy, paper says

American leaders should worry less about which armed service is preeminent and more about their severe strategy deficit, according to a new research paper written by Dr. Colin S. Gray. No single service will dominate all future conflicts, writes Doctor Gray, a well-respected author of 22 books on

C-130J tailor-made for mission over Afghanistan

A 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130J Hercules aircrew operating out of Southwest Asia dropped leaflets over Afghanistan encouraging its citizens to reject violence and embrace their government as part of an integrated operation with NATO's International Security Assistance Force March 6.

Top leaders testify on '09 budget

The Air Force's top two leaders testified before the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittees on Defense during hearings about the fiscal 2009 budget March 11 and 12. While the main topic of discussion among congressmen and senators remained the KC-45A contract award, Secretary of