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U.S. Air Force News

  • Performers bring some holiday cheer to Incirlik

    Music, singing, cheering and laughter rang from Hangar 4 on Nov. 22 as more than 1,000 people from around the Incirlik community gathered to enjoy the Operation Season's Greetings traveling troupe. The OSG group performers included a combination of the best performers of the Air Force Reserve Band

  • Retired chaplain's life shining example of duty, faith

    On June 23, 1943, tragedy struck the small airfield at Royal Air Force Ridgewell, England, home of the 381st Bomb Group. As ground crews armed one of the unit's many B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, 11 on-board explosives detonated, killing 23 American servicemen and one British civilian. One man, an

  • Air Force training makes Airmen safer, more aware

    Staff Sgt. Jason Lowery knows that preparing for combat duty is something many Airmen do not know much about. But training Airmen to be safer and more aware of the dangers they face around the world is not a new concept. Air Force Combat Skills Training is just the newest method of providing today's

  • 18th Wing key component in war on terrorism

    The importance of the 18th Wing's mission in fighting the war on terrorism and its peacekeeping efforts in the Pacific region were the key topics discussed by the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander here Nov. 15.Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright visited the base for an orientation tour of the wing

  • U.S., Turkish forces team up in Anatolian Eagle

    The 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, deployed F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 200 Airmen here for a two-week exercise called Anatolian Eagle.The exercise provided an opportunity for Turkish and American forces to work side-by-side and learn from each other.

  • Academy band performs for students in New York

    In 1984, Tech. Sgt. Stephen Brannen, then 19, heard the U.S. Air Force band "Airmen of Note" play for the first time. He said that one concert changed his entire perception of the military. Now, more than 20 years later, the U.S. Air Force Academy Band "Blue Steel," hopes their Nov. 22 performance

  • Global Hawk flies first Beale ACC sortie

    A newly-arrived RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle made its first operational Air Combat Command flight from here Nov. 21. The first Global Hawk flight from Beale signifies the end of the base's and communities' five-year wait for the aircraft, and the beginning of local training flights as

  • Air Force Honor Guard beefs up 2007 routine

    Throw, flip, twist, turn, roll, swing, catch. As the routine drives home and the final rifle hits, the team is welcomed back with an overwhelming reception. Only when their nerves settle do they see the people and hear the applause, they can finally relax and appreciate the reception. After a month

  • Academy conducts Commandant's Challenge 2006

    The Air Force Academy cadet wing completed the annual Commandant's Challenge here Nov. 19. The three-day challenge was their culminating fall semester training event. The training event serves as the cadet wing's operational readiness inspection and tests leadership skills, physical fitness and

  • Academy cadets capture scholarship trifecta

    Three Air Force Academy cadets have captured the trifecta of prestigious graduate scholarships. Cadet 1st Class Nicholas Shelly has been named a Rhodes Scholar and plans to spend his two years at Oxford University in England studying international relations. He is the academy's 34th Rhodes

  • 11 sing, dance their way to Worldwide Talent Contest honors

    Sixty-two active duty Airmen -- singers, dancers, musicians and technicians -- converged on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Nov. 5 through 13 for the annual Worldwide Talent Contest. By the end of the grueling week, 11 emerged as the best, taking home "Roger" awards for first place and "Wilco"

  • USAFE commander reviews past year in command

    Allied and coalition relationships, operations south and east, Airmen's accomplishments and improving efficiency were at the forefront during the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander's Nov. 20 discussion of the past year in command. Since Gen. William T. Hobbins took command Dec. 5, he has traveled

  • Army trains Airmen for 'outside the wire' mission

    Volunteer security forces Airmen from 65 bases completed Army training here, giving them the skills to perform a unique mission in Iraq.Fort Hood provided 182 Air Force security forces members with general and advanced combat skills via Army instruction to prepare them for their new mission.The

  • Officials discontinue Command Responsibility Pay

    Command Responsibility Pay, which has been authorized for payment to selected Air Force commanders since 2002, will be phased out by Sept. 30, 2007. "Several factors have contributed to the need to eliminate CRP," said Maj. Gen. Tony Przybyslawski, Air Force Personnel Center commander. "These

  • Maintainers turn Rivet Joint

    A sergeant sits at the end of a table reviewing maintenance records. In the background, Airmen play video games as a college football game blares on a television. The call that the RC-135 Rivet Joint is 30 minutes out comes down, and in an instant everyone drops what they are doing. It's time to

  • Aircrews fly scientists, equipment to Antarctica

    A McChord Air Force Base, Wash., jet touched down on a sheet of sea ice here Nov. 16 as part of Operation Deep Freeze. The C-17 Globemaster III, loaded with National Science Foundation staff members, supplies and equipment along with members of the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings, landed on the ice

  • ASC leaders tackle requirements, acquisition processes

    Starting new programs correctly, ensuring customers have realistic expectations, and ending the "shoot-the-messenger" mentality were among the initiatives Aeronautical Systems Center leaders considered at a November off-site meeting. Lt. Gen. Jack Hudson, the ASC commander, along with senior leaders

  • Security forces member receives Bronze Star

    An Airman from the 18th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded the Bronze Star during a ceremony Nov. 15 for actions while on a 365-day deployment to Al Kasik Military Training Base, Iraq. Capt. Russell Waight, 18th SFS officer in charge of plans and programs, served as adviser at the base

  • Second C-5M Super Galaxy takes flight

    The second fully modernized Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy test aircraft made its first flight Nov. 17 from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. This is the second of three aircraft that will comprise the new C-5M test fleet. "The C-5M represents a true recapitalization program for a critical

  • Defense agency delivers logistics support to warfighters

    Whether it's an infantryman in Iraq needing a new firing pin for his rifle or a fighter pilot on a carrier in the Persian Gulf who needs to replace a cracked landing strut, the Defense Logistics Agency stands ready to support warfighters worldwide, the organization's director said in a recent

  • Interagency cooperation improves space com

    Air Force Space Command and the National Reconnaissance Office put into motion a plan to improve interagency cooperation between space agencies by conducting a senior officer and a senior civilian exchange between AFSPC Headquarters here and the NRO Headquarters in Chantilly, Va. The nation's space

  • Vandenberg sets pace in base security

    Vandenberg has set the pace for Air Force installation security by implementing a new method of checking identification cards at base access points. A new security scanner now in use here does much more than just check military ID cards. It has the ability to check a wide variety of ID cards,

  • Joint tactical radio system fielded soon

    The Air Force is about to enter a new era in communications technology. Officials at the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., have signed a $7.8M contract with Thales Communications, Incorporated, for the delivery of the first Joint Tactical Radio System radios to the Air

  • Section keeps security forces equipped, rolling

    They're not your typical cops packing heat and patrolling the flightline. Without them, the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron mission would screech to a halt. The 379th ESFS training and resources section, better known as S-4, provides critical support to the security forces Airmen

  • 'Lightning' strikes 1st Pursuit Group

    During July 1941, the 27th Pursuit Squadron had the honor of receiving the first P-38 Lightning delivered to the Army Air Force. This aircraft, described as "one of the most radical departures from tradition in American fighter development," evolved into the workhorse for the 1st Pursuit Group

  • Nellis kicks off first Aggressor 101 class

    Thirty-five new Air Force "aggressors" graduated Nov. 17 from the first Aggressor 101 training course conducted by the 57th Adversary Tactics Group here. The two-week course provides a baseline understanding of the aggressor mission and philosophy, 57th Wing and 57th ATG organization, and threat

  • Football: Falcons drop heartbreaker to Utes

    Utah ruined Air Force's senior night by beating the Falcons 17-14 on the last play of the game. Louie Sakoda nailed a 37-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to give the Utes the win in front of 27,611 fans Saturday night at Falcon Stadium. The loss put a damper on the final home game for

  • Falcons skate to 6-1 win over AIC

    Senior Andrew Ramsey scored a career-best four goals to lead the Air Force to a 6-1 win over American International College Nov. 17 at the Cadet Ice Arena. The Air Force evened its record at 6-6-1 overall and 4-2-1 in the Atlantic Hockey Association. AIC fell to 0-10-0 and 0-8-0 in the AHA. Ramsey

  • Manas Airmen build swing set, relationship

    A team of Airmen here finished work on a new swing set for children at the Solnyshko Kindergarten School near the village of Vinogradnoe Nov. 16. The swing set, which was built by the previous rotation, still had to be cemented into the ground and painted before turning it over to the youngsters.

  • On-orbit checkout of SBIRS payload confirmed

    The Air Force successfully completed initial early on-orbit checkout of the first Space Based Infrared System payload. SBIRS will deliver a new generation of space-based satellites providing missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness to combatant

  • vPC-GR adds awards, decorations processing

    Reservists will have another capability in their Personnel Service Delivery toolbox Monday when officials release the online awards and decorations function. With the release, Reserve Airmen will submit awards and decorations requests online through the virtual Personnel Center Guard and Reserve

  • Readiness troops train for the future

    Civil engineering readiness troops from around the Air Force are getting some advanced training here, learning new techniques for dealing with chemical, biological and radiological threats. Instructors teaching the classes are creating a realistic environment for students, whose career field could

  • Unmanned vehicle provides reusable test capabilities in space

    The Air Force is working on a space vehicle that will allow government scientists to transport advanced technology into orbit, test its capability there, then bring it home to see how it fared in the harsh environment of space. The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is similar to the space shuttle, except

  • New aggressor units expand training capabilities

    Unit changes at Nellis and Eielson Air Force bases have resulted in two wings that, together, create better opportunities for Air Force pilots to train for combat against potential adversaries. In January, the 65th Aggressor Squadron was reactivated under the 57th Adversary Tactics Group at Nellis

  • 3 graduate from new C-5 schoolhouse at Lackland

    Three Airmen walked away from Kelly Field here secure in the knowledge that they were each the first in their class -- the first to complete training at this new C-5 Galaxy Formal Training Unit Complex. The new aircrew members consisted of flight engineer Senior Airman Raymond Montanino, and pilots

  • Portland reservists remember King 56 crew

    The Air Force Reserve has found a new home for a memorial created in honor of 10 former Portland reservists. Officials from the 939th Air Refueling Wing will re-dedicate the memorial in a ceremony Nov. 17 at Willamette National Cemetery. The black granite marble stone monument was dedicated to the

  • Airmen awarded new readiness occupational badges

    All of the Airmen graduating from the Civil Engineer Readiness Apprentice Course recently were first in their class. The Air Force's newest 3E931s were the first graduates to receive the civil engineer readiness occupational badge. The badges were presented during their graduation ceremony at the

  • Failure in Iraq would affect region, world

    Failure of the coalition and Iraqi government to create a unified, peaceful Iraq would be catastrophic for that country and the region, and would embolden terrorists throughout the world, the directors of the Central Intelligence Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency said here Nov. 15.Testifying

  • Master plan cleanup efforts kick off at BRAC Industry Day

    The Air Force's new approach to managing the environmental cleanup of former Air Force installations was unveiled at the Base Realignment and Closure Master Plan Industry Day Nov. 13 in San Antonio. The event, held jointly by Air Force Real Property Agency and the Air Force Center for Environmental

  • Air logistics center upgrades center wing boxes on C-130s

    Workers here began a three-phase project in November to ensure the viability of the C-130 Hercules fleet through the year 2030 and beyond. Center wing boxes on C-130s have been showing cracks earlier than expected. As a result, members of the 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group have removed the center

  • Cyber Summit begins at Pentagon Nov. 16

    Air Force leaders will gather at the Pentagon Nov. 16 to discuss the way ahead for the Air Force's role in cyberspace. During the Cyber Summit, leaders from the Air Force intelligence, space, communications, combat air forces and other communities will discuss the way ahead as the Air Force

  • AFSO 21 driven by Airmen ingenuity

    Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century took another step forward at Headquarters Air Mobility Command in October. A mobility air forces strategy team of nearly two dozen military and civilian subject matter experts identified a number of overarching processes that could be streamlined. AFSO

  • Air Force awards $1.4 million contract to Virginia firm

    The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate awarded a $1,465,002 contract Nov. 13 to Active Computing Inc. of Herndon, Va. The three-year agreement, "Assessing and Operationalizing COORDINATORs," is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, of Arlington, Va.,

  • Multinational agreement to advance high-speed flight

    The U.S. Air Force and Australian Department of Defence signed a multinational research partnership Nov. 10 in Canberra, Australia, to explore and develop fundamental hypersonic technologies and experimental methodologies that could enable the next generation of weapon systems. The Air Force

  • Travis firefighters crowned world champs third straight year

    Not even a rain-slick course could stop Travis AFB firefighters from winning a third consecutive World Firefighter Combat Challenge held Nov. 7 to 11 in Henderson, Nev. The challenge, which attracted hundreds of U.S. and Canadian municipal fire departments from more than 25 locations, encouraged

  • Squadron dedicates kennel in memory of fallen Airman

    Base officials, family members and friends gathered here Nov. 7 to remember a fallen NCO and participate in a dedication ceremony. The Tech. Sgt. Jason Norton Military Working Dog Facility was dedicated in the base's security forces complex. Sergeant Norton was killed Jan. 22 while deployed in

  • A-10s get attention after returning from combat

    When Air Force reservists from the 442nd Fighter Wing arrived home from a four-month deployment to Afghanistan in September, they were given time-off to recuperate and adjust to life back home. The Air Force calls this time-off period "reconstitution." The same is true for the wing's A-10

  • Boeing X-45A unmanned combat vehicle on display

    The Boeing X-45A unmanned combat air vehicle was officially inducted into the National Museum of the United States Air Force collection during a ceremony Nov. 13. "The X-45A is a prime example of an air vehicle that points to the future of our Air Force," said retired Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf,

  • Poland receives first F-16s

    The first F-16 Fighting Falcons acquired by the Polish air force arrived at the 31st Air Base here Nov. 9 and were featured at a special roll-out ceremony. Gen. Tom Hobbins, Allied Air Component commander and U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, represented the Air Force chief of staff at the event

  • USAFE's 1st AFSO 21 manager to 'Lean' up Spangdahlem

    Spangdahlem Air Base is the first base in U.S. Air Forces in Europe to have a full-time program manager for Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century. The overarching goals here are to implement a change in culture and the way people think and do their jobs, officials said. Base officials also

  • Air Force declassifies elite aggressor program

    After decades of secrecy, Air Force officials acknowledged Nov. 13 that Communist-built fighters were flown at the Tonopah Test Range northwest of Las Vegas, Nev. From 1977 through 1988, the program, known as Constant Peg, saw Air Force, Navy and Marine aircrews flying against Soviet-designed MiG

  • Lean principles contribute to missile success

    The members of the 309th Missile Maintenance Group completed assembly of Minuteman booster No. 75-939 Nov. 7, marking two years of early or on-time deliveries by the unit. The unit has maintained its completion and delivery record by using Lean principles, which helped organize work areas and remove

  • Wrestling: Academy Falcons in Cowboy Open

    With 22 Falcons competing, the Air Force wrestling team got the 2006-2007 season off to an official start Saturday at the Cowboy Open, hosted by Wyoming. Sophomore Jordan Tribble, Midwest City, Okla., took second place for the Falcons in the 184-pound category in the Amateur (20 and under) Division.

  • Bush thanks veterans for safeguarding America's freedom

    "Taps" rang out clearly as the United States paused to remember America's veterans here Nov. 11. U.S. veterans of many wars gathered to pay tribute to old comrades and thank a new generation of Americans keeping freedom's light ablaze. President Bush gave the principal address at the ceremony. "On

  • PRT provides electricity to Afghan community

    Villagers near Rayn, Afghanistan, are benefiting from the opening of a new micro-hydroelectric plant capable of providing electricity to 300 homes in the area.The 25-kilowatt power-generating facility next to the Alishang River in the Alishang District of Laghman Province is the first of its kind to

  • Family, military energize disabled veteran through marathon

    She may have been one of 50 Achilles Freedom Team "wounded warriors" for her third New York City Marathon, but Monica Szymanski was a steel link in the chain. She was as determined as the others to cross the finish line. The former Air Force Reserve senior airman was diagnosed with cancer in early

  • Three brothers complete Air Force basic training together

    Three brothers from Fort Worth, Texas, will be "doing something amazing" for the Air Force in the coming years after graduation from Basic Military Training Nov. 10. Twins Chaz and Logan Hatcher, 22, and their younger brother, Derek, 19, completed the 6.5-week course while assigned to three

  • Humble chief gains national attention

    All of the attention embarrasses him, but as this chief master sergeant learned recently, a lifetime of caring and good deeds is bound to catch up with you eventually. Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt, superintendent of the 22nd Wing Medical Group here, recently gained worldwide attention for a photo

  • Raptor wing does not forget its past on road to future

    Though a unit's past might be dotted with a book full of famous Air Force firsts, over the decades, its Airmen tend to forget that. And sometimes, living up to a fabled heritage is just not an easy thing to do. That is one reason Brig. Gen. Burt Field does not let the people of the 1st Fighter Wing

  • Air Force leaders share recent viewpoints

    The Air Force's top leaders have released two specific viewpoints for Airmen.Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne released a Letter to Airmen today discussing Service before Self.Click here to read the SECAF's Letter to AirmenAlso, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley has

  • Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff sends Veterans Day message

    Veterans Day is an opportunity for all Americans to honor the service of the men and women of the Armed Forces, past and present. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day to signify the end of World War I. He commemorated the event by saying, "The reflections of

  • ASC plays critical role in replacement helicopter contract

    Air Force officials announced Nov. 9 the award of a contract potentially valued at $4.1 billion to The Boeing Co., for the Air Force's number two acquisition priority, a replacement combat search and rescue, or CSAR, helicopter. The program will take place in two parts. The first increment, Block 0,

  • Officials select developer for combat search and rescue replacement vehicle

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne announced the selection of Boeing Helicopter of Ridley Park, Pa., to provide the new combat search and rescue replacement vehicle, known as CSAR-X. The Nov. 9 announcement comes at the end of a fair and open competition, and thorough evaluation of multiple

  • World War II air crash victims honored

    World War II veteran John A. Glaros clearly remembers the day 63 years ago when he heard that his friend, a fellow U.S. Army Air Forces radioman, had perished in an air crash in Australia that would remain a secret for many years afterward. "We were devastated," recalled Mr. Glaros, now an

  • Langley home of 1st Fighter Wing

    As the host unit here, the 1st Fighter Wing operates and maintains one of the largest fighter bases in Air Combat Command. The wing flies the F-22A Raptor and F-15 Eagle. The 1st FW's mission is to: "Train, organize and equip expeditionary Airmen; deploy, fight and win; provide world-class support

  • AMC reduces costs through fuel efficiency

    Energy costs are a significant part of the Defense Department operating budget, and Air Mobility Command uses 54 percent of the U.S. military's consumption of aviation fuel. Not surprisingly, efficient use of this resource has always been an AMC goal, and while fuel costs remain high, command

  • 1st Fighter Wing lays claim to numerous accomplishments

    The name says it all -- 1st Fighter Wing. As the first air combat unit organized under the U.S. Army air arm 80 years ago, the wing can make claim to many historic accomplishments.The study of the 1st FW's history is comparable to examining the history of air power itself. The groaning of wooden

  • 'Dirtboyz' keep Balad airfield operational

    Every day, aircraft fly in and out of Balad AB to provide vital support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Whether F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-130 Hercules or HH-60 Pave Hawks, the airframes are able to approach and depart because of fully operational, well-maintained runways. Better known as "dirtboyz,"

  • AFSO 21 process gets weapons to warfighters faster

    When the AIM-120D production program manager was asked to be team leader on an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century rapid improvement event, he was a little skeptical. "We had a very sound and fundamentally strong (acquisition) process going and I really pushed back at the idea," said

  • NORAD commander: Air Force role vital to homeland security

    Homeland defense has come full circle since the events of 9/11. America now faces a new and constantly evolving threat -- the threat of terrorism. Dealing with this threat is the task of the men and women of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, a bi-national U.S. and Canadian

  • Veterans Day particularly significant while nation at war

    Observing Veterans Day is especially important this year as America's military members put their lives in danger to protect the country and defend its freedoms, Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson said. "We are a nation at war against an enemy that has openly vowed its desire to destroy

  • Bush, Rumsfeld agree: 'Timing right for new leadership at Pentagon'

    Calling Donald H. Rumsfeld "a superb leader during a time of change," President Bush announced at a White House news conference today that he and Secretary Rumsfeld have agreed the time has come for a change in leadership at the Pentagon. President Bush said he will nominate Bob Gates, former

  • C-130 crew honored with Mackay Trophy

    Five C-130 Hercules crewmembers were recognized during a ceremony in Arlington, Va., Nov. 6 by the Air Force and the National Aeronautic Association when they were presented with the 2005 Clarence Mackay Trophy. Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. John D. W. Corley presented the trophy to Maj.

  • Air Force adopting new news-delivery method

    The ongoing reduction in the number of Air Force people will mean changes in the way people get Air Force news. Public affairs staff members, who produce newspapers at most Air Force installations, are shifting their focus for news delivery to the World Wide Web. Printed newspapers will still be

  • Rescuers learn to make order out of chaos

    In August 2003, a truck bomb exploded at the United Nations headquarters in downtown Baghdad, collapsing three floors of the four-story building. Hundreds of people died. Hundreds more were trapped under collapsed rebar, steel and concrete. Tech Sgt. Andrew Canfield, lead Air Force Reserve Command

  • Exchange program enhances coalition operations

    Northwest Florida is gaining worldwide recognition through a program that makes local Air Force bases the training grounds for covert coalition aircraft operations.The program, known as Combined Special Operations Forces Subject Matter Expert Exchange, is a concept that came to life on a large scale

  • Mountain Home newspaper going virtual

    An era will come to an end Dec. 22 when the base newspaper here, The Gunfighter, hits the streets for the last time. The public affairs staff will become one of the first bases to transition from a traditional newspaper to a Web-based product. The transition decision is primarily in response to

  • Health care for reservists highlights defense bill

    In addition to a 2.2 percent across-the-board pay raise, Air Force reservists can look forward to better health care options in 2007. Beginning Oct. 1, 2007, drilling reservists can enroll in the new Tricare Standard for Selected Reserve health plan. They pay 28 percent of the premiums. The federal

  • Veterans Day special: Veterans share war experiences

    The year was 1967. First Lt. Marko Milakovich stood on the side of Budda Mountain, about 10 miles from Quang Nhia in South Vietnam. The 25-year-old was on a site survey and had a weapons carrier and six Army bodyguards for safety. As he stood on the mountainside, leaflets fluttered to the ground

  • COMUSAFE visits Film City's Kosovo Airmen

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander Gen. William T. Hobbins visited Film City at Headquarters Kosovo Forces in Pristina, Kosovo. During his Nov. 6 visit, General Hobbins met with more than 40 Airmen assigned to Film City and Camp Bondsteel. Upon his arrival, the KFOR commander, German Lt. Gen.

  • Air Force leader praises Hill for Lean, AFSO 21 efforts

    The special assistant to the secretary of the Air Force for Air Force Smart Ops for the 21st Century, or AFSO 21, said during a late October visit here that Air Force leadership would embrace the Lean concept due in large part to the success of Air Force Materiel Command's air logistics centers. Dr.

  • Disabled veterans recharge lives in New York City marathon

    Of the 38,000 runners in the New York City Marathon Nov. 5, 50 disabled veterans ran on the Achilles Freedom Team of 'wounded veterans'.While most runners push themselves to exhaustion through the 26.2 miles of urban roads, Monica Szymanski took on the marathon to re-energize her life. "I'm still in

  • Veterans urged to wear military medals on Veterans Day

    With National Veterans Awareness Week under way and the national Veterans Day observance on Nov. 11, the Veterans Affairs secretary is urging all veterans to show their pride by wearing their military medals.R. James Nicholson's "Veterans Pride" initiative calls on veterans to wear the medals they

  • Pope Airmen get heart-warming welcome home

    It was the best present a little girl could hope for when Sarah Beam's daddy arrived back home from a deployment on her 6th birthday. More than 180 Airmen who supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq were welcomed home by family and friends at Green Ramp Nov. 2. Despite the late evening arrival

  • Being bilingual helps Air Force recruiters in Hispanic communities

    For Master Sgt. Ruben Perez, communicating with potential recruits involves much more than simply promoting careers in the Air Force. The 341st Recruiting Squadron recruiter's ability to "habla Espanol" with San Antonio's inner city youth and surrounding small-town Mexican-Americans helps him

  • Air Force selects 417 new chief master sergeants

    The Air Force has selected 417 senior master sergeants for promotion to the service's highest enlisted rank. The Air Force will publicly release the promotion list Nov. 8, and the complete list of selectees will be available by 5 p.m. CST on the Air Force Personnel Center's homepage. A total of

  • Air Force drops exhibition to Metro State, 65-60

    Shooting just 50 percent from the free throw line, the Air Force women's basketball team suffered a 65-60 exhibition loss to Metro State Sunday afternoon in Clune Arena. The Falcons led 20-14 with just over four minutes remaining in the opening period, but the Roadrunners went on a 10-1 run to close

  • Air Force, RIT skate to 4-4 overtime draw

    Air Force winger Josh Frider scored with 39 seconds left in the third period to force overtime as the Falcons and RIT skated to a 4-4 overtime tie in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Nov. 4 at the Academy's Cadet Ice Arena. Air Force is now 4-5-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the AHA. The Rochester

  • Efforts in Iraq bring British honors for Airman

    The volunteer efforts by an Air Force captain while deployed to Iraq last year has earned her the honor of being the first American to march with a British regiment at The Cenotaph war memorial Nov. 12 in London's Whitehall. Capt. Jutta Cortes, the deputy director of security forces for the 20th Air

  • Responsive space demonstrator ready to roll

    Officials are saying the December launch of a tactical satellite, dubbed TacSat-2, will serve as the predecessor for rapid satellite production, launch and operation. Managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate here, TacSat-2 has evolved into a responsive space

  • Guard, Manas crews exemplify total force integration

    The 141st Air Refueling Wing unit from the Washington Air National Guard rotated home this week after a successful two and a half week tour here. Although their stay was short, the mission accomplishments speak for themselves, said Lt. Col. Michael Gaal, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron

  • Falcons roll over Army, 43-7

    Prior to the 41st renewal of the Air Force/Army football rivalry, Falcon quarterback Shaun Carney was asked by a local West Point, N.Y., newspaper to predict the final score. The junior signal caller said the bluesuiters would win 49-7. His teammates nearly made him a prophet. Air Force converted

  • Ellsworth first base to enter environmental program

    Ellsworth Air Force Base has become the first Air Force-owned installation to accept membership into the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance Track program. During a special ceremony Oct. 31, Robert Roberts, EPA regional administrator, in presenting Ellsworth officials with Performance

  • 109th Airlift Wing commemorates first South Pole landing

    An LC-130 Hercules from the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing touched down at the South Pole on Oct. 30 to commemorate the first plane landing there 50 years ago. On Oct. 31, 1956, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gus Shinn landed a ski-equipped R4D-5 (a Navy version of the DC-3) named "Que Sera Sera"

  • Lab teams prepare for show stopper demonstrations

    Two, six-member Junior Workforce Challenge Project teams working on non-lethal, vehicle-halting prototypes for deployed area checkpoints will display their efforts at an upcoming competition. Each team consists of Air Force junior officers and civilians. They have been working on ideas since June,

  • 8th Air Force to become new cyber command

    During a media conference here Nov. 2, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said the 8th Air Force would become the new Air Force Cyberspace Command. "I am announcing the steps the Air Force is taking towards establishing an Air Force Cyberspace Command," the secretary said. "The new

  • Luke shows off energy conservation program

    The Luke community showcased its energy conservation programs to the Air Force assistant secretary for installations, environment and logistics Oct. 26. William C. Anderson visited here as part of October's Energy Awareness Month. He got a first-hand look at the base's energy and conservation

  • Hydrogen fueling station now operating at Hickam

    State and U.S. Air Force officials gathered here Nov. 2 to unveil Hawaii's and the service's first hydrogen generation and dispensing station. The event marked the completion of a major achievement in a multi-phased alternative fuel vehicle development program that was launched five years ago."From

  • Bands bring tour to Europe, deployed troops

    Guest artists will join up with bands from Air Force Reserve Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe to entertain families and troops in late November. Country music artist Jaime O'Neal, entertainer of the air waves Delilah, John Popper of the platinum-selling group Blues Traveler, and the New England

  • Travis Airmen train Japan's first boom operators

    Three members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force completed a four-month training program here, making them the first boom operators in their military. "I'm proud to be one of the first three students from Japan to complete this training," said Tech. Sgt. Masaaki Takahashi. Master Sgt. Randy