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U.S. Air Force News

  • Airmen control northern Iraq flights

    With equipment older than many of its users, air traffic control services here present some unique challenges for the 32 people keeping Air Force and Army aircraft operating safely.Adapting to the challenges, airmen working in the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron are responsible for

  • Smithsonian opens new facility

    One of the most popular museums of the Smithsonian Institution here celebrated its expansion with a day honoring military aviation veterans.Military aviators from conflicts as far back as World War II were invited to the "Salute to Military Aviation Veterans" Dec. 9, at the National Air and Space

  • Thunderbirds release 2004 schedule

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, announced its 2004 air show schedule. The team is scheduled to perform more than 65 shows in 22 states, Canada and Asia.The 2004 schedule is:March27 and 28 -- Punta Gorda, Fla.April3 and 4 -- Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.17 and

  • Airmen resume refurbishing tankers

    As the saying goes, it's what's on the inside that counts. That is the case for a 45-plus-year-old KC-135 Stratotanker that has recently gone through an interior sprucing-up, by airmen of the 92nd Maintenance Squadron’s equipment excellence shop here."These improvements are critical to our

  • A Nighthawk in Raptor's clothing

    It took 10 gallons of dark gray paint, 5 1/2 gallons of light gray paint and 3 gallons of silicon paint to give one F-117A Nighthawk here an F/A-22 Raptor-style makeover.Lt. Col. Kevin Sullivan, the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group’s Detachment 1 commander, asked the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

  • Officials target military pay increases

    Military personnel will see their basic pay more in line with their civilian counterparts in the private sector in 2004 thanks to an increased pay and benefits compensation package. The package is included in the 2004 Defense Authorization Act approved by Congress.The 2004 military pay and benefits

  • Survivors will receive extra money

    Congress is making death and taxes a little bit less painful by giving extra money to families of deceased airmen.Families of almost 500 airmen who died on active duty since Sept. 10, 2001, are receiving an additional $6,000 beyond the death benefits they originally received. They will also be

  • C-130J squadron created

    The Air Force reactivated the 48th Airlift Squadron here Dec. 5, to establish the first active-duty C-130J Hercules training squadron in the Air Force.The reactivation of the 48th AS, the third flying unit attached to the 314th Airlift Wing here, will train crews in the newest generation of C-130s.

  • AF releasing new fitness instruction

    One of the most noticeable changes to the Air Force’s new fitness program is that it will be defined by an operational rather than a medical instruction. The change shows that senior leaders consider fitness an important part of operational readiness, said Maj. Lisa Schmidt, the Air Force chief of

  • Jacket, pullover require nametags

    The Air Force has established both the mandatory wear date and proper wear for the new metallic nametag on service dress uniforms and pullover sweaters.Effective Jan. 1, the nametag must be worn on the wearer's right side of the service dress jacket with the bottom of the nametag level with the

  • Advisory board seeks reservists’ input

    When reservists on the Air Force Reserve Advisory Board meet at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 23 and 24, they can add another success story to their list of accomplishments.President George W. Bush signed the fiscal 2004 National Defense Authorization Act on Nov. 24,

  • PFE changes with feedback

    Master sergeants and senior master sergeants studying for promotion in 2005 will have a combined study reference because of feedback to the Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron here.The consolidation of the Promotion Fitness Examination Study Guide and Supervisory Examination Study Guide into

  • IDEA recovers more than $2 million

    A discovery by an Air Force Research Laboratory employee here has led to the recovery by the Air Force of more than $2 million in hidden funds. Susan Hluska, a procurement analyst at AFRL's information directorate, has earned a $10,000 award from the Air Force Innovative Development through

  • Airmen help improve C-130 night missions

    Air Force survival equipment technicians are helping make Pacific Air Force nighttime airlift operations safer by replacing the interior insulation on C-130 Hercules aircraft during an ongoing refurbishment program here. During night training, C-130 aircrews use Night Vision Imaging System

  • AFPC passwords reset online

    More than 500 people forget their passwords to the Air Force Personnel Center’s customer service Web applications every day. Many of them are unaware they can reset a password on their own online within seconds, officials said."Instead, hundreds of people call the technical assistance center

  • CSAF signs Air Force Basic Doctrine

    The service’s core document outlining the enduring basics of air and space power has been revised and hard copies will be in the hands of every officer and top-three noncommissioned officer by spring 2004.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper approved the latest revision to Air Force Doctrine

  • Air Force logistics moves into new century with ‘eLog21’

    With the creation of the Air Force Installations and Logistics Directorate of Innovation and Transformation, the Air Force is updating the way logistics processes work.“There are some things we are still doing that fit a Cold War scenario,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Zettler, Air Force deputy chief of

  • Paper CLEP tests coming online

    The College Level Examination Program, a popular route for many servicemembers seeking degrees, will introduce 14 new paper tests in April.Since July 2001, more than 1,300 campus test centers have offered electronic computer-based CLEP tests. The reintroduced paper-based exams are considered "high

  • Simulator improves command post training

    A state-of-the-art simulator in the 334th Training Squadron here is giving command post apprentice course students vivid training, making them more mission-ready upon graduation.The new $500,000 simulator replaced a 20-year-old system that was losing its upgrade capability, said squadron

  • AF-Navy develop joint radio system

    The Air Force and Navy have agreed to merge their two formerly separate programs for the acquisition of improved radio systems.The result will be the development of the Joint Tactical Radio System, a single family of radios designed to replace incompatible units in use across the services.Senior

  • 'Starr' helps NORAD track Santa

    A “Starr” in the east will help guide North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Santa-tracking tradition Dec. 24. The Starr is none other than former Beatle, Ringo Starr, who will be NORAD’S honorary Santa tracker for Christmas 2003.“Santa and I are personal friends,” Starr said from his home in

  • AF announces prom sweepstakes

    Air Force officials announced the start of the fourth annual “Win the Perfect Prom Sweepstakes” on Dec 1.The sweepstakes, which runs through Feb. 29, offers high-school students a chance to win prizes, including the grand prize, an all-expenses-paid prom and a live prom concert by recording artists

  • Roche discusses Air Force future during visit

    Citing the ability to adapt as the greatest change for the Air Force, the secretary of the Air Force thanked airmen for their involvement in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom during a visit here Nov. 24.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche met with hundreds of wing airmen to

  • New schools, centers of excellence created

    Two new centers of excellence and two Air Force schools have been created, Air Mobility Warfare Center officials announced Nov. 25.The warfare center now will be home to the centers for agile-combat support and for air mobility as well as the U.S. Air Force Mobility Operations School and the U.S.

  • Babies help parents workout

    Balancing a career, family and fitness program is not always easy.A training routine, created by fitness trainer Mindy Mylrea here, may help new parents get fit and spend quality time with their babies.The routine is designed for mothers and fathers with a 20- to 30-pound baby and should be done

  • Now showing: Nov. 24 edition AFTV news

    The terrorist threat of urban warfare and how the Air Force is preparing for it, is highlighted in the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Pachari Lutke goes to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to report on training airmen are getting before deploying to places like Iraq and

  • ACSC launches force-development curriculum

    More than 500 majors attending Air Command and Staff College here are the first to experience a more robust and tougher curriculum. The changes, directed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper, prepare officers for operational career broadening and increase their knowledge of military

  • Chu calls authorization act 'transformational'

    The Defense Department's top personnel and readiness official called the fiscal 2004 National Defense Authorization Act "transformational" for its support of the department's aim to change to confront the threats of the future.President George W. Bush signed the act into law during a Pentagon

  • SG: Lessons learned in OEF help in Iraq

    Lessons learned in Operation Enduring Freedom have resulted in better patient care and better interoperability with other services during Operation Iraqi Freedom, said the Air Force surgeon general. He recently completed a 10-day tour visit to the OEF and OIF theaters.“We learned a large number of

  • SOCSOUTH moving to Homestead

    U.S. Special Operations Command officials announced that Special Operations Command, South will move from Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, Puerto Rico, to a new headquarters site at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., within a year.Gen. Bryan D. Brown, USSOCOM commander, made the decision the week of Nov.

  • Bush signs defense authorization act

    Calling it a landmark piece of legislation that sends the clear message that "Americans stand with the United States military," President George W. Bush signed the fiscal 2004 National Defense Authorization Act in a Pentagon ceremony here Nov. 24.A bipartisan group of legislators and Department of

  • Implant restores instructor’s hearing

    After serving 22 years on active duty, retired Maj. Robert Graves was stricken with sudden hearing loss in 1990."I woke up, and everyone sounded like they were a block away in a tunnel even though they were in the same room with me," he said.Stationed at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, at the time, he

  • Civilians earn their 'stripes'

    The noncommissioned officers academy here is one of two Air Force test sites allowing civilians to learn the ropes of leadership by working side-by-side with enlisted airmen.Robins and Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., are part of a yearlong trial phase that could change the way professional military

  • New protection ahead in helmets, body armor

    New, reinforced helmets and body armor currently being fielded to the military represent just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is on the drawing board for protecting warfighters of the future.The future fighting force will have far superior protective systems that provide enhanced

  • Air Force band musical goes Hollywood

    The U.S. Air Force Band from Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., performed its musical “Born of a Dream” before full houses Nov. 18 to 20 at the Kodak Theatre here.All of the 2,500 free seats were reserved before the start of the first performance. The band’s final performance Nov. 20 was a private show

  • Officials focus on ‘art-of-war’ decisions

    A new capability demonstrated by Electronic Systems Center officials here drives right to the heart of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen John P. Jumper’s quest for “machine-to-machine” automation of command and control.Known as Synchronized Air Power Management, this process gets air battle managers out

  • Seasons greetings host has AF background

    The emcee for a whirlwind musical and comedy show making six stops in Europe carries with her three decades of Air Force family life and the want to give back to her country.Mary Therese Tebbe is the hostess for the Air Force Reserve's Operation Seasons Greetings program. It includes combined Air

  • Air Force announces OTS selections

    Air Force officials are giving 22 enlisted airmen the chance to trade in their stripes for gold bars by choosing them to attend Officer Training School, officials announced Nov. 20.Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 299 applications and selected more than 165 as part of Officer

  • Space-acquisitions policy changes

    Air Force leaders announced a change in space-acquisition policy at a Senate Armed Services subcommittee meeting Nov. 18.Undersecretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets and Lt. Gen. Brian Arnold, Space and Missile Systems Center commander, testified before members of the strategic forces

  • Yeti joins Air Force academy mascots

    The cast of falcon mascots here increased with the addition of its newest bird, Yeti.A hybrid cross between a white gyrfalcon and a Middle Eastern saker, Yeti is a large, athletic bird, said Lt. Col. Jim Imlay, 34th Training Wing director of staff and academy falconry director.The idea for the new

  • Working group releases museum report

    Independent working group officials, tasked to review the Air Force Museum's operational procedures, released their findings Nov. 18. The working group was assembled after museum artifacts turned up lost or missing.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche chartered the working group Sept. 15

  • Supplemental bill to improve quality of life

    Part of the $87.5 billion supplemental-appropriations bill for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan signed earlier this month by President George W. Bush will go toward improving quality of life for servicemembers there."We want people to have air conditioning," Dov S. Zakheim said here Nov.

  • Fitness program showing results

    Airmen have been filling fitness centers and burning up running tracks in preparation for the new, tougher fitness-testing standard set to begin Jan. 1.Direct, immediate and overwhelming feedback from the field says that airmen are taking the new fitness challenge seriously, said Air Force Chief of

  • Student invents new math process

    Killie Rick found a new solution to subtraction problems involving whole numbers and fractions. She used the concept of negative numbers in a way that has never been done before, as far as her seventh-grade teacher has been able to ascertain. The 12-year-old girl is the daughter of Terri Rick, a

  • Air Force board game debuts Dec. 1

    A new game is scheduled to hit the shelves of base exchanges Dec. 1 when the Army and Air Force Exchange Service introduces Air Force Edition Monopoly.“This is a one-of-a-kind board game dedicated to the men and women of the United States Air Force,” said Chris Burton, of the exchange

  • Personal beacon used in first rescue

    A Cleveland man was rescued Nov. 14 through the help of a personal locator beacon and efforts of Air Force Rescue Coordination Center officials here. The rescue marks the first such use of personal locator beacons in the contiguous United States.Carl Skalak was in the Adirondack Mountains of

  • 'One click, one call' customer service arrives for pay, personnel issues

    A one-stop customer service phone number and Web page are up and running, linking several call centers and online resources Air Force people use when managing personnel and pay information.A single phone number and a companion Web site now make it easier for Air Force active-duty and reserve

  • Lobos take bite out of Falcons bowl chances

    The University of New Mexico Lobos took a 24-12 bite out of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s bowl aspirations with a dominating win at Lobo Stadium on Nov. 15.“They certainly made the plays, their team deserved to win, and they were the better football team today,” said Fisher DeBerry, Falcons head

  • Tae Bo creator helps open fitness center

    Pounding music, NBA-style introductions and cheers of more than 500 people accompanied the base’s 18-person fitness team as they ran onto the new basketball court Nov. 7 to workout with Billy Blanks, the creator of Tae Bo.The mix of military and civilians, spouses, children and friends turned out

  • Elmendorf first to field new AIM-9X

    The 12th and 19th fighter squadrons here are the first operational units within the Department of Defense to field and train with the new AIM-9X Sidewinder.A ceremony celebrating the achievement was held here Nov. 13. “We’re thrilled the 3rd Wing has the opportunity to be on the cutting edge of

  • City-base concept still progressing

    What used to be Brooks Air Force Base here is through its first year of morphing into a technology and business park via a unique partnership between the Air Force and San Antonio.Now known as Brooks City-Base, the technology park has sparked interest from numerous companies and organizations

  • Lecture honors retired general

    The Southern Medical Association held its first lecture Nov. 8 named for retired Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Walter John Giller in Atlanta. The lecture is in tribute to the former mobilization assistant to the Air Force surgeon general who retired in December 1998 and died March 13.The Giller lecture reviewed

  • OSI examines forensic sciences

    More than 120 criminal investigators worldwide attended the annual Air Force Office of Special Investigations Workshop here Nov. 3 to 7 to share ideas, technology and expertise.Although criminal investigators were the target audience, OSI agents were asked to invite anyone on their installation or

  • Air Force leads HIV/AIDS course

    International medical and military leaders representing nearly 12 countries, gathered here Nov. 3 to 7 to discuss awareness of HIV and AIDS and its impact to the military worldwide. The third annual course was held by Defense Institute for Medical Operations officials from Brooks City-Base,

  • Airmen say ‘I do’ in Black Hawk

    Two airmen said "I do" above Iraqi soil in an Army UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter here Nov. 6.Airmen 1st Class Vernon Millican and Toni Chapman, both of the deployed security forces contingent here, pledged to spend the rest of their lives together before God and four of their friends during the

  • Now showing: Nov. 10 edition of AFTV News

    The Air Force contribution to firefighting efforts in California headlines the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Pachari Lutke and Staff Sgt. Melissa Allan report from the fire lines in two separate parts of the state, focusing on active-duty, Reserve and Air National Guard

  • Air Force crushes Army, 31-3

    Three Marchello Graddy fumble recoveries and three Joey Ashcroft field goals helped lead the Air Force Academy Falcons to its seventh victory of the season, beating the Army team 31-3.“It’s a win we desperately needed. We hadn’t won a game in 28 days,” said Fisher DeBerry, Falcons head coach. “The

  • Guardsmen begin Christmas season

    Santa’s C-130H turboprop Hercules sleigh delivered toys, clothing, books, school supplies and water to nearby Shishmaref on Nov. 6 to kick off the Christmas season. For the children and families of the remote island community, it was a special treat they looked forward to, officials said.“We’re

  • New bird radar tracks patterns

    A bird-radar system here is a step toward the future of being able to advise air-traffic controllers and pilots of bird activity in the base’s airspace. “The bird-radar program could go amazing places,” said Herman Griese, 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron wildlife biologist. The system will be able to

  • New equipment improves cancer treatment

    Wilford Hall Medical Center’s radiation oncology department recently purchased a new linear accelerator that is significantly improving patient care.Wilford Hall officials said they began performing radiation therapy more than 30 years ago, using a cobalt unit with an active radiation source, a

  • Hiking adventure cements friendship

    Airman 1st Class Chas Kabanuck will be honored by the American Red Cross on Nov. 21 for his heroism after saving the life of his new friend in mid-February.Kabanuck and Airman 1st Class Ryan Dean had only been friends for two weeks after they met during their four weeks in McChord's first term

  • VA launches 'Kids Page' Web site

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced the launch of "VA Kids" on Nov. 5. The new Web page is designed to help young people understand what it means to be a veteran."The ideals of military service and patriotism can be unfamiliar to some children and young adults," said Anthony

  • Mandatory new form key to guiding officers’ careers

    Force development becomes more tangible for all officers, lieutenant colonel and below, who face assignments next year as they must complete an online Officer Development Plan, which is replacing the old preference worksheet.A "transitional" version of the form will be available on the Air Force

  • Subsidy will lower child-care rates

    A new Air Force Services family member program initiative will change how some family child-care rates are set.The family child-care subsidy program will help working parents find high-quality and affordable child care, said Kim Jackson, Air Force family member programs specialist.Parents seeking

  • Civilian health-care premiums increasing

    Air Force civilian health-care plan premiums are expected to increase an average of more than 10 percent in January. That means employees with 'self-only' coverage will pay about $5 more per pay period and those with 'family coverage' will pay $11.95 more.Employees will have the opportunity to

  • AMC panel discusses family support services

    Air Mobility Command leaders discussed upcoming changes and programs geared to support military families and servicemembers during a special seminar at the 35th Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Oct. 31.Responding to U.S. Transportation Command and AMC Commander Gen. John W. Handy's concept

  • U.S., Australian airmen defend base

    They come from different countries, wear different uniforms and have different accents, but they do have similarities -- they work relentlessly day and night on the same team defending the air base here.Airmen of the 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and the Royal Australian Air Force

  • Automatic continuation rules change

    Regular and Air Force Reserve captains on the active-duty list who are not selected for promotion to major two or more times should not count on automatic continuation said personnel officials.The new policy will affect captains meeting the Dec. 8 major promotion board.Only a limited number of

  • November issue of Airman available

    Take a look at aerial gunners from World War I to Operation Iraqi Freedom; read about the intelligence school at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas; and learn about the honor and privilege of being an American Indian serving in war. These features and more highlight the November issue of Airman

  • Falcons fall in triple overtime

    A quarterback’s slip on the turf and a tight end’s first career pass led to the Air Force Academy’s third loss of the season, as the University of Utah edged the Falcons 45-43 in triple overtime Nov. 1.Entering the third overtime period, the Falcons held the ball first. Driving down to the 4-yard

  • Puzzled airman shares craft

    What can be very addictive but can also inspire people’s creativity? At the same time, what can be really frustrating? What contains “colorful” clues, but are just black and white?Give up? They are crossword puzzles -- and thanks to an airman here, they will now be available through the Air Force

  • Troops deliver child in Tallil tent city

    The cluster of tents in the corner of tent city here that make up the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group was bustling with unusual activity recently. In facilities designed to support the needs of a deployed combat unit, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support troops gathered together to deliver a

  • Climate survey hits halfway point

    Since its launch Oct. 1, more than 25 percent of Air Force people have taken advantage of the opportunity to speak to their leaders through the 2003 Air Force Climate Survey. The survey’s importance hinges on maximum participation, and the more people who participate, the better the results,

  • New DOD mortuary opens at Dover

    Military officials opened a new $30 million mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Oct. 27. The Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, which replaced a 48-year-old facility, is the Defense Department's only stateside mortuary.Since 1955, the remains of more than 50,000 servicemembers

  • Waist size reflects whole health

    The waist-measurement portion of the Air Force's new fitness standard serves as a gauge for total health, said the Air Force chief of health promotion operations.“The waist measurement is used to determine visceral or intra-abdominal fat,” said Maj. Lisa Schmidt. Air Force officials chose this

  • Quality of life improving at Kirkuk

    Airmen supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom here will leave their dusty tents for the last time when new modular dormitories open.The dorms, scheduled to open Dec. 1, will house up to 1,664 airmen in 13 buildings with six to eight people to a room.The construction project is moving rapidly, said Lt.

  • Web site helps with school, deployment issues

    A Web site created to help servicemembers, spouses and children navigate the challenges associated with military moves and deployments is now available.Sponsored by the Defense Department, the site offers advice and resource assistance for school transition issues, military deployments and more,

  • Airmen help Iraqi return home

    U.S. airmen helped bring an Iraqi man back to his homeland now free of Saddam Hussein’s rule.As part of a U.S.-sponsored media trip Oct. 19 to 23, British-Arab journalists traveled to Basra and Baghdad, Iraq. Khalid Kishtainy, an Iraqi columnist and novelist who has lived in London for many years,

  • Falconer major player in Red Flag

    The airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s Falconer Air Operations Center are here integrating their craft with pilots and controllers who fly the missions over the “enemy” during Red Flag.The center is comprised of 100 airmen, mostly from the 32nd Air Operations Group at Ramstein Air Base,

  • Airmen keep theater mail flowing

    Eighteen airmen, most wearing two or three stripes, spend several hours a day in a sun-baked warehouse just off the tarmac here. They are touching the lives of each deployed servicemember and civilian in Iraq.“We’re responsible for all mail, in and out,” said Tech. Sgt. Darrin Robertson, mail

  • Now showing: Oct. 27 edition of AFTV News

    The work of airmen preparing Tallil Air Base, Iraq, to become a major supply link with the United States highlights the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Staff Sgt. John Somheil reports on major construction at the base by the new Air Force landlord.President George W. Bush uses a trip

  • Military works on all-digital targeting system

    The U.S. military is developing an advanced communications capability for tactical fighters that will tightly connect the sensors and cockpits of many aircraft.The 2-year-old Tactical Targeting Network Technologies program links tactical jet fighters' sophisticated sensors and avionics with

  • Tinker couple fosters future service dogs

    McIntosh came from the streets; Greer from a local breeder. Then there was Atoka. Love came from Purina. And Dottie is a temporary placement from another foster home that did not work out.For all their differences, the five Labrador retrievers have one thing in common -- they spent their

  • EOD eliminates ‘explosive’ problems

    Some might call a bomb squad living in a bunker ironic; the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s explosive ordnance disposal flight airmen here call it practical.The EOD airmen are on alert 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and respond to an average of 25 to 30 calls each week.“By living

  • Airmen complete Bagram runway

    With help from the Army and coalition nations, airmen poured the final load of concrete for the new $2.3 million runway here Oct. 24 after nearly six months of construction. During this period, civil engineer airmen and soldiers worked on one 90-foot-wide strip, while aircraft landed and took off on

  • Air Force announces fiscal 2004 ACP program

    The Air Force is retaining the most popular Aviator Continuation Pay options under a fiscal 2004 program, with bonus options offered to eligible pilots, navigators and air battle managers.For eligible pilots, a five-year and a “to 20” years of aviation service option will be offered at $25,000 a

  • Langley names first Raptor squadron

    The 27th Fighter Squadron will be the first of three squadrons here to transition to the F/A-22 Raptor. The Air Force’s newest fighter begins arriving in late 2004, said Col. Frank Gorenc, 1st Fighter Wing commander.“A major factor in this decision is heritage,” Gorenc said. “The (27th FS) is the

  • Airmen donate school to Afghans

    In a valley, children sat in groups of 20 outdoors to learn. They are minuscule compared to the majestic mountains that surround them. One teacher, wearing a mix of traditional Afghani clothes and a Salvation Army dress coat, used his bicycle to prop up a chalkboard to teach writing. Another

  • Air Force increases school slots for officers

    New ideas about force development are already fixing a longtime frustration of many officers who carried the official “school candidate” label -- that they could not get a slot for in-residence professional military education even with a three-year window to attend.This year the Air Force has told

  • Inaugural Eagle Flag concludes

    In 10 days, Air Force expeditionary combat-support people opened and established a new air base here during the Air Force's newest flag-level exercise, Eagle Flag. The inaugural exercise ended Oct. 22. Eagle Flag challenged airmen to open and establish a bare base for any mission or aircraft type,

  • Airmen give supplies to Iraqi school

    The children laughed and smiled as Master Sgt. Robert Frank distributed educational supplies at Al Ilaf school here.Frank smiled, too. But his trip to Iraq had a very serious intent -- help give the Iraqis a solid foundation on which to build their free and independent future.“One of these kids,

  • Moseley discusses reconstitution

    Department of Defense leaders met with the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on readiness Oct. 21 to discuss force reconstitution. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley told committee members that reconstitution is one of the Air Force's top concerns."Our No. 1 task is to

  • Airmen move from tents to huts

    Airmen here are now in the process of transitioning from living in temper tents to wooden structures called B-huts.“These semi-permanent timber structures are replacing our tents which have exceeded their life expectancy in this harsh environment,” said Capt. Trey Sledge, 455th Expeditionary Support

  • Cadre makes Eagle Flag come alive

    Eagle Flag brings together expeditionary combat-support people, role players, observers and exercise controllers to create one of the most dynamic exercises in the Air Force, officials said. Eagle Flag, which ran for the first time Oct. 13 to 22, is the Air Force’s newest flag-level exercise. It is

  • Ergo engineering reduces injuries

    Intervention, funding and innovative technology means workers on the F-15 Eagle fuel tank buildup crew no longer have to use their heads, according to Mary Ann Gahhos. No, they do not have to stop thinking, but they can stop using their heads and other body parts to stuff F-15 fuel tanks with foam

  • AFNS introduces new news product

    The electronic news branch of Air Force News Service introduced a new product Oct. 20 aimed at expanding its news and information to the Air Force community.Called “AFNS Report,” the one-minute, daily television report will air regularly on The Pentagon Channel and will be furnished the Defense

  • Cleanup process gets DOD support

    The Air Force gained Department of Defense support in October for an environmental-cleanup approach that may accelerate progress at as many as 24 Air Force sites.The new method involves merging land-use control actions into records of decision, said Maureen Koetz, deputy assistant secretary of the

  • Airmen deploy for fuel-spill-response exercise

    Airmen from the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron deployed recently to a remote radar site 250 miles northwest of here for an annual three-day fuel-spill-response exercise.The airmen tested their skills at the Tatalina Long Range Radar Site, one of the 18 remote radar sites that make up the Alaska Radar

  • AF plans to fill first sergeant slots

    Before the end of the year, Air Force officials will have taken the first step toward eliminating a 10-percent manning shortfall in first sergeant billets. In November, as part of the new First Sergeant Selection Process, Air Force officials expect to release a list of master sergeants selected as

  • Red Tail Express makes final delivery

    Trucks. Lots of trucks. Trucks with aircraft parts, refrigerators, wall lockers, office desks, computer equipment, construction vehicles -- some even hauling other trucks, along with hundreds of other odds and ends. All these items are loaded and strapped onto 18-wheelers and flatbed trailers,