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U.S. Air Force News

  • Lajes Airmen tested on readiness capabilities

    Airmen here perform one of today's most vital missions -- directly supporting servicemembers going to and from deployed locations fighting the war on terrorism around the world. Their readiness was put to the test in mid March during the base's Operation Readiness Inspection, which tests the mission

  • USAFE officials forge relations with Russian air force

    Twenty years ago the idea of Russian and U.S. Air Force leaders flying together and exchanging ideas was almost implausible. That implausibility is now a reality -- one focused on cooperation and bilateral relations. Top Russian air force leaders visited U.S. Air Forces in Europe March 20 to 23 to

  • Iraqi air force takes flight with help from U.S. Airmen

    The Iraqi air force is taking off once again with the help of U.S. Air Force Airmen who serve with the Coalition Air Force Transition Team in Iraq. The U.S. Air Force's contribution to enabling the Iraqi air force to build and sustain itself is focused through the CAFTT, composed of four Air Force

  • Spouses to Teachers program expands to Pacific region

    Military spouses living overseas and interested in a professional and portable teaching career now have additional assistance with the Spouses to Teachers program. Effective throughout the U.S. Pacific Command since Feb. 1, Spouses to Teachers offers resources and counseling to military spouses

  • Lt. Col. Chase Nielsen service held March 28

    Friends, family and servicemembers paid their respects March 28 to retired Lt. Col. Chase J. Nielsen, a member of the Tokyo Doolittle Raiders, who died March 23 at his home in Brigham City, Utah. A service was held in Logan, Utah, and his interment at a cemetery in Hyrum, Utah.Although inclement

  • Air Force clubs offering scholarships

    Air Force Services Agency officials are offering $25,000 in scholarships for club members and eligible family members.Through its Air Force Clubs Division, the agency is offering the annual scholarship program for the 11th year, sponsored in part by Chase Bank and Coca-Cola."This is an exclusive

  • Air Force leaders gather for Four Star Conference

    Air Force senior leaders gathered here March 23 for the Four Star Conference to discuss the service's top challenges, opportunities and priorities.Topics ranged across a diverse set of issues, from how the Air Force develops and sustains warfighting systems to how moving targets are attacked,

  • Airmen answer calling for Air Force chaplaincy

    Second Lieutenants Brian Wood and Derek LaBranch are men with a passion for God and country. Because of a relatively new Air Force recruiting program and the blessings of their hometown churches, the Diocese of Lubbock, Texas, and the Diocese of Sacramento, Calif., respectively, both men will be

  • Air Force chef to appear on 'Emeril Live'

    What do an award-winning chef, southern cuisine with a modern flair and a top-notch NCO all have in common? They are some of the ingredients that make up Tech. Sgt. Wesley Williams, who on April 6 will be on the set of 'Emeril Live.'Sergeant Williams entered and won a contest initiated by Emeril's

  • Academy Falcons: It's up to you, New York

    The U.S. Air Force Academy men's basketball team arrived on the East Coast March 23 to compete in the Mastercard National Invitation Tournament semifinals here.After spending March 24 touring West Point and meeting with their Army counterparts, the cadets traveled to New York City to meet

  • America's armed forces NCOs are leaders, too

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized just how important U.S. military leaders believe noncommissioned officers are by including his senior enlisted advisor in all his talks with senior Japanese and Chinese leaders. Marine Gen. Peter Pace made sure that Army Command Sgt. Maj. William

  • Bagram PRT rebuilds Afghanistan one school at a time

    The Air Force-led Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team attended a ceremony March 26 marking the first day of class at a high school in Kapisa Province. The PRT also donated approximately 3,000 pine and fruit trees and boxes of school supplies. Both gestures were in support of the Afghan New Year

  • Air Force Week ends with show of force

    Air Force Week ended here March 25 when the second day of  "The Show of Force '07 - From Heritage to Horizons Air Show" culminated. Aerial demonstrations consisted of more than 17 performers each day of the two-day event, but before they got off the ground, Brig. Gen. Noel "Tom" Jones, commander of

  • Spangdahlem extending medical care to Bitburg Annex

    When the Bitburg Annex Hospital closes July 1, the 52nd Fighter Wing will have extended-care clinics using local German hospitals, to care for the medical needs of more than 19,000 servicemembers, civilians and their families. "In all reality, for most of our patients, they will see virtually no

  • Cadet faces Article 32 hearing March 28

    An Article 32 hearing for an Air Force Academy cadet charged with three violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice convenes here March 28. Cadet 3rd Class David J. Watson was charged March 7 with violation of Article 92, for failure to obey an order or regulation; Article 108, damage,

  • Old windshields new protection for Kirkuk tower guards

    The 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron structures department team put their heads together to come up with a better way to protect the Airmen who guard the base. By placing 3-inch thick, 260-pound safety glass with a titanium frame in the windows of the newly designed guard towers, the

  • Open house showcases military might, yesterday's heritage

    Nearly 500 visitors met current-day met warriors and a living legend during the March 22 open house at Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, Puerto Rico. Military members and equipment, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol air assets, and an historic C-54 with Berlin candy bomber retired Col. Gail

  • Candidates sought for civilian leadership program

    Air Force officials are now accepting applications for the Civilian Strategic Leader Program, formerly the GS-15 Leadership Development Program, through April 20. Although the name of the program has changed, the goal remains the same: to develop eligible GS-15, Pay Band 3 or equivalent-level

  • 340th EARS keeps aircraft in fight 24/7

    Despite the age of the KC-135 Stratotanker, one of the Air Force's top recapitalization priorities,  the role of the Airmen in the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron to refuel coalition aircraft has proven critical to the U.S. Central Command mission. As enablers, the refuelers make every

  • Air Force selects developer for Langley privatization

    Langley took another step toward privatization when the Air Force announced BLB Family Housing, LLC, as the highest bidder for Langley's Military Housing Privatization Initiative recently. BLB, a venture between Hunt ELP, Ltd. and Pinnacle American Management Services, will be responsible for

  • Air Force legend Col. Chase Nielsen passes away

    Retired Lt. Col. Chase J. Nielsen, one of the famed "Tokyo Doolittle Raiders" who helped boost American morale in the early days of World War II with a surprise air attack on Japan and spent a lifetime as an advocate for American airpower, died March 23 at his home in Brigham City, Utah. Born Jan.

  • Coast Guard pilot traces roots to Air Force opportunities

    An Airman formed a passion for flying after enlisting in the Air Force, and with the educational benefits afforded to him, this former senior airman now flies Coast Guard helicopters here. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Juan Lopez was once an aerospace ground equipment mechanic at Norton Air Force Base in

  • Airmen mentor Afghan National Army soldiers

    At the Kabul Military Training Center, Airmen among other U.S.military service members are supporting the Afghan National Army's progress into a full, independent military. Nineteen Air Force personnel at KMTC contribute to that effort by mentoring ANA soldiers into professional military members.

  • AFIT awards 245 diplomas

    More than 240 scientists, engineers and management specialists earned graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology.  Diplomas were presented at a graduation ceremony March 22 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.The institute's Graduate School of Engineering and

  • Weather forecaster brings morning show to Luke AFB

    Airmen here played host to an early morning show March 22, giving Arizona citizens a look at what the Air Force has to offer, from the comfort of their homes.The live television remote featured Brad Perry, from Channel 3 KTVK. The weather forecaster brought his show to the base so he could telling

  • Barksdale couple donates fuel for Afghan women

    Thanks to a donation by two Airmen from here, Afghan women received 1,500 liters of heating fuel critical to help them through the winter.The donation was made by Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Melahn and Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Melahn, who is deployed as the Afghan National Army Embedded Training

  • PACAF band entertains at Indian Air Force jubilee

    For the Indian Air Force's 75th anniversary, the Pacific Air Forces rock group "Pacific Trends" joined military bands from India, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand to perform at the Indian Air Force Platinum Jubilee Tattoo here March 17. This was one of the final performances of Pacific Trends in

  • Captain earns spot on DOD speakers tour

    An officer from the 33rd Fighter Wing is one of two Air Force members selected for a new Department of Defense program. Capt. Michael Frasco, a flight commander in the wing's 33rd Maintenance Operations Squadron, joins representatives from each military service in the "Why We Serve" Speakers

  • DOD investigates hacking of troops' personal computers

    Defense Department officials have launched an investigation into recent computer hackings of servicemembers' home computers that compromised personal information and led to the redirection of funds from their military pay accounts. Over the past eight months, nearly two dozen Defense Finance and

  • Air Force program delivers a touch of home

    Representatives from Armed Forces Entertainment flocked to Austin for the 2007 South by Southwest, or SXSW, music and film festival. Their mission was to recruit new talent for their tours that travel around the globe. The groups are not paid to participate, but all of their expenses are covered and

  • Virtual tour guides newest addition to airforce.com

    The Air Force's official recruiting Web site, airforce.com, unveiled its latest innovation March 22 with the introduction of virtual tour guides on the site's home page. The tour guides are realistic video clips of active-duty Airmen who introduce the site's main features to web users. One of six

  • SERE instructors attend Army combat lifesaver course

    A handful of survival, evasion, resistance and escape instructors were given the opportunity to attend a combat lifesaver course March 19-21at the Army National Guard classroom here. The SERE instructors were invited to attend the course in return for previously giving members of the 396th Combat

  • CMSAF visits Luke Airmen during Air Force Week

    Enlisted Airmen at Luke Air Force base were given the opportunity to hear from and have breakfast with the Air Force's top enlisted man during a visit March 21. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley is at Luke supporting Air Force Week, a seven-day event designed to thank the

  • Stepping up foreign language, cultural awareness for Airmen

    Air Force officials are broadening their vision of the expeditionary Airman. Armed with a wide range of combat skills, serving multiple deployments in wartime theaters, this leaner, more agile Airman must now learn to navigate the global cultural landscape. "Our Air Force needs Airmen who can

  • Joint forces volunteers donate time, goods

    Volunteers made a community relations trip to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Afghanistan's capital city and successfully distributed clothes and toys. More than 40 U.S. and coalition servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians donated their time and effort to distribute the goods to

  • Blue uniforms continue presence in Puerto Rico

    Since 1939, an American blue uniform presence has been on Puerto Rico to maintain a military force and to deter enemy forces from here or the homeland. From 1939 to 1973, Air Force bluesuiters were stationed at what was once called Ramey Air Force Base in the northwest corner of Puerto Rico.  When

  • Med Evac flies first non-stop from Afghanistan to Germany

    The first non-stop medical evacuation flight from Bagram Air Base to Landstuhl, Germany, lifted off March 21. The lengthy three- to five-day route from Bagram AB through Kuwait to Landstuhl has been reduced to an approximate 10-hour direct flight to provide faster service to wounded servicemembers

  • Falcons reach NIT final four in NYC

    Air Force handily won its first two games in the National Invitation Tournament, but had to survive a nail biter to advance to the semifinals. Jacob Burtschi's lay up with 7.7 seconds left was the game winner as the Falcons held on for a dramatic 52-51 win over DePaul March 21, in front of an

  • Afghan generals visit Air Force training squadron

    Several key leaders from the Afghan National Army toured here March 16 in order to gain a stronger understanding of key communication areas to help their training programs in Afghanistan. Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Mehrab Ali, Brig. Gen. Baba Mirza and Col. Said Farooq Yosuf Zai came to Keesler

  • Air Force Week displays highlight airpower

    Air Force displays lined the street.  Spectators toured and asked questions, discovering what the Air Force brings to the fight and the amazing things their Air Force is doing around the globe. One Air Force Week event took place outside the Arizona Science Center in Heritage Square in downtown

  • Air Force fosters "warrior ethos" in all Airmen

    Whether it's the recent changes to basic military training, continual preparation for deployments, engaging in combat or new and better uniforms, Air Force leaders are instilling a warrior mindset in Airmen. That warrior ethos -- the foundation of what it means to be an Airman -- traces its roots to

  • Medics deliver aid in Uganda

    A four-person team from around the command delivered medical expertise and therapy to the African country of Uganda in early March. Led by Lt. Col. (Dr.) Parker Plante from Ramstein's 435th Aeromedical Squadron, the team set up camp about two hours from the capitol city of Kampala in an austere

  • Country artist Robison eager to entertain in Iraq, Kuwait

    The air crackles with anticipation, as he makes his first move.G,C,C,G,C,C,D,G. The letters are the opening chords of country music artist Charlie Robison's song, "My Hometown," one of the songs he will perform during an Armed Forces Entertainment tour March 18 to 27 to Kuwait and Iraq. He feels the

  • Development teams guide Reserve Airmen's careers

    The Air Force Reserve Command is working on a new program designed to maximize the potential of its Airmen as they chart their future careers. It encourages them to forward their desires up the chain of command, and will prepare future air and space leaders to seize the opportunities afforded them

  • Cadet faces Article 32 hearing

    An Article 32 hearing for an Air Force Academy cadet charged with drug use convenes here Wednesday, March 21. Cadet 1st Class Andrea Taylor, a senior, was charged March 13 with one violation of the Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, for wrongful use of the controlled substance

  • Coalition forces conduct, supervise training exercise

    Amid a mountainous landscape, students at the Afghan National Army's Officer Candidates School particpated in a medical training exercise at the Kabul Military Training Center March 15. The ANA's OCS falls under the Afghan National Army's Training and Education Command, where personnel, doctrine,

  • Air power purchasing process continues to improve

    Air Combat Command's award-winning acceptance team in Marietta, Ga., is setting the precedent on how the Air Force accepts airplanes. Working alongside the manufacturer, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, during production of the F-22A Raptor, ACC's Raptor Acceptance Team is a geographically

  • Air Guard retirement process goes online

    Eligible members of the Air National Guard can now submit retirement applications electronically via the virtual Personnel Center -- Guard and Reserve. This is the second Guard-specific capability added to the 24-hour customer service Web portal operated by the Air Reserve Personnel Center

  • Airmen, Soldier nutrition specialists work, train together

    Army nutrition specialists from the 396th Combat Support Hospital Army at Fort Vancouver, Wash., had the opportunity to join Airmen here this month to share food service tricks of the trade. The Soldiers from the 396th CSH specialize in medical patients' and Soldiers' diets. They worked at the Ross

  • It's never too late to get 'fit to fight'

    Peek into the H-6 fitness center any time of the day or night, chances are someone is huffing, puffing and sweating their way to being 'fit to fight.' Air Expeditionary Force 5-6 is well underway, but it's not too late to start working on those push ups, crunches and 1.5-mile run. "The current Air

  • Airmen train to help Iraqi air force rebuild

    Air Force instructors at the Army's Camp Bullis are training Iraq-centric and basic warfighting skills to students from a host of different career fields. The focus of this training is to teach students a unique blend of training techniques so they can help the Iraqi air force rebuild their

  • Additional charges filed against cadet

    Academy officials have filed additional charges against a cadet. Cadet 2nd Class Christopher Wolff, a junior, was charged March 14 with two more violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The new charges are two specifications of violating Article 92 of the UCMJ, failure to obey an order or

  • Aviano Airmen put skills to test

    A NATO Tactical Evaluation kicked off here recently to inspect Aviano Air Base's ability to respond to crisis. As part of the TACEVAL the evaluation team tested security forces Airmen with a surprise mob of demonstrators protesting the U.S. military. During the scenario, the demonstrators became

  • Anthrax program becomes mandatory for some Airmen

     The Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, or AVIP, mandates Airmen assigned to high-threat areas receive the Anthrax vaccine, while also providing Airmen the choice to continue anthrax vaccines if they are not assigned to a designated high-threat area. Headquarters Air Force sent out an

  • Developmental education application deadline set

    Officers and civilians considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2008 have until April 13 and May 1, respectively, to submit their applications for selection board consideration. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit their applications through their

  • Letter to Airmen focuses on education, training

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne recognizes the importance of the training every Airman receives, and credits these knowledge-enabled Airmen with exploring new technologies to get the job done.The secretary said that the training, skill and knowledge of a

  • Airmen learn new perspectives from leadership

    Air Force leaders invited more than 50 junior and senior NCOs to the nation's capital March 12 to 13 to discuss Air Force triumphs and challenges with senior leaders. Participants ranged from staff sergeants to chief master sergeants in a variety of career fields and from a variety of locations. The

  • Air Force Services launches arts and crafts Web site

    U. S. Air Force Services now has an official Web site for its arts and crafts program. The Web site, www.af-artscrafts.com, is a resource for arts and crafts customers to find information on local base centers as well as tips for creative projects and auto hobby. "[We are] proud to introduce a

  • Three Air Force cadets facing court-martial

    Three cadets have been charged with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and each could face a general court-martial. Cadet 1st Class (senior) Andrea Taylor was charged with one violation of Article 112a of the UCMJ for wrongful use of a controlled substance (D-Amphetamine). If

  • 'In lieu of' Airmen learn Soldier skills at Fort Bragg

    Several hundred Airmen from varied skill sets are in the midst of three months of training at Fort Bragg, N.C., in preparation for a future deployment to Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan. The training is designed to teach basic Army ground maneuver skills. The Airmen from around the

  • General discusses options for growing USAFE mission

    As the Air Force evolves to meet and defeat future challenges, the Airmen of U.S. Air Forces in Europe are also expanding their mission toward the future. During a visit to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Gen. William T. Hobbins discussed expanding operations in Africa and new NATO countries. "The

  • Military photographers key to training, investigations

    Security forces and medical services Airmen respond to the scene of a mock accident. After the victims are taken care of, the scene will be documented for investigative purposes -- that's where the base photographer comes in. Senior Airman Robert Barnett is a photographer with the 35th

  • What's on the Chief's Scope?

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley launched a new Web feature March 14 to tell Airmen what is of special interest to him. Known as "The Chief's Scope," it is designed to briefly highlight current topics General Moseley feels are important to America's Airmen. "The issues on my scope

  • Virtual Flag exercise hosted at Pentagon

    The Air Force's C4ISR Visualization Center at the Pentagon, along with the 705th Combat Training Squadron from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., hosted a simulation exercise March 7 to help joint tactical air controllers experience the challenges of calling in air strikes to enemy targets

  • Air Guard crew flies mission to save Soldier's life

    They flew at night and into the next day from Iraq nonstop to the United States. Fifteen hours and 10 time zones later, they handed over their precious cargo in Maryland: a Soldier who had been wounded in combat. Then, to the hum of jet engines, they packed their gear and returned to fly similar

  • Aviano Airmen put operations support to test

    A recent inspection here is showing how Airmen are prepared to support operations during the war on terrorism. NATO exercise evaluators travel across Europe to assess how well a country's military is able to handle certain scenarios they may face during war time. More than 100 NATO inspectors are

  • Air Force continues giving 100 percent

    Strong Air Force recruiting numbers in 2007 show that "crossing into the blue" remains a popular avenue for Americans to serve their nation, gain technical skills and continue their education. In February, 2,277 people joined the Air Force while another 2,552 signed on to "Do Something Amazing" in

  • Senior Air Force medics provide testimony

    Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense March 7, two Air Force leaders provided key testimony, informing the Senators on how the service takes care of its people. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) James Roudebush, Air Force surgeon general, and Maj. Gen. Melissa Rank, assistant

  • 'New Horizons' breaks ground for Belize school buildings

    The opening ceremony for New Horizons Belize was held here March 8 with a groundbreaking for a new school building for the village. Airmen and Soldiers from both active and National Guard units will build four more new school buildings in different villages during their deployment to Belize. "This

  • AFIT offers distance learning degree program

    The Air Force Institute of Technology recently achieved two milestones that will help the school move forward into the 21st century and serve the Air Force with greater responsiveness. This month, AFIT began offering its first distance learning graduate degree program. AFIT has been using DL

  • Life-saving turret prototype stems from Airman's death

    Less than 80 days after Airman 1st Class Leebernard Chavis was felled by a sniper's bullet near Baghdad, Airmen in Iraq were testing an improved turret that designers hope will offer service members better protection. Airman Chavis, of Hampton, Va., was killed by enemy gunfire Oct. 14 while

  • CENTAF leaders visit Airmen deployed to Mehtar Lam

    The U.S. Central Command Air Forces commander visited Airmen serving in Afghanistan March 7-10, making stops here, at the Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team and Kandahar Airfield. Speaking to Airmen at Mehtar Lam, Lt. Gen. Gary North praised the work the PRTs are doing to improve the lives of

  • Airmen hold discussion group with Kyrgyz students

    Airmen from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and U.S. Embassy staff visited School 13-Lyceum in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, March 7 to conduct the first English Discussion Group with about 30 students. The purpose of the visit was to establish the program in the school, which focuses on teaching the

  • Educator awarded for patriotism, teaching success

    James Clark is a patriot. He retired from the Marine Corps as a captain and now teaches the sixth-grade children of military members who are stationed at Osan Air Base, South Korea. As an educator and a patriot, Mr. Clark's efforts earned him honors as the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Teachers Award

  • EQUAL listing available April 11

    The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for Airmen returning from overseas and for continental United States mandatory movers for August through October 2007 requirements will be available April 11. Individuals can update their assignment preferences on the virtual Military Personnel Flight's

  • Officials announce selections to senior master sergeant

    Air Force officials have selected 1,282 master sergeants for promotion to senior master sergeant. The promotion list will be released publicly at 9 a.m. CDT March 14, and the complete list should be available by 5 p.m. CDT on the Air Force Personnel Center web site. The board, which convened here

  • Gymnastics: Men set season-best team score

    Backed by top three finishes from junior Greg Stine of Houston and sophomore Josiah Loeser of Alvin, Texas, the No. 16 Air Force men's gymnastics team set a new season-best team score of 194.850 in a dual meet with No. 14 Illinois-Chicago March 9. UIC won the meet with a score of 203.100, but the

  • NORTHCOM nominee regards command position 'sacred honor'

    The nominee to lead U.S. Northern Command and North America Aerospace Defense Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee here March 8 that he realizes the missions of both organizations are demanding and challenging, but that he would consider leading them to be a "sacred honor." Air Force Lt.

  • Curator an example of base's close community tie

    With 140 years of military history at her disposal, the museum director has a lot of information to share with visitors at the Warren ICBM/Heritage Museum. Paula Taylor describes herself as a fifth-generation local ranch daughter. She said her family has had a long tradition of working with F.E

  • Airmen Against Drunk Driving program saving lives

    Airmen Against Drunk Driving program, or AADD, and programs similar to it are potentially saving military members' lives. Every Friday and Saturday night, Airmen volunteer their time here to ensure other Airmen who have been drinking make it home from bars, restaurants, and parties safe. Since

  • Wing has long heritage of serving others

    The 59th Medical Wing is the Air Force's premier medical unit, located here in San Antonio.  The 59th MDW operates Wilford Hall Medical Center. The wing provides global medical readiness capability and comprehensive peacetime healthcare benefits through education, training and research. There are

  • Secretary Gates: Care for America's returning wounded warriors

    When I was nominated to take this post just over three months ago, I said that the patriots who have volunteered to serve in our armed services have no equal in the world. I made a solemn commitment to the Congress, to the nation, and to you to keep the welfare of men and women in uniform uppermost

  • Wing's shield symbolizes medical mission

    The 59th Medical Wing shield symbolizes the unit's mission and its present vision. In 1993, when the wing became a numbered medical wing, the shield of the 59th Fighter Wing, formerly the 59th Observation Wing, was acquired. Its use was approved for the 59th Medical Wing Feb. 3, 1995. Wilford Hall

  • Lajes civil engineers fix beacon on air traffic control tower

    Members from the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron's electrical shop recently fixed the beacon that rests atop the air traffic control tower at Lajes Field. The beacon is vital for pilots landing at Lajes to recognize that it is a military flight-line and to help guide them safely during inclement

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selections

    Two hundred sixteen men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced March 8. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 269 applications as part of Officer Training School

  • Reserve Airmen contribute to medical mission in Iraq

    Air Force Reservists from the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., found themselves integral to the success rate of the Air Force Theater Hospital here. Nine Airmen from the 920th ASTS, part of the Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing, are deployed here working for the 332nd

  • Fort Sam commemorates first military flight

    Three vintage Stearman aircraft flew over Fort Sam Houston's parade ground March 2 to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the first military aerial flight.  It was here U.S. Army Lt. Benjamin Foulois boarded the "Signal Corps 'Aeroplane' No. 1" in 1910 and circled Fort Sam Houston's MacArthur Parade

  • Travis medical center recognized by California legislature

    The accomplishments of the staff of David Grant U.S. Air Force Medical Center were recognized by the California legislature in a ceremony here March 1. California State Senator Jeff Denham, (R-Merced), presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 122 to Col. Steve Arquiette the 60th Air Mobility Wing

  • Warfare center is now U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center

    The Air Mobility Warfare Center flag was rolled up and a new flag bearing the name "United States Air Force Expeditionary Center" was unfurled March 5 during a re-designation ceremony here. "If you want to know why you've become the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, it's because you earned it,"

  • Air Force officer reduction board to convene in June

    The Air Force will convene an officer reduction in force board June 11 here at the Air Force Personnel Center. All eligible officers should have received an Officer Pre-selection Brief around Feb. 15. Officers are responsible for reviewing their records for accuracy and ensuring information their

  • Officials announce Air Force Safety Awards for 2006

    Air Force safety officials have announced the winners of the 2006 Safety Awards. They are: Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award: Category I -- Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla.   (No Category II listed)Maj. Gen. Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award: Air Force Special

  • Air Force Reserve tests activation process

    The first of 24 bases scheduled for musters of individual ready reserve Airmen took place at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., on March 2. The Air Reserve Personnel Center conducts IRR musters, which are required by law, to enhance readiness and ensure the Air Force can "reach out and touch" the IRR

  • Moldovan officers visit Ramstein

    Four officers from Moldova visited Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in early March to learn about the U.S. Air Force personnel structure. Airmen and civilians from the United States Air Forces in Europe command headquarters briefed the officers on various topics like force shaping, personnel structure

  • Medics learn combat environment skills

    Even the setting is realistic. Men and women dressed in field and camouflage uniforms, military vehicles and helicopters in evidence everywhere, officers and Airmen hunched over topographical maps and the usual good-natured complaints about the C-rations forming a buzz of background

  • Keep up Air Force records, personal info for promotion sake

    The one constant among Airmen is the desire to be promoted. There are many things Airmen can do to affect their chances for promotion, but perhaps the most important is ensuring their personal information is correct. Missing or inaccurate enlisted or officer performance reports, decorations, awards

  • Raptor, precision strike bomb integration testing begins

    The 411th Flight Test Squadron began integration testing of the F-22A Raptor and the GBU-39/B Small-Diameter Bomb here in February. The weapon is a low-cost, stand-off, next generation precision strike weapon, capable of flying autonomously. The bomb is guided by an inertial navigation system with

  • Operation Deep Freeze ends record-setting season

    Ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs redeployed from Christchurch, New Zealand, wrapped up the 2006-2007 season of Operation Deep Freeze in late February. This unique joint and total force mission has supported the National Science Foundation and U.S. Antarctic Program since 1955

  • Airman court-martialed for Ecstasy, marijuana use

    During a special court martial here, an Airman pled guilty March 7 to wrongfully using a controlled substance. Airman Ronald Moore Jr., assigned to the 48th Medical Support Squadron, pled guilty to two counts of violating Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice -- wrongfully using a

  • Academy cadet has hoop dreams

    When Cadet 1st Class Matt McCraw was growing up, he had dreams of playing basketball during March Madness as part of an NCAA team."Every kid really grows up wanting to play in March Madness and the NCAA tournament and also go on to the NBA," Cadet McCraw said. "But it's definitely a great feeling