No flight plan, no Northern Edge

The echoes of jet engines roaring over the snow-capped Chugach Mountains are a thrilling byproduct of many moving parts comprised of U.S. servicemembers on the ground. The 3rd Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management Office here creates flight plans for more than 70 aircraft a day and

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 5.In Afghanistan June 4, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer responded to coalition forces taking mortar, rocket-propelled-grenade and small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Qalat. The B-1 expended

Movie project transforms Holloman

What do the Air Force’s first stealth fighter, a toy that has been around since the 1980s, and a director who loves big-budget, special effects-driven movies all have in common? The answer is the DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures project, "Transformers," being filmed here. On May 19, Col. David Moore,

AETC housing privatization on track

Despite delays caused by Hurricane Katrina, Air Education and Training Command is still on track to meet its goal of privatizing 100 percent of military family housing. The Housing Privatization Initiative was approved by the Department of Defense in 1996 as a more timely and cost-effective way to

Hurricane Hunters ready to take on 2006 storm season

It was a quiet opening day of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron spent the day training and getting ready for what forecasters say will be another active season. Though the season officially began June 1 and ends Nov. 30, last year these

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 2 to 4. June 4In Afghanistan June 3, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, a B-1B Lancer and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s responded to coalition forces taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Gereshk. The A-10s

Secretary Wynne expects Airmen to continue to excel

While visiting various installations in the San Antonio area May 31 to June 2, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne talked about the importance of core values, technology and training facing today’s Airmen and the Air Force. The secretary focused on what the Air Force expects from its Airmen

Three F-16 wings deploy to Korea

Elements of fighter wings from three Air National Guard units have deployed here this week in support of their air expeditionary force rotations. Components of the 150th, 140th and 120th Fighter Wings from the New Mexico, Colorado and Montana Air National Guard, respectively, have been renamed the

Hydraulics shop ‘Leans’ into AFSO 21

By discussing processes during continuous improvement workshops, called Kaizen, the 56th Component Maintenance Squadron is able to develop smarter operations by just using common sense. Industry-proven process improvement programs such as Lean that use techniques like Kaizen are being used to

Academy javelin star adds to her trophy shelf

A 2006 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate was named the Female Field Event Athlete of the Year for the Mountain Region, officials from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced June 1. Dana Pounds, a newly commissioned second lieutenant, will look to defend her national

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 1. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, a B-1B Lancer and a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle responded to coalition forces taking small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from Taliban extremists near

Air Guard salutes top Airmen, NCOs

Six Airmen were honored in Washington, D.C., recently as the Air National Guard’s top enlisted members of the year. The honorees are:Airman of the Year: newly promoted Staff Sgt. Saul Soto-Sanchez, 156th Logistics Squadron, Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico.NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt.

Housing privatization embraces Smart Operations 21

The Air Force housing privatization process is taking a leaner, more efficient approach to getting the job done by developing one central management center, Air Force officials said recently. “The secretary of the Air Force challenged us to find a better way to manage and broker deals and successful

Remote airstrips are hell on wheels

C-130 maintainers are in a Herculean battle against enemies that have been around since the dawn of time: dirt, rocks and dust.While C-130 Hercules perform the tactical portion of the airlift mission by bringing in troops and supplies to remote locations, called forward operating bases, they have to

Academy graduates will help secure freedom, Rumsfeld says

The U.S. will triumph over murderous extremists because of the daring and ingenuity of its people and armed forces, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said in his commencement address at the U.S. Air Force Academy May 31."Violent extremists are trying to terrorize and intimidate free people into

Rates change for Foreign Language Proficiency Pay

The Office of the Secretary of Defense recently approved new Foreign Language Proficiency Pay rates that will increase entitlements for eligible and qualified military members beginning June 1, while eliminating FLPP for others. The highest maximum pay rate for a single-language proficiency

Air Force Link inaugurates 'Perspectives'

The Air Force Link "Web exclusives" page for the month of June takes a unique look at three separate stories, not only through the lenses of three Air Force News photojournalists, but through their personal narrations as each tells the unique perspective of his story in his own words. Each

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for May 31.In Afghanistan yesterday, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B Lancer responded to troops in contact near Qalat. The A-10s performed strafing passes, ending the engagement. In total, coalition aircraft flew 23

Rumsfeld voices confidence in academy graduating class

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld told the 879 second lieutenants who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy today that their challenge will be to go beyond a simple change of process. “Our country did not survive and become great through timid responses or aversion to risk,” he said. “Ours

Combat mobility element moves cargo quickly, safely

The 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, sent a pair of its C-17 Globemaster IIIs here to support the Australian Defense Force. U.S. crews are shuttling cargo and Australian military forces to strategic locations within the country.This operation involves moving massive amounts of cargo, and

Pencils and scalpels: Artists help providers illustrate the cure

For many communicators, success is measured by how accurate they are in providing information to help get bombs on target or assist with enemy kills. Yet, there is one group of communication specialists who measure success by lives saved through their ability to illustrate medical procedures.For

New fuels system saving Air Force time, money

Airmen here are refueling aircraft faster than ever before and doing it with fewer people, thanks to the next generation of fuels mobility support equipment. The new system is called Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment, or FORCE. This equipment is making life easier for Airmen and

AFSO 21 initiative leads to safer flying at Lakenheath

As Air Force Smart Operations 21 went Air Force-wide this year, the 48th Fighter Wing here jump-started its program with weekly AFSO 21 initiatives briefed at wing stand-up. “I want every Airman, civilian and (Ministry of Defense) employee on this base to understand, first of all, what AFSO 21 is,

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for May 30.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to coalition troops taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Deh Rawood. The A-10s conducted several strafing passes, ending the engagement. In

New troop crosswalk

Airmen set sail aboard USNS Mercy for humanitarian mission

Three Airmen from the 374th Medical Group here are deployed to the U.S. Navy hospital ship, USNS Mercy, as it travels through Southeast Asia on a humanitarian mission.The mission is an opportunity for a U.S. team consisting of medical professionals from the Air Force, Army and Navy to work with

General Hobbins delivers Normandy Memorial Day address

The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe delivered the Memorial Day ceremony address at Normandy American Cemetery here May 28. Gen. Tom Hobbins said that U.S. participation in the ceremony was important. “(Memorial) Day is very memorable for all nations that have participated in ensuring the

AFSO 21 crucial to achieving new vision

Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century will be crucial to achieving the 50th Space Wing’s new vision, said Col. John Hyten, wing commander. “If someone asks you how we can do things smarter, tell them AFSO 21 gives us free rein to cut through red tape,” Colonel Hyten said. “With AFSO 21, we

Postal Service reissues Purple Heart stamp

A new version of a postage stamp commemorating the Purple Heart and all those who have earned it was issued in a ceremony here May 26. At the ceremony, two veterans of the war in Iraq were awarded Purple Hearts by R. James Nicholson, secretary of Veterans Affairs. "(The Purple Heart) celebrates the

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials release the airpower summary for May 26 to 29.May 29Coalition aircraft flew 36 close-air-support missions May 29 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The missions supported coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to

National Guard program helps at-risk teens

The Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy is a 22-week program designed to help troubled or at-risk teens. It gives the 16- to 18-year-olds a second chance to focus, get a high school diploma and acquire the skills they will need to lead a productive life. Although the academy uses a

New technology could make target acquisition more accurate

At this moment, above Iraq and Afghanistan, American data sensors are collecting information and intelligence about what is happening on the ground. What happens to the data depends largely on a sensor's owner and its mission. The data could be reviewed immediately, or it could be stored for later

Heritage Flight over New York

Mission of security forces constantly evolving

Through the eyes of Staff Sgt. David Brown, the mission of the security forces has changed since the beginning of the war in Iraq. After all, this is his eighth deployment since Operation Iraqi Freedom started. As a sign of things to come, Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

VA working to prevent future information loss

The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun a thorough examination of policies and procedures after the loss of 26.5 million veterans' personal information, the VA's leader told the House Armed Services Committee May 25. "I've formed a task force ... to examine comprehensively all of our

Senate confirms General Hayden as CIA director

By a 78-15 vote, the Senate today confirmed Air Force Gen. Michael V. Hayden as CIA director. General Hayden, who has served under John D. Negroponte as principal deputy director of national intelligence since April 2005, succeeds Porter Goss. "I commend the Senate for confirming Michael Hayden as

Raptors find new nest in Alaska

After flying more than 3,200 miles over land, ocean, mountains and glaciers, six F-22 Raptors arrived here May 23 from Langley Air Force Base, Va. Though it isn’t the first time the Raptors have flown over snow-capped mountains, it is the first time they have flown outside of the continental United

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. In Afghanistan May 24, a B-1B Lancer and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to coalition forces taking small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The B-1B expended precision-guided

Afghan fortress site of Taliban's last deadly siege

Just a few minutes drive from where an Air Force embedded training team is mentoring Afghan National Army soldiers is the site of the Taliban’s last deadly siege.It is also the location where the first American died in the war against terrorism following Sept. 11, 2001; where John Walker Lindh --

Kenney Headquarters maximizes support to joint warfighters

The Gen. George C. Kenney Headquarters reaches its one-year anniversary June 1. Known as KHQ, the headquarters staff commands air, space and information operations for joint forces throughout the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Korea. Consisting of three elements -- the Pacific Air Operations Center,

Chaplain team here to serve

Being deployed doesn’t mean an Airman’s spiritual involvement or fellowship with other members of his or her faith has to be neglected. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s base chapel is a source of continued spiritual support of worship opportunities and counseling services for deployed

DOD officials defining roles for disaster response

With hurricane season nearing, the Defense Department has tremendous assets to offer a civilian-led response to a major disaster, said a top DOD official involved in the process. "Those assets are ready for deployment, and ... we are better prepared than at any point in our nation's history to move

Commission maintains U.S. military cemeteries overseas

Recognizing the need for a federal agency to take the lead in honoring U.S. servicemembers who died on foreign soil, Congress enacted legislation in 1923 to create the American Battle Monuments Commission. "The American Battle Monuments Commission maintains and oversees American cemeteries and

General urges Asian-Pacific Americans to pursue opportunities

Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Robert “Lance” Chu would like to see more Asian-Pacific Americans take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Air Force and Air Force Reserve. “But not just Asian-Pacific people,” said Dr. Chu, the mobilization assistant to the assistant surgeon general for healthcare

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. In Afghanistan May 23, B-1B Lancers and a MQ-1 Predator, French air force Super Etendards and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support in two separate engagements to coalition troops in contact with enemy

Test parachutists jump to conclusions

It has been said there is no good reason to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.  But a small cadre of Airmen here have a very good reason to do so -- saving lives. They don’t wear the maroon beret of the Air Force pararescue troops.  They are members of the 418th Flight Test Squadron’s test

Air Force women first, men second in armed forces volleyball

The Air Force women’s team took top honors and the men's team came in second at the 2006 Armed Forces Volleyball Championship here May 11 to 18.The Air Force women faced the host Army team in their first match, beating them three straight games -- 25-13, 25-16 and 25-13.Kristin Huitt (a 2nd

Robotic vehicle helps clear minefields

Building roads and airfields in Afghanistan presents a unique challenge that stateside heavy equipment operators don’t encounter … minefields. That is why members of the 823rd Red Horse -- or Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers -- here joined the Air Force Research

Center saves millions, improves warfighting abilities

Airmen deploying in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom can travel a little lighter now, thanks to the new Expeditionary Theater Distribution Center. The center here is one of three consolidated mobility bag distribution hubs that went fully operational this rotation, saving

Redeployment survey shows most Airmen return healthy

The Air Force has reassessed about 12,500 Airmen since December after they returned from deployment and found most of those Airmen to be healthy. At the close of 2005, the Air Force began asking Airmen who returned from deployment to places like Afghanistan and Iraq to complete a post-deployment

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. In Afghanistan yesterday, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, B-1B Lancers, Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s and French Etendards provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Gereshk, Kandahar, Khowst,

BASH program teamwork protects Travis jets from bird strikes

Bird strikes are a major concern for Air Force bases. They cost the Air Force more than $53 million in fiscal 2004 and $21 million in 2005. Even though the total cost showed a decrease in 2005, the total number of bird strikes reported by aircrew and aircraft maintenance members continues to rise

Airmen help rebuild a nation

After a six-day killing frenzy of local Afghans, the Taliban seized control of this city in 1998. In November 2001, with U.S. assistance, the Afghan Northern Alliance recaptured the city of 180,000 residents. Today, Airmen continue to assist Afghanistan in its war against extremists by mentoring the

IT modernization: Leveraging the power of information

Since January, the Air Force has been busy modernizing itself through the Secretary of the Air Force initiatives embodied in Air Force Smart Operations 21. The Air Force's communications and information community is part of that modernization effort. Their focus is on restructuring information

Runway repair reduces FOD at Balad

The Air Force, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and civilian contractors, is repairing a section of runway here that is showing signs of decay. The runway was not designed to accommodate heavy aircraft such as the C-5 Galaxy and the C-17 Globemaster III. The aircraft have taken a toll on

Technology improvements keep information flowing to warfighter

During the recent Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the Air Force demonstrated new technology that provides warfighters with greater connectivity and more timely information. During the exercise, the Air Force tested the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node.

New engine repair shop saves time, money

Maintainers from the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group now have the capability to repair C-130 Hercules engines and propellers in Southwest Asia. This new capability has cut down repair time and is key to getting the aircraft back in the air performing the mission. In the past, if a propeller or

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for May 19 to 21. May 21In Afghanistan May 21, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to coalition troops conducting an operation in the Kandahar region. The purpose of the operation was to detain individuals suspected

Realism of movies, TV shows can stir emotions

Sometimes the realism of today’s movies and television programs can stir up emotions some people have a hard time dealing with. Such might be the case with the new HBO documentary, “Baghdad ER,” which airs Sunday, May 21 at 8 p.m. The film documents the lives of the doctors, nurses and medics at the

Civil engineers deploy to help Washoe Nation

"We will help each other to protect and preserve the land, water and air for our generations to come” is a Washoe American-Indian tribal creed. Through the Civil-Military Innovative Readiness Training program several Air Force Reserve Command civil engineer units are keeping this Washoe creed alive

New extended range cruise missile takes first flight test

When the Air Force successfully launched its newest cruise missile for the first time on May 18, it marked a significant step toward making the job of the pilots who deliver the weapon a lot less risky. A B-1B Lancer released the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile -- Extended Range over the White

Nearly 50 Air Force, Army teams compete in adventure race

While the morning sun swiftly ascended the West Texas sky, 360 Airmen, Soldiers, civilians and spouses psyched themselves up for a grueling, intense endeavor as the start of the second annual Laughlin Air Force Base Adventure Race drew near May 13. The race would take 49 teams from two branches of

New Air Staff badge recognizes Pentagon assignment

Members assigned to Headquarters Air Force staff here will soon have the option to wear a new badge. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley approved the design and development of the badge in September. The basis for the Headquarters Air Force badge is Air Force heritage and the design

Airmen learn to deal with enemy misinformation

“Loose lips sink ships.” The phrase spearheaded a campaign to keep military members from revealing sensitive information during World War II. In fact, it was so effective the phrase still means something to many Americans 65 years later. Keeping operational secrets from the enemy is still vital

B-1B strikes Taliban stronghold

A B-1B Lancer struck a Taliban-associated compound May 17 near Kandahar, Afghanistan, in support of coalition ground forces conducting operations to detain individuals suspected of terrorist activities. The bomber responded to an immediate air support request with a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack

Mannequins help improve casualty care

As an independent duty medical technician with Air Force Special Operations Command, Tech. Sgt. Jared Schultz has done casualty evacuations in Iraq and Afghanistan with troops who have lost legs, as well as those who have been shot in just about any body part you can name. He says nothing came close

Chief McKinley looking forward to new job

Command Chief Master Sgt. Rod McKinley admits he is a bit nervous about becoming the 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force. But it is not because the job will be too tough or that becoming the Air Force’s top enlisted leader intimidates him, he said. It is the fact he will be the next chief in

AFIT team wins national case study competition

A select panel of distinguished senior U.S. Department of State diplomats and executives yesterday chose four students from the Air Force Institute of Technology as the winners of its national case study competition. The team, consisting of Majs. Timothy Kirk, Ita Udoaka and Carolyn Wood

Signing event signifies environmental milestone

Air Mobility Command, state and federal officials signed a record of decision May 12 for the last two of the base's contaminant release sites, reaching a major milestone in the environmental program here. The base's 59 contaminant sites put Dover on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund

Forensic experts identify keys to crimes

For forensic science consultants at the Air Force Office of Special Investigations' 33rd Field Investigations Squadron, criminal investigations in the Air Force begin at the crime scene.The work of Air Force forensic science consultants is similar to that of criminal investigators in the television

Airmen call in 'air strikes' on Louisiana communities

Fighter jets and bombers fly overhead making multiple passes to intercept and destroy enemy targets called in by Air Force joint terminal air controllers. One pass is to destroy a building with enemy snipers. Another pass is to track a man riding a motorcycle suspected of carrying a bomb in his

CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for May 14 to 17. May 17 In Afghanistan, a B-1B Lancer and four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs struck Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The missions supported coalition ground forces including Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army

C-130J Hercules displays interoperability at Berlin Air Show

It was interoperability in action at the Berlin Air Show on May 17 when a medium extended air defense system was loaded onto a C-130J Hercules. The system is designed as a lightweight launcher capable of shooting down aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. It was a new missile system on a

Rehabilitation specialists team up to support warfighters

Brooke Army Medical Center hosted a military amputee advance skills training workshop here for Veterans Affairs’ prosthetists and therapists. Nearly 100 VA rehabilitation team members from 15 medical centers attended the workshop May 10 through 12 to learn the patient care methods used at Department

Improved C-5 promises more faithful years of service

At a roll-out ceremony May 16 at Lockheed Martin’s plant in Marietta, Ga., the Air Force accepted delivery of the first C-5M Galaxy, the first of 111 that will undergo modernization at the facility, extending the fleet’s life by more than 25 years. The Aeronautical Systems Center’s C-5 Systems Group

Eglin gears up for ‘the next big storm’

Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and Hurricane Dennis in July 2005 cost them millions of dollars in damages. Then, like the rest of the world, they witnessed Hurricane Katrina devastate New Orleans and the surrounding area last year. So, why then, would members of this Gulf Coast base welcome

New service dress prototypes pique interest

Based on feedback received during visits with Airmen across the Air Force, the Air Force Uniform Board is reviewing several concepts that Airmen have suggested regarding the appearance of the service dress uniform. Some of the informal feedback about the current service dress includes Airmen wanting

AF official praises Keesler recovery, emphasizes challenges ahead

Having visited just days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the base, the Air Force’s point man for installations returned here May 11 to assess Keesler’s overall progress toward full restoration. Lt. Gen. Donald Wetekam, Air Force deputy chief of staff for logistics, installations and mission support,

Suggestions garner rewards for three Airmen

Three NCOs here recently were approved to receive $10,000 each for coming up with new ideas that saved the Air Force money. Master Sgt. Mark Gauthier and Tech. Sgt. Matthew Wilson of Air Force Special Operations Command, and Tech. Sgt. Arnoldo Cuevas, 16th Civil Engineer Squadron,  are expected to

Air Force flexibility on display in Iraq and Afghanistan

Air Force fighters no longer just swoop down from the sky to drop their deadly weapons in support of ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fighters equipped with special sensor pods, developed for more precise bombing, also are warning commanders and troops fighting on the ground about enemy

Radar upgrade key to future B-1 combat capability

The Air Force recently awarded a $180-million contract to the Boeing Company to upgrade the fire-control radar on the service's fleet of 67 B-1B Lancer long-range bomber aircraft. The nine-year Reliability and Maintainability Improvement Program, or RMIP, will replace two units that make up the

Program educates military spouses, builds confidence

Signing up to join the military can be an intimidating ordeal for military members, but they're not the only ones who experience anxiety when the dotted line is signed. Before 2002, military spouses here were on their own to learn about Air Force services, customs and courtesies.  Now, coordinators

U.S. opens Berlin Air Show with ‘Spirit’

A C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., named the “Spirit of Berlin” helped kick off the Berlin Air Show when it flew today before opening day spectators. The C-17 crew, assigned to the 315th Airlift Wing, is part of a U.S. contingent joining more than 1,000 exhibitors from 42

Center-contractor partnership benefits warfighter

In an ongoing effort to generate cost-effective support for the warfighter, Ogden Air Logistics Center officials signed a partnering agreement with BAE Systems on May 11.The agreement, established to make maximum use of the center's industrial and technical foundation while incorporating BAE

Hennings elected to College Football Hall of Fame

Former Air Force great Chad Hennings received one of the highest honors a college football player can earn May 16.  He was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. Hennings is one of 13 players and two coaches to be selected to the hall of fame from a ballot of 77 candidates and a pool of

Task Force members visit African orphanages

Since 2003, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa servicemembers have visited local orphanages with the hopes of learning new cultures, establishing friendships and building better futures. Currently, about 200 CJTF-HOA servicemembers visit three different orphanages each week volunteering an

Opening another world, one book at a time

People in the 8th Fighter Wing donated more than 1,270 English-language children’s books to the Kunsan City library May 3 after a book drive that ran from March 8 to April 17. The book drive, the first of its kind here, collected books as a way to help teach English to Korean youth in the local

Thunderbirds perform 4,000th show

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performed their 4,000th air show May 13 at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The show was the team's 14th of the 2006 season. “We perform about 70 air shows throughout the year, representing the 530,000 men and women in our Air

Behind-the-scenes work continues as air show set to begin

One of the world’s premier air shows gets underway May 16, but military organizers have been working behind the scenes for several months to ensure a successful display of U.S. military aviation at the 2006 Berlin Air Show. Initial groundwork began two years ago when the previous Berlin Air Show

ICC: Coming soon to a base near you

When a crisis happens on base, wing leaders and representatives from various support agencies often will huddle in the wing command post. Operating from this nerve center, they direct emergency services, assess situations and come up with solutions during crises. But the days of the traditional

Global Hawk operations reach new high

Battlefield awareness has reached new levels with Global Hawk production-model aircraft flying in the U.S. Central Command Air Forces theater. Reaching a breakthrough point in April, the Global Hawk team has maximized the aircraft’s sorties, collecting more than 96 percent of the target area --

Alternate fuel-powered B-52 to fly in September

This year, the Air Force will test fly a B-52 Stratofortress that is powered in part by fuel derived from natural gas. The Air Force Research Laboratory's propulsion directorate, a part of Air Force Materiel Command, is providing technical assistance to the test flight scheduled for September

C-17 pilot receives Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy

The skies over West Texas March 10, 2005 could have come right off a picture postcard:  blue, cloudless and so clear you could see horizon to horizon. It was, as one Air Force pilot put it, a perfect day for flying. Capt. Andreas Ix and his C-17 Globemaster III aircrew were participating in a

Strategic maintenance gives Airmen diverse experience

Maintainers spend thousands of hours keeping transport aircraft flying during the course of a rotation to this desert base. So when Airmen from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron maintenance flight show up for work, they know they will be busy. The flight’s mission is to provide strategic

Army, Air Force open communications

The Army talking to the Air Force from the ground to the air is not a common occurrence here. "We're in the purple (joint) business," said Army Lt. Col. Michael Shillinger, 551st Signal Battalion commander, as Staff Sgt. Robert Pangburn completed radio communications with pilots in an Air Force

Civil Air Patrol teen earns Spaatz Award

A 16-year-old Civil Air Patrol cadet received the highest CAP cadet honor from the Air Force chief of staff during a Pentagon ceremony here May 11. Recognizing Cadet Col. Katrina Litchford with the General Carl. A. Spaatz Award, Gen. T. Michael Moseley said, “I am pleased to be able to present this

JCS chairman sends message to servicemembers

The following message on National Military Appreciation Month is from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace:"This month we honor the extraordinary contributions of the men and women who serve our country in the armed forces. I am proud to serve alongside 2.4 million Americans

Chief Murray reflects on 29-year career

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray led his last Worldwide Command Chief’s Conference here April 21-26, meeting with command chiefs from around the Air Force to exchange information and discuss challenges facing today’s Airmen.During the 12th annual conference, the chief took

Deputy SG talks about future of Air Force medicine

Reshaping medical career fields as lean, efficient tools for providing 21st century healthcare is a priority for the Air Force deputy surgeon general.Maj. Gen. (Dr.) James G. Roudebush, who was at Offutt recently for the 2006 NOVA conference, an annual gathering of leaders from Air Force medical

Program gives technology access to disabled GIs

A Defense Department program helps wounded servicemembers and other people with disabilities have equal access to the information environment and opportunities throughout the federal government, a senior DOD official said May 8. Dinah F.B. Cohen, director of the Computer and Electronic Accommodation