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U.S. Air Force News

  • Traditional holiday meal to replace field rations for many

    When troops stationed in the Middle East sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, the turkey won't come in a brown field rations pouch. Thanks to the efforts of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Dubai and Djibouti will enjoy a traditional holiday meal.

  • Nov. 20 airpower summary: Aircrew help airdrop, resupply

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator targeted an enemy mortar team

  • Bright Star brings together coalition forces

    Sixty Charleston Airmen recently participated in the oldest training exercise in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility aboard three C-17 Globemaster IIIs. Bright Star 07, hosted by Egypt in cooperation with USCENTCOM and U.S. Army Central Command, was held in Cairo from Nov. 3 to 19

  • AMC aircrews reach million sorties milestone

    Air Mobility Command passed a major milestone Nov. 19, when an AMC aircraft flew the command's one millionth sortie since September 11, 2001. The landmark flight was a C-17 mission flown to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. The crew was from the 62nd Airlift Wing's 10th Airlift Squadron, McChord AFB,

  • 'Miracle baby' home for holidays

    Capt. Chris Schlagheck and wife Heidi endured a nearly year-long grueling, medical battle with their first-born son Austin that recently culminated with the three of them being home for the holiday season. The joy experienced Oct.23, 2006, when the Captain Schlagheck learned Heidi was pregnant was

  • Chaplain assistant chiefs evaluate pre-deployment training

    Enlisted leaders in the Air Force's chaplain assistant career field made a special visit to the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center in early November to talk with chaplains and chaplain assistant students in the Advanced Contingency Skills Training Course and to observe the course. The visit brought

  • Fairford Airmen prepare for shuttle launch

    When the Space Shuttle Atlantis, mission number STS-122, launches on Dec. 6, a world will stand watching. While it takes a massive crew to get the shuttle off the ground, there will be hundreds more waiting after the blast off. They are ground crew members of the Space Shuttle Transatlantic abort

  • Ramstein receives first upgraded C-130

    Bigger, faster, stronger. That is what the Air Force has in mind with its new J model C-130 Hercules aircraft, unveiled at Ramstein Nov. 9, and meant to replace the C-130E. With an extended cargo bay and added features, the C-130J is set to attack and execute any mission set in front of it,

  • 3rd Medical Group ready for Soldiers' return

    The 3rd Medical Group here is ready to provide treatment to the more than 3,700 Soldiers from Fort Richardson's 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, who have returned or are preparing to return from deployment. "The men and women of the 3rd Medical Group have been making the

  • Airmen practice runway repair, RAAF airmen observe

    Approximately 110 personnel, most from the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, attended the Det. 1, 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Silver Flag exercise here last week. After a week of mostly classroom training in their respective

  • Air Force presents top civic award to Indianapolis Colts

    The Indianapolis Colts earned the National Football League's Lombardi Trophy as the Super Bowl XLI champions last February in Miami. Now the team can add a prestigious Air Force award to its ever-expanding trophy case. Gen. William R. Looney III, commander of Air Education and Training Command,

  • NCO earns Spirit of Hope Award

    The late Bob Hope recognized devotion to duty, loyalty and courage for decades by visiting service members on the front lines -- typically arriving with an entourage of popular pin-ups, actors, musicians and comedians. The USO inspired and Wiegand Foundation sponsored Spirit of Hope Award is

  • Air Force takes two DOD 2007 Maintenance Awards

    The Department of Defense announced the winners of the 2007 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards Nov. 19. The Air Force won two of the eight awards, which recognizes excellence in both field- and depot-level maintenance units. The field-level maintenance awards honor military maintenance

  • Warriors with mild to moderate injuries stay near the fight

    Warriors wounded in war with mild to moderate injuries are being sent to the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group where they can be treated, recover and returned to duty. There are seven nurses on staff, which includes three intensive care unit nurses, who deal with a lot of different injuries or

  • Air Guard officials break ground for new readiness center

    Officials broke ground on a $52 million Air National Guard Readiness Center expansion here Nov. 19. When completed, the four-story complex will unite the existing ANGRC here with its Air Guard offices in Arlington, Va. Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Air National Guard director, said the expansion on

  • Nov. 19 airpower summary: EC-130J supports OIF, OEF

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy combatants

  • Over land or sea: B-2 Spirit participates in Koa Lightning

    B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron simulated attacking naval vessels in their home port while over Hawaii Nov. 15 on a Koa Lightning exercise mission.These sorties, which are well over 20 hours in duration, tout the Air Force's unique capability to send long range

  • New 400-hour phase inspection equates to lives saved

    F-15E Strike Eagle maintainers here recently became the first in the Air Force to implement a new inspection process that promises greater airpower capability throughout Afghanistan. Shortly after becoming the first deployed F-15E unit in the Air Force to return to full operational capability

  • Vance helps celebrate Oklahoma's centennial

    Four T-38C Talon planes from Vance kicked off the Oklahoma Centennial parade in Guthrie, Okla., marking 100 years of statehood. The planes from the 25th Flying Training Squadron symbolized the land rush that settled the Oklahoma territory in 1889. It was part of a full day of festivities in Guthrie

  • Gen. Hobbins honored with Order of the Sword

    With all the pomp and circumstance the U.S. Air Forces in Europe enlisted corps could muster, some 800 guests witnessed the induction of Gen. William T. Hobbins, USAFE commander, into the Order of the Sword here tonight. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor enlisted Airmen can bestow on an

  • Air Force sharpshooters help commanders see the future

    When servicemembers go outside the wire here, they occasionally have an extra set of eyes watching over them. Concealed, the members of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Close Precision Engagement Team observe, provide intelligence and, if necessary, neutralize threats. The CPET

  • 8th FW commander, ROKAF fly in training mission

    Airmen of the 8th Fighter Wing and the Republic of Korea Air Force's 38th Fighter Group flew in a combined training mission Nov. 14. The mission led by Col. CQ Brown 8th Fighter Wing commander, was designed to enable the different units to work together and share their experiences. This was also the

  • Nov. 18 airpower summary: F-15Es support operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an enemy mortar site was struck with a guided bomb

  • 'Today's Air Force' features homeland defense

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the combat alert cell and the Airmen responsible for watching and intercepting any perceived threat; and the Distinguished Flying Cross medal -- a surprised presentation from a father to his son. The 30-minute, weekly news show can be seen every

  • Soccer: Air Force 1, UNLV 0, in men's soccer

    Senior Andy Nigro scored the only goal in the final game of his career Nov. 18 to lead the Air Force men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over University of Nevada at Las Vegas at the Academy's Cadet Soccer Stadium in the season finale for both teams. Nigro, along with five other seniors, were honored

  • Nov. 17 airpower summary: A-10s fly CAS missions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fired cannon rounds against

  • Nov. 16 airpower summary: C-17s deliver troops, cargo

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy combatants

  • EagleCash lands at Ali Base

    An Air Force EagleCash Card program team has been flying throughout the area of responsibility for the past six months implementing a time- and money-saving technology in southern Iraq. The three-person team, which included a member of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and two members from U.S.

  • Nov. 15 airpower summary: Crew chiefs keep missions flying

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted air strikes against

  • Luke maintenance group takes home DOD award

    Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., took home their trophy Nov. 15 after being named one of the Defense Department's top maintenance units at a ceremony in Orlando, Fla. "This is an amazing achievement for the men and women of Luke (AFB)," said Col. Algene Fryer, the 56th Maintainance Group

  • SECAF honors international affairs office with award

    The secretary of the Air Force presented members of the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs office with the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award November 15. "Air Force International Affairs has been recognized over the years as one of the premiere organizations

  • Wingmen save fellow Airman's life at Kunsan

    When Pacific Air Forces officials sent out guidance for all the Pacific bases to have a Wingman Day, no one could have thought that during the day three wingmen would come to the aid of another Airman saving his life. At approximately 8:40 a.m. Nov. 13, as Kunsan Air Base members were gathering in

  • Honorary commanders program in full swing at Kunsan

    More then 60 honorary commanders held a friendship day for about 400 Wolf Pack Airmen to increase relationships between the base and local community Nov. 12. "The honorary commanders program is a win-win situation for Kunsan's good neighbors and Wolf Pack Airmen," said Col. CQ Brown, 8th Fighter

  • Close-air-support exercise tests Atlantic Strike participants

    The cool evening was still as three camouflaged insurgents watched an Army patrol approach their village. Unbeknownst to the saboteurs, an Air Force targeting pod was closely watching their position and relaying information to the ground commander. Suddenly, a deafening explosion drowned out all

  • 'Gifts from the Homefront' routes support to 'Any Servicemember'

    When issuing suggested holiday mailing deadlines for military care packages, the Unites States Postal Service made sure to highlight that "all packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, as required by U.S. Department of Defense regulations." Since DOD suspended mail addressed

  • U.S. military showcased at Dubai Air Show

    More than 325 American servicemembers participated in the 10th Dubai Air Show Nov. 11 through 15 here. Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers provided logistics, force protection and maintenance support to the various U.S. aircraft on display and performing aerial demonstrations. The Dubai Air Show is

  • Officials begin to clear F-15Es to full-mission status

    Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft are now undergoing a safety inspection that will return them to flying status according to an order issued Nov. 11 by Gen. John Corley, the commander of Air Combat Command. Each of the 224 E-model aircraft require the completion of a 13-hour time-compliance

  • Pilots focus on air superiority, operations during Keen Sword

    Honing their skills against enemy air threats over the skies of Japan, Misawa fighter pilots participate in a two-week long training exercise here. Exercise Keen Sword, which began Nov. 6, is a  joint and bilateral exercise simulating the defense of Japan using more than 60 military units from 24

  • 44-year-old C-130 flies final combat mission, ends service

    After 44 years of service and more than 29,500 flying hours, a C-130 Hercules flew its final combat mission Nov. 13 from Southwest Asia and will next be heading to the boneyard. Aircraft 63-7865 from the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and currently assigned to the 386th Air

  • Laser paint removal lessens production time, health hazards

    Six months ago, the process to remove paint from an aircraft part took four or five hours. Today, the use of lasers is accomplishing the job in 20 minutes. The 566th Aircraft Maintenance Group's Disassembly and Cleaning Unit can "nitpick" an aircraft part of its paint in that reduced amount of time

  • Personnel center to deployers: Don't leave without guide

    Most Air Force members being deployed to a foreign country have little knowledge of the culture they'll work in for the next four to 12 months. They don't know a Hijab from an Abaya or a Dishdasha from a Gutra. How many times a day can you say hello to someone in Kyrgystan? Why can't you eat with

  • Head of Propulsion Directorate earns DOD honor

    The director of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate has earned the highest honor given by the Secretary of Defense to career civilian personnel. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England presented the Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award to Dr. William U. Borger

  • Wing's legacy continues

    The 509th Bomb Wing makes its home here, and operates the Air Force's premier weapon system, the B-2 Spirit bomber. The mission of the wing is to bring the full spectrum of expeditionary global power of the B-2 for combat support capabilities to combatant commanders.  With the B-2, the wing can

  • Nov. 14 airpower summary: A-10s provide close-air support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged enemy combatants

  • UAV detachment stands up at Creech

    A new detachment has been established at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., to manage MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle operational test and evaluation and force development evaluation for Air Combat Command. The Airmen assigned to Det. 4, a unit of the 53rd Test Management Group based

  • Fallen Airmen, Soldiers honored at Aviano

    Aviano Air Base officials held a memorial service Nov. 15 to honor the lives of four Airmen and two Soldiers who were killed when an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter attached to the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment here crashed Nov. 8. Friends and family members gathered to pay their respects

  • Wing's emblem symbolizes the 'first'

    The shield of the 509th Bombardment Wing is rich in tradition as each symbol on the shield represents some part of the past.  The wing's emblem was approved July 10, 1952 and has remained unchanged for 55 years. The yellow shield has a representation of an atomic cloud between a pair of blue

  • Servicemembers deliver medical relief following storm

    A medical team from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, set up a makeshift clinic to provide medical relief to the local population Nov. 13 from a school here following the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Noel to the region. As of Nov. 12, American and British aircrews had delivered more than 241,000

  • Officials seek 10 enlisted for AFIT degree program

    Air Force Institute of Technology officials are offering 10 noncommissioned officers the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Ten NCOs from around the Air Force will be selected in February to attend the

  • Nov. 13 airpower summary: C-17s resupply forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy positions

  • Not just another day at the office

    Staff Sgt. "Dean" was having a bad day at the office. As an Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller embedded with ground forces, his job was to serve as liaison between the ground commander and aircrews. On the afternoon of Oct. 27, the ten-vehicle convoy he was traveling with in Southern

  • Air Force wins four motorcycle safety awards

    Each year, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation acknowledges outstanding achievement and excellence in rider education and training, honoring agencies, organizations, programs, dealers, media and individuals who enhance motorcyclist safety. For 2006, the Air Force won four of the five MSF awards in

  • Kunsan Airmen show Thanksgiving spirit with South Koreans

    Kunsan Air Base members hosted approximately 60 disabled South Koreans for a traditional Thanksgiving meal here Nov. 10. More than 20 volunteers from the Kunsan AB Company Grade Officers Council, Team 5/6 and other volunteers from across the 8th Fighter Wing hosted the South Koreans for a day of

  • Airmen, 'Great Patriots' celebrate Veterans Day

    It isn't very often that Mark Pavlovich Polushenko, an 83-year-old retired infantry lieutenant colonel with the former Soviet Union Army, has occasion to put on his military service dress uniform. The opportunity came again Nov. 12 during a special Veterans Day event here. Colonel Polushenko was

  • Airmen show their edge during Keen Sword

    Over the next two weeks, 300-plus Airmen will be participating in the largest bilateral field training exercise in Japan, designed to practice defending Japan against foreign aggression. The goal of Exercise Keen Sword is to improve interoperability between the Japanese Air Self Defense Force and

  • Nov. 12 airpower summary: KC-135s help fuel 233 aircraft

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

  • Nov. 11 airpower summary: F-16s support mission

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B1-B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-38

  • Airmen in Afghanistan honor veterans with silent vigil

    Airmen here honored veterans past and present with a 10-hour silent vigil Nov. 11. Following a formal wreath-laying ceremony, teams of two airmen -- a total of 80 in all -- stood at "parade rest" near the flagpole of Camp Cunningham here as a constant reminder of the significance of Veterans Day.

  • Nov. 10 airpower summary: C-130s sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18 Hornets struck a cave with guided bomb

  • Nov. 9 airpower summary: B-1B Lancer delivers precision

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition forces came under intense fire from enemy firing

  • Air Force officials identify victims in helicopter crash

    Four Airmen were killed and three were injured when a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter attached to the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, crashed at approximately noon Nov. 8, 22 miles southwest of Aviano, Italy. Staff Sgt. Robert D. Rogers, Staff Sgt. Mark A. Spence and Senior Airman

  • Cyber Airmen fight in America's newest battlefront

    A key component in the world's most lethal air and space force is the ability to protect sensitive communication and computer systems from the bad guys. A group of highly trained Airmen here take that fight head on every day in the far-reaching realm of cyberspace. Senior Airman Jonathan Odum,

  • Six servicemembers die after helicopter crash

    Six U.S. servicemembers have died of injuries sustained when a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter attached to 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment crashed at approximately noon Nov. 8, 22 miles southwest of Aviano. Five died in the crash and one died later that evening.Eleven U.S. Airmen and

  • Formal training scheduling to centralize

    Scheduling of all Air Force-directed formal training historically accomplished by major command personnel and manpower directorates is being centralized at the Air Force Personnel Center here to streamline services and make maximum use of Air Force resources. Formal training includes all Air

  • Nov. 8 airpower summary: C-130s key to resupply

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1Predator engaged enemy combatants in

  • Nov. 7 airpower summary: KC-10's fuel coalition missions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

  • Chief McKinley updates Airmen on Air Force priorities

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley recently reaffirmed the Air Force's three top priorities as winning the war on terrorism, developing and caring for Airmen and their families, and recapitalization and modernization. The Air Force's top enlisted Airman then spelled out where the

  • Reaper drops first precision-guided bomb, protects forces

    The MQ-9A Reaper demonstrated it's unique precision strike capability as a hunter-killer attack platform by dropping its first precision-guided bomb Nov. 7. "The beauty of the MQ-9 Reaper is that we're able to synchronize and integrate unmanned aerial attack platforms over the skies of Afghanistan,

  • Crew chief meets childhood hero at Hill

    "Okay buddy, how do you read me?" That simple phrase may not mean a lot to the average person, but for Airman 1st Class Jeremy Meyers, hearing it from his hero was unforgettable. "It's such a small world. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would be stationed with one of my heroes," Airman Meyers

  • Whiteman home to Cold War reminder

    Whiteman is the only missile base that has a intercontinental ballistic missile launch control facility (known as Oscar-01) located on base. From 1963 to 1995, Whiteman was home to the 351st Strategic Missile Wing, which operated the Minuteman II ICBM weapon system. The wing consisted of the 508th,

  • Service-disabled veterans key to meeting military missions

    Three Air Force winners were among 19 organizations and individuals honored at the first Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Awards Ceremony Nov. 5 at the Pentagon. The group of entrepreneurs and department acquisition officials earned praise from Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England

  • Warfighters gather to train for close-air-support operations

    More than 200 warfighters from around the world gathered to combat a simulated enemy force comprised of insurgent groups, roadside bombs and hidden snipers Nov. 6 through 9 at the Avon Park Military Training Complex in central Florida. Atlantic Strike VI, a semi-annual training event sponsored by

  • 3rd Air Force commander, 24 Airmen visit Normandy

    Airmen from 3rd Air Force here relived history by retracing the footsteps of American Soldiers in Normandy who orchestrated one of the most epic battles in U.S. history -- the D-Day invasion. Lt. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr., the 3rd Air Force commander, and 24 Airmen from 3rd Air Force walked the

  • Subterranean bunker converted to historical display

    On the surface, Oscar One appears innocent. Underground, well, that's another story. The nondescript single-story building seems like any other on Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Mo. Just 50 yards away from "O-1," families stroll through Ike Skelton Park, picnicking, flying kites and feeding

  • GI Mail offers safer way to stay in touch

    Global Internet Mail is a personal e-mail program available to all servicemembers that can be used from any computer with Internet access, including government systems. While official government e-mail accounts are the most secure form of e-mail communication, messages sent between GI Mail accounts

  • Nov. 6 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide cover

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18 Hornet engaged enemy combatants with

  • Mobile readiness team supports Army in Iraq

    Members of the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Mobile Readiness Team are deployed here "in-lieu-of" Army forces and support the American Soldiers by recovering government assets that have been damaged, misplaced or unaccounted for in Iraq. The team recently deployed to Camp

  • AFRL wins workforce development award

    The Air Force Research Laboratory's director of personnel is excited about winning a highly coveted award, not just for her own organization, but because of what it says about the entire lab. "This is an AFRL award, an enterprise-wide effort, that says AFRL cares about its people," said Personnel

  • Space Command striving for improved field communications

    Airmen of Air Force Space Command's Space Innovation and Development Center were on hand in Warren's AFB Quebec flight area recently, but they weren't looking to the area's Peacekeeper past; they were demonstrating the future. "We're here to continue demonstrations of the combat airborne network,"

  • Airman takes next step toward her American dream

    One Airman's version of the American dream includes some children and a bakery of her own. It is a dream Airman 1st Class Olga Bilobol now has as a brand-new American citizen following a Nov. 6 naturalization ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base. "It means so much to me that I have a hard time

  • Upgraded A-10s prove worth in Iraq

    A new version of the A-10 Thunderbolt II has been flying over Iraq providing close-air support for the ground troops from Al Asad Air Base for nearly two months. As part of the Precision Engagement Upgrade Program, the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing has been converting it's A-10s from A to

  • Squadron demos LITENING pod visual feed

    The 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron worked with Airmen from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., for a demonstration in October. The event showcased how airborne video through the LITENING targeting pod from a B-52 Stratofortress can be uploaded to a communications network. During the demonstration,

  • Mission continues during grounding of F-15s

    Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, U.S. Central Command's Combined Forces Air Component commander is maintaining assigned F-15E Strike Eagles on ground alert and will accomplish all assigned missions with a variety of fighter, attack and bomber aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, under his command and

  • Live-fly exercise trains Airmen for combat mission

    More than 100 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern Airmen will train the way they fight as they participate in Mesa Fury 2007, a large force exercise Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. Mesa Fury 2007, a joint forces exercise, is designed to allow Airmen and participating Department of Defense combat units an

  • U.S. Southern Command delivers supplies to victims of Noel

    A C-130 Hercules, under the direction of U.S. Southern Command, delivered 27 crates of potable water to San Isidro Air Base in the Dominican Republic for distribution to victims impacted by Tropical Storm Noel Nov. 3. The C-130 relief sortie, supported by the Puerto Rico Air National Guard,

  • Reserve refuelers train with Egyptian fliers

    March reservists are conducting two weeks of air-refueling missions here with fighter pilots from the Egyptian air force. "I think this is a great opportunity for the entire U.S. Air Force," said Lt. Col. Al Oliver, the mission director and a tanker refueling scheduler with 4th Air Force at

  • Nov. 5 airpower summary: A-10s target insurgents

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a French Mirage 2000 engaged enemy combatants with

  • Injured servicemembers get away from hospital to fish

    A bad day fishing is a whole lot better than a good day at work, said one Soldier here. For 38 injured servicemembers from the Warrior Transition Unit from the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, a day of free fishing meant a day away from treatment to have some fun on this south

  • AETC wins inaugural marathon major command trophy

    Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the Air Force's first recipient of the USAF Marathon MAJCOM Challenge Commander's Trophy. The announcement was made Nov. 2 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., by Gen. Bruce Carlson,

  • DLA-Warner Robins shop humming along following transition

    At a glance, you can't differentiate between Defense Logistics Agency employees and Air Force civilians in the F-15 Eagle wing shop here. Yet work continues to run smoothly following the mid-October activation of DLA-Warner Robins here in which DLA gained 240 employees from the Air Force. The new

  • Combat rescue officers ready for field

    Nineteen men began their Sunday morning Oct. 21 with a three-mile run and 1,500-meter swim here. The intensive physical training test set the stage for six days of grueling workouts and evaluations -- so demanding, in fact, that by Friday only eight men were left. Those eight men are now combat

  • Nov. 4 airpower summary: Airdrop is key to resupply

    Coalition ground forces are able to keep the enemy on the run in Afghanistan's mountainous terrain where roads are extremely limited or simply don't exist because aircrews are able to to get much needed supplies right where they need to be. For six days, from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, Airmen achieved more

  • Firefighters bring 'burning' passion to training mission

    Fighting fires is a dangerous job, especially when working with insufficient equipment and inadequate training. But a pair of Air Force firefighters deployed to Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, are hoping to change that. Master Sgts. Timothy Rickard, deployed from Anderson Air Force Base,

  • Airmen visit Tok Mok orphanage

    Candy and chocolates are quickly eaten, toys and games eventually lose pieces or break, and clothes and shoes are outgrown over time. But the one gift all of these material things bring that lasts a lot longer, perhaps even a lifetime, is the knowledge that somebody genuinely cared enough to help

  • Scholarships for Military Children program begins

    DeCA's 2008 Scholarships for Military Children program kicked off Nov. 1. Applications, available at commissaries worldwide and online through a link at www.commissaries.com and directly at www.militaryscholar.org, must be turned in to a commissary by close of business on Feb. 20, 2008. Applicants

  • Pachyderm PCS: Elephant finds new home courtesy of Air Force

    As the sun crested over the foothills of San Andreas, Calif., and the compound's gate opened, she knew she was home. Maggie, the Alaska Zoo's only elephant, arrived at the Performing Animal Welfare Society's ARK 2000 Wildlife Sanctuary Nov. 2, exiting her crate some 15 hours after leaving

  • New legislation affects Tricare supplements

    Many Tricare beneficiaries are getting letters from their employer stating they will no longer offer Tricare supplements as an employer-sponsored medical option effective January 1, 2008. Tricare beneficiaries should look closely at their health care options. A provision of the John Warner National

  • Nov. 3 airpower summary: A-10s provide airpower

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired on enemy combatants

  • Air Force suspends some F-15 operations

    The Air Force suspended non-mission critical F-15 flight operations on Nov. 3 following the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C aircraft Nov. 2. The cause of that accident is still under investigation, however, preliminary findings indicate that a possible structural failure of the aircraft

  • Nov. 2 airpower summary: Strike Eagles support combat operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force