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U.S. Air Force News

  • Secretary Wynne: Rumsfeld helped reshape Air Force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld changed the way the military thinks about defense during his six years at the Pentagon. Secretary Wynne worked with Secretary Rumsfeld three times at the Department of Defense and in his current job. "In each case

  • Veterans Day particularly significant while nation at war

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

  • DOD committed to taking care of military families

    The one overiding lesson of the all-volunteer force is the importance of the military family, a top Defense Department official said here Nov. 7. And DOD has learned the lesson, said Michael Dominguez, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.November is Military Family

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

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

  • Combat skills training is a must for today's Airmen

    Since Airmen are taking on more non-traditional rolls and missions in deployed locations, the need for individual combat skills is imperative. Airmen selected to deploy for Air Expeditionary Force Cycle 5 and 6 from the 15th Airlift Wing recently took the three-day Expeditionary Combat Skills

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 8

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 8 In Afghanistan Nov. 7, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • 'Blue to Green' allows Airmen, Sailors to transfer to Army

    As the Air Force and Navy continue to transform themselves, the two services are finding they do not need the number of people they once did, but a program called "Operation Blue to Green," gives an option for Airmen and Sailors chosen for separation the chance to transfer to the Army and remain on

  • C-130 crew honored with Mackay Trophy

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

  • Air Force adopting new news-delivery method

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

  • Rescuers learn to make order out of chaos

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

  • Exchange program enhances coalition operations

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

  • Mountain Home newspaper going virtual

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

  • Veterans Day special: Veterans share war experiences

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

  • Veterans urged to wear military medals on Veterans Day

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

  • Being bilingual helps Air Force recruiters in Hispanic communities

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

  • Medal of Honor recipients share stories of inspiration

    For Staff Sgt. Shafinah Rosauro, learning stories of true heroism moved her. For Tech. Sgt. Theresa Petelo, it was the message of assurance that people back home support her. For Col. Kurt Kaisler, hearing themes of commitment to service and country inspired him. Listening to Medal of Honor

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 6

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 6.In Afghanistan Nov. 5, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gereshk.

  • Air Force selects 417 new chief master sergeants

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

  • Web site works with Airmen to deliver care packages

    In August 2003, a Maryland family started the AnySoldier.com Web site as a way for people to support deployed Soldiers. Two years later, the family created separate sites to help those in the sister services. Their site for those in the Air Force, AnyAirman.com, lists Airmen who volunteered as

  • Bush calls Saddam verdict 'milestone'

    Without the help of American servicemembers, the verdict against Saddam Hussein would not have been possible, the commander in chief said Nov. 5 in Waco, Texas. President George W. Bush called the trial "a milestone" in Iraq's efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law. Today's

  • Efforts in Iraq bring British honors for Airman

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

  • Responsive space demonstrator ready to roll

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

  • Sergeant is one of a kind

    When this sergeant says he is one of a kind he really means it. Master Sgt. Daniel Norwood is the Air Force's only military gunsmith and is the shop supervisor of the Army and Air National Guard marksmanship unit here. The Air National Guard has one position for a gunsmith and since 1991 it has been

  • Holiday radio special features country music stars

    Country music stars Vince Gill, Toby Keith, LeeAnn Womack and George Strait share their favorite holiday memories and traditions in a "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio special, slated for release this month. Produced and marketed by the Air Force Recruiting Service's Strategic

  • 109th Airlift Wing commemorates first South Pole landing

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

  • Unified Engagement 2006 kicks off

    In a welcoming speech to more than 300 military members and civilians at the Battle Command Training Center here, Gen. Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, kicked off Unified Engagement 2006. Participants from the United States, Great Britain, Canada and Australia are here from Nov. 1 to 8

  • Officials encourage absentee voters to cast ballots

    A letter sent by the National Association of Secretaries of State urges all military and overseas absentee voters to cast their ballots in the upcoming Nov. 7 elections and assures them that their vote will be counted. The letter, sent Nov. 2 by NASS president Deborah Markowitz, reminds U.S.

  • Airmen work, live with Iraqi Army at remote desert base

    Tucked in a valley between the Euphrates River and some of the most dangerous territory in Iraq is an oasis in the middle of the desert -- Camp Habbaniyah. The British operated at this location from 1934 through 1959, when it was known as Royal Air Force Habbaniyah. Forty-seven years later, the

  • Travis Airmen train Japan's first boom operators

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

  • Transition workshop valuable to vets, labor officials say

    All separating servicemembers should know about Transition Assistance Program workshops, Labor Department officials said here Nov. 2. The Labor Department teams with DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer these workshops to transitioning servicemembers, Charles S. Ciccolella, assistant

  • Air Force officials announce new PCS guidelines

    In an effort to meet budget mandates, Air Force leaders have directed several assignment related initiatives to reduce the permanent change of station budget deficit. The new guidelines include changes to assignment availability Code 50 maximum stabilized tours, the standard time on station for

  • Training Is essential, even downrange

    An old military adage states that troops must train like they fight. This remains true, even while deployed to austere environments and in less-than-favorable conditions. Service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa train almost daily to hone their skills in use of weapons,

  • Exercise Atlantic Rescue tests search, rescue pros' skills

    In a worst case scenario for pilots or warfighters in hostile territory, one thing is constant -- the Air Force will not leave a person behind. Securing that promise are combat search and rescue professionals from across Air Combat Command who practiced together in Exercise Atlantic Rescue Oct. 30

  • Students can apply for DeCA scholarships at commissaries

    The Scholarships for Military Children Program applications, sponsored by the Defense Commissary Agency, are now available for 2007.Applications for the $1,500 scholarships are available at 264 commissaries worldwide, or can be downloaded through links at www.commissaries.com,

  • Hawaii Guard to airlift supplies to earthquake victims

    The Hawaii National Guard is planning to airlift supplies to isolated residents on Maui as soon as their needs are ascertained, a military official said from the state's capital Nov. 1. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Hawaiian Islands Oct. 15. No deaths were reported. Besides some broken

  • AAFES lets customers 'take it home today'

    The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is expanding its "Take it Home Today!" initiative, which allows servicemembers immediately to enjoy furniture, major appliances, carpeting, mattresses and box springs, and select electronics. The new plan, which was tested at select AAFES exchanges in the

  • PCS policy could extend officer assignments to four years

    Some officers now could spend as many as four years at a duty station before getting a new assignment. Air Force officials are looking for ways to reduce the number of permanent change-of-station moves for officers, particularly for those in the United States. By extending the average assignment

  • Tricare information now housed under one Internet roof

    Tricare beneficiaries will get a pleasant surprise the next time they visit Tricare Online. The Web site has a new name, a new look and a new home. It is now part of Tricare.mil, the official Web site for all Tricare information. "We reorganized the Web site with our beneficiaries in mind," said

  • Military Families Appreciation Month highlights service, sacrifice

    Nov. 1 kicks off Military Families Appreciation Month, an annual tribute to the family members who, President Bush and other U.S. and military leaders frequently recognize, serve the country alongside their loved ones in uniform. The month-long observance, with events planned at Air Force, Army,

  • Children of fallen servicemembers have chance for free Disneyland trip

    Children of servicemembers killed since Sept. 11 have until Nov. 15 to try to get on board the Snowball Express -- destination Disneyland, with a couple of fun stops along the way. The M. Scott Kerr Foundation is sponsoring the Snowball Express in conjunction with Rotary Clubs of Costa Mesa, Calif.,

  • 19-year-old Airman earns CCAF degree in 9 months

    At 19 years old, Senior Airman Sharon Hawley is the youngest of more than 9,100 graduates earning their degrees in October at the Community College of the Air Force here. The integrated avionics mechanic, assigned to 412th Maintenance Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., completed the

  • DOD task force considers safety crackdown for drivers

    Servicemembers could expect stricter consequences for engaging in unsafe behavior behind the wheel if changes suggested by a Defense Department safety task force are implemented. The Private Motor Vehicle Accident Reduction Task Force is looking at changing how the services handle driving

  • Air Force Clubs to test 'U Choose' program in AETC

    Air Force Services Agency officials have announced a new program they plan to test starting Jan. 1 that will allow new and current club members to choose between the Private Label or the MasterCard club membership card. The "U Choose" program will be tested in the Air Education and Training Command

  • Medical commanders, planners discuss customer service

    Representatives from the U.S. military medical community in Japan met here Oct. 26 to 27 to discuss ways to improve customer service. The purpose of the conference was to "knock down the obstacles" to customer satisfaction, said Col. Mark Presson, command surgeon for U.S. Forces Japan, 5th Air Force

  • Air Force garners 17 Presidential Rank Awards

    Winners of the 2006 Presidential Rank Awards were announced by the White House Oct. 30. The seventeen Air Force recipients of the Presidential Rank Award will be honored at a ceremony next April. Winners of the awards are strong leaders, professionals and scientists who achieve results and

  • Airman selected as Miss Arkansas USA

    An Airman assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base was selected as Miss Arkansas USA Oct. 28 at the pageant held in the Donald W. Reynolds Auditorium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. Second Lieutenant Kelly George, a resident of Sherwood, Ark., is the deputy chief of Public Affairs

  • Joint Forces experiment points to way of the future

    The Urban Resolve 2015 experiment, which ended Oct. 26, focused on how military operations can bring about stability in cities without destroying them. Dave Ozolek, executive director of the Joint Futures Lab at U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., said Urban Resolve was the most "complex and

  • Servicemembers' right to vote comes with rules

    As the 2006 elections fast approach to decide House of Representative and Senate seats, as well as local and state elections, there are some rules military members need to know about the political process.These rules are not in place to restrict a military member's political freedoms, said Maj.

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selection results

    Some 162 men and women have been selected for Officer Training School, officials at Air Force Recruiting Service here announced Oct. 30. OTS Selection Board 06OT05 considered 267 applications and selected 162 for a 61percent selection rate. Of those, 34 are enlisted members who have earned the

  • Airmen work to provide security for incoming vessels

    Before a U.S. naval vessel is secured to a pier in Djibouti City's port, a joint team has already been at work preparing a safe berthing. The planning begins with the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's Anti-terrorism/ Force Protection Office coordinating with the U.S. Embassy, the Djiboutian

  • Cadet acquitted in court-martial

    A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet was found not guilty of violating Article 120 (rape) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice Oct. 27.The alleged assault by Cadet 2nd Class John Aguilar occurred in October 2003 while both the accused and victim were cadet candidates at the U.S. Air Force Academy

  • President Bush visits Charleston, rallies military

    President George W. Bush met and spoke to a crowd of more than 4,000 servicemembers and families as he praised the military for their efforts fighting the war on terrorism Oct. 28 at a rally on the Charleston AFB flightline. The president's visit follows an Oct. 27 stopover by Vice President Dick

  • F-117: A long, storied history that is about to end

    After 25 years of storied service, the F-117 Nighthawk, the Air Force's first stealth fighter, is about to retire. The technology that once made it a unique weapon system has now caught up to it and newer fighter aircraft are now joining the fleet. Still, the Nighthawk was the first of its kind, a

  • DoD selects Air Force civilian for disabled employee award

    The beginning of the award reads, "outstanding DoD employee," defining a career marked by a strong work ethic and many achievements before mentioning the life-threatening injury that changed his world 11 years ago. Paul Gabriel, an electronics engineer at Aeronautical Systems Center's Engineering

  • LADSC Waiver Program begins Oct. 30

    Beginning noon CST Oct. 30, master and technical sergeants in specific overage Air Force specialty codes may apply to have certain active duty service commitments waived allowing them to retire if eligible. The Limited Active Duty Service Commitment Waiver Program forgives the following ADSCs for

  • Couple honored with Fisher award

    A husband and wife have been honored for their support of the military in Bangor, Maine. Harry and Sharon Rideout are the 2005 recipients of the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award. The two were honored during a ceremony at the Pentagon Oct. 26. Together, the

  • Air Force recognizes outstanding real estate professionals

    At the annual Air Force Real Estate Awards ceremony held during the Air Force Real Estate Workshop on Oct. 19, two Air Force real estate professionals and one real estate office were recognized for their accomplishments. Karen Pate, a real property accountable officer from Cannon Air Force Base, N.

  • Deployed group tightens bonds as deployed squadron

    The Airmen of the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron have an advantage when it comes to treating casualties -- they are all from the same home team. Deployed here from the 48th Medical Group at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. the doctors, nurses and technicians who have spent the last six

  • Cheyenne Mountain exercises 'button-up'

    The people of Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., exercised their "button-up" procedures as part of the 21st Space Wing's recent Operational Readiness Inspection. "Button-up" is the process followed to shut the mountain's blast doors -- an action usually executed in response to a strategic

  • Three plead guilty to BAH fraud in separate cases

    Three Airmen were found guilty of defrauding the government through false claims for basic allowance for housing during separate court martials here last week. All three faced a military judge alone and pleaded guilty to the charges. Senior Airman Wayne Williams signed an official document stating

  • Notre Dame president leads cadets on change of pace

    As wind swirled and snow accumulated outside on a frigid northern Indiana morning, ordinary students slept warmly inside.  On the contrary, the university president and vice president here paced through the wintery elements early Tuesday in leading extraordinary ROTC cadets and midshipmen on the

  • Airman missing in action from Vietnam War is identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Oct. 26 that the remains of an Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Maj. Charles L. Bifolchi of Quincy, Mass. He will be buried on

  • Rumsfeld: Terrorists use media to manipulate American people

    The "center of gravity" in the Iraq war is in America with the American people, not on the battlefield, and the media is a powerful tool that influences the people's will, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Oct. 24. "This is the first war that's been conducted in the 21st century with all the

  • Sergeant takes Anti-drug battle personally

    Armed with his weapon, Staff Sgt. Terry Grace faces down the menace that destroyed his cousin's life. Sergeant Grace is the bass player for Reserve Generation, the Air Force Reserve Command Band from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., which entertained more than 500 local elementary school students at the

  • Duty brings out best in Balad hospital volunteers

    A patient being rolled into Balad Air Base's Air Force Theatre Hospital should not be surprised if the Airman holding the IV bag is an F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief.And, if the patient is a little uneasy about that, there likely is an air traffic controller or an administrative specialist standing

  • Charleston Aerial Port Squadron 'Leans' forward

    Members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here have leaned forward to streamline processes to save money while getting vital equipment to the warfighter faster. Using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, 437th APS officials re-evaluated several of their workflow processes and developed

  • Industry Days emphasize Air Force need for new tanker

    Nearly 100 people from industry and the government attended the Oct. 24 kick off of Tanker Industry Days in nearby Dayton, Ohio. Sponsored by Aeronautical Systems Center's 653rd Aeronautical Systems Squadron at Wright-Patterson AFB, Industry Days enhanced competition through communication with

  • Misawa units strengthened by Total Force

    Air National Guard and Reserve Airmen support various missions throughout the Air Force, and it is no exception here.In units like the 35th Security Forces Squadron, the active duty strength is complemented by Air Guard or Reserve support. "The Guard and Reserve members currently attached to

  • Emerald Warrior kicks off at Hurlburt Field

    Emerald Warrior '07, Air Force Special Operations Command's first joint coalition exercise focused on training Air Force, Army and allied units in missions directly related to the war on terrorism, kicked off here Oct. 24. Emerald Warrior '07, the first exercise completely planned by AFSOC, is also

  • Bush says U.S. security depends on victory in Iraq

    Winning the war on terrorism in Iraq is critical to American defense, President Bush said today in a White House news conference. Bush spoke about coalition strategy and tactics changes in Iraq. "Our security at home depends on ensuring Iraq is an ally in the war on terror and does not become a

  • Officials announce C-130J contract conversion

    Air Force officials announced today the multi-year procurement contract Oct. 25 for the C-130J Hercules has been converted from a Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 12 to a FAR Part 15 contract. In order to comply with the fiscal 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, the C-130J contract has been

  • Randolph NCO selected as senior enlisted aide of year

    The Air Education and Training commander's aide here was selected as the top senior enlisted aide during a ceremony Oct. 12 at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C.Master Sgt. Roy Bowser is the winner of the 2006 Enlisted Aide of the Year Award for the Senior-Aide Category. Sergeant Bowser is an enlisted

  • NFL team welcomes home warfighters

    Homecomings are times of celebrations to honor those coming back from a time away from those who care for them. The NFL Carolina Panthers organization and players gave returning servicemembers the ultimate fan experience with Operation Welcome Home Oct. 24 at Bank of America Stadium here. Two

  • Afghan students get fresh water

    More than 1,900 Afghan students at the Rohka District K-12 School now have fresh, clean water available at their school, thanks to the efforts of provincial officials and their partnership with coalition forces here. Panjshir Director of Education Riza Rizai, Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team

  • Officials announce updated fiscal 2007 CJR quotas

    The Air Force announced the fiscal 2007 quotas for the career job reservation program adding 40 Air Force Specialty Codes to the constrained list, while releasing 10 others. The 10 career fields removed from the list are: -- 2A0X1C, Avionics Sensor Systems, All; -- 2A0X1D, Electronic Warfare

  • Overseas quarterly assignment listing available

    The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for overseas requirements for the July to  September 2007 cycle will be available Nov. 3. Airmen need to work through their military personnel flights, commander's support staff or vMPF to update their preferences by Nov. 17. Deployed Airmen must work with

  • Maxwell NCO selected as top junior enlisted aide

    The Air University commander's aide here was presented the 2006 Air Force Junior Enlisted Aide of the Year award during a ceremony Oct. 12 at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Gen. William R. Looney III, Air Education and Training Command commander,

  • Medical-dental promotion candidates urged to check records

    With a medical corps-dental corps selection board convening in November and several other health professions boards scheduled in the next six months, officers should ensure their board certifications are current and in their selection records. Officers can fax a copy of the certificate to their

  • Newest 'Chief's View' deals with enlisted development plan

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley addresses the newest page on the Air Force Portal Web site, "My EDP," in his latest Chief's View video.Also known as "My Enlisted Development Plan," the Web site is ideal "if you want to play a bigger role in developing the future of your

  • Nine career fields open to Air Force prior service members

    Veterans interested in joining the Air Force or becoming an active-duty Airman once again may be eligible if they have served in one of nine career fields. During fiscal 2007, the Air Force Prior Service Enlistment Program is available to 40 veterans who have served in the following careers: --

  • COMUSAFE builds on U.S.-Romania relationship

    The road ahead for the partnering of U.S. and Romanian air forces continues on the fast-track after a visit Oct. 19 and 20 by the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, who met with key Romanian officials. Gen. Tom Hobbins traveled to Romania for a firsthand look at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, where

  • DOD celebrates 2006 Red Ribbon Week

    Department of Defense officials will celebrate the 2006 Red Ribbon Week beginning Oct 23 with an 11 a.m. awards ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. John P. Walters, the director of the national drug control policy, will present Gordon England, the deputy secretary of defense, the award for

  • Cheney thanks Indiana Airmen, Soldiers

    National Guard members perform vital stateside and overseas duties as America stays on the offense to defeat global terrorism, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said during a visit to Camp Atterbury, Ind., Oct. 20. "To serve in the National Guard is to accept a dual mission," Mr. Cheney told gathered

  • Airmen learn how to LEAN

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley, along with 11 Airmen representing every major command in the Air Force, took a major step toward implementing Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century by visiting United Airlines administrative and maintenance offices at the San Francisco

  • Cadet faces court-martial for charge of alleged rape

    A U.S. Air Force Academy junior faces a general court martial Oct. 24 here for a rape charge, violating Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The alleged assault by Cadet 2nd Class John Aguilar occurred in October 2003 while both the accused and victim were cadet candidates at the

  • SECAF: How do we prepare, mass and deliver precision strike in cyberspace?

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke to the Precision Strike Association Oct. 19 at Johns Hopkins University. During his speech, the secretary addressed the issues of cyberspace dominance, the "information mosaic," and the future of precision strike. Secretary Wynne also reflected on

  • Pay chief discusses new defense bill's military compensation

    With the 2.2 percent across-the-board pay raise that is part of the Fiscal 2007 National Defense Authorization Act, the Defense Department will reach its goal to bring military basic pay to the 70th percentile when compared to civilians with comparable education and training, a top DOD compensation

  • OR technicians help save lives in Iraq

    Helping save lives every day in Iraq is something operating room technician Senior Airman Shannon Brito takes great pride in. Behind the doors of the hospital are three operating rooms where the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group's OR technicians feverishly work to ensure patients live to see another

  • Transcom, Joint Forces commanders sign joint vision statement

    U.S. Transportation Command and U.S. Joint Forces Command recently took the next step in improving the military's joint deployment and distribution efforts in support of the warfighter with the release of a joint vision statement. The statement, signed by Gen. Lance L. Smith, USJFCOM commander, and

  • Balad Airman earns national air traffic control honors

    When the Air Traffic Control Association announced its annual air traffic control awards earlier this month, one of Balad AB's own was acknowledged. Senior Airman Joshua Matias, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron air traffic control apprentice, was named the 2006 ATCA Lingiam Odems

  • Jet car team delivers thanks to injured troops

    Air Force Reserve Command's Jet Car performance driver, who's used to going 400 mph, slowed down Oct. 11 to thank American troops recovering from combat injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Bill Braack and the jet car team collected 8,745 cards of thanks during a 12-week,

  • COMUSAFE: unmanned aircraft key to future decision superiority

    The importance of the unmanned aircraft system, or UAS, in air, space and cyberspace missions of the U.S. Air Force and NATO and how the UAS of the future will be an equal participant in all three domains is key to future decision superiority, said the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Acting

  • Operation Deep Freeze LC-130 arrives at Hickam

    A New York Air National Guard LC-130 Hercules arrived at Hickam Oct. 17 en route to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, to re-supply scientific research camps throughout Antarctica in support of Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze. The LC-130 is a modified ski-equipped C-130

  • VA announces 'Veterans Pride' initiative

    Leaders of major veterans organizations joined Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson here today to launch an effort to "kindle a new spark of patriotism" by asking men and women who have served in the military to wear their medals on Veterans Day. "We are announcing a 'Veterans Pride

  • Rumsfeld: Time needed to win war on terrorism

    The innovative spirit is helping America win the war on terror, but it will remain a long, hard battle against a deadly, thinking foe, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told students at the Air University today. Secretary Rumsfeld spoke to the students at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. At the end

  • Financial readiness equals mission readiness, official says

    Servicemembers and their families need to learn the importance of financial management and smart saving practices, so the Defense Department is focusing its efforts to make sure troops are prepared for the future, a senior DOD official said here Oct. 17. "One of the most important aspects of our

  • Officials initiate date-of-separation rollback for enlisted Airmen

    In an effort to maintain a quality enlisted force and meet mandated end strength, the Air Force will accelerate the date of separation for certain Airmen, based on their years of service and re-enlistment eligibility or assignment availability codes. Under DOS Rollback, Airmen who will have fewer

  • Servicemembers still have time to vote absentee

    Servicemembers and U.S. citizens living overseas still have time to register, request a ballot, and vote in November's mid-term elections, the Defense Department official in charge of the absentee voting program said here Oct. 18.While the registration deadlines for some states have passed, absentee

  • First F-22 slated for Pacific rolls out

    Lockheed Martin rolled out the first combat-capable F-22 Raptor Oct. 16 destined for basing and operations in the Pacific Rim.Raptor 5087 completed its final assembly, with Air Force leaders from Alaska and Lockheed Martin employees on hand to mark the event outside the production line in