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U.S. Air Force News

  • Spring 2006 quarterly issue of Airman available

    Read about how space-based capabilities are helping fight the war on terrorism, travel with a joint convoy mission through Iraq, follow the struggles of the Air Force family’s tiniest members as they receive life-saving care at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Wilford Hall Medical Center. These

  • Airmen, Soldiers join forces for joint cargo aircraft

    Airmen and Soldiers are teaming up to get a new cargo aircraft. The Joint Cargo Aircraft will fill a vital combat readiness need for both services. The Air Force has been looking into a new aircraft, smaller than a C-130 Hercules, to fill airlift operations, and the Army needs to replace its current

  • Air Force improves Web site

    To meet the needs of an ever-changing environment, starting April 10, Airmen can expect Air Force Link to have a slightly different look. Maintained at Headquarters Air Force News Agency here, the site will give visitors more control over the content they wish to view. New category links, found on

  • Widows help college students understand aging

    The two ladies share lunch almost every Friday. They talk and eat, but mostly they laugh.At first glance, they seem very different. More than 50 years separate them in age. One is in the camouflage uniform of an Airman, the other uses a cane because of hip and knee surgeries. But these two have

  • Airmen train for air evac

    Digging defensive fighting positions, driving with night-vision goggles and during chemical warfare training and hiking in to camp sound like Army training -- right? They are actually part of the annual training required for Pope’s 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. “We are considered first

  • OEF, OIF veterans receive preference for federal hiring

    Airmen now have increased eligibility for veterans’ preference when released or discharged from active duty, Office of Personnel Management officials here wrote in a recently released memo. More servicemembers are now eligible for veterans’ preference when applying for government civilian jobs.

  • Top Air Force print and broadcast journalists announced

    A panel of civilian journalists, teachers and public relations professionals have selected the best in Air Force print and broadcast journalism for the 50th annual Air Force Media Contest. Senior Airman Joe Lacdan, from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., is the Air Force Print

  • Continuing health care priority for DOD

    During testimony in front of both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees recently, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D.W. Corley said that sustaining health care for servicemembers, their families and retirees is a priority for the Department of Defense. General Corley, along with the

  • Ionospheric forecasts improve warfighter communication efficiency

    During specific times of the year over the Earth's equatorial region, turbulence in the ionosphere, known as scintillation, causes extended degradation for Department of Defense navigation and communication satellites.  But a sensor package installed at each of 14 locations worldwide has helped

  • Letter to Airmen focuses on Sexual Assault Awareness

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force T. Michael Moseley discuss Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Air Force’s strides in sexual assault prevention and response efforts over the past year. “Your Air Force leadership has

  • Sexual assault prevention director is a myth buster

    The biggest myth about sexual abuse is that the victim lies about it, according to the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Outreach Office at nearby Lackland Air Force Base. Dr. Charlotte Moerbe, a psychologist who once worked in a San Antonio rape crisis center, has made it her life goal

  • AF launches cyberspace task force

    Cyberspace. The word generally conjures up images of computers, wires, connections and hardware. But, for the Air Force, cyberspace is far more than that. “Cyberspace is a domain where the Air Force conducts operations," said Dr. Lani Kass, director of the Air Force Cyberspace Task Force. It is the

  • Air defense, flight restrictions discussed at conference

    More effective, more efficient ADIZ and TFRs. That’s the message from Air Force pilots, battle commanders and air space controllers this week as Continental U.S. NORAD Region representatives reach out to the general aviation community attending the 2006 Sun ‘n Fun Fly-in here. Of specific interest

  • Space A allows dependent travel

    U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe policy now allows permanent party and their family members -- regardless of command sponsorship -- to fly Space-Available travel.  For everyone stationed in Turkey, eligible family members can now come visit at a much lower cost by using

  • GPS signal enhances navigation, timing

    Warfighters now have a new way to receive Global Positioning System location and timing data -- online. The 2nd Space Operations Squadron here is delivering Zero Age of Data Navigation Message Replacements, or ZAOD NMR, on the Secure Internet Protocol Router Network. The first end user of this new

  • Sexual assault not just 'women's issue,' expert says

    Sexual assault cannot be relegated to being regarded as a "women's issue," said Don McPherson, the keynote speaker at the Pentagon's Sexual Assault Awareness Month observance April 4. McPherson, the executive director of the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University in New York, said

  • Academy cadets help Spangdahlem drill team hone sabers

    Eleven U.S. Air Force Academy Saber Drill Team cadets were here this week to work with the 52nd Fighter Wing Honor Guard's Eifel Sabres drill team they helped train last year. The team is the only one in U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Since the team’s inception last April, they have performed for the

  • America pays tribute to 'Cap' Weinberger

    Caspar W. Weinberger's definition of happiness was "service to a noble cause," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said at the former defense secretary's funeral April 4. Secretary Weinberger died in Maine on March 28 at age 88. He was buried April 4 at Arlington National Cemetery. He served as

  • Automated security system to go 'on duty' in Iraq -- again

    One year after answering a call by the Marine Corps' that met an urgent need, the Force Protection Systems Squadron here is preparing to do it again. It is planning to deploy a Tactical Automated Security System, or TASS, to Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq."The Marine Corps came to us saying, 'We want to

  • Wings-level landing might have saved C-5 crash survivors

    A veteran C-5 Galaxy pilot said all 17 people survived the April 3 plane crash at Dover Air Force Base, Del., mainly because the pilot did his job. Col. Udo McGregor said the “100 percent reason” everyone aboard survived the crash was because the pilot did a wings-level landing. “The survivors are

  • C-5 crash doesn’t diminish historian’s view of aircraft

    The C-5 Galaxy crash at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 3 placed the aging aircraft in the spotlight once again. With no deaths reported, military officials are cleaning the crash site and are convening a board of officers to investigate the cause of the accident. But the crash does not tarnish

  • Air Force releases 2006 posture statement

    The Air Force released its “posture statement” detailing the service’s missions and priorities over the next year. The 52-page document’s introduction asks Airmen to look from their heritage to the horizon, taking lessons from the past and adapting them for the future. It also opens with a letter

  • AF seeks balance in historical preservation with practicality

    The Air Force has more than 4,500 historic properties that are listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. How the service inventories and sustains funds, and repairs and modernizes historic properties was the subject at testimony recently before the House Armed

  • Winter sports clinic opens for disabled vets

    Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson and former Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz opened the 20th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic at Snowmass Village, Colo., April 3, praising participants for their sacrifices and their focus on their abilities, not their

  • Family advocacy nurtures, strengthens relationships

    One out of three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Domestic abuse occurs worldwide. Despite the professional and upstanding reputation associated with today’s military, it is not

  • Family liaison officers help shoulder burdens

    For some Airmen, going above and beyond is their call of duty. The Family Liaison Officer Program, or FLO, was designed to help the families of Airmen who have died or been injured. FLO Airmen, all of them senior NCOs or commissioned officers, assist families with everything from the small stuff --

  • Nuclear Weapons Center the right organization at the right time

    “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Nuclear Weapons Center has been activated.” With that announcement March 31, Kirtland Air Force Base took another important step in its long history as a center of nuclear activity. In a ceremony replete with military tradition, Col. Gregory Foraker, formerly the director

  • Provincial reconstruction teams training for Afghanistan

    Department of Defense teams created and designed to help with the reconstruction, security and governing of Afghanistan are training here before deploying for 365 days. Twelve provincial reconstruction teams, or PRTs, have been training here since January. The PRTs are from the Air Force, Army and

  • Engineers juggle needs, wants with reality

    The wing headquarters building here and the security forces buildings on either side of it are the kind of structures that make an engineer tip his head and rub his chin. With oddly sloping roofs and walls, these buildings seem to waste space. A peek inside a renovated building proves that the

  • Defense Department Celebrates 'Month of the Military Child'

    The Defense Department has long understood the value of caring for and celebrating children of servicemembers. April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. The Month of the Military Child is a time to

  • Airmen volunteers help improve medical facilities in Kyrgyzstan

    Airmen are working to improve the lives of patients at two Bishkek medical facilities. Last week, volunteers from the Manas Air Base Outreach Society, or MABOS, visited patients in a children’s heart ward and a burn unit in medical centers in Bishkek. They delivered donated medical supplies, linen,

  • Tour of Kyrgyz base marks milestone

    Air Force leaders from Manas Air Base toured a Republic of Kyrgyzstan air base March 28 following an invitation by the Ministry of Defense here. The tour of Frunze Air Base No. 1 here marked a milestone in U.S. and Kyrgyz Air Force relations, and is a key element in the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing

  • Air Force innovators unite at "Knowledge Area" website

    Innovation communities within the Air Force now have an online forum to learn, collaborate and collect ideas relative to their daily needs. The new "Innovation and Technology Knowledge Management" site will be available April 15 via the Air Force Portal and is part of the "Air Force Knowledge Now"

  • Child development organization aids military children, families

    Recognizing that children of servicemembers often face challenges that other children do not, the nonprofit child development organization "Zero To Three" launched a special project geared specifically toward military families. "Supporting military children is an essential element of supporting

  • SkyTote to demonstrate high-speed flight with vertical takeoff

    Air Force Research Laboratory scientists are working on a novel unmanned air vehicle called SkyTote that will take off and land vertically like a helicopter, but also transition into horizontal flight like a conventional aircraft. SkyTote's primary mission is to deliver a payload to a specific point

  • New center provides single contact for mobility air forces

    Air Mobility Command moved toward a supply process transformation March 29 when the Regional Supply Squadron here was re-designated as the Mobility Logistics Support Center. The center will provide mobility air forces with one stop for ordering, shipping and tracking supplies to troops worldwide.

  • AFMC civilian course gains other commands' interest

    Representatives from three commands plan to meet with Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command professional development staff here in May to discuss adapting the AFMC Orientation Course for their commands. Leadership from the three commands, Air Mobility Command, Air Education and Training Command

  • Personnel Services Delivery System initiative begins

    The Air Force Contact Center’s Web-based services and contact center officially began taking calls after a ceremony at the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. The center is part of a new initiative called Personnel Services Delivery Transformation, or PSD, which uses

  • Air Force expects to choose tanker contractor by mid-2007

    The Air Force hopes to have a contractor selected for a KC-135 Stratotanker replacement by mid-2007. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne told members of the aerospace industry March 30 the service is hoping to make a source selection for the KC-135 aircraft by the middle of 2007. The Air

  • Lackland NCO Academy renamed to honor CMSAF Gaylor

    The NCO academy here recently took on a new moniker. From now on, the Air Force will recognize the tenant unit in Bldg. 10634 as the Robert D. Gaylor NCO Academy to honor the former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. "Since his retirement in 1979, Chief Gaylor has dedicated his personal time to

  • SECAF testifies on future budget concerns

    The Secretary of the Air Force explained the Air Force priorities that drive the fiscal 2007 budget request to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee on defense March 29. Secretary Michael W. Wynne told the committee there are three crucial areas of concern for the Air Force --

  • Ramstein airlift mission at full speed

    This airlift hub is now the main “pit stop” on the United States-to-Iraq supply route because of its high-tech facilities and ability to fix aircraft. That makes Ramstein not only the “gateway to Europe,” but also the “gateway to U.S. Central Command,” said Col. Jeff Derrick, commander of the 723rd

  • Exchanging with pilots from 'down under'

    The mission of U.S. Air Force’s refueling aircraft is to carry out global air refueling, airlift and humanitarian assignments. That mission is not only accomplished by U.S. pilots. Foreign exchange pilots from Australia assigned to Fairchild help their U.S. counterparts achieve that mission. The

  • Program helps strike balance between work, play

    Whether stationed in remote Minot Air Force Base, N.D., or at bustling Keesler AFB, Miss., more Airman around the world are learning the advantages of the Air Force arts and crafts program. From photography to fixing a car, Airmen can turn to arts and crafts to help build a better quality of life

  • Wake up and smell the coffee at Rickenbacker’s

    Guests at the Westward Inn at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., now wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the smells of bacon, egg and cheese breakfast burritos -- because of Rickenbacker’s in the lobby of the new lodging facility. Rickenbacker’s, a contemporary espresso coffee quick

  • Air Force, Army to purchase small cargo aircraft

    By 2010, both the Army and the Air Force may be flying the same aircraft  to provide airlift inside places like Afghanistan and Iraq. The Secretary of Defense has given approval for the Army and the Air Force to work together to purchase those aircraft. The Army has been calling it a "Future Cargo

  • New civilian personnel system to mean slight pay hike for most

    Most of the first 11,000 Defense Department civilian employees to convert to the new civilian personnel system in April will receive a pay increase, an official said today. About 85 percent of people will see an initial bump in pay when they are enrolled in the new National Security Personnel

  • AFPC contact center to open

    The Air Force Personnel Center’s Web-based services and contact center, known as Personnel Services Delivery Transformation, will officially open it doors March 31. The new initiative means Airmen will be able to conduct routine personnel transactions via the Web that are currently worked through

  • Alaskan team thaws in Honduras

    Imagine you’re a penguin, living happily in minus 40-degree temperatures. Suddenly you’re thrust into the tropical climate of a parrot, where anything below 80 degrees is considered cool. That shock to the system is essentially what happened to 17 Airmen from the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron at

  • Enlisted retraining centralized

    The active duty retraining program is going virtual, and applications will be processed by the Air Force Contact Center beginning March 31 as part of the first phase of the Personnel Services Delivery Transformation. Airmen interested in voluntary retraining as well as those identified for

  • Global Hawk 'sets sail' from Edwards

    A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle known as N-1 took off from Edwards' main runway March 27 on a one-way mission to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The N-1, an RQ-4A Global Hawk -- one of two acquired by the U.S. Navy through the Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration Program -- is the first of

  • USAFE reaching out to establish security ties

    Airmen and their counterparts from other countries meeting to discuss ways to fix runways may not impact the war on terror like an airstrike against al Qaeda forces. But these face-to-face meetings could one day lead to a security accord that could help combat terrorism, said Mike McMullan, chief of

  • Airmen work smarter, not harder with Smart Ops 21

    For some Airmen, Air Force Smart Ops 21 is a term just being introduced into the field, but for the 52nd Maintenance Group, it is quickly becoming the standard way of doing business. Smart Ops 21 focuses on grouping things together, like tools and engine parts, to eliminate wasted motion and effort,

  • DOD selects five AFMC bases for health, safety initiative

    The Air Force isn't waiting for the Memorial Day weekend start of the "101 Critical Days of Summer" to emphasize health and safety to its work force. Nine Air Force bases are scheduled to participate in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program this year. Five

  • Manas Air Base volunteers restore children’s home, hope

    A children’s home near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, damaged by a fire, is being put back together, piece by piece, by volunteers from nearby Manas Air Base. Everywhere in the house there are sounds of progress … floorboards ripped up, window sills sanded down, nails hammered into the new floor. A more

  • Collaboration improves solar storm forecasting

    A new partnership between the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Air Force Weather Agency seeks to reduce the impact of space environmental effects on Department of Defense assets through better forecasting of violent solar storms. Space-based communications, navigation and surveillance systems

  • Food for thought: Dining facility continues to break records

    Thirty-five tons of apples, oranges, bananas and plums, 1,600 gallons of milk, 16 tons of grilled chicken breasts and 39,040 candy bars. The list of food consumed here in one month goes on and on. “It’s an amazing operation,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Schields, 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron

  • Targeting pods enhance battlefield awareness

    An armed F-16 Fighting Falcon is “watching” the road below for the convoys rolling through a dangerous land. The concept of using fighter aircraft equipped with targeting pods to monitor the battlespace is known as non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or NTISR. Air Force

  • Kingpins use blend of old, new technology to counter threats

    In the sky over Iraq, technology developed in the 1940s helps fight a 21st century war. From their unique vantage point, the Kirkuk long-range radar surveillance site searches the sky. It’s almost as if the slow cyclonic pace hypnotizes everything in the airspace to spill their deep dark secrets --

  • Ramstein’s transformation edging toward fruition

    Parts of this hectic airlift hub are still under construction as the historic base transforms into the Air Force’s European super base. The work is part of the Department of Defense’s largest ongoing construction project -- a $500 million boon for the base near Kaiserslautern, said Col. Carlos

  • McConnell employee donates marrow

    An Air Force civilian employee traveled to Washington, D.C., on March 23 to give the gift of life to a 10-year-old boy with severe aplastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow does not produce enough -- or any -- new cells to replenish the blood cells. James Speanburg donated 5.5 cups of

  • Cope Thunder exercise now Red Flag - Alaska

    The Air Force chief of staff has announced the Cope Thunder exercise held in Alaska will be renamed and enhanced so it provides complementary training on the same level as the current Red Flag exercise held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag - Alaska coupled with Red Flag - Nellis will provide

  • Flying, fighting in space important to Air Force

    Space is an integral part of the Air Force mission. Whether someone is flying an airlifter, sending an e-mail or surveying a new runway, chances are space-based weather forecasting, navigation or communications systems helped make it possible. In fact, the Air Force is boldly developing new systems

  • Crew chiefs ‘dedicate’ to aircraft maintenance

    The 347th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron held a dedicated crew chief ceremony March 24 to officially resume the historic flightline program. The program has been in existence here since 1997, but had fallen by the wayside. Airmen pushed to re-energize and reactivate the program. The ceremony formally

  • 'Mail Call' host visits Hurlburt Field

    "I wanna be on something that shoots," said retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey. That's exactly what the host of the History Channel's "'Mail Call" got when he and his crew spent two days at Hurlburt Field filming for an upcoming show. Best known for movie roles such as the

  • Predators deliver data, firepower in Iraq

    “I never thought I’d be doing anything like this,” said Airman 1st Class Kyle Bridges from his seat at an RQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ground control station. “I signed up to be an imagery analyst, which I thought was going to be a cool job. Instead I was offered the chance to be a sensor

  • Smart Ops 21: Improving the Air Force one process at a time

    “What have I improved today?” That’s a question Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne urged Airmen to ask themselves in his March 8 Letter to Airmen titled Air Force Smart Operations 21. Airmen in Air Force Space Command will soon drive improvements through the Smart Ops 21 program, which

  • California base wins water recycling award

    Ever think the sign of the times would state, “To conserve water, this building uses reclaimed water to flush toilets and urinals?"The significance of the reclaimed water signs posted in restrooms in new base facilities was apparent March 12, at the WateReuse Association’s awards luncheon in San

  • DOD working to prevent sexual assaults

    Sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes in the military and in society as a whole, a top defense personnel and readiness official said. "Some studies indicate that only 5 percent of sexual assaults are reported," said Air Force Brig. Gen. K.C. McClain, who heads the Department of

  • Maintainers repair Iraqi police station radio

    For four members of the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, their latest job was not a usual one. Three ground radio maintainers and their flight commander responded to a request to fix a high frequency radio belonging to an Iraqi police station. The HF radio is important because of its

  • Japanese Airmen intern with Kadena NCOs

    Could something as simple as tying engine wires by hand instead of by tool bring two allies closer together? For Staff Sgt. Aiko Koba and Senior Airman Airica Velazquez, it means gaining a greater appreciation for what they do for their respective air force. Sergeant Koba is one of seven Japan Air

  • Top enlisted leader visits Lakenheath

    As threats against the United States evolve, Airmen can expect the Air Force to evolve as well. During his visit to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray talked about the Air Force evolution and the initiatives leadership is taking to modernize the

  • Manas AB and local Kyrgyz communities forge bonds of friendship

    With warm and milder weather, spring has brought opportunities for the base and local community to strengthen friendly relations. Emergency responders on base pulled out all the stops to host officials and staff from the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency for an annual tour and barbeque March 18. The two

  • Spangdahlem mechanics fix jet engines on ‘the line’

    Mechanics at this base fix F-16 Fighting Falcon engines on a production line that makes the process of getting engines back in service more predictable. The 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron’s propulsion flight switched to the new maintenance method less than a month ago as part of a lean

  • Squadron keeps deployed Airmen in touch with their families

    During World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, deployed troops looked forward to mail call. This was their primary mode of communication with family and friends. However, letters could take weeks or even months to arrive. Today’s warriors still receive mail, but now they have instantaneous

  • Loyal four-legged friends protect Aviano, deter crime

    With their powerful jaws, strong sense of smell and unwavering loyalty, they are not only man’s best friend, but also an incredible asset to the 31st Security Forces Squadron. Aviano’s seven explosive and two narcotic working dogs are always training and patrolling the base as part of their mission

  • Deployed Airmen teach English to Kyrgyzstan teenagers

    With the help of volunteers from the American military base just a few miles away, teenagers in Kyrgyzstan are learning the English language. During hectic deployment hours and long work weeks, Airmen from U.S. Central Command Air Force’s Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan still find time to help out the

  • U-2 maintainers boast streaking hot record

    In the world of sports, there have been some incredible streaks. Cal Ripken Jr. played in 2,632 consecutive major league baseball games. Lance Armstrong was victorious in seven Tour de France races. Football great Johnny Unitas threw at least one touchdown pass in 47 straight games. But none of

  • Stage facility provides aircrews one-stop support

    A management team at this base is helping aircrews spend less time preparing for flying with a streamlined, one-stop approach to en route mission planning. The result is an increase in mission velocity, said Lt. Col. James Kirk, commander of the 726th Air Mobility Squadron. That leads to a more

  • Air Force releases UAV strategic vision

    The Air Force recently completed a vision document to provide high-level guidance to service development and integration of unmanned aircraft for the next 25 years. While the Air Force has been experimenting with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles since 1962, the technology has only recently evolved to a

  • Lee Greenwood to entertain deployed, overseas troops

    The man best-known for writing and performing “God Bless the U.S.A.” will entertain U.S. troops in Europe, Southwest Asia and the Pacific from April 5 to 18. "I am thrilled that Restless Heart, Dick Hardwick, the New England Patriot Cheerleaders and members of the Air Force band have all agreed to

  • SECAF makes first official tour of Pacific Region bases

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne is currently touring the Pacific Region to introduce his top priorities for the Air Force -- winning the war on terrorism, fostering mutual integrity and respect, and revitalizing for the service’s aging infrastructure and fleet. The 21st secretary of the

  • Refuelers await over Afghanistan

    On any given night over Afghanistan, a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft may be flying nearby as Soldiers in night-vision goggles move in on an enemy position. If needed, Soldiers call for close-air-support from the Air Force -- an A-10 Thunderbolt II may answer the call for help. No matter how

  • Statistics show command's fitness program needs to improve

    Since the new fitness program began in 2004, Air Force Reserve Command’s performance has stumbled. In 2003, 76 percent of unit reservists took the fitness test. Most of them -- 98.9 percent -- passed their assessments. Now, two years later, 68 percent of the reservists tested. But, this time 7

  • Air Force pilot becomes one of newest astronauts

    A former F-22A Raptor test pilot has now joined the ranks of an even more elite group of pilots. Lt. Col. James Dutton became an astronaut with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration following his graduation in February. “I wanted to be an astronaut when I joined the Air Force so I always

  • New Orleans A-10s arrive at Whiteman

    This base continues to absorb people and planes from hurricane-ravaged Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, La., accepting the second to last A-10 Thunderbolt II March 16. Falling in line with Base Realignment and Closure committee recommendations, the original plan had the naval base delivering

  • Civil Air Patrol volunteers affected by hurricanes

    During Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, hundreds of aircraft flew missions to evacuate the stranded residents of New Orleans. But, it wasn't just military aircraft running rescue missions in the congested skies above the hurricane-stricken region. Members of America's Civil Air Patrol also provided

  • Spangdahlem airlift hub still growing

    Nine months after setting up shop at this long-time fighter base, the 726th Air Mobility Squadron continues to set up a key airlift hub. Squadron Airmen are easily handling the sometimes sporadic traffic of heavy transport aircraft that transit through this hilltop base, whether coming from the

  • Class of 2009: You are recognized!

    “No corrections need to be made.” This was the appraisal given by squadron element leaders March 18 to the class of 2009 after a whirlwind two-day training event. First class cadets formally recognized the fourth classmen by awarding them their prop and wings insignia, which symbolizes the end of

  • 'Federal 100' winners named for 2006

    Federal Computer Week magazine has named its 2006 Federal 100 list. The awards recognize government, industry and academia executives who have played pivotal roles in the federal information technology community. Five of the 100 have an Air Force connection. Those award winners are: -- Capt. Jeffrey

  • C-17s would help USAFE’s air mobility business

    As the need grows for more Air Force transports to move cargo and troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. Air Forces in Europe is feeling the pinch. Today, most Air Force airlift missions support military operations in the two countries, said Col. Phil Bossert, commander of 16th Air Force’s air

  • 'Phishing' scam targets Thrift Savings Plan participants

    Participants, as well as some non-participants, in the Thrift Savings Plan are targets of a "phishing" scam, an official with the board administering the program said today. Tom Trabucco, director of external affairs for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, said phishing is an "attempt to

  • New customer support centers make life simpler

    New Air Force combat and mobility logistics support centers, opening in early April, will make ordering, tracking and shipping supplies to troops worldwide a simpler, more customer-friendly process, said officials here. The centers will open at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Scott AFB, Ill. “The

  • CV-22 delivered to Air Force

    A new chapter in Air Force aviation opened March 20 as the first operational CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft arrived here. The aircraft was flown from the test wing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., by Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, to the 58th

  • C-17 surpasses its 1 millionth flying hour

    A C-17 Globemaster III on a routine air evacuation mission from Iraq flew the Air Force transport fleet past the 1 millionth flying hour mark on its return to this airlift hub today. There were no bands or dignitaries waiting for the plane -- from the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 172nd Airlift

  • Joint Strike Fighter program crucial to future air dominance

    Keeping the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program on track is important because the Air Force needs to replace aging aircraft and it is an important complement to the F-22A Raptor aircraft. That Capitol Hill testimony came March 16 from Lt. Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, deputy chief of staff for Air

  • AMC changes public Web as AF seeks standardization

    Headquarters Air Mobility Command launched its new public Web site today, following an Air Force plan to consolidate all Web content and standardize the appearance of its public sites worldwide. The command joins Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air Force Materiel

  • Air Force doctor finishes Iditarod with flourish

    After finishing last year’s Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Maj. (Dr) Thomas Knolmayer said it would be his one and only running of the 1,150 mile race across Alaska’s wilderness. But, anyone who knows the 38-year-old surgeon stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, knew better. After getting the

  • C-17s deliver relief to Kauai

    “The Spirit of Hawaii - Ke Aloha," Hickam’s first C-17 Globemaster III, delivered 27,000 pounds of recovery equipment to Kauai, Hawaii, after a dam burst, isolating thousands of residents and tourist along the island’s north shore. What was intended to be a routine training mission turned into a

  • Fuels Airmen train members of Iraqi Air Force

    Fuels Airmen take pride in knowing they provide fuel to the fight by supplying aircraft with the juice that keeps them flying. One more thing they can be proud of is their role in getting the Iraqi Air Force off the ground. Members of the 506th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight