HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Airmen, Soldiers compete during boxing tourney

    Fighters from the U.S. Army and Air Force settled their interservice "differences" in the ring during the 2007 summer Smoker Boxing Tournament Aug. 11 here. The competition, sponsored by Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation, pitted 36 Airmen from Osan, Kunsan and Suwon air bases against Soldiers from

  • Misawa mayor tours base first time in 67 years

    After 67 years of living next door, the newest mayor of Misawa set foot on the base for the first time July 26. Kazumasa Taneichi, the new Misawa City mayor, received a tour of the flightline, fire station, new dorms and dining facility. He was even treated to a seat in the cockpit of the 35th

  • Crew chief awarded Purple Heart after 39-year wait

    Wayne Sufficool vividly remembers what happened to him Feb. 19, 1968, when he was a crew chief on the RF-4C aircraft at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. It was the day the flightline area he was working on was hit with more than 40 rounds of 122 mm mortar rounds. Now Mr. Sufficool has another

  • Upgraded armored vehicles aid Moody's war training

    Warfighters preparing for combat deployments are now using the same highly armored combat vehicles during stateside training missions as they will use in theater. The 820th Security Forces Group recently received 18 Humvees outfitted with the safest and thickest armor modifications, known as Frag 5,

  • Command celebrates Air Force's 60th Anniversary

    Airmen, family and friends from throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the United States Air Force here Aug. 11 with band performances, demonstrations and special guest speakers. "In addition to celebrating our historical anniversary, this year marks the

  • Recent ops eval challenges Lakenheath Airmen

    While most Airmen either have participated in or are familiar with an operational readiness inspection -- both the Phase 1 and Phase II portions--some are scratching their heads over a recent evaluation exercise held here.  The operations evaluation, more commonly known as an "ops eval," looks and

  • Air National Guard recognizes top Airmen

    The Air National Guard's top six enlisted Airmen of the year were recognized for their achievements when the Air Guard's command chief master sergeant hosted Airmen of the Year Week here Aug. 4 to 11. The Airmen are: -- Airman of the Year: Staff Sgt. Jesse Permenter, 116th Air Support Operations

  • Retired Airmen don uniforms once again to teach JROTC cadets

    More than 1,900 Junior ROTC instructors, who teach at 869 school units throughout the world, finished their initial instructor training here last week. Jo Alice Talley, chief of JROTC instructor management at Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools, said the newly hired instructors were

  • Aug. 11 airpower summary: Predators provide edge in war on terrorism

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in operations Aug. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force with

  • Aug. 10 airpower summary: Tankers fuel the fight

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in operations Aug. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s and 12s

  • Recovery agency teams complete 100th Laos mission

    Four recovery teams from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command recently completed JPAC's 100th recovery mission in Laos."The JPAC mission is as important in our effort to account for each missing American here as it is in Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Korea and everywhere else where we have unresolved

  • Balad's medics move into new facility

    Approximately 150 base volunteers and 380 Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group moved patients and equipment as they closed the doors on the old Air Force Theater Hospital and opened the doors to their pre-engineered facility here Aug. 3. Starting at 4 a.m., Airmen in each tent tunnel

  • Staff sergeant promotion rates announced

    Air Force officials selected 15,130 of 36,608 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant for a selection rate of 41.33 percent, up 5.46 percent from last year. The staff sergeant promotion list will be released at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time Aug. 15, and score notices will be posted on

  • Leaders consider returning maintainers to flying squadrons

    Air Force leaders are considering realigning aircraft maintenance units directly into flying squadrons. "It's important for Air Force units to be structured by mission and not by function," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "Aircraft maintenance is an important element of a

  • Air National Guard assists with Utah mining rescue

    Air National Guard members airlifted a critical piece of equipment Aug. 9 in Salt Lake City to assist with rescue operations for six Utah miners, who have been trapped deep inside the earth since the Crandall Canyon Coal Mine collapsed Aug. 6.Within hours of receiving the request for help from Utah

  • Aug. 9 airpower summary: Fighting Falcons ready to strike

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 9 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer used flares to provide shows of force

  • Humble hero visits RAF Lakenheath

    "I don't have anything really profound to say," said Col. Leo Thorsness, retired Air Force fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. The colonel, who visited RAF Lakenheath Aug. 7 to speak to Airmen about the importance of teamwork and families as part of a successful military, received the Medal

  • Ops center commands sky during Exercise Valiant Shield

    Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines are working together in the 613th Air and Space Operations Center here and within the airspace around Guam to enhance joint combat skills and interoperability during Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 held Aug. 6 to 13. The week-long exercise tests the military's

  • General shares Tuskegee heritage with Balad Airmen

    Airmen serving with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here got a chance to meet with a man who shared some heritage with them July 31. On his sixth visit to Balad Air Base in recent years, Maj. Gen. Darryl A. Scott, the son of a Tuskegee Airman, arrived with a number of purposes. As the commander of

  • Modeling, simulation expert receives lifetime achievement award

    Dr. Jacqueline R. Henningsen received the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Moody Suter Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon Aug. 9.  Dr. Henningsen is the director for studies and analyses, assessments and lessons learned.  Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne made

  • Chernobyl children's group visits RAF Lakenheath

    More than 20 Belarusian children huddled around a 494th Fighter Squadron pilot Aug. 3, staring curiously at an F-15E Strike Eagle. "Where does the fuel go?" asked one child through his interpreter. "Can the missiles fire while the plane is on the ground?" asked another. For most of these children,

  • Postmark honors Air Force's 60th birthday

    The U.S. Postal Service and the 94th Airlift Wing will honor the Air Force's 60th anniversary with a commemorative pictorial cancellation here Sept. 18. These kinds of postmarks are unique and commemorate a special event, which are rare and often sought after by stamp collectors and others

  • Airman's fight-back bravery earns him Bronze Star

    Whenever Senior Airman Phillip King looks at his medal, he is reminded of Aug. 8, 2006. That was the day Airman King, through his brave actions, earned the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. Col. Bryan Gallagher, 95th Air Base Wing commander, presented the medal to him during a ceremony here July 30.

  • Aug. 8 airpower summary: Ready on the flightline

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

  • Blood center supports U.S., coalition warfighters

    Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group's blood transshipment center here have a tendency to make people's blood run cold -- literally. Blood transshipment center members are responsible for receiving blood from donors stateside, processing it, accounting for it, repacking it and shipping it

  • Predator soars to record numbers of sorties

    When terrorists tried shooting mortar rounds at Balad Air Base in July, they didn't count on the tireless, unblinking eye of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle overhead, transmitting their every move to Airmen on the ground here. Airmen assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance

  • Legends inducted into Space, Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame

    One man was a nuclear physicist who led the Air Force to create a command dedicated to space, while the second is an aviation legend famous for flying airplanes into space, and together they entered the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame Aug. 8 here. The 2007 Space and Missile Pioneer

  • Elmendorf welcomes F-22 Raptor

    It was a historic day for Elmendorf as the base officially welcomed the first of its F-22 Raptor fleet during a ceremony here Aug. 8.Elmendorf became the second operational base and the first Pacific Air Forces installation to receive the Air Force's new superiority fighter. "These incredible

  • Rules change to require technicians to wear uniforms fulltime

    When people visit an Air Force Reserve Command unit during a normal work week in the coming months, they are likely to see more people in military uniforms. Air Force officials changed three instructions Aug. 7 to require all air reserve technicians to wear military uniforms rather than civilian

  • Aug. 7 airpower summary: Tankers extend fighter capabilities

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations August 7 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s

  • Valiant Shield exercise brings services together

    Kadena-based units departed Okinawa Aug. 5 on their way to Guam to join fellow Airmen and sister services in the joint Exercise Valiant Shield which runs through Aug. 14. The 44th Fighter Squadron, with elements of the 67th FS, and the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron and 909th Air Refueling

  • Ramstein Airmen support joint airdrop exercise

    Airmen flying a C-130 Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron here supported high altitude-low opening airdrop training exercise Aug. 2 near Banja Luka, Bosnia.  Using the HALO technique, a jumper leaves an aircraft at a high altitude and free-falls to a much lower altitude before opening his or her

  • Air Force signs multiyear contract for F-22

    Air Force officials here signed a production contract with Lockheed Martin Corp. to add 60 F-22 Raptors to the Air Force inventory by December 2011. The multiyear contract for the fifth-generation fighters will save the Air Force $411 million compared to a traditional annual procurement program of

  • To Stem the Tide - A Korean War Perspective

    Warnings had sounded as early as March 10, 1950. The U. S. Korean Military Advisory Group had relayed a report through channels to Washington, D.C., that North Korea would likely cross the 38th Parallel and invade its neighbor to the south--possibly as early as June. But there were plenty of

  • Services, mission support merger complete at test bases

    The merger of services and mission support squadrons at six Air Force bases is now complete. The new combined organizations, called "force support squadrons," are paying huge dividends through improved service to customers, better synergy between organizations and increased efficiency in processes

  • Security forces Airmen step outside the wire

    Security forces Airmen here work outside the wire almost daily in an effort to help Iraqis establish a functioning, independent police force. Assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Det. 6, these Airmen perform missions traditionally reserved for the Army, including convoying

  • Info sharing allows realistic coalition training

    Simulated air campaigns practiced during aircrew training scenarios gained an increased level of realism as members of the Distributed Mission Operations Center here implemented a complex, new electronic filter designed to bring more "reality" to virtual reality simulations. Exercise Northern

  • Aug. 6 airpower summary: Tankers ready to go

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 6 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-12

  • Airpower key to Exercise Valiant Shield

    Members of the 613th Air and Space Operations Center at Hickam Air Force Base will provide command and control of flying operations above and around Guam during Exercise Valiant Shield Aug. 6 to 13.The 13th Air Force's 613th AOC staff delivers full spectrum capability for planning, directing and

  • Manas helpers receive a little help themselves

    The two main Manas Air Base community service organizations received some assistance of their own Aug. 4, with a $10,000 donation. The Royal Exodus Colonial Club donated $5,000 each to the Manas Air Base Outreach Society and the Manas Service Organization. The Royal Exodus Colonial Club is a leisure

  • Air Force casualty identified

    Department of Defense officials Aug. 5 announced the death of an Airman supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. Tech. Sgt. Joey D. Link, 29, of Portland, Tenn., died Aug. 5 of natural causes at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. He was

  • General testifies on Air Force in-lieu-of strategies

    An Air Force General spoke before the House Armed Service Committee Subcommittee on Readiness July 31 about the state of in-lieu-of taskings Airmen fill for the Army.  Brig. Gen. Marke Gibson, the Air Force director of operations, answered questions for the subcommittee, reaffirming the service's

  • Cadets get firsthand knowledge of deployments

    Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here hosted a rotation of U.S. Air Force Academy cadets who visited Southwest Asia to experience a deployment firsthand. The cadets toured the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, security forces and the fire department to give them a better working

  • Airmen, Sailors join up in convoy relay

    Sailors of Task Force 124 here fly and operate the E-6B Mercury in support of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen on the ground in and around Baghdad, mainly relaying communications for convoy operations. Navy officials realized with the installation of a few extra radios and the removal of some

  • Aug. 5 airpower summary: A-10s unleash awesome firepower

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 5 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed enemies near Orgun-E

  • Airmen, drug runners play game of cat and mouse

    Airmen play a constant game of cat and mouse with the drug runners they search for who try sneaking their cargo into the United States. Sometimes the Airmen win and sometimes they lose. But they always try to find ways to beat the odds using a combination of sophisticated E-3 Sentry and other

  • Air Force supports launch of NASA mission to Mars

    Members of the 45th Space Wing from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., supported Aug. 4's successful launch from here of a NASA probe that will study Mars. NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander was launched at 5:26 a.m. Eastern time aboard a Delta II booster from Space Launch Complex 17-A at Cape Canaveral. Several

  • Aug. 4 airpower summary: F-16s fly close-air support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 4 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles hit enemy firing positions with

  • Aug. 3 airpower summary: Joint ops support coalition forces

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 3 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a French Mirage 2000D accompanied by a Mirage F1CR released a

  • B-1 crews excel at shows of presence

    Airmen and B-1B Lancers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, have taken the reins from the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here. Since arriving in July, the 9th EBS has logged about 25 missions, dropping bombs on enemies throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.To help ease the transition, the 9th EBS deployed

  • Manta Airmen continue their counterdrug war

    American forces flying from here to hunt down drug runners could soon have to pack up their whole operation and move elsewhere. That is because Ecuadorian President Raphael Correa wants American forces out of the Andean country. He vows not to renew a 1999 agreement with the United States that

  • Airmen play key role in developing Iraqi police

    Airmen roll out of the gates from here in armored Humvees and drive dangerous roads into Tikrit and the surrounding areas five days a week to do their part in helping Iraq transition to a peaceful democracy. For the Airmen assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Det. 6, arming

  • Aug. 2 airpower summary: Refuelers keep fleet flying

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and a Royal Air Force GR-7

  • CENTAF Band performs for Kandahar servicemembers

    The U.S. Central Command Air Forces Band performed two concerts for deployed servicemembers at the Kandahar Airfield "Boardwalk" July 29 and 30. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen were entertained by a variety of music including Latin, rhythm and blues, rock, jazz, disco and country. Audiences

  • U.S., South Korean Airmen train on base defense plan

    Airmen from the Republic of Korea's 38th Fighter Group and the U.S. Air Force's 8th Fighter Wing here joined forces with a common goal of training July 25."Since the 38th FG and 8th FW have their own ways of training members and defending Kunsan Air Base, it's very important for both sides to

  • Raptor maintenance training 'ramps' up at Sheppard

    The world of F-22 Raptor maintenance is becoming as high-tech as the sophisticated fighter itself. Because of new equipment called Portable Maintenance Aids,  or PMAs, maintainers here have vastly improved capabilities over past procedures and the initial skills training will reflect this advanced

  • Life support, survival equipment career fields merging

    Aircrew life support and survival equipment Airmen always have had jobs that mirrored each other somewhat. Under a new directive, the two Air Force specialty codes are merging, and Airmen here are far into the merger process. More than 60 Kadena Airmen are undergoing cross-utilization training to

  • Airmen, Soldiers form relationships with Iraqi children

    With little care for surrounding hostilities, a small Iraqi boy stomped his sandaled foot on Baghdad's dusty ground, and chanted an Arabic nursery rhyme. He clapped his hands to the beat and sung with several other children. All were gathered to watch a tall, muscled Airman dance to their song.

  • Airmen cross cultures, generations with babushka visit

    They are from different continents and generations but, if only for a few hours, Manas Airmen brought joy and smiles to six babushkas during lunch July 27 at a restaurant in nearby Bishkek, Kyrgystan.These six "grandmothers" are part of the Babushka Adoption Foundation in Bishkek, one of the groups

  • A-10 pilot awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

    An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot has received the Distinguished Flying Cross in a ceremony here July 27 for a nighttime rescue mission in Afghanistan in 2005.Maj. Keith Wolak, with the 74th Fighter Squadron here, received the honor for a combat search and rescue mission he coordinated July 2,

  • Aug. 1 airpower summary: F-15Es provide close-air support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired cannon rounds at enemy

  • Airmen receive Sijan Air Force leadership award

    The 2006 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award was presented to four Airmen by Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. John D.W. Corley in a ceremony Aug. 1 at the Pentagon. The award, named for the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor, is given annually to

  • Air Force team a large presence in annual bike ride

    After seven days of bicycling nearly 500 miles across Iowa, the 148-member Air Force Cycling Team rode into the final stop July 28 amidst a cheering crowd of hundreds. A police escort led the two-column formation as spectators cheered "Go Air Force" and took photographs of the riders. The final stop

  • July 31 airpower summary: F-16s provide effective overwatch

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s

  • Air Force medics take medical mission to Bolivia

    U.S. Southern Command officials recently deployed more than 30 Air Force medics to Bolivia to participate in a two-week long Medical Readiness Training Exercise. Air Force medics, working with Bolivian health officials, provided free, medical treatment to underserved populations in Bolivia while

  • New active-duty competition to debut at Air Force Marathon

    Which Air Force major command comprises the fastest, fittest flock of fine physiques? The answer may become clear Sept. 15 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base when a new type of competition for active-duty Air Force servicemembers debuts at this year's Air Force Marathon. The Major Command, or

  • Aerial porters help demonstrate new transportation concepts

    Airmen from the 305th Aerial Port Squadron here recently played a major role in helping U.S. Transportation Command officials assess joint modular intermodal distribution, or JMIDS, concepts. Through JMIDS, USTRANSCOM officials seek greater efficiency in delivering cargo to the warfighter while

  • Airpower Summary for July 30: Strike Eagles strike

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired a Hellfire missile at

  • Airmen teach Afghan police forces tactics, training

    Members of the Police Technical Advisory Team here have trained more than 200 Afghan national police and Afghan national auxiliary police since April to help improve the security of Afghanistan.Team members train 10 to 20 Afghan national police and Afghan national auxiliary police every week and

  • Contractors help equip warfighters

    The local base magazine, sports drinks, construction projects ... many servicemembers pass by these things everyday not knowing where they came from, how they got here or how they're maintained. That's where the 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron comes in. The 379th ECONS procures the

  • Medical symposium strengthens ties in Kirkuk

    U.S. Air Force and Army physicians welcomed their local Iraqi counterparts here July 22 for a gathering of medical knowledge and camaraderie in a region recently the focus of intense terror bombings. The medical symposium, a joint effort on the part of 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron officials

  • Humanitarian team returns from Pacific mission

    A team of approximately 50 medical, dental and civil engineer servicemembers returned to Hickam Air Force Base July 28 after completing a mission to provide civil assistance and training to local residents of three Pacific islands. The team of Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers departed Hickam AFB for the

  • July 29 airpower summary: Maintainers vital to mission

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided shows of force with

  • Enlisted leaders gain from summit outcome

    The Air Force's first Senior Enlisted Leader Summit culminated at the Gunter Annex July 27. More than 360 professional military education commandants, career field managers, chief master sergeants, and other key senior enlisted leaders from the Air Force active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard,

  • Airmen mentor Afghan air corps soldiers

    From firefighters to aircraft mechanics to squadron commanders, several Airmen are mentoring and training their Afghan National Army air corps counterparts as members of the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan here in the nation's capital. It's a job that's like no other, said Master

  • July 28 airpower summary: F-16s fly close-air support

    Coalition airpower supported ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-2s on a cave

  • July 27 airpower summary: F-15Es provide overwatch

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s

  • Rodeo ends with top award going to Travis

    In a rousing final celebration, Air Mobility Rodeo 2007 awards were announced here July 27. The "best of the best" included teams from around the world. Rodeo, hosted by Air Mobility Command, is a readiness competition between U.S. and international mobility air forces. It focuses on improving

  • Wing answers call for help for missing divers

    Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing here answered the call for help in search of a missing diver off the coast of Port Canaveral, Fla., July 26, while earlier in the day rescue crews aided in the successful rescue of another diver. HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crews from the Air Force Reserve Command's

  • Reserve wing will be first to host Guard associate

    The Air Force Reserve Command's 507th Air Refueling Wing begins a new partnership in August when members of the Oklahoma Air National Guard team up for the drill weekend. With this action, the 507th ARW will become the first AFRC wing to have an Air National Guard wing associated with it.

  • 37 Rodeo 2007 competition winners announced

    Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 2007 officials announced the winners of 37 awards July 26 at McChord Air Force Base. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, the AMC commander, presented the following awards to the winning teams at Rainier Ranch here. Best Operation Support Aircraft-VIP Special Air Mission: 89th Airlift

  • Beale Global Hawk deploys for first time

    The 9th Reconnaissance Wing's RQ-4 Global Hawk program passed a significant milestone by completing its first operational Global Hawk deployment July 19 from Beale Air Force Base to Andersen AFB, Guam. "This is the first time in United States Air Force history that we've deployed the Global Hawk

  • New Jersey F-16 accident report released

    Air Force officials here July 26 determined that the cause of the forest fire on the Warren Grove Training Range in New Jersey May 15 was pilot error, committed when a F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot deployed countermeasure flares at an altitude that allowed the flares to land on the range while they

  • July 26 airpower summary: Fighting Falcons hunt prey

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed two enemy compounds in

  • Airmen recognize impact of enlisted heritage

    More than 650 Airmen celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Air Force and 40th anniversary of the Office of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force during the Senior Enlisted Leader Summit Heritage Dinner here July 26. Hosted by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, the dinner

  • July 25 airpower summary: A-10s provide top cover

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force

  • Balad F-16s destroy terrorist training camp

    F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here destroyed an al-Qaida training camp southwest of Baghdad July 21. In a coordinated attack, joint air terminal controllers on the ground cleared seven F-16s to drop 500-pound and 1,000-pound guided bombs on the terror complex near

  • Rodeo officials announce winners of 11 competitions

    Air Mobility Rodeo 2007 officials announced the first 11 winners of more than 60 competitions July 25.Best Fit-To-Fight Team: 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Wash. Best C-5 Preflight Team: 436th Airlift Wing, Dover AFB, Del. Best C-17 Preflight Team: 446th Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Wash.

  • AMC commander shares passion for Rodeo

    The commander of Air Mobility Command shared his thoughts about the importance of Rodeo 2007, the international mobility air forces readiness competition held July 22 to 27 at McChord Air Force Base. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb and AMC sponsored the competition designed to improve technical abilities

  • Aeromedical evacuation teams test lifesaving skills at Rodeo

    Within minutes, five Airmen transformed the empty bay of a C-17 Globemaster III into a medical care facility capable of hauling wounded military members from the war zone to a hospital for treatment July 23 not in Southwest Asia but at McChord Air Force Base. Having deployed in support of Operation

  • Space institute hosts first international students

    Four Australian military members recently traveled more than 10,000 miles to Peterson Air Force Base to expand their knowledge of U.S. space operations and the constantly changing global arena of space. Air Force Space Command officials invited these international students to attend the National

  • Elmendorf, coalition forces hone skills at Red Flag-Alaska

    Airmen from Japan, Mongolia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United States are at Elmendorf Air Force Base honing their warfighting skills as they participate in Red Flag-Alaska July 12 through 27.More than 80 aircraft and 1,500 servicemembers from the six countries are flying together in

  • Wing's shield preserves long heritage

    The shield of the 51st Fighter Wing symbolizes the unit's mission and retains a rich heritage that spans 65 years. The shield was was originally approved for the 51st Pursuit Group on Feb. 5, 1942. The reflex blue and gold represent Air Force colors. The shield is divided by a partition line called

  • Reservist helps fellow firefighters in Nauru

    A reservist used his civilian job connections in addition to his Air Force training to make life better for the people living on the island of Nauru in the South Pacific during a U.S. Pacific Command humanitarian mission there July 20 through 30. Master Sgt. Paul Melkers, a Reserve flight medic with

  • Experienced commanders have led 'Mustang Stampede'

    The list of commanders for the 51st Fighter Wing and its predecessors includes a wartime hero, Col. Francis Gabreski, and an aviation pioneer, Tuskegee Airman Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr.  The most recent commanders continue a long line of excellence and leadership in providing persistent, combined

  • Korean War pilot achieves aviation first

    From the time military aviators engaged in aerial combat during World War I, their exploits produced innumerable "firsts" in aviation history. One such "first" occurred during the Korean War on Nov. 8, 1950. That's when a 25-year old, first lieutenant flying with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor

  • Security forces Rodeo teams tested by the best

    When it comes to adding realism to Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 2007 security forces tactics competition being held here July 21 through 28, the Airmen testing the competitors are among the best the Air Force has to offer. The approximately 30 role players and coordination and support staff for the

  • Exercise strengthens South Korean alliance

    More than 250 Airmen and hundreds of other augmentees from the Marines, Army and Navy converged at Osan Air Base in July to participate in the 12th annual Reception, Staging, Onward-movement and Integration, or RSO&I, and Foal Eagle exercise. The exercise tests the military's ability to deploy

  • Security forces NCO earns Bronze Star with Valor

    An NCO with the 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for his actions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan. Nearly a year ago, Staff Sgt. Jason Kimberling was part of a three-person security forces convoy

  • Airmen train Iraqi firefighters at international airport

    Firefighters from the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are spending their spare time training firefighters from the Iraqi air force to make them an autonomous unit at New Al-Muthana Air Base. Airmen spend about one day a week running Iraqis through drills and training procedures. During