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U.S. Air Force News

  • Public affairs chief takes stock of tumultuous year

    Information is a critical element of national power, and public affairs personnel have a role in how the government and military employ that element, the outgoing principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs said March 12 here. "Information is absolutely part of diplomacy and

  • Wilford Hall doctors perform lifesaving procedure on newborn

    A medical team at Wilford Hall Medical Center here recently performed a lifesaving procedure on a newborn infant that is unique to Air Force medicine. Alexander Gardner, son of Natascha Gardner and Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Gardner of the 23rd Armored Calvary Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, was born

  • Afghan women celebrate culture at Women's Day event

    More than 100 Afghan women and girls celebrated their accomplishments and culture during an International Women's Day celebration March 8 in the Bazarak district of Afghanistan's Panjshir province. The event, organized by the Panjshir director of women's affairs, featured a series of speakers who

  • 'Letter to Airmen' discusses balanced approach

    In his current Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force highlights the need to create a balance across the Air Force."A balanced approach means prevailing in today's operations while investing in new capabilities, force structure, skills and technologies to meet tomorrow's needs," Secretary

  • Maxwell expands reach into 'Twitterverse'

    Maxwell Air Force Base officials joined Twitter March 7, becoming the first base in Air Education and Training Command to do so. Twitter is a popular social-networking tool where users send short messages, or "tweets," to other users. "We're always looking for new avenues to tell people the Maxwell

  • Center uses innovative methods to improve patient safety

    Health care providers at the largest Air Force medical center on the West Coast are using state-of-the-art, interactive human patient simulators as just one of many safety initiatives to improve medical care, the medical center's commander said March 11. The use of human patient simulators is just

  • March 11 airpower summary: B-1Bs disrupt enemy plans

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper struck an anti-Afghan gunman with

  • Exercise in Thailand shows multilateral partnership

    Approximately 20 military members from Thailand, Singapore and the United States are working together to coordinate the aerial missions throughout the region for Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 March 9 through 20 here.Cope Tiger is a two-week exercise including both flying and humanitarian missions

  • No margin for error at Tinker bomber egress shop

    Members of the 565th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's bomber egress shop here have just one chance to maintain B-52 Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer egress systems because there are no second chances when it comes to their line of work.Unit members maintain, replace and repair egress systems for the

  • 'Perspective' recognizes women's contributions

    In the latest "Enlisted Perspective, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman reflects on the distinguished heritage of women in the Air Force. From the members who served in the Army Air Corps to Women in the Air Force, or WAF, to today's Airmen who perform with distinction across our great Air Force,

  • AF mourns the loss of first chief master sergeant of the Air Force

    Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Wesley Airey died March 11 in Panama City, Fla. "Chief Airey was an Airman's Airman and one of the true pioneers for our service," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff. "He was a warrior, an innovator, and a leader with vision well

  • Thule members aid in lifesaving ice rescue

    A National Science Foundation employee fell off a snow ramp at the foundation's research camp at Summit Station March 6 in Greenland, and the only place for him to get treatment was the medical clinic at Thule Air Base nearly 700 miles away. The employee suffered two broken vertebrae in his spine,

  • CSAF signs official charter for Expeditionary Center

    The official charter for the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center was signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on March 3 giving the center its "mandate to operate." The charter outlines how the Air Force must provide expeditionary combat support, or ECS, capabilities to combatant

  • Guard members assist car accident victim

    Air National Guard members from the 129th Rescue Wing here displayed their lifesaving skills as they aided a car crash victim March 9 near Suisun, Calif. Two combat rescue officers and four 131st Rescue Squadron pararescuemen were traveling north on Highway 80 to survey a potential new parachute

  • Air Force, Navy pilots train together over Okinawa

    Air Force and Navy pilots are sharpening their aerial combat skills in simulated dogfights and strike missions from March 1 through 21 over Okinawa. Using the base as a power projection platform, F-15 Eagle pilots from the 67th Fighter Squadron and F-22 Raptor pilots from the deployed 27th

  • March 10 airpower summary: A-10s conduct shows of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper used Hellfire missiles to target a

  • C-130s undergoing inspections

    An immediate action time compliance technical order was issued by Air Force Materiel Command officials here March 4 to inspect all C-130 Hercules aircraft due to potential cracking of wing-joint barrel nuts. The time compliance technical order was ordered after a C-130H undergoing routine scheduled

  • Airmen process more than $1 billion worth of equipment

    Joint expeditionary tasking Airmen from 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here fill roles in the Army's 586th Task Force and recently processed more than $1 billion worth of vehicles during their tenure here. The redistribution property assistance team members process vehicles ranging

  • Combat controller receives Air Force Cross, Purple Heart

    Tears stood in Sue Rhyner's eyes as she talked about her son, who, in a ceremony March 10 here received the Air Force Cross, the highest military decoration awarded by the service, and a Purple Heart. Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron from Pope Air Force Base, N.C.,

  • Multinational exercise Cope Tiger 2009 kicks off

    The first flights of Cope Tiger 2009 launched March 9, filling the sky above Thailand with fighter aircraft and signaling the 15th year of partnership between the United States, Thailand and Singapore militaries. Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral aerial exercise which divides Thai, Singaporean

  • Grand Forks refueling squadron to deactivate

    Grand Forks Air Force Base officials are scheduled to deactivate the 912th Air Refueling Squadron March 20 here as part of the Base Realignment and Closure law of 2005.  The squadron's final KC-135 Stratotanker flight out of Grand Forks AFB is scheduled for March 16. "It has been an honor and

  • Rescue unit to support space shuttle launch

    Members of the 943rd Rescue Group here deployed March 7 to Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., to support the upcoming Space Shuttle Discovery launch mission. The Air Force Reserve rescue group deployed two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, nine maintainers and four pararescuemen to augment its parent unit,

  • March 8 airpower summary: F-15Es provide aerial overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flying aerial overwatch near

  • F-15E pilots protect ground forces in massive firefight

    Ten Soldiers who earned Silver Stars and an Airman who will receive an Air Force Cross March 10 might not be alive today if it were not for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Airmen providing crucial close-air support during an assault on an insurgent stronghold in Afghanistan's Shok Valley last year. A

  • AFMC focuses on nuclear sustainment, command priorities

    The commander of Air Force Materiel Command called for maximum focus on the command priorities during AFMC's semi-annual senior leaders conference March 5 and 6 at Robins Air Force Base.From a top priority of robust nuclear sustainment to increased warfighter support and resource conservation, Gen.

  • Training gives medics confidence prior to deployments

    It's utter chaos. A child injured by a roadside bomb is wheeled into surgery. A woman with facial burns is rushed in on a stretcher. A small boy with a severe leg injury hobbles into the room. Who do you treat first? Who can help? What medical supplies are on hand? These are the questions deployed

  • 11 Airmen selected for Air Force wrestling team

    Eleven Airmen have been selected for the All Air Force Wrestling Team after three weeks of training March 6 at Mountain Home Air Force Base. More than 75 Airmen responded to join the team, of which 30 were selected to attend the Air Force wrestling camp here that started in late February

  • Bystanders key to preventing sexual assault

    When it comes to preventing sexual assault, Airmen have a responsibility to look out for their own, the Secretary of the Air Force's policy expert on preventing sexual assault told members of Congress here March 6. Charlene Bradley and other sister service representatives testified before the House

  • March 7 airpower summary: A-10s support ground forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted enemy snipers

  • March 6 airpower summary: Strike Eagles protect convoys

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles destroyed several enemy

  • Joint team surveys 7 OEF, OIF bases in less than 30 days

    Airmen assigned to the 615th Contingency Response Wing here recently completed a nearly 30-day assessment mission in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 10 Airmen were part of a 13-member joint Air Force-Army team, which received their mission tasking from U.S. Transportation Command. The group, known as a

  • LeMay Center realigns doctrine development

    The commander of the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education said Feb. 19 that the center is taking a vision "first imagined in 1997," when the Air Force Doctrine Center moved from Langley Air Force Base, Va., to Maxwell, and is moving forward to ensure a direct relationship

  • U.S., Afghan forces unite to open fuel depot

    The Afghan assistant defense minister and other senior Afghanistan national army officials inaugurated Afghanistan's most modern Class III fuels depot Feb. 28 at Khuja Rawash in Kabul. Afghan Lt. Gen. Jawhari, chief of acquisition, technology and logistics, led the ceremony that brought the ANA and

  • DTS expands, earns greater customer approval

    The Defense Travel System has expanded its reach and gained ground in customer satisfaction, the director of the Defense Travel Management Office told a congressional panel March 5. "In terms of improvements, the department has focused its efforts on expanding DTS usage, making DTS more user

  • Guard essential at home and abroad, says chief

    The National Guard is playing an essential role domestically and overseas, Gen. Craig McKinley said here March 6, challenging leaders to do more with the same amount of money. The chief of the National Guard Bureau spoke to about 700 leaders attending the National Guard's 2009 Domestic Operations

  • Job opportunities available for Airmen in recruiting

    The decision to increase the Air Force end strength from 316,000 to 330,000 at the end of 2008 forced Air Force Recruiting Service officials here to ramp up the number of recruiters across the nation, offering more Airmen a chance to enter a uniquely challenging career. "Recruiting offers a direct

  • Korean VIP goes for a ride

    The 8th Fighter Wing commander literally took Gunsan City's Korean National Police chief for a ride here March 4. Colonel J.D. Harris invited Kim Myung Jung to the base to familiarize him with the wing mission and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Kunsan's Pilot for a Day program brings local civilians who

  • Airman tracks down parts for Iraqi maintenance depot

    A joint expeditionary tasking Airman with the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group here is a scavenger. Capt. Jeff Allen, a contract officer representative for the depot, is charged with locating the parts the Iraqi army needs to restore their vehicles, whether it be buying it or finding it at a salvage

  • Air Force on target with recruiting, retention

    Air Force leaders' efforts to have the "right number of people in the right jobs" remains a challenge and so far, the Air Force is headed in the right direction, according to Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. The general was one of several senior

  • Top agents praise OSI efforts within Afghanistan

    The Air Force's top Office of Special Investigations leaders recently spoke with agents and support personnel serving in Afghanistan during a Feb. 23 through 26 visit to Bagram Airfield. Brig. Gen. Dana Simmons, the Air Force OSI commander, Col. Humberto Morales, the 24th Expeditionary Force

  • Players, spectator save life of fallen Airman

    Five minutes into an intramural basketball game, two base teams were locked in a battle for victory but then had to shift focus to battle to save a fallen player's life at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 18 here. A player fell head first to the floor at the Pope Fitness Center's basketball court, but two players

  • March 4 airpower summary: B-1B destroys drug production facilities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s to

  • March 5 airpower summary: A-10s provide aerial security

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged a cave that anti-Afghan

  • Air Force Climate Survey yields insights

    More than 90 percent of Airmen responding to a recent survey indicated that they are happy with their Air Force jobs and the performance of their organizations. These findings are according to a study that measures Airmen's attitudes toward their work environment and unit. "I am extremely pleased to

  • Post commemorates 99th anniversary of first military flight

    A vintage Stearman PT-17 and a Fairchild PTY-26 flew at approximately 11 a.m. March 2 under a clear blue sky over the grounds of Fort Sam Houston commemorating the 99th anniversary of the first military flight made by then 1st Lt. Benjamin Foulois. Sponsored by the Stinsons Flight No. 2, Order of

  • Guard aviators gear up for Afghanistan deployment

    Four New York Army National Guard aviators got a taste of high-altitude flying in Afghanistan on Feb. 25 without leaving the United States. The Afghan-bound members of Detachment 20, Operational Support Airlift, went through high-altitude training at an Air Force oxygen chamber here. The Soldiers

  • Chapel team goes outside wire for duty

    The chaplain and his assistant for the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group here serve Airmen who perform their duties in combat zones outside the wire, so they do to.Chaplain (Capt.) David Haltom and Staff Sgt. Porscha Howard, the chapel team for the 732nd AEG, provide chapel support to joint

  • Army, Air Force partner to improve facilities for Iraqi military

    Air Force and Army Corps of Engineers members joined forces to improve the training facilities for Iraq's air force cadets here. The $1.96 million rehabilitation project at the Iraq Military Academy Rustamiyah included five major components that will greatly enhance the learning and living

  • National Guard chief visits troops in war zone

    The National Guard's first four-star general visited citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen serving throughout Southwest Asia in dozens of formal briefings, town hall meetings and tours at the end of February and early March.General Craig R. McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited the Guard

  • March 3 airpower summary: Predator keeps vigilant watch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle used a

  • Servicemembers provide medical care to 120 Afghans

    American servicemembers of the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction team conducted a medical assistance mission and cared for more than 120 Afghans at the Hope of Mother School and Clinic in Surkh Rod District Feb. 24 in Afghanistan. In approximately three hours, the team's medics and an Afghan

  • Challenging Air Force weather mission at Academy

    With an area of 18,000 acres, an elevation gain of 2,800 feet and Pikes Peak only 15 miles to the southwest, staying ahead of the weather here can be difficult. Add to that an airfield that relies heavily on weather conditions that allow pilots to land by looking outside the cockpit and you have

  • ESC uses new acquisition steps to advance critical program

    An Electronic Systems Center team has completed one of the Air Force's first Materiel Development Decisions using the new DOD Instruction 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, acquisition procedures approved in December. The team, composed of people in the 653rd Electronic Systems

  • AFSPC commander speaks on changing nature of warfare

    General C. Robert Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space Command, spoke at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando Feb. 24 about the future of conflict. "We're very excited about what is happening in our command," he said, referring to the decision to make Air Force Space Command the lead for (Air

  • JCS chairman stresses value of joint warfighting

    As military officials in Chile work toward building a joint force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shared insights from U.S. history and emphasized the importance of the joint process."The U.S. military is the best in the world" partly because leaders and servicemembers have embraced joint

  • Successful Deep Freeze season comes to an end

    Another season of Department of Defense support to the U.S. Antarctic Program and National Science Foundation activities in Antarctica came to an end Feb. 28. The 2008-2009 season of Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's operational and logistical support of the NSF's scientific research

  • Misawa officials welcome home 300 deployed Airmen

    The Misawa Air Base community welcomed home about 300 Airmen who had been deployed supporting expeditionary operations Feb. 27 through March 1 here. Families gathered on the flightline to greet their loved ones who have been gone for five to six months at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in support of the

  • Airmen advise Afghans on Russian-made helicopters

    Kadena Air Base Airmen are contributing to the readiness of the Afghan national army air corps by serving as advisers to Afghan airmen at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, who maintain the Russian-made MI-17 transport helicopter. Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flanagan, a helicopter crew chief, and Tech. Sgt.

  • Airman's Roll Call: Cyber threat training

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on things Airmen can do to prevent cyber threats from harming Air Force computer networks. Just like safety down days, Airmen are taking a moment to better understand how cyber threats can hamper the mission. This week, Airmen in units across the Air Force are

  • Air Force teams with NASCAR to aid recruiting

    The Air Force was on display at the Shelby 427 race March 1 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada as the Air Force NASCAR was on hand for race fans to see and the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performed.A crowd of 200,000 people witnessed Lt. Gen. Ronald F. Sams, the

  • Agencies practice hazardous cleanup in arctic conditions

    The 611th Civil Engineer Squadron, 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Coast Guard, Navy's Supervisor of Salvage and the Alaska Environmental Protection Agency combined this year to practice decontamination procedures during Ice Ops on Six-mile Lake at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Ice Ops is an annual

  • Leaders address issues at AFA symposium

    The top Air Force leaders outlined today and tomorrow's challenges for the service Feb. 26 at the 25th Annual Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition in Orlando, Fla. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force,

  • March 2 airpower summary: A-10s deter, disrupt enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general purpose

  • Rescue crews assist search for missing boater, NFL players

    Air Force Reserve rescue crews from the 920th Rescue Wing here launched two aircraft March 2 as Airmen helped with the continued search for three missing boaters in the Gulf of Mexico, two who are NFL players. The 920th RQW maintenance teams prepared an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and an HC-130P/N

  • Personnel desktop application expanded

    Beginning March 13, group and wing commanders will have access to vital personnel information right at their fingertips according to officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here. The Base-Level Service Delivery Model commander's tool will provide personnel information, such as manning documents

  • Airmen vigilant for threats

    Airmen with the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Escort Flight keep a vigilant eye throughout the base interior 24 hours a day, seven days a week to protect the base's operational security and everyone's safety. The flight of more than 180 Airmen preserve security by escorting

  • Squadron continues tradition, honors fallen comrades

    Members from the 1st Special Operations Squadron took off Feb. 26 from Kadena Air Base, Japan, on a MC-130H Combat Talon II to honor fallen brethren that were lost 28 years ago.A 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign Stray 59, crashed during an exercise killing eight crewmembers and 15 passengers Feb. 26,

  • Airmen deliver 1 million pounds of supplies in 42 days

    Airmen of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped its 1 millionth pound of equipment from a C-17 Globemaster III Feb. 16 over Afghanistan just 42 days after arriving here Dec. 30. Unit members deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., completed the milestone mission supporting

  • Airman welcomes first child via Web cam

    A 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman deployed at an air base in Southwest Asia witnessed the birth of his first child in the Oklahoma City area live via Web cam Feb. 19. Senior Airman Daniel Warila, a 380th Expeditionary Maintenance aerospace ground equipment mechanic, watched his son, Lucas Daniel

  • March 1 airpower summary: MQ-9 targets enemy with missiles

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to a ground

  • Feb. 26 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan a coalition aircraft used a precision guided munition to

  • Feb. 27 airpower summary: B-1B destroys enemy narcotics facility

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s

  • Feb. 28 air power summary: F-15E destroys enemy weapons cache

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle destroyed an anti-Afghan

  • Airmen service F-15E's avionics remotely

    Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron's Avionics Flight here apply their technical expertise to sustain mission readiness for F-15E Strike Eagles flying out of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The flight maintains and repairs three dozen various avionics systems for the Strike Eagle,

  • New exhibit highlights '100 Missions Up North' at museum

    A new exhibit titled, "100 Missions Up North," opens March 19 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force here. The display highlights the story of brave Airmen who flew missions above North Vietnam and neighboring countries during the Vietnam War. Located in the Modern Flight Gallery, the exhibit

  • Charleston leads AMC in conserving energy

    According to recent reports from Air Mobility Command officials, Charleston AFB is currently leading the way for reduction in energy consumption in AMC. Mandated by federal Executive Order 13423, the Air Force and all federal agencies are required to reduce energy consumption annually by 3 percent

  • Air Force looking for military training instructors

    Few other figures in the Air Force exemplify leadership more than the military training instructor and more are needed to help meet short- and long-term manning goals. Because of the demands of increasing end strength, Air Force officials need to bring in about 220 additional MTIs. About 4,000

  • A-10 unit reaches 10,000-hour milestone

    Members of the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron here reached a historic milestone Feb. 24 when the unit surpassed 10,000 combat flight hours in the A-10 Thunderbolt II for a single deployment rotation. Col. Raymond Strasburger, the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, and Lt. Col. Sam

  • Afghanistan operations not vulnerable to supply line dangers

    Despite dangers U.S. convoys face in delivering supplies to coalition forces in Afghanistan by way of Pakistan, military operations there aren't susceptible to those threats, the Defense Department's top uniformed logistician said Feb. 26. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, commander of U.S. Transportation

  • Aggressors prowl for Air Force information

    A little known unit here, working in a bank of trailers hidden from the public, performs a unique mission for the Air Force: hacking into the vast Air Force computer networks to help protect those networks from an enemy's attack. The Air Force hackers from the 57th Information Aggressor Squadron

  • Missile defense capable, but needs more testing

    U.S. missile defense is prepared to defend against North Korean threats, but the system needs more testing before Pentagon officials can endorse its capabilities with "high confidence," the top Defense Department tester said. In three test scenarios, the missile defense system successfully destroyed

  • Airmen assist with 2009 ESPN Bassmaster Classic

    The 2009 ESPN Bassmaster Classic allowed several Barksdale Air Force Base Airmen to reel-in a piece of the action Feb. 20 through 22 here. Several bass enthusiasts and the Barksdale Hawgherders Bass Club participated in the classic, which brought 137,700 people to the Shreveport, La., area for what

  • Feb. 24 airpower summary: Predator targets anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged enemy forces with a

  • Feb. 25 airpower summary: F-15Es deter enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force G-9 Harrier struck buildings in a compound

  • Chief McKinley 'schools' Senior NCO Academy instructors

    An early morning lesson in basketball from the chief master sergeant of the Air Force has become a tradition for instructors at the Senior NCO Academy here, and the Feb. 25 game was no different. The morning after each one of the school's graduations -- five times every year -- Chief Master Sgt. of

  • Aeromedical missions bring total force partners together

    Almost 56,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors since October 2001 have been aeromedically evacuated supporting expeditionary operations by the total force team of active-duty, Reserve and Guard Airmen. In the Air Mobility Command aeromedical evacuation community, every day entails a combination of total

  • Tiger team to improve command, control

    Command and Control, one of the keystones to modern warfare, is getting a boost thanks to an Air Combat Command-led tiger team. The team, comprising more than 20 senior leaders from across the Air Force, is responsible for stewardship of the Air Force theater air control system and brings different

  • Special operators honored at Pentagon ceremony

    Five special operations Airmen were honored at a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes Feb. 24. The award winners are: Fighter Duty Officer Award - Capt. Brett E. Plummer Captain Plummer is a fighter duty officer assigned to the 4th Air Support Operations Squadron at Sullivan Barracks in

  • Marines arrive in Kunsan for exercise

    Kunsan Air Base Airmen accepted and processed Marines as they landed on board a KC-130J Super Hercules Feb. 23 here.The Marines from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Japan participated in an Exercise Key Resolve, a routine training exercise designed to train

  • Red Flag 09-3 exercise begins

    Southern Nevada residents may have notice increased military aircraft activity as the latest Red Flag exercise began Feb. 23. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test

  • World War II MIAs recovered in Germany

    A line in the Airman's creed states, "I will never leave an Airman behind." For the McMurray Crew 801 with the 492nd Bombardment Group, that promise was fulfilled, albeit 60-plus years after their B-24 bomber went down during World War II. An international crowd gathered Feb. 20 at the

  • Chief of staff pays tribute to heritage

    When the Air Force chief of staff visited here recently, it wasn't just about looking forward and to the future of aviation with unmanned aircraft systems; it was also about looking back and recognizing where the service has been. Before Gen. Norton Schwartz stepped into the 99th Flying Training

  • Special Operations Command Airman dies in Afghanistan

    An Air Force Special Operations Command combat control journeyman died Feb. 20 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Davis, 28, of Aberdeen, Wash., died near Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive

  • Air Force, Army leaders lay out joint UAS future

    The Air Force and Army chiefs of staff signed a plan recently in Washington, D.C., taking the two services one step closer to supporting the full spectrum of conflict with their larger, multirole unmanned aircraft. Military officials presented the Army/Air Force Multirole Unmanned Aircraft System

  • Feb. 23 airpower summary: A-10s provide air cover

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets spotted enemy personnel trying to

  • Exercise offers A-10 crews chance to hone warfighting skills

    Airmen are improving their warfighting skills as they train to conduct close-air-support missions for ground forces in preparation for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan during Exercise Green Flag East here. The exercise is in partnership with the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.,

  • 43rd EECS passes 20,000 combat hours

    Airmen with the 43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, a unit that has almost five years of continuous deployment, clocked their 20,000th combat flight hour early Feb. 17. The 43rd EECS aircrews and the EC-130 Compass Call aircraft they fly provide communications jamming support to U.S. and

  • Turkish officers get lessons in Air Force enlisted training

    Four members of the Turkish air force visited Gunter Annex's Barnes Center for Enlisted Education complex Feb. 12 to gain insight into how to improve their air force's enlisted education. The group from Turkey headed by Col. Metin Ozdemir, included Lt. Col. Cem Acar, Maj. Huesyin Uysal and Lt. Eyup

  • Kadena Airman attends Singaporean leadership school

    A Kadena Air Base senior NCO is attending the advanced leadership program at Singapore's armed forces warrant officer school in February. Senior Master Sgt. David Duncan, director of operations at the Kadena AB Erwin Professional Military Education Center, is the only international student in the

  • Predator passes 500,000 flight hours

    Airmen of the 432d Air Expeditionary Wing here flew an MQ-1B Predator unmanned aircraft in a combat mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Feb. 18, and the flight surpassed the 500,000 flight-hour mark for the aircraft. Members of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron flew the