NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Airmen in UK celebrate Jamestown's 400th with British

    Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall helped the town of Bury St. Edmunds May 8 celebrate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, Va., the first permanent English settlement in America. Volunteers from both bases came out in numbers to showcase Air Force people and equipment. The RAF

  • JTACs call in 'guardian angels'

    A joint terminal attack controller is completely immersed downrange on the battlefield. His heart is pounding and his forehead drips with sweat as he directs a combat aircraft to provide close-air support for U.S. ground forces there. The JTAC's eyes light up as he sees the aircraft deliver a

  • Offutt volunteer represents Air Force for Spirit of Hope Award

    Air Force Personnel Center officials recently announced a member of the Air Force Weather Agency here as the Air Force nominee for the 2007 U.S. Armed Forces Spirit of Hope Award. Master Sgt. Lou Pell, NCO in charge of the Weather Agency's training branch, was selected as the Air Force

  • RED HORSE helps build combat brigade base in 45 days

    Two months ago, Forward Operating Base Shawshook, near Besmaya Range, was nothing more than dirt and tumbleweeds. Now, at the newly developed Forward Operating Base Hammer there's a full-up U.S. Army combat brigade, the 3rd of the 3rd Infantry Division, housed and fed -- ready to conduct missions in

  • 2006 Public Affairs Achievement Awards announced

    On behalf of Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Brig. Gen. Michelle Johnson, director of Public Affairs, announced the 2006 Public Affairs Achievement Awards."My heartiest congratulations to all of this year's nominees and recipients,"

  • Interagency exercise kicks off

    The annual exercise Alaska Shield/Northern Edge 2007 got under way May 7 and runs through May 18. It is part of the U.S. Northern Command-sponsored, national-level Ardent Sentry/Northern Edge 2007 exercise. Ardent Sentry is designed to hone coordination between the Department of Defense as well as

  • Society honors Airmen who escaped, evaded capture

    The commander of Air Mobility Command honored the Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society with a ceremony here May 4 as part of the group's 2007 reunion. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb paid tribute to AFEES, a non-profit organization of Airmen who were forced down behind enemy lines and avoided captivity, or

  • Shaw to begin one-year hybrid refueler test

    Fuels Airmen here are putting the Air Force's only R-11 Hybrid Electric Aviation Refueler through its paces during a one-year test that began here this month. The test will determine how much the 72,000-pound hybrid reduces emissions and conserves diesel fuel, potentially saving the Air Force money,

  • First Term Airmen's Center helps with transition into Air Force

    Training and professional development is a high priority, beginning for young Airmen at Basic Military Training, tech school and continues at the first duty station training at the First Term Airmen's Center. FTAC is a two-week program that plays an important role in transitioning Airmen from a

  • Air Force officials evaluating KC-X proposals

    The Air Force source selection evaluation team is poring over industry proposals for the KC-X program, the replacement for the Air Force's aging KC-135 Stratotanker strategic refueling aircraft.The evaluation team, made up of a broad spectrum of acquisition and operational professionals, is

  • Officials release latest force shaping board results

    Air Force officials released the results of the 2007 Line of the Air Force Force Shaping Board.  Senior raters notified eligible officers of their retention status on May 2. The force shaping board which convened at the Air Force Personnel Center here March 12 selected for active duty retention

  • Yokota becomes Pacific training hub for firefighters

    Firefighters from the 374th Airlift Wing here will soon be able to receive job specific training without even leaving the base. A representative from Texas Engineering Extension Institute visited Yokota Air Base firefighters to explain how a new program will allow Airmen to participate in and

  • Airmen's weather watch data enhances military missions

    Sandstorms, which often appear as solid walls of dust as much as 15,000 feet high, can obscure the sun and reduce visibility to zero. A group of weather watching Airmen monitor Southwest Asia's approximately 55-million square-mile area of responsibility, forecasting these storms before they hit;

  • British fusiliers get 'royal treatment'

    A group of redeploying British infantrymen passed through here May 1 and introduced themselves to Airmen of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing who helped them out during some tough days of contact with Taliban forces near Sangin, Afghanistan. Soldiers from C Company Group, 2nd Battalion, Royal

  • Balad chapel staff opens center in fallen pilot's honor

    Airmen seeking a quiet place to relax in a space away from a crowded dorm room now have another place to spend off-duty time within the H-6 housing area at Balad AB. Troy's Place, an Airmen Ministry Center sponsored by the Balad AB Chapel, opened May 4 and is in honor of a pilot who died supporting

  • Letter to Airmen highlights cyberspace operations

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne discusses cyberspace operations and how the Air Force is extending its global vigilance, reach and power into cyberspace. Secretary Wynne said that our adversaries are attempting to access American servers that contain

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Combat Skills Training prepares Airmen to operate on the streets of Afghanistan and Iraq, and how the Air Force's highly trained Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape, or SERE, instructors provide Airmen the skills to survive alone in a

  • May 6 airpower: B-1B Lancers keep insurgents at bay

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations May 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb

  • Weapons loading competition hones Airmen's skills

    Munitions loaders around the Air Force test their warfighting capabilities and promote camaraderie through load crew competitions.Recently, two teams from the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons here used teamwork and the communication skills involved with a weapons load to prove their

  • Airman's Creed, military health care on CSAF's Scope

    The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues are the new Airman's Creed and military health care. General Moseley introduced the new creed to replace all the various specialized

  • Air Force medics provide medical relief in Guatemala

    Thirteen Airmen from various Air Force Space Command bases returned April 30 from 10 days in Guatemala where they provided much needed medical care to the people there -- services that would have been otherwise nonexistent. From their home base in Salama, the team of Airmen, which included

  • Dover stands up new C-17 maintenance squadron

    The 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was stood up in an assumption-of-command ceremony here April 30. The 736th AMXS will be responsible for maintaining the C-17 Globemaster IIIs, scheduled to start arriving this summer. "This is all very, very exciting, yet humbling," said Lt. Col. Raymond

  • Romanian pilot returns favor, bridges gap in joint exercise

    All his life he dreamed of being a pilot. Growing up near an air base, he always hoped he too would be able to take to the sky like so many pilots he saw day after day. That dream became a reality in 2001 when 1st Lt. Mihaita Marin began to fly. He started his journey toward flight in 1999 when he

  • AF Recruiting Service announces American Spirit Award winners

    Air Force Recruiting Service announced the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts and the Manchester (N.H.) Wolves of the Arena 2 Football League as winner's of the command's prestigious American Spirit Award May 1. The American Spirit Award is Air Force Recruiting Service's highest form of

  • PACAF emphasizes anthrax vaccination before deployments

    Headquarters Air Force officials recently sent additional implementation guidance to major commands that emphasizes pre-deployment notification. The Air Force guidance states that all categories of personnel on orders may begin immunizations up to 60 days before deployment or arrival at the

  • Baseball: Falcons downed 4-2 at northern Colorado

    Despite racking up 15 hits, Air Force struggled to get runs up on the scoreboard, falling 4-2 to Northern Colorado May 5 at Jackson Field. The Falcons fall to 8-38 while the Bears improved to 12-28 prior their game with Utah Valley State.Five Falcons had two-or-more hits in the game. Karl Bolt and

  • Baseball: Falcons split games In Greeley

    Air Force split two baseball games may 4, defeating Utah Valley State, 9-5, and falling to Northern Colorado, 4-3, at Jackson Field. The split improves the Falcons to 8-36 on the season.In game one, Karl Bolt homered and drove in six runs to lead Air Force to the 9-5 win.Bolt broke-open a 5-5 tie

  • Kansas Air National Guardsman completes first online retirement

    A Kansas Air National Guardsman was the first Guard Airman to complete the new online Air Force retirement process, which became mandatory April 15. Tech. Sgt. Kenneth L. Ellis, of the 190th Civil Engineer Squadron, applied for retirement using the system March 15, the day the process went live, and

  • 5th SFS load up for comrade injured in Iraq

    Airmen from the 5th Security Forces Squadron took part in a "ruck-march" May 3 to show support for a fellow squadron member injured in Iraq. Staff Sgt. Scott Lilley, 5th SFS, was injured April 15 when he and his team was attacked by insurgents, and his vehicle hit by an improvised explosive device.

  • Track and Field: Falcons conclude regular season with twilight meet

    Three incursions into the Academy's all-time record book highlighted the afternoon, as the Air Force track and field team hosted the annual Ris Westen-Air Force Twilight Meet May 4 at the Academy. The Falcons claimed 15 event titles in their final competition of the regular season.The 4x100-meter

  • Inventory management gears up for process improvements

    Maximizing weapons system availability and performance means smart management of safety levels and inventories. To do this, Air Force officials strive to optimize inventory levels and cost without sacrificing support to the warfighting commanders. "Based upon the fact that we are maintaining systems

  • Special Operations Command celebrates 20 years

    Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen joined personnel from U.S. Special Operations Command to celebrate USSOCOM's 20th anniversary held April 23-27 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. USSOCOM, made up of about 48,000 Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps special operators, specializes in

  • Being an Air Force attaché is unique career opportunity

    Officers and enlisted Airmen are needed to play key roles in international military and political affairs. Benefits include travel, accommodations, and the opportunity to interact with people on almost every continent, in almost every country. At a recent conference at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii,

  • Mountain Home awarded $1 million for Air Force excellence

    Air Force leaders honored Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, with the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence at a ceremony May 3 in the Pentagon. The annual award recognizes the Air Force base that stands out among all others in a variety of categories. Mountain Home AFB,

  • Terrorism officials stress Airmen remain aware

    After the attacks on September 11th, many people have become much more concerned with force protection methods, especially anti-terrorism measures. Despite the fact five years have passed, local security forces still receive numerous calls about anything that is seemingly awry. Although their

  • Enlisted Airmen can apply for new nurse commissioning

    The Air Force is now accepting applications from qualified enlisted members for a new enlisted commissioning program. The Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program, or NECP, will give enlisted members the opportunity to complete a full-time bachelor of science degree in nursing at an accredited

  • F-117 pioneer test pilot passes away at 70

    The Air Force and the F-117A Nighthawk program lost one of its premier test pilots nearly 25 years, to the day, after his near-fatal accident while attempting to take-off on an F-117A's final acceptance test. Retired Lt. Col. Robert 'Bob' Riedenauer, 70, passed away April 23 at his home in Palmdale,

  • Air Force security forces director visits Minot

    The director of Air Force security forces visited here from April 30 to May 3 to observe firsthand the base's security mission. Brig. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog discussed deployment tempos, training and the future of the career field while here. "My number-one priority is to provide our security forces

  • Yokota shouldering runway taxi project

    A $300,000 project is underway here to make long-term fixes to the pavement on the flightline's northwest shoulder and taxiway. The construction started April 16 and its estimated completion date is June 15. In addition to preventing foreign-object damage, or FOD, these repairs save money, according

  • Officials react to CSAR-X report

    The Government Accountability Office released its redacted report May 3 regarding the Air Force's Request for Reconsideration on the Combat Search and Rescue Replacement vehicle, the CSAR-X. The report states that GAO officials had "reviewed all of the additional arguments raised by Sikorsky and

  • Couple convicted of numerous UCMJ charges

    An Air Force couple were convicted of numerous charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including the use of cocaine, in separate general courts-martial at Maxwell Air Force Base April 24 and 25. Airman 1st Class Joshua Young of the 754th Electronic Systems Group was convicted of

  • 'Week in Photos' features Airmen around the globe

    The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. Among this week's photos are: In Alaska, seven F-16 Fighting Falcons fly in formation over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex. The F-16s are from the 18th Fighter

  • Charleston loadmasters train Davis-Monthan Airmen

    In an effort to further develop Air Force capabilities, Charleston Air Force Base loadmasters traveled to Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., in late April to train augmentees on how to assist loadmasters when loading C-17 Globemaster IIIs. With C-17s flying around the world delivering cargo to warfighters,

  • Deployed Airmen continue filling Army's 'in-lieu-of' taskings'

    Deployments are a part of life for all people serving in the United States military. Each service deploys a certain number of troops to different parts of the world with rotations to evenly divide the workload. In the past few years Airmen have undergone changes in their wartime mission, from

  • Aviano Airman LEADs the way to bright future

    When a retired Army master sergeant challenged a young man to out do him, the Airman pushed himself to live up to the challenge. Airman 1st Class Chase's drive to do more has led him to face an upcoming 10 months of arduous work. Airman Ray was notified April 26 that he was accepted in to the Air

  • Air Force in Afghanistan aims high on low terrain

    About 240 Airmen are working throughout Afghanistan to help build vital infrastructure as members of provincial reconstruction teams. Air Force members began leading six of the 24 PRTs in April 2006 as Airmen work to improve Afghanistan's security through reconstruction and economic development. The

  • Ghedi, Italy unaccompanied tour length to increase

    The under secretary of defense approved a increased unaccompanied tour length change for Ghedi, Italy, from 18 months to 24 months effective Jan. 1, 2008. The accompanied tour length will remain at 24 months. Airmen with an assignment to Ghedi with a report-no-later-than-date of Dec. 31, 2007 or

  • Air Force aerial firefighters train in New Mexico

    C-130 Hercules aircraft dotted the sky over central New Mexico April 30 through May 2 as 300 Airmen prepared to help fight wild land fires that may break out this year. Cibola National Forest officials and Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing based at Peterson Air Force Base,

  • Services Airmen dish up real meals ready to eat

    Some Airmen might not think a fresh, hot meal is a big deal, but for Airmen at a bare base a meal not named "MRE" can bring a few happy and hungry faces to the dinner table. When servicemembers arrive at a bare-base location, the first food eaten is usually meals ready to eat, or MREs. That's when

  • Tops in Blue boosts servicemembers' morale through song

    "Tops in Blue," known as the Air Forces' Expeditionary Entertainers, performed here May 2 to a standing-room only crowd. The show, themed "The Fly By," featured hit songs by Tom Jones, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker and the Charlie Daniels Band. The show was presented as a tribute to

  • Airmen provide humanitarian aid for African Lion

    More than 3,700 Moroccans were treated by 37 American military members as part of an April 15 to 30 humanitarian assistance visit to Morocco called African Lion 2007.Airmen of the 944th Medical Squadron from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and other active duty and Reserve members of sister services

  • Reservists take medical care to Guatemalans

    Journeying as much as 10,000 feet above sea level, a group of 31 Air Force Reserve Command medics treated more than 8,000 patients as part of New Horizons 07 April 14 to 28 in the mountainous region of San Marcos, Guatemala. New Horizons is a joint chiefs of staff-approved, U.S. Southern

  • Manas outreach program saves lives, one heart at a time

    Since its inception in 2003, the Manas Air Base Outreach Society through the Children's Heart Fund has saved 76 children born with holes in their hearts. Sixteen children alone have been saved since January. "It's a great help," said Gula Tolkonbek, mother of 10-year-old heart surgery patient Nazik

  • Ceremony recognizes military working dog's service

    Retirement ceremonies celebrate the careers, sacrifices and vital contributions of military members in service to their country, and on April 28 Incirlik Air Base Airmen honored one such member who has been on the frontlines of the base's force protection efforts for the past nine years. Brosky, an

  • Active, Reserve Airmen join forces to fight fires

    A total force team of firefighters from Yokota Air Base and the 440th Airlift Wing, Wisconsin's only Air Force Reserve unit, combined skills to extinguish flames during a live-fire exercise here the last week of April. The joint training offered an experience Yokota AB firefighters and the

  • Champion for U.S.-Japan relations dies at age 66

    A longtime friend and supporter of American servicemembers, their families and the Air Force mission in Northern Japan passed away May 1 from pneumonia at the age of 66. Mayor Shigeyoshi Suzuki served as mayor of Misawa City, representing a city of 40,000, for more than two decades and was in his

  • Air Force stands up first unmanned aircraft systems wing

    The Air Force's first unmanned aircraft systems wing stood up May 1 at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. As Col. Christopher Chambliss assumed command of the 432nd, a piece of history was revived and a course for the way ahead continued. "This is a monumental day for the Air Force," said Colonel

  • Deployed Airman helps others face the music

    Like a typical family, most Air Force members celebrate birthdays, promotions and other occasions with cake. But, when Lt. Col. Brian Reno gets involved with a celebration, he adds to the fun by belting out a fitting tune on his trumpet. "It's always fun to play, and it is very rewarding when others

  • Communications Airmen make the connection

    A small contingent of four communications Airmen traveled to Al Asad Air Base to provide communication connectivity while base facilities were being built around them. "The day we got here, there were no radios, only a couple computers and no telephones installed anywhere," said Staff Sgt. Sean

  • Airman chosen as Child Advocate of Year

    An Air Force master sergeant was honored as the Child Advocate of the Year at a reception held by the Child Advocates of San Antonio organization April 25. Master Sgt. Tabitha Hendrix, the NCO in charge of the Periodontics Flight at MacKown Dental Clinic on Lackland Air Force Base, received the

  • Vietnam veteran tells today's Airmen 'stay focused'

    The knowledge and experience that Air Force retirees share with current Airmen can help develop careers. Retired Col. James Gilliland holds his audience in rapt attention while he tells stories of his progression as an RF-4C pilot and shares his experiences flying during the Vietnam War. With 30

  • Fairchild Airmen reunite with family after deployment

    Applause, cheers, hugs and tears of joy awaited 44 returning warriors as they walked off of a KC-135 Stratotanker to be greeted by a crowd of more than 100 military family members, fellow Airmen and local media crews here April 30. After the welcome on the ramp next to the plane, the families and

  • Homeschoolers, Air Force legal office conduct fairytale trial

    Twelve Bolling area homeschoolers participated in a mock trial held by the 11th Wing Judge Advocate at Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals courtroom here April 27. The goal of the mock trial, State of Italia v. Gepetta, was to introduce the homeschoolers to the legal process. The children also

  • Edwards team stars in 'Iron Man' superhero movie

    Edwards Air Force Base recently became a Hollywood set, as about 150 Airmen, about a dozen Marines and some of the Air Force's new aircraft shared the spotlight with Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow in filming Hollywood's next superhero blockbuster. Director Jon Favreau and his

  • Airman's Roll Call focuses on managing stress

    This week's Airman's Roll Call deals with finding balance and managing stress. A survey taken by the Department of Defense in 2005 showed the Air Force compares very favorably to the rest of DOD in terms of experiencing stress.In order to maintain that level, Air Force officials must continue to

  • PACAF to test humanitarian relief response package

    Air Force officials recently developed an innovative, stand-alone humanitarian medical package to support contingency disaster-response efforts. Now, more than ever before, Airmen have the tools and techniques to put the right stuff in the right place at the right time with the Humanitarian Relief

  • Hawaii kicks off Military Appreciation Month

    "Ohana" or family is a concept that runs deep in Hawaii. Ohana includes not only one's personal family, but also their community. In Hawaii, ohana extends to the military.For the 22nd year in a row, Hawaii's business and government leaders came together to thank U.S. servicemembers during the

  • Airman uses Air Force knowledge to save life

    While shopping at a grocery store outside of Ellsworth Air Force Base the evening of April 23, an Airman watched a man walking in front of him let out a gasp for air and fall to the floor. "My instincts kicked in," said Senior Airman David Perry, an Air Force Financial Services Center

  • New concept gets latest technologies to warfighters quickly

    The F-22 Raptor and Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle had barely finished their maiden flights and begun serving in the war on terrorism when engineers, developers and testers here were already at work to improve on the capabilities of those aircraft.That concept, referred to as "incremental

  • Month of May dedicated to appreciating servicemembers

    In an effort to draw attention to the personal sacrifices of the men and women of the armed forces and their families, Congress has designated May as National Military Appreciation Month. The congressional resolution, passed in 2004, states that the House and Senate "support the goals and objectives

  • Mobility officials host AFSO 21 conference

    More than 40 experts from across the Air Force gathered at Air Mobility Command's Logistics Directorate here April 23-26 for a "fruit ripe for picking" conference aimed at cutting red tape from base support agreements. "We took out a lot of the waste, steps that were unnecessary and duplicated

  • Spangdahlem Airmen take part in World Day of Peace

    Every year the oldest city in Germany hosts the World Day of Peace -- a festival dedicated to prayer and services focused on healing the rifts between cultures. Military members from Belgium, Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands and the United States attended a prayer service April 26 led by the

  • Tops In Blue put on a show for Airmen, Soldiers at Balad

    Sequins, tassels, gleaming brass and perfectly choreographed dance moves were on display as the 2007 Tops In Blue team unleashed the talent of the Air Force for Airmen and Soldiers April 28 at the Sustainer Theater here. Thirty-eight active-duty Airmen make up the singers, dancers, instrumentalists,

  • Lieutenant catches Griffey's 564th home-run ball

    A Shaw Air Force Base Airman caught Ken Griffey Jr.'s 564th home-run ball during a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds April 24 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Second Lt. Christopher Franks of the 20th Operations Support Squadron, and his friend, 2nd Lt. Mike McCants

  • Business leaders learn about expeditionary missions

    Participants of the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference April 28 met some of the men and women of U.S. Central Command Air Forces who are deployed to this region. Brig. Gen. Charles Shugg told the group of 45 business and civic leaders, who were on a whirlwind tour of the

  • Air Force chaplains join together for memorial service

    Air Force chaplains and chaplain's assistants from around the globe joined together beneath the spires of the Air Force Memorial here for a memorial and wreath-laying ceremony April 25. The group of about 300 Airmen and civilians were in the national capital region to attend the Air Force Chaplains

  • Academy completes cheating investigation

    Cadet honor representatives have finished their investigation of 40 fourth class cadets (freshmen) accused of cheating on a weekly knowledge test given to all members of the Class of 2010 on Jan. 31. The test compromise was discovered on Feb. 2 when cadets reported the incident. Of the 40 cases, 29

  • Airman murder trial under way at Bolling

    The court-martial of Airman Calvin Eugene Hill, charged with premeditated murder, in the Aug. 14, 2005, death of Airman 1st Class Ashley Turner while the two were stationed at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, began with opening statements from both sides April 25 here. The court-martial was

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" showcases the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper and how the Air Force is currently working to become the executive agent for unmanned aerial vehicles. Also featured is the never-ending mission of moving cargo and people.  Finally, see how Airmen at bases around

  • 'Dumpster diving' raises awareness about recycling

    During a dumpster diving experiment here May 1, elementary students found that residents at the base don't make the grade when it comes to recycling their trash. Fifth grade students and teachers from Yokota Air Base's West Elementary School sifted and graded refuse. Collecting the empirical

  • Aerial porters save lives by moving air cargo in Iraq

    Moving supplies, equipment and people from place to place in a convoy anywhere in Iraq is very risky business. Many hidden dangers such as improvised explosive devices, anti-Iraqi forces, and other such dangers can be on any road. Many lives that might have been lost in convoy attacks have been

  • Airmen continue humanitarian efforts in Djibouti

    Nearly 200 hundred Airmen deployed to Africa provide airlift support for humanitarian aid to the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa mission. Providing peace and stability to the region is the main objective for the CJTF-HOA mission and the services try to accomplish this by winning the hearts

  • Combat skills course offers Airmen lifesaving training

    In preparation for the Air Force's next Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotation, 94 people attended the Pacific Air Forces-sponsored combat skills course April 23 to 25 here. Several combat skills training course instructors came to Misawa to provide information that is not only designed to

  • School program helps children cope with deployments

    Life for military children can be hard, especially when the parents serving in the military have to deploy away from their children. However, Ramstein Air Base children who attend Ramstein high and elementary schools may find a friend when they are needed the most. To help military children here

  • Air Force air evac crews adapt, train onboard mix of planes

    Taking care of patients on an aircraft is not an easy task. What if there are patient emergencies or problems with the aircraft itself? What if it's a plane the aeromedical crew is not familiar with? These questions, and more, were answered during an Air Force Reserve Aeromedical Evacuation Jamboree

  • Backscatter technology leaves bad guys no place to hide

    Members of the 820th Security Forces Group here are set to employ a new high-technology search system in the war on terrorism that will help increase base security that also can deter acts of aggression against coalition forces. Known as the Z backscatter van, the $1.2 million, 13,000-pound,

  • NFL, eKnowledge tackle college entrance exams

    The Montgomery G.I. bill pays servicemembers' and their dependents' tuition at institutes of higher learning, but it doesn't help them gain admission to school. To give college-bound members of military families a leg-up, eKnowledge Corporation, which supplies interactive test-preparation products

  • Weather squadron covers 42 countries

    With 110 million square miles in its operational region, the 152 Airmen in the 17th Operational Weather Squadron here are responsible for the largest area of responsibility of all the operational weather squadrons in the Air Force. And with 42 countries in the area of responsibility, squadron

  • Editorial: The way of the Airman warrior

    Throughout history, warriors have served and died for king and country; and they did so following a code. For the samurai, it was bushido; for knights, chivalry; the musketeers, "all for one and one for all." The greatest warriors throughout history understood the concept of serving something bigger

  • Yokota's Hazmat team gears up for training

    A hazardous material response exercise here April 30 provided refresher training for some firefighters, while providing the setting for several others to earn a national certification. The exercise scenario involved a simulated rail car with a leak in the valve head on top of it. The exercise was a

  • Air Force offers programs to help Airmen manage stress

    Airmen have a need, and Air Force leadership wants to meet it. The Air Force currently has a wide range of programs in place to help the total force and their families manage stress; however, there is a concern that some are not aware of these programs and not taking advantage of them. "Whether

  • Child becomes pilot for a day at Charleston

    A 3-year-old boy became the youngest honorary pilot for the 17th Airlift Squadron as unit Airmen held a Pilot for a Day program April 20 at Charleston Air Force Base. Zachary Moore was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 18 months and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the Medical

  • American, French forces join in jump training

    Joint and coalition servicemembers recently joined forces for parachute jump training. Airmen and Soldiers and French airborne soldiers jumped out of a C-130 Hercules. "Every airborne soldier knows that training with other nations forces gives them a chance to learn from each other and that they

  • Air University hosts counterinsurgency symposium

    Air University officials hosted the 2007 Air Force Symposium on Counterinsurgency April 24 through 26 here and speakers spoke on counterinsurgency in the present day warfare environment and the Air Force's role in counterinsurgency operations. Air University Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz said

  • General discusses ISR at congressional breakfast

    At a breakfast on Capitol Hill April 27, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance addressed members of Congress, their staffers, and other civilian and Air Force leaders about the future of the ISR mission. The conference, second in a series of Air Force

  • C-17 unit brings 'bombs, beans, bullets' to the fight

     "Bringing the bombs, beans and bullets to the warfighter" is how Capt. Aaron Oelrich described the mission of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron while on his way to fly an airlift mission into Iraq. And "bring it" they do, to the tune of about one million pounds of cargo daily. The 816th EAS,

  • Lacrosse: Falcons come up short against Denver, 11-9

    Despite holding a four-goal lead in the first half, the Air Force lacrosse team could not hold off a late Denver rally, falling to the Pioneers, 11-9, April 28 at Barton Lacrosse Stadium. The Falcons fall to 2-9 on the season, 1-4 in the Great Western Lacrosse League, while the Pioneers improve to

  • Baseball: BYU beats Air Force, 11-2

    Brigham Young University beat Air Force 11-2 in a Mountain West Conference baseball game April 28.  The loss drops the Falcons to 7-36, 0-17 and improves the Cougars to 25-16, 10-5. Air Force led 1-0 headed into the third inning, but BYU scored 11 unanswered runs over the next three innings. The

  • ACC approves Raptor demonstration

    Maj. Paul "Max" Moga and the world's only fifth-generation fighter aircraft may be appearing at an airshow near you this season. Following a 12-minute performance April 27, Air Combat Command officials gave Major Moga and his F-22A Raptor demonstration the official seal of approval. The evaluation

  • Air Force names 2006 Mission Support Award winners

    The winners of the 2006 Mission Support Awards were announced April 27. The results are: Personnel Gen. Robert J. Dixon Personnel Award: Maj. Kevin D. Heckle, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Gen. Horace M. Wade Innovation Award: GS-12 Steven A. McCarver, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala. Gerrit D.