Airmen, Marines join forces during exercise at Kadena

Japan-based Airmen and Marines came together for Exercise Beverly High 09-01 the first week of December at Kadena Air Base.Airmen of the 18th Wing integrated with Marines from Marine Corps Station Iawkuni as they executed their missions under simulated combat conditions.About 35 aircraft and 700

'Today's Air Force' features Combat Skills Training

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights security and how Airmen are getting extra training while preparing for deployment downrange, especially if they're going to Iraq or Afghanistan. Airmen from many career fields are going to Combat Skills Training to develop a warfighter mentality. Also

Airpower summary Dec. 5: Predator fires on anti-Afghan forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an MQ-1 Predator used a hellfire missile against

Airmen procure mission success

Members of the 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron here connect mission needs with the facilities, equipment and services that link military customers and the contractors who can meet those needs. "Our mission is to make sure we provide each customer with what they need and get it to them as

New TSP contribution limits set for 2009

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board recently announced an increase in the 2009 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions. The limit is now $16,500, up from $15,500 for 2008. In addition, contributions for the TSP catch-up plan will increase to $5,500, up from

Programs aim to strengthen military marriages, curb divorce

Servicemembers and their spouses are flocking to a broad array of programs to help them strengthen their family relationships as the services step up efforts to curb divorce rates.Military divorce rates rose by .1 percent -- to 3.4 percent -- during fiscal 2008, with 492 more divorces than the

Airmen provide FAST coverage

Upon landing one morning at a remote location in Iraq, two specially trained Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron took charge of security for a $30.1 million C-130 Hercules and its crew. Senior Airmen Rosie Munoz and Michelle Kendall assume this responsibility on a regular

Deployed Warbirds participate in Australian Aces North exercise

Airmen deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, recently participated in the Australian Aces North exercise with personnel from the Australian Fighter Combat Instructor Course, which ended Dec. 4. The Aces North exercise is the capstone of the FCIC, which is the Australian equivalent of the U.S.

Re-invigorating nuclear enterprise a top priority

Maintaining accountability and improving stewardship of the Air Force's nuclear program is the top priority, said the service's 19th chief of staff recently. Gen. Norton Schwartz said the Air Force has gone through some "rough" air in the realm of nuclear deterrence, but the service is already on

Kandahar team provides ammunition to win the fight

With a munitions stockpile of 560 line items worth more than $11 million, the job of providing weapons to warfighters at Kandahar Airfield falls to a three-man flight. "We maintain and provide munitions to U.S. and coalition forces," said Master Sgt. James Bradley, the munitions accountable systems

E-8C's new engine program takes off

America's eye in the sky, the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System,  or Joint STARS, will soon be faster, quieter, more efficient and more operationally effective with a major engine upgrade effort now under way here. Getting new engines on E-8C test aircraft is a major milestone for

NASA trains pilots to fly high

To achieve their dreams of space flight, NASA astronauts must overcome many challenges -- challenges they can only receive at one place. Whether they are a pilot, navigator or mission specialist, Ellington Field, Texas, is the proving ground where astronauts earn their "wings" through the expert

Dec. 3 airpower summary: A-10 bombs anti-Afghan forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb unit-38

Predator crashes at Joint Base Balad

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system crashed at about 7:30 a.m. Baghdad time Dec. 4 on the Joint Base Balad runway. The extent of the damage to the aircraft assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is unknown at this time. The Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, unmanned aircraft

Academy officials announce 2008 distinguished graduates

Officials from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Academy's Association of Graduates have announced the winners of the 2008 Distinguished Graduate Award. Retired Maj. Gen. Donald Shepperd, Class of 1962, and Mr. John Martinson, Class of 1970, earned this prestigious honor for their singular and

Climate survey deadline extended to Dec. 14

If you want to play a part in shaping the future of the Air Force, an effective and proven tool may be sitting in your inbox and you have until Dec. 14 to be heard. Since Oct. 1, an initial e-mail invitation and several follow-on reminders were sent out Air Force-wide, which included a link to the

Lean initiatives in the Portuguese air force

There have been many articles touting the benefits to the Air Force of Lean initiatives and Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO 21. It's not only the Air Force that is benefiting from Lean initiatives, however.  Other air forces have benefited from the Lean initiatives supported

Air Mobility Command officials set all-time sortie record

Officials from Air Mobility Command's 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center here set a new record for the number of sorties planned in a 24-hour period in November. The new mark, set at 1,063 sorties, toppled the previous high of 1,051 set in February of 2008. Members of the 618th TACC are the

Military financial road show heads to Washington state

As headlines scream news of an economic recession, a Defense Department team is heading to the Pacific Northwest Dec. 4 to help drive home the point that financial readiness is a big part of mission readiness. Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base and Naval Air Station Bremerton in Washington state

CV-22s complete first operational deployment

Four CV-22 Ospreys from the 8th Special Operations Squadron here returned after completing their first operational deployment supporting Exercise Flintlock 2009 in November in Bamako, Mali.The aircraft supported the training exercise in the Trans-Saharan region designed to build relationships and

Dec. 2 airpower summary: F-16s provide top cover

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-38 into a

Andersen officials to transfer management functions to Navy

The Joint Region Marianas will stand up in January as Andersen Air Force Base officials will relocate installation management functions to the commander of U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas located on Guam.This was a result of almost four years of planning to implement this change to the law as a result

Secretary Gates tells Airmen nuclear mission vital to U.S.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled here Dec. 1 to emphasize the importance of the Air Force's nuclear mission -- and in maintaining its long tradition of excellence -- to the men and women entrusted with carrying it out. Secretary Gates became the first defense secretary in memory to visit

CSAF: Airmen, Air Force integral part of joint fight

With his first 100 days in office under his belt, the 19th chief of staff of the Air Force says the Air Force is in good shape. Gen. Norton Schwartz says that's because of the impressive job America's Airmen -- active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian -- are performing. The service's top military

Airmen train for contingency operations during Silver Flag

Airmen from all over the Pacific region trained to establish and sustain a forward operating base during Silver Flag 09-09 Nov. 16 through 22 at Kadena Air Base. In addition to their career field-specific training, the students were required to operate in simulated wartime conditions and to help

AETC opens virtual doors to MyBase

Air Education and Training Command officals here launched a virtual world Dec. 2 targeting avatars, or people, interested in learning more about the Air Force. Second Life is a three-dimensional virtual world where users can socialize, connect and explore the digital universe using virtual

Space shuttle diverted, lands at Edwards

Space Shuttle Endeavour and its crew of seven astronauts landed after a 15-day mission to the International Space Station at about 1:25 p.m. PST Nov. 30 at Edwards Air Force Base.The shuttle was diverted to Edwards AFB, its alternate landing site, due to bad weather at Kennedy Space Station, Fla.

Dec. 1 airpower summary: Hercs airdrop supplies

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb

Internal training key to Iraqi air force independence

As the Iraqi parliament works out the details of the new status of forces agreement that calls for American forces to withdraw from the country in 2011, Iraqi air force emergency responders from New al Muthana Air Base took the lead for the first time in a mass casualty response exercise Nov. 21 as

Kadena volunteers spread holiday cheer to single servicemembers

How do you bring a little cheer to more than 2,000 single servicemembers spending the holidays far away from family and friends? Perhaps 24,000 cookies is a good start. With this in mind, 500 volunteers from various organizations here mixed, rolled, sprinkled, decorated and baked thousands of

Manas Airmen help provide aid to Kyrgyz in need

Manas Airmen, in conjunction with U.S. Embassy personnel in Bishkek, hosted a small ceremony Nov. 25 in which 31,680 meals-ready-to-eat and more than 100 cold weather sleeping bags were provided to the Kyrgyz Republic's Ministry of Emergency Situations, or MES, to help local Kyrgyz who may need

Airmen help build Afghan military medical capability

A small group of Airmen helped transform a once empty building into a fully functional hospital at Camp Hero in Kandahar Province that is now staffed by Afghan national army personnel and capable of caring for ANA soldiers, Afghan national police members, and their families. The Kandahar Regional

NORTHCOM: Guarding the nation's borders

Thousands of U.S. military men and women are deployed across the globe promoting democracy, guarding freedom and fighting terrorism. They are the fingers of the nation's military, extending its reach and capabilities on an international scope. But as the events of Sept. 11, 2001, demonstrated, the

Manas Airman receives surprise call from president

"This is the White House switchboard, can you hear me OK?" With that, Senior Airman Victoria Drefs was finally convinced that her fellow Airmen in the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's petroleum oil and lubricants shop were not playing another prank on her. Airman Drefs, a native of

U.S. troops help flood victims in Central America

A team of 48 U.S. servicemembers and seven helicopters from the Honduras-based Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Panama and Costa Rica the last week of November to help communities impacted by heavy rains and flooding. The team, composed of aviation and medical personnel, is supporting rescue and

Nov. 30 airpower summary: A-10s perform shows of force

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped a guided bomb unit-12 and

Nov. 29 airpower summary

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds

Medical center keeps troops in action

"Being here really makes you appreciate the sacrifices these wounded warriors have made and when you put them on a plane after they recovered from their injuries you know they're going back out there to put their lives on the line all over again," says a nurse as she wipes away a tear from her eye.

Hockey: No. 11 Air Force falls to No. 9 Denver, 4-1

After 13 straight wins, No. 11 Air Force fell to No. 9 Denver, 4-1, in a non-conference college hockey game at a sold out Magness Arena in Denver, Colo. Air Force fell to 13-1 on the season while Denver improved to 9-5-1 overall. Air Force was the last undefeated and untied team in the nation and

Hockey: No. 11 Air Force beats No. 3 Colorado College, 4-1

Air Force goaltender Andrew Volkening made 28 saves and the Falcons killed all nine Colorado College power plays as the 11th-ranked Falcons defeated the third-ranked Tigers, 4-1, in front of a sellout crowd of 3,063 at the Cadet Ice Arena. The Falcons remain the only undefeated and untied team in

Nov. 28 airpower summary

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper used Hellfire missiles

Nov. 27 airpower summary

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs

Nov. 26 airpower summary

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds

PACAF C-17 team hosts royalty

Lt. Col Casey Eaton, 535th Airlift Squadron commander (right), and Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Bragg, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster (left), show some of the features in the cargo area of the C-17 to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiahsutan of Brunei. The monarch made a visit to Hickam Air Force

Airmen give thanks, continue mission

1st Lt. Nick Biggs, a C-130 Hercules copilot, enjoys a Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 27 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. A contracting company providing catering services to deployed coalition forces put extra effort into providing the time-honored feast to American servicemembers at Bagram. Lieutenant

DOD safety program team visits Cannon

A Department of Defense's Voluntary Protection Program initial site assessment team visited Cannon AFB Nov. 3 - 7. The team visited various work areas on base to give commanders and other personnel some guidance on going above and beyond complying with safety standards and be awarded the

386th Airmen clear hazards, keep locals safe

Beyond the wire of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing spans an area covered not only in sand but potential explosive hazards, aging from as far back as the Gulf War fighting that took place here in the early 90s. This time of year, the same area is inhabited by host-nation locals who follow a

Chief of staff visits Barksdale

The Air Force chief of staff visited Barksdale Air Force Base Nov. 25 to familiarize himself with the base's mission.Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife, Suzie, came to Barksdale AFB and the senior Air Force military member met base and community leaders, visited several squadrons on base and answered

Andersen Airmen hear Dragon Thunder

Andersen Air Force Base Airmen sharpened their expeditionary skills during Exercise Dragon Thunder Nov. 17 through 21 here.Members of the from the 644th Combat Communications Squadron set up camp under a sea of camouflage netting in tents filled with towers of electronic equipment for the field

Incirlik volunteers strengthen community

Incirlik Air Base members reached out to help citizens of Incirlik by renovating a village park with fresh paint, landscaping and equipment Nov. 15 in the village just outside the base. About 75 base volunteers ventured out to the nearby Incirlik Village park to give Turkish children a nicer place

Nov. 25 airpower summary: A-10s deter anti-Afghan attacks

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto

MTV visits Fairchild

Five crew members from MTV came to Fairchild Air Force Base Nov. 17 for a firsthand glimpse of what the Air Force has to offer. MTV's "How to Show" has celebrities demonstrating how to do a variety of things through a step-by-step format, and the Air Force joined MTV to show how Airmen survive,

Space loses one of its stars

One of the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers, retired Brig. Gen. Maurice A. Cristadoro Jr., 88, died Nov. 22. His wake and funeral will be held Nov. 28 in Pensacola, Fla. Air Force Space Command officials inducted General Cristadoro to the Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2006 for his

DOD officials navigate language roadmap

Defense Department officials here completed more than 90 percent of the tasks they set out to accomplish in a language plan that launched four years ago. Known as the Defense Language Transformation Roadmap, this broad strategy aims to address national shortfalls in foreign language skills in the

Readiness paramount in Baltic air policing mission

Pilots and aircraft maintainers with the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron here hold a high standard of readiness and a constant vigil, ready to police the sovereign airspace of the Baltic nations at a moment's notice. To perform this NATO air defense mission, the aircrews are expected to be in

Post-combat coping methods vary, troops say

Methods of coping with combat and its aftereffects vary as greatly as the effects themselves, six warriors participating in a conference panel here said. Officials at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury hosted the "Warrior Resilience Conference:

Deployed Airmen support bilateral exercise

Airmen from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here recently participated in the AnnualEx 20G, a bilateral exercise between U.S. and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces that took place from Nov. 13 to 19 over the Pacific Ocean. The exercise, conducted yearly, is designed for two primary

Nov. 24 airpower summary: C-130s vital to transport missions

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb unit-38

Astronauts send special greetings to military

The combined crews of Space Shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station have sent a special greeting to members of the American military in time for the upcoming holiday season. From orbit 220 miles above Earth, Commander Chris Ferguson (captain, U.S. Navy), Pilot Eric Boe (colonel, U.S.

Airmen reach out to children's home in Lithuania

More than 20 Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, volunteered their time and talents with Lithuanian children Nov. 15 at the District Vijurkai Children's Home in Vijurkai, Lithuania. The Airmen, deployed from the 48th Fighter Wing, are in Lithuania to perform the NATO Baltic air policing

Football: TCU thrashes Falcons

Air Force concluded the 2008 regular season on a sour note in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 22 with a 44-10 loss at the hands of Texas Christian University. The Horned Frogs dominated both sides of the ball and kept the Falcons' high-powered offense from getting on track on a cool afternoon in

7th Air Force officials welcome new commander

The leadership of 7th Air Force changed hands during a change-of-command ceremony here Nov. 24.Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington assumed command from Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood as Army Gen. Walter Sharp, the U.S. Forces Korea commander, and Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, the Pacific Air Forces

'Today's Air Force' features Air Force Week Los Angeles

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the third and final Air Force Week celebration of 2008 which began with a proclamation ceremony at the famous Kodak Theater in Hollywood, Calif. Also featured is a new command. Air Force officials unveiled the colors during the assumption of command

Clinic treats adults, children for cerebral palsy

Officials at a new clinic are providing comprehensive treatment for adults and children suffering from cerebral palsy at the San Antonio Military Medical Complex, formerly called the Wilford Hall Medical Center. The San Antonio Military Medical Complex Adult and Pediatric Spasticity Clinic is

Secretary Donley: U.S. can retain space leadership role

Solid leadership and the coordination of resources will enable the United States to retain its leadership in space, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley said Nov. 21 during the Air Force Association's Global War Symposium in Los Angeles. Strong government and collaboration among leaders also

SECAF visits base to discuss future of space power

Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited Vandenberg Nov. 22 to meet with 14th Air Force leaders and tour the Joint Space Operations Center here. Secretary Donley visited with Brig. Gen. Jay Santee, 14th Air Force vice commander, and Col. Richard Boltz, the 614th Air and Space Operations

Iraqi air force pilots conduct aeromedical mission

Iraqi airmen conducted an aeromedical evacuation mission from here Nov. 21, ferrying an Iraqi servicemember injured in combat from the Air Force Theater Hospital here to Forward Operating Base Gabe in Baqubah, Iraq. "Aeromedical evacuation is crucial to the viability of the Iraqi air force," said

Forward air controllers prepare for war

In the profession of arms where timeliness, precision and control are the rules of the day, sometimes a little confusion, disorder and mayhem are good things. It's especially valuable as a training tool for joint terminal attack controllers who hang their hat in hell's backyard to direct lethal

Nov. 23 airpower summary: F-15Es provide armed overwatch

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto

Nov. 22 airpower summary: B-1B bombs anti-Afghan forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Air Force F-15E Strike

Hockey: Air Force stays perfect, sweeps Sacred Heart

Air Force Academy Falcon's hockey player Greg Flynn scored two goals and Air Force scored five times on the power play as the 12th-ranked Falcons swept Sacred Heart with a 7-1 win Nov. 22, in an Atlantic Hockey Association game in front of a sellout crowd of 2,731 at the Cadet Ice Arena here. The

Nov. 21 Airpower Summary: A-10s conduct close-air support

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided

Hockey: 12th-ranked Falcons crush Sacred Heart 8-1

Air Force Academy hockey teammates Jeff Hajner and Matt Fairchild each scored two goals as the 12th-ranked Falcons beat Sacred Heart, 8-1, Nov. 21 in an Atlantic Hockey Association game in front of a school-record crowd of 3,535 at the Cadet Ice Arena here. With the win, the Falcons remain the only

Gen. Hoffman assumes leadership of AF Materiel Command

Gen. Donald J. Hoffman assumed command of the organization responsible for the technology, acquisition, test and sustainment of the service's current and future weapon systems during a ceremony here Nov. 21. General Hoffman took the reins of Air Force Materiel Command from Gen. Bruce Carlson during

Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses take Air Force 'Beyond Goals' at conference

The importance of service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) in going beyond goals to achieve the Air Force mission was highlighted at the 2008 SDVOSB Technology Conference and Expo at the MacDill AFB Officers Club Nov. 13-14. More than 400 SDVOSBs, prime contractors and other small

Small business specialist recognized with DOD award

The small business specialist for the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., was one of six individuals recognized in the Department of Defense for his efforts in going beyond goals to advance the objectives of the service-disabled veteran-owned small business, or

Kirtland officials accelerate space-based program testing

Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center officials here successfully tested the Space-Based Infrared System Highly Elliptical Orbit payload and operations center and accelerated operational acceptance by six weeks. SBIRS is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space

Coalition force Reaper unit deploys to Joint Base Balad

A coalition force comprising experts from the U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force deployed here recently to sustain operations for the world's most lethal unmanned aircraft system. An MQ-9 Reaper aircraft maintenance unit, attached to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron, melds

Electronic warfare officers keep Soldiers safe

Navy Cmdr. Ed Fischer and Air Force 1st Lt. E.J. Wong would seem to be out of place in an Army heavy brigade combat team conducting operations in Iraq.Commander Fischer, whose career field is nuclear engineering, and Lieutenant Wong, an air battle manager, are electronic warfare officers for the 1st

Medevac mission highlighted in Chronicle feature

An Air Force Reserve crew from the 349th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., carried out a medevac mission earlier this year accompanied by a staff writer and photographer from the San Francisco Chronicle. The feature, written by Carl Nolte and documented with images and a video by

Top AF leaders convene for quarterly council meeting

With a focus on the execution of the 2008 Air Force Strategic Plan, the Air Force Process Council conducted its quarterly meeting Nov.20 at Air Force Materiel Command headquarters here. The council, led by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz

Nov. 20 airpower summary: B-1Bs deter insurgents

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s onto

AAFES to offer Thanksgiving weekend feast of deals

Military shoppers looking to dig in to tasty holiday shopping better bring a big appetite to base exchanges or post exchanges the weekend after Thanksgiving as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is serving up three days of great deals, gift card giveaways and scratch off cards. The smorgasbord

Army special forces group to beddown at Eglin AFB

Air Force officials signed a record of decision Nov. 20 that begins the process for the Army's 7th Special Forces Group to beddown at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The group will be located west of Duke Field and the range will be on the east and west side. "This was truly a joint effort on the part of

Open season ongoing for 3 civilian benefit programs

Air Force officials here announced the open season for three civilian benefit programs continues until Dec. 8. The three programs are the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or FEHB; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP; and the Federal Flexible Spending

Predator landing gear collapses upon landing

The landing gear of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system collapsed after the aircraft landed about 6:45 a.m. Baghdad time Nov. 21 on the Joint Base Balad runway in Iraq. The extent of the damage is unknown at this time. The Predator is assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing from Joint

Vandenberg receives California Space Authority award

Vandenberg Air Force Base received the National Security Space Award from the California Space Authority Nov. 19 at the SpotBeam Awards ceremony here. The award was presented in commemoration of the base's 50th anniversary of operation as an Air Force base. Both Vandenberg AFB and the Air Force have

Reserve Affairs chief explains new DOD directive

Recent changes on how the Guard and Reserves are recognized are larger than any in recent history, a senior Defense Department official said here Nov. 19. Thomas F. Hall, the assistant secretary of defense for Reserve Affairs, told the Air National Guard's top officers and command chief master

Battlelab initiative aims to speed KC-10 cargo loading

Though the Air Mobility Battlelab deactivated here Sept. 24, one of its final initiatives shows great potential to help KC-10 Extender crewmembers do their jobs faster and decrease aircraft weight. With the KC-10 Lightweight Cargo Net and Hoist Initiative, the Air Mobility Battlelab, or AMB, sought

Research into flies' hearing could aid UAS program

A professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland is researching miniature acoustic sensors and sound localization techniques using the hearing mechanisms of flies as a model. Such research could benefit the Air Force by leading to the development of an artificial fly unmanned

Nov. 19 airpower summary: KC-10s bring fuel

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II, conducted a show of force

Grand Forks communicators start 2 major base projects

The 130-person 319th Communications Squadron here is busy preparing Grand Forks Air Force Base for two critical information technology projects for the base and the entire Air Force.One project is for the High Frequency Global Communications System is a highly-automated communications system that

Andrews officials support G-20 Summit

World leaders from 20 countries attending the G-20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy arrived Nov. 13 and 14 here. The summit, hosted by President George W. Bush, brought together world leaders to discuss the increasing global financial crisis, its causes and efforts to resolve it.

Predator damaged in Afghanistan

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system was damaged at approximately 10:15 a.m. Nov. 20 at a base in southern Afghanistan. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with a primary mission of conducting armed reconnaissance. A safety investigation board will be

'Spread the Word' team addresses workforce concerns

The commander of the Air Force Personnel Center brought her Spread the Word briefing team here Nov. 12 to 14 to communicate personnel changes with diverse groups of customers. Maj. Gen. K. C. McClain is traveling with the team initially to each Air Force base with a major command headquarters

Paving the way for a new travel reimbursement process

Air Force finance officials are implementing ways to improve customer service to Airmen with process changes, said the director of the Secretary of the Air Force Financial Management Process Improvement and Integrations Office. "This has been a rocky road for some Air Force travelers," said

UAVs return from successful missions

Air Force takes center stage as Bulls visit Lakers

In a sea of purple and gold, it was Air Force blue that took center stage as Airmen from across the country performed in honor of Air Force Week Los Angeles when the Chicago Bulls came to LA to take on the Lakers Nov. 18 at the Staples Center here. Airmen from bases across the country represented

Air Force chief of staff visits Arnold

The chief of staff of the Air Force made his first visit to middle Tennessee and to Arnold Engineering Development Center here Nov. 17 to see and learn about developmental testing of current and future weapons systems. Gen. Norton Schwartz's inaugural tour of AEDC started off with a bang, literally,

Remains of B-52 aircrew laid to rest at Arlington

The remains of six B-52 Stratofortress aircrew members killed when their aircraft crashed off the northwest coast of Guam July 21 were laid to rest in a ceremony held Nov. 14 at Arlington National Cemetery. Dozens of family members, friends and Airmen gathered at the graveside to bury Col. George T.