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  • DOD identifies Air Force casualty

    The Department of Defense announced Feb. 19 the death of an Airman who died Feb. 18 when the coalition MH-47 special operations helicopter he was riding in crashed in eastern Afghanistan. Tech. Sgt. Scott E. Duffman, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope

  • Hockey: Two Falcons earn Player of Week honors

    Two Air Force hockey players earned conference player of the week awards from the Atlantic Hockey Association. Senior left wing Andrew Ramsey was the league's offensive player of the week. Ramsey had a hand in six of AFA's seven goals in the two-game series vs. Canisius, Feb. 16-17. He had one goal

  • Feb. 19 airpower: close-air support missions

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 19. In Afghanistan Feb. 18, 30 close-air support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Ten U.S. Air

  • Raptors arrive at Kadena

    Ten F-22 Raptors arrived here Feb. 17 and 18 for the first overseas deployment of the Air Force's newest air supremacy aircraft. The aircraft, assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., started their deployment to Kadena almost 10 days previously with a stop at Hickam AFB,

  • Airmen kick off part two of Falcon Condor 2007

    A crowd of more than 15,000 Peruvians watched in amazement as the skies above Las Palmas Air Force Base in Lima, Peru, were filled with Peruvian and U.S. aircraft during a joint air show that kicked off here Feb. 17. The air show, Falcon Condor 2007, is in addition to a joint exercise that took

  • 379th responds to increased operations

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing kicked into high gear to support ongoing operations in Iraq, while still providing a presence in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. Flying squadrons and maintenance units throughout the wing responded to the call for an increased display of airpower to back the

  • Feb. 18 airpower: F-16s provide over watch for search team

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 18.In Afghanistan Feb. 17, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets conducted a strike against insurgents Near Qurya. The Hornet strike-fighters dropped guided bomb unit-38 joint direct attack munitions on insurgent compounds and

  • DOD recognizes Travis medical center

    David Grant Medical Center has been honored with the 2006 Team Performance Patient Safety Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in creating a safer patient environment. The award, presented at the 2007 Military Health System conference in Washington, D.C., is the highest honor within the

  • Air Force band builds relations in Peru

    An Air Force regional band is on tour here sharing the Air Force story through music and entertainment while supporting Airmen participating in a joint military exercise and air show this weekend. The Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, located at Port Hueneme Naval Station, Calif., is

  • First F-22 Raptors arrive at Kadena

    The first two F-22 Raptors arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16 for their first overseas deployment. The remaining aircraft will follow in the coming days. A software issue affecting the F-22's navigation system was discovered while the aircraft were en route to Kadena Feb. 10, which delayed

  • Patrick reservists practice astronaut rescue

    Reservists from Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing here took part in a Mode 7 Exercise at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Feb. 13. Helicopter crews from the wing's 301st Rescue Squadron provide range security during space shuttle launches. Pararescuemen in the wing's 308th RQS are on

  • Osan remembers Battle of Bayonet Hill

    Osan held its annual remembrance ceremony for the Hill 180 "Battle of Bayonet Hill" Feb. 9. The crowd of 200 people included distinguished guests such as Lt. Gen. David Valcourt, 8th Army commander, and Larry Lyons from the Pacific Area Veterans of Foreign Wars.It was here 56 years ago that nine

  • Training prepares Airmen to handle violent situations

    In most schools, students are expected to behave. At Homestead, one group of students not only fought with their instructors, but it was encouraged. Twenty-five security forces Airmen took part in unarmed defensive tactics training here Feb. 10. The class taught skills such as law enforcement

  • Feb. 17 airpower: A-10s provide over watch

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 17.In Afghanistan Feb. 16, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Horntes provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops receiving small arms and mortar fire from enemy forces near Musa Qal'eh. A Joint

  • Andersen takes small dental clinic of the year honors

    The 36th Medical Operations Squadron Dental Clinic was awarded the USAF Small Dental Clinic of the Year for 2006."Our dental readiness at Team Andersen is outstanding," said Maj. James Kutner, 36th MDOS officer in charge of the clinical dentistry and laboratory dentistry elements. "This is a very

  • Airmen foster relations as ambassadors

    It was smiles galore as Airmen paid a visit to a local foster home Feb. 16, while here for a joint air show with the Peruvian Air Force. More than 400 children were treated to a performance by the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest and conversation with Airmen. The children, some of whom are

  • Lieutenant pops question in national magazine

    A McGuire AFB lieutenant will be taking his new bride on a dream honeymoon in South Africa after their 2008 nuptials -- a trip which the couple won this week following an extreme marriage proposal in Essence Magazine's February love issue.1st Lt. Kerry Mackey Jr., a 305th Comptroller Squadron budget

  • Feb. 16 airpower: F-15s show force

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 16. In Afghanistan Feb. 15, F-15 Eagles provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near Pashsbad. The F-15s investigated suspected enemy activity and

  • Lajes NCO's job saves water, money

    A Lajes Field NCO may not fly a jet or drive a tank, but carrying a pipe-wrench for the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron can be just as important. "We're here for the main plumbing and water distribution," said Staff Sgt. Kellen Buss, who works in the utilities shop. "Any water that goes from the wells

  • Ramstein inbound section delivers

    Each year an average of 30,000 packages pass through the Cargo Movement Center's inbound section helping ensure Ramstein Air Base runs smoothly. Nestled on Ramstein's southside is a large warehouse. It is the home of the inbound section and just down the road from Ramstein's flightline. "We touch

  • Eagle Flag role players: Airmen helping Airmen

    In a matter of minutes, one master sergeant here became a "chief" during a briefing for Exercise Eagle Flag 07-3 Feb. 5 at Fort Dix, N.J. "As a role player, you're deployed here to help push the students to do better, but we learn right beside them," said Master Sgt. James Gardner of the 60th

  • 820th Red Horse starts 'New Horizons' project in Nicaragua

    The opening ceremony for New Horizons Nicaragua was held here Feb. 15, marking a new beginning for the citizens of this small village in the Carazo District.  New Horizons is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored readiness training exercise.The town will now have a new school and medical clinic, thanks

  • Medical teams provide priceless gift

    Most people get cards, chocolate and flowers from someone special on Valentine's Day. On this particular day, the treatment, care and attention patients in a C-17 Globemaster III received from a combined aerial medic team far surpassed any typical Feb. 14 gift. The critical care air transport and

  • Firefighter brotherhood reaches across international borders

    Thirteen could prove to be a lucky number for Iraqi citizens in An Nasiriyah as that is the number of firefighters whose abilities have been enhanced through training with Airmen deployed here. Airmen firefighters from Air Expeditionary Forces 3, 4, 5 and 6 introduced the Iraqis to American

  • Federal marshals thank Ravens for Lebanon evacuation role

    Air Mobility Command's premier security forces were recognized by the Federal Air Marshal Service during a ceremony here Feb. 12. Master Sgt. Shawn Larkin, the superintendent of Phoenix Raven and contingency operations for AMC, accepted the FAMS' appreciation award on behalf of 26 active duty and

  • Propane plant fuels utility alternatives for Moody

    Members of the 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron are using a new propane-air mix system to create an alternative source of fuel, allowing the base to avoid paying high contract fees for natural gas. The system, which Moody AFB officials began using in November, substitutes propane for the natural gas

  • New Horizons kicks off in Nicaragua

    More than 500 Nicaraguans along with deployed members of the United States military celebrated the official start of the New Horizons 2007 humanitarian exercise Feb. 15. New Horizons is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored readiness training exercise designed to help Nicaraguan people in Santa Teresa

  • Combat camera videographer receives Purple Heart

    Within an hour of waking up in the Air Force Theater Hospital on the morning of Feb. 11, Staff Sgt. Kathryn Robinson was presented with the Purple Heart. Sergeant Robinson, a videographer assigned to the 4th Combat Camera Squadron in March Air Reserve Base, Calif. , was shot once in the left forearm

  • Emergency crews practice techniques in mock car crash

    To test how fire, medical and security forces respond to a real emergency, exercise planners put together a mock car crash using two battered cars and three crash victims Feb. 14 at Yokota AB. "Basically, we like throwing different things at our units to see how the personnel handle this," said

  • Convoy reduction flights keep Airmen out of harm's way

    Convoys transporting Airmen and supplies on the highways of Iraq face a constant risk from terrorist attacks. In an effort to reduce the number of convoys going out, the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron performs regular airlift convoy reduction missions out of Balad Air Base, Iraq.The focus of

  • Airmen honored for combatant deployment roles

    The Air Force recently named three Fort Hood, Texas, Airmen the first recipients of three new awards during a ceremony at the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon. The new awards honor members of the tactical air control party career field. Two of the awards are named after TACP Airmen who gave their

  • Feb. 15 airpower: F-16s provide convoy watch

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 15.In Afghanistan Feb. 14, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Forward Operating Base Carlson. In total, 34

  • F-22s make mark at Red Flag

    The F-22 Raptor flew in its first Red Flag exercise that started Feb. 3 here, showcasing its stealth, super cruise and other advantages absent in legacy fighters. Pilots from the 94th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., are flying F-22s against Red Flag aggressors, with pilots from the

  • Lessons learned program to improve deployments

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have established a program to help solve problems and improve things for new people rotating into the area of responsibility. The CENTAF Office of Lessons Learned, established in October 2004, has increased its staff and now has two specialists working to

  • Fuels flight pumps out record

    Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's petroleum, oil and lubricant, or POL, flight pumped a lot of gas recently. In fact, they set a record for the highest number of gallons of fuel issued in a single month over the last three years. POL Airmen received and issued a

  • Combat skills training prepares security forces

    The 60th Security Forces Squadron here offers a two-day expeditionary combat skills training course to prepare Airmen for deployments."(We want to) give the students a set of basic skills to work with so if they ever encounter a force protection scenario, it'll give them that basic skill set to act

  • Air Force Reserve A-10s get 'smart' systems

    You can build just about anything on a good foundation. Air Force reservists from the 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 303rd Fighter Squadron here are being reminded of that as five of the 442nd Fighter Wing's A-10 Thunderbolt IIs are being equipped with "smart" multi-function color

  • Planning critical to Red Flag - Alaska success

    Coalition and American pilots, aircrews and support members need a realistic training environment, and Red Flag - Alaska provides some of the most realistic training on earth. Coordinating this training is the responsibility of the 353rd Combat Training Squadron members, who plan and prepare each

  • Refueling maintainers run largest 'gas station' in Atlantic

    Imagine pushing your vehicle down the road to a service station to refuel. Now imagine pulling a more than 30,000 pound F-16 Fighting Falcon to an island in the middle of the ocean to get gas. Airmen at Lajes Field like Senior Airman Justin Madsden keep the biggest gas station in the Atlantic

  • Hurricane Hunters fly Atlantic winter storm

    Hurricane Hunters from here flew toward an impending winter storm Feb. 13. Forecasters expected more snow for the northeastern seaboard the next day. Better known for pinpointing tropical storms and hurricanes, Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron WC-130J aircraft

  • Feb. 14 airpower: F-15s conduct successful strikes

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 14.In Afghanistan Feb. 13, Air Force F-15 Eagles conducted a strike against enemy forces near Musa Qal'eh. An F-15 expended a guided bomb unit-12 on a vehicle, successfully destroying it and stopping an enemy

  • Vandenberg Airman sparks change throughout DOD

    When she stood in front of senior leaders Dec. 21 at Breaker's Dining Facility here and voiced her concern, she had no idea her question would be heard by Department of Defense officials. The question Airman 1st Class Erica Hudson presented during an Airmen's breakfast that morning came from a

  • First F-22 bound for Pacific unveiled

    Representatives from the Air Force and Lockheed Martin gathered to accept Pacific Air Forces' first F-22 Raptor Feb. 12 at Marietta, Ga. This latest F-22 will be among 36 others that will make up the first F-22s assigned to PACAF at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens

  • Atlanta kicks off 'Heritage to Horizons' celebration

    Southern hospitality, total force and joint partnership were the ingredients that formed the inaugural kickoff for the Air Force's 60th Anniversary celebration Feb. 12 in Atlanta. The official kickoff was held at the State Capitol, where Gov. Sonny Perdue welcomed the "Heritage to Horizons" Air

  • 36th OG reactivates to meet Pacific theater mission

    The 36th Operations Group was reactivated after more than a decade to serve as the focal point for the Air Force's expeditionary operations taking place here. The 36th OG will assume the mission of the 36th Expeditionary Operations Group and establish a permanent command structure for deployed Air

  • Reserve wing closes chapter in history

    Reservists from the 944th Fighter Wing here bid farewell to the last three F-16 Fighting Falcons after almost 20 years. The unit's F-16s are being reassigned to other locations on the recommendations of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. "This is like a family that's moving on," said Lt.

  • F-22 deployment to Kadena delayed

    While en route to Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 10, a software issue affecting the F-22 Raptor's navigation system was discovered. All aircraft, which departed Hickam AFB earlier that day, returned safely. F-22 engineers and maintainers are working to update the software. After successful testing,

  • Air Force completes F-16 accident investigation

    Air Force officials completed an investigation of the F-16 Fighting Falcon accident at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Oct. 26, 2006, which resulted in the loss of the 56th Fighter Wing aircraft. The accident investigation board determined a third stage fan disk malfunction caused the mishap. The fan

  • Joint patrols keep Incirlik in good hands

    They may not be known as well as partners Batman and Robin or Starsky and Hutch, but members of the 39th Security Forces Squadron and the Turkish air force are partners protecting the citizens here all the same. They may wear different uniforms, have a different culture and even speak a different

  • Hurricane Hunters track Pacific winter storms

    While most people flee when a pending storm is coming, Keesler AFB Airmen go right into the heart of storms to provide detailed information about storms to warn people of hazardous weather.Airmen and WC-130J Hercules aircraft, also known as Hurricane Hunters, left here Feb. 12 for Anchorage, Alaska,

  • Last-minute call leads to unplanned refueling mission

    A late night call, a cancelled sortie and flexibility led an aircrew from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron here to expedite medical care for more than a dozen severely injured troops being transported from Iraq to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Feb. 7. According to Capt. Brent Toth, 100th

  • Reserve doctor chosen for medical specialty board

    The chief of Air Force Reserve Command's line-of-duty board was chosen to serve on the American Board of Preventative Medicine beginning in August. Col. (Dr.) Susan Northrup was selected in January to serve a three-year term on the ABPM, the only U.S. agency that certifies medical doctors in

  • AFCEE, AAFES join forces to construct new facilities

    The Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence here and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service are joining forces to design and build new facilities across the Air Force. AAFES, which has its headquarters in Dallas, maintains more than 12,000 main exchanges, military clothing stores, movie

  • Air Force ads to feature Charleston Airmen

    Filming for the next campaign of Air Force commercials began here Feb. 9. The Air Force's contract ad agency, GSD&M Advertising, flew with active-duty and Reserve Airmen from here onboard three C-17 Globemaster IIIs to the North Auxiliary Field in North, S.C., where crewmembers performed airdrops

  • Feb. 12 airpower: A-10s help team apprehend insurgents

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 12.In Afghanistan Feb. 11, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving small arms and rocket fire from enemy forces near Tarin Kowt. No

  • Airmen return from Urban Sniper School

    Two Airmen from the 736th Security Forces Squadron here recently returned from 11 days of training in an Urban Sniper School with a Marine expeditionary unit at Kadena Air Base, Japan.Tech. Sgt. Samuel Howell and Staff Sgt. Patrick Pendergest along with nine Marines attended the school taught by the

  • Lajes Airmen impact mission at Naval Station Rota

    Helping with the war effort doesn't always mean Airmen have to be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Naval Station Rota in Spain houses an average of 50 Airmen who are on temporary duty from bases throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe who are fighting the war on terrorism by supporting the Air Force's

  • Air transportation specialists key to life at Lajes

    Keeping Lajes Field members fed and informed is a vital job that falls on the shoulders of a 28-year-old sergeant's team, since virtually everything the base needs is flown into the small island off Portugal that Lajes Field calls home.Staff Sgt. Eric Brooks and the rest of his team at the 729th Air

  • Iron Thunder roars through Shaw

    Thunder was heard throughout the Carolinas in early February as more than 100 Air Force, Navy, Marine and Royal Air Force aircraft participated in Exercise Iron Thunder.The four-day, multiservice and multinational exercise, hosted by the 77th Fighter Squadron here, prepared participants for future

  • Loadmasters learn from mentors

    A hefty responsibility rests on the shoulders of many junior expeditionary Airmen in the war on terrorism. Daniel Stone, Brian Mulkey and Sheldon Cary, all loadmasters and airmen 1st class from the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, are among the many junior Airmen making a difference on a daily

  • Mentoring helps develop future Air Force

    When leaders mentor their subordinates, they are helping develop the Air Force as an organization. By taking an active role in each Airman's career, a supervisor can develop his or her personnel into better leaders. "It helps the Air Force tremendously because our individuals are now motivated,

  • U.S. Central Command air power official meets with Kenya Air Force

    On a recent return visit to Kenya, the commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces continued a dialogue of cooperation and mutual operational goals with Kenya Air Force officials this week. Lt. Gen. Gary North met with Brig. Gen. Jackson Waheru, deputy commander of the Kenya Air Force, among other

  • Feb. 11 airpower: F-16s provide close-air support

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 11. In Afghanistan Feb. 10, Royal Air Force GR-7s provided a show of force for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops patrolling near Now Zad. The patrol reported that a ceasefire agreement had

  • F-15 Strike Eagles take over close-air-support mission at Bagram

    The F-15 Strike Eagle recently swapped out with the A-10 Thunderbolt II to assume responsibility of the close-air-support mission here. The F-15s are assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and are deployed from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

  • Feb. 10 airpower: F-16s destroy IED production plant

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 10. In Afghanistan Feb. 9, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Pashsbad. The B-1

  • Kadena's hospital gets a check-up

    Patients at the Kadena clinic can rest a little easier knowing clinic staff members are doing all they can to make sure they get the best care possible. The 18th Medical Group recently underwent two simultaneous evaluations. The hospital was scored on the nine functional areas of the medical field,

  • Balad exercise hones response skills

    A joint Army and Air Force exercise recently tested the emergency response skills of Airmen and Soldier firefighters at Balad Air Base, Iraq. "Our No. 1 goal is to coordinate an emergency response that'll safely take the injured to a medical treatment facility," said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin

  • U.S. airpower strikes suspected terrorists in Baghdad

    In response to a call for air power, a U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon aided U.S. ground forces by delivering precision munitions on eight hostile personnel in an air strike south of Baghdad Feb. 8. The F-16 pilot, launched from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, responded to a U.S. Air

  • AFSO21 streamlines deployment processing

    Deploying Airmen had an easier transition into the area of responsibility this January because the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Squadron Readiness Flight revamped the way the Aerial Port of Debarkation processes Airmen departing and arriving. Fellow Airmen redeploying in January may not have

  • Life-saving attempt earns Airman praise, accolade

    A 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman received a medal recently that will serve as a reminder of the day he unwittingly stepped into the spotlight while on a mission in Africa. While waiting for his dinner companions at a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, Tech. Sgt. Bryant Billingsley heard a call for

  • Helicopter support trailer provides rapid mobility

    It appears to be just a plain gray box, with a drop down rear ramp and external lighting. There are no flashy unit murals or logos. In fact, there is no labeling on the trailer at all, other than a government license plate. This nondescript trailer, recently purchased by the 723rd Aircraft

  • Football: Perez, Fowler receive Air Force's top honors

    Senior Gilberto Perez and junior Drew Fowler took home top honors at the 25th Annual Air Force Football Awards Banquet Feb. 9 at the Broadmoor Hotel. Perez received the Brian Bullard Memorial Award while Fowler captured the overall most valuable player. Other players receiving awards included junior

  • Deterrence keeps secluded Minuteman crew focused

    After more than a hour's drive from civilization, down sometimes treacherous country dirt roads, 1st Lt. Matthew Bejcek still has about 90 minutes of security checks to pass through before he can start his job as a caretaker of this nation's single biggest deterrent to terrorism. There is a reason

  • Moody Airman receives Purple Heart

    When a sniper's bullet careened off his turret-mounted machine gun and struck his side, the last thing the young Airman thought was that he had just been shot. Senior Airman Jeremy Birchfield, 824th Security Forces Squadron turret gunner, had just paid a local Iraqi boy to get him a pizza, while he

  • Expeditor training part of AFSO 21 initiatives

    Members of the 60th Aerial Port Squadron here are holding a two-week class to develop ways to eliminate time aircrews and loadmasters are spending on the ground after a flight. Tech. Sgt. Ryan Holmes, a course director from the Air Mobility Warfare Center at Fort Dix, N.J., said they will train

  • Feb. 9 airpower: F-16 strike takes out terrorists

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 9.In Afghanistan Feb. 8, an Air Force B-1 Lancer, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and French air force M-2000 Mirages provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving enemy

  • Vehicle registration streamlines customer service

    Airmen who work in the vehicle registration office here realized not all of their customers were happy all the time. There were a variety of concerning factors, but the main area of dissatisfaction was waiting times. "In the summertime I believe our max wait was three hours and 45 minutes long. And

  • Reservists urged to establish virtual accounts

    Air Force Reserve Command officials want officers, senior NCOs and supervisors to establish virtual Personnel Center - Guard/Reserve, or vPC-GR, accounts by April 2. Maj. Gen. Allan R. Poulin, AFRC vice commander, urges all reservists to get a vPC-GR account, by logging on to the vPC-GR Web

  • Units focus on bringing better capabilities to warfighters

    Senior leaders from Air Mobility Command, the Electronic System Center, and the Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center gathered for the 11th Exchange Day among the three organizations Feb. 7 here.Beginning in 2001, the biannual event has brought

  • F-22 begins first overseas deployment

    The first overseas operational deployment of the Air Force's newest fighter is underway as 12 F-22 Raptors landed here Feb. 7 en route to Kadena Air Base, Japan. The aircraft and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th Fighter Squadron from Langley AFB, Va., are supporting the U.S. Pacific Command's

  • Air Force team performs goodwill mission in Thailand

    A U.S. Air Force medical and dental team and members of the Royal Thai Air Force participated in a humanitarian mission at Thairat 72 School in Udon Thani on Feb. 6. This was the second civil-action project and the first in northern Thailand conducted during exercise Cope Tiger 2007. According to

  • Physician assistant receives Purple Heart

    An Airman who survived an improvised explosive device attack in December isn't likely to forget that moment -- or the one when he was presented a Purple Heart by the chief of staff of the Air Force Feb. 4. Capt. Kevin Fischer is a physician assistant assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics

  • New trailer equipped for rapid response to biological agents

    A ceremony Feb. 6 here marked the first delivery in the Air Force of a laboratory response team trailer. The trailer is equipped with the Joint Biological Agent Identification and Diagnostic System, or JBAIDS, which provides rapid analysis of biological agents, an essential capability during an

  • Fighter training in Turkey helps more than just pilots

    Fighting Falcons are flying over Turkey as Airmen of the 22nd and 23rd Fighter Squadrons from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, conduct rotational deployment training. Accompanying the fighter squadrons are members of several Spangdalhem AB units charged with keeping the F-16 Fighting Falcon

  • Feb. 8 airpower: F-16s provide key airpower support

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 8.In Afghanistan Feb. 7, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided show-of-force for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops by flying over an area reported to have suspected insurgents hiding and

  • Schriever Airmen assist during satellite program move

    The 6th Space Operations Squadron Airmen here are assisting with satellite control authority of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, augmenting National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration specialists who deployed to Schriever Jan. 29 from their facilities in Suitland, Md. NOAA

  • Dover reorganizes for C-17 mission

    A ceremony here Feb. 4 marked the end of a 30-year run of Dover AFB's sole C-5 Galaxy mission and the beginning of a new era as the base prepares for the first of 13 C-17 Globemaster IIIs scheduled to arrive this summer. Air Force Reserve Command's 512th Maintenance Group is reorganizing to

  • Air Force unit wins 2006 DOD Patient Safety Award

    The 59th Medical Wing staff was recognized as a Department of Defense Patient Safety Award winner for their use of new technology and innovation for patient care and safety tracking in an emergency department setting Jan. 30. The award was presented to Brig. Gen. (Dr.) David G. Young III, the 59th

  • PACAF commander: Unity is key in war on terrorism

    Taking care of Airmen and their families, the war on terrorism, modernizing the aging fleet, and the recent stand-up of the 13th Air Force Detachment at Yokota AB, Japan, were topics of interest for the commander of Pacific Air Forces during a visit to Kadena AB Feb. 1 to 3. "Taking care of Airmen

  • Lieutenant gets 12 years for child porn

    A lieutenant assigned here was sentenced Jan. 29 to 12 years in a federal prison for possessing and receiving child pornography. First Lt. Harold G. Henderson Jr. also received 10 years of supervised probation once released from prison and a $500 fine, and he must register as a sex offender. Wyoming

  • 2nd Air Force issues breathalyzers for test

    Second Air Force has begun distributing nearly 25,000 individual breathalyzers to five bases for use during a test focused on alcohol abuse education and awareness. The program originated at the Air Force Safety Office and was given to 2nd Air Force because of the large number of students who have

  • Kirkuk Airmen provide care following attack

    Two Iraqi civilians were injured near Kirkuk, Iraq when they were caught in the crossfire between Iraqi, authorities and insurgents Feb. 1. After being transported here by helicopter and receiving emergency medical treatment from members of the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, they were flown

  • The making of an air commando

    I had never heard the song before, but the melody was vaguely familiar: "Swamp rat, swamp rat, where do you hi-ide? "Come out in the open and I'll be your guy-ide." The raspy voice bounced off the tall pines in Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana: I'm a friendly guerilla who'll take you

  • Air Force converts largest group of civilian employees to NSPS

    The Air Force converted the largest group of civilian employees to the National Security Personnel System in its recent spiral. NSPS is implemented in stages call "Spirals." Spiral 1.2H conversion began Jan. 21. Approximately 26,000 employees converted, bringing the number of Air Force employees

  • F-15s kept 'eye on the sky' during Super Bowl

    In the days leading up to Super Bowl XLI, Airmen from the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing at Jacksonville were ready to switch on engine power to their fighter aircraft in an instant.While thousands of fans streamed into Miami, the wing's F-15 Eagles stepped up patrols, flying

  • Homefront America offers $25K in scholarships

    A troop-support group has launched an essay contest to award scholarships to military children in gratitude for the sacrifices they have made while their parents serve the nation.Homefront America has joined the W. Daniel Tate family and Sara's Hope Foundation for a second year to host a scholarship

  • Air Force Reserve expands KC-135 force at March ARB

    Air Force Reserve Command officials have expanded the size of its KC-135 Stratotanker force at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., as part of the Air Force total force integration initiatives.Under the Base Realignment and Closure process, the 939th Air Refueling Wing at Portland International Airport,

  • Vandenberg team launches Minuteman III

    An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from North Vandenberg Feb. 7 at 12:14 a.m. "This program is key to our constant assessment of the reliability of our ICBM fleet," said Brig. Gen. C. Donald Alston, director of Air Force Space Command's Air, Space and

  • Shield has historic past

    The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group share the same emblem. The only difference between the two is the designation in the scroll.The blue and yellow colors represent the Air Force. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow