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  • Predictability added to deployed travel

    Most deployed Airmen know how far along they are in their rotation and when they expect to return home.Until recently, that date was mostly speculation, but, thanks to aggregation, Airmen will know exactly when their replacement is coming and when they will leave.U.S. Central Command Air Forces

  • Air Force medics conduct plastic surgery clinic

    A seven-person plastic surgery team from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is currently providing free corrective surgeries to Ecuadorian civilians here.Operating on mostly cleft lips and pallets, the team is staging from the El Hospital Militar de Cuenca, an Ecuadorian military hospital located near

  • U.S. still welcome at Manas, Kyrgyzstan minister says

    The United States is welcome to continue using Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan's defense minister said here July 26.Gen.Maj. Ismail Isakov also said that any future movement of U.S. troops out of Kyrgyzstan "fully depends upon the situation in Afghanistan." After Afghanistan is stabilized there would be

  • Battlelab technicians develop solutions for warfighters

    With sand whipping across your face and sweat dripping down your forehead, you squint through the scope at the enemy target."The third building on the left," you shout into the radio. A garbled transmission is returned. Closing your eyes, you take a deep breath and hope the pilot heard you. The

  • QDR will reflect tomorrow’s, not today’s, challenges

    Military leaders will resist any temptation to assume the force needed for the future will be a cookie-cutter version of today's needs, Gen. Richard B. Myers said here July 25.The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was talking about how the military will examine its forces, resources and programs

  • Rhein-Main changes billeting, long-term parking procedures

    As Rhein-Main Air Base draws closer to its Dec. 31 close date, travelers who frequent the base will begin to notice changes in services provided. A change in the long-term parking policy gives priority to people traveling on Air Mobility Command missions, and space-available lodging is no longer

  • Planes soar thanks to Baghdad's ‘tower of power’

    Except for a thick dusty haze squatting on the city from day to day, Baghdad and the surrounding Iraqi countryside would be completely visible from here. Being 180 feet taller than almost any other vantage point in the city, Baghdad International Airport's control tower has certain advantages.The

  • Airmen provide exams before, after interrogations

    Iraqi detainees at the prison here receive medical examinations before and after interrogation thanks to an independent group of Air Force medics.The detainee health care team monitors and maintains the health of about 2,000 detainees who are “actively undergoing interrogation,” said Major Carol,

  • Civilian director accepted to Harvard

    Most people cannot wait to get out of school. Brian Lally cannot wait to start.Of course, it helps if the school is Harvard University. It also helps if all expenses are paid.Mr. Lally, executive director for the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency here, was recently selected to attend Harvard

  • Test pilot school selection board date set

    Air Force officials plan to hold the next test pilot school selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 for classes beginning in July 2006 and January 2007.The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School trains pilots and navigators as well as civilian and military engineers to

  • Pam Tillis rocks Holloman during ‘Spirit of America Tour’

    Country music singer Pam Tillis entertained more than 800 Airmen and their families with a free two-hour concert here July 18.“There’s a lot of feelings and emotions that come from getting to rub shoulders with you guys,” said Miss Tillis, who gave the concert as a part of the Spirit of America

  • Air Force Reserve seeks applicants for full-time duty

    Air Force Reserve officials are looking for officers and enlisted people to fill full-time Active Guard and Reserve positions.In the past 15 years, the number of slots has increased from 400 to more than 1,900 authorizations."We have opportunities in many specialties but a larger concentration in

  • Red Horse engineers build Iraqi future

    In the military community, the Red Horse name invokes images of rough and ready Airmen who can deploy at a moment’s notice into austere and hostile environments and build an operational airfield, seemingly overnight.In today’s war on terrorism, a group of Red Horse engineers from the Ohio and

  • Servicemembers overseas get free wrestling broadcast

    World Wrestling Entertainment will offer its July 24 pay-per-view special, "SmackDown! The Great American Bash," free for broadcast on American Forces Network as a way of thanking servicemembers and their families for their service to America.The program will be broadcast from Buffalo, N.Y., and

  • Military compensation committee hears proposals

    The Defense Advisory Committee on Military Compensation met here July 20 to hear presentations about the current state of military compensation programs and recommendations to improve them.Covered were retirement compensation, health benefits, special incentive pay, quality of life and reserve

  • Panel adds bases for closure, realignment consideration

    The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission voted to add several military installations, including Pope Air Force Base, N.C., to a list for closure or realignment considerations during July 19 hearings here.The previous day, senior Defense Department officials provided testimony before the

  • Innovative techniques help Air Force meet manning goals

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for personnel told lawmakers July 19 the service would meet its end-strength requirement by the end of the fiscal year. In March, Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady told lawmakers the service would meet its end-strength goal by end of the fiscal year."End strength" is the

  • Air Force accepting physician assistant applications

    The Air Force is taking applications for physician assistant Phase I training classes in beginning January, April and August 2007.Only active-duty enlisted Airmen are eligible to apply.The selection board is scheduled to convene at the Air Force Personnel Center here March 21, 2006. Completed

  • Air Force accepting physical therapy applications

    The Air Force is taking applications for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program which begins Dec. 17, 2006, at the Health Science Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.Only active-duty Airmen who possess a baccalaureate degree or those who are in the final semester before receiving a degree that

  • USAFE helps Rwandan troops deploy to Darfur

    A C-17 Globemaster III departed here July 18 carrying 95 Rwandan troops deploying to help ease the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. The airlift started the 86th Aerospace Expeditionary Group’s involvement in NATO’s support to the African Union expanded mission in the region. The

  • USAFE supports Royal International Air Tattoo

    More than 150,000 people attended the 2005 Royal International Air Tattoo here July 16 and 17, air show officials said. The air show has been officially named by the “Guinness Book of Records” as the world’s largest military air show with participation of more than 300 aircraft from more than 30

  • Military programs can ease pain of post-war trauma

    Army Spc. David Avila sings his favorite song, “La Bamba,” to his son almost every night. It is not just the entertainment value; it is his way of conveying his wartime experiences to his son. “La Bamba” sounds like boom in English, a sound Specialist Avila heard just about every night in Iraq. It

  • Safety course teaches risk management for two-wheelers

    Many motorcyclists say there is nothing like the feeling of flying down the highway on two wheels with a sunset stretched out ahead.But before hitting the open road, Airmen and civilians here, and many throughout the Air Force, must complete an approved motorcycle safety course and pass a

  • Leaders address Air Force in BRAC process

    Defense Department leaders told the Base Realignment and Closure Commission July 18 why certain military facilities are not included in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's May 13 recommendations.Commissioners were here to continue their deliberations after visiting military bases nationwide in

  • Guard supports families through deployment hardships

    Families of deployed guardsmen and reservists face challenges beyond those of active-duty families, and a strong family support network stands behind them to help through those difficult days, the National Guard Bureau chief said."The challenges are considerable," said Army Lt. Gen. H Steven

  • PACAF receives national award for legal assistance

    A Pacific Air Forces committee designed to increase the legal readiness of PACAF Airmen was recently awarded the Legal Assistance for Military Personnel 2004 Distinguished Service Award.The award recognizes those who display exceptional achievements and service in support of military legal

  • Charges preferred in Columbus AFB cheating investigation

    Court martial charges were preferred here July 13 against Capt. Richard Brimer, of the 41st Flying Training Squadron here, for his role in a cheating incident during the T-37 Tweet phase of specialized undergraduate pilot training. The charges consist of: a violation of Article 92, failure to obey a

  • Captain deployed with German helicopter unit in Kosovo

    Since Vietnam, helicopters have proven how invaluable they are in day-to-day operations in a combat zone because of their flexibility. Today’s helicopter crews must be “jacks of all trades,” ready to fly whatever mission they are assigned.One Airman assigned to the German contingent supporting

  • 'Families First' to transform personal moves

    The process of servicemembers moving their household goods -- virtually unchanged for many years -- is about to transform.The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command here is developing a new process called “Families First,” scheduled to launch Feb. 1, 2006."We are extremely proud to

  • Flying force-multiplier provides eyes forward

    A small, lightweight airborne surveillance system is paying big dividends in helping the 379th Security Forces Squadron accomplish its mission while safeguarding the Air Force’s most valuable asset -- Airmen.The system serves as eyes forward for security forces Airmen and provides a visual of

  • Guard chief vows to minimize personal impact of BRAC

    The National Guard Bureau chief has vowed to work closely with Air Force leaders to ensure that proposed base closures and realignments do not adversely affect the Air National Guard or its guardsmen.Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum said the Defense Department's recommendations, announced in May, could

  • Afghanistan launches regional air control center

    The Kabul Air Control Center officially opened July 12 with a ceremony presided by the second vice president of Afghanistan.“The formal opening of the Kabul Air Control Center symbolizes the success of the people of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Transport and coalition forces,” said Brig. Gen. Allen

  • Master sergeant sentenced in WAPS case

    A master sergeant was sentenced to a dishonorable discharge, a demotion to E-1 and 42 months confinement July 15 for charges involving the distribution of controlled weighted airman promotion system testing materials.Master Sgt. J. Abdur Rahim Saafir, of the 469th Air Base Group at Rhein-Main Air

  • Brothers reunite in Iraq, share security patrol mission

    When many Americans think about the Army, they envision gunslinging Soldiers securing a tactical area.When they think about the Air Force, many visualize pilots or mechanics preparing to launch an aircraft.Two brothers deployed to Iraq, however, dispel those stereotypes.Staff Sgt. Brian Czerniak, a

  • Air Force officials announce small business winners

    The acting secretary of the Air Force recognized the 2004 Secretary of the Air Force Small and Disadvantaged Business Awards recipients during a ceremony July 8.“My heartfelt thanks go to you for what you do, and for the great value-added contributions you make to the Air Force and the nation," said

  • New test to better assess language proficiency within DOD

    A new language test scheduled to roll out in October will better measure language fluency in real-world situations, the Defense Department's senior language official said July 13.The new test is the fifth generation of the Defense Language Proficiency Test, a battery of tests used to assess native

  • Recruiters test new hometown shipping program

    Air Force Recruiting Service officials here recently began a test program to ship recruits to basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base from their hometowns. The program, called hometown shipping, aims to eliminate the need for applicants to visit a military entrance processing station a

  • U.S. servicemembers join tribute to terrorist victims

    Americans in the U.S. military community living and working in Europe paid tribute July 14 to the victims of the terrorist bombings in London on July 7.Marine Gen. James Jones, commander of U.S. European Command, issued a message to the American forces in Europe encouraging participation in the

  • Late space, missile pioneer receives full military honors

    Retired Gen. Bernard Adolph Schriever, widely regarded as the father and architect of the Air Force space and missile programs, was buried July 12 with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.After a chapel ceremony at Fort Myer, General Schriever was placed on a caisson and

  • AMC uses alternate dispute resolution to solve conflicts

    Air Mobility Command officials here have taken significant steps to promote greater use of a program that has proven to be effective at resolving conflict, especially workplace disputes.The program, known as alternate dispute resolution, significantly reduces the dollars and hours expended annually

  • Service demographics available online

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently published the quarterly demographics report which offers a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force as of June 30.The report outlines information regarding the Air Force’s 354,229 active-duty Airmen and 145,271 civilian employees,

  • Stop movement ends for Hurlburt, 366th TRS detachment

    Officials at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and the 366th Training Squadron’s Detachment 6 in Gulfport, Miss., have reinstated all permanent change of station and temporary duty travel to their respective locations.For more information, Airmen and Department of Defense civilians and their family members can

  • Misawa receives Installation Excellence Award

    Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld has announced the winners of the 2005 Commander-in-Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence. Misawa Air Base, Japan, was selected as the Air Force winner.“This award validates the hard work, commitment and pride of Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines

  • Base residents urged to complete housing survey

    An Air Force-wide base resident survey has been launched to determine the level of satisfaction of family housing residents at installations worldwide.The survey provides base-housing residents and housing managers an opportunity to respond to survey questions regarding housing facilities and

  • Group helps educators reach out to ‘suddenly military' children

    Because of the high number of National Guardsmen and reservists fighting the war on terrorism, the Military Child Education Coalition has created a program to teach educators and others how to help "suddenly military" children of deployed citizen Soldiers.The coalition established a workshop called

  • Defense review matches strategy with capabilities

    The Quadrennial Defense Review, due to Congress in February, is a long-term look to ensure the Defense Department has the tools needed to do the missions of the future, a senior DOD policy official said.Douglas Feith, undersecretary of defense for policy, said the review will take its cues from the

  • General sees ‘seamless’ force in Southwest Asia

    Everyone is on the same team, wears the same uniform and performs the same mission. As a result, people cannot tell the difference between active-duty Airmen, reservists and guardsmen.That is the impression Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley received on his recent visit to Iraq and Afghanistan. General

  • Military astronauts prepare for Discovery mission

    The Defense Department will be well-represented when Space Shuttle Discovery launches into space July 13, with three of the seven crewmembers from the military, including the commander, retired Col. Eileen Collins.As the clock ticks toward the scheduled 3:51 p.m. EDT liftoff, crews are making final

  • Military working dogs: More than man’s best friend

    Dogs are known as man’s best friend, but to Airmen and Soldiers here, military working dogs are considered a four-legged partner in the war against terrorism.Security forces Airmen and Soldiers, along with their military working dogs, have partnered together to provide force protection on this

  • Stop movement order updates for Florida, Mississippi

    Base officials at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and Keesler AFB, Miss., have reinstated all permanent change of station and temporary duty travel to their respective bases.Officials at Eglin AFB, Fla., will lift their stop movement July 13, officials said.For more information, Airmen and Department

  • Airmen free to travel to London

    In conjunction with the United Kingdom government, U.S. Air Forces in Europe senior military officials now consider the London situation stabilized to the point where unofficial travel to London is acceptable.However, Airmen and their families will be asked to avoid areas where British authorities

  • Joint UAV Center of Excellence at Creech

    The newly created Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Center of Excellence will stand up in October at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The Air Force UAV COE, established at Creech in March, will stand down in order to support the joint center. The Air Force will retain its UAV Battlelab, which will continue

  • Edwards' warriors walk for cancer cure

    A broken arm is serious but will heal completely. The flu can leave one bedridden, but disappear in a week or so. But the effect of a chronic illness like cancer is there to stay -- it changes lives forever.This is how Michele Chebahtah, the 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron training manager,

  • 50th anniversary marks future cadets taking oath at academy

    Fifty years ago, 306 civilians took the oath July 11 at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver to become the first Air Force Academy cadets.Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon was recalled from retirement to become the academy’s first superintendent. General Harmon, along with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Nathan F.

  • Military children win scholarships to space camp

    The Military Child Education Coalition is sending 15 children from military families to the U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., this year.When the education coalition started the Bernard Curtis Brown II Memorial Space Camp scholarship award four years ago, there was only enough money to send one

  • Program helps students cope with transitions

    It is a daunting and scary experience when school-age children wake up one morning realizing that they are in a strange new place, and, except for their family, they do not know anyone at all.They have no friends or peers to talk with and know nothing about the school they are about to enter, the

  • Military taking precautions as Hurricane Dennis approaches

    Hurricane Dennis is bearing down on the United States, and servicemembers -- like others in the path of this Category 4 storm -- are taking precautions. The storm, which is moving toward the Florida Keys, has sustained winds of more than 140 miles per hour and could strengthen, said officials at the

  • Hurricane Dennis eyes Gulf Coast, packing major winds

    In a flurry of activity, the base is rushing hurricane preparations before the second major hurricane in 10 months makes landfall nearby. According to a hurricane statement released by The National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Dennis was a strong Category 4 hurricane, packing sustained winds of 150

  • Officials issue stop movement, Florida bases evacuated

    As people and aircraft evacuate some Florida bases July 8 with the approach of Hurricane Dennis, Air Force officials have placed a ”stop movement” order for people permanently moving to or transiting to some Florida and Missippi installations. Affected installations are Whiting Field, Hurlburt

  • Academy athletes earn academic all-conference honors

    Air Force Academy baseball players John Meyers and Dustin Smith were named to the Mountain West Conference Academic All-Conference team July 7.Meyers, a civil engineering major, earned the honor with a 3.30 grade-point average and finished the season with 18 pitching appearances, striking out 18

  • Services Airmen work to improve quality of life

    Long hours and long days fill the four months or more many Airmen spend deployed here, so a good quality of life is an integral part of mission success, said Maj. Brian Eddy, 332nd Expeditionary Services Squadron commander.The squadron’s goal is to contribute to the readiness and improved

  • DOD changes emergency data form to prevent heartaches

    Two sad cases recently highlighted the need for servicemembers to designate who should receive their remains if they are killed in action.DOD has changed the Record of Emergency Data Form -- DD Form 93 -- to require servicemembers to designate exactly who should be declared the "person authorized to

  • New housing allowance guidelines won't result in pay cut

    Defense officials are eliminating the "geographic rate protection" clause that ensures servicemembers moving to a new area receive the same housing allowance as those already living there.Geographic rate protection is expiring in January because basic allowance for housing rates have reached a level

  • Death benefits, insurance increase for servicemembers

    Compensation for the survivors of servicemembers who die in combat zones and insurance coverage for servicemembers will both increase significantly this year.An increase in death gratuity benefits from $12,500 to $100,000 already has taken effect, and Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance maximum

  • Andersen couple wins first sergeant, security forces awards

    A husband and wife at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, have each earned major Air Force-wide recognition. Senior Master Sgt. Robert Altenbernd is the 2005 Air Force First Sergeant of the Year, and his wife, Master Sgt. Nancy Altenbernd, received the 2004 Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Support

  • CDPs provide civilian employees a voice in their career

    As part of civilian force development efforts, development teams are now using career development plans to provide employees at the GS-13 to -15 levels with development recommendations on their careers.The plans are forms that allow civilians to list their short- and long-term development goals.

  • Quadrennial Defense Review process revs up

    The Quadrennial Defense Review looks to make sure the Defense Department is "arranged in the way that makes the most sense for the current situation," a senior Pentagon spokesman said July 5.The QDR is a congressionally mandated study used to analyze the full range of DOD activities. DOD officials

  • Web site delivers high-tech, hands-on health education

    Making the transition to a healthier lifestyle can make the difference between life and death for patients with cardiovascular disease.Through detailed illustrations, testimonials from other patients and other cutting-edge technologies, the CardioConnection Web site takes patient education well

  • Moseley lauds education group's focus on military children

    The general nominated to be the next Air Force chief of staff praised the work of the military child education coalition here June 29 during the group's annual conference.Gen. T. Michael Moseley, currently the Air Force vice chief of staff, said the coalition not only is in the forefront of leveling

  • Expeditionary Airmen form unique personnel team

    More than 85 Airmen have begun serving 365-day deployments supporting the war on terrorism here, and about 200 positions are expected to be in place by December.For many people, the extended tour offers a unique opportunity to help freedom and democracy grow in Iraq; however, with that opportunity

  • Air Force recognizes historical name of Iraqi air base

    What’s in a name? In the case of Ali Base, years of history. Ali Base, situated near the city of An Nasiriyah, in south central Iraq, is the main airfield in southern Iraq from which Iraqi, coalition and U.S. Airmen operate. Until January, coalition forces called the base Tallil. Now, all use the

  • 60th Anniversary of World War II celebrated

    In honor of World War II veterans marking their 60th Anniversary, the World War II Airpower Committee hosted a commemoration ceremony at Arlington Cemetery June 30.The Air Force chief of staff honored airpower contributions to World War II during the ceremony by placing a wreath at the Tomb of the

  • Airman finds freedom in United States

    Most 12-year-olds are trading baseball cards and feeling hesitant about entering middle school. By the time young Duc Tien Luu was 12, he had been a Vietnamese refugee, attempted to smuggle himself into Thailand more than 10 times, was tortured in prison and sent back to his home country on strict

  • Leaders need guidance on religious discussions

    Bluesuiters in leadership positions need more guidance and education about when and where it is appropriate to discuss their faith. That testimony from Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, Air Force deputy chief of staff for personnel, came June 28 before the House Armed Service Committee military personnel

  • EQUAL listing available July 12

    The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for Airmen returning from overseas and continental United States mandatory movers from November through January 2006 will be available July 12.Airmen need to work through their military personnel flights or their commander's support staff to update their

  • Resnicoff: Taking oath involves personal change

    When individuals take an oath to enter military service, a change happens in who they are and what their obligations are. For Airmen, that change must involve a shift from the personal goals of a civilian to the greater goals of the Air Force, with an emphasis on the core values, said Rabbi Arnold

  • Liberty, freedom: An Airman’s journey

    Imagine living in a society where the length of a man’s hair or a woman’s skirt is determined by the government; where liberty and freedom are nonexistent to the majority. Sound far-fetched? Not for one Airman here; it is how he grew up.Chaplain (Capt.) Jin Choi, 5th Bomb Wing chaplain, was born

  • Airmen defend inside the wire

    One group of Airmen here enables local and third-country nationals to work here, which helps Kirkuk officials reduce military manpower needed and provide security to thousands of residents.Airmen escorts came from bases and various career fields throughout the Air Force and brought here to “defend

  • Airmen share culture with South Koreans

    Airmen here got to see what it is like on the “other side of the fence” recently when they spent the night learning and sharing experiences with more than 20 South Korean families from nearby Jeonju City.Airmen from several base squadrons volunteered for the Korean Red Cross Cultural Awareness

  • Reservists, guardsmen bring skills to special missions

    Maj. Eduardo Alzona speaks eight languages -- nine, if you count "legalese."As an undergraduate, Major Alzona studied languages and later attended law school. So when Defense Department officials asked the reservist to teach Spanish to police officers in South Florida, it seemed like a natural

  • Civilian ensures Fourth of July celebration goes off with bang

    For Bob Howett, the Fourth of July is his time to shine, and he has the scar to prove it. During his final Air Force assignment here 25 years ago, the former jet mechanic discovered his love of fireworks. It is that love of explosives that has kept him pleasing crowds worldwide.Mr. Howett started

  • Jumper stresses core values, spiritual strength

    As part of service in the Air Force, Airmen are expected to embrace its core values, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper said in a Chief’s Sight Picture released June 28. These values -- integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do -- are a guide that binds Airmen

  • Airman missing from Vietnam War identified

    The Department of Defense POW/MIA Personnel Office announced June 29 that the remains of an Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial.Lt. Col. Darel Leetun of Hettinger, N.D., will be buried with full military honors July 8

  • President thanks troops, urges Americans to thank them too

    President Bush expressed his gratitude June 28 to the nation's servicemembers and their families, and urged Americans to take time on Independence Day to make their own gesture of thanks.President Bush spoke at Fort Bragg, N.C., in a nationally televised address."To the Soldiers in this hall and our

  • Pilot ejects safely after F-16 skids off runway

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot ejected safely after an emergency landing June 28 at nearby Lamar Airfield.The accident occurred during a training flight in a southeast Colorado military training area. He was attempting an emergency landing after receiving a cockpit fire warning indication. The

  • Official: DOD committed to veterans' health care

    The Defense Department will work with the Veterans Affairs Department to help cover a shortfall in VA funds because of increased dental benefits claimed by returning veterans of the war on terrorism, a top DOD health official told Congress on June 28."The Department of Defense is firmly committed to

  • Mobility bags must be packed, ready

    When most people plan to travel, they take time to make sure they have packed everything they will need for their trip. Sometimes, forgetting a toothbrush can put a damper on a vacation. However, in the military, troops must be ready to go at a moment’s notice. On a deployment to a hazardous duty

  • Airman flies to Dog Island to test radio communication

    An avid private pilot and amateur radio operator assigned here participated in Field Day 2005 on June 25, a national emergency preparedness exercise aimed at ham radio operators.Working alone on a desolate island, Lt. Col. Edward Linch combined his two passions and brought a concept he has long

  • Last TSP 'open season' ends June 30

    The restrictions of having only two open seasons each year for civilian and military members to sign up for, stop, resume or change their Thrift Savings Plan contributions has ended.Public Law 108-469 goes into effect July 1, eliminating restrictions on contribution elections that have always been

  • National group honors General, Mrs. Myers

    The National Military Family Association honored Gen. Richard B. and Mary Jo Myers during the group's annual luncheon June 27.The group honored the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his wife for their leadership and dedication to improving the lives of military families.Mary Jo Myers thanked

  • Band member selected for ‘Hope’ award

    Air Force Personnel Center officials recently announced the U.S. Air Force Band’s superintendent here as the recipient of the 2005 U.S. Armed Forces Spirit of Hope Award for the Air Force.Senior Master Sgt. Ann Hinote has been a band member for 17 years.The Spirit of Hope Award is presented annually

  • Air Force approves Afghanistan, Iraqi campaign medals

    Air Force officials have authorized Airmen to wear the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.The Department of Defense campaign medals apply to active-duty Airmen, reservists and guardsmen deployed on or after Oct. 24, 2001, for Operation Enduring Freedom and March 19, 2003, for

  • AMC competition wraps up: 6th AMW takes Rodeo crown

    The 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., was named Best Air Mobility Wing on June 24 following Rodeo 2005 at McChord AFB, Wash.Rodeo 2005, Air Mobility Command’s international competition that focuses on improving the skills of air mobility professionals, ended June 24. The

  • New Air Force adviser chosen for values, vision

    Air Force officials have created a new adviser position to help ensure the Air Force's core values are integrated into all aspects of the service's operating concepts, policies and vision.Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff, former national director of the Interreligious Affairs for the American Jewish

  • Airmen, Soldiers open lines of communication

    Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the area surrounding Baghdad International Airport has developed into a series of bases, each with its own unique role in fighting the war on terrorism.Now, a small group of Airmen and Soldiers are working together to link each of those bases together

  • Potential recruits list critical to 'all-recruited' force

    The term "all-volunteer force" is a misnomer, a senior Defense Department personnel official said here June 23.In truth, the U.S. military is an "all-recruited force," and its success depends on recruiters having access to potential recruits, said Dr. David S. C. Chu, undersecretary for personnel

  • Air Force teams compete in pit-stop challenge

    Millions of NASCAR fans each year watch as professional pit-stop crews speedily change out tires and refill gas, but eight Air Force teams got to experience this rush for themselves. The Air Force’s car, No. 21, visited here June 23 to conduct a pit-stop demonstration and competition. The Air Force

  • C-17s cross globe to assist international exercise

    Six C-17 Globemaster IIIs flew from Alaska to Australia June 18 to 21 to help launch the Talisman Saber 2005 international exercise. The exercise involved more than 6,000 Australian and 10,000 U.S. servicemembers from the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy.The C-17s were from here and Charleston AFB,

  • New system improves KC-135 performance, saves money

    After years of development, the wheel and brake system improvement program for the KC-135 Stratotanker is ready for implementation by workers at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center here.The steel brakes currently used on the KC-135 are being replaced with carbon brakes which allow the aircraft to

  • Guard Airmen join total force Rodeo

    A 19-person team from the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio, is the only Air National Guard unit competing in Rodeo 2005.“It is our honor to be here and further the tradition of the citizen-Soldier,” said Maj. Dave Johnson, 121st ARW team commander. “We are proud to go shoulder to shoulder