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U.S. Air Force News

  • Jumper: AEF has been successful

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper told House Armed Services Committee members that while reconstitution of air expeditionary forces is not moving as quickly as expected, the concept is battle-proven.The Air Force's highest-ranking uniformed member testified before the House of

  • Air Force engineers help Soldiers build field bases

    From their desks miles away from forward-operating bases, Combined Task Force-Coyote engineers are improving the lives of deployed Soldiers and Marines. During their five-month deployment here, 11 Airman deployed from Missouri Air National Guard work alongside Army engineers designing buildings,

  • Big Brother reunites with ‘little’

    After losing his life possessions to a fire, his parents separating and losing motivation to do daily activities, one boy found help from an Airman now stationed here.As a preteen, Xzavior Hill said he had no direction to his life. His goal was simply to pass each day with as little effort as

  • Airman receives 'Grateful Nation Award'

    An Airman was among six servicemembers honored for heroism in the war on terrorism at an award dinner Nov. 15 in Arlington, Va.Tech. Sgt. Robert Jeeves received the award as a tactical air coordinator attached to U.S. Army Special Forces. The honorees performed acts of heroism, putting the mission

  • Sambur announces resignation

    Dr. Marvin R. Sambur announced his resignation Nov. 17 as assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. Dr. Sambur came to the Air Force in 2001 from private industry."Marv Sambur is a highly accomplished professional and a patriot who gave up a lucrative career to serve his country in a

  • Children experience military 'deployment'

    Children here recently got a taste of what their military parents go through when deploying during Operation Kids Investigating Deployment Services.Tech. Sgt. Senya Zeitvogel, noncommissioned officer in charge of family readiness at the 82nd Mission Support Squadron here, said she planned this event

  • U.S., Japanese forces conduct weapons familiarization

    U.S. Air Force weapons crews and Japan’s air self-defense forces conducted a turn-around familiarization exercise inside an aircraft hangar here Nov. 15. during Keen Sword 2005. Keen Sword is designed to increase the defensive readiness of Japanese and American forces though training in air,

  • Airman offers Great American Smokeout advice

    According to the American Cancer Society, more than 46.5 million American citizens are in a private prison. Afflicted with worsening health, financial shackles and being publicly ostracized, these prisoners have their cell in their possession, but they can break out.All they have to do is quit

  • Roche submits resignation

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche announced his resignation Nov. 16."I'm honored to have served the president, the secretary of defense and the terrific Airmen I've come to know and love in the past few years as the secretary of the Air Force,” he said. “I've served with talented

  • Airman recalls convoy duty in Iraq

    Staff Sgt. Amelia Solomon did not spend her summer backpacking through Europe or sunbathing on the beaches of Cornwall with her 3-year-old daughter. Instead, she spent her summer in the dry, blistering heat of Iraq, wondering how many improvised explosive devices might be hidden on the trail in

  • Space assets critical to winning war on terrorism

    Space-based assets are proving critical to winning the war on terrorism, according to the commander of Air Force Space Command.“You cannot go to war and win without space,” Gen. Lance W. Lord said during a live appearance on “Fox and Friends” here Nov. 11.The command comprises about 40,000 space

  • Abizaid asks Congress to help stop unsolicited mail

    The commander of U.S. Central Command is asking Congress for help in eliminating unsolicited mail to servicemembers.Army Gen. John P. Abizaid said the military mail service is running at capacity, and he noted the propensity of America to be especially generous during the holidays."I would greatly

  • New light-weight weapon joins Balad arsenal

    In an effort to keep pace with the ever-changing face of close quarters combat, F-16 Fighting Falcon crews here plan to use a new, lightweight satellite-guided munition soon.The GBU-38 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition is designed to reduce collateral damage, limit unintended casualties and

  • Weapons directors provide situational awareness

    They came to William Tell to play a video game. But they are not playing Donkey Kong or the latest version of Halo. Instead, they are monitoring radar screens to make sure their pilots stay on track during the competition.William Tell is a competition which tests an aircrew's ability to perform

  • Airman sets sights on shooting championship

    You are in the bathtub. You hear a sound. Suddenly you jump up and run to the nightstand. There you grab your pistol and immediately begin firing. Does this sound like a scene out of a crime drama, or a night at home gone very wrong? No. It is just another day at the range for Maj. Roger

  • Columbus goes ‘batty’

    The new neighbors here never come outside during the day. Rumors say they nibble on people’s necks and suck their blood, but some people know better.“It’s important for the base community to become educated about bats,” said Charlie Burgess, 17, the Boy Scout responsible for spearheading a project

  • New AMC delivery process speeds shipments to troops

    A new Air Mobility Command program, dubbed "Pure Pallet,” is simplifying and speeding up airlift shipments into the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.The program involves building and shipping individual aircraft pallets with cargo for a single customer, AMC officials said.Lt. Col. Steve

  • Falcons drop regular season volleyball finale to UNLV

    The Air Force Academy volleyball team ended the regular season with a 3-0 loss to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas on Nov. 13. The Falcons dropped consecutive sets of 30-20, 30-28 and 30-25 to the visiting Rebels in the team’s final match at the academy for the season.Kristin Hamlett opened the

  • Falcon men’s soccer ends season with 3-2 loss at Denver

    Despite erasing a 2-0 deficit, the Air Force Academy men’s soccer team could not hold off Denver, as Ben Mendozza’s goal in the 52nd minute propelled the Pioneers to a 3-2 win Nov. 14 at the University of Denver campus here. The season finale was scheduled to be played in Colorado Springs, but was

  • William Tell still anybody’s game

    “Not in our house” may have been the slogan chanted by the New York Yankees fans during game seven of the league championship series against the Boston Red Sox, but they obviously did not mean it as the Red Sox went on to become the World Champions of baseball.The Airmen from here, however, seem to

  • Weapons troops are not cowboys during Loadeo

    Despite what people may think, the Loadeo event does not feature an Airman wearing a cowboy hat, straddling an AIM-120 missile, ready for the ride of his life.Loadeo is the weapons-loading competition taking place here during the 2004 William Tell air-to-air weapons meet.“Loadeo is a competition

  • Air Force’s future ‘invented’ at research lab

    It still may be a little too soon for Star Trek’s “beam me up, Scotty” technology, but Air Force scientists and engineers are trying to narrow the gap between science fiction and science fact.The Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, recently published the results

  • Reservists arrive in Uruguay for exercise

    A team of Air Force reservists from the 5th Special Operations Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., arrived here Nov. 9 for Unitas 2004, the largest and longest naval exercise in the Americas. Arriving aboard an MC-130P Combat Shadow, they are the Air Force’s first unit to participate in the

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selections

    More than 180 men and women from throughout America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for a commission, officials here announced Nov. 12.Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 205 applications as part of Officer Training School Selection

  • Airman takes co-pilot's stick during in-flight emergency

    Like most passengers on a commercial airlines flight, Lt. Col. Scott Neumann probably expected a long, uneventful flight from Dulles International Airport in Washington to Los Angeles.Boy, was he wrong.The deputy commander for the 412th Operations Group at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., had just

  • Air Force aims for ‘weapons-grade’ vision

    In June, the Air Force vice chief of staff and surgeon general approved wavefront-guided LASIK surgery for aviators in aircraft flying at altitudes of less than 14,000 feet. WFG-LASIK is a new generation of laser eye surgery that maps subtle irregularities in the cornea before the procedure,

  • Air Force senior leaders visit Tallil Air Base

    According to the Air Force’s senior leaders, the Airmen serving in Southwest Asia today are exceeding expectations as they press forward in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.“We expect you to be great, but with all that we’ve seen firsthand, you’re even better than we expected,” said Chief Master

  • Air Force shows off new ‘tent city’

    Airmen of the 435th Materiel Maintenance Squadron here showed off their newest asset, the “550 I” Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources base kit in Sanem, Luxembourg, on Nov. 9. The kit, known as “tent city,” is the first of its kind in the U.S. Air Force. It is staged there at the U.S. Air

  • Experience, fresh eyes ensure airfield security

    Airman Michael Roomsburg stopped the Humvee as Staff Sgt. Chad Marten called to notify the security forces command post that the Delta-5 external security response team was set to patrol outer perimeter road.“I’ll man the turret,” said Airman Roomsburg, an active-duty Airman deployed from Pope Air

  • Unmanned aircraft gain starring role in terror war

    Unmanned aerial vehicles are earning star status in the war on terrorism. They are becoming the most-requested capability among combatant commanders in Southwest Asia and use has increased fourfold in that theater during the last year alone, said the deputy director of the Pentagon's UAV planning

  • New veterans ID cards help battle identity theft

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have designed a new identity card for veterans that will safeguard confidential information while combating identity theft."The new identification card ensures veterans' personal information is protected," Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony J. Principi said.

  • Air Force golfers take third at Troy Invitational

    Tyler Goulding led the Air Force Academy golf team to a third-place finish at the Troy Invitational, which ended here Nov. 9. The Falcons finished six strokes behind the University of West Florida, which posted a three-round total of 879, and three strokes behind Tennessee Tech University, the only

  • PACAF’s team uses advantage during William Tell

    A pilot checks his radar and looks over his shoulder to see an enemy fighter at his 3 o’clock position. The infrared seeker on the air-to-air missile rotates to the right as the pilot moves his head. He lines up the enemy fighter with the crosshairs on his helmet-visor display and shoots. The

  • Air Force leaders send Veterans Day message

    The following is a Veterans Day message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:“Each year, America honors its veterans for the sacrifices and hard-fought successes of so many of its citizens -- those who have worn the uniform as Soldiers,

  • Reserve volunteers to see longer overseas tour lengths

    The leader of Air Force Reserve Command said Airmen volunteering for duty are leading his command’s ability to support the war effort; however, changes to the amount of time people will be asked to be overseas are on the horizon.Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, chief of the Air Force Reserve and AFRC

  • Team deploys to recover damaged C-130 Hercules

    When an aircraft breaks while away from home station, emergency care is just a call away. In the case of a C-130 Hercules that was hit by enemy fire recently, that help came from maintenance recovery team Airmen at a forward-deployed location.“Anytime an aircraft breaks off-station, anywhere in the

  • Senior leaders discuss Air Force future

    The Air Force’s top three leaders stopped at this forward-deployed location Nov. 8 while on their tour through Southwest Asia. Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray met with Airmen of the 386th Air

  • Air Force honors spouses with pin

    Air Force officials have expanded the pin program to recognize and thank those who support the efforts of Airmen around the world by introducing the Air Force spouse pin. This pin joins the Air Force employer pin and parent pin as one of the service’s most visible public outreach programs.Peter B.

  • Act increases bonuses, education benefits for reserve

    Increased education benefits and more flexibility in awarding bonuses are among the quality-of-life improvements targeting National Guard and Reserve servicemembers in the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act.The act also provides for changes in how guardsmen and reservists are mobilized and

  • Navy admiral commands NORAD, Northern Command

    Before a full house, Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating assumed command of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command from Gen. Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart in ceremonies here Nov. 5. The former director of the Joint Staff is the first non-Air Force officer to command NORAD since its

  • Falcons march past Black Knights in annual football duel

    The Air Force Academy Falcons marched off the football field here with a 31-22 victory against the Army Black Knights on Nov. 6.The first half of the game was Wimbledon-esque as a sold-out crowd watched the rally of points on both sides of the stadium. The Black Knights brought their darkness to

  • Air Force’s top leaders visit Southwest Asia

    The Air Force’s top civilian, officer and enlisted leaders visited more than 5,000 Airmen at this forward-deployed location Nov. 4 as they kicked off their swing through Southwest Asia.Sporting the Air Force’s new proposed utility uniform, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, Chief of

  • Hercules crew, passengers survive enemy fire

    It was a bright, clear day when an Air Force C-130 Hercules with 57 Soldiers aboard took off from an airfield in northern Iraq bound for a forward-deployed location. The flight seemed to be routine until the pilot thought he heard a “thud.” Then, according to the aircrew, the flight became

  • Air Force leaders premiere new uniform

    When Air Force leaders arrived at this forward-deployed location Nov. 4, they wore the latest proposed replacement for the battle dress uniform.“I was surprised to see them wearing the newer version of the uniform,” said Master Sgt. Sharon Kegler, a first sergeant deployed from McGuire Air Force

  • Military family support professionals gather

    Directors of family support centers from across the Air Force gathered nearby in Landsdowne, Va., to discuss how to better serve Airmen and their loved ones. The weeklong conference, Strengthening the Home Front, focused on two areas: integrating the Air Force One Source program into base

  • Defense act affects Guard, Reserve medical benefits

    The 2005 National Defense Authorization Act contains new medical benefits for activated reservists and guardsmen, and extends some other benefits that had been enacted temporarily.Medical benefits for guardsmen and reservists who are called to active duty change significantly under provisions in

  • Officials investigate training incident

    Air Force officials are investigating a weapons incident that took place during a nighttime training mission in the Warren Grove Range airspace in New Jersey on Nov. 3.An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon expended an undetermined number of 20 mm ammunition rounds, officials said.The aircraft is

  • Air Force selects 566 new chief master sergeants

    Air Force officials recently selected 566 senior master sergeants for promotion to the service's highest enlisted rank as part of the 2004 chief master sergeant evaluation board. They will release the promotion list Nov. 10 at 8 a.m. CST. The complete list of selectees will be posted Nov. 12 on the

  • Deployed Airmen getting new physical training uniform first

    When the Air Force chief of staff announced a new fitness standard in July 2003, he promised Airmen a new physical training uniform in which to prepare. That new uniform is now ready, and Airmen serving in Southwest Asia will be the first to get them, said Senior Master Sgt. Jacqueline Dean, the Air

  • Airmen may wear medals while awaiting system updates

    Air Force officials want to assure Airmen that wearing eligible decorations is authorized, even if they are not currently reflected in the military personnel data system.The affected decorations include the Korean Defense Service Medal, Gallant Unit Citation/Meritorious Unit Award, Global War on

  • Officials stress troop support mail policy

    Department of Defense officials announced the continued suspension of the “Any Servicemember” mail program Nov. 2. Accordingly, the general public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to servicemembers during the holiday season.During this time of the year, the number

  • New York Airmen provide medical equipment for refugees

    Thousands of Nicaraguans needing treatment received help from New York guardsmen when the Airmen gathered to sort through a hospital full of dusty medical equipment.Sister Deb, or Debbie Blow, executive director of the North Country Mission of Hope in Plattsburgh, N.Y., has an ongoing mission to

  • Airmen visit Rwanda genocide memorial

    On Oct. 30 a C-130 Hercules sat unceremoniously on the tarmac of Kigali International Airport here, waiting for the arrival of Rwandan troops.For the American Airmen here, the mission was clear: deliver Rwandan troops and equipment to Al-Fashir, Sudan, where they would join other African Union

  • Airman plays roadie for rock ‘n’ roll legends

    The arena lights dimmed and thousands of fans cheered as the stage lights came to life revealing rock ‘n’ roll legends Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar.While Eddie played his guitar, Staff Sgt. Scott Viers stood in the second row enjoying the fruits of his labor.Sergeant

  • General Jumper discusses transformation

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper addressed thousands of troops as the final keynote speaker at the Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium here Oct. 30.The general spoke on how far the Air Force has evolved in recent years and what he sees for the future.“We, as Airmen, face what can only

  • Leaders unveil updated utility uniform colors, pattern

    Responding to Airmen’s feedback, Air Force leaders unveiled an alternative utility uniform color scheme and pattern Nov. 2 as part of the ongoing wear-test that was announced in August 2003.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and Chief Master

  • Task forces enhance global mobility support

    Air Mobility Command’s expeditionary mobility task forces, now a year old, were highlighted during the 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association Convention here Oct. 29.Brig. Gen. Bobby J. Wilkes, commander of the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., described the units as

  • Officials select officers for developmental education

    Boards here selected more than 300 company-grade officers from 14 career fields to attend developmental education programs beginning in the summer, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Nov. 1.The development team special program selection and Air Force Institute of Technology boards

  • Defense Act increases pay, provides benefits

    P resident Bush signed the $420.6 billion National Defense Authorization Act on Oct. 28.This makes up 19.9 percent of the total fiscal 2005 federal budget and 3.6 percent of the gross domestic product. Last year, the percentages were 20.2 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively.The authorization act

  • For Armed Services YMCA, November all about family

    Military Family Week began about two decades ago as part of The Great American Family project.Then in 1996, the Armed Services YMCA expanded the week, which occurred around Thanksgiving, into Military Family Month, which began Nov. 1.Just as the week grew into a month-long celebration, military

  • CMSAF addresses top issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray addressed hundreds of troops attending the 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium on Oct. 29, an event he has been unable to attend in years past.Chief Murray gave his insight on three main topics he said he feels are the backbone of the

  • Air Force goes winless on Day 2 of Aggie shootout

    The 17th-ranked Air Force Academy water polo team was again unable to pick up a victory against a conference opponent, dropping both games Oct. 31 at the University of California-Davis’ Aggie Shootout here. The Falcons lost a close game, 4-3, to UC-Santa Cruz, before falling to 14th-ranked

  • Holy Cross beats Air Force hockey team, 5-2

    College of the Holy Cross scored two power-play goals in the first period and cruised to a 5-2 win over the Air Force Academy in a nonconference college hockey game here Oct. 30.Holy Cross improved to 2-1-1 overall this season, while Air Force fell to 2-2-2.A pair of power-play goals in the first

  • Air Force musicians join AEF rotations

    Air Force bandsmen rarely play to boisterous crowds of 2,000 people dancing, singing and stage-diving, but at one deployed location in Southwest Asia, that is what happened. The show was among several in the Middle East as part of the Air Force Band of Mid-America’s tour during its first air and

  • Tricare benefits improved significantly for reservists

    The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2005 significantly improves the overall health benefits available to guardsmen, reservists and their families. It also makes permanent several of the Tricare benefits authorized “temporarily” under defense legislation, while extending secretarial

  • Civilian health-care ‘open season’ offers 18 new plans

    Office of Personnel Management officials announced new health-care options that may provide better financial opportunities for employees.Eighteen new high-deductible health plans will be offered by the federal employees’ health benefits program for 2005. The new health plans, when used with a health

  • General Myers praises troops, addresses concerns

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers addressed this year’s Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Oct. 29 with one main goal in mind.“I wanted to look you in the eye and tell you how important you are to this great country of ours. You are our future,” he said.

  • New CMSAF insignia debuts Nov. 1

    A new chief master sergeant of the Air Force insignia debuts Nov. 1, and stands out as a highly distinguished symbol representative of all Airmen, officials said.The new insignia contains the Great Seal of the United States of America and two stars in the upper blue field. The chevrons and the

  • AEF Center commander explains longer cycle

    The effect of the expanded air and space expeditionary force tour lengths on troop morale was addressed here by the general in charge of the deployment schedule.Brig. Gen. Steven Hoog, AEF Center commander, explained how the recent extension to four-month deployments is working out.“Airmen have

  • CMSAF addresses fitness, training

    Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray spoke to a crowd of nearly 400 Airmen at an enlisted seminar here Oct. 22.He discussed issues facing the Air Force, and fielded questions and concerns from those in attendance. He started by asking how many in the audience had heard of Airman

  • Domestic violence offenders: the rest of the story

    Domestic violence is a problem nationwide, and the military is not exempt. However, Department of Defense officials have made a substantial commitment of resources over the past two decades to address domestic violence in the military.Domestic violence happens in military families of all ranks and

  • ‘The Bird’ hopes to fend off ‘Aubie’ in mascot competition

    After defeating the University of Minnesota’s Goldie the gopher and Western Kentucky University’s Big Red, the Air Force Academy’s The Bird is now tied for the lead in the Mascot of the Year competition.“Those guys were pretty tough,” The Bird said. “Goldie’s a clever little dude with that tail of

  • New civilian personnel system brings sweeping changes

    The new human resource system known as the National Security Personnel System is scheduled to start for an initial 100,000 Department of Defense employees in the summer of 2005, Roger M. Blanchard said here Oct 25. He is the Air Force assistant deputy chief of staff for personnel Air Force

  • AF rugby team wins armed forces championship

    The Air Force rugby team swept the competition during the 2004 Armed Forces Rugby Championships held Oct. 18 to 22 at Camp Lejeune, N.C.The teams played each other in a single round-robin competition with the top two teams competing against each other for the championship.During the first day, Air

  • New office focusing on improving joint operations

    While U.S. military forces deployed to the Middle East continue operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, leaders at home are applying lessons learned from the campaigns to improve joint operations between the Air Force and Army.The first of nearly 20 Air Force and Army initiatives toward improving joint

  • Airmen take part in Operation Pencil Box

    About 20 Airmen from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing were greeted with smiles, cheers and the classic thumbs-up sign as they delivered school supplies and toys to a nearby elementary school Oct. 23 as part of Operation Pencil Box.More than 150 Iraqi children welcomed the group as they went from

  • Sibling reunion ‘sweet’ for Air Force reservist

    Family reunions may seem sappy to some, but for maple syrup farming siblings deployed to Afghanistan, such meetings are truly sweet.Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Jo Allen, a reservist deployed to nearby Bagram Air Base from Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and U.S. Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer Tim Gaby,

  • Deploying troops getting priority for laser eye surgery

    Many people choose laser eye surgery because they think it will make them more attractive or save them from having to grapple to find their glasses.But for an increasing number of servicemembers, laser eye surgery is not a cosmetic or convenience issue. It is about saving lives on the

  • Guard chaplains minister to wounded troops

    There was no doubt in anyone's mind, including his wife's and his father's, that Arkansas Army National Guard Spc. Ronald Baker was going to die. All that kept the man from Cabot, Ark., alive at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany was a life support system and his wife's concern for his

  • Officials: BRAC 2005 to support defense transformation

    The 2005 base realignment and closure initiative will be different from previous rounds in that it will directly contribute to the Department of Defense's transformation efforts, a top official said here Oct. 25.BRACs conducted between 1988 and 1995 closed 97 military bases and realigned 57, said

  • Now showing: Oct. 25 edition of AFTV News

    The continuing cleanup and relief support given victims of four Florida hurricanes highlights the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Staff Sgt. Kevin Nichols reports from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., the staging point for tons of supplies and materials on their way to Florida and

  • AWACS tests new identification system

    Years of preparation paid off for the Airborne Warning and Control Systems Program Office during the test of a capability which will reduce the possibility of friendly-fire accidents.The test, held recently at the Navy test range at Patuxent River, Md., examined a new AWACS Identification Friend or

  • ‘Quiet Professionals’ praised by AFSOC commander

    The leader of the “Quiet Professionals” had plenty to say about the contributions Air Force Special Operations Command’s nearly 20,000 Airmen have made to the war on terrorism.“The men and women we have in our command are awesome, and it shows,” said Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley, AFSOC

  • New system tracks parts data

    Technicians in the avionics and instruments division now have a faster way to get the parts they need. The Lean Depot Management System tracks data on parts, and technicians, engineers and managers said they are noticing several benefits.The system can determine if a part is available and if so,

  • Deployed Airmen build a better life in Kyrgyzstan

    Airmen deployed from the 78th Civil Engineer Group and 778th Civil Engineer Squadron here have their hands full.Nearly 100 Airmen from the two units have been working up to 16 hours a day, maintaining facilities and providing engineering design and construction for more than $35 million in new

  • DOD officials issue 'green' procurement policy

    Department of Defense officials issued a new procurement policy this week urging employees and the military to "buy green."The policy requires the department's civilian and military people to purchase products and services that benefit the environment, said Alex Beehler, DOD's chief of environmental

  • Elmendorf 'charged' by new technology

    Firefighters here may not look like modern-day energy pioneers, but they are, because of an innovative fuel cell project that is being tested in a fire station here. The project sounds a lot like a chemistry experiment."The fuel cell uses electrochemical energy conversion that combines oxygen and

  • Drug testing program targets those most likely to use

    A recent change to the Air Force's drug testing program aims to further reduce the number of substance abusers by targeting Airmen most likely to use them. The Air Force began its "Smart Testing" program Oct. 1, at three major commands. Under the program, individuals in the group shown to most

  • Airman cashes in on pair of IDEAs

    An Airman’s pair of suggestions to have depot-level maintenance done at the wing level saved the Air Force more than $2.7 million and earned him two checks for $10,000 and $8,000 respectively, from the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program.Tech. Sgt. Mark Kobayashi, an Air Force

  • Two deployed Airmen celebrate Ramadan

    For most Airmen, deploying on the current air and space expeditionary force rotation means spending the holidays far from family and home. But for two Airmen with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing here, it means getting closer to their religious roots.Though a general order prohibits Airmen from

  • Study finds little risk from depleted-uranium particles

    A new study finds the health risks from inhaling airborne particles of depleted uranium are very low. The Capstone study found that even servicemembers in armored vehicles hit by DU munitions would still not suffer health risks from inhaling the particles. Of course, officials said, they would

  • Air Force launches user-friendly news product

    Air Force officials announced a new e-mail service Oct. 20 that gives subscribers a user-friendly news summary with links to extensive news and information, as well as audio and video news reports.Those wishing to receive the free e-mail news summary, called "AF Today," can subscribe by going to Air

  • Falcons tied for 12th at Wolf Pack Golf Classic

    Paced by Tyler Goulding, the Air Force Academy’s golf team completed the first day of competition at the Wolf Pack Classic at the par-72, 7,100-yard Wolf Run Golf Club here. With a two-round total of 590 on Oct. 18, the Falcons are tied with fellow Mountain West Conference competitor University of

  • Kirkuk firefighters train Iraqis

    A siren pierces the early evening night calling attention to the bright yellow firetruck speeding toward a pillar of smoke in the distance.People here are accustomed to the sounds and sights of the emergency response crews as they hurry to save lives and property, but this crew is different.Instead

  • Lajes more than speck in television history

    Fifty years ago, the tiny island of Terceira -- more specifically Lajes Field -- made television history. It was an event that brought the people of Portugal and the United States closer, helped define an Air Force specialty and would become one of the first quality-of-life necessities for Airmen

  • General Jumper visits Pacific Coast Air Museum

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper visited here Oct. 16 for a dedication ceremony at the Pacific Coast Air Museum.At the event, a restored F-106A Delta Dart was dedicated in honor and remembrance of General Jumper’s father, Maj. Gen. Jimmy Jumper, and the 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,

  • Airmen complete Ironman Triathlon

    Four Airmen traveled to Hawaii to join 1,724 other athletes competing in the Ironman Triathlon World Championships. All four completed the endurance race that began and ended at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, by swimming 2.4 miles, bicycling 112 miles and running 26.2 miles.Maj. Geoff Cleveland from Luke Air

  • Edwards spouse wins big on 'Price is Right'

    “Haily Decker, come on down!”This familiar “Price is Right” roll call set off a surge of events that landed Mrs. Decker in contestants’ row of the popular television game show and ultimately led to a $16,000 payday during an information, tickets and travel outing.“I just couldn’t believe it,” Mrs.

  • Officials activate National Security Space Institute

    Air Force Space Command officials stood up a space education and training organization here recently that they said will provide the foundation to creating a new generation of space professionals. The National Security Space Institute will be the Department of Defense's single focal point for space

  • Lady Falcons tie BYU in soccer

    Goalkeeper Jennifer Drew recorded 15 saves as Air Force Academy women’s soccer tied Brigham Young University, 1-1, in a thrilling double-overtime Mountain West Conference match here Oct. 16.In an emotional match, the Falcons willed their way to the tie, despite being out-shot 22-5. BYU’s Jaime