Predator passes 500,000 flight hours

Airmen of the 432d Air Expeditionary Wing here flew an MQ-1B Predator unmanned aircraft in a combat mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Feb. 18, and the flight surpassed the 500,000 flight-hour mark for the aircraft. Members of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron flew the

More troops, families to qualify for New GI Bill benefits

Troops nearing retirement eligibility may be able to tap into the transferability benefits provided in the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, even if they're unable to serve four more years of duty due to service policies, a senior defense official said. The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Bill that takes effect

Kadena Airman attends Singaporean leadership school

A Kadena Air Base senior NCO is attending the advanced leadership program at Singapore's armed forces warrant officer school in February. Senior Master Sgt. David Duncan, director of operations at the Kadena AB Erwin Professional Military Education Center, is the only international student in the

Turkish officers get lessons in Air Force enlisted training

Four members of the Turkish air force visited Gunter Annex's Barnes Center for Enlisted Education complex Feb. 12 to gain insight into how to improve their air force's enlisted education. The group from Turkey headed by Col. Metin Ozdemir, included Lt. Col. Cem Acar, Maj. Huesyin Uysal and Lt. Eyup

Taurus XL experiences anomaly

Vandenberg and NASA officials said the most recent West Coast launch experienced an anomaly minutes after the 1:55 a.m. take-off of a Taurus XL rocket equipped with NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite Feb. 24 from the 576th-E Space Launch Complex here. The satellite failed to reach orbit.

43rd EECS passes 20,000 combat hours

Airmen with the 43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, a unit that has almost five years of continuous deployment, clocked their 20,000th combat flight hour early Feb. 17. The 43rd EECS aircrews and the EC-130 Compass Call aircraft they fly provide communications jamming support to U.S. and

Exercise offers A-10 crews chance to hone warfighting skills

Airmen are improving their warfighting skills as they train to conduct close-air-support missions for ground forces in preparation for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan during Exercise Green Flag East here. The exercise is in partnership with the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.,

Airman's Roll Call: Motorcycle safety

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the spring spike in motorcycle mishaps involving Airmen. Air Force Safety Center officials conducted a study of motorcycle mishaps from fiscal 2006 to 2008 and determined motorcycle fatal mishaps doubled in the spring over the winter season numbers. With

Feb. 23 airpower summary: A-10s provide air cover

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets spotted enemy personnel trying to

Air Force, Army leaders lay out joint UAS future

The Air Force and Army chiefs of staff signed a plan recently in Washington, D.C., taking the two services one step closer to supporting the full spectrum of conflict with their larger, multirole unmanned aircraft. Military officials presented the Army/Air Force Multirole Unmanned Aircraft System

Special Operations Command Airman dies in Afghanistan

An Air Force Special Operations Command combat control journeyman died Feb. 20 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Davis, 28, of Aberdeen, Wash., died near Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive

U.S., Thai, Singapore forces to participate in Cope Tiger

Aviation and ground units from the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, the Royal Thai Air Force and army, and the Republic of Singapore air force are scheduled to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 March 9 through 20 in Thailand. Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral aerial large-force

Survey: Servicemembers more realistic about retirement

Servicemembers are more practical about their retirement needs than their civilian counterparts, according to a survey conducted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, Investor Education Foundation, in cooperation with the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The findings bode

Chief of staff pays tribute to heritage

When the Air Force chief of staff visited here recently, it wasn't just about looking forward and to the future of aviation with unmanned aircraft systems; it was also about looking back and recognizing where the service has been. Before Gen. Norton Schwartz stepped into the 99th Flying Training

World War II MIAs recovered in Germany

A line in the Airman's creed states, "I will never leave an Airman behind." For the McMurray Crew 801 with the 492nd Bombardment Group, that promise was fulfilled, albeit 60-plus years after their B-24 bomber went down during World War II. An international crowd gathered Feb. 20 at the

Egress technicians keep Raptor pilots covered

A specialized polycarbonate is the main element that separates an F-22 Raptor pilot from threatening and compromising conditions like lightening strikes, blinding sun rays and the possibility of bird strikes. "The F-22 canopy is an integral part of the F-22 system and an engineering marvel, said Lt.

Red Flag 09-3 exercise begins

Southern Nevada residents may have notice increased military aircraft activity as the latest Red Flag exercise began Feb. 23. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test

Marines arrive in Kunsan for exercise

Kunsan Air Base Airmen accepted and processed Marines as they landed on board a KC-130J Super Hercules Feb. 23 here.The Marines from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Japan participated in an Exercise Key Resolve, a routine training exercise designed to train

Military intelligence leaders meet, discuss common threats

A gathering of military intelligence professionals from 25 Asia-Pacific nations and beyond furthered a multinational partnership critical to combating terrorism in the region, U.S. Pacific Command's intelligence director said. "You can't overemphasize the value of this type of forum," Navy Rear Adm.

Defense stimulus money to flow to projects, programs

Projects resulting from the $7.4 billion Defense Department portion of President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package will start to be visible soon, defense officials said Feb. 25. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Obama signed Feb. 17, provides $787 billion to stimulate the

Special operators honored at Pentagon ceremony

Five special operations Airmen were honored at a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes Feb. 24. The award winners are: Fighter Duty Officer Award - Capt. Brett E. Plummer Captain Plummer is a fighter duty officer assigned to the 4th Air Support Operations Squadron at Sullivan Barracks in

Tiger team to improve command, control

Command and Control, one of the keystones to modern warfare, is getting a boost thanks to an Air Combat Command-led tiger team. The team, comprising more than 20 senior leaders from across the Air Force, is responsible for stewardship of the Air Force theater air control system and brings different

Gates calls for forthright, collegial budget discussions

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has called for forthright, collegial discussions among Defense Department leaders to make tough choices about programs, projects and procurement as the defense portion of the fiscal 2010 federal budget takes shape. Secretary Gates asked those participating in the

Aeromedical missions bring total force partners together

Almost 56,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors since October 2001 have been aeromedically evacuated supporting expeditionary operations by the total force team of active-duty, Reserve and Guard Airmen. In the Air Mobility Command aeromedical evacuation community, every day entails a combination of total

Chief McKinley 'schools' Senior NCO Academy instructors

An early morning lesson in basketball from the chief master sergeant of the Air Force has become a tradition for instructors at the Senior NCO Academy here, and the Feb. 25 game was no different. The morning after each one of the school's graduations -- five times every year -- Chief Master Sgt. of

Feb. 25 airpower summary: F-15Es deter enemy forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force G-9 Harrier struck buildings in a compound

Feb. 24 airpower summary: Predator targets anti-Afghan forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged enemy forces with a

The key masters

Airmen assist with 2009 ESPN Bassmaster Classic

The 2009 ESPN Bassmaster Classic allowed several Barksdale Air Force Base Airmen to reel-in a piece of the action Feb. 20 through 22 here. Several bass enthusiasts and the Barksdale Hawgherders Bass Club participated in the classic, which brought 137,700 people to the Shreveport, La., area for what

Missile defense capable, but needs more testing

U.S. missile defense is prepared to defend against North Korean threats, but the system needs more testing before Pentagon officials can endorse its capabilities with "high confidence," the top Defense Department tester said. In three test scenarios, the missile defense system successfully destroyed

Air Force's top enlisted Airman to retire

The Air Force chief of staff announced the pending retirement of the 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force Feb. 26 here. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley will retire this summer after serving for 30 years. Chief McKinley has served as the chief master sergeant of the Air

General lists Air Force safety priorities

Although Maj. Gen. Frederick Roggero, Air Force Safety Center commander, has several priorities concerning safety in the Air Force, it is no surprise that ground safety has now quickly made it to the forefront of his priority list. During the last 10 years, on average, the Air Force has lost about

Defense officials to allow photographs of caskets with family's permission

Defense Department officials will allow the news media to photograph the flag-draped caskets of fallen U.S. troops returning home if their families agree, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Feb. 26. The announcement authorizes family members to choose whether to allow media access to the

Aggressors prowl for Air Force information

A little known unit here, working in a bank of trailers hidden from the public, performs a unique mission for the Air Force: hacking into the vast Air Force computer networks to help protect those networks from an enemy's attack. The Air Force hackers from the 57th Information Aggressor Squadron

Honoring a brother's sacrifice

An Airman here is honoring his brother's service two years after he paid the ultimate sacrifice when an improvised explosive device detonated and struck his vehicle while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.Senior Airman Jason Nathan was killed June 23, 2007, and today Staff Sgt. Joe Nathan Jr. is deployed

Afghanistan operations not vulnerable to supply line dangers

Despite dangers U.S. convoys face in delivering supplies to coalition forces in Afghanistan by way of Pakistan, military operations there aren't susceptible to those threats, the Defense Department's top uniformed logistician said Feb. 26. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, commander of U.S. Transportation

A-10 unit reaches 10,000-hour milestone

Members of the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron here reached a historic milestone Feb. 24 when the unit surpassed 10,000 combat flight hours in the A-10 Thunderbolt II for a single deployment rotation. Col. Raymond Strasburger, the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, and Lt. Col. Sam

Officials raise age limits for early childhood education

Young military children who thought the first day of school was imminent may not have to worry about reading, writing and arithmetic until next year because of a change in entrance age requirements. The new rule, which goes into effect this fall with the start of the 2009-2010 school year, requires

Air Force looking for military training instructors

Few other figures in the Air Force exemplify leadership more than the military training instructor and more are needed to help meet short- and long-term manning goals. Because of the demands of increasing end strength, Air Force officials need to bring in about 220 additional MTIs. About 4,000

Secretary Donley to remain as SECAF

White House officials announced Feb. 26 that Secretary Michael B. Donley will remain the secretary of the Air Force."I am very honored that the president and the secretary of Defense have asked me to continue in this capacity," Secretary Donley said. "It remains a privilege to serve the men and

Charleston leads AMC in conserving energy

According to recent reports from Air Mobility Command officials, Charleston AFB is currently leading the way for reduction in energy consumption in AMC. Mandated by federal Executive Order 13423, the Air Force and all federal agencies are required to reduce energy consumption annually by 3 percent

New exhibit highlights '100 Missions Up North' at museum

A new exhibit titled, "100 Missions Up North," opens March 19 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force here. The display highlights the story of brave Airmen who flew missions above North Vietnam and neighboring countries during the Vietnam War. Located in the Modern Flight Gallery, the exhibit

Making a list and checking it twice

Airmen service F-15E's avionics remotely

Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron's Avionics Flight here apply their technical expertise to sustain mission readiness for F-15E Strike Eagles flying out of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The flight maintains and repairs three dozen various avionics systems for the Strike Eagle,

President's budget proposal includes 2.9 percent pay raise for troops

President Barack Obama's fiscal 2010 budget proposal includes a 2.9 percent pay increase for U.S. servicemembers. The figure is lower than pay raises requested the past two years, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Feb. 26. But he noted that Congress has a precedent of increasing the amount

Multinational exercise to test interoperability in Caribbean

An initiative aimed at boosting capacity among Central and South American security forces will get put to the test in early March when 18 countries come together for a national security exercise in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. The United States and England will join 16 Caribbean countries

Feb. 28 air power summary: F-15E destroys enemy weapons cache

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle destroyed an anti-Afghan

Feb. 27 airpower summary: B-1B destroys enemy narcotics facility

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s

Feb. 26 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan a coalition aircraft used a precision guided munition to

Rescue crews join search for missing NFL players, boaters

An Air Force Reserve Rescue crew from the 920th Rescue Wing here took off in an HH-60G Pave Hawk at 5 p.m. March 1 to join the Coast Guard in a search for four missing boaters in the Gulf of Mexico. Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Victor Cooper were among the

March 1 airpower summary: MQ-9 targets enemy with missiles

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to a ground

Airman welcomes first child via Web cam

A 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman deployed at an air base in Southwest Asia witnessed the birth of his first child in the Oklahoma City area live via Web cam Feb. 19. Senior Airman Daniel Warila, a 380th Expeditionary Maintenance aerospace ground equipment mechanic, watched his son, Lucas Daniel

Airmen deliver 1 million pounds of supplies in 42 days

Airmen of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped its 1 millionth pound of equipment from a C-17 Globemaster III Feb. 16 over Afghanistan just 42 days after arriving here Dec. 30. Unit members deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., completed the milestone mission supporting

Squadron continues tradition, honors fallen comrades

Members from the 1st Special Operations Squadron took off Feb. 26 from Kadena Air Base, Japan, on a MC-130H Combat Talon II to honor fallen brethren that were lost 28 years ago.A 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign Stray 59, crashed during an exercise killing eight crewmembers and 15 passengers Feb. 26,

386th Airmen contribute to Victoria wildfire relief

When the Australian servicemembers of Force Support Unit 1 at an air base in Southwest Asia passed a bucket around at their last barbecue to raise funds for the victims of the Victoria wildfires, they had hoped for some loose change from their Air Force guests. What they got surprised them.  Between

Airmen vigilant for threats

Airmen with the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Escort Flight keep a vigilant eye throughout the base interior 24 hours a day, seven days a week to protect the base's operational security and everyone's safety. The flight of more than 180 Airmen preserve security by escorting

Kadena Airmen volunteer time to Japanese children

Fifteen Airmen from the 18th Wing here used their native English skills to connect with 60 children at a Japanese preschool Feb. 26 while temporarily deployed to the Japan Air Self Defense Force's Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. The children, ages 3 to 6 years old, at Isshin preschool

Physical therapy keeps Airmen fit to fight

A person passing by the physical therapy office at this base in Southwest Asia might not notice it exists, because much of the recovery equipment found in stateside clinics isn't there. But Maj. Jesse Richardson, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group physical therapist, said this allows him to get out

Personnel desktop application expanded

Beginning March 13, group and wing commanders will have access to vital personnel information right at their fingertips according to officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here. The Base-Level Service Delivery Model commander's tool will provide personnel information, such as manning documents

Officials announce senior master sergeant selections

Air Force officials have selected 1,450 of 13,216 eligible master sergeants for promotion to senior master sergeant for a selection rate of 10.97 percent. Last year's selection rate was 8.77 percent. The average score for those selected was 661.49, which was based on the following point averages:

Rescue crews assist search for missing boater, NFL players

Air Force Reserve rescue crews from the 920th Rescue Wing here launched two aircraft March 2 as Airmen helped with the continued search for three missing boaters in the Gulf of Mexico, two who are NFL players. The 920th RQW maintenance teams prepared an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and an HC-130P/N

U.S., India strengthen partnership

March 2 airpower summary: A-10s deter, disrupt enemy activities

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general purpose

Altus shop improvement reuses waste water

Airmen from the 97th Maintenance Directorate wheel and tire shop recently improved the way they wash aircraft wheels, which will save the Air Force more than $47,000 and reduce hazardous waste generation by more than 27,000 pounds annually. When the shop focused on increasing efficiency, the end

Leaders address issues at AFA symposium

The top Air Force leaders outlined today and tomorrow's challenges for the service Feb. 26 at the 25th Annual Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition in Orlando, Fla. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force,

Agencies practice hazardous cleanup in arctic conditions

The 611th Civil Engineer Squadron, 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Coast Guard, Navy's Supervisor of Salvage and the Alaska Environmental Protection Agency combined this year to practice decontamination procedures during Ice Ops on Six-mile Lake at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Ice Ops is an annual

Air Force teams with NASCAR to aid recruiting

The Air Force was on display at the Shelby 427 race March 1 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada as the Air Force NASCAR was on hand for race fans to see and the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performed.A crowd of 200,000 people witnessed Lt. Gen. Ronald F. Sams, the

Airman's Roll Call: Cyber threat training

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on things Airmen can do to prevent cyber threats from harming Air Force computer networks. Just like safety down days, Airmen are taking a moment to better understand how cyber threats can hamper the mission. This week, Airmen in units across the Air Force are

Airmen advise Afghans on Russian-made helicopters

Kadena Air Base Airmen are contributing to the readiness of the Afghan national army air corps by serving as advisers to Afghan airmen at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, who maintain the Russian-made MI-17 transport helicopter. Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flanagan, a helicopter crew chief, and Tech. Sgt.

Army, Air Guard at full strength, directors tell Congress

The Army National Guard is over strength and the Air National Guard has met its end strength for the first time since 2002, the directors told Congress March 3 here. "This is a new era for us," said Army Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, the director of the Army National Guard. "We've never been in this

Misawa officials welcome home 300 deployed Airmen

The Misawa Air Base community welcomed home about 300 Airmen who had been deployed supporting expeditionary operations Feb. 27 through March 1 here. Families gathered on the flightline to greet their loved ones who have been gone for five to six months at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in support of the

Successful Deep Freeze season comes to an end

Another season of Department of Defense support to the U.S. Antarctic Program and National Science Foundation activities in Antarctica came to an end Feb. 28. The 2008-2009 season of Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's operational and logistical support of the NSF's scientific research

JCS chairman stresses value of joint warfighting

As military officials in Chile work toward building a joint force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shared insights from U.S. history and emphasized the importance of the joint process."The U.S. military is the best in the world" partly because leaders and servicemembers have embraced joint

AFSPC commander speaks on changing nature of warfare

General C. Robert Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space Command, spoke at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando Feb. 24 about the future of conflict. "We're very excited about what is happening in our command," he said, referring to the decision to make Air Force Space Command the lead for (Air

ESC uses new acquisition steps to advance critical program

An Electronic Systems Center team has completed one of the Air Force's first Materiel Development Decisions using the new DOD Instruction 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, acquisition procedures approved in December. The team, composed of people in the 653rd Electronic Systems

Santa's other reindeer

Challenging Air Force weather mission at Academy

With an area of 18,000 acres, an elevation gain of 2,800 feet and Pikes Peak only 15 miles to the southwest, staying ahead of the weather here can be difficult. Add to that an airfield that relies heavily on weather conditions that allow pilots to land by looking outside the cockpit and you have

Servicemembers provide medical care to 120 Afghans

American servicemembers of the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction team conducted a medical assistance mission and cared for more than 120 Afghans at the Hope of Mother School and Clinic in Surkh Rod District Feb. 24 in Afghanistan. In approximately three hours, the team's medics and an Afghan

Retirees can give to Air Force Assistance Fund

Even if retired, Airmen still can give to the Air Force Assistance Fund. This year's annual campaign, the 36th, began Feb. 9 and runs through May 1; however, installation commanders will decide on a specific six-week period for their base's campaign. Retirees can contribute through a one-time gift

Foundation gives spouses chance to become financial counselors

Through their investor education foundation, representatives with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, are helping military spouses become accredited as financial counselors. The foundation's "Military Spouse Fellowship Program" has been providing military spouses the means to earn

Nighttime operations

March 3 airpower summary: Predator keeps vigilant watch

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle used a

National Guard chief visits troops in war zone

The National Guard's first four-star general visited citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen serving throughout Southwest Asia in dozens of formal briefings, town hall meetings and tours at the end of February and early March.General Craig R. McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited the Guard

Army, Air Force partner to improve facilities for Iraqi military

Air Force and Army Corps of Engineers members joined forces to improve the training facilities for Iraq's air force cadets here. The $1.96 million rehabilitation project at the Iraq Military Academy Rustamiyah included five major components that will greatly enhance the learning and living

Chapel team goes outside wire for duty

The chaplain and his assistant for the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group here serve Airmen who perform their duties in combat zones outside the wire, so they do to.Chaplain (Capt.) David Haltom and Staff Sgt. Porscha Howard, the chapel team for the 732nd AEG, provide chapel support to joint

Symposium encourages Building Partnerships, ideas

The LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education here invites select officers and civilian equivalents to take part in the Building Partnerships Symposium March 23 to 25 here. The event's primary focus is to promote discussion about relevant experiences and theories to be incorporated into

Guard aviators gear up for Afghanistan deployment

Four New York Army National Guard aviators got a taste of high-altitude flying in Afghanistan on Feb. 25 without leaving the United States. The Afghan-bound members of Detachment 20, Operational Support Airlift, went through high-altitude training at an Air Force oxygen chamber here. The Soldiers

Post commemorates 99th anniversary of first military flight

A vintage Stearman PT-17 and a Fairchild PTY-26 flew at approximately 11 a.m. March 2 under a clear blue sky over the grounds of Fort Sam Houston commemorating the 99th anniversary of the first military flight made by then 1st Lt. Benjamin Foulois. Sponsored by the Stinsons Flight No. 2, Order of

Air Force Climate Survey yields insights

More than 90 percent of Airmen responding to a recent survey indicated that they are happy with their Air Force jobs and the performance of their organizations. These findings are according to a study that measures Airmen's attitudes toward their work environment and unit. "I am extremely pleased to

Overweight youth pose recruitment challenges

Fat is bad for one's health. And as defense officials attest, it's also bad for recruiting, and for national defense. Curtis Gilroy, the Pentagon's accessions chief, lamented during a congressional hearing that many recruitment-age youth are too overweight to qualify for military service. And as a

Prescription crosscheck program helps Tricare beneficiaries

The Tricare military health plan is ensuring patient safety for its 9.2 million beneficiaries through a revolutionary drug utilization program, a senior Tricare official said last week. "We cover about 2.2 million prescription medication claims per week -- that's about 120 million prescriptions per

March 5 airpower summary: A-10s provide aerial security

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged a cave that anti-Afghan

March 4 airpower summary: B-1B destroys drug production facilities

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s to

Players, spectator save life of fallen Airman

Five minutes into an intramural basketball game, two base teams were locked in a battle for victory but then had to shift focus to battle to save a fallen player's life at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 18 here. A player fell head first to the floor at the Pope Fitness Center's basketball court, but two players

Process for validating reserve early-retired pay explained

Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here are finalizing procedures for validating the receipt of retired pay before Citizen Airmen, both guardsmen and reservists, turn 60 years old.Since Jan. 28, 2008, Guard and Reserve Airmen can reduce the age they receive retirement pay by three months for

Top agents praise OSI efforts within Afghanistan

The Air Force's top Office of Special Investigations leaders recently spoke with agents and support personnel serving in Afghanistan during a Feb. 23 through 26 visit to Bagram Airfield. Brig. Gen. Dana Simmons, the Air Force OSI commander, Col. Humberto Morales, the 24th Expeditionary Force

Air Force on target with recruiting, retention

Air Force leaders' efforts to have the "right number of people in the right jobs" remains a challenge and so far, the Air Force is headed in the right direction, according to Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. The general was one of several senior

Airman tracks down parts for Iraqi maintenance depot

A joint expeditionary tasking Airman with the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group here is a scavenger. Capt. Jeff Allen, a contract officer representative for the depot, is charged with locating the parts the Iraqi army needs to restore their vehicles, whether it be buying it or finding it at a salvage

Korean VIP goes for a ride

The 8th Fighter Wing commander literally took Gunsan City's Korean National Police chief for a ride here March 4. Colonel J.D. Harris invited Kim Myung Jung to the base to familiarize him with the wing mission and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Kunsan's Pilot for a Day program brings local civilians who

Kadena Airmen deploy to Thailand for Exercise Cope Tiger

About 170 Kadena Air Base Airmen are deploying with 12 F-15 Eagles to Thailand to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 from March 9 through 20. The F-15s from the 44th Fighter Squadron here will fly alongside their Thai air force counterparts as well as the Singaporean air force and other U.S.