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  • Ammo: Giving Warthog its lethal bite

    As coalition soldiers conduct operations throughout Afghanistan, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, or Warthogs as they are commonly known, are a frequent sight in the sky.When a Warthog must strike, one team here “sharpens its tusks,” making sure that the aircraft’s “bite” is effective and lethal.The Airmen of

  • Team rescues kitten from palace wall

    In the sprawling Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory where leaders are tough and business is serious, a group of concerned officers led a team in a kitten rescue July 8.The public affairs staff had heard a family of kittens meowing in the ceiling for a couple of days, but said they were surprised to hear

  • Air Force amputee returns to flight status

    An Airman here who had his leg amputated above the knee will soon fly an Air Force aircraft again.Lt. Col. Andrew Lourake, the Commander’s Action Group chief, has been medically cleared to return to flight status.The Air Force surgeon general, Lt. Gen. George Peach Taylor, medically cleared Colonel

  • Finance agency opens new reserve pay center

    The Defense Department's new Reserve Pay Center of Excellence has officially opened for business.The operation, part of Defense Finance and Accounting Service, will further improve service "to the men and women who defend America," according to a DFAS news release. It will offer "better

  • NCOs teaching at ROTC detachments

    Air Force ROTC cadets at 10 universities will soon see stripes in their classrooms.In a new program, noncommissioned officers will begin serving as instructors at Air Force ROTC detachments, positions normally held by commissioned officers.The three-year program will incorporate enlisted

  • AFSOC, PACAF welcome new commanders

    Airmen from two Air Force major commands welcomed new commanders July 1 and 2.Maj. Gen. Michael W. Wooley assumed command of Air Force Special Operations Command during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Fla., on July 1, and Lt. Gen. Paul V. Hester assumed command of Pacific Air Forces during a ceremony

  • New booklet helps families of deployed reservists, guardsmen

    Separations can be tough on any child whose parent is deployed overseas, but particularly for the estimated 500,000 sons and daughters of deployed National Guardsmen and reservists, said an expert on issues involving military families.Many Guard and Reserve families lack the tight-knit support

  • Taking care of their own, Airmen donate $6.7 million

    Airmen have given more than $6.7 million to this year's Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, $800,000 more than last year.The fund raises money for four Air Force-related charities that benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Airmen, surviving spouses and families. "The 2004 campaign raised

  • Now showing: July 5 edition of Air Force Television News

    What is fast becoming the Air Force hub for its operations in Iraq is spotlighted in the latest edition of Air Force Television News.Tech. Sgt. Pachari Lutke reports from Balad Air Base, Iraq, on how Airmen there are supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Master Sgt. Jim Lawson reports on another

  • Teamwork, determination avert crash landing

    A C-130 Hercules from the 710th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, with 65 people on board, came within minutes of making a crash landing June 29.What started out to be a 90-minute flight turned into three and a half hours of nonstop effort to get the aircraft safely on the ground.Leaving Balad Air

  • NCO rescues two people from river

    When a staff sergeant from the systems programs office at the Air Force Personnel Center here went to a local river for a relaxing tubing trip recently, he was not expecting to save the lives of two people from the rain-swollen waterway.Floating down the usually calm river on an innertube is a

  • Class of 2008 arrives at academy

    More than 1,300 cadet appointees said goodbye to their families July 1 and entered the academy to begin their careers in the Air Force. Inprocessing was a long one-day event filled with medical and dental evaluations, haircuts, clothing and equipment issue, and squadron and dormitory room

  • AEF Battlelab tests universal aircraft jacks

    Any Airman who has ever worked on the flightline during a rotation in the desert knows that the aerospace ground equipment he or she uses is often specific to a particular airframe. Heavy aircraft jacks, in particular, are not one-size-fits-all equipment. After all, people cannot use the same set

  • ‘Military One Source' helps with family problems

    The Defense Department has established a "one-stop" place to go whenever servicemembers or family members need assistance with any kind of problem.It is called "Military One Source," and is available anytime, worldwide, said John M. Molino, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and

  • Expeditionary mindset provides stability, predictability for Airmen

    Nothing much stands out at the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Center at Langley Air Force Base, Va.The rooms upon rooms of cubicles are standard for a work center. A snack room provides lunch for those too busy to leave, and a larger parking lot would make people happier.Everything appears

  • Crew chiefs care for, feed Warthogs daily

    A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, affectionately known as Warthogs, fly over Afghanistan around the clock. While in the air, the pilot is responsible for taking care of the aircraft; but once it parks, the responsibility belongs to its crew chief.The crew chiefs “prepare the aircraft for takeoff, recover it

  • Air Force bids farewell to a legend

    The Air Force's last Vietnam-era former prisoner of war still serving retired here June 30, ending more than four decades of active-duty, Guard and Reserve Service.Reserve Maj. Gen. Ed Mechenbier, mobilization assistant to Gen. Gregory S. Martin who is commander of Air Force Materiel Command, hung

  • A-10 upgrades double operational lifespan

    The first production A-10 Thunderbolt II was delivered here in October 1975. Fifteen years later, the A-10 was called the most formidable weapon system of its type while flying combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.Today, more than 30 years after beginning service, many of the Air Force’s

  • General revises clothing policy for Airmen deploying to SWA

    All Airmen deploying to the Central Command area of responsibility must now ensure the clothing they pack is in step with a recent dress and appearance policy revision now in effect.The most significant change requires Airmen to wear either desert camouflage uniforms or physical training gear while

  • Airmen deliver 35,000 helmets to Afghanistan

    Airmen flew more than 35,000 Romanian military helmets to Afghanistan from here June 24 in a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III. The helmets are for the Afghan army.Donated by the Romanian government, the helmets were packed and loaded by a team of Romanian servicemembers and a three-person U.S.

  • U.S. occupation officially ends

    Sovereignty in Iraq passed from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the interim Iraqi government June 28, two days ahead of schedule.In a 10-minute ceremony inside the heavily fortified "Green Zone" where coalition headquarters is located in Baghdad, CPA administrator L. Paul Bremer III read a

  • Iraqi delegation visits Balad, applauds U.S. military efforts

    Hoshyar Zebari, Iraqi minister of foreign affairs, and other members of the Iraqi governing council, including Iraqi defense minister Hazim al-Shaalan, visited here June 27 on their way to Istanbul, Turkey, to the NATO summit. While here, Mr. Zebari thanked the United States for its assistance in

  • F/A-22 goes ‘On the Record’

    Fox News Channel is scheduled to broadcast a special edition of "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren” from here June 28.The one-hour live broadcast from Nellis' F/A-22 Raptor hangar includes footage from a June 27 chase mission Ms. Van Susteren participated in. The program also will include an

  • General Bradley will command Air Force Reserve

    On June 24, the Senate confirmed Maj. Gen. John A. Bradley as chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, and appointed him to the rank of lieutenant general. General Bradley is the former assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for reserve matters at the

  • Children’s yoga class offers more than quiet poses

    “Breathe in” and “breathe out” are typically what someone may expect to hear in a yoga class. What is unexpected are children ages 2 to 14 posing like cobras, monkeys and airplanes, and making noises like them.This is exactly what happens during a children’s summer yoga class the youth center here.

  • Robotic warriors display capabilities

    Pentagon officials and guests were treated to a demonstration of the remote detection challenge and response, or REDCAR, initiative June 23.REDCAR uses unmanned robotic platforms to provide perimeter defense of Air Force bases and forward-deployed units.“With REDCAR we can integrate a family of

  • Airman loses 100 pounds

    It took a missile maintainer here nine months to fix one of the Air Force's most important weapon systems, and he did it out of uniform, without technical orders and after duty hours.Senior Airman Norman Barore, assigned to the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron here, lost 100 pounds in nine months,

  • Painting honors Tuskegee Airmen

    A painting honoring the famed 332nd Fighter Group of Tuskegee Airmen was unveiled during a ceremony in the Pentagon on June 24.In the painting, artist Mickey Harris depicts then-Lieutenant Luke Weathers at the controls of his P-51 Mustang escorting a damaged B-24 Liberator back to England following

  • Congress recognizes four Air Force people

    Four members of the Air Force family received Congressional Award Gold Medals along with 171 other young men and women during a ceremony on June 23 at the Russell Senate Office Building.The program recognizes outstanding achievement in people ages 14 to 23 and involves setting goals in four areas:

  • New UAV innovations could change face of war

    Unmanned aerial vehicles could start playing a more active role in missions to suppress and destroy enemy air defenses if a UAV Battlelab initiative proves successful.Testing of the new Joint Multiplatform Weapons Carriage System took place at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, Nev., on June

  • Airman becomes 'Met for a Day'

    One McGuire airman traded his flight suit for a baseball uniform June 22 and became an honorary member of the New York Mets for a day.Senior Airman Chardo Richardson, a boom operator with the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron here, shadowed Mets left-handed pitcher Al Leiter in the second part of a job

  • Murray talks deployments, force shaping

    Combat needs, not current manpower standards, are what Air Force officials are using to determine how many people are filling the ranks, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray said. This, he said, is the first time in Air Force history that combat needs have been the determining

  • Command chiefs meet for annual conference

    More than 250 command chiefs from Reserve, Guard and active-duty Air Force bases worldwide met here June 19 to 23 for the 10th Annual Worldwide Command Chief Master Sergeants' Conference.Command chiefs tackled issues facing the enlisted force.The conference gives Air Force senior leaders an

  • Officials detail global posture realignment process

    The realignment of U.S. forces in the world will mirror the changing threats and be a result of a fundamental shift in national security, the DOD undersecretary for policy told the House Armed Services Committee on June 23.Douglas Feith said that the effort now under way thinks through how U.S.

  • UAV Battlelab stands up at Indian Springs

    Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field near here is entering a new era in providing unmanned aerial vehicle support to the combat air force.Currently the only installation with a fleet of operational remotely piloted aircraft, Indian Springs is now also the home of the Air Force’s Unmanned Aerial

  • Manpower, personnel functions merging

    Manpower, personnel, and education and training functions will merge and realign under mission support squadrons at installations throughout the Air Force beginning July 1."Manpower and personnel have been separate disciplines throughout the Air Force's history," said Col. Douglas V. Bell, Air

  • Airmen work to open own club

    A dozen Airmen here sacrificed a couple rare sunny days off to help renovate a facility geared toward young enlisted Airmen.The volunteers are working on a self-help project at the old community center, which will be the home of the new airmen’s club. The Airmen spent several hours June 19 and 20

  • Nature center brings children joy, education

    Sharon Batchelder said some days she feels like she works in a zoo.But she has a good reason. As a recreation aid at the Spalding Nature Center here, she spends her time working in the only Air Force facility that is home to snakes, rabbits, turtles, a variety of birds and even a couple of

  • NCOs help with air cover

    More than 200 noncommissioned officers are helping the Army by providing air cover for patrols protecting convoys, performing raids, responding to mortar and road attacks, and training Iraqis to provide their own security.They are part of a tactical air control party, which is a self-supporting team

  • ARPC call center improves customer service

    Beginning June 28, all toll-free calls to the Air Reserve Personnel Center here will be channeled through the customer call center, officials announced June 21.ARPC officials said the new step continues efforts to provide one-stop shopping to the more than 950,000 customers that they

  • Shop reorganizes, reduces maintenance-flow days

    Maintainers here are promising to cut nearly two months off Common Configuration Improvement Program efforts on Air Force fighter aircraft by rearranging work spaces and making the flow smoother.Program modifications are being done here to enhance the cockpit, avionics and combat capability of about

  • IMAX returns to Nellis for final shoot

    A production crew filming an IMAX movie on the Air Force returned here June 14 to 18 to continue work on the 43-minute action documentary about Red Flag exercises.Filming for the production began here in June 2003, and this is scheduled to be the crew’s last visit. Besides their initial visit,

  • Airmen attend Coast Guard academy

    For a few select senior noncommissioned officers, attending the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy in Petaluma, Calif., is an opportunity to embody the school’s motto, “Altus Tendo -- I Reach High.” It is also a chance to teach their classmates about the mission and expeditionary nature

  • C-5 workers take to sky

    A group of C-5 Galaxy production workers recently took to the sky to become more familiar with the huge aircraft they work on every day.The flight was the first of a series of familiarization flights maintenance officials have scheduled to show workers how important their jobs are.“The organization

  • Now showing: June 21 edition of AFTV News

    The last active-duty Airman who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and his trip back to the country of his captivity highlights the June 21 edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Bill Scherer went along as Maj. Gen. Ed Mechenbier flew the famed “Hanoi Taxi” to the Vietnamese capital. The

  • Cadets get ‘constructive’ engineering experience

    Cadets exchange computers, backpacks and books for hard hats, lumber and a bulldozer when they sign up for a summer civil engineering course.The entry-level course takes place in the academy’s Jacks Valley at the field engineering and readiness laboratory. The five-week program acquaints 60 cadets

  • Mechanics finish six-year F-15 engine upgrades

    Jet engine mechanics have turned the final wrenches on a unique F-15 Eagle engine upgrade program here, saving the Air Force more than $100 million, officials said. For the last six years, more than 100 jet engine mechanics with the 18th Maintenance Group have been converting F-15 engines. They

  • Officials announce OTS selections

    Air Force officials here announced June 18 that 17 enlisted Airmen have been chosen to attend Officer Training School and trade their stripes for gold bars. Air Force Recruiting Service officials conducted OTS Selection Board 0405, which met here May 11 to 14. The board considered 392 applications,

  • Myers named ‘father of the year’

    Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been named the 2004 National “Father of the Year” by the National Father’s Day Council.The award was presented in New York City on June 17.

  • Airmen survive terrorist attack by being fit to fight

    In the early morning hours of May 30, an Airman lay in a dusty maintenance room of a building in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, with a tourniquet around his arm, struggling to stay alive.The morning before, Lt. Col. James Broome III and a colleague, Lt. Col. Ed O’Neal, both assigned to the U.S. Military

  • T-ballers make a hit on White House lawn

    What could be better than playing Little League baseball on a pleasant Sunday afternoon where no score is kept, everyone on the team gets to bat and a good time is had by all? Playing at the White House in the company of the president and first lady, that's what. Representing the Air Force, 14

  • Project upgrades quality of life at Bagram

    Innovation and initiative by 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Airmen upgraded a temporary living area into a cheery, hospitable cyber café.“Our new café projects a welcoming feeling,” said Staff Sgt. Tina Ross, a services representative with the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron and

  • Laughlin Airmen get fit during 'adventures'

    “Are you fit to fight?” That is the question Air Force officials are asking Airmen these days, and it is the catch phrase for the new fitness focus.One squadron here upped the ante among its Airmen recently asking, “Are you fit to race?”More than 100 Airmen from the 86th Flying Training Squadron

  • Utility uniform feedback survey, PT gear coming

    The Air Force’s first physical training uniform will hit the street later this year, and a Web site for Airmen to provide feedback on the proposed utility uniform will be online July 1.Feedback on the proposed utility uniform has been excellent so far, but an Internet survey will give all Airmen a

  • Long-term care insurance still available

    Active-duty Airmen, some reservists, appropriated-fund civilian employees, retirees and qualified family members can still apply for the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program.The program is a benefit authorized by Congress to help federal employees defray the costs of in-home care, nursing-home

  • Air Force family fights fire with generosity

    A first-term Airman from the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here, her husband, and their two small children were left homeless when an unexplained fire destroyed everything in their base housing unit recently.Out of the ashes of this tragedy, however, rose an unexpected phoenix. The Vazquez's

  • DOD wasn't geared to internal threats Sept. 11, panel told

    National policy that geared the Defense Department toward external threats was part of the reason DOD officials could not do more to prevent some of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the 9-11 commission here today. "Our military posture on 9-11, by law,

  • Airmen keep deployed Soldiers healthy

    Being responsible for the healthy living environment of 60,000 Soldiers at eight different camps is no small job, but that is exactly what Airmen of the 2nd Preventive Medicine Team Air Force have been doing since mid-March.This team of nine enlisted and two officers has conducted more than 2,000

  • Bush speaks from MacDill

    With the transfer of sovereignty two weeks away, the future of a free Iraq is coming into view, President Bush told a worldwide military audience and servicemembers assembled at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., on June 16.U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command have their headquarters

  • Officials take second look at ‘code-C’ limitations

    Following a review of the new force-shaping policy, Air Force officials rescinded the enlisted date-of-separation rollback for Airmen with an assignment limitation code “C.”“The secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force decided we should take a harder look at code-C limitations, and the medical

  • New focus puts future training over the 'edge'

    Department of Defense servicemembers participating in Northern Edge '04 have a new focus this year, joint warfighter training, as well as a different focus in 2005, homeland defense.Pacific Command and Northern Command officials have agreed to share Alaska Command's premier joint exercise.In

  • Academy graduate named to academic all-American team

    A 2004 academy graduate was named to the Academic All-American At-Large Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America on June 15. Second Lt. Mike Polidor is the third hockey player from here to earn the honor in the past five years.Lieutenant Polidor, a goaltender from Imperial,

  • Morón keeps aircraft moving, projects expeditionary air power

    About halfway between the United States and the Middle East, the runway here was recently labeled by Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche as “the irreplaceable gateway” for aircraft, cargo and troops headed for central and Southwest Asia . U.S. Air Forces in Europe leaders visited here

  • Academy aircraft resume flight

    Officials here have directed academy aircraft back into service starting June 15. Flight operations here were suspended April 2 following a safety review. Since that time, numerous actions have been taken to resolve all concerns expressed by academy leaders. Major actions taken include a detailed

  • Web site explains National Security Personnel System

    Department of Defense officials launched a Web site to educate civilian employees about the new National Security Personnel System. NSPS will make changes in the way the department hires, pays, promotes, disciplines and fires civilian employees.The site is meant to help DOD employees understand the

  • Flag has been powerful symbol, rallying point

    It was not all that long ago that everyone seemed to be flying an American flag.In the days and weeks after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, American flags sprouted from everywhere.At the World Trade Center site, New York firemen hoisted an American flag amid the rubble. At the

  • Airmen play ‘bad guys’ in Alaska

    Almost every military exercise needs "bad guys," and Airmen from the 390th Fighter Squadron are playing that role for Alaska Command's premiere joint training event, Northern Edge '04.More than 160 Department of Defense aircraft are involved in the exercise, including F-15 Eagles from the 390th FS

  • Reagan makes first, last flight in jet he ordered

    The blue-and-white presidential jet that brought the flag-draped coffin of former President Ronald Reagan to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on June 9 is an aircraft he ordered before he left office, but this was his first ride in it.President Reagan ordered two identical Boeing 747s to replace the

  • Airman, Scouts save lives

    Local Boy Scouts embarked on a whitewater canoe and kayak trip recently on nearby Chattooga River. Little did they know their recreational adventure was about to turn into a lifesaving rescue.At the end of their five-and-a-half-hour river ride, the Scouts were in the process of docking and packing

  • AMC musicians among those honoring President Reagan

    Four Airmen of the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America here will perform during a ceremony honoring former President Ronald Reagan at his presidential library and museum in Simi Valley, Calif., on June 11.President Reagan, 93, died June 5 from pneumonia after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

  • Airman carries his American flag everywhere

    When some people say they carry the American flag close to their heart, it is usually just a figure of speech.However, when one 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Airmen here said that, he meant it -- and he has the flag to prove it.“My grandfather gave me a 3-foot by 5-foot flag when I was 12,”

  • New technology worth its weight in chrome

    A powdered blend of tungsten carbide and cobalt used to coat jet engine parts, and new thermal-spray technology used to apply it are being tested by people at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center here.The powdered blend is emerging as the military’s best bet for replacing cancer-causing chrome,

  • Patient safety year-round process

    Although the National Patient Safety Foundation celebrates Patient Safety Awareness week in March, Air Force Medical Service officials take it on as a year-round process.“Delivery of safe and effective patient care hinges on the integration of a continuous process designed to detect, assess,

  • Upgrade brings resume writer offline

    People will be unable to complete or update online resumes for Air Force civilian employment June 18 to 26 because of a computer system upgrade.New job vacancies will not be posted during this time, and deadlines for those already posted will be extended. People will not be able to volunteer for

  • If you break it, they will come

    Outside, there is a simple, painted sign: “If you break it, we can make it.” Inside, there is an array of equipment, somewhat reminiscent of a high-school machine shop.On either side, the fabrication branch Airmen here have a vital mission: To fix or make the parts and tools needed to keep the

  • Airmen get direct flights into AOR

    Airmen assigned to Pacific Air Forces now have a dedicated flight to take them directly into U.S. Central Command theater when they leave to fill their air and space expeditionary force responsibilities.About 200 Airmen from Yokota and Kadena Air Bases in Japan took the first direct flight into the

  • Cadet’s court-martial ends with reprimand, fine

    The general court-martial of Cadet 3rd Class Douglas Meester ended June 8 with a guilty plea to three charges, and a sentence of a reprimand and fine of $2,000.Original charges were preferred against Cadet Meester on May 13, 2003, for violations of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. The

  • Total-force effort supplies OEF

    Every day, between 50 and 100 tons of equipment and supplies arrive here, flown in around the clock by a constant stream of cargo aircraft.Since this is a combat environment, getting the aircraft down, unloaded and quickly off the ground again is extremely important. Keeping that logistical

  • Combat exercise showcasing proposed uniform

    As the Air Force continues its wear test of the proposed new utility uniform, its sister services are getting a chance to get an up close and personal look at the uniform during exercise Northern Edge '04."There are a total of 90 Airmen on base participating in the wear test of the new blue, green

  • Air National Guard experiencing transformation process

    The Air National Guard has developed its own way of transforming its forces to meet “The Way Ahead” initiatives of Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and to remain relevant to the active Air Force.Air National Guard officials call it “Vanguard,” the long-range

  • Flexibility helps 497th CTS Airmen succeed in Singapore

    Col. John Rogers Jr. credits being able to “think outside the box” to the success of his Airmen who successfully perform their daily mission here. Colonel Rogers is commander of the 497th Combat Training Squadron, a 36-person group comprising the basic functional elements of a small-scale fighter

  • Servicemembers honor former commander in chief

    Servicemembers nationwide are working to honor a former commander in chief this week.The death of former President Ronald Reagan on June 5 set into motion a plan that will end up involving countless servicemembers from all the armed forces.As a past commander in chief, President Reagan is being

  • Jumper shares view on AEF cycle length extension

    The Air Force chief of staff announced the extension of the baseline for deployments from 90 to 120 days and the change of the air and space expeditionary force cycle from 15 months to 20 months. The changes will take place beginning with AEF Cycle 5 in September, said Gen. John P. Jumper in his

  • Now showing: June 7 edition of AFTV News

    The continued increase in an Air Force presence in the Pacific region spotlights the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Rusty Barfield reports on the planned addition of a C-17 Globemaster III unit at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, that will complement a buildup of air and

  • Veterans reflect upon D-Day, turning tide of war

    They are known as “the greatest generation.” On D-Day, they proved it. Before dawn June 6, 1944, Airmen of the 398th Bombardment Group awoke to a day that would turn the tide of the war in Europe and end with 3,000 Americans dead. Like most in the Army Air Forces, 1st Lt. Ike Alhadeff trained for

  • June issue of Airman available

    Read about Airmen chasing Olympic dreams, learn about the Army Air Forces involvement in D-Day and take a look at how one base is working to create happy trails for tiny lizards. These features and more highlight the June issue of Airman magazine, now available in print and online at

  • Vehicle maintainers keep operations rolling

    The flightline here is a hive of activity as vehicles swarm about accomplishing various tasks: a jammer carries bombs here, a loader removes cargo from a C-17 Globemaster III over there.Should one of those vehicles break, it could have catastrophic consequences for the mission, so ensuring that does

  • America, France pay tribute to airborne heroes

    As the United States and France paid tribute to those killed in airborne operations during the Normandy invasion, everyone was brought close to tears and every person's chest swelled with pride here June 5.Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, saluted the World War II

  • Air Force expands space-A lodging window

    The Air Force Services Agency director here announced recently an expanded space-available reservation policy designed to maximize occupancy at lodging facilities.Under the new system, lodging officials can accept and confirm space-A lodging reservations up to 30 days in advance based on low

  • Standard AEF deployment length stretches to 120 days

    Most Airmen scheduled to deploy in upcoming air and space expeditionary force packages will see their orders expand from 90 to 120 days. The change in deployment length will begin with AEF cycle 5 in September. Those who deploy as part of AEF 1 and 2 should prepare for a 120-day deployment. Air

  • ‘Integration’ theme of JEFX 04 Spiral 3

    With the successful conclusion of Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment Spiral 3 recently, the stage is now set for the largest battle management command and control experiment ever.JEFX ‘04, the Air Force’s premier experimental venue for groundbreaking command and control technology and processes,

  • Commanders must lead efforts to combat sexual assaults

    The Air Force director of manpower and reserve affairs testified June 3 before Congress during a hearing on sexual-assault prevention and response within the armed forces.Michael Dominguez told members of the House Armed Service Committee total force subcommittee about efforts the service had made

  • ANG crew rescues climber from Nabesna Glacier

    When you are a pararescuemen with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 210th Rescue Squadron, a day at the office does not take on its usual meaning, and June 2 was no exception.The Rescue Coordination Center here was notified early that morning that a young woman with the National Outdoor Leadership

  • Keesler civilian makes music at home

    For most people, making music means strumming a guitar, playing a keyboard, drumming a beat or singing a song.When Fred McMichael makes music, he often makes the instrument himself. After creating more than 50 violins and 20 guitars in the past 30 years, he tackled his biggest challenge yet: a

  • New inspection tool saves time, money, environment

    Air Force officials here are implementing a new inspection device to be used on aging aircraft that will speed repair, return them to operations for improved mission readiness and save $18 million in the process.The new system, called multiaxis X-ray, or MAX, uses noninvasive technology to detect

  • Bush: 'We will take the fight to the enemy'

    President Bush refused to back down to terrorists, despite continued violence in Iraq just 28 days before the handover of power to an interim government. The United States and its allies would continue to "take the fight to the enemy," President Bush said in his commencement address to the U.S. Air

  • New procedures to speed overseas absentee balloting

    Absentee ballots from servicemembers overseas will move faster and with greater control for the 2004 elections, Department of Defense and U.S. Postal Service officials said June 2.Charles S. Abell, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, and Paul Vogel, the Postal

  • Air Force offers new incentive for South Korea duty

    Airmen who volunteer to extend their tours of duty in South Korea may be eligible for an extra $300 per month.The assignment incentive pay program is designed to reduce permanent-change-of-station requirements, encourage longer tours, provide further stability and improve readiness on the peninsula,

  • Technology connects sisters for promotion

    Ver and Josie Param were in for a surprise May 27 when they arrived at 3rd Air Force headquarters here to witness their youngest daughter’s promotion to captain. Moments before the ceremony began, 1st Lt. Joy Param, a 3rd Air Force intelligence officer, escorted her parents and brother, Vince, into

  • Bush dedicates memorial

    President Bush officially dedicated the National World War II Memorial on May 29 during a ceremony that featured more than 100,000 military veterans and guests."We will raise the American flag over this memorial that will stand as long as America itself," the president declared to the audience, many