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  • Air Force: Expeditious recognition for expeditionary Airmen

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for personnel told lawmakers Dec. 6 the service makes it a priority to recognize the contributions of its Airmen. "In war, our top priorities are to win and take care of our people," said Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, before the House Armed Services Committee military

  • Air Force allergy doctors win FIT competition

    A 59th Medical Wing allergy team won the 15th Annual American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Fellows-in-Training Bowl held Nov. 6 in Philadelphia. Allergy specialists Maj. (Dr.) Stephen Scranton and Capt. (Dr.) Chris Calabria, with the 759th Medical Operations Squadron at Wilford Hall

  • Andersen community makes a wish come true

    The overcast, rainy afternoon did not dampen the spirits of Andersen Airmen and civilians as they rallied together to make a little boy's wish come true Dec. 5. Andersen AFB officials teamed up to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Guam make one of Natsuki Takeda's wishes come true. Five-year-old

  • Incirlik welcomes Air Force secretary

    Incirlik AB members welcomed the secretary of the Air Force and his wife at approximately noon local time Dec. 7 as the service's leader met with base officials and witnessed the unique missions and capabilities conducted daily in support of full-spectrum operations. Secretary of the Air Force

  • Airlift wing carries legacy into the future

    While much Air Force history can be found in volumes of books at the local library, its living heritage is not so easy to find. Or so most people think. In reality, Air Force heritage and history is easy to find in its Airmen and the units in which they serve. The 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 7

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 7. In Afghanistan Dec. 6, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • 4 Airmen vie for GEICO awards

    Four Airmen have been chosen to represent the Air Force to compete for the 2006 Government Employee Insurance Company Military Service Awards. Their records will compete against those of other members of the armed forces in four categories. Master Sgt. Shawn Ricchuito of Robins AFB, Ga., will

  • Japanese surprise attack on Hawaii

    At 7:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, an Imperial Japanese Naval Task Force under the command of Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, launched the biggest surprise attack in history. Japanese aircraft struck military installations on Oahu and in less then two hours inflicted the worst destruction the Army Air

  • Former Airman returns to Hickam

    Retired Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Barnett returned here for the 65th Anniversary of the attack on Oahu and to show his family where he was on that fateful Sunday morning. At the time of the attack he was a 24-year-old sergeant assigned as assistant armament chief with the 23rd Bombardment Squadron

  • Historian revisits Dec. 7, 1941

    On Sunday morning Dec. 7, 1941, the largest airborne attack force ever assembled by the Imperial Japanese Navy struck Oahu's military installations and in the attack's aftermath crippled the U.S .military in the Pacific and plunged the United States into World War II.Six Japanese carriers

  • Luke community rallies to support downed pilot's family

    A Luke AFB pilot killed in action Nov. 27 in Iraq was remembered by Air Force leaders and friends as a warrior-patriot who made a difference in everything he did in a ceremony Dec. 6 here. Maj. Troy L. Gilbert's F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed while flying a combat mission in support of ground forces

  • Football: Hennings inducted into college hall of fame

    A former U.S. Air Force Academy football player was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Dec. 5 in New York City. Chad Hennings, a 1988 academy graduate, was inducted into the 2006 College Football Hall of Fame Division I-A Class at the 49th Annual Awards Dinner. A unanimous first-team

  • Air War College receives joint Phase II certification

    Air War College, the Air Force's senior service school, located at Air University here, received Joint Staff J-7's recommendation for Joint Professional Military Education Phase II certification at the culmination of a visit by a certification assessment team in late November. The recommendation

  • Shield represents past roots, present vision

    The shield of the 15th Airlift Wing symbolizes the unit's mission and reflects its storied past. It was originally approved for the 15th Fighter Group on Oct. 2, 1942.The ultramarine blue and gold represent Air Force colors while the lightning flashes from the base represent the speed of modern

  • Aleutian Islands: World War II secret bases

    When Stuart Faber enlisted in the Army Air Corps shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he wasn't quite sure what he'd be doing. Once assigned to the 404th Bomb Squadron at Elmendorf Field, Alaska, he not only maintained bombers, but was also sent on temporary duty to perform a

  • 3 Air Force installations nominated for excellence

    Air Force officials announced the three Air Force installations that have been named as finalists in the Commander-In-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence Dec. 6. The bases nominated are Columbus AFB, Miss., Hurlburt Field, Fla., and Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.The bases were

  • 1st Air Force female pilot in combat reflects on career

    As she attends Air War College here, the first female pilot in the Department of Defense to fly in combat reflected on some of her career experiences so far. An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, Lt. Col. Martha McSally is also the first female in the Air Force to serve as the commander of any combat

  • Pearl Harbor survivor remembers

    On Dec. 7, 1941, Richard Fiske started his day aboard the USS West Virginia, much like any other. But just before 8 a.m., the 19-year-old Marine bugler looked up from his watch post on the ship's quarterdeck to see Japanese planes overhead."At first I thought they were our planes, then the first

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 6

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 6.In Afghanistan Dec. 5, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The aircraft expended a Hellfire missile on the enemy target. An Air Force B-1B Lancer, Air Force

  • IMAs, units to share Reserve personnel reductions

    Faced with eliminating 7,700 personnel authorizations, Air Force Reserve Command officials have decided to divide those cuts between individual mobilization augmentees and unit reservists. "To do our part in the Air Force's recapitalization and modernization efforts, as well as participate in

  • Secretary Wynne visits Aviano

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne visited Aviano AB Dec. 5 and spoke to base members about issues affecting today's Airmen. Some of the things Secretary Wynne discussed were Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, deployments and the new cyber command. "I am capitalizing on the

  • Wing changes missions over time

    The 15th Airlift Wing, originally established as the 15th Pursuit Group (Fighter) on Nov. 22, 1940, activated at Wheeler Field , Hawaii, on Dec. 1, 1940. A little more than a year later, on Dec. 7, 1941, it engaged in combat action during the Japanese attack on military installations in Hawaii.

  • Thunderbirds release 2007 show schedule

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," has announced its 2007 air show schedule. The team is scheduled to perform more than 68 shows in 21 states and nine European countries.The 2007 schedule is as follows: March 24-25 Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. 31 Point Mugu Naval Base

  • Airman dies in CH-46 helicopter crash

    Capt. Kermit Evans, an Air Force civil engineer explosive ordnance flight commander, was killed as a result of a U.S. Marine helicopter emergency water landing Dec. 3. Captain Evans was one of 16 people aboard the Marine CH-46 helicopter when it made an emergency water landing near the shore of Lake

  • Fighter pilot balanced tactics, safety, effectiveness

    I'd hate to see an epitaph on a fighter pilot's tombstone that says, "I told you I needed training"... How do you train for the most dangerous game in the world by being as safe as possible? When you don't let a guy train because it's dangerous, you're saying, "Go fight those lions with your bare

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 5

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 5.In Afghanistan Dec. 4, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Reconstruction team holds first vendor fair

    More than 40 contractors from the Zabul Province attended the first vendor fair Nov. 26 held by the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team here in an effort to promote the availability of services and opportunities to both new and established contractors in the region. Hosted by PRT officials and the

  • Fairchild, Grand Forks crews support NATO summit

    KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft along with aircrews, crew chiefs and maintainers from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., are augmenting the refueling mission here in support of a NATO Summit mission.The weeklong deployment by the two stateside units allowed the RAF Mildenhall

  • Air Force assists Japanese senior enlisted development

    Fifth Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan Nov. 29 served as host to a 17-member delegation of senior enlisted leaders from the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force interested in learning best practices and improving its enlisted force development. Chief Master Sgt. James Roy, the command chief for U.S.

  • Military health care professionals join to combat global AIDS

    Military health care professionals from 30 countries gathered here Dec. 4 for the sixth annual international HIV/AIDS Strategic Planning and Policy Development course. The week-long course, which is hosted by the Defense Institute for Medical Operations, aims to help senior military and civilian

  • Kentucky Airmen lead way for ANG contingency response

    The Kentucky Air National Guard is now the home of the first and only contingency response group in the Air National Guard. The 123rd Contingency Response Group -- an "airbase in a box" -- will now provide a continual capability to provide everything necessary to open a runway, load and unload

  • Pope NCO receives Purple Heart

    A tactical air control party Airman from Pope AFB's 17th Air Support Operations Squadron was awarded the Purple Heart in a presentation ceremony Nov. 30 here. Tech. Sgt. Juan Valentin was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds received in action Oct. 28 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

  • Active C-130 unit unites with Wyoming ANG

    The U.S. Air Force has proven active duty and citizen Airmen can successfully operate together daily with the right amount of communication and the right amount of heart - just ask the Airmen of the 30th and 187th Airlift Squadrons at the Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing. The

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 4

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 4.In Afghanistan Dec. 3, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and French Air Force M-2000Ds provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar.

  • Andersen Airmen treat, transport injured Sailors

    Airmen from the 36th Medical Group and 734th Air Mobility Squadron here played an integral role in treating and transporting six critically injured Sailors Dec. 2 to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.The Sailors were transported via a C-17 Globemaster III to Hickam AFB, then on to the Army's Burn Center

  • Record-setting fuels flight keeps gas flowing at Manas

    Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants Flight help complete the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's mission of delivering fuel, people and cargo to Afghanistan by keeping the fuel flowing. The men and women of POL, commonly known as the fuels

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 3

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials release the airpower summary for Dec. 3.In Afghanistan Dec. 2, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The B-1Bs expended guided bomb

  • F-16 pilot status confirmed

    Maj. Troy L. Gilbert, the pilot of the Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon engaged in support of coalition ground combat operations that crashed approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad Nov. 27, was officially listed as killed in action.Positive identification was made through DNA analysis by the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 2

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 2. In Afghanistan Dec. 1, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Specialized reservist team supports Naval burn victims

    It's like a page from a script right out of a Hollywood movie. A McChord C-17 Globemaster III was diverted Dec. 1 to fly a nine-member Army Burn Center Flight Team from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to care for six Navy Sailors burned when a steam line ruptured onboard the

  • Andersen firefighters respond to base housing fire

    The 36th Civil Engineer Squadron's fire emergency service responded to a house fire in base housing Wednesday, which resulted in serious property damage. No one was home at the time of the fire nor was anyone injured in the blaze. The fire was initially reported by a neighbor at 3:11 p.m. "On behalf

  • Florida teaching certification to benefit CCAF instructors

    Qualified instructors from the Community College of the Air Force can now take a state-issued subject-knowledge exam to meet requirements for K-12 teaching certification in Florida, negating the need of additional schooling, after Florida legislators recently amended their educator certification

  • Moody pharmacy team makes AFSO 21 improvements

    The 23rd Medical Group's pharmacy is currently implementing a series of changes to improve customer service and satisfaction. The changes are a direct result of the group's first Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century Rapid Improvement Event. The first change revises the pharmacy hours from

  • Airmen help restore sullied cemetery

    The Golden Rule is "do unto others as you would have them do unto to you." A group of Airmen assigned to the 732nd Regional Support Unit at Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq, have taken that rule to heart. Volunteers here have put in close to 200 hours cleaning up and maintaining of a British cemetery located

  • NORAD to patrol space shuttle operations

    The Air Force is stepping up its air patrols in the Cape Canaveral, Fla., area to increase security for upcoming space shuttle operations. The patrols are a smart, efficient way to protect American lives and resources in the region, said Maj. Gen. Henry C. Morrow, the 1st Air Force commander."NORAD

  • Moody maintainers take initiative with AFSO 21

    A handful of Moody AFB maintenance professionals brought Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century to the forefront during a meeting Nov. 20 and 21 that reflected on improving inspections for the HC-130P. Sixteen Airmen from the 723rd Maintenance Squadron, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and

  • Cold weather warning: Silent killer lurks

    Air Force medical officials warn personnel to be aware of the dangers that can accompany the use of home heating systems during cold weather. The greatest danger comes from carbon monoxide poisoning. "CO is a silent killer," said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Shawn Varney the 59th Medical Wing Emergency Department

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 1

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 1. In Afghanistan Nov. 30, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kabul. The F/A-18s expended guided

  • Report cites mechanical error in Predator accident

    An MQ-1L Predator crash during a training mission June 22 at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., was the result of mechanical error, according to an aircraft accident investigation report released Nov. 30.There were no injuries or fatalities from the accident; and other than the loss of the aircraft, no

  • Patrolmen lauded for life-saving response

    A base Airman who attempted suicide is alive today because of the fast reaction of four patrolmen from the 366th Security Forces Squadron here. This month, 366th Fighter Wing officials showed its gratitude by selecting Tech. Sgt. Rich Richardson, Tech. Sgt. Galen Dickerson, Staff Sgt. Tom French and

  • Next generation: A-10C arrives at Davis-Monthan

    The A-10C Thunderbolt II made its official roll-out debut here Nov. 29, revealing its transformation and its enhanced capabilities under the Precision Engagement program.The Precision Engagement program will offer the A-10 the most significant modifications it has ever received in its 30-year

  • U.S. forces to stay in Iraq 'until job complete'

    U.S. leaders will consider all options on moving forward in Iraq, but three tenets of U.S. Iraq policy "remain firm and they're fixed," President George W. Bush said after a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Nov. 30 in Amman, Jordan.He also reiterated that U.S. forces would remain in

  • NCO completes in-theater advocate training

    An NCO here completed 40 hours of training to become the first victim advocate trained in Southwest Asia, according to the local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. Dr. Mario Mercado said Staff Sgt. Kino Simmons of the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron completed the training before any

  • Area defense artillery battalion stands up at Kadena

    The 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion (PAC-3) stood up during a ceremony Nov. 29 at the 18th Wing Headquarters here. "Today is an important day for our soldiers and our people -- it is a commemoration and an honoring of our personnel and the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in our unit's

  • Sibling tanker pilots connect 7,700 miles from home

    Being in different services, they never thought their military paths would cross, but two Kaysville, Utah, brothers are sharing a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Torbensen family learned Marine Corps Capt. Jason Torbensen and Air Force 1st Lt. Dustin Torbensen would serve together at a

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 30

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 30.In Afghanistan Nov. 29, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Orgun-e. The F/A-18s expended guided

  • Kunsan F-16 fleet prepped for 'Falcon STAR'

    The Block 30 F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron here are set to enter upgrade in the Air Force's Falcon Structural Augmentation Roadmap program aimed at extending the service life of the aircraft. The improvement to the fleet follows previous air-to-ground dominance to

  • AFSO 21 special assistant visits Aviano

    The secretary of the Air Force's special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations 21 visited here Nov. 29. Dr. Ron Ritter is responsible for developing and coordinating the Air Force's AFSO 21 transformational efforts. An early leader in understanding and applying lean manufacturing methods in U.S.

  • Stepping out of the blue for Army green

    Change is good, as one Airman in the 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron here finds out as he changes from "Into the Blue" to "Army Strong." Senior Airman Mike Goldman, 16th EWS journeyman, will become Specialist Goldman Dec. 28, as he enlists into the Army through the "Operation Blue to Green"

  • GM-3 vehicle deploys aboard C-17 first time

    The 4th Space Operations Squadron's Ground Mobile-3 vehicle made history Nov. 25 with its first deployment aboard a C-17 Globemaster III. The GM-3 and a crew of 4th SOPS Airmen at Schriever AFB deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to set up deployed mobile satellite command-and-control

  • Defense officials release name of downed F-16 pilot

    Department of Defense officials announced today the identity of an Airman listed as duty status - whereabouts unknown. Maj. Troy L. Gilbert was the pilot of an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon engaged in support of coalition ground combat operations that crashed approximately 20 miles northwest of

  • Today's security forces are expeditionary combat Airmen

    They work 12-hour patrols in 100-plus degree temperatures, sandstorms whipping into their faces. They drive convoy operations across the desert. They provide personal security details for four-star generals. Today's security forces career barely resembles its own Air Force specialty code from a

  • Career fields meld expertise in recovery missions

    Airmen from three career fields have worked for the past five years to bring the guardian angel weapon system, or GAWS, online for the Air Force to provide rapid recovery of servicemembers. Made up of survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists, pararescue jumper called PJs, and combat

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 29

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 29.In Afghanistan Nov. 28, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. The GR-7s

  • C-37A arrives at Hickam AFB

    The arrival here of the Navy's Executive Transport Detachment from nearby Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station Nov. 25 signals the successful integration of flying missions between two services. The Navy C-37A business jet replaces the modified P-3 aircraft the unit used to fly. The reception of the

  • Region Air Force commander visits Kadena

    The importance of the 18th Wing's mission in fighting the war on terrorism and its peace-keeping efforts in the Pacific region were key topics of discussion by the commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force during his visit here Nov. 15. Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, visited the base for an in-depth

  • Air Force officials convene board to examine F-16 crash

    Air Force officials have convened an investigative board to look into the crash of an F-16 Fighting Falcon engaged in combat operations over Iraq Nov. 27.The board will look into what caused the F-16 single-seat fighter to crash about 20 miles northwest of Baghdad around 1:35 p.m. local time. The

  • Airmen 'deal' with Mandel, Leno on 'Tonight Show'

    A group of California's Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen came together for a special military edition of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" Nov. 22 at NBC studios here.Mr. Leno invited the servicemembers to fill the studio audience for the show's Thanksgiving edition to honor

  • Air Force pharmacist receives award for excellence

    An Air Force pharmacist was honored by the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States with their 2006 Award for Excellence in Clinical Pharmacy Practice during their 112th annual meeting held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. Competing for the award were clinical

  • Personnel accountability key during emergencies

    A new Air Force Instruction places more responsibility for personnel accountability on the shoulders of individual Airmen. Air Force Instruction 10-218, Personnel Accountability in Conjunction With Natural Disasters or National Emergencies, published Oct. 31, 2006, details how an Airman should go

  • Wilford Hall nurse missing

    First Lt. Nonnie Dotson, a clinical nurse in the 759th Surgical Operations Squadron at Wilford Hall Medical Center, was reported missing Nov. 20 by relatives in Colorado. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department is conducting an investigation into her disappearance.Lieutenant Dotson has been

  • Science, engineering, technology achievements lauded

    Air Force officials recognized the service's top performers in science, engineering and technology during an awards banquet at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Award winners received a plaque and a certificate recognizing their

  • Balad 'Port Dawgs' help limit ground convoys

    With each pallet pushed onto an aircraft flying out of Balad, another dangerous convoy mission is avoided and lives are potentially saved. The "Port Dawgs" assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port Flight, ensure assets are delivered to forward-operating locations

  • U.S. Airmen help Iraqis take flight again

    The new Iraqi air force have returned to the sky, performing a variety of missions throughout the country, thanks to training and support from U.S. and coalition advisors. At Kirkuk Regional AB, American advisors are helping Iraqi military members of Squadron 3 train for their intelligence,

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 28

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 28.In Afghanistan Nov. 27, French M2000D Mirages and Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Orgun-e. An

  • F-16 crash investigation begins

    The interim safety investigation board convened by U.S. Central Command Air Forces has begun its efforts to gather evidence to determine what caused an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon to crash approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad at about 1:35 p.m. Nov. 27.The single-seat jet was in direct

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 27

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 27. In Afghanistan Nov. 26, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The GR-7s

  • Depot liaison engineers support aircraft maintenance units

    Growing up in Arizona was practically like having a desert as a backyard. That backyard served as the perfect place for mountain biking -- a passion of 14-year-old Mark Eilertsen. For an avid biker, an ideal choice for a career would be doing something with mountain bikes. So the teenager did his

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 26

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 26.In Afghanistan Nov. 25, Navy F/A-18Fs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The F/A-18Fs expended Guided

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 25

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 25. In Afghanistan Nov. 24, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Snow, sub-freezing temps no match for Manas team

    One key to successful mission completion for the coming months will be how the wing prepares and adjusts to winter weather. The mission priority every day and even more so during adverse weather is to deliver fuel, people and cargo in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This week brought the

  • Relatives support deployments together

    Servicemembers often cite missing family as one of the main hardships of deployments. For at least three sets of family members at Balad Air Base, missing family might not be quite as difficult for the duration of this Air Expeditionary Force rotation. Staff Sgt. Coy Hixson, 732nd Expeditionary

  • Deployed NCO receives Thanksgiving call from president

    A member of the 506th Air Expeditionary Group at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, received a once-in-a-lifetime phone call from the commander in chief Nov. 23. Master Sgt. Stonnie Martin, 506th AEG contracting directorate, was one of only two Air Force people to get the Thanksgiving Day call from

  • Mission Monster Mash builds camaraderie

    A pilot who has been shot down and injured during a combat situation relies on the skills of an Air Force pararescueman to save his life and get him to safety. Known as PJs, these elite military men train to dodge bullets while protecting the people they rescue. To help prepare them for the

  • Dirt runway testing increases C-17 safety, agility

    In an effort to expand the capability of the C-17 Globemaster III, about 40 people from the C-17 Integrated Test Force are in the midst of a four-phase test program to determine the C-17 takeoff and landing performance on non-paved surfaces. Engineers and pilots are testing the aircraft in extreme

  • PACAF commander serves Thanksgiving meals

    Osan Airmen were treated to a special guest for Thanksgiving lunch at the Ginkgo Tree dining facility here. Gen. Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, served Thanksgiving lunch to Airmen here and spent time this holiday season with them. "Since all of us who serve overseas are away from our

  • Misawa Airmen build winning deployment team

    Airmen in the 14th Fighter Squadron are preparing to meet the challenges of their air expeditionary force deployment this winter and they are "fired up" to contribute to the war on terrorism. The 14th FS will deploy F-16 Fighting Falcons, pilots and support people to Operation Iraqi Freedom where

  • Keesler, industry set new standard for telephone service

    With the cutting of a telephone cable Nov. 15, officials here culminated a six-month project to upgrade communications technology and "dialed in" to a new level of disaster preparedness. The date marked the official implementation of the new Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP, solution for

  • Performers bring some holiday cheer to Incirlik

    Music, singing, cheering and laughter rang from Hangar 4 on Nov. 22 as more than 1,000 people from around the Incirlik community gathered to enjoy the Operation Season's Greetings traveling troupe. The OSG group performers included a combination of the best performers of the Air Force Reserve Band

  • Retired chaplain's life shining example of duty, faith

    On June 23, 1943, tragedy struck the small airfield at Royal Air Force Ridgewell, England, home of the 381st Bomb Group. As ground crews armed one of the unit's many B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, 11 on-board explosives detonated, killing 23 American servicemen and one British civilian. One man, an

  • Air Force training makes Airmen safer, more aware

    Staff Sgt. Jason Lowery knows that preparing for combat duty is something many Airmen do not know much about. But training Airmen to be safer and more aware of the dangers they face around the world is not a new concept. Air Force Combat Skills Training is just the newest method of providing today's

  • 18th Wing key component in war on terrorism

    The importance of the 18th Wing's mission in fighting the war on terrorism and its peacekeeping efforts in the Pacific region were the key topics discussed by the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander here Nov. 15.Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright visited the base for an orientation tour of the wing

  • Life at Incirlik means getting involved

    Incirlik is known affectionately by its residents as "the small community with the big heart." Senior Master Sgt. Raul Ruiz, the 39th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, embraces this small-town environment by being an active member of the community. "My family and I are involved in everything

  • U.S., Turkish forces team up in Anatolian Eagle

    The 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, deployed F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 200 Airmen here for a two-week exercise called Anatolian Eagle.The exercise provided an opportunity for Turkish and American forces to work side-by-side and learn from each other.

  • Preparing Thanksgiving feast no easy feat

    An American Thanksgiving kitchen is often a loud, clattering commotion of cooks, noise, smells and relatives arguing about what time the Dallas Cowboys' game starts. By the time the chaos settles onto polished dining room furniture, all that's left are the clean-up, naps and a good game of bid

  • Yokota mission essential for global reach

    The commander of Air Mobility Command recently met with the men and women of the 730th Air Mobility Squadron and other senior officials. As part of a nine-day tour of air mobility operations across the Pacific region last week, Gen. Duncan J. McNabb hosted a commander's call, toured the AMC

  • Global Hawk flies first Beale ACC sortie

    A newly-arrived RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle made its first operational Air Combat Command flight from here Nov. 21. The first Global Hawk flight from Beale signifies the end of the base's and communities' five-year wait for the aircraft, and the beginning of local training flights as

  • Colonel receives Bronze Star during Alabama-Auburn game

    An instructor from Maxwell Air Force Base's Air War College was honored at his Alma Mater during the University of Alabama rival football game Nov. 18, against Auburn University Saturday.Col. Duane Lamb was presented the Bronze Star medal by his former commander, Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc, who served

  • Air Force Honor Guard beefs up 2007 routine

    Throw, flip, twist, turn, roll, swing, catch. As the routine drives home and the final rifle hits, the team is welcomed back with an overwhelming reception. Only when their nerves settle do they see the people and hear the applause, they can finally relax and appreciate the reception. After a month

  • Security forces Airmen awarded Purple Hearts

    Staff Sgt. Rory Sturm and Airman Kevin Perez Glazer were presented Purple Hearts in a ceremony here Nov. 14 for injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device ripped through their Humvee. While receiving the medals is a memorable event, both members of the 586th Expeditionary Security Forces