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  • Puerto Rico Airmen support two wars

    When Tech. Sgt. Jose Melendez volunteered to deploy with his unit on his first combat tour in Afghanistan, he didn't quite know what to expect. He'd never been to war. But when he got to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, it didn't take the guardsman long to learn what Airmen are doing in support of the

  • C-17 makes 1st-ever airdrop to Antarctica

    Another airpower milestone was reached Dec. 20 with the completion of the first C-17 Globemaster III airdrop mission that delivered about 70,000 pounds of supplies to the South Pole.The airdrop's success is due to the combined effort of people from Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica

  • Airmen train to walk among the stars

    There are some Airmen who train to push a 4,000 pound hunk of steel and electronics out of their way with a flick of their pinky finger. Some Airmen train to fly at more than 17,000 mph, or roughly 5 miles per second. And some Airmen even train to "fly" without the use of any aircraft at all. But

  • Serving through the season: Airman Cameron Houghtaling Jr.

    There is a good chance Airman Cameron Houghtaling Jr. will not be home this holiday season, spending time with his family and friends.Airman Houghtaling is deployed to Bagram AB where he is the Services fitness coordinator and lodging assistant for Air Force members. "This holiday season I will be

  • TRANSCOM commander visits Air Mobility Warfare Center

    Saying he was impressed by the remarkable people and their wide-ranging missions, the commander of the U.S. Transportation Command wrapped up a two-day tour Dec. 14 of units at McGuire Air Force Base, nearby Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, the Air Mobility Warfare Center here, as well as

  • Chief on quest to improve communication with Airmen

    Telling Airmen the Air Force's top priorities was the focus of the Pacific Air Forces command chief master sergeant's visit here in mid December. "I'm amazed at how poorly we have communicated the Air Force's priorities to the Airmen in the field," said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Bishop. "We need

  • Airmen return to Shaw from overseas deployments

    Approximately 46 Airmen returned to Shaw AFB in mid December after being deployed to Southwest Asia fighting the war on terrorism. The Airmen returned in two groups, one returning from supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, while the second group was mainly supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in

  • Bagram opens $68 million runway

    Despite inclement weather and the possibility of snowfall, a new $68 million runway was opened and celebrated by Air Force and Army servicemembers, civilian contractors and Afghan officials Dec. 20 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. The project was executed by Contrak International workers from Cairo,

  • Gates urges Americans to remember servicemembers

    New Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, here on a surprise pre-Christmas visit Dec. 20, urged Americans to remember military members and their families throughout the holiday season. "I hope that everybody at home here at the holiday will remember that all these men and women are away from their

  • Serving through the season: Airman Marilyn Torres

    It's already on the schedule -- Amn. Marilyn Torres will celebrate the holidays inside the 726th Air Mobility Squadron's supply warehouse, ensuring heavy aircraft assigned here are mission-ready. Like many Airmen new to the Air Force, she'll also spend some time doing details, such as cleaning the

  • Pilots, air battle managers to receive incentive pay

    The fiscal 2007 Aviator Continuation Pay program will offer eligible pilots and air battle managers a monetary incentive to continue their service. A five-year, fixed-length agreement is available to initial-eligible pilots and air battle managers who apply. The agreement values in annual pretax

  • Serving through the season: Airman 1st Class Amber Roaten

    Making sure security forces are properly armed and have sufficient ammunition to support their tour is what Airman 1st Class Amber Roaten will be tasked to do as one of the armorers on duty for the 341st Security Support Squadron Christmas day. "I know I have an important job to do making sure law

  • Air Force official names environmental winners

    The Air Force civil engineer announced the winners of the Gen. Thomas D. White Environmental Awards for 2006. Maj. Gen. Del Eulberg named nine installations and one individual as winners of this year's awards. The 2006 winners are: -- Environmental Quality Award (industrial): Tinker Air Force Base,

  • Contract modification adds 4 aircraft for Air Force, Marines

    Officials from the 657th Aeronautical Systems Squadron here issued an undefinitized contract action in December that will add four aircraft to be used by the Air Force and Marine Corps. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. of Marietta, Ga., was awarded the $256 million firm-fixed-price contract

  • New MRI system installed at Keesler Medical Center

    Crews are currently completing installation of Keesler Medical Center's new magnetic resonance imaging equipment and look to have it complete in January at Keesler AFB.It replaces the MRI destroyed by Hurricane Katrina's devastating storm surge Aug. 29, 2005. A 13-ton magnet, the heart of the

  • Trainees given chance to shop, ship presents

    For more than 3,100 basic trainees, Dec. 9 brought an opportunity to get into the holiday spirit. Under the Shop-A-Trainee program, trainees in the first, second and fifth week of training, plus trainees on medical hold, were able to go to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Main Exchange to

  • Serving through the season: Senior Airman Alan Leckie

    The holiday season is in full swing with office parties and festive family traditions in the works. Meanwhile, for the Hickam Air Force Base Fire Department, it's business as usual. Senior Airman Alan Leckie of New Castle, Del., said firehouse traditions keep the holiday spirit alive. The chefs will

  • BASH lowers Eglin aircraft incidents nearly 75 percent

    While most Air Force bases around the world have a Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program, Eglin AFB officials have refocused and enhanced their efforts to more effectively deal with the diverse and rather large wildlife population. Eglin's wildlife strikes dropped by almost 75

  • Recruiter magazine bids farewell, goes online

    The January 2007 issue of Recruiter, Air Force Recruiting Service's magazine, marks the last edition slated for print after nearly 52 years as the official periodical for all Air Force recruiters. In keeping with the times, the Recuiter will morph into a Web-based news service beginning in February

  • Agreement enhances hydraulic repairs at Hill

    Ogden Air Logistics Center officials completed a partnering agreement with Parker Aerospace Dec. 18 paving the way for enhanced warfighter support. According to Hill AFB officials, the public-private sector team integrates the best of both worlds to meet 21st century warfighter needs on weapon

  • Air Force Small Business Program gets boost

    In exceeding goals in all five categories of its Small Business Program performance, Air Force Materiel Command is at the top of the Air Force list for dollars awarded to small businesses in fiscal 2006. Specifically, AFMC's Small Business Office awarded more than $4.6 billion - or 52.8 percent - of

  • Hydrogen fuel cell outperforms diesel counterpart

    Air Force Materiel Command officials here are tied to a project that could provide warfighters at remote bases with a cleaner, quieter way to power runway lights and other electrically powered devices. Air Force Advanced Power Technology Office, or APTO, officials here held a December demonstration

  • AMC releases KC-135 accident investigation results

    Air Mobility Command officials here Dec. 20 released the results of its investigation into the Sept. 26 KC-135 Stratotanker and TU-154 Kyrgyz passenger plane accident at Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. The collision between the TU-154 and KC-135 was clearly an accident and

  • Serving through the season: Senior Airman Jose Reyes

    Senior Airman Jose Reyes knows all about spending the holidays with a large family. As the youngest of nine brothers and sisters growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., he did it and now he's doing it with a new family. "It's easier to spend that time together with them," said Sergeant Reyes, an Air Force

  • Serving through the season: Staff Sgts. Chace and Maria Morris

    Chace and Maria Morris met and married more than four years ago. This holiday season they are serving their country at a Southwest Asia forward operating base in support of the war on terrorism. The staff sergeants are thankful the Air Force gave them the opportunity to deploy together, instead of

  • New legislation facilitates Total Force

    When President George W. Bush signed the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act into law Oct. 17, important clarifications were made regarding Title 10 and 32, the laws governing the legal distinctions between the armed forces of the United States and the armed forces of the National Guard and

  • New security base established in Laghman Province

    On a scenic plateau above the Alishang River in northern Laghman Province laid the earthly remains of some 20 Afghan mujahedeen fighters who occupied this land and fought to the last man against the Soviet Army. This hallowed ground is once again the focal point in the battle against tyranny and

  • Air Force officials announce promotions to major

    Air Force board members selected 2,518 captains for promotion to major in the 2006B line of the Air Force, chaplain, nurse corps and biomedical sciences corps central selection board. The list of promotion selects will be posted on the Air Force Personnel Center's officer promotions homepage Dec. 20

  • Vandenberg successfully launches Delta II

    Vandenberg AFB officials successfully launched a Delta II rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-2 at 1 p.m. Dec. 14 here. The Delta II, a 125.75-foot expendable launch, medium-lift vehicle, launches civil and commercial payloads into low-earth, polar,

  • Moody welcomes SFS Airmen home for holidays

    "I'll be home for Christmas ... " has a new meaning to several deployed security forces Airmen who returned just in time to spend the holidays at home Dec. 14 at Moody AFB after almost six months in Iraq. The team, made up of more than 160 Moody AFB Airmen from the 820th Security Forces Group, 23rd

  • Tyndall NCO Academy renamed after first CMSAF

    Tyndall AFB's NCO Academy was renamed to honor the first chief master sergeant of the Air Force Dec. 13 here. The Paul W. Airey NCO Academy Dedication Ceremony will be remembered as the second greatest thing to happen in the retired chief's professional life, said Chief Airey, only because becoming

  • Air Guard leaders explore ways to reset force

    The challenges for resetting the Air National Guard became more apparent to its senior leaders here Dec. 11 to 13 when Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, director of the Air National Guard, hosted the senior leadership conference, Minuteman Heritage -- Preparing for New Horizons. More than 1,000 leaders

  • Serving through the season: Airman Basic Alex Diaz

    For many people, cooking for a holiday gathering may mean about 10 people, but for the staff at the Hale' Aina Dining Facility here, this holiday crowd can mean more than 300 Airmen and retirees. Airman Basic Alex Diaz is assigned to the 15th Services Squadron. He and other services Airmen at the

  • TacSat-2 launched into space with flawless liftoff

    Successfully launched onboard a Minotaur I rocket, the TacSat-2 spacecraft has commenced operations on a planned six to 12-month experimental mission Dec. 16 from the NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility near Wallops Island, Va. Within minutes after leaving the launch pad, the micro satellite,

  • Magical weekend ends on ice

    Gary Komppa watched the National Hockey League action on the ice, and for a short time the pain of his loss melted away. The 11-year-old has not had much to smile about the last few months. He is now the man of the house after his father, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles Komppa, died Oct. 25

  • Military housing rates boosted 3.5 percent overall

    Servicemembers will receive an average 3.5 percent boost in their basic allowance for housing compensation benefit in 2007, a Defense Department officials said Dec. 18.The planned BAH increase starting Jan. 1 works out to about $300 million more than what was paid in 2006, officials said. "The

  • McGuire Airman fatally wounded

    An Airman from McGuire AFB was fatally wounded in an incident as he and his wife attempted to leave a club early Dec. 17 in Philadelphia. Airman 1st Class Lam Mai Ho was an air transportation apprentice in the 819th Global Support Squadron based at McGuire AFB.The incident is under investigation by

  • Serving through the season: Staff Sgt. Joey Crowell

    After more than six years in the Air Force, Staff Sgt. Joey Crowell has gotten accustomed to working during the holidays. That's why Christmas this year in the Crowell household probably won't be happening on the 25th. "Being away five Christmases of those six it's really easy if you're flexible,"

  • Safeguarding information technology vital to DOD

    Safeguarding and protecting vital computer-accessed information is the job of everyone working at the Defense Department, a senior DOD official said. "It's the responsibility for everyone to be sensitive to the security of their information, their passwords, the use of their (common access) cards to

  • Military aircrews support Mount Hood rescue effort

    After finding the body of one missing climber on Mount Hood, Ore., members of the Oregon Army National Guard, Nevada Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units continue to search for two other lost climbers Dec. 18. Rescue crews, joined by civilian volunteers, planned to take advantage of

  • Air Force leaders advocate Voluntary Protection Program

    Air Force leaders here are advocating an enhanced safety program that focuses on developing and caring for the safety of Airmen, civilians and their families. The Voluntary Protection Program originates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and focuses on incorporating the Air

  • Reservists add major adjustment to T-1 training

    Four or five months after graduating from Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, students from the T-1A Jayhawk tanker and airlift track may very well find themselves flying over the not-so-friendly sky in support of the war on terrorism. Two members of the 5th Flying Training

  • Gates sworn in as defense secretary

    Robert M. Gates was sworn in as the nation's 22nd secretary of defense in a ceremony Dec. 18 at the Pentagon. After President George W. Bush introduced Secretary Gates as "an experienced and thoughtful leader," Vice President Richard B. Cheney administered the oath of office. Secretary Gates was

  • 6th SOPS delivers critical weather data to warfighters

    The motto, "Get data or die" holds special significance for the 6th Space Operations Squadron, an Air Force Reserve Command unit here whose Airmen must deliver data to their customers within 10 minutes of downloading it from their satellites.The squadron's data transforms weather from a force of

  • Air Force announces top recruiters for 2006

    Twelve Air Force recruiters garnered top honors in their field for fiscal year 2006 as winners of Operation Blue Suit XXVIII, Air Force Recruiting Service officials announced Dec. 18. The winners include:-- Master Sgt. Richard Cuddeford, 343rd Recruiting Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb.-- Tech. Sgt.

  • Roll Call to help supervisors keep Airmen in the know

    A new weekly publication titled "Roll Call" is designed to help shop- and office-level supervisors explain complex, yet important Air Force issues to their Airmen during daily or weekly meetings. Roll Call is a one-page print product, posted online every Friday. It covers one or two topics, in full

  • Enlisted aircrew training winds down at Keesler

    Although packers are busy disconnecting and crating equipment, training continues for the last 10 students in the 1A3 airborne mission system specialist course in the 332nd Training Squadron here. The last Keesler class graduates Tuesday as part of the transition to the Career Enlisted Aviator

  • New antenna begins testing

    The 23rd Space Operations Squadron here began operations confidence testing of its newest Air Force Satellite Control Network antenna Dec. 14. Operational testing will verify the antenna is fully prepared to conduct satellite supports as part of the squadron's 24-hour mission, said station manager

  • New San Diego store illustrates commissary transformation

    A new commissary being built in southern California heralds the future for the Defense Commissary Agency, the organization's top official said Dec. 15. San Diego's new 118,000-square-foot commissary is slated to open sometime in April, said Patrick B. Nixon, DeCA's director and chief executive

  • Retired colonel provides air support for Snowball Express

    Retired Lt. Col. Roy White picked up the phone and on the other end was an opportunity to contribute to the military again.The phone call was from Michael Kerr, the founder of Snowball Express, and he wanted to get every military family who had a lost a loved one in the war on terror to California

  • Oregon, Nevada Reservists join search for missing trio

    Reservists from the 304th Rescue Squadron here will team up again Dec. 17 with Air National Guardsmen from Nevada in hopes of finding three missing hikers lost on Mt. Hood more than a week ago. "This was our first opportunity to see the top of the mountain because of the poor weather and extreme

  • Airmen wrap up airdrop campaign

    The Air Force C-130 Hercules team Dec. 14 wrapped up its six-day campaign of airdropping more than 211,000 pounds of supplies into the flood-ravaged Dadaab region of eastern Kenya. But to children on the ground, it was the last 60 pounds that maybe made the most difference. As a way to say goodbye

  • Buccaneers return from Afghanistan tour

    Waiting for the C-130 Hercules to return, Master Sgt. Diego Vazquez's only thought was this fellow Airmen would soon be safely home with their families. The 156th Airlift Wing NCO in charge of finance was one of more than 150 people who welcomed the 198th Airlift Squadron transport and 26 Airmen

  • Snowball Express kicks off weekend festivities

    Orange County businessman Michael Kerr decided his part in the War on Terror was to give families of fallen military heroes one magical weekend, complete with a trip to Disneyland. Mr. Kerr is the founder of the Snowball Express, a Dec 15-18 event offered to the families of service members who died

  • Air Force releases KC-X draft request for proposals

    Air Force officials announced Friday the release of an updated draft Request for Proposals for the KC-X, the aerial tanker replacement aircraft. "This continues our open and transparent acquisition process," said Sue Payton, the Air Force senior acquisition executive. "We're releasing this document

  • Airforce.com: Online link to 'Cross into the Blue'

    For seven years, the official Air Force recruiting Web site has provided the public information on officer and enlisted careers as well as benefits the Air Force offers. Monday through Friday six decorated, retired recruiters man airforce.com chat lines, each managing up to seven chats at a time and

  • Fisher DeBerry announces retirement as head coach at Air Force

    Air Force head football coach Fisher DeBerry announced his retirement Friday, ending over a quarter-century at the Air Force Academy. DeBerry just completed his 23rd season as the head football coach and 27th overall at Air Force. DeBerry has guided the Falcons to 17 winning seasons since taking

  • Engineers contribute to F-35 initial flight success

    The Dec. 15 initial flight of the new F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, or JSF, came after more than six years of development and testing at Arnold Engineering Development Center here. The flight of the conventional takeoff and landing F-35 variant began at 12:44 p.m. CST at Lockheed Martin in

  • B-52 flight uses synthetic fuel in all eight engines

    A B-52 Stratofortress took off Dec. 15 on a flight-test mission using a blend of synthetic fuel and JP-8 in all eight engines. This is the first time a B-52 has flown using a synfuel blend as the only fuel on board. In September, the Air Force successfully flew a B-52 with two-engines using the

  • Chief McKinley: Southern Command 'all over the mission'

    Not much has surprised Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley during his whirlwind tour of four key U.S. Southern Command bases. Before departing for Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico, the last stop on his four-day tour, he said from what he has seen, command operations are

  • Mrs. Wynne thanks Air Force family in latest Letter to Airmen

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Barbara Wynne, wife of Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne, thanks the Air Force family after returning from a recent trip to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and to United States Air Forces in Europe bases. "I have just returned from an

  • CMSAF visits Southern Command Airmen

    After three days of travel to U.S. Southern Command bases, the Airmen he has met have impressed Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. The chief said Airmen serving at forward-operating locations in the region "are doing wonderful things for our Air Force." The chief said they do an

  • Wreaths at Arlington honor warriors

    Morrill Worcester was 12 years old and on his first trip outside of Maine when he first visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He vowed then that he would always honor America's veterans, and he has kept that promise. Worcester now owns Worcester Wreaths, in Harrington, Maine. He began

  • Westover named sole maintenance center for Reserve C-5s

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 13 that Westover ARB will become the new center for in-depth maintenance on all Air Force Reserve C-5 Galaxy aircraft. The Air Force will consolidate the eight existing C-5 isochronal inspection facilities into three in order to increase aircraft availability while

  • Basketball: Falcons crack Associated Press Poll at No. 24

    It may be finals week at the Academy, but the Air Force men's basketball team has been acing tests all season.The Falcons slammed Norfolk State 70-47, Dec. 13 following a Dec. 7 record-breaking 82-31 thrashing of neighboring Division III Colorado College, both at Clune Arena, a graveyard for

  • Secretary Rumsfeld bids servicemembers farewell

    For these past six years, I have had the opportunity, and, I should add, the privilege, to serve with the greatest military the world has ever known. To all of the men and women in uniform, all across the globe, I wish it were possible for me to meet with each of you personally today so I could look

  • Academy officials open training facility at Pueblo Airport

    Officials from the Air Force Academy's 306th Flying Training Group will officially open a new facility Dec. 15 at the Pueblo Airport Industrial Park east of Pueblo, Colo. Staff members from Detachment 1 of the 306th FTG have been overseeing a contracted Air Force Initial Flight Screening program in

  • Combat Hammer tests air-to-ground bombing capabilities

    Eglin Air Force Base's western range, Bravo 70, was the site for the largest-ever Combat Hammer weapons system evaluation program Dec. 4 to 8, sponsored by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. More than 40 precision-guided weapons were dropped, including laser-guided bombs, joint direct attack

  • Secretary Wynne visits Ramstein

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne visited here Dec. 12. The focus of his visit was the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program.The secretary's stay included visits to the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron and the 86th Maintenance Group and its Propulsion Flight. He also

  • Course prepares flag officers to project airpower

    Historically, air superiority has meant the difference between victory and defeat on the battlefield. Army Field Manual 100-20, Command and Employment of Air Power, written four years before the Air Force's birth in 1947, stated:"The gaining of air superiority is the first requirement for the

  • Australian official recognizes international affairs officer

    The Australian department of defense recognized an Air Force international affairs officer for his work in helping bring the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft to the Australian fleet with an award Dec. 11 at the Pentagon.Australian Army Lt. Gen. David Hurley presented Maj. Stephen Webb with the

  • Christmas comes early for San Antonio families

    The holiday season can be a time of cheer, but often is tough for many military families. Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance to military members and their families, along with Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and America Supports You, joined forces to make

  • Airmen challenged to make better choices

    "Work hard and play smart" may soon be a new mantra for Airmen after duty hours. In February, the Air Force kicked off a new program titled "Culture of Responsible Choices." The program, called CoRC for short, is more of a change in mindset than an actual new formal program. It is a mindset where

  • Hawaii Air Guard celebrates 60th

    The Hawaii Air National Guard's history goes back before the U.S. Air Force was a separate service, and 12 years before the state the guardsmen serve was actually admitted to the Union. Guardsmen past and present recently came together here to celebrate the organization's 60th anniversary and to

  • National Guard Museum opens new exhibit

    A new interactive exhibit that showcases the National Guard's participation in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom is on display as the National Guard observes its 370th birthday Dec. 13. The National Guard Museum's OEF/OIF exhibit displays Guard members' equipment, uniforms and

  • Military health care making advances

    The military has made tremendous advances in health care in the last decade and specifically since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the top Defense Department official for health care said here yesterday. Body armor, eyewear, new surgical techniques and improved medical data collection

  • Chief McKinley says roll call good for Air Force

    Some Airmen are not getting information they need to make them better and more productive, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley said. That is why he believes the start of a roll call program, which he said could start "within days," will help bridge the communications gap between

  • Honor guard lays to rest Airmen killed in Iraq

    The tradition of laying to rest one's own carries with it the heavy burden of knowing a fellow Airman and hero has just departed. While this is the everyday job of ceremonial guardsmen, sometimes a death hits home a little harder and makes a lasting impact on those who take a part in the funeral.

  • Language familiarity, cultural awareness critical to Iraq fight

    Language training and awareness of Iraqi and Arab culture are absolutely necessary for servicemembers deploying to Iraq, the outgoing commander of Multinational Corps Iraq said in Baghdad Dec. 12. Army Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who gives up command Dec. 14, told Baghdad-based journalists that a poll

  • Senator urges military budget increases

    During a farewell speech in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee Dec. 7, Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO) said legislators must substantially increase military budgets over the coming decade if the U.S. military is to keep its edge. "There can be no doubt that without a substantial increase in

  • Web site commemorates National Guard birthday

    The National Guard turns 370 years old Dec. 13, and the National Guard Bureau is celebrating with a Web site dedicated to the organization and its history. The site, www.ngb.army.mil/features/birthday/index.html, chronicles the Guard's history, starting in 1636 when the General Court of the

  • Active duty components make recruiting goals

    All active-duty components made their recruiting goals in November, Defense Department officials said today. The Army made 105 percent of goal, the Navy 100 percent, the Marine Corps 104 percent and the Air Force 100 percent. In raw numbers, and the Air Force recruited exactly 1,877 Airmen, the Army

  • DOD, U.K. sign next stage Joint Strike Fighter agreement

    United States and United Kingdom officials signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 12 to begin future cooperation in the production, sustainment and follow-on development, called PSFD, phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England and United Kingdom

  • AFMC leaders plot 'One Materiel Command' course

    "Pushing widgets out your door but having those widgets stack up in front of another Air Force Materiel Command unit's door really hasn't helped the enterprise." With that statement, Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, explained his concept of 'One Materiel Command' to 103 AFMC senior leaders

  • New RAF housing site could be history's hiding ground

    RAF Mildenhall is beginning a new housing construction project to add more units to the officer housing area. But, before they break ground, the building site must go through a preliminary dig to ensure any possible objects of archeological significance that may be found are properly uncovered and

  • Chief McKinley visits Airmen at Soto Cano

    Delivering 12,000 cookies to Airmen at forward operating bases is just one of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley's many jobs. But the prospects of meeting with Airmen at four Central and South American and Caribbean bases put a smile on the face of the Air Force's top enlisted

  • Air Force plays in pandemic flu exercise

    The Air Force is participating in a pandemic flu exercise Dec. 11-13 in Boerne, Texas, linking a variety of major south Texas crisis response agencies and Air Force medical personnel. The Regional Pandemic Flu Conference, facilitated by the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, involves 59th

  • Hockey: Academy player takes Atlantic rookie honors

    A U.S. Air Force Academy freshman was named the Atlantic Hockey Association Rookie of the Week for his performance against the University of Connecticut Dec. 7 and 8. Jeff Hajner, a right wing/center from Las Vegas, had a career best three points in the two-game series. He assisted on the

  • University of Idaho students study human factors on B-52

    Seven students and a professor from the University of Idaho visited several organizations here Dec. 5 for a subsystem evaluation on the B-52 Stratofortress. The University of Idaho students are attending a graduate-level course, called advanced human factors, and were assigned to a class project

  • Schedule announced for release of tax statements

    Servicemembers, military retirees and annuitants, and federal civilian employees paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can expect to receive their 2006 tax statements beginning this month, DFAS officials announced today. DFAS customers with access to the secure, Web-based "myPay" system

  • New pay, personnel system on horizon for troops

    A new system coming in 2008 to the Army and Air Force will integrate pay and personnel and make life easier for servicemembers everywhere, the general in charge of the system's deployment said. The Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System, or DIMHRS, integrates the two services' pay and

  • Florida base provides mix of support for shuttle launch

    The Air Force's 45th Space Wing out of Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. supported NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Discovery from Kennedy Space Center Dec. 9 on the shuttle's first night launch in four years. Several units across the 45th SW played vital roles such as helping validate the pad after the

  • Kadena Airmen live life of Japan self defense force

    Six Kadena Air Base NCOs recently had the opportunity to experience what life is like in the Japan Air Self Defense Force. As part of the NCO Bilateral Exchange Program they traveled in JASDF aircraft Dec. 5 to Tsuiki Air Base in mainland Japan. There, they spent nine days living and working

  • Air Force delivers much needed supplies to Kenya

    After weeks of a deluge that seemingly had no end in sight, something besides rain finally fell from the Eastern Kenya sky -- compliments of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing based in Southwest Asia. What began as a normal storm in late October in the

  • Hurlburt Airmen grant Honduran Christmas wish

    A group of Airmen here are taking a break from their holiday hustle and bustle to make a special trip and grant Christmas wishes for others. More than a dozen Airmen from the 6th Special Operations Squadron, 15th SOS and 73rd SOS travel Dec. 11 to La Ceiba, Honduras, to carry out Operation Christmas

  • SECAF visits Balad Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne visited deployed Airmen here Dec. 9. Secretary Wynne spoke to Airmen during a town hall meeting in order to discuss issues affecting them and the impact Airmen are having on Operation Iraqi Freedom. He commented on how relevant was the mission statement of

  • Space shuttle on way to space station

    Space Shuttle Discovery successfully launched from Cape Canaveral at 8:47 p.m. EDT Dec. 9 and is on its way to the International Space Station. Mission STS-116 carries a crew of seven, three of them Sailors, and is Discovery's 33rd mission. The shuttle and its crew will deliver another truss segment

  • Basketball: Air Force drops heartbreaker to Illinois-Chicago

    Despite leading for most of the contest, the Air Force women's basketball team lost a 58-57 heartbreaker to Illinois-Chicago here today at the UIC Pavilion. The Falcons fall to 3-6 on the season, while the Flames improve to 4-5. The Flames took an early 4-3 lead, but a 10-0 run put the Falcons ahead

  • New combat turret design named for fallen Airman

    Sometimes a tragedy inspires others to strive for excellence. That's what happened here for two Air Force units near Baghdad as they worked together to bring in some good for fellow Airmen.Airman 1st Class LeeBernard Emmanuel Chavis was killed while patrolling the streets of Baghdad Oct. 14 in the

  • Fairchild Airmen awarded medals for heroism

    Whether it is a meth lab in Spokane, Wash., booby trapped with grenades, or an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, every day brings something new for an explosive ordnance disposal technician. Two of Fairchild's EOD technicians were awarded decorations for heroism in a ceremony Dec. 7 at the